Maple Leafs, Sharks Win 2026 NHL Draft Lottery

The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured the first overall pick by winning the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, while the San Jose Sharks secured the second overall pick by winning the second lottery. The Maple Leafs won with the combination of 7-2-11-12 as they had the fifth best odds at 8.5% to win the pick while the Sharks had the ninth best odds with 5%.

NHL Draft Lottery logo (Photo credit: NHL PR)

This would be the second time in 10 years where the Maple Leafs select first overall. They selected Auston Matthews first overall in 2016 and now have the opportunity to select Gavin McKenna first overall. The Sharks will have back-to-back second overall selections, taking Michael Misa in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Although there were some struggles and an adjustment period, McKenna managed to still have a very strong freshman season in the NCAA, posting 36 assists and 51 points in 35 games for a point per game average of 1.45. Ivar Stenberg, who has been challenging McKenna all season, made a lot of noise this season in the SHL with Frölunda HC as an 18-year-old, making history in the process as being one of the top draft-eligible point producers in that league with 33 points in 43 games.

Both players have made their case to go first overall, but it feels like McKenna has the slight advantage. McKenna is an elite-level playmaker with great hockey sense, puck skills and vision. Stenberg does have a lot of pro-ready qualities which include his drive, smarts and compete level that could fast track him to the NHL.

At last year’s lottery, it was becoming more likely that Matthew Schaefer would be the top selection and he was. This time around, there’s a case for both to go first overall. Either way, a team is going to be extremely happy to have either of these prospects on their team.

Here is the full draft order for the top-16:

1. Toronto Maple Leafs
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Chicago Blackhawks
5. New York Rangers
6. Calgary Flames
7. Seattle Kraken
8. Winnipeg Jets
9. Florida Panthers
10. Nashville Predators
11. St. Louis Blues
12. New Jersey Devils
13. New York Islanders
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
15. St. Louis Blues (via DET)
16. Washington Capitals