2026 NHL Lottery Mock Draft: Who The Maple Leafs Should Pair With Auston Matthews

From Doom And Gloom To A 'Fortuitous Bounce' As Maple Leafs React To Winning 2026 NHL Draft Lottery

From Doom And Gloom To A 'Fortuitous Bounce' As Maple Leafs React To Winning 2026 NHL Draft Lottery A "fortuitous bounce" in Secaucus has transformed Toronto’s outlook, handing the Maple Leafs the first overall pick and a franchise-altering opportunity just days into a new management era.

3. Vancouver Canucks: Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda

Luckily for the Canucks, getting punked by the lottery balls isn't the worst thing this year. Stenberg is an incredible talent himself, and his mature game means he likely won't need much longer before he can contribute to the rebuilding squad. He's smart, quick and hockey-strong. Very impressive at the world juniors.

4. Chicago Blackhawks: Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota

One of the youngest players in the NCAA, Verhoeff nevertheless put up 20 points on one of the best teams in the country. His size, skating and offensive game make him a tantalizing prospect, and he's getting great development defensively at North Dakota.

5. New York Rangers: Carson Carels, D, Prince George

The Rangers need everything, so might as well go Best Player Available here. Some scouts think Carels could be the best prospect in the draft, and his all-around game speaks to that claim. He's a great skater with snarl, hockey sense and offensive skill.

6. Calgary Flames: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford

He's been on fire all year in the OHL and has the size, skill and physical bite to be a handful once he fills out his frame. Dad Manny Malhotra is a former NHLer turned coach, while uncle Steve Nash is a basketball legend. Calgary could use a No. 1 center of the future.

7. Seattle Kraken: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert

With center Jake O'Brien already in the pipeline, the Kraken could go with a high-ceiling blueliner this year. Rudolph has been an offensive monster for the Raiders in the playoffs, using his size, smarts and big-time shot to terrorize the opposition.

8. Winnipeg Jets: Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit

The Jets had a bad season, but they still have a lot of talent on their roster. Smits would be a great add because he's got size, maturity and the ability to make plays – and he might not need much more seasoning before the NHL. Let's not forget, he played at the Olympics for Latvia and did not look out of place.

9. Florida Panthers: Oscar Hemming, RW, Boston College

Hemming feels like a Panther and not just because he's Finnish. He's a big, strong, powerful player who went through a lot of adversity this season due to a contract flap back home. Scouts believe his offensive numbers are going to pop in his second college campaign.

Five Prospects With Rising Stock For The 2026 NHL Draft

Five Prospects With Rising Stock For The 2026 NHL Draft Here are five prospects that have rising stock for the upcoming 2026 NHL draft.

10. Nashville Predators: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University

Lawrence also had a tough season after leaving USHL Muskegon midway to go to the Terriers. The jump was a lot, but he's a talented two-way center, and those aren't easy to find in this draft. Building up the middle with him and Brady Martin would be smart business in Nashville.

11. St. Louis Blues: Viggo Bjorck, RW, Djurgarden

While the Blues have often gone big lately, they've also had a fondness for Swedes. Bjorck is short, but he's sturdy and hockey-strong. He was one of Sweden's best players en route to gold at the world juniors thanks to his hockey sense, skill and compete level.

12. New Jersey Devils: J.P. Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops

One of the deadliest offensive talents in all of major junior, Hurlbert did so as a rookie in the WHL. He's a shooter with a killer release, and those offensive skills will only be heightened when he heads to NCAA Michigan next year, where the Wolverines know how to get the most out of such players.

13. New York Islanders: Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough

The Isles made out like bandits last year with three first-rounders, so they might as well go BPA here. Novotny has size, skill and a competitive edge to his game. He's already played in two world juniors for Czechia, earning a medal in both. He'll go for three next winter.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor

Columbus has some big forwards already, but Belchetz would super-size them, as he is already 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds. He's a power forward with great hands in tight, and he's not afraid to play mean. His size and hockey sense make him a safe pick.

15. St. Louis Blues (via DET): Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver

Since the Blues went with a forward with their first pick, let's go defenseman here. Lin is a modern-style offensive blueliner who can really skate, but he can defend pretty well, too. Though he's not big, scouts see him as a safe NHL bet thanks to his smarts and puck-moving ability.

16. Washington Capitals: Brooks Rogowski, RW, Oshawa

A massive right winger with good hands, Rogowski would fit right in with Tom Wilson and the Protas brothers in Washington. Two years ago, he was playing high school hockey in Michigan, but he's already shown his potential in the OHL. He's off to Michigan State next.

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