The 2026 NHL Draft is set for Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, with the league back to its in-person format and every team on the draft floor. The Toronto Maple Leafs own the No. 1 pick after winning the lottery and are projected to take generational prospect Gavin McKenna. Below you will find the full first-round draft order, the schedule, and how to watch. Full coverage is on the official NHL Draft hub.
2026 NHL Draft Schedule & How to Watch
| Round(s) | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Fri, June 26 | 7 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN+ (Sportsnet, TVA Sports in Canada) |
| Rounds 2-7 | Sat, June 27 | 11 a.m. | NHL Network, ESPN+ (Sportsnet in Canada) |
Round 1 leads off Friday night and Rounds 2 through 7 run Saturday morning. ESPN and ESPN+ carry the opening round in the United States, with NHL Network picking up the later rounds, while Sportsnet covers it in Canada.
2026 NHL Draft Order (First Round)
| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 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 (from Detroit) |
| 16 | Washington Capitals |
| 17 | Los Angeles Kings |
| 18 | Washington Capitals (from Anaheim) |
| 19 | Utah Mammoth |
| 20 | San Jose Sharks (from Edmonton) |
| 21 | Philadelphia Flyers |
| 22 | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 23 | Boston Bruins |
| 24 | Vancouver Canucks (from Minnesota) |
| 25 | Seattle Kraken (from Tampa Bay) |
| 26 | New York Rangers (from Dallas) |
| 27 | Buffalo Sabres |
| 28 | Conference Final loser (fewer points) |
| 29 | Conference Final loser |
| 30 | Stanley Cup Final loser |
| 31 | Stanley Cup champion |
| 32 | Ottawa Senators (penalty pick) |
The first 16 selections came out of the May 5 draft lottery, which Toronto won. Picks 17 through 27 went to the 12 teams knocked out in the first two rounds of the playoffs, slotted by regular-season record. The final spots hinge on the postseason: the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens, the two conference-final losers, fill picks 28 and 29 in order of fewest regular-season points, while picks 30 and 31 go to the loser and winner of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes. Ottawa holds pick 32 as part of a prior penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 NHL Draft?
The 2026 NHL Draft is Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. It returns to the traditional in-person format with all teams on the floor.
Who has the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft?
The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the No. 1 pick after winning the May 5 draft lottery, and are widely projected to select top prospect Gavin McKenna.
How can I watch the 2026 NHL Draft?
Round 1 airs Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+ (Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada). Rounds 2-7 air Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. ET on NHL Network and ESPN+ (Sportsnet in Canada).
How was the 2026 first-round order set?
The first 16 picks came from the May 5 draft lottery, picks 17-27 went to teams eliminated in the first two playoff rounds, and picks 28-31 are decided by the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final. Ottawa holds No. 32 as part of a prior penalty.
More 2026 Hockey & Schedule Resources
- 2026 NHL Playoff Schedule & Stanley Cup Final – the road to the Cup, round by round.
- Printable 2026 NHL Playoff Bracket – fill out and track the postseason.
- 2026 Men’s College World Series Schedule – the road to Omaha, live.
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Central – schedules, brackets, and team guides in one hub.
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