1. Toronto Maple Leafs – LW Gavin McKenna
Consensus #1. This is the only option for Toronto. McKenna is the clear franchise player and would immediately become the centerpiece of the organization’s future.
2. San Jose Sharks – D Chase Reid
The Sharks already have plenty of young offensive talent. Reid gives them the true No. 1 right-shot defenseman they’ve been searching for to anchor their rebuild.
3. Vancouver Canucks – C Caleb Malhotra
Vancouver lands arguably the best center in the draft. His two-way game and hockey IQ make him a safe projection as a future top-line pivot.
4. Buffalo Sabres – LW Ivar Stenberg
With the elite defensemen off the board, Buffalo takes the best player available. Stenberg adds dynamic scoring ability and high-end skill to a young forward core.
5. New York Rangers – C Viggo Björck
The Rangers need more offensive upside in their prospect pool. Björck’s creativity and elite hockey sense fit exactly what New York lacks.
6. Calgary Flames – D Keaton Verhoeff
A potential No. 1 defenseman falls right into Calgary’s lap. Verhoeff has size, physicality, and offensive upside to build a blue line around.
7. Seattle Kraken – D Carson Carels
Seattle continues building from the back end. Carels is an excellent skating defenseman who fits the Kraken’s preference for mobile, two-way players.
8. Winnipeg Jets – D Alberts Smits
The Jets rarely get opportunities to draft a defenseman with Smits’ ceiling. He projects as a minute-eating top-pair blueliner.
9. San Jose Sharks – C Tynan Lawrence
After grabbing their franchise defenseman, the Sharks return to add another skilled center. Lawrence gives them tremendous depth down the middle.
10. Nashville Predators – C Oliver Suvanto
Nashville has always valued responsible, intelligent centers. Suvanto fits their identity while bringing legitimate offensive upside.
11. St. Louis Blues – LW Oscar Hemming
The Blues add another scoring winger to complement their growing young core. Hemming’s finishing ability makes him a logical selection.
12. New Jersey Devils – RW Ethan Belchetz
New Jersey adds a high-skill winger who can keep pace with their fast, offensive system. His upside is difficult to ignore here.
13. New York Islanders – D Daxon Rudolph
The Islanders need to get younger on defense. Rudolph provides mobility and long-term top-four potential.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets – LW Nikita Klepov
Columbus continues stockpiling skilled forwards. Klepov has the offensive instincts to eventually become a top-six forward.
15. St. Louis Blues – C Maddox Dagenais
With multiple first-round picks, the Blues can swing for upside. Dagenais brings goal-scoring ability and complements their earlier selection.
16. St. Louis Blues – LW JP Hurlbert
Four first-rounders allow St. Louis to take another high-upside forward. Hurlbert adds speed and offensive depth to an already strong prospect system.
17. Los Angeles Kings – C Ilya Morozov
The Kings continue replenishing their center depth. Morozov has the skill set to develop into a dependable top-six forward.
18. Washington Capitals – D Xavier Villeneuve
Washington needs young scoring talent and blue line stability as they transition into a new era. Villeneuve provides exactly that.
19. Utah Mammoth – D Ryan Lin
Utah continues building its blue line with one of the smartest defensemen available. Lin projects as a reliable top-four option.
20. Buffalo Sabres – LW Adam Novotný
Already landing Stenberg, Buffalo doubles down on offensive talent. Novotný gives them another skilled winger to strengthen the future top six.
21. Philadelphia Flyers – D Juho Piiparinen
The Flyers continue their rebuild by selecting a dependable two-way defenseman who fits their long-term identity.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins – LW Ryan Roobroeck
Pittsburgh needs young talent at every position. Roobroeck offers offensive upside and could eventually replace aging veterans in the top-six.
23. Boston Bruins – C Brooks Rogowski
Boston heavily values centers with a complete game. Rogowski’s all-around skillset makes him an ideal Bruins prospect.
24. Vancouver Canucks – LW Wyatt Cullen
After securing their future No. 1 center, Vancouver adds a dangerous scoring winger to grow alongside Malhotra.
25. Ottawa Senators – D Malte Gustafsson
Ottawa would love to add a skilled defenseman to improve organizational depth. Gustafsson has strong two-way potential.
26. New York Rangers – RW Mathis Preston
The Rangers address forward depth with a player who offers both speed and offensive creativity.
27. San Jose Sharks – C Egor Shilov
San Jose leaves the first round with a defenseman and two talented centers, giving them one of the strongest draft hauls of the night.
28. Montreal Canadiens – C Adam Valentini
Montreal continues investing in its forward group. Valentini brings mobility, puck-moving ability, and long-term upside.
29. St. Louis Blues – D Giorgos Pantelas
With a fourth first-round pick, the Blues finally add another defenseman, balancing out an already impressive draft class.
30. Calgary Flames – D Tommy Bleyl
Calgary doubles up on defensemen, ensuring the future of their blue line is one of the deepest in the league.
31. Carolina Hurricanes – LW Pierce Mbuyi
This feels like a classic Hurricanes pick. Mbuyi’s skill, speed, and offensive instincts fit Carolina’s development model perfectly.
32. Ottawa Senators – D William Hakansson
Ottawa closes out the first round by adding a steady defenseman who provides organizational depth and long-term value.
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