All articles tagged with #2026 nhl draft
Toronto defied 8.5% odds to win the top pick in the NHL Draft Lottery, landing Gavin McKenna and igniting a high-stakes, microscope-filled era for the Maple Leafs, while the Sharks grab second and Canucks vent.
New York enters the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery with an 11.5% chance to land the No. 1 pick, chasing Gavin McKenna as a potential franchise-changing addition after a tough season. The lottery could echo past luck that helped Lafrenière, with Ivar Stenberg likely going No. 2 and a pack of top prospects—Carels, Reid, Rudolph, Verhoeff, Malhotra, Belchetz, Klepov—considered for a top-five selection.
The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Scott Laughton from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a conditional third-round pick that becomes a second-rounder if L.A. makes the 2026 playoffs. Laughton, 31, brings a low cap hit and strong penalty-killing and faceoff abilities, adding depth down the middle and veteran presence as the Kings reshuffle for a late-season push and enhanced draft capital.
Gavin McKenna of Penn State is the No. 1 North American skater in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, with Keaton Verhoeff, Carson Carels, Chase Reid and Caleb Malhotra rounding out the top five; Ivar Stenberg leads the international list. McKenna has 19 points in 18 games this season and helped Canada win bronze at the World Junior Championship, earning multiple player-of-the-game honors. The draft is set for Buffalo in late June 2026. Dan Marr called McKenna an elite talent in a unique category, and Brady Knowling tops the top North American goalie list. The rankings also spotlight a mix of CHL, NCAA and international players likely to shape the first round.
Gavin McKenna of Penn State is No. 1 among North American skaters in Central Scouting's midterm rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, praised for elite hockey sense and maturity; the piece also highlights other top North American prospects and notes McKenna's strong World Junior Championship showing as Buffalo prepares to host the draft.
The article highlights top draft-eligible players to watch at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, including Canadian prospects Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff, with insights into their backgrounds and potential impact at the tournament, which serves as a showcase for future NHL talent.
Gavin McKenna, a highly touted 17-year-old hockey prospect considered a top pick for the 2026 NHL Draft, has announced he will play NCAA hockey at Penn State, citing the competition level and facilities as key reasons for his decision. His move marks a significant shift as the first CHL player to choose NCAA hockey following a rule change, and he aims to develop further before entering the NHL.