NHL mock draft: Final predictions on the 2026 firs...
Key takeaways
- The paragraph below was written Tuesday morning:
- In reality, there is a decent chance more of these picks are moved by the time teams start making selections on Friday night.
- By the time Tuesday night rolled around, two iterations of this mock draft had been scrapped.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The paragraph below was written Tuesday morning:
In reality, there is a decent chance more of these picks are moved by the time teams start making selections on Friday night. Chicago may move the fourth overall pick if the right player is available. St. Louis seems poised to do something, with their new GM looking to make a splash. It would not be the least bit surprising if Ottawa moved one or both of its first two selections. With the cap growing exponentially and question marks around plenty of elite talent in the NHL, the possibility of trades seems more likely than ever.
By the time Tuesday night rolled around, two iterations of this mock draft had been scrapped. Hopefully, the third time is the charm. This final mock was compiled using intel we gathered on the players that teams are leaning toward taking and the other options they are considering in Friday's first round (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). If all teams stay in their draft slots, there are some strong indicators of which way they are leaning.