The Stanley Cup Playoffs are raging on as we move closer to crowning a new champion, but that’s not the only significant NHL date on the calendar. Tonight, the draft lottery will be decided, and the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes will likely be settled. Who will walk away with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on Tuesday night?
Here, we’ll post the official results as they’re announced beginning at 7 p.m. ET tonight. Stay tuned for the draft order!
2026 NHL Draft Lottery results, order
Here are the official results of the 2026 NHL Draft lottery, with some brief analysis below:
NOTE: Due to a rule change in 2021, a team cannot jump more than 10 spots in the order. As a result, No. 12-16 prior to the draw can still jump higher, but will not be eligible to receive the No. 1 pick. In such a case, they’ll slot in accordingly and be replaced by the team lowest in the standings.
| Pick Order | Odds of landing No. 1 pick |
| 1: Toronto Maple Leafs | 8.5% |
| 2: San Jose Sharks | 5.0% |
| 3: Vancouver Canucks | 25.5% |
| 4: Chicago Blackhawks | 13.5% |
| 5: New York Rangers | 11.5% |
| 6: Calgary Flames | 9.5% |
| 7: Seattle Kraken | 7.5% |
| 8: Winnipeg Jets | 6.5% |
| 9: Florida Panthers | 6.0% |
| 10: Nashville Predators | 3.5% |
| 11: St. Louis Blues | 3.0% |
| 12: New Jersey Devils | 0% |
| 13: New York Islanders | 0% |
| 14: Columbus Blue Jackets | 0% |
| 15: St. Louis Blues (via Detroit) | 0% |
| 16: Washington Capitals | 0% |
What a coup for the Toronto Maple Leafs. A disaster 2025-26 season left them facing a potential full rebuild, and to add insult to injury, their first-round pick would go to the Boston Bruins unless it landed in the top five. Coming into this lottery with the fifth-best odds, it was a sweaty night for the fans and their new management. But now the Maple Leads have the No. 1 overall pick, and are sure to add Gavin McKenna alongside franchise superstar Auston Matthews.
Right after them, the San Jose Sharks have done it again. They picked No. 1 in 2024, taking superstar youngster Macklin Celebrini. Last season, they netted the No. 2 pick and drafted Michael Misa, who had a promising rookie season. Now they have the second pick once again, making it three straight top-two picks for a team that surprisingly challenged for a playoff spot in 2025-26.
The Vancouver Canucks ought to feel disappointed. Holding 25.5% odds for the top pick, they watched two other teams with much lower odds jump them, and will have to settle for the third overall pick as compensation for being the worst team in the NHL this season. The rest of the teams ahead of Toronto and San Jose were bumped down in the order, as no further jumps in the lottery could be made under NHL lottery rules.
When is the 2026 NHL Draft?
The 2026 NHL Draft will be held on June 26 and 27 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
