2026 NHL Mock Draft 6.0: Pre-draft lottery predictions

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2026 NHL Mock Draft 6.0: Pre-draft lottery predictions

Tristin McKinstry, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Thu, Apr 30, 2026 ·

17 min read

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The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing . The Colorado Avalanche , Carolina Hurricanes , and Philadelphia Flyers have all already advanced to the second round. Some teams are still fighting for their lives, while most clubs are looking forward to the NHL Draft. More specifically, the upcoming NHL Draft Lottery is of interest.

On May 5th, teams in the draft lottery will learn where the bingo balls fall. This will determine the order of the first 16 picks in the upcoming draft. It will also tell us who has the right to pick either Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg first overall in late June.

As always, this mock draft will use the order as shown by Tankathon, which is up to date as of April 30th, 2026. Without further ado, ClutchPoints presents its sixth NHL Mock Draft of the season.

Previous mocks: NHL Mock Draft 1.0 , NHL Mock Draft 2.0 , NHL Mock Draft 3.0 , NHL Mock Draft 4.0 , NHL Mock Draft 5.0

1. Vancouver Canucks – Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)

The Vancouver Canucks are in a good position to draft their next franchise cornerstone. They have the top odds of winning the NHL Draft Lottery. And their pick can be no worse than third. Of course, they hope to win the lottery and take Gavin McKenna with the top selection.

McKenna is a true difference maker. His transition from the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers to the NCAA was certainly a bit rocky. However, he eventually found his game and was one of the best players in the nation with Penn State. McKenna has generational potential, and we do not use that word lightly.

2. Chicago Blackhawks – Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda HC (SHL)

The Chicago Blackhawks would love to pair McKenna with their own cornerstone in Connor Bedard . In saying this, adding Ivar Stenberg to the mix is certainly nothing to cry about. Stenberg is neck-and-neck with McKenna as the best player in the 2026 NHL Draft. There are no areas on the ice in which he struggles. He can do everything, and could be an immediate impact player in the NHL.

3. New York Rangers – Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

The New York Rangers can go a number of ways with their selection. If they get one of the first two picks, they will likely go best player available. However, center and defense are also key needs in their prospect pipeline. In our last mock, ClutchPoints went defense. This time around, it's back to Brantford Bulldogs star Caleb Malhotra.

The Rangers don't have a young, top-six potential center in their system. Malhotra gives them this much-needed pivot. He competes every shift, is hard to play against, and can be a force in the offensive zone. The center depth in this class is thin, and Malhotra is clearly the best of the group.

4. Calgary Flames – Keaton Verhoeff, RD, North Dakota (NCAA)

The Calgary Flames are in a position to take whoever they believe is the best player. In our NHL Mock Draft, that's Keaton Verhoeff. The North Dakota star is the best defenseman in this class. He is a high-floor rearguard who rarely has a bad game. He can produce offensively while logging big minutes on the blueline. Paired with Zayne Parekh , Calgary would have a very formidable defensive duo moving forward.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs – Chase Reid, RD, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

The Toronto Maple Leafs missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a disaster of a 2025-26 season. The only sort of silver lining for the Leafs is this pick. However, they need the NHL Draft Lottery to be kind to them. If this pick falls below No. 5, it transfers to the Boston Bruins as part of the Brandon Carlo trade.

This mock doesn't simulate a lottery, so it remains with Toronto. They elect to bolster their defense with the selection of Chase Reid. Some believe Reid to be the best defenseman in this class. He certainly has a case after showing out at the World Juniors and in the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge. He is a confident player who involves himself as much as he can on the ice. The potential is high, and Toronto's blueline could use a spark.

6. Seattle Kraken – Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Some in the scouting world are a bit lower on Ethan Belchetz due to an injury he suffered in March. There are certainly other concerns, but the injury has dropped his stock in some eyes. However, the upside is too great for the Seattle Kraken to pass up here.

Seattle is hoping to add an impact player to its top-six. Belchetz won't make the NHL immediately, but he could certainly be the sort of player they are seeking in a few years. He is a powerful player who possesses a ton of skill. If the Kraken don't trade this pick, this would be a home run selection.

7. Winnipeg Jets – Alberts Smits, LD, Red Bull Munich (DEL)

The Winnipeg Jets need an injection of youth, but more specifically, they could use an injection of defensive talent. They don't have a ton of defensive prospects who project to play NHL games. Moreover, they don't have any with the upside of Alberts Smits. Smits is extremely confident, can quarterback a powerplay, and has shown no fear at the professional level. There is a lot to like with this player.

8. Florida Panthers – Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA)

The Florida Panthers go a bit off the board with this selection. Florida has an identity they like to stick to. And Oscar Hemming fits that identity to a tee. He did taper off after a hot start at Boston College, but he is a prototypical power forward who can play with an edge and generate offense. He doesn't lay out crunching hits, nor does he have the same upside as some others. But Hemming certainly could play a top six role, and he fits the Panthers like a glove.

9. San Jose Sharks – Viggo Bjorck, RW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)

The San Jose Sharks got a record breaking performance from Macklin Celebrini in 2025-26 . He is already one of the best players in the world. And he has a legitimate case for the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP. Celebrini nearly dragged this Sharks team kicking and screaming into the Stanley Cup Playoffs all by himself.

San Jose needs to give Celebrini more support in the top-six. Viggo Bjorck has a lot of skill and likely moves from center to wing at the NHL level. He would be a fantastic addition to Celebrini's wing. And he could certainly help take some of the offensive burden off the future Sharks captain's shoulders.

10. Nashville Predators – Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)

The Nashville Predators need center depth in the worst way possible. Steven Stamkos is more of a winger at this point. Ryan O'Reilly may not be on the team to start 2026-27. And even if he is, he is the only center who could be capable of playing a top-six role.

The Predators added Brady Martin in the 2025 NHL Draft, but further depth is needed. Oliver Suvanto has drawn some buzz as a potential top-10 pick in this class. There are questions about his offensive ability, but he always finds a way to help his team, even if the points aren't there. If the offense comes around, then the Predators have themselves a potential two-way second line center.

11. St. Louis Blues – Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)

The St. Louis Blues could trade Robert Thomas this summer . Even if this doesn't happen, there is room for the Blues to add a center to its pipeline. Tynan Lawrence began the season as the top center in the class. However, he has since fallen a bit after a less-than-stellar start with Boston University midway through the year.

Lawrence has the tools to succeed. And he did put things together near the end of the season. He does need to involve himself a bit more in the play, but if he can rediscover his physical edge, there is a lot to like about this player.

12. New Jersey Devils – Dax Rudolph, RD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

The New Jersey Devils have some young defenseman, such as Simon Nemec and Luke Hughes . Nemec's future with New Jersey is in doubt, though, as he has come up in trade rumors before. Dax Rudolph could have some untapped offensive potential. Even if that doesn't pan out, the Devils could certainly use some added defensive ability in their lineup. Rudolph could be a valuable blueliner for them in a few years.

13. New York Islanders – Ryan Lin, RD, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

The New York Islanders drafted Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick in 2025. Later on, they drafted another defenseman — Kashawn Aitcheson — after acquiring two additional first-round picks in the Noah Dobson trade. All this said, defense is still a sore spot for the Islanders.

Some in the scouting world have viewed Ryan Lin as a potential top-10 pick. He is a smart player who makes excellent decisions with the puck. He can play in all situations, as well. The knock on him is that he is undersized. For the potential he could have in New York's system, though, the Islanders can't pass that up.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets – Nikita Klepov, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Nikita Klepov was one of the two clear stars on a less-than-stellar Saginaw Spirit team this season. He is an incredible playmaker who ended up leading the OHL in points this past season. When he has the puck on his stick, his team is always a threat to score. The Columbus Blue Jackets traded Egor Chinakhov , and could move some other pieces around. Adding a player with Klepov's potential makes a ton of sense.

15. St. Louis Blues (via DET) – Xavier Villeneuve, LD, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

The Detroit Red Wings traded this pick to the St. Louis Blues at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline as part of the Justin Faulk trade. With the second of their three first-rounders, St. Louis adds skill on the blue line. Xavier Villeneuve may be the best purely offensive defenseman in this class. He is undersized, and that could knock him down draft boards. But there are few players who can drive play like he can, and he does so without sacrificing defense for offense.

16. Washington Capitals – Adam Novotný, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

The Washington Capitals could use an injection of skill. And the winger position has suddenly become a point of interest. Alex Ovechkin may be retiring following the 2025-26 season. If this is the case, Washington has to find their next star man. Adam Novotný won't be the Ovechkin replacement on his own, but he could be a serious first-round steal in the 2026 NHL Draft.

17. Los Angeles Kings – Ilia Morozov, C, Miami University (NCAA)

Anze Kopitar has played his final game for the Los Angeles Kings . The future Hall of Famer is retiring from the game of hockey after Los Angeles was eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They will need to find their next No. 1 center, and that work starts in the NHL Draft.

Ilia Morozov likely won't be a Hall of Famer. But he could certainly be a valuable player. He is always looking to pass the puck and generate offense. He was a leading producer on a less-than-stellar Miami University team this season. The offensive aspects of his game will need work, but he has upside as a potential middle-six center in the NHL.

18. Washington Capitals (via ANA ) – Nikita Scherbakov, Tolpar Ufa (KHL)

The Washington Capitals traded John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, receiving this pick in return. Carlson is the greatest defenseman in Capitals history. Now, they need a new No. 1 defender, and they take a swing on upside in Nikita Scherbakov.

Scherbakov brings size to the blueline, and he moves quite well. He is a very sound defender, with his offense leaving a little to be desired. His decision-making needs improvement, but if he can refine that along with his offense, the Capitals have something here.

19. Utah Mammoth – J.P. Hurlbert, RW, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

The Utah Mammoth are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs , and they have young talent for days. Utah can go in a few directions here, but they elect to add more scoring with the addition of J.P. Hurlbert in our NHL Mock Draft.

Hurlbert is a highly skilled player who is deadly on the powerplay. He can rip one timers with the best of them in this class. He can also move the puck quite well, making it so defenders have to choose whether to commit to his shot or his passing skill. The Mammoth can take the best player in the draft, and at this point, Hurlbert is that player.

20. San Jose Sharks (via EDM) – Marcus Nordmark, LW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)

The San Jose Sharks added one winger prospect earlier in this NHL Mock Draft. With this pick from last year's Jake Walman trade, they add another winger to the pipeline. Marcus Nordmark has a lot of high-end skills that he uses to generate offense for his teammates. There are concerns over his defensive ability, and there are some that fear his defensive lapses could lead him to missing out on NHL games. He is rather young, though, and his offensive upside alongside Celebrini is hard for San Jose to pass up.

21. Philadelphia Flyers – Malte Gustafsson, LD, HV71 (SHL)

The Philadelphia Flyers are off to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs . The organization is in a good spot. Now, they need to continue adding young talent who can keep the train rolling. Malte Gustafsson is not a flashy defenseman. And he won't be the No. 1 defenseman they arguably need. But he is a good defender, can move pucks up the ice, and he is rather mobile for his 6-foot-4 frame. There is a lot to like about him at this spot.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins – Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP

The US National Team Development Program had a rather disappointing season in 2025-26. However, Wyatt Cullen was one of the most consistent bright spots on the roster. He is a very speedy player who brings positional versatility. Some like him as a center, but he projects best as a fast winger with offensive upside. The Penguins added some young wingers, but Cullen's speed could give the offense another dimension.

23. Boston Bruins – William Hakansson, LD, Lulea HF (SHL)

The Boston Bruins love their players who bang and crash, creating headaches for opponents through their physicality. William Hakansson is more skill than bruiser, but Boston has shown a willingness to add more skill. Hakansson projects as a second-pairing defenseman who mainly plays a defensive role, but he may have some untapped offensive upside.

24. Vancouver Canucks (via MIN) – Carson Carels, LD, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

ClutchPoints is admittedly lower on Carson Carels than others around the game. Many NHL Draft experts have Carels in their top-10, and some even their top-five. He certainly has the upside to potentially be a star. However, he is very much a project, as he struggles with decision making, and can be careless with his stick checking. He is certainly worth a first-round pick, though. If he hits, this would be a fantastic result for the Canucks.

25. Montreal Canadiens – Alexander Command, C, Orebro HK (SHL)

The Montreal Canadiens are in the playoffs, and are one win away from the second round. They have a good team, but center depth has been an issue for a minute. Alexander Command is a project, as he isn't a great skater nor the most physical. But he has a good shot that can beat goalies from any range. He handles pressure quite well. That poise, along with his hockey IQ, could land him in the back end of the first round.

26. Seattle Kraken (via TBL) – Juho Piiparinen, RD, Tappara (Liiga)

The Seattle Kraken have never addressed their need for defense in the first round. However, with two first round picks this year, they could do so in the 2026 NHL Draft. Juho Piiparinen is, potentially, the best pure defensive defenseman in this class. Purely defensive defenseman have fallen hard in previous drafts. If he's still on the board here, it would be an excellent pick.

27. New York Rangers (via CAR/DAL) – Adam Goljer, RD, HK Dukla Trenčín (Slovak Extraliga)

Adam Goljer is not the most refined prospect in this class. However, he certainly has the tools needed to succeed in the NHL. He is a good skater, and he has the size teams covet on the backend. He makes an impact at both ends of the ice, and he doesn't lack confidence on the ice. Goljer has held his own in the professional ranks, playing 20 minutes a night in the top flight of Slovak hockey. There is a lot to like here.

28. Calgary Flames (via VGK) – Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

The Calgary Flames are up in this NHL Mock Draft, and Liam Ruck, one of the twin Ruck brothers, is rising in this process. Liam Ruck is a winger, and he helped pick up the offensive slack left behind by Gavin McKenna and Cayden Lindstrom in Medicine Hat. No draft-eligible player scored more goals than Ruck, and he is a threat every time he's around the net. He could go higher, especially if a team tries to draft both brothers together.

29. Buffalo Sabres – Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Mathis Preston, at one point, was considered a top-10 pick in this draft. ClutchPoints had the Vancouver Giants star as high as sixth overall earlier in the year. His stock has dropped, but he is more than worth the late-first-round flier at this point. He plays down the middle of the ice, and he has shown the ability to raise his game in big moments. The Sabres have a good prospect pipeline, and add to it with a potential steal here.

30. Carolina Hurricanes – Markus Ruck, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

There are no trades in this NHL Mock Draft, or else Markus Ruck would have gone the pick before. If a team is unable to acquire both Ruck brothers, the Carolina Hurricanes are a good landing spot for Markus. He is a center by trade, and is an incredible playmaker. Markus Ruck has a lot of raw talent, but there are some who question how he'll do away from his brother. It will certainly be interesting to see where they land on NHL Draft night.

31. St. Louis Blues (via NYI/COL) – Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

Ryan Roobroeck began the year as one of the highest-rated centers in the class. However, his stock slipped tremendously in his draft year. He has the size and tools to succeed in the NHL, though. He lacks intensity, which could be holding him back. If Roobroeck can find that edge, he could be a special player. The Blues are well-positioned to take a flier late in the first-round.

32. Ottawa Senators – Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

The Ottawa Senators end this NHL Mock Draft, being forced to pick at the end of the first round due to the NHL's punishment regarding the Evgenii Dadonov trade fiasco . They end this mock draft with a big center who has some intriguing upside. Maddox Dagenais is a very reliable player at both ends. He won't make many highlight tapes, but he makes great plays and can dominate the puck thanks to his size and strength. The Senators take a chance on his upside at the of the first-round.

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