The calendar has barely turned to September, with training camps just days away. With camps opening, the renewed expectations of every team become patent across the NHL. But there’s one interesting part of the upcoming 2025-26 season: The 2026 NHL Draft.
Yes, it’s way too early to think about the 2026 NHL Draft. But the good folks at Tankathon have used their top-notch software to simulate what the 2026 NHL Draft could look like.
Fans can check out the full mock draft order here. From that simulation, three intriguing takeaways emerge. So, let’s dive in.
3 takeaways from 2026 NHL Draft simulation
Chicago Blackhawks land first overall pick
After the New York Islanders stunned the hockey world by landing the first-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 2026 NHL Draft won’t have such surprises. Tankathon projects the Chicago Blackhawks landing the top pick in 2026.
That situation means the Blackhawks will have a chance to land another franchise center in Gavin McKenna. With the club already boasting Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, the embarrassment of riches will continue with McKenna.
Thinking 20 moves ahead, landing McKenna could precipitate Bedard’s move to the wing to play with McKenna. Blackhawks fans can only imagine a top line featuring McKenna, Bedard, and 2025 third overall pick Anton Frondell.
Incidentally, the San Jose Sharks land the second pick, with the Seattle Kraken rounding out the top three.
Canadiens pick 15th, Blues 16th, Mammoth 17th
Two playoff teams from last season, the Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues, will be picking in the middle of the first round. Specifically, the Canadiens 15th and the Blues 16th. That situation means that, at least in Tankathon’s estimation, the Habs and Blues will fail to qualify for the postseason.
The 17th pick, projected to go to the Utah Mammoth, signals that Tankathon believes Utah will make the postseason. It’s an intriguing thought that the Mammoth will make it to the playoffs in their second season.
Tankathon also assumes the New York Rangers will make it back to the postseason. The projection places the Blue Shirts 20th overall. That placement signals the Rangers could get bounced in the first round.
Sharks pick 31st, Blackhawks 32nd
The 31st and 32nd picks are reserved for the two Stanley Cup Finalists. No, the Sharks will not go to the Stanley Cup Final. The Sharks will get a second first-round pick courtesy of the Edmonton Oilers from the Jake Walman trade this past season.
Likewise, the Blackhawks won’t win the Stanley Cup and get the first-overall pick. The Blackhawks will get the Florida Panthers’ first-rounder stemming from the Seth Jones deal last season.
So, it’s interesting to see that the Blackhawks and Sharks will open the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft and then close it. That situation means that fans will see and third-straight Oilers-Panthers Stanley Cup Final with the Panthers making it three in a row.
Of course, Tankathon uses an algorithm to determine the draft order based on previous standings and rankings. But it’s interesting to see how the algo assumes the Oilers and Panthers will make it back to the Final for a third consecutive season.
It’s also worth pointing out that Tankathon considers the other two Conference Finalists as the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes. Interestingly, NHL fans could see a Panthers-Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final, with the Western Conference bracket being the Oilers and Avalanche.