The Athletic’s 2026 NHL Mock Draft: Surprises, Sleepers, and Team Strategies
The Athletic’s annual mock draft for the 2026 NHL Draft blends scouting insight with franchise strategy, highlighting key selections and emerging storylines.
Jun 17, 2026
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Ivar Stenberg
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Canucks’ Offseason Overhaul: Draft, Trades, and a New Direction
The Vancouver Canucks finished 32nd overall and are entering a pivotal offseason, leveraging cap space, draft capital, and trade assets to rebuild their roster and accelerate future competitiveness.
Jun 16, 2026
Chase Reid Emerges as Top Contender for 2026 NHL Draft
Chase Reid's breakout season and international exposure have positioned him as a coveted prospect for the upcoming draft.
Jun 16, 2026
NHL Offseason Shake‑Up: Cap Rise Sparks Player Movements
The Carolina Hurricanes lead the league, but the upcoming offseason will be defined by cap‑driven maneuvers, high‑profile trades, and a draft class poised to reshape the landscape.
Jun 15, 2026
NHL offseason set for major roster shifts as cap rises
The Carolina Hurricanes lead the league while salary‑cap growth fuels speculation over player movement, draft prospects and upcoming free‑agency signings.
Jun 15, 2026
Hurricanes Lead the Pack as NHL Offseason Moves Heat Up
The Carolina Hurricanes sit atop the NHL standings while teams across the league navigate contract buyouts, potential trades and a looming draft that could redefine their futures.
Jun 15, 2026
Flyers’ Draft Pick Dilemma and the Future of Trevor Zegras
The Philadelphia Flyers navigate a confusing draft‑pick swap with the Toronto Maple Leafs, raising questions about league intervention, while prospects Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg generate excitement and Trevor Zegras' contract situation remains uncertain.
Jun 15, 2026
Blackhawks’ 2026‑27 Season Preview: New Faces, Trade Rumors, and Draft Outlook
The Chicago Blackhawks have released a six‑game schedule for their minor‑league affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, while rookie Roman Kantserov is expected to play a key offensive role. Trade rumors swirl around Darnell Nurse, coaching changes loom for the Oilers, and draft predictions point to Carson Carels as a top prospect.
Jun 13, 2026
NHL Outlook: Blackhawks, All-Star Selections, and Trade Rumors
The Chicago Blackhawks are set to host six AHL games, Roman Kantserov eyes a breakout rookie season, and Darnell Nurse’s trade preferences surface as the league reveals its All-Star and All-Rookie teams.
Jun 13, 2026
Gavin McKenna Poised to Be the Top Pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
Scouting reports, statistical highlights and draft projections converge on Gavin McKenna, the Whitehorse‑born forward whose NCAA breakout has put him at the centre of the 2026 NHL Draft conversation.
Jun 12, 2026
Athletic’s Prospect Series Releases Collaborative 2026 Draft Top Ten
A panel of Hockey Show analysts combined their expertise to produce a consensus top‑10 ranking for the 2026 NHL Draft, highlighting standout performances and future possibilities.
Jun 11, 2026
Canucks Eye Top Center in Upcoming NHL Draft
With the draft less than three weeks away, analysts from The Athletic break down the Canucks’ options, emphasizing Caleb Malhotra’s two‑way game and the potential impact of other prospects.
Jun 9, 2026
2026 NHL Draft: Projected Top Picks and Team Strategies
Analysts predict the Toronto Maple Leafs will select Gavin McKenna first, with San Jose, Vancouver and Chicago following suit, while a host of prospects prepare for their NHL futures.
Jun 8, 2026
Canucks’ Scouting Combine Showcase Highlights 2026 Draft Outlook
At the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, the Vancouver Canucks highlighted their 2026 draft strategy, with son of head coach Manny Malhotra delivering a poised media performance and impressive athletic tests that have raised expectations for the upcoming draft.
Jun 8, 2026
Blackhawks Eye Top Prospect Keaton Verhoeff with Fourth Overall Pick in 2026 NHL Draft
Forward Keaton Verhoeff's blend of skill, character and power‑play potential has positioned him as a leading candidate for Chicago's fourth overall selection.
Jun 8, 2026
The 2026 NHL Draft: A Deep Defensive Landscape and the Race for the Top Spot
A look at the deep pool of defensemen, the leading candidates, and the complex decision‑making that will shape the 2026 draft.
Jun 8, 2026
Pavelski Pursues Coaching Role as Maple Leafs Seek New Bench Boss
Joe Pavelski, a two‑time Stanley Cup champion, is being considered for the Toronto Maple Leafs head‑coach position after years of youth‑level mentorship. Meanwhile, Martin St. Louis leads the Canadiens to the conference finals, and Connor McDavid ties Wayne Gretzky’s award record.
Jun 7, 2026
Sharks Eye Defensive Prospects with No.2 Pick in 2026 Draft
The San Jose Sharks are poised to select a defenseman at the second overall spot in the 2026 NHL Draft, with Chase Reid and Carson Carels among the leading candidates. A recent team dinner with six prospects has sparked speculation about a league‑wide interest in the club's drafting approach.
Jun 7, 2026
Islanders’ Draft Combine Outreach Reveals Prospect List
The New York Islanders met several draft‑eligible players at the 2026 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo, including a list of prospects and Tony Ferrari’s top‑ranked names, ahead of the June 26‑27 draft at the KeyBank Center.
Jun 6, 2026
Top 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Reveal Paths to the League
Three leading 2026 draft candidates share their experiences navigating NCAA, international play, and family ties as they aim for NHL careers.
Jun 6, 2026
McKenna Projected No.1 Pick in NHL Draft Amid Off‑Ice Scrutiny
An 18‑year‑old forward from Whitehorse, Yukon, is expected to be the top selection in the upcoming NHL draft, but off‑ice concerns and competition from European prospects add layers to his draft story.
Jun 5, 2026
McKenna Tops 2026 NHL Draft Rankings Amid Strong Defensive Pool
Gavin McKenna tops the 2026 NHL Draft rankings as the player with the highest upside, while a deep pool of defenders and promising goaltenders shape the upcoming draft guide.
Jun 4, 2026
Top NHL Draft Prospects Weigh NCAA Choices as USHL Expands Westward
Two of the most highly rated 2026 prospects are weighing college commitments while the USHL adds three western franchises, signaling a pivotal shift in North American hockey development.
Jun 4, 2026
Maple Leafs Face Crucial Choice at 2026 Draft
With the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs must decide whether to select Ivar Stenberg, a Swedish forward whose SHL and World Junior performances have positioned him as the most NHL‑ready candidate, or to pursue alternative prospects such as Gavin McKenna.
Jun 3, 2026