The primary spherical of the 2026 NHL Draft is within the books. From main trades to compelling picks, let’s check out the winners and losers from the night time.
Winner: San Jose Sharks had been the primary character
Sharks basic supervisor Mike Grier spent the times main as much as the draft wheeling and dealing, which continued on draft night time. Buying and selling William Eklund to Ottawa for the No. 9 decide cemented drafting winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 reasonably than reaching for a defenseman. San Jose then waited to see how the board fell, in the end drafting the very best defenseman accessible with the ninth decide. Proper-handed defenseman Keaton Verhoeff has some points to iron out together with his skating and puck administration, however the upside on the College of North Dakota prospect is very large. As insurance coverage, San Jose executed a trade-up to No. 21 general and chosen proficient however undersized left-hander Ryan Lin.
The Seattle Kraken have had a tough few months. It was publicly reported in March that winger Artemi Panarin turned down a large contract in a possible commerce to Seattle. That story performed out once more this week with the much more surprising information that Jason Robertson turned down $15 million a 12 months to play in Seattle in a possible sign-and-trade with Dallas. That commerce would have included Seattle’s No. 7 general decide.
The comfort prize took the type of right-handed defenseman Chase Reid, a top-end skater in contrast in some circles to Zach Werenski. Reid turned the primary defenseman chosen by the Kraken within the first spherical within the franchise’s brief historical past consequently.
Undersized heart Viggo Bjorck went No. 8 to Winnipeg. Electrical winger Wyatt Cullen went No. 10 to Nashville. Shifty defenseman Ryan Lin went No. 21 to San Jose whereas comparable defender Tommy Bleyl went No. 31 to Nashville. Hyper productive winger Liam Ruck went No. 22 to Pittsburgh. Cayman Islands prodigy Jaxon Cowl went with the ultimate decide at No. 32 to Ottawa. These aren’t the one examples, however groups wager on ability.
TBD: New York Rangers get inventive in buying star sniper.
The Rangers’ promised ‘retool’ regarded like a dud heading into the day — not less than till the acquisition of top restricted free agent Pavel Dorofeyev. He is an elite taking pictures two-way winger who already has two 30-goal seasons earlier than age 26 in Vegas.
It price the Rangers the No. 26 general decide, one in all their 4 third-round alternatives and a 2028 first-round choice that is top-10 protected. That is an virtually good commerce aside from one main concern — it is actually arduous to understand how good the Rangers are going to be in 2028. That will likely be a narrative to watch.
The Rangers, general, had a great night time — incomes stable evaluations for drafting Alberts Smits at No. 5 general. This one leans winner — for now.
TBD: Anaheim Ducks worsen, however is it momentary?
The Geese did an incredible job recouping two first-round picks for a defensively poor former No. 3 general decide in ahead Mason McTavish. Nonetheless, the Geese took a significant step ahead this season after which failed to make use of McTavish to accumulate instant assist as they watched two of their high 4 defenseman from the postseason (John Carlson and Jacob Trouba) head to free company.
They may get out of the loser column, but it surely’s unlikely that No. 15 general decide Nikita Klepov will likely be NHL-ready this 12 months.
Loser: Will Ruck be worthy comfort for the Pittsburgh Penguins?
It has to sting understanding how shut the Penguins — closely reported to be excessive on defenseman Ryan Lin — had been to snagging him. San Jose traded up with the Pens’ arch rival and took him one spot forward of Pittsburgh.
Loser: Columbus Blue Jackets group, followers take a physique blow.
Experiences are swirling that each famous person defenseman Zach Werenski and winger Kirill Marchenko are doubtless on their manner out of Columbus. The NHL Draft is meant to be a celebration for franchises, but it surely felt like a wake for the Jackets as the data trickled out on draft night time.
Day 2, encompassing Rounds 2-7 of the 2026 NHL Draft, begins at 11 a.m. EST on Saturday.
