How Latest NHL Mock Drafts Contrast for Leafs, Sharks, Rangers and Lottery Teams

The 2026 Stanley Cup Final matchup is set. On Tuesday, the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes will begin their battle for the Cup in Game 1. The rest of the NHL, meanwhile, has already turned its attention to the looming offseason.

Naturally, the 2026 NHL draft, slated to begin on June 26, will be a big part of the offseason proceedings.

The Toronto Maple Leafs won this year's draft lottery and will have the first choice from a talented pool of prospects. What the Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and other teams will do at the top of the draft remains an unknown. However, the experts have their ideas.

Here, we'll examine how some of the top mock drafts stack up.

Top 10 Comparisons

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Rachel Kryshak, ESPN

1. Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)

2. Sharks: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

3. Canucks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frolunda HC (SHL)

4. Blackhawks: Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL)

5. Rangers: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)

6. Flames: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL)

7. Kraken: Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA)

8. Jets: Nikita Klepov, F, Saginaw (OHL)

9. Panthers: Alberts Šmits, LHD, Munchen (DEL)

10. Predators: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL)

Corey Pronman, The Athletic

1. Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)

2. Sharks: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

3. Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)

4. Blackhawks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frolunda HC (SHL)

5. Rangers: Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL)

6. Flames: Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA)

7. Kraken: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL)

8. Jets: Alberts Šmits, LHD, Munchen (DEL)

9. Panthers: Wyatt Cullen, LW, NTDP (USHL)

10. Predators: Viggo Björck, C, Djugarden (SHL)

Hannah Stuart, Bleacher Report

1. Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)

2. Sharks: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

3. Canucks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frolunda HC (SHL)

4. Blackhawks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)

5. Rangers: Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL)

6. Flames: Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA)

7. Kraken: Viggo Björck, C, Djugarden (SHL)

8. Jets: Alberts Šmits, LHD, Munchen (DEL)

9. Panthers: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)

10. Predators: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL)

Gavin McKenna Trending as Top Pick

AP Photo

While we don't know exactly what will happen at the top of the draft, Penn State winger Gavin McKenna is looking like the safe bet to go No. 1 overall. He was the Leafs' pick in all three mocks we examined, and he's drawing a ton of interest post-lottery.

According to Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com, McKenna is set to meet with at least eight teams at the scouting combine.

While Toronto could certainly talk itself into a different prospect at No. 1, Bleacher Report's Hannah Stuart doesn't believe it'll happen:

"While certain teams could galaxy-brain a first-overall selection, signs do not currently point to the Leafs being among them. McKenna is obviously an easy pick at first overall, no matter who is selecting, and is especially easy when you consider that it gives the Leafs the opportunity to bring in a good Canadian boy (even if he did leave his CHL team for college hockey)."

McKenna appeared in 35 games for Penn State this past season, and he tallied 15 goals and 51 points.

Chase Reid, Ivar Stenberg Should Be Top-Five Locks

AP Photo

Chase Reid

Anyone penciling in McKenna as the top pick might want to put Sault Ste. Marie's Chase Reid at No. 2. A product of Chesterfield, Michigan, Reid was drafted into the Ontario Hockey League at 15 and has since become a star defenseman.

"Reid's name comes up often in those conversations as arguably the draft's most talented defender who can quarterback the power play with those forwards for a decade. Most of the league thinks that's who San Jose will go with," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote.

Reid was the No. 2 selection in all three mocks we examined. While there wasn't the same consensus with Swedish Hockey League star Ivar Stenberg, Stenberg might still be a top-five lock.

When Stuart put together April's draft board, Stenberg, not McKenna took the top ranking. Post-lottery, Stenberg remains a top-four projection in all three mocks we examined.

As ESPN's Rachel Kryshak noted, Stenberg might be the safest prospect in this class.

"Stenberg has the highest probability of making the NHL, and he is the player in the top 10 with the least volatility," Kryshak wrote. "He is a bona fide play-driving winger who impacts the game in every area of the ice."

While some teams may pass over Stenberg to chase a higher ceiling, the Frölunda HC star is a prospect who is unlikely to bust. It'll be a surprise if he slides much on draft night.