New NHL Mock Draft Drops by Experts After Hurricanes Win 2026 Stanley Cup, Is McKenna Still No. 1?

Penn State forward Gavin McKenna continues to maintain a firm hold on No. 1 pick status in the newest 2026 NHL mock draft by a panel of experts from The Athletic.

Joshua Kloke argued the Toronto Maple Leafs should be canvassing the market for the first overall selection. They might be able to land an experienced star, or trading back a few picks and getting defenseman Chase Reid wouldn't be a bad value play.

Assuming Toronto stands pat, Kloke concluded that "taking McKenna is a tap-in."

The debates will begin with the San Jose Sharks at No. 2. Here's the top 10 from The Athletic's mock.

Team	Player
1. Maple Leafs	Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
2. Sharks	Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frölunda
3. Canucks	Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford
4. Blackhawks	Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie
5. Rangers	Carson Carels, D, Prince George
6. Flames	Viggo Björck, C, Djurgården
7. Kraken	Alberts Šmits, D, Munich
8. Jets	Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota
9. Panthers	Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert
10. Predators	Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University

The Athletic's Eric Stephens reported the Sharks "seriously explored" trading their own first-rounder for a proven defenseman. Absent any worthwhile options materializing, San Jose will be on the clock at No. 2.

Stephens posited the team could go with Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg, which would open a path to trading William Eklund for New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider.

In the end, the Sharks got the upgrade to their blue line they need without sacrificing too much in the attack long term.

Playing the role of the Chicago Blackhawks general manager, Scott Powers suggested the team "would ideally draft one of the top three forwards" with the fourth pick. McKenna, Stenberg and Caleb Malhotra were all gone, so he opted for Reid.

And even then, Powers said there are disagreements over which defensive prospect is the best. Should that be the area of the ice where Chicago focuses, Carson Carels or Alberts Šmits could plausibly be options.