The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft has concluded, and it was a night full of strategic moves and exciting selections. Let's dive into who emerged as the big winners and who might be licking their wounds after an eventful evening.
Winner: San Jose Sharks steal the spotlight
San Jose Sharks' GM Mike Grier was a maestro in the days leading up to the draft, and his efforts paid dividends on draft night. By trading William Eklund to Ottawa for the No. 9 pick, the Sharks were able to secure winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2, a move that solidified their offensive future without stretching for a defenseman.
The Sharks didn't stop there. They capitalized on their position to draft the best available defenseman at No. 9, selecting right-handed defenseman Keaton Verhoeff. While Verhoeff has some areas to refine, particularly in skating and puck management, his potential is sky-high, making him a valuable asset for the Sharks' blue line.
Adding to their haul, San Jose traded up to snag Ryan Lin at No. 21, a talented left-handed defenseman who, despite his smaller stature, brings a dynamic presence to the ice.
Winner: Seattle Kraken find a beacon of hope
It's been a challenging stretch for the Seattle Kraken, with high-profile rejections from stars like Artemi Panarin and Jason Robertson. However, the Kraken found a silver lining by drafting Chase Reid, a right-handed defenseman with top-tier skating skills reminiscent of Zach Werenski. Reid marks a significant milestone as the first defenseman selected by the Kraken in the first round, offering a promising new chapter for the franchise.
Winner: Teams bet on skill and potential
The draft was a showcase of skilled, dynamic players. Winnipeg's selection of undersized center Viggo Bjorck at No.
8, Nashville's choice of electric winger Wyatt Cullen at No. 10, and San Jose's pick of shifty defenseman Ryan Lin at No. 21 all highlight a trend towards valuing skill and agility. Pittsburgh added to this narrative with hyper-productive winger Liam Ruck at No. 22, while Ottawa rounded out the first round with Cayman Islands prodigy Jaxon Cover at No.
- These picks reflect a league-wide commitment to skillful playmakers.
TBD: New York Rangers make a bold move
The Rangers shook up their roster by acquiring star sniper Pavel Dorofeyev, a two-way winger with two 30-goal seasons under his belt before turning 26. The cost was steep, including the No. 26 pick and future assets, but Dorofeyev's potential impact could be transformative. The Rangers also earned praise for drafting Alberts Smits at No. 5, positioning themselves as potential winners depending on how these moves pan out.
TBD: Anaheim Ducks in a transitional phase
The Ducks made a savvy move by trading Mason McTavish for two first-round picks. However, losing key defensemen John Carlson and Jacob Trouba to free agency without immediate replacements leaves a gap. While No. 15 pick Nikita Klepov shows promise, the Ducks' short-term competitiveness remains uncertain.
Loser: Pittsburgh Penguins face disappointment
The Penguins faced a tough break when San Jose leapfrogged them to draft Ryan Lin, a player Pittsburgh had heavily scouted. Missing out on Lin stings, especially to a rival team.
Loser: Columbus Blue Jackets hit hard
The mood in Columbus was somber as rumors swirled about the potential departures of stars Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko. Instead of a night of celebration, it felt more like a setback for the Blue Jackets' faithful.
As the draft continues with rounds 2-7, teams will look to build on their first-round successes or recover from their missteps. The drama of draft night sets the stage for another thrilling chapter in the NHL.
In Other News...
Penguins Suddenly Face More Trade Buzz Around Key Forwards
Trade talk around the Penguins keeps circling back to the same familiar names, and Frank Seravalli added another layer to it on his latest Hockey 24/7 board. Tommy Novak, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust all landed on the list, a reminder that Pittsburghs veteran forwards continue to draw attention as the market starts to sort itself out. Novaks contract situation alone makes him an obvious name to watch, while Rakell and Rust have been in rumor traffic for a while now.
The reason this chatter has real weight is that the Penguins are not dealing with fringe depth pieces here. Novak is entering the final season of his deal, which gives him some appeal as a movable asset, and Rakells value could rise if teams decide to pay up for scoring help. Rust remains the trickiest name of the three because he is so closely tied to the franchises recent era, which is why any fresh speculation around him tends to stand out even more. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Suddenly Face A Tough Parker Wotherspoon Decision
Parker Wotherspoon did not arrive in Pittsburgh with much fanfare, but by the end of the season he had worked his way into a far more important role than anyone probably expected. Signed to a two-year deal, he settled in as a regular on the blue line and became a steady fit next to Erik Karlsson, giving the Penguins a more dependable look on the right side while handling tough minutes and helping Karlsson find his best form in Pittsburgh.
The broader issue now is what comes next for a defense corps that still looks thin on the left side. Wotherspoons breakout season put him in the middle of a contract conversation the Penguins cannot ignore for long, especially after his 80-game workload and team-leading blocked shots made clear how much value he added even without much power-play time. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Are Getting Serious Draft Praise For One Bold Weekend
The Penguins spent a busy draft weekend making six selections, and the class drew immediate attention because it was built around a pair of twins. Pittsburgh opened by taking Liam Ruck in the first round and then followed up with Markus Ruck early in the second, a sequence that gave the team a clear identity at the top of its class and set the tone for the rest of the haul.
Scott Wheeler saw enough in the group to give Pittsburgh plenty of credit, pointing to the Rucks along with Tomas Galvas and Pierce Mbuyi as strong picks. Galvas in particular stands out as the kind of defenseman who could become more than a depth name if his skating translates as expected, while Parker Von Richter adds another layer of intrigue later in the class even if his NHL path remains less certain. [Read more 🡒]