2026 NHL Mock Draft
2026 NHL Mock Draft and NHL Draft History. 2026 NHL Draft prospect videos, stats, and written profiles updated throughout the year.
www.mynhldraft.comHere’s a concise update on the latest NHL mock drafts for 2026.
Overview
- Multiple outlets have published 2026 NHL mock drafts around late 2025 and early 2026, with consensus centers around Gavin McKenna as a top pick in many scenarios, though there has been ongoing debate about the exact order beyond the top few selections.[4][7][9]
Key recent developments
- After the 2025-26 season and preceding Olympics/trade activity, several mock drafts shifted the top picks based on lottery results, team needs, and player performances in junior and college hockey. For example, one widely cited projection had Gavin McKenna as the No. 1 pick, with the Sharks and other teams evaluating secondary targets depending on draft position changes.[7][4]
- Following the draft lottery in May 2026, mock drafts were updated to reflect the new order, with analysts re-evaluating top prospects like McKenna and others such as Alberts Smits, Stenberg, and Reid based on recent play and system fits. Bleacher Report and The Hockey News released updated first-round projections in this window.[6][9]
- Several outlets also produced “final” or near-final takes before trade deadline chaos, adding or removing players from the top of the board as rumors and real trades impacted team needs. ClutchPoints, The Hockey News, and Bleacher Report each published late-stage mock drafts with varying top-10 compositions.[9][6][7]
Notable players often appearing in 2026 mock drafts
- Gavin McKenna (Penn State) – frequently ranked No. 1 or near the top in multiple mock drafts depending on team needs and performance trajectory.[4][7][9]
- Alberts Smits (D) – commonly listed as a potential high pick in top-5 ranges for teams needing blueline depth.[4]
- Alberts Smits, Stenberg, and Reid – various first-round projections feature these names prominently, with position versatility shaping their fit for different franchises.[6][4]
- Other recurring names include Daxon Rudolph, Ethan Belchetz, and JP Hurlbert among early-to-mid round projections, reflecting strong junior/CHL performances feeding the boards.[1]
Where to look next
- If you want the most current single board, I can pull the latest articles from outlets like Bleacher Report, ClutchPoints, The Hockey News, and NHL.com and summarize their top 10 for you.
- If you’re tracking a specific team’s perspective (e.g., how the No. 1 pick could affect the Sharks or Maple Leafs), tell me the team and I’ll compile team-fit notes from recent mocks.
Would you like a side-by-side comparison table of the latest top-10 mock picks from several outlets, or a focused summary on McKenna’s projected path and potential landing spots? I can also provide direct links to the latest articles if you want to read them in full.