
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.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Wyatt Cullen across Hockey.

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.

The New Jersey Devils hold the 12th overall selection and are eyeing three promising college commits who could shape the franchise's future.

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.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are watching a handful of elite prospects as the 2026 draft approaches, with Swedish centre Viggo Bjorck, USNTDP forward Wyatt Cullen and Russian defender Ilya Morozov all on the radar.

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.

The St. Louis Blues hold the 11th and 15th picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, targeting both defensemen and forwards. Wyatt Cullen, a winger from a three‑generation hockey family, is projected as a late first‑round prospect and has committed to the University of Minnesota.

The NHL trade rumor mill is buzzing as the offseason approaches its climax, with several high‑profile moves on the horizon.