Every NHL team's biggest prospect pipeline need --...

playGavin McKenna buries tying goal for Penn State (0:43) The Stanley Cup has been awarded to the Carolina Hurricanes, and the 2026 NHL draft is about a week away, with the first round on June 26 and the second through seventh rounds on June 27. Each team is in a different place in its competitive cycle. Some have loaded prospect pipelines enabling them to compete over the next decade, others are heading into rebuilding mode, and a few have barren cupboards towards the end of their contention windows. Whether a team has a glaring need at one or multiple positions, there are only so many draft picks to improve their pipeline. To understand where each team stands heading into the draft, we look at the most pressing needs for each team and how they can approach filling those holes with specific players. 2026 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th (DET), 4th (TB), 7th The Bruins have a glaring need for right-handed defensemen, and one has to believe they would have selected Keaton Verhoeff if Toronto's pick had transferred. Alas, the Leafs won the lottery, and the Bruins still need right-handed defenders. The Bruins have one selection in each of the first three rounds and three selections in the fourth round, which should give them ample opportunity to add right-handed defenders to the organization. Tommy Bleyl, Juho Piiparinen, Giorgos Pantelas and Luke Shairer present good options at each of their selections. 2026 draft picks: 1st (EDM), 4th, 5th, 6th The Sabres spent years bolstering their prospect pool, and as a result, they are pretty well-rounded. The left side on defense is a clear weakness in the pipeline, while the right side has two players projected to play regular NHL games. The Sabres also need a left winger with some size who can play top-six minutes. With only one pick in the first three rounds, the Sabres will have to choose which need to address and should opt for the best player available, as a player is likely to fall to them. Targeting Adam Novotny, Nikita Klepov, Xavier Villeneuve or Nikita Shcherbakov makes sense for the Sabres in the first round, while continuing to bet on upside in the later rounds to bolster the left side of their pipeline at forward and on defense. 2026 draft picks: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 7th (CGY) After trading their first to St. Louis and missing the playoffs, the Red Wings are in some trouble. The return in a potential Dylan Larkin trade should vastly reshape the prospect pipeline. Whether that happens before or after the draft is yet to be determined. The Red Wings need to add to left-handed defenders to their organization. From the NHL club down to the prospect pipeline, there is a shortage of high-caliber defensemen on the left side. Using their draft capital and any return for roster players to bolster the left side of the blue line needs to be the top priority for the Red Wings this summer. 2026 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (WSH), 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th The Panthers don't need futures while on the back nine of their Cup contention window. Instead, they need a player who can immediately step into the lineup and play. After a season riddled with injuries to key players, the Panthers will be back in serious Cup contention next season. There is a 50-50 chance the Panthers trade their first-round pick, but if Alberts Smits falls to them, he is the most NHL-ready defender and will be able to contribute over the next few years on an entry-level contract while the Panthers compete for the Stanley Cup. 2026 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th (WPG), 6th, 7th, 7th (CAR) Montreal has a relatively loaded prospect pipeline at all positions. That will happen when you draft as often as Montreal did during its turbocharged rebuild. Montreal could use some depth on the left wing, with a lack of prospects projected to play in the NHL in the pipeline. Depending on how the club views the futures of David Reinbacher and Bryce Pickford, the Canadiens should look to bolster the defensive pipeline too. Defenders who are less offensively driven and considered two-way players with elite mobility and transition play would give the club more depth. 2026 draft picks: 1st, 3rd, 3rd (FLA), 3rd (DAL), 4th (CBJ), 5th, 6th The Senators' most pressing need is at forward, particularly the center ice position, as their top prospects are defenders and goaltenders. Currently, the Senators don't have a single forward prospect projected to play more than 200 games in the NHL. The Sens absolutely need to get some young forwards with skill and upside in their draft. There are plenty of smaller forwards with high-end potential in this draft class, and the Sens are exactly the type of team that needs to swing on the potential of those prospects. Whether it is centers or wingers, the Sens need prospects who can develop into play drivers in the middle six. 2026 draft picks: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 5th (SEA), 6th, 7th The Lightning have not drafted very much through their contention window, and it h

Every NHL team's biggest prospect pipeline need --...

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