NHL Draft 2026 Team-by-Team Results, Grades and Analysis

The 2026 NHL Draft is in the rear-view mirror, with all 32 teams selecting the young men they hope will guide them to Stanley Cup contention for the foreseeable future.

The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked things off by selecting Gavin McKenna, the consensus No. 1 overall pick.

Who followed, what grade did each team earn for their picks, and which organizations had the best and worst classes of the bunch?

Find out in this recap.

Team-by-Team Picks, Grades

Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images

Below are the complete draft picks for each team, as well as B/R's Adam Herman's grade for each. Draft class results via ProHockeyRumors.

Anaheim Ducks (A-)

1-15. RW Nikita Klepov (Saginaw, OHL)

1-28. LW Marcus Nordmark (Djurgården-Jr., Sweden)

2-45. D Jayden Kurtz (Rogers, USHS-MN)

2-50. RW Mathis Preston (Vancouver, WHL)

3-82. RW Rian Chudzinski (Moncton, QMJHL)

5-146. D Eric Frossard (Guelph, OHL)

6-178. G Gleb Peshkov (Vladivostok-Jr., Russia)

6-192. C Noah Kosick (Seattle, WHL)

7-210. D James Rieber (Waterloo, USHL)

Boston Bruins (C+)

2-56. G Yuri Ivanov (Spartak-Jr., Russia)

3-88. RW Nils Bartholdsson (Rögle-Jr., Sweden)

4-104. LW Matvei Kotkov (Yaroslavl-Jr., Russia)

4-122. LW Oscar Olsson (Örebro-Jr., Sweden)

5-157. D Jacob Vandeven (Komoka, GOJHL)

6-170. G Roberto Henriquez (Green Bay, USHL)

7-216. D Cullen McCrate (Fargo, USHL)

Buffalo Sabres (B-)

1-4. D Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert, WHL)

1-20. C Ilia Morozov (Miami-Ohio, NCAA)

4-124. C Olivers Murnieks (Saint John, QMJHL)

5-156. C Domán Szongoth (KooKoo-Jr., Finland)

6-188. RW Dylan Dumont (Drummondville, QMJHL)

Calgary Flames (A)

1-6. D Carson Carels (Prince George, WHL)

1-30. C Jack Hextall (Youngstown, USHL)

2-36. LW Chase Harrington (Spokane, WHL)

2-42. G Tobias Trejbal (Youngstown, USHL)

2-55. RW Alan Shaikhlislamov (Ufa-Jr., Russia)

3-65. RW Joe Iginla (Vancouver, WHL)

4-100. C Egor Barabanov (Saginaw, OHL)

5-132. LW Simon Katolicky (Tappara-Jr., Finland)

6-164. D Bode Laylin (Tri-City, USHL)

Carolina Hurricanes (A)

2-51. D William Håkansson (Luleå, Sweden)

2-61. C Wiggo Sörensson (Boro/Vetlanda, Sweden-4)

3-68. RW Zachary Lansard (Regina, WHL)

4-105. LW Michael Berchild (USA U18, NTDP)

4-125. G Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa, OHL)

6-165. G Zachary Jovanovski (Guelph, OHL)

Chicago Blackhawks (A)

2-34. D Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)

2-35. LW Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara, OHL)

3-66. D Samu Alalauri (Pelicans-Jr., Finland)

7-194. D Alexander Ivanov (Bars Kazan, Russia-2)

7-200. C William Sörbrand (Timra-Jr., Sweden)

Colorado Avalanche (B+)

2-43. C Egor Shilov (Victoriaville, QMJHL)

3-74. C Beckett Hamilton (Red Deer, WHL)

4-126. G Tobias Tvrznik (Wenatchee, WHL)

4-128. D Axel Elofsson (Örebro-Jr., Sweden)

5-140. D Cole Tuminaro (Chicago, USHL)

5-152. D Theodore Lechner (Holy Angels, USHS-MN)

7-195. LW Shawn Carrier (Halifax, QMJHL)

7-214. D Ondřej Ruml (Ottawa, OHL)

7-215. G Alexandre Raymond (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)

Columbus Blue Jackets (B)

1-14. LW Oscar Hemming (Boston College, NCAA)

3-94. C Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia, OHL)

4-121. LW Evan Jardine (Youngstown, USHL)

5-142. G Parker Snell (Edmonton, WHL)

6-182. C Anttoni Uronen (HIFK, Finland)

6-185. D Jonas Woo (Medicine Hat, WHL)

7-206. LW Filip Novak (Sparta-Jr., Czechia)

Dallas Stars (B-)

2-59. D Jakub Vaněček (Tri-City, WHL)

5-155. LW Ryan Brown (London, OHL)

6-187. G Anton Emil Wilde Larsen (Frederikshavn, Denmark)

7-197. C Jasper Kuhta (Ottawa, OHL)

7-219. D Mikhail Cherepanov (New Hampshire, NAHL)

Detroit Red Wings (B)

1-23. LW J.P. Hurlbert (Kamloops, WHL)

2-47. LW Victor Plante (USA U-18, NTDP)

3-79. G Michal Orsulak (Prince Albert, WHL)

4-108. C Adam Levac (Peterborough, OHL)

5-143. C Beckham Edwards (Sarnia, OHL)

6-175. LW Luka Arkko (Pelicans-Jr., Finland)

7-196. D Myles Brosnan (Dexter School, USHS-MA)

Edmonton Oilers (B-)

2-58. C Rudolfs Berzkalns (Muskegon, USHL)

2-40. RW Simas Ignatavicius (Genève-Servette, Swiss)

3-84. LW Malcom Gästrin (MoDo-Jr., Sweden)

5-133. D Andrew Robinson (Windsor, OHL)

6-180. C Caden Harvey (Windsor, OHL)

7-212. G Ryan Cameron (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

Florida Panthers (A)

2-40. RW Simas Ignatavicius (Genève-Servette, Swiss)

2-48. C Ryder Cali (North Bay, OHL)

4-98. D Jonas Kemps (Chicago, USHL)

6-168. RW Vilho Vanhatalo (Tappara-Jr., Finland)

6-181. RW Cole Zurawski (Owen Sound, OHL)

7-217. G Louis-Antoine Denault (Newfoundland, QMJHL)

Los Angeles Kings (B)

1-19. RW Elton Hermansson (MoDo, Sweden-2)

2-46. C Liam Lefebvre (Chicoutimi, QMJHL)

2-49. D Adam Goljer (Trencin, Slovakia)

3-80. C Blake Zielinski (Des Moines, USHL)

3-89. G Yegor Rybkin (Nizhny Novgorod-Jr., Russia)

4-103. C Thomas Vandenberg (Ottawa, OHL)

5-145. D Vertti Svensk (SaiPa-Jr., Finland)

5-153. D Giorgos Pantelas (Brandon, WHL)

6-177. RW Alex Kostov (Flint, OHL)

7-209. RW Tobias Krestan (HV71-Jr., Sweden)

7-223. D Lucas Ambrosio (Erie, OHL)

Minnesota Wild (B+)

3-83. C Adam Andersson (Leksand-Jr., Sweden)

4-112. RW Kayden Lemire (Prince George, WHL)

5-137. G Filip Ruzicka (Brandon, WHL)

Montreal Canadiens (C-)

1-26. RW Gleb Pugachyov (Nizhny Novgorod-Jr., Russia)

2-57. D Timofei Runtso (Victoria, WHL)

3-93. D Cooper Cleaves (Dartmouth, NCAA)

4-117. D Brayden Klimpke (Saskatoon, WHL)

6-189. LW Parker Trottier (USA U-18, NTDP)

6-190. RW Wesley Royston (Owen Sound, OHL)

7-221. D Jean-Samuel Daigneault (Muskegon, USHL)

7-224. RW Tyler Deakos (Waterloo, USHL)

Nashville Predators (A-)

1-10. RW Wyatt Cullen (USA U-18, NTDP)

1-31. D Tommy Bleyl (Moncton, QMJHL)

3-70. G Dmitri Borichev (Loko-76 Yaroslavl-Jr., Russia)

4-106. D Jakub Floris (Lukko-Jr., Finland)

4-118. C Justin Graf (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

5-138. LW Philip Hemmyr (Björklöven, Sweden-2)

6-179. D Benjamin Cossette Ayotte (Val-d'Or, QMJHL)

7-202. C Charlie Puglisi (Winchendon, USHS-MA)

New Jersey Devils (B-)

1-12. C Alexander Command (Örebro-Jr., Sweden)

2-37. LW Matias Vanhanen (Everett, WHL)

2-44. D Nikita Shcherbakov (Ufa-Jr., Russia)

4-119. C Lavr Gashilov (Yekaterinburg-Jr., Russia)

5-149. G Daniil Rusakovich (Dinamo-Shinnik-Jr., Russia)

6-172. C Luke Wilfley (Portland, WHL)

7-222. C Quinn McKenzie (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

New York Islanders (A-)

1-13. D Malte Gustafsson (HV71, Sweden)

4-109. D Lincoln Kuehne (Arizona State, NCAA)

5-141. D Vladimír Dravecký (Brantford, OHL)

6-173. C Artyom Matyuk (Nizhny Novgorod-Jr., Russia)

7-205. RW Robert Cowan (Western Michigan, NCAA)

New York Rangers (B+)

1-5. D Alberts Smits (Jukurit, Finland)

2-64. D Benjamin MacBeath (Calgary, WHL)

3-67. G Danai Shaiikov (Gatineau, QMJHL)

3-77. D Charlie Morrison (Quebec, QMJHL)

3-81. C Tomas Chrenko (Nitra, Slovakia)

4-102. LW Spencer Bowes (Ottawa, OHL)

6-162. D Andre Mondoux (Kingston, OHL)

6-163. RW Darian Anderson (Flint, OHL)

7-193. D Ivan Patrikhayev (CSKA, Russia)

Ottawa Senators (B-)

1-25. RW Jonas Lagerberg Hoen (Leksands-Jr., Sweden)

1-32. LW Jaxon Cover (London, OHL)

3-72. LW Adam Nemec (Sudbury, OHL)

3-87. C Oscar Holmertz (Linköping-Jr., Sweden)

3-91. RW Louis Felix Bourque (Drummondville, QMJHL)

4-110. G Elliot Lennon (Deerfield, USHS-MA)

5-151. D Harris Pangretitsch (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

6-183. D Alexander Grunin (Novosibirsk-Jr., Russia)

Philadelphia Flyers (C)

1-27. D Maksim Sokolovskii (London, OHL)

2-53. D Brek Liske (Everett, WHL)

2-62. G Martin Psohlavec (Karlovy Vary-Jr., Czechia)

4-120. G Marek Sklenička (Seattle, WHL)

5-136. C Kent Sauer (Andover, USHS-MN)

7-213. D Max Laatikainen (Kiekko-Espoo-Jr., Finland)

Pittsburgh Penguins (B)

1-22. RW Liam Ruck (Medicine Hat, WHL)

2-39. C Markus Ruck (Medicine Hat, WHL)

2-54. D Tomas Galvas (Liberec, Czechia)

3-86. LW Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound, OHL)

4-111. D Parker Von Richter (Barrie, OHL)

5-160. G Matvei Nikonovich (Togliatti-Jr., Russia)

San Jose Sharks (A+)

1-2. LW Ivar Stenberg (Frölunda, Sweden)

1-9. D Keaton Verhoeff (North Dakota, NCAA)

1-21. D Ryan Lin (Vancouver, WHL)

4-127. G Brady Knowling (USA U-18, NTDP)

6-174. C Jake Gustafson (Portland, WHL)

7-201. D Alexander Karmanov (North Bay, OHL)

Seattle Kraken (B+)

1-7. D Chase Reid (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

2-38. RW Casey Mutryn (USA U-18, NTDP)

4-99. C Viktor Fedorov (Torpedo-Gorky, Russia-2)

5-131. D Finn Kearns (St. Andrew's, CANHS-ON)

5-148. D Luken Huff (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

6-166. D Ola Palme (Växjö-Jr., Sweden)

7-198. D Rylan Singh (Guelph, OHL)

7-204. C William Tomko (Sioux City, USHL)

St. Louis Blues (A-)

1-11. C Tynan Lawrence (Boston Univ., NCAA)

1-16. C Maddox Dagenais (Quebec, QMJHL)

3-75. D Luke Schairer (USA U-18, NTDP)

4-107. D Landon Nycz (UMass, NCAA)

4-123. G Vladimir Proskurin (Mytishchi-Jr., Russia)

5-139. D Nicholas Bogas (USA U-18, NTDP)

5-150. RW Carter Stevens (Guelph, OHL)

6-171. RW Lars Steiner (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)

7-203. C Colin Fitzgerald (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

Tampa Bay Lightning (D)

2-52. LW Oleg Kulebiakin (Halifax, QMJHL)

3-90. D Tomas Kralovic (Bratislava, Slovakia)

5-134. LW Morgan Anderberg (Växjö, Sweden)

5-154. C Cooper Soller (Sioux Falls, USHL)

6-186. G Stepan Shurygin (Saginaw, OHL)

7-218. D Max Vilén (Moncton, QMJHL)

Toronto Maple Leafs (A)

1-1. LW Gavin McKenna (Penn State, NCAA)

2-60. D Alexander Bilecki (Kitchener, OHL)

3-69. D Ethan MacKenzie (Edmonton, WHL)

3-73. RW Zach Olsen (Saskatoon, WHL)

3-76. D Måns Gudmundsson (Färjestad-Jr., Sweden)

3-85. G Juuso Ainasto (Jokerit-Jr., Finland)

4-114. G Patriks Plumins (Zemgale, Latvia)

5-158. C Cooper Williams (Saskatoon, WHL)

6-161. D Yaroslav Fedoseyev (Chelyabinsk-Jr., Russia)

6-169. RW Brody Pepoy (Saginaw, OHL)

Utah Mammoth (A-)

1-17. LW Ethan Belchetz (Windsor, OHL)

3-96. C Adam Valentini (Michigan, NCAA)

4-115. G Carl Axelsson (Muskegon, USHL)

5-130. D Theodor Knights (MoDo-Jr., Sweden)

5-147. RW Florent Houle (Sherbrooke, QMJHL)

7-211. LW Artem Prima (Minot, NAHL)

Vancouver Canucks (B)

1-3. C Caleb Malhotra (Brantford, OHL)

1-24. LW Adam Novotný (Peterborough, OHL)

2-33. C Brooks Rogowski (Oshawa, OHL)

2-41. LW Niklas Aaram-Olsen (Örebro-Jr., Sweden)

3-78. G Dmitri Ivchenko (Omsk-Jr., Russia)

4-97. C Yaroslav Bryzgalov (Medicine Hat, WHL)

5-129. RW Connor Davis (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

6-176. RW Lucian Bernat (Tappara-Jr., Finland)

6-184. D Samuel Eriksson (Färjestad-Jr., Sweden)

Vegas Golden Knights (B-)

1-29. D Juha Piiparinen (Tappara, Finland)

2-63. Pick forfeited

3-92. C Benjamin Wilmott (Barrie, OHL)

3-95. D Sean Burick (Penticton, WHL)

4-113. RW Jonah Sivertson (Prince Albert, WHL)

5-159. D Will McLaughlin (Portland, WHL)

6-191. G Matthew Minchak (Kingston, OHL)

7-207. LW Noel Pakarinen (Kiekko-Espoo-Jr., Finland)

Washington Capitals (B-)

1-18. C Oliver Suvanto (Tappara, Finland)

4-101. RW Tyus Sparks (Spokane, WHL)

5-144. D Brian McFadden (Thayer, USHS-MA)

7-208. C Logan Stuart (USA U-18, NTDP)

Winnipeg Jets (A-)

1-8. C Viggo Björck (Djurgården, SHL)

3-71. G Samuel Hrenak (Fargo, USHL)

4-116. LW Zach Wooten (Green Bay, USHL)

5-135. D Alexandre Taillefer (Quebec, QMJHL)

6-167. C Landon Hafele (Green Bay, USHL)

7-199. D Alofa Tunoa Ta'Amu (Edmonton, WHL)

7-220. G John Parsons (Providence, NCAA)

Best Draft: San Jose Sharks

Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images

The Sharks were one of the most electric teams in all of the NHL last season, thanks in large part to the play of 19-year-old sensation, Macklin Celebrini.

Adding Ivar Stenberg at the wing position with the second overall pick was a no-brainer. His arrival will only enhance one of the youngest, most explosive, and captivating offenses in the game. The consensus No. 2 pick behind Gavin McKenna from Penn State, Stenberg totaled 33 points in 43 games in 2025-26, with a +/- of 10.

An elite playmaker whose anticipation may be his greatest attributes, Stenberg has also proven an extraordinary puck handler in small, compact spaces.

The team clearly needed an upgrade defensively, though, and the organization addressed that area in the roster, devoting three of its last five picks to defensemen and one to the goalie position, selecting American Brady Knowling.

Stenberg, also a strong defensive presence, thanks to his 200-foot game, will also benefit the team in that area.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier earned plenty of praise for the handling of this draft, addressing key needs while selecting the best available player, who just so happens to pair nicely with the centerpiece star in Celebrini and simultaneously addresses those needs.

Do not be surprised if, years from now, Sharks fans point to this draft as a game-changer for the organization.

Worst Draft: Tampa Bay Lightning

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Tampa Bay is one of the strongest, most consistent organizations in the NHL, so if any front office knows what it is doing, it is theirs.

With that said, the team made selections that are puzzling at best and frustrating at worst.

There are undersized picks (Oleg Kulebiakin, Morgan Anderberg) and too few flash NHL potential. It is a mishmash lineup of players who may never see the ice in a Lightning uniform, and others who will struggle to match up physically with the bigger, stronger, more physical players on the opposition.

With just six picks in this year's draft, the Lightning needed to be more careful with the players they selected, and instead, they made too many head-scratching picks.

Perhaps the team's developmental system will squeeze every ounce of potential out of them, producing a hidden gem or two, and everyone denouncing their selections will happily eat crow.

For now, this is clearly the most underwhelming draft from this year's class.