2026 NHL Mock Draft Projects Gavin McKenna to Maple Leafs at No. 1

Q: In a draft class weak on forwards, will a defenseman like Chase Reid ultimately prove to be the best player?

Yes — Chase Reid has a credible case to end up as the best player in this class, but he is not the safest bet over Gavin McKenna. The case for Reid is strong because this draft is widely viewed as deeper on defense than at forward, and Reid checks the premium boxes teams covet most: he is a 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman, an explosive skater, a high-end puck mover and a player whose defensive game reportedly improved significantly this season. Some evaluators have ranked him No. 1 overall, arguing that a true top-pair right-shot defenseman can be more valuable than a scoring winger, especially in a class without a universally dominant forward. That said, the best-player argument still runs through McKenna. He went No. 1 in the mock because scouts see him as the draft’s likeliest superstar, with elite offensive production and game-breaking skill. Even with concerns about his defensive play and risk profile, his ceiling as a top-line offensive driver remains the highest in the class for many teams. Ivar Stenberg also remains a serious contender because of his NHL readiness and strong two-way profile. So the answer is not that Reid will likely be the best player, but that he may be the most plausible defenseman to do it. If his offensive growth and defensive gains hold against NHL competition, positional value could tilt the debate in his favor over time. Right now, though, McKenna remains the more probable best-in-class outcome, with Reid the strongest challenger.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15

A full 32-pick NHL Staff Mock Draft 2.0 slots Gavin McKenna to Toronto at No. 1, with San Jose taking Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 and Vancouver selecting Caleb Malhotra at No. 3.
The updated projection comes less than two weeks before the 2026 NHL Draft, expanding a post-lottery exercise that previously covered only the first 16 picks.
No first-round pick trades were completed in the mock, though several were explored; the one deal that did go through sent William Eklund from San Jose to the Rangers for Braden Schneider and a third-round pick.
The first round skews heavily toward centers and defensemen, including Chase Reid to Chicago at No. 4, Keaton Verhoeff to Winnipeg at No. 8 and Washington using two picks on Alexander Command and JP Hurlbert.
Late-round context points to teams drafting for upside and system needs, with St. Louis making three first-round selections and Calgary, Seattle and the Rangers each holding multiple picks.