San Jose Sharks Top 2026 NHL Draft Grades With A++ as Maple Leafs Earn A+
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 27
San Jose Sharks Top 2026 NHL Draft Grades With A++ as Maple Leafs Earn A+
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 27
Summary
San Jose led the post-draft grades with an A++, praised for first-round value, filling organizational needs and potentially landing two of the class’s top five defensemen.
Toronto followed at A+ after what was described as its best draft in years, with upside swings throughout the board and late-round goalie bets giving new GM John Chayka a strong start.
Anaheim, Nashville and Pittsburgh also landed A grades, with the Ducks turning zero first-round picks into two high-end forwards and the Penguins reuniting the Ruck brothers.
Across 224 picks over two days, the grading emphasized value gained, draft-board maneuvering and whether teams strengthened long-term pipelines rather than simply filling immediate roster holes.