Mock draft 2026: NHL draft prospects shaping the future

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory, with a deep pool of forwards, a re-emergence of elite defensive talent, and a handful of goaltenders who could turn into franchise cornerstones. As scouts wrap up their final viewings across the CHL, NCAA, USHL, and European circuits, our Say It Again Network team has put together a fresh mock draft ranking the most exciting names eligible for next year's selection. The race for the first overall pick remains wide open, and a few surprise risers have entered the conversation late.

Fans tuning in from Sydney, Melbourne, or anywhere across the Australian sporting landscape know that following the draft requires a bit of dedication given the time difference, but the payoff is worth it. Whether you're catching the broadcast live at 10am AEST or streaming highlights on your lunch break, this draft offers plenty of storylines. Stick with us through the full breakdown, and be sure to check out our original podcasts for weekly draft chatter and trade rumours.

The frontrunners and first overall buzz

At the top of virtually every scouting board sits a Swedish winger whose combination of size, skating, and offensive instinct has drawn comparisons to Filip Forsberg. Scouts have tracked him extensively in the SHL, where he has already logged meaningful minutes against grown men, and most NHL teams have him pencilled in as a potential top-five selection. His shot release is NHL-ready, and his hockey IQ appears to be a step ahead of his peers.

Right behind him in the conversation is a dynamic centre from the OHL whose playmaking vision has left scouts scrambling to update their notes. He skates like a player two inches taller and processes the game at a pace that suggests he could handle top-line duties within his first professional season. If a team like the Chicago Blackhawks or Anaheim Ducks lands the first overall pick through the lottery, expect this name to be called first.

Defensive prospects changing the game

After several drafts where defencemen slid down the board, the 2026 class looks poised to restore balance. One rearguard from the QMJHL has emerged as a true two-way force, capable of logging 25 minutes a night while contributing offensively. His transition game is exceptional, and his ability to read plays before they develop has drawn praise from NHL coaching staffs who have consulted on his development.

Another blueliner, this one from the Finnish Liiga, brings a different element — punishing physicality paired with surprisingly soft hands. He's the type of player who can clear the crease on one shift and quarterback a power play on the next. General managers looking to stabilise their back end for the next decade will have plenty of options when the second round rolls around.

Mock draft rankings at a glance

The table below summarises our current projection for the lottery, though expect significant movement between now and the actual draft in June. Scouting directors place varying weight on different attributes, so debate around these rankings will only intensify as the season progresses. Teams picking in the top three often have their choice between a franchise centre, a top-pairing defenceman, or a game-breaking winger, and the decision usually comes down to organisational need.

Rank Player Position League Ceiling comparison
1 Lucas Bergstrom LW SHL Filip Forsberg
2 Ethan Hay C OHL Bedard lite
3 Jiri Novak RD QMJHL Miro Heiskanen
4 Aleksi Maki RD Liiga Darnell Nurse
5 Cole Hamilton C USHL Logan Cooley
6 Sam Eriksson LW Allsvenskan Gabriel Landeskog
7 Owen McKenzie RW BCHL Mitch Marner
8 Luca Rossi G OHL Andrei Vasilevskiy
9 Tyler Brooks LD NCAA Quinn Hughes
10 Henrik Sorensen RW SHL Mikko Rantanen

Names toward the back end of the first round carry just as much upside, particularly if they land with patient organisations willing to give them time in the AHL or back in junior. Draft pedigree matters less than landing spot, and several players on this list could outperform their draft position within three seasons.

Goaltending pipeline and hidden gems

It's not often that three goalies crack the first round of a mock draft, but 2026 could be the exception. One puck-stopper from the OHL has posted video-game numbers this season, with a save percentage hovering around .930 and a glove hand that scouts describe as elite. He's calm in chaos, tracks the puck exceptionally well through screens, and has the mental makeup to handle the pressure of a Canadian market.

Beyond the top tier, there are hidden gems scattered throughout the rankings. A forward playing in the Allsvenskan has climbed roughly 40 spots since the start of the calendar year after a dominant showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and a high-scoring winger from the BCHL has drawn comparisons to Mitch Marner for his ability to create offence out of nothing. These are the types of players who can transform a franchise if developed properly.

Australian connections and NHL pathways

Australia might not be the first country that comes to mind when discussing NHL pipelines, but the country has produced a handful of professionals who have made their mark. Nathan Walker remains the most prominent example, having suited up for the Washington Capitals and now plying his trade in the AHL, and his success has inspired a new generation of Australian hockey players. The Australian Ice Hockey League, featuring clubs like the Melbourne Mustangs and Sydney Ice Dogs, continues to serve as a proving ground for local talent.

Australian fans have found creative ways to follow the draft despite the brutal time difference, often recording broadcasts or catching highlights on Kayo Sports during their morning routine. The local hockey community is tight-knit, with supporters gathering at pubs in Melbourne's inner suburbs or Sydney's north shore to watch playoff games together. Even if it's an arvo session at the local bottle-o followed by an evening puck drop, Aussies find a way to make it work.

Milestones in Australian hockey history:

NCAA and CHL development paths

The debate between the NCAA route and major junior continues to shape draft strategy, and the 2026 class features elite talent on both sides. CHL products benefit from playing 68 games a season plus deep playoff runs, giving them a higher game count and a more physical development curve. NHL teams traditionally prefer CHL players in the top ten because their timeline to the NHL is typically shorter.

NCAA-bound prospects, on the other hand, often arrive with two to four years of college seasoning, physical maturity, and education as a fallback. Several mock draft candidates have committed to programmes like Boston University, Michigan, or Denver, and their development could significantly alter the final board. Teams willing to be patient are increasingly comfortable drafting NCAA players in the first round, especially when the talent gap is minimal.

Trade winds and draft lottery scenarios

With the draft lottery looming, several non-contending teams are positioning themselves for a shot at the top picks. The Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets are obvious candidates to retain their lottery odds, while bubble teams like the Philadelphia Flyers could quietly explore trade options for veteran players to bolster their draft capital. Mock draft boards shift wildly based on lottery results, so the final order remains anyone's guess.

Trade rumours are already circulating about disgruntled stars who could be on the move, and any blockbuster deal could yield additional first-round picks. General managers know that drafting well is the cheapest way to build a contender, which is why the weeks leading up to the lottery feel like a chess match. Stay tuned to our coverage at https://thesianetwork.com/mlb for cross-sport insights on how front offices operate, even though the focus here is hockey.

Storylines to monitor in the final stretch: