Day one of the 2026 NHL Draft has wrapped up, and it was a whirlwind of picks and trades, especially for the Pacific Division teams. Let's dive into the action and see how each team in the division navigated the first round.
Calgary Flames
The Flames entered the draft with two first-round picks, the sixth and the 30th overall. With their first pick, the Flames faced a tough decision after the Buffalo Sabres surprised many by selecting Daxon Rudolph fourth overall.
This left Calgary choosing between Carson Carels and Chase Reid, the latter considered the top player available. Ultimately, they opted for Carels, a left-shot defenseman who impressed with the Prince George Cougars in the WHL.
Carels is set to join the University of North Dakota, where he'll team up with fellow Flames prospect Cole Reschny.
Their second selection, Jack Hextall, is heading to Michigan State University after a standout season with the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms, where he notched 20 goals and 58 points in 59 games.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks were in a prime position with three first-round picks, starting with the second overall. With Gavin McKenna off the board, they selected winger Ivan Stenberg, a pick that should bolster their top six immediately.
At ninth overall, they picked defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, a promising talent from North Dakota, and rounded out their first round with Ryan Lin, another right-shot defenseman from the WHL's Vancouver Giants. The Sharks are building something special, and these picks could be the final pieces in their quest to become serious contenders.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks made waves by picking third overall, selecting Caleb Malhotra, a strong two-way center from the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs. His impressive stats from last season highlight his potential to be a key player in Vancouver's top six. Later, they picked Adam Novotný 24th overall, adding a Czech forward who shone with the Peterborough Petes.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken, with their seventh overall pick, made franchise history by selecting a defenseman in the first round for the first time. Chase Reid, seen as the best defenseman in the draft, fell to them, marking a significant milestone for the young franchise.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers were the only Pacific Division team not to make a pick on day one. Their first-rounder was traded away at the 2025 deadline, and they stayed quiet on the trade front despite swirling rumors about a potential Darnell Nurse deal. Their first pick will come at 52nd overall.
Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim was busy with two picks in the first round. They used the 15th overall pick, acquired from the Red Wings, to select Nikita Klepov, who had an outstanding season with the Saginaw Spirit. Their second pick, the 28th overall, saw them select Swedish winger Marcus Nordmark, a standout in Sweden's U20 competition.
Los Angeles Kings
After a tough playoff exit, the Kings traded down from 17th to 19th overall, where they selected Swedish winger Elton Hermansson. Hermansson's performance in Sweden's second-tier league suggests he could be a valuable addition to the Kings' lineup.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights navigated the draft with strategic trades, eventually picking 29th overall. They selected Juho Piiparinen, a right-shot defenseman from Finland, whose potential could bolster their defensive depth.
Notable Trades
The draft was also marked by some significant trades. The Golden Knights made a splash by sending Pavel Dorofeyev to the Rangers in exchange for a first-round pick, among other assets. Meanwhile, the Mammoth traded JJ Peterka to the Bruins for a first-rounder, which was later flipped to the Red Wings for Sebastian Cossa, showcasing the wheeling and dealing nature of this year's draft.
The Pacific Division teams made significant strides during the first round, setting the stage for an exciting future in the NHL. Keep an eye on these young talents as they develop into the stars of tomorrow.
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