2026 NHL Draft Top-5 Scenarios: Sabres Draft Malhotra, Smits Lands With Rangers

It’s crazy how much can change in a span of 48 hours. Top-10 picks were on the move, including Kyle Davidson and the Chicago Blackhawks moving the fourth overall pick in a questionable move with the Buffalo Sabres.

While our first four scenarios have all involved the Blackhawks holding down the fourth overall pick, this one will look slightly different, but the players will remain much the same. They will be thrown in a shaker slightly and fall into the top-five as we project another top-five scenario trying to give reason as to why each team will be looking at the suggested player.

Each scenario has seen the Toronto Maple Leafs hold onto their first overall selection with Gavin McKenna taking the top spot in each one, except for the third one. With that, John Chayka and the Maple Leafs will continue down that path when they start on the clock at the 2026 NHL Draft this weekend.

Maple Leafs Make McKenna Number One Pick

It’s all but written in stone, but once again in this scenario the Maple Leafs will take McKenna with the first overall selection. Highly-touted skill level with a ceiling he hasn’t quite reached yet, his hockey IQ is top-notch and should maximize the improvement for the Maple Leafs in 2026-27.

Even after a slow start to his NCAA season, McKenna found his groove and his swagger showed up. The confidence he has is something that could benefit him heading into this market and he’s already discussing what it’s going to be like playing with Auston Matthews. What more could you want from your newly acquired top prospect?

Sharks Chase Down Reid at Number Two

With the second overall selection, there has been some speculation as to where the San Jose Sharks will go with it. While they have received numerous offers for the pick, it seems – as of now – that Mike Grier and team will hold onto the pick. With it, expect them to go with defenceman Chase Reid. After all, his type of player doesn’t simply grow on trees.

The addition of Reid would really bolster the Sharks lineup moving forward with young talent in each position, solidifying their spot as a perennial contender. Even with the trade of William Eklund, the Sharks are seemingly eyeing the young defender in the second spot – a move that will answer a lot of questions for Grier and his management team.

Canucks Take Stenberg at Three

The Vancouver Canucks might consider a tough decision, taking Ivar Stenberg over the coach’s son with the third overall pick, but Stenberg makes the most sense for them at number three. The skilled Swede comes with pre-existing development from his season in the SHL and that alone will help a lowly Canucks team after an abysmal season in which the moved on from Quinn Hughes.

Stenberg brings a strong hockey IQ and a set of skills that some years are attributed to the first overall selection. For him to fall to third overall is a major get for the Canucks management team. Add to that their star player right now is a fellow Swede and the addition of Stenberg could help to wake up Elias Pettersson in the seasons to come.

Sabres Steal Malhotra at Fourth Overall

With the fourth overall selection, the Buffalo Sabres will use their newly acquired pick to take forward Caleb Malhotra. Having lost Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals, the Sabres will have open spots on their roster and will need to replenish the prospect pool. This pick, with Malhotra being available will do just that.

A speedy prospect with a lot high-end skill, Malhotra could fall right into the laps of the Sabres who would be fortunate to add another strong piece to their organization as they continue to build off of the successes of last season. While he likely won’t be NHL bound right away, getting Malhotra helps a team that went so long without playoff hockey maintain a strong looking future even in the years to come.

Having also moved Bowen Byram, the Sabres could go defensive, but with Malhotra still on the board it might be a difficult player to pass up when they are on the clock just four picks into the 2026 NHL Draft.

Rangers Look for Defence With Šmits at Five

Finally, with the fifth overall pick, the New York Rangers will look to Alberts Šmits to fill some defensive voids for the franchise after a tough 2025-26 season. The Latvian-born defender plays a strong, heavy game that could give the Rangers a top-end defender for years to come.

He’s positionally sound and has a strong defensive presence which could help a team that didn’t muster much offence in the early part of last season. While his defensive game might be his strongest asset, he’s also not afraid to jump into the rush and push the pace of play which could make other expendable on the Rangers when he eventually makes that jump to the NHL.

Now, it is worth remembering that these are just hypothetical scenarios given what teams should be looking for in the 2026 NHL Draft. Assuming nothing changes in the top-five over the next few days, this could be how the picks play out from number one to number five.