The NHL Draft reshaped the league’s future, and fantasy managers need to adjust quickly. Here’s a fantasy hockey breakdown of the draft and the picks that actually matter.
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Fantasy Hockey Breakdown of the 2026 NHL Draft
Gavin McKenna (LW, Toronto Maple Leafs) – 1st Round – 1st overall
Unlike most first overall draft picks, McKenna is going to a team with legitimate stars. He will have an opportunity to compete for a playoff spot immediately. Joining Auston Matthews (C) and William Nylander (RW) is a big reason why NHL.com forecasts McKenna to produce 22G, 41A, and 63PTS this coming season.
McKenna should be the first pick in fantasy drafts this year. He will be in the Leafs’ opening day lineup and will be fantasy relevant from day one. Artemi Panarin (RW, Los Angeles Kings, Patrick Kane (RW, Detroit Red Wings), and Nikita Kucherov (RW, Tampa Bay Lightning) have been the regular comparisons leading up to the draft.
Fantasy Outlook: 60-plus-point forward from day one, 100-plus-point potential.
Ivar Stenberg (RW, San Jose Sharks) – 1st Round – 2nd Overall
Stenberg in San Jose is a dream landing spot for fantasy owners. The Sharks are building an absolute wagon, filled with high, high-end players and prospects. He should line up immediately in the Sharks’ top six, and very likely alongside Macklin Celebrini (C).
His offensive ceiling is lower than McKenna’s. However, landing with the Sharks is going to make this closer than if he had gone to, say, the Vancouver Canucks. He will become a more complete 200-foot player, but that’s not what fantasy hockey is about. Stenberg won’t be far behind McKenna in his rookie season as he’s more physically ready for the NHL.
Fantasy Outlook: 60-point potential in year one. 80-90 point potential.
Caleb Malhotra (C, Vancouver Canucks) – 1st Round, 3rd Overall
Malhotra has been one of the most debated prospects leading up to the draft. As the top center in the draft, going 3rd overall shouldn’t surprise folks. He’s committed to Boston University in the NCAA next season, which is the best move for his development. We’ll also get a longer runway to project his potential ceiling.
Fantasy Outlook: Expect one season with Boston Univ. Bo Horvat (C, New York Islanders) has been a steady comp.
Daxon Rudolf (D, Buffalo Sabres) 1st round, 4th Overall
Rudolf had a monster season, with 78 points in 68 games. In the playoffs, he was even stronger, putting up nine goals and 27 points in 19 more games. Most mock drafts had Rudolf going in the 6-8 range, but his play during the Prince Albert Raiders’ playoff run sold the Sabres.
Fantasy Outlook: I really like Rudolf. 2027-28 arrival. Top-2, power-play quarterback potential. 60-point ceiling. Rasmus Dahlin will be a massive roadblock in 3 to 4 years down the road.
Carson Carels (D, Calgary Flames) – 1st round, 6th Overall
Carels may be the most talented defenceman in the draft. His inconsistent effort has been the biggest knock all season. When he’s on, he’s on. There’s a real ‘boom’ potential here.
Fantasy Outlook: 2-3 years away. Top-pair, power-play quarterback, 60-point potential
Chase Reid (D, Seattle Kraken) – 1st round, 7th Overall
Reid was the top defenceman in pre-draft rankings, so it’s a bit surprising he fell to the Kraken. He has a safer floor than Carels and a similar ceiling. He can do it all. Expect him to run the Kraken power play one day and become a dynamic offensive defenceman.
Fantasy Outlook: 2-3 years away. Number one defenceman, power-play quarterback. 60-point potential.
Viggo Bjorck (C, Winnipeg Jets) – 1st round, 8th Overall
Outside of McKenna and Stenberg, the Jets may have landed the highest upside forward in the draft. Bjork is a dynamic offensive center the Jets desperately needed. The need provides a quick path to the NHL. Expect another season of development before pushing to make the Leafs
Fantasy Outlook: Top-two center, 80-point potential.
Wyatt Cullen (RW, Nashville Predators) – 1st round, 10th Overall
The Predators drafted Cullen on potential. In a draft that doesn’t have a lot of forwards with top-six upside, the Predators were wise to grab one that does.
Fantasy Outlook: University of Minnesota next year, possibly two years. Projects as a 2nd-line winger, 70-point upside.
Nikita Klepov (LW, Anaheim Ducks) – 1st Round, 15th Overall
His 97 points led the entire OHL as a rookie. Klepov has great hockey IQ, A great wrist shot, and slows the game down to the pace he chooses. Concerns over his lack of breakaway speed and mechanics are what kept him from being a top-10 pick.
Fantasy Outlook: Top-six upside with first power-play ability. Fixing his skating could push him onto a top line. 70-point potential. If he can fix his skating, his ceiling goes up. 2-3 year wait.
Ilya Morozov (LW, Buffalo Sabres), 1st Round, 20th Overall
Morozov is a fascinating prospect. He put up 20 points in 36 games on a bad Miami University (Ohio) team. Did I mention he was the youngest player in the NCAA last year, having turned 17 in August, 2025? For comparison, he’s 4 1/2 months younger than McKenna.
Fantasy Outlook: Expect at least one more year in the NCAA, likely two. He’s now the age of most NCAA freshmen. He’s a long wait, three years. In five years, when re-drafts start popping up, I suspect Morozov will be drafted much higher than 20th. 3rd line Center, 50-60 PT floor. 80-point ceiling.
Gleb Pugachyov (RW, Montreal Canadians), 1st Round, 26th Overall
Think a young Tom Wilson. Pugachyov will be a menace.
Fantasy Outlook: Currently projects as a 3rd-line winger with offensive punch, with 40 PT potential. Top multi-cat forward of the first round.
Tommy Bleyl (D, Nashville Predators), 1st Round, 31st Overall
Dynamic offensive ability, with legitimate defensive holes. High-risk, high-reward prospect.
Fantasy Outlook: Long wait, four years? 60-point potential, but he needs to fix a lot about his game. He is a true boom-bust pick.
Xavier Villeneuve (D, Chicago Blackhawks), 2nd Round, 34th Overall
We’ll stick with the boom-bust prospects. Villeneuve is right there with Bleyl for that title among draft-eligible defensemen. Arguably more offensively skilled than Bleyl, but equally as flawed defensively.
Fantasy Outlook: Think Lane Hutson. Think Ryan Merkley. The skill is there, but can he bring it to the NHL? 60-plus-point ceiling.
This chaotic and crazy off-season continues. I’ll be back in a couple of days to discuss the biggest signings of free agency. Later next week, I’ll be breaking down the latest batch of NHL trades.
Thanks for reading
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