Gavin McKenna projected as top pick in 2026 NHL Draft amid early round speculation

Analyst Corey Pronman released his final projection for the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, forecasting that the Toronto Maple Leafs will choose Penn State left winger Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick. Pronman noted that Toronto’s interest in other prospects such as Ivar Stenberg, Chase Reid and Caleb Malhotra is outweighed by McKenna’s projected 100-point upside.

The San Jose Sharks are expected to pick Swedish left winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2, though the Sharks could also select Chase Reid, according to the analyst. Vancouver is projected to take Reid at No. 3, while Buffalo may select center Caleb Malhotra at No. 4.

Pronman listed a range of possibilities for the remaining selections, including New York Rangers left defenseman Alberts Šmits at No. 5, Calgary’s likely pick of left defenseman Carson Carels at No. 6, and Seattle’s potential choice of right-handed defenseman Daxon Rudolph at No. 7. The projection continues through the entire first round, identifying likely picks for each team based on recent reporting and team needs.

"The board will likely play out for the Kraken to get a much-needed top defense prospect, be it Šmits, Verhoeff or Rudolph," Pronman said, reflecting league consensus on Seattle’s priorities.

The analyst also highlighted uncertainty for several teams, noting that injuries and lingering health concerns could influence selections, such as the concussion issues surrounding Carson Carels. Overall, the projection offers a detailed look at how each franchise might address positional gaps and talent preferences in the opening night of the draft.