THW Mock Draft: Top-16 Post- Draft Lottery

The NHL Draft Lottery is in the books and now we have an order for the first 16 teams heading into the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, New York. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the San Jose Sharks won the first and second overall picks which definitely changed the landscape and the potential order of selections for the draft.

It’s clear that Penn State forward Gavin McKenna should be selected first overall after an impressive second half surge and finding his game in the NCAA. How everything will fall afterwards when the Sharks make their selection is going to be interesting. This mock draft is a great way for me to try and get inside the minds of NHL teams by assessing needs but also taking into account their fit. Here are the selections for the first 16 teams from the lottery.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)

This is the obvious choice for the Maple Leafs as not only do they get the top prospect in the draft, but an elite-level and dynamic playmaker that will help fill the void that was left behind by Mitch Marner. While it was definitely a transition for McKenna, as he had some ups and downs in his first few months, he dominated with his processing and awareness, puck control and pace of play in the second half. He attacks intently with his speed on the rush and is deceptive and creative with the puck. This makes him unpredictable in the offensive zone. Think Patrick Kane, Nikita Kucherov-esque.

2. San Jose Sharks: Chase Reid, RD, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

The Sharks have an abundance of wealth and talent already, both in the NHL and in their system. After selecting Michael Misa last year, they need to boost the right side of their defense and Chase Reid is the guy to do just that. A two-way, puck-moving defender, he’s extremely confident leading a rush in transition as he has great speed and can spot lanes easily. He has a powerful shot and is constantly walking the line or cycling the offensive zone to get into those shooting lanes. Reid would definitely make the Sharks deeper on the blue line.

3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

This is a toss-up as the Canucks could take the best player available in Ivar Stenberg. That’s very much a possibility. Though after a dominant postseason in the Ontario Hockey League with 26 points in 15 games, Caleb Malhotra has solidified himself as the top centre and a future duo of Malhotra and Braeden Cootes up the middle would be an ideal situation for them. Malhotra has been a steady riser all season. He has a great work ethic and compete level, can spot passing lanes very well and has great accuracy with his shot. He has a sound two-way and quick transitional game. 

4. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW Frölunda HC (SHL)

It truly is remarkable the talent the Blackhawks have. Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell and now adding Ivar Stenberg really makes a formidable top line for the future. What’s even more beneficial is that he has a lot of NHL-ready qualities and a pro-like game that could easily have him in the NHL sooner than later. He competes and battles hard, is always pushing the middle of the ice and does a great job to open up space for his teammates. His experience in the SHL is sure to help him with the transition.

5. New York Rangers: Viggo Björck C/RW, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)

The Rangers could use a little bit of everything. While this might seem like a bit of a reach as the Rangers could also use a Carson Carels or Keaton Verhoeff on defense, Viggo Björck’s rise and impact in the second half of the season was absolutely tremendous. Now playing at the World Hockey Championship, he continues to get exposure at the senior competition which is beneficial. He has a tremendous amount of skill, a motor that won’t quit and is extremely relentless when pursuing the puck in all three zones. He plays a bigger game than his 5-foot-10, 172-pound frame suggests.

6. Calgary Flames:  Carson Carels, LD, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

This is just a perfect fit. With Zayne Parkeh on the right side as a future top-pairing puck-moving defender, Carels can be an anchor for him as he’s a multi-tool defender with a lot of qualities in a two-way defenseman. He’s strong defensively with great gap control, can be physical, lead an attack offensively with his mobility and wire pucks from the blue line. He can do it all on the backend as a defender that can impact in all three zones. With him on the left side, that’s a future top pairing waiting to do a lot of damage.

7. Seattle Kraken: Keaton Verhoeff, RD, Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)

The Kraken have a surplus of defenders in their system, but with a lot of uncertainty as some of them are still trying to figure things out. They’ll definitely know what they’re getting with Verhoeff. A right-shot and potential top pairing defenseman, Verhoeff is a transitional and breakout defender that can do a lot of damage when he has the puck. He finds the shooting lanes well and is very engaging in the offensive zone. He backchecks well and as a 17-year-old in this draft, he has a lot of room for improvement given his upside.

8. Winnipeg Jets: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)

The Jets do have a lot of centre prospects, but not ones that can really hold down a top-six spot. With Mark Scheifele on the top line, Tynan Lawrence projects that role for the future as a responsible two-way centreman that can really drive a play forward. While the points didn’t translate from the USHL to the NCAA, Lawrence still did a great job to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. He’s always in the right spot at the right time to set up or intercept plays and provides that steady presence without the puck the team needs. 

9. Florida Panthers: Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Make this a homecoming for the Deerfield Beach, Florida native and top OHL regular season point getter with 97 points. Nikita Klepov was a consistent offensive dynamo from the start of the season to the end, being a threat at both five-on-five and on the power play. He’s extremely skilled and crafty with the puck, playing with a high amount of pace and energy to beat defenders easily. His off-puck play is a work in progress, but he can pounce on loose pucks instantly with his speed and agility.

10. Nashville Predators: Daxon Rudolph, RD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

The Predators are set with Tanner Molendyk and Cameron Reid on the left side. Why not add the leading point getter in the WHL playoffs with 26 in Daxon Rudolph to have on the right side? You can bet that if he’s there, they should be running up. He’s displayed equal parts playmaking and goal scoring from the blue line all season and while there’s always room for improvement defensively, he’s a calm presence and when he’s on his game, he’s tough to beat on the rush. 

11. St. Louis Blues: Alberts Smits, LD, EHC München (DEL)

Alberts Smits is a raw defender, but the potential and upside could be a big gain for the Blues. He moves exceptionally well for his size and has an aggressive mindset on the attack, being quick and strong on the rush. He’s extremely active and while that can get him into trouble, he really has held his own against senior competition in league play and at the Olympics for Latvia. The Blues already have Theo Lindstein as a left shot and Adam Jiricek on the right, but imagine a possible pairing with him and Jiricek? That could be fun.

12. New Jersey Devils: Ryan Lin, RD, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

The Devils love mobility and skill from the backend and adding another one in Ryan Lin would be a great addition for them. Lin brings a great amount of pace with strong puck skills, great smarts and attention to detail when he’s distributing the puck and leading the rush. He was solid for Canada at the World U18 Championship as his strong IQ awareness and two-way game is what makes him stand out. 

13. New York Islanders: Wyatt Cullen, C, USA U18 (NTDP)

The Islanders are set with the number of wingers and defenders they have, especially after getting Matthew Schaefer, Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson at last year’s draft. Why not start by building up the middle with a constant riser all season in Wyatt Cullen? Cullen brings a great amount of compete as he’s always attacking intently. He’s quick in transition and on the rush and has great smarts with his playmaking and to find the shooting lanes. Whether he produces or not, he impacts the game every shift as he’s always making something happen.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Widnsor Spitfires (OHL)

Knowing the combination of his size, ability to win board battles and skill in tight areas on the ice, Ethan Belchetz should be a massive commodity for the draft. While I still think he’ll be taken earlier, if he’s available, you can bet that the Blue Jackets will gladly take him at this spot. He’s an absolute unit bullying his way to the middle, creating havoc down low or in front of the net. He netted 34 goals in his draft and the Blue Jackets wouldn’t mind adding that element to their system. 

15. St. Louis Blues (via DET): Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)

The Blues addressed their blue line a few picks before. Here they add a pivot up the middle with great hockey sense and energy in Oliver Suvanto. He’s not flashy and he may not be a major point producer at the next level, but he’s a battler, does a great job to get the middle of the ice and put himself in a great spot to make a play. He’s strong, has great attention to detail and defensive awareness and a strong motor and drive in the offensive zone. 

16. Washington Capitals: Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Smart, competitive and skilled, Adam Novotny has continued to show his strengths all season long and it’s been a trend that the Washington Capitals continue to add to their pool. He’s competitive in the contested areas, showing great body positioning to win battles and gain possession. He can break free from pressure easily and has a great shot to boot from anywhere on the ice.