ESPN’s final 2026 NHL mock draft drops just hours before the first round, confirming the first two selections while warning that the middle of the board could shift dramatically. Chicago may flip the fourth pick, St. Louis looks poised to splash, and San Jose Sharks could also be active. With the salary cap swelling and elite talent thin, trade activity appears inevitable.

The mock crowns Toronto Maple Leafs with left‑winger Gavin McKenna at No. 1, slotting him beside Auston Matthews for instant speed. San Jose, led by GM Mike Grier, selects Ivar Stenberg at No. 2, valuing his two‑way game. Vancouver reaches for defense prospect Chase Reid, while Buffalo, after trading for Bowen Byram, likely takes Caleb Malhotra at No. 4. The Rangers choose Alberts Smits; Calgary eyes Carson Carels.

Beyond the top eight, the mock places Daxon Rudolph with Seattle, Viggo Bjorck with Winnipeg, and Keaton Verhoeff heading back to San Jose via Florida. Each selection reflects clubs addressing glaring roster holes—defensive depth for the Kraken, center scarcity for the Jets, and a balanced blue‑line for the Sharks. If Friday’s trade chatter materializes, several of these projections could shift dramatically.