As the hockey world turns its attention toward Buffalo, New York, the stage is set for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Held at the KeyBank Center on June 26–27, 2026, this event marks a pivotal moment for teams looking to reshape their futures with a deep and talented prospect pool.
NHL Draft will be in Buffalo, New York
The Road to the Draft
Following the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5, 2026, the Toronto Maple Leafs secured the first overall pick. After a highly successful scouting combine in early June, all signs point to Toronto using that selection to bolster their top-six forward group. The draft will continue to utilize a decentralized format, with teams operating from their home markets, while top prospects gather in person in Buffalo to hear their names called.
Top Prospects to Watch
Scouting reports highlight a class rich in high-IQ playmakers and elite defensive talent. Here are the top 10 North American prospects according to the final rankings:
| Rank | Player | Position | Previous Club (League) |
| 1 | Gavin McKenna | LW | Penn State (BIG10) |
| 2 | Chase Reid | D | Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) |
| 3 | Carson Carels | D | Prince George (WHL) |
| 4 | Keaton Verhoeff | D | North Dakota (NCHC) |
| 5 | Daxon Rudolph | D | Prince Albert (WHL) |
| 6 | Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford (OHL) |
| 7 | Tynan Lawrence | C | Boston University (H-EAST) |
| 8 | Nikita Klepov | RW | Saginaw (OHL) |
| 9 | Ethan Belchetz | LW | Windsor (OHL) |
| 10 | Ilya Morozov | C | Miami (NCHC) |
Draft Order: The Top 10
The first round is set to be a significant shake-up for the bottom of the league standings:
Toronto Maple Leafs
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks
Chicago Blackhawks
New York Rangers
Calgary Flames
Seattle Kraken
Winnipeg Jets
Florida Panthers
Nashville Predators
What to Expect
While Gavin McKenna is widely projected to go first overall to the Maple Leafs, the real intrigue begins at pick No. 2, where the San Jose Sharks are expected to focus on strengthening their blue line, potentially with standout defenseman Chase Reid. Further down the order, teams are weighing the merits of high-end Forwards like Caleb Malhotra, Tynan Lawrence and Ivar Stenberg all of whom impressed scouts with their competitive two-way games and intelligence.
As the draft begins on June 26, the focus will shift from projections to execution. For these young athletes, the weekend in Buffalo is the culmination of years of development—and for the 32 NHL franchises, it is a critical opportunity to build the foundation for their next championship window.
