The 2026 NHL Draft officially concluded this weekend in Buffalo, wrapping up a frantic two days and 223 picks that reshaped several franchise rebuilds. The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a consensus “A+” grade across the board after selecting Penn State forward Gavin McKenna at No. 1 overall. The front office expects McKenna to immediately form a potent offensive duo alongside Auston Matthews as the team retools its forward core, earning high marks from scouts across the league.
The San Jose Sharks also walked away with elite grades following an aggressive sequence on the draft floor. Management traded away William Eklund to secure the No. 9 overall pick for a defenseman, then used their No. 2 overall selection on Swedish playmaker Ivar Stenberg. The Sharks later made literal history in the later rounds by drafting seven-foot-one prospect Karmanov, officially making him the tallest player ever selected in the NHL. Early first-round evaluations praised San Jose’s calculated risk-taking and bold roster maneuvers.
Family ties heavily influenced the top three, as the Vancouver Canucks selected center Caleb Malhotra at No. 3 overall. The pick explicitly pairs the young forward with his father and newly appointed Canucks head coach, Manny Malhotra. The selection proved polarizing in the scouting community. Draft analyst Corey Pronman handed Vancouver a “C” grade for the pick, triggering immediate and widespread pushback from fans and rival team scouts who viewed Malhotra as a top-tier consensus talent.
Defensemen dominated the rest of the top ten in an unexpected early run. The Buffalo Sabres provided the first true surprise of the draft by selecting blue-liner Daxon Rudolph at No. 4. The New York Rangers quickly followed by drafting Alberts Smits at No. 5. The Calgary Flames joined the defensive rush by taking Carson Carels at No. 6 overall, before closing out their first round with the strategic addition of Jack Hextall at No. 30.