The Chicago Blackhawks are exploring options for the fourth overall pick in the NHL draft despite disappointment from lottery results. Recent mock drafts suggest top forwards may still be available, and salary cap figures for the 2026-27 season have been reported.
Jack’s Daily: Blackhawks Cap Plans; Ducks Bite Back; Stenberg Falls?
As the disappointment continues to linger among Chicago Blackhawks fans following Tuesday’s NHL Lottery results, a few recent mock drafts have surfaced suggesting that one of the top two forwards in the class could still be available with the fourth overall pick.
More in the links for post-lottery mock drafts from TSN, Daily Faceoff, Sportsnet, and The Athletic.
Also in Blackhawks news, an NHL insider reported the league’s salary cap floor and ceiling figures for the 2026-27 regular season. Plus, one top prospect helped his team win the opening game of the league’s Championship Series.
Around the league, the Sabres steamrolled through the Canadiens in Game 1, the Ducks fought back to even the series against Vegas, while the three finalists for the Selke Trophy were announced.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Hockey Now: How much money will the Chicago Blackhawks need to spend this offseason to reach the salary cap floor? Here’s how the NHL’s financial figures for next season will impact GM Kyle Davidson’s decisions this summer.
More CHN: The ping pong balls didn’t bounce the Blackhawks way at the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday. Dropping to fourth was the worst-case outcome, as they will likely miss out on both Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg.
The Blackhawks are considering options for the fourth overall pick, with mock drafts indicating that top forwards may still be available.
Recent reports have revealed the salary cap floor and ceiling figures for the NHL's 2026-27 regular season.
A top prospect's performance was instrumental in securing a victory for his team in the opening game of the Championship Series.
Chicago Blackhawks fans expressed disappointment following the NHL Lottery results, which affected their expectations for the draft.

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However, based on some of the latest Mock Drafts revealed across the league, there seems to be a belief that Stenberg will still be on the board at No. 4. McKenna is almost assuredly going first overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But both Sam Cosentino from Sportsnet and Craig Button from TSN projected the Blackhawks to draft the Swedish forward with the fourth selection.
In OHL news, Jack Pridham and the Kitchener Rangers defeated the Barrie Colts 5-2 in Game 1 of the Championship Series on Wednesday. Pridham tallied the secondary assist on Dylan Edwards’ goal in the second period and now has 17 points (2G, 15A) in 15 postseason games. Kitchener moved to 9-0 at home in the playoffs.
ESPN: The Buffalo Sabres cruised to a Game 1 win on home ice on Wednesday, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 behind two goals from their power play. Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod (PP), Jordan Greenway, and Bowen Byram (PP) found the back of the net, while Alex Lyon made 26 saves.
NHL.com: One of two goals scored by the Canadiens in Game 1 came from former Blackhawks first-round pick Kirby Dach via a stellar backhanded shot.
Vegas Hockey Now: Missed defensive assignments led to a missed opportunity for the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. A few too many own-zone blunders, plus a lackluster offensive performance, led to a 3-1 road win for the Ducks, tying the series 1-1.
The Athletic: The NHL announced its three finalists for the 2026 Selke Trophy on Wednesday, with the award given annually to the league’s best defensive forward.
Montreal Hockey Now: One of the three finalists was Montreal Canadiens‘ forward Nick Suzuki, who’s currently the odds-on favorite to win the Selke Trophy.
Colorado Hockey Now: Another nominee was Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson, whose defensive play has been stellar all season on the second line. Even with the Avs bringing back Nazem Kadri at the trade deadline, Nelson has remained as the second-line center because of his remarkable two-way play.
Philly Hockey Now: Bad news for the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. Forward Noah Cates will be out for the remainder of the second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes with a lower-body injury. Not the update the Flyers were looking for with a 2-0 deficit.
NHLtraderumors.me: According to Jeff Marek, there remains a big gap between the Dallas Stars and forward Jason Robertson in contract negotiations. Marek reports that Robertson has been offered a similar contract to teammate Thomas Harley.
ProHockeyRumors.com: Now that the OHL season has ended for the Brantford Bulldogs, one of Marek Vanacker and Parker Holmes’ teammates is heading to the AHL for some more playoff action. The Seattle Kraken assigned 2025 first-round pick Jake O’Brien to the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday
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