NHL Draft

The NHL Draft is the annual event where all 32 NHL clubs select the rights to eligible amateur players, normally aged 18 to 20. The 2026 NHL Draft was held on 26-27 June in Buffalo, where the Toronto Maple Leafs took Gavin McKenna first overall. The NHL Draft runs seven rounds and 224 picks.

Gavin McKenna of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Every NHL team’s last No. 1 draft pick, and the nine who have never had one

Nine NHL franchises have never held the first overall pick in the draft: Vancouver, Calgary, Carolina, Anaheim, Nashville, Minnesota, Vegas, Seattle and Utah. Vancouver has waited the longest, 56 seasons since entering the league in 1970, ...

Brock England — Everything You Need To Know

One scout described Brock England’s speed in four words: a cheat code. Most players discover in their draft year that the gap between junior speed and pro speed is a canyon. England is going the ...

Rounds	7 (224 picks)
Eligibility	18 by 15 Sept, under 20; Europeans to 21
2026 host	KeyBank Center, Buffalo, 26-27 June
2026 first overall	Gavin McKenna, to Toronto
Format	Decentralized since 2025
Lottery	16 non-playoff teams, two draws, 10-spot maximum jump
2027 draft	Host and dates not yet announced

Everything you need to know about Landon DuPont

He was plus-59 as a 16-year-old. Nobody in the entire WHL was better. Here’s why Landon DuPont is already the most talked-about defenseman in junior hockey. Most 16-year-olds in major junior are hanging on. Trying ...

Everything You Need To Know About Alexis Joseph

Alexis Joseph is 6’5″, 17 years old, and already ranked third in his draft class. Here’s why scouts are paying close attention. Most players his size are still figuring out how to use their frame ...