For the first time in Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson’s tenure, a sizable range of players could end up being the Hawks’ top draft pick.
The Sharks and Canucks’ decisions with the second and third overall picks, respectively, will determine who’s even left for the Hawks. The Hawks’ internal ranking of prospects might also differ from the public consensus.
The 2026 draft class as a whole is considered weaker than normal, particularly in the middle and later stages of the first round, but it also has the potential for chaos. Here’s a rough guess about how things might play out:
1. Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)
There’s not much uncertainty about this pick. McKenna’s roller coaster season eventually led him back to the same spot he occupied last summer: the consensus top prospect. He was one of the top scorers in college hockey as a freshman.
McKenna isn’t considered a Connor Bedard-level surefire star, but he does inject star potential into a struggling Leafs franchise, whose lottery win represented something finally going right.
2. Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda (Sweden)
The hottest-burning question of the entire draft is whether Sharks GM Mike Grier will stick to his declaration about picking the “best player available,” which is presumably Stenberg, or will fill the last remaining hole in the Sharks’ young core with a defenseman like Chase Reid.
Hawks fans desperately hope Stenberg, a hard-working playmaker who produced one of the best seasons ever by a teenager in the Swedish league, will fall to them. Most expert mock drafts indeed project that to happen. But the Hawks must be prepared for the alternative scenario to unfold.
3. Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)
Malhotra skyrocketed up rankings with an electric playoff run alongside Hawks prospect Marek Vanacker on a loaded Brantford team. He’s the consensus top player at hockey’s most valuable position (center) and he plays a mature, poised style. He’s committed to Boston University for next season.
The Canucks have been heavily linked to Malhotra because they need a young center to rebuild around, although their hiring of his dad, Manny, as their new coach could complicate things.
4. HAWKS: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
The top three forwards going 1-2-3 would put the Hawks in a difficult spot — and perhaps further motivate Davidson to trade this pick. The next several prospects are all defensemen, but the Hawks have invested so much draft and development capital in defensemen already — and owe it to Bedard to expand out their forward talent around him.
If the Hawks are forced to pick a defenseman, the fact they visited Reid at his family home outside Detroit is an interesting hint that he’s likely their top target. He has risen quickly through the junior-hockey ranks over the past two years, is headed to Michigan State next season and profiles as a future NHL power-play quarterback.
His right-handedness would create some redundancy with Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov, but Davidson needs to get this pick right first and foremost.
5. Rangers: Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL)
The Rangers are shallow on prospect defensemen, so they — unlike the Hawks — have no problem with the positional balance of this class.
Carels is a left-handed shot who has some offensive pop — he wouldn’t be a possible top-five pick without it — but is strongest in his defensive zone. He just committed to North Dakota for next season.
6. Flames: Alberts Smits, D, Munich (Germany)
Smits might be the most NHL-ready defenseman in the class, having already proven himself against elite players as a stalwart on Latvia’s Olympic team. He otherwise split this season between Finland and Germany.
He’s physically mature (6-3, 205 pounds) with good legs and good hands, and he will be the highest-selected Latvian ever. On the Flames, he would join Zayne Parekh as pillars of their future back end.
7. Kraken: Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA)
Verhoeff’s stock declined as the season progressed. Concerns about his hockey IQ, decision-making and lateral mobility were exposed by superior players in college hockey, although he still has plenty of supporters who laud his size (6-3, 208 pounds) and strength.
Still, he would represent good value at seventh overall for the aimless Kraken, who desperately lack an elite defensive prospect in their system.
8. Jets: Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgarden (Sweden)
Bjorck has emerged as the second-best center in the class due to solid play with Djurgarden (Anton Frondell’s Swedish club) and excellent play in international competitions. He isn’t far off from NHL readiness, and the Jets need to improve their center corps.
9. Panthers: Wyatt Cullen, LW, U.S. National Development Program
If the Panthers don’t trade this pick, they’ll have an opportunity to add an elite prospect into their barren pool. Former NHL forward Matt Cullen’s son has surged this season and has the highest upside among the remaining prospects.
10. Predators: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL)
Rudolph, a big, intelligent right-handed defenseman, may or may not belong in the same tier as the defensemen drafted before this. The Predators have prioritized forwards with their recent first-round picks, so it’s time to balance out their underrated prospect pool.
11. Blues: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)
Lawrence’s midseason move to college ended up hurting his draft stock, but his speed and work ethic haven’t gone anywhere.
12. Devils: Alexander Command, C, Orebro (Sweden)
Command, known for his strength, has surged up draft rankings in recent months.
13. Islanders: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL)
Belchetz is a mean 6-5 and 228 pounds. He’s also close friends with Islander rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer.
14. Blue Jackets: Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver (WHL)
Opinions vary widely on the astute but undersized Lin, but some people consider him a borderline top-12 pick.
15. Blues (from Red Wings): Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 (Sweden)
This feels like the floor for the mobile and tall Gustafsson, who has also surged into the top-12 conversation.
16. Capitals: Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Finland)
There’s debate about whether Suvanto has NHL top-six upside, but playing center gives him an advantage over other forwards in this range.
17. Kings: Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA)
Hemming endured a strange season coming over from Finland, but he’s an intriguing power forward.
18. Capitals (from Ducks): Nikita Klepov, LW, Saginaw (OHL)
The Capitals could shop this selection after making the 16th pick. Klepov led the OHL in scoring this season with 97 points.
19. Mammoth: Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough (OHL)
Novotny stands out as one of the class’ best shooters.
20. Sharks (from Oilers): Tommy Bleyl, D, Moncton (QMJHL)
If the Sharks take Stenberg at No. 2, they absolutely need a defenseman here. Bleyl is undersized but a terrific skater.
21. Flyers: Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
Dagenais fits the Flyers’ type as a big forward who gets to the net.
22. Penguins: Ilia Morozov, C, Miami (NCAA)
Morozov is a defensively responsible center with size.
23. Bruins: Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo (Sweden)
Hermansson is an eye-opening offensive talent who struggles with consistency.
24: Canucks (from Wild): Maksim Sokolovskii, LHD, London (OHL)
The Canucks can keep prioritizing key positions with Sokolovskii, a 6-7 giant whose stock has surged since the scouting combin.
25. Kraken (from Lightning): Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
After drafting Verhoeff earlier, the Kraken can take a high-risk, high-reward swing on the dynamic but light Villeneuve.
26. Rangers (from Stars): JP Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops (WHL)
Consistency is a concern for Hurlbert, but there’s top-six upside if his development skyrockets at Michigan.
27. Sabres: Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown (USHL)
Hextall, a Rolling Meadows native, represents a lower-risk, lower-upside bet in the late first round.
28. Canadiens: Adam Goljer, D, Trencin (Slovakia)
Slovakia has returned to producing notable draft prospects like Goljer, a well-rounded defenseman.
29. Blues (from Avalanche): Tobias Trejbal, G, Youngstown (USHL)
With their third first-round pick, the Blues can gamble on the class’ top-ranked goalie.
30. Hurricanes: Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver (WHL)
Preston’s stock has dipped a bit, but the Hurricanes never worry about drafting smaller, underappreciated forwards.
31. Flames (from Golden Knights): Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL)
Ruck and his brother, Markus, both topped 100 points with Medicine Hat and will both likely go in the first 40-50 picks.
32. Senators: Simas Ignatavicius, RW, Geneva (Switzerland)
Born in Tennessee of Lithuanian descent and now playing in Switzerland, Ignatavicius has followed a unique path.