{"id":96751,"date":"2026-06-20T14:44:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T14:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/96751\/"},"modified":"2026-06-20T14:44:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T14:44:19","slug":"nhl-mock-draft-2026-starting-with-gavin-mckenna-to-maple-leafs-pronman-makes-all-223-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/96751\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Mock Draft 2026: Starting with Gavin McKenna to Maple Leafs, Pronman makes all 223 picks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, we release my annual seven-round mock draft where I try to predict how the draft will go next week. The specificity of my information linking players to teams dwindles as the draft goes on, and I\u2019m mostly projecting the range I think those prospects will be considered.<\/p>\n

Top 5 prospects after the NHL Draft Combine<\/p>\n

Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and more<\/p>\n

Position C D G LW RW<\/p>\n

NHL Team Avalanche Blackhawks Blue Jackets Blues Bruins Canadiens Canucks Capitals Devils Ducks Flames Flyers Golden Knights Hurricanes Islanders Jets Kings Kraken Lightning Mammoth Maple Leafs Oilers Panthers Penguins Predators Rangers Red Wings Sabres Senators Sharks Stars Wild<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Loading<\/p>\n

Try changing or resetting your filters to see more.<\/p>\n

This feels mostly like a foregone conclusion. I think Toronto has done a lot of work on Ivar Stenberg, Chase Reid and Caleb Malhotra, but every source in the league believes McKenna is the Maple Leafs\u2019 guy.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Chris Coduto \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Chris Coduto \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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I think the Sharks like both Chase Reid and Ivar Stenberg a lot, and they have interest in some other defensemen. I don’t know which way they are going to go, as Mike Grier has done a great job keeping information closed off in recent years. A majority of my league sources think it’s Stenberg over Reid, but I’ve been convinced through this process that if the evaluation is close, San Jose will take the defenseman.\n<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Michael Miller \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Michael Miller \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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The emerging chalk scenario for the Canucks is Malhotra. I think Stenberg would be in the mix if available, but at this stage Malhotra feels like the pick.\n<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Brandon Taylor \/ OHL Images<\/p>\n

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Brandon Taylor \/ OHL Images<\/p>\n

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I think Chicago takes whichever of McKenna, Reid, Malhotra or Stenberg is available at 4. In this scenario, it would be Reid.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Soo Greyhounds \/ OHL Images<\/p>\n

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Soo Greyhounds \/ OHL Images<\/p>\n

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I think the Rangers would be highly interested in Malhotra if he got to 5, but otherwise they seem primed to take one of the big defensemen. Carels is the likely candidate, but I’ve heard Alberts \u0160mits a lot with them as well.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Calgary steps up here to take the undersized Bj\u00f6rck and secure the future of its center position, which is in desperate need of an upgrade.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Between Verhoeff, \u0160mits, Carels and Daxon Rudolph, Seattle is likely to take a defenseman. In this projection, the Kraken select the big, versatile right-shot in Verhoeff.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Winnipeg is sitting comfortably here as it will get one of the draft\u2019s premier defensemen. The Jets would be hard-pressed to choose between \u0160mits and Rudolph, but I think they would be very happy with \u0160mits as the outcome.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Michael Miller \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Michael Miller \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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I’ve heard Florida with a variety of names: Bj\u00f6rck, Rudolph, Malte Gustafsson and Ethan Belchetz. Being able to walk away with a premier defense talent in Rudolph should make the Panthers quite happy, presuming they keep this pick.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Gustafsson has been a fast riser in this draft cycle. Nashville takes a swing on him to add a legit potential top-four D to its system. I’ve heard them linked a lot with Belchetz and Bj\u00f6rck, too.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Belchetz has a lot of love in the league as a big, heavy winger with legit skill. I believe the Blues have interest in him and would be highly intrigued by him here. I think they would consider Gustafsson, too. <\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Natalie Shaver \/ OHL Images<\/p>\n

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Natalie Shaver \/ OHL Images<\/p>\n

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The Devils are very happy with how this mock plays out to get a dynamic offensive player in Cullen, who projects as a top-six forward.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Rena Laverty \/ USA Hockey’s NTDP<\/p>\n

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Rena Laverty \/ USA Hockey’s NTDP<\/p>\n

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The Islanders will likely be looking to add to their center depth, and in this range of the draft, the next group of centers start going quickly. Lawrence is a dynamic skater with skill who was once a projected top-five pick but had an up-and-down season.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Richard T Gagnon \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Richard T Gagnon \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Hemming is likely going in the top 15, and could go earlier than Columbus\u2019 pick. In this projection, he lands with the Blue Jackets, giving them a very talented, physical winger. I think Lawrence and Belchetz would be strong considerations here as well.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Boston College Athletics<\/p>\n

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Boston College Athletics<\/p>\n

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I would be a little surprised if the Blues didn’t walk away with a center at 11 or 15. There are going to be a lot of very good centers at this range. Command is getting a lot of interest, and I believe the Blues are high on him.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Johan Bernstr\u00f6m \/ Sipa via AP Images<\/p>\n

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Johan Bernstr\u00f6m \/ Sipa via AP Images<\/p>\n

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Like the Blues, the Capitals have an opportunity to walk away with an excellent center prospect, and I expect they will take Command, Suvanto, Ilia Morozov or Maddox Dagenais at either 16 or 18.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Patrik Uhlir \/ CTK via AP Images<\/p>\n

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Patrik Uhlir \/ CTK via AP Images<\/p>\n

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The Kings roll the dice on the very toolsy Dagenais. He’s big, fast and physical with good hands, who has been inconsistent but has all the traits to be a middle-six forward, potentially at center, in the NHL.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Dale Preston \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Dale Preston \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Washington may be hard-pressed to take another small defenseman here, given it already has Cole Hutson, but as one scout put it regarding Lin, “He’s a great defender who happens to be small.” He projects as a two-way player and would be a top defense prospect for the Capitals.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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There will be a lot of players at or around Utah’s pick that will fit its typical criteria between Dagenais, Morozov, Brooks Rogowski and Gleb Pugachyov, but the likely center in Morozov checks the most boxes in terms of being a big, physical and competitive player.<\/p>\n

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Courtesy USHL<\/p>\n

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Sabres GM Jarmo Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen has never been afraid to draft Russians and at 20, Buffalo rolls the dice on the highly talented and physical Pugachyov. He projects as a legit power winger and adds some size and bite to the forward group.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Vladimir Astapkovich \/ AP<\/p>\n

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Vladimir Astapkovich \/ AP<\/p>\n

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H\u00e5kansson reminds a lot of scouts of Stars defender Lian Bichsel at the same age, and this is the range he went in. The Flyers add a big, physical, mobile defenseman to a system which currently lacks that player type.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Petter Arvidson \/ Sipa via AP Images<\/p>\n

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Petter Arvidson \/ Sipa via AP Images<\/p>\n

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The Penguins select the dynamic Hurlbert, one of the most purely talented players left in the draft. He was excellent in the WHL this season, although his pure athleticism is just OK.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Rena Laverty \/ USA Hockey’s NTDP<\/p>\n

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Rena Laverty \/ USA Hockey’s NTDP<\/p>\n

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Hermansson goes to the Bruins, who, after selecting James Hagens last year, continue to add talent and scoring to their farm system. Hermansson is extremely skilled, but his effort level can waver. <\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Bleyl is generating a lot of intrigue following his monster QMJHL season, and he could go right around this range. Bleyl would give the Canucks a potential future power-play QB they don’t have in their system with his great combination of mobility and IQ.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Moncton Wildcats \/ QMJHL<\/p>\n

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Moncton Wildcats \/ QMJHL<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Klepov is a highly skilled winger and has the traits that Seattle tends to target with his hockey sense and scoring ability. He was the top scorer in the OHL and likely won’t last much longer than right around this spot.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Emma Miller \/ Saginaw Spirit<\/p>\n

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Emma Miller \/ Saginaw Spirit<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Rangers don’t get a center at 5, so they end up adding a very good two-way pivot here in Hextall, although he projects more as a 3C in the NHL.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Scott Galvin \/ USHL<\/p>\n

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Scott Galvin \/ USHL<\/p>\n

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Rogowski is expected to be a late first-round pick. He’s a premium athlete and a great skater for his size. He adds to a very skilled Sharks pipeline as a potential third-line center of the future.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Terry Wilson \/ OHL Images<\/p>\n

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Terry Wilson \/ OHL Images<\/p>\n

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Montreal has drafted a lot of skill in recent years. Mutryn would give the Canadiens a highly physical two-way forward who can be used in a variety of situations.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Michael Miller \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Michael Miller \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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As we’ve gotten closer to the draft, I’ve had a hard time finding teams passionate about Novotn\u00fd, who was once thought of as a no-doubt lottery pick. I still think he goes in the late first because he’s so fast and has a great track record. With their third pick, the Blues roll the dice on his potential and hope he bounces back next season.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Calgary has a lot of picks, and not only does Liam Ruck fit in this slot, but the Flames have second-round picks to select Markus Ruck while addressing other needs high in the draft.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Cherie Morgan \/ WHL<\/p>\n

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Cherie Morgan \/ WHL<\/p>\n

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Lagerberg’s medicals have been positive for teams following knee surgery that knocked him out for the year. The buzz out of the combine is that he could sneak into the late first. Carolina would make sense as a team to target the highly talented and productive winger, as it will have to lean heavily on video to evaluate him.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Gudmundsson is a player I think teams are trying to hide. He’s a super physical, big defenseman who was very good at the U18s. He’s a classic profile that Ottawa tends to target.<\/p>\n

Photo:<\/p>\n

Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Steven Ellis \/ Daily Faceoff<\/p>\n

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Team<\/p>\n

Blainville-Boisbriand<\/p>\n

The Vegas Golden Knights were stripped<\/a> of the No. 63 pick for violating the NHL’s media access policy.<\/p>\n

Team<\/p>\n

Blainville-Boisbriand<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Team<\/p>\n

SKA St. Petersburg Jr.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Athletic and FloHockey have partnered to bring fans a live 2026 NHL Draft show. Hosted by Max Bultman and featuring experts Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and Chris Peters, The Athletic x FloHockey NHL Draft Live will livestream during the entire first round. Tune in June 26 at 7 p.m. ET on The Athletic Hockey Show<\/a>\u2019s YouTube channel, across FloHockey<\/a>\u2019s platforms, and on Amazon Prime (U.S.) and Fubo (Canada).<\/p>\n

\"Connections:\"Connections:<\/p>\n

Jun 20, 2026<\/p>\n

Connections: Sports Edition<\/p>\n

Spot the pattern. Connect the terms<\/p>\n

Find the hidden link between sports terms<\/p>\n

Play today’s puzzle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Today, we release my annual seven-round mock draft where I try to predict how the draft will go…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":96752,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[1929,4165,4586,1611,3300,4799,2367,15056,2124,75,263,2971,945,3614,269,4794,72,63,2498,271,65,448,1982,1563,1759,1928,2496,48,954,9562,1239,1796,15055,277],"class_list":["post-96751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-toronto","tag-anaheim-ducks","tag-boston-bruins","tag-buffalo-sabres","tag-calgary-flames","tag-carolina-hurricanes","tag-chicago-blackhawks","tag-colorado-avalanche","tag-columbus-blue-jackets","tag-dallas-stars","tag-detroit-red-wings","tag-edmonton-oilers","tag-florida-panthers","tag-los-angeles-kings","tag-minnesota-wild","tag-montreal-canadiens","tag-nashville-predators","tag-new-jersey-devils","tag-new-york-islanders","tag-new-york-rangers","tag-nhl","tag-ottawa-senators","tag-philadelphia-flyers","tag-pittsburgh-penguins","tag-san-jose-sharks","tag-seattle-kraken","tag-st-louis-blues","tag-tampa-bay-lightning","tag-toronto","tag-toronto-maple-leafs","tag-utah-mammoth","tag-vancouver-canucks","tag-vegas-golden-knights","tag-washington-capitals","tag-winnipeg-jets"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}