2026 NHL Draft Results and Team-by-Team Grades for Notable Picks

The 2026 NHL draft wrapped up on Saturday, as the incoming rookie classes for each team were finalized.

The Toronto Maple Leafs held the No. 1 overall pick, unsurprisingly choosing Gavin McKenna to become one of the team's key building blocks moving forward.

Here's a look at grades for notable selections from each organization.

Anaheim Ducks

Pick Grade: A-

Notable Pick: Mathis Preston, RW (Round 2, Pick 50)

The Anaheim Ducks took a big swing in the second round, selecting Mathis Preston after he appeared in 46 games with Vancouver and Spokane in the WHL. He amassed 46 points on both teams and could develop into a key piece for an Anaheim squad looking to build upon a second-round playoff appearance.

Boston Bruins

Pick Grade: B+

Notable Pick: Yuri Ivanov, G (Round 2, Pick 56)

While the Boston Bruins didn't pick in the first round of the 2026 draft, the team was still able to add goaltender Yuri Ivanov in the second.

The 17-year-old was one of the youngest players in the draft and may develop into a starter down the line after posting a .924 save percentage through 17 games for MHK Spartak in the MHL last season.

Buffalo Sabres

Pick Grade: C

Notable Pick: Daxon Rudolph, D (Round 1, Pick 4)

Daxon Rudolph's offensive traits compared to other defensemen in the 2026 draft class are intriguing, although it may be difficult for him to immediately carve out a large role on a Buffalo Sabres squad that boasts strong blue line depth and is coming off a run to the second round of the playoffs.

Calgary Flames

Pick Grade: A-

Notable Pick: Carson Carels, D (Round 1, Pick 6)

As the Calgary Flames look to end a four-year playoff drought, Carson Carels immediately becomes a top prospect to build around moving forward.

Carels recorded 73 points in a mere 58 games for the WHL's Prince George Cougars last season.

Carolina Hurricanes

Pick Grade: B-

Notable Pick: Wiggo Sorensen, C (Round 2, Pick 61)

The Carolina Hurricanes ended up trading out of the first round of the draft, but the 2026 Stanley Cup champions were still able to add Wiggo Sorensen near the end of the second round.

Sorensen has shown the ability to play both center and wing, as his versatility gives him an easier path towards playing time.

Chicago Blackhawks

Pick Grade: A

Notable Pick: Ryan Roobroeck, LW (Round 2, Pick 35)

Ryan Roobroeck was viewed as a potential top prospect heading into the 2025-26 season, although he wasn't able to exceed expectations with Niagara in the OHL.

Still, the Chicago Blackhawks acquiring Roobroeck in the second round could pay off in the future.

Colorado Avalanche

Pick Grade: A-

Notable Pick: Beckett Hamilton, C (Round 3, Pick 74)

Beckett Hamilton made 67 appearances in the WHL last season, picking up 62 points. While Hamilton's team struggled, his hustle and effort might allow him to earn opportunities alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on the Colorado Avalanche.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Pick Grade: B-

Notable Pick: Oscar Hemming, LW (Round 1, Pick 14)

The Columbus Blue Jackets bet on Oscar Hemming's upside when selecting him with the No. 14 overall pick, as he's just 17 years old.

Hemming registered eight points in 19 games with Boston College last season.

Dallas Stars

Pick Grade: C+

Notable Pick: Jakub Vanecek, D (Round 2, Pick 59)

The Dallas Stars didn't have much draft capital to utilize, but the selection of Jakub Vanecek in the second round may end up working out.

Given Vanecek's mobility combined with his 6'2" height, he could end up developing into a key piece of Dallas' defense.

Detroit Red Wings

Pick Grade: B+

Notable Pick: Victor Plante, LW (Round 2, Pick 47)

The Detroit Red Wings went with a family reunion in the second round of the draft, picking Victor Plante at No. 47 overall. Plante is the brother of Red Wings prospect Max Plante, who was drafted in 2024.

Victor is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth next season, but it isn't hard to imagine him making his NHL debut during his 2027-28 campaign if he's able to stand out.

Edmonton Oilers

Pick Grade: B

Notable Pick: Rudolfs Berzkalns, C (Round 2, Pick 58)

The Edmonton Oilers selected Rudolfs Berzkalns just before the second round of the draft came to a close.

Berzkalns is headed to Boston College after compiling 13 goals and 25 points in 48 games with Muskegon of the USHL last season. His defensive discipline could earn him a consistent role with Edmonton in the future, though.

Florida Panthers

Pick Grade: A-

Notable Pick: Simas Ignatavicius, RW (Round 2, Pick 40)

While the Florida Panthers weren't able to capture the Stanley Cup for the third consecutive year in 2026, the team added a potential long-term piece in Simas Ignatavicius.

Ignatavicius played in Switzerland last season, filling several roles on his team while routinely making plays defensively.

Los Angeles Kings

Pick Grade: A

Notable Pick: Elton Hermansson, RW (Round 1, Pick 19)

The Los Angeles Kings will hope that Elton Hermansson can reach his potential and become a key piece of the team's offensive attack after acquiring him with the No. 19 pick.

Hermansson played in Sweden's second-tier league during his 2025-26 campaign, finishing with 21 points in 38 games. His puck skill and scoring ability make him a promising long-term piece.

Minnesota Wild

Pick Grade: C+

Notable Pick: Adam Andersson, C (Round 3, Pick 83)

The Minnesota Wild didn't have any picks in the first two rounds due to recent trades, but still came away from the draft with Adam Andersson.

Andersson uses his 6'4" frame to clean up plays around his own goal while also showcasing his budding offensive game.

Montreal Canadiens

Pick Grade: B+

Notable Pick: Timofei Runtso, D (Round 2, Pick 57)

The Montreal Canadiens addressed the team's need for right-shot defensemen by taking Timofei Runtso in the second round.

Runtso is poised on the puck, tallying 11 goals and 33 assists in 68 regular-season contests with the WHL's Victoria Royals last season.

Nashville Predators

Pick Grade: A

Notable Pick: Wyatt Cullen, RW (Round 1, Pick 10)

Wyatt Cullen, the son of former NHL player Matt Cullen, should become a key piece of the Nashville Predators' future after he was selected with the No. 10 overall choice.

Cullen is known for his offensive creativity and hockey IQ, which made him one of the top prospects in the draft.

New Jersey Devils

Pick Grade: B+

Notable Pick: Alexander Command, C (Round 1, Pick 12)

The New Jersey Devils chose to hold onto the No. 12 overall pick in the draft instead of trading it, ultimately acquiring Alexander Command.

Command has excelled at generating turnovers, but his all-around impact should allow him to contribute to the Devils in a variety of ways when he joins the team.

New York Islanders

Pick Grade: B

Notable Pick: Malte Gustafsson, D (Round 1, Pick 13)

The New York Islanders entered the draft searching for more defensive help, settling on Malte Gustafsson with the No. 13 pick.

It's easy to see Gustafsson and Matthew Schaefer anchoring the Islanders' blue line moving forward.

New York Rangers

Pick Grade: B+

Notable Pick: Alberts Smits, D (Round 1, Pick 5)

The New York Rangers used a top-five pick to select Alberts Smits, who brings a combination of size and speed at 6'3" and 205 pounds.

Smits' high floor could allow him to see playing time with the Rangers immediately as they look to end a brief two-year playoff drought.

Ottawa Senators

Pick Grade: A-

Notable Pick: Jonas Lagerberg Hoen (Round 1, Pick 25)

The Ottawa Senators chose to select Jonas Lagerberg Hoen at No. 25 after he missed most of the 2025-26 season due to a knee injury.

While there's some risk associated with drafting him given his recent health woes, he still registered 16 points in nine games as part of Sweden's J20 league.

Philadelphia Flyers

Pick Grade: B-

Notable Pick: Maksim Sokolovskii, D (Round 1, Pick 27)

The Philadelphia Flyers boosted the team's physicality by selecting Maksim Sokolovskii with the No. 27 choice.

Sokolovskii is a raw prospect, but his 6'7" frame helps him make his presence felt anywhere on the ice and allows him to overpower puck carriers.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pick Grade: A+

Notable Pick: Liam Ruck, RW (Round 1, Pick 22)

The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Liam Ruck in the No. 22 spot before picking up his twin brother, Markus, at No. 39.

The two siblings should pick up right where they left off while playing in Medicine Hat last season. Marcus led the WHL with 108 points as Liam finished No. 2 with 104 points.

San Jose Sharks

Pick Grade: A+

Notable Pick: Ivar Stenberg (Round 1, Pick 2)

While it wasn't an extremely difficult decision for the San Jose Sharks to draft Ivar Stenberg at the No. 2 position, expectations should still be high for him as a rookie.

Stenberg and Macklin Celebrini will form one of the NHL's top young duos.

Seattle Kraken

Pick Grade: A

Notable Pick: Chase Reid, D (Round 1, Pick 7)

The Seattle Kraken ended Chase Reid's brief draft slide by scooping him up at the No. 7 spot.

Reid should serve as Seattle's future offensive initiator from the blue line, as he was listed as the No. 3 overall prospect in the draft on B/R's final big board.

St. Louis Blues

Pick Grade: B

Notable Pick: Luke Schairer (Round 3, Pick 75)

The St. Louis Blues focused on adding defensive depth beyond the first two rounds of the draft, which included picking Luke Schairer in the third.

Schairer still has room to grow as a prospect, but he can refine his game as he prepares to play for Boston University next season.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Pick Grade: C-

Notable Pick: Oleg Kulebiakin, RW (Round 2, pick 52)

The Tampa Bay Lightning didn't choose in the first round of the draft, as the team's initial pick was Oleg Kulebiakin at No. 52.

Kulebiakin scored 29 goals in 64 games with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL last season, but his size at 5'10" could impact his ability to earn playing time with Tampa Bay.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Pick Grade: A

Notable Pick: Gavin McKenna, LW (Round 1, Pick 1)

The Toronto Maple Leafs' streak of nine consecutive playoff appearances coming to an end last season may have been a blessing in disguise, especially if Gavin McKenna reaches his high potential.

If McKenna and Auston Matthews build chemistry together quickly, Toronto should find itself back in the playoff hunt in 2027.

Utah Mammoth

Pick Grade: B+

Notable Pick: Ethan Belchetz, LW (Round 1, Pick 17)

The Utah Mammoth should receive a playmaking boost after selecting Ethan Belchetz with the No. 17 pick in the first round.

While Belchetz can occasionally be too deferential to his teammates, his pace and puck protection skills should allow him to make an impact for the Mammoth in their top six.

Vancouver Canucks

Pick Grade: A

Notable Pick: Caleb Malhotra, C (Round 1, Pick 3)

While the Vancouver Canucks' win total has decreased in each of the past two years, the addition of Caleb Malhotra at No. 3 could help the team's long-term plans to climb back up the Pacific Division standings.

Malhotra is a strong defender who also compiled 84 points in 67 appearances for the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs last season.

Vegas Golden Knights

Pick Grade: C+

Notable Pick: Juho Piiparinen, D (Round 1, Pick 29)

Juho Piiparinen may not have an extremely high ceiling compared to his fellow draft picks, but he could still contribute for the Vegas Golden Knights after he was taken with the No. 29 pick.

Piiparinen is a well-rounded defender who displayed his physicality while playing in Finland's Liiga this past season.

Washington Capitals

Pick Grade: B-

Notable Pick: Tyus Sparks, C (Round 4, Pick 101)

The Washington Capitals were extremely interested in Tyus Sparks, trading up to acquire him in the fourth round of the draft.

Sparks plays with plenty of energy, recording 28 goals and 37 assists across 69 games with the WHL's Vancouver Giants and Spokane Chiefs last season.

Winnipeg Jets

Pick Grade: A-

Notable Pick: Viggo Bjorck, C (Round 1, Pick 8)

While Viggo Bjorck has some size limitations at 5'9", his detailed defensive approach can allow him to become one of the steals of the draft for the Winnipeg Jets at No. 8.

Bjorck is also extremely talented offensively, making an impact both with and without the puck. He could slot into Winnipeg's second-line center position.