2026 NHL Draft Results: Full First-Round Picks & Storylines
With the NHL preseason just around the corner, here's the complete first-round breakdown of the 2026 NHL Draft — every pick from No. 1 to No. 15, and the storylines behind them.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs took left winger Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick.
- Three left wingers went in the top ten — a rare trend not seen since the top-heavy winger drafts of 2020 and 2004.
- Defensemen dominated picks 4 through 8, with five blue-liners going in a row.
- The New York Islanders addressed a major blue-line need at No. 13 with Malte Gustafsson.
With the summer season winding down and the NHL preseason starting next month, it's time to skate through this year's major draft storylines. The top of the board brings a sense of déjà vu, echoing the top-heavy winger drafts of 2020 and 2004.
The Top Three Picks
The Toronto Maple Leafs went first overall, selecting left winger Gavin McKenna. San Jose followed at No. 2 with another left winger, Ivar Stenberg — and the pattern isn't a coincidence. Alexis Lafrenière went first overall to the New York Rangers in 2020 as a left winger, and Alex Ovechkin went first overall in 2004, also as a left winger. Toronto will be hoping McKenna delivers similar franchise-altering results.
Rounding out the top three, the Vancouver Canucks selected center Caleb Malhotra. The Nashville Predators later added a third left winger to the top ten with Wyatt Cullen.
- 1. Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna LW
- 2. San Jose Sharks — Ivar Stenberg LW
- 3. Vancouver Canucks — Caleb Malhotra C
Picks 4–8: Defensemen Take Over
After the wing-heavy top three, defensemen became the position of choice. Five blue-liners came off the board in a row between picks 4 and 8, headlined by Buffalo landing Daxon Rudolph via a pick acquired from Chicago.
- 4. Buffalo Sabres (via CHI) — Daxon Rudolph D
- 5. New York Rangers — Alberts Smits D
- 6. Calgary Flames — Carson Carels D
- 7. Seattle Kraken — Chase Reid D
- 8. San Jose Sharks — Keaton Verhoeff D
Picks 11–15
Outside the top ten, St. Louis grabbed center Tynan Lawrence at 11th overall, followed by New Jersey taking center Alexander Command at 12th.
Columbus took left winger Oscar Hemming at 14th, and right winger Nikita Klepov rounded out the top 15.
- 11. St. Louis Blues — Tynan Lawrence C
- 12. New Jersey Devils — Alexander Command C
- 13. New York Islanders — Malte Gustafsson D
- 14. Columbus Blue Jackets — Oscar Hemming LW
- 15. (Team TBD) — Nikita Klepov RW
How 2026 Compares to Past No. 1 Picks
Three left wingers in the top ten is a notable trend. The last time a left winger went first overall was Alexis Lafrenière in 2020 to the New York Rangers, and before that, Alex Ovechkin in 2004 to Washington — both became franchise cornerstones at the position. Toronto will be hoping Gavin McKenna follows that same trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did the Toronto Maple Leafs draft first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft?
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected left winger Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
How many defensemen were picked in the top ten of the 2026 NHL Draft?
Five defensemen were selected between picks 4 and 8: Daxon Rudolph, Alberts Smits, Carson Carels, Chase Reid, and Keaton Verhoeff.
Which past No. 1 overall picks were also left wingers?
Alexis Lafrenière went first overall to the New York Rangers in 2020, and Alex Ovechkin went first overall to Washington in 2004 — both as left wingers, the same position as 2026's top pick, Gavin McKenna.