Ice hockey news: Toronto Maple Leafs win first overall pick in 2026 NHL Draft
Tuesday, May 5 saw the Toronto Maple Leafs win the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery and secure the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The event took place at the offices of NHL Network at 7 pm ET, writes Sports News Blitz’s Katie Butler.
What is the NHL Draft Lottery?
The NHL Draft Lottery determines the selection order for the first 16 picks in the opening round of the NHL Draft.
The lottery includes all teams that did not qualify for the NHL playoffs. However, playoff teams that have acquired first-round picks from non-playoff teams, typically through trades, are also included.
The Draft Lottery has two phases. The first determines the first overall pick, and the second determines the second overall pick.
Fourteen numbered balls, from one to 14, are placed into a lottery machine, and four are drawn. The four digits drawn can form one of 1,001 possible combinations, with each team assigned a set of these combinations.
As each ball is drawn, the odds of securing the first overall pick change, and teams are gradually eliminated.
Teams can move up a maximum of 10 positions if they win a lottery draw. As a result, only the top 11 teams are eligible to receive the first overall selection. The remaining teams are then assigned draft positions based on the inverse order of regular-season points.
Going into the draw, the team with the fewest regular-season points holds the best odds.
What were the lottery odds?
The Vancouver Canucks entered the draw with the best odds at 18.5%.
They were followed by the Chicago Blackhawks at 13.5%, while the New York Rangers held the third-best odds at 11.5%.
The St. Louis Blues had a 3.0% chance, along with an additional 0.5% chance via the Detroit Red Wings.
The Washington Capitals had the lowest odds at 0.5%.
Picks 17 to 32 are determined by the outcome of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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Trade conditions shake things up
Under the terms of a March 7, 2025 trade between Toronto and the Boston Bruins, Boston traded Brandon Carlo in exchange for Fraser Minten and a conditional first-round pick.
If Toronto’s 2026 first-round pick fell within the top five, the Maple Leafs would instead transfer their 2027 or 2028 first-round pick.
As Toronto secured the No. 1 overall pick, they will now send either their 2027 or 2028 first-round selection to Boston, depending on the agreed conditions, while retaining their 2026 pick.
Result of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery
The Toronto Maple Leafs secured the No. 1 overall pick.
The San Jose Sharks will pick second, followed by the Vancouver Canucks in third.
The remaining order is as follows: Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues (via Detroit Red Wings), and Washington Capitals.
This marks the third time Toronto has held the first overall pick. Their first came in 1985 with Wendel Clark, followed by Auston Matthews in 2016, who now serves as team captain.
Toronto general manager John Chayka said after the lottery: “When you get a first overall pick, it’s a monumental opportunity. I think it’s a really strong draft with a lot of good players. It’s an honour to pick first overall.”
Top North American skater prospects
The leading North American prospect is Canadian forward Gavin McKenna, a left winger at Penn State University in the NCAA. During the 2025 to 2026 season, he played 35 games, scoring 15 goals and registering 36 assists for a total of 51 points.
Chase Reid ranks second among North American prospects. The American defenceman, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, featured in 45 games, recording 18 goals and 30 assists for 48 points.
Canadian Carson Carels sits third. Competing in the Western Hockey League, he played 58 games, scoring 20 goals and adding 53 assists for 73 points.
Defenceman Keaton Verhoff is ranked fourth. The Canadian, playing for the University of North Dakota, appeared in 36 games, contributing six goals and 14 assists for 20 points.
Rounding out the top five is Canadian defenceman Daxon Rudolph. Playing for the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL, he recorded 28 goals and 50 assists across 68 games, finishing with 78 points.
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Top international skater prospects
Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg is the top international prospect. The left winger, playing for Frölunda, recorded 11 goals and 22 assists in 43 games, totalling 33 points.
Latvia’s Alberts Smits ranks second. The 18-year-old Olympian featured in four games at the 2026 Winter Olympics, registering two assists.
Finnish centre Oliver Suvanto is third. He played 48 games in his most recent season, scoring two goals and adding nine assists for 11 points.
Completing the top international prospects is Sweden’s Viggo Björck. The 18-year-old scored six goals and added nine assists in 42 games, finishing with 15 points.
Key dates for the 2026 NHL Draft
The 2026 NHL Draft will take place on June 26 and 27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
The first round will be held on June 26 at 7 pm ET, with rounds two through seven taking place on June 27 starting at 10 am ET.
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