The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is officially lower than one week away. Teams across the league are preparing to make their final moves as they either push for the postseason or reset for the long run. With all this in mind, ClutchPoints is presenting its fourth 2026 NHL Mock Draft of the season.
As with our previous mocks, this may cover everything of the primary round. The order getting used is decided by the present NHL Draft Lottery odds as of the evening of February twenty eighth, in response to Tankathon. There won’t be a simulated lottery on this mock. With no further ado, listed below are our latest 2026 NHL Draft predictions.
Previous mocks: 2026 NHL Mock Draft 1.0, 2026 NHL Mock Draft 2.0, NHL Mock Draft 3.0
1. Vancouver Canucks – Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State University (NCAA)
The talk across the first overall pick remains to be going strong. Nonetheless, Gavin McKenna has definitely rebounded well from his early-season struggles. He has been unreal as of late. In truth, he recently broke multiple Penn State records by scoring eight points against Ohio State in an 11-4 win. All of the sudden, he’s sixth within the nation in points, and second in points per game. McKenna is showing why he was overvalued before the season, and he stays our first overall selection in our 2026 NHL Mock Draft.
2. St. Louis Blues – Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda HC (SHL)
The St. Louis Blues have an interesting decision to make at No. 2. Ideally, the Blues would add a defenseman. They usually could definitely take Keaton Verhoeff at this spot. Nonetheless, the potential Ivar Stenberg brings to the table is simply too much to disregard. The Blues could sell on the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, and this might see a few of their best players leave town. If someone like Jordan Kyrou is traded, as an example, adding Stenberg within the NHL Draft could be an incredible approach to replace him in the long run.
3. Latest York Rangers – Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
In our last NHL Mock Draft, we mentioned that the gap between Caleb Malholtra and Tynan Lawrence was closing. During the last month, that gap has closed and swung in the other way. Malhotra is one of the best center prospect on this class and must be a top-five pick in June. The Rangers could go defense here, but with the potential trades of Vincent Trocheck and/or Mika Zibanejad looming, adding a top center prospect is smart.
4. Chicago Blackhawks – Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, North Dakota (NCAA)
The Chicago Blackhawks are also facing a little bit of a dilemma. On one hand, they need a top winger for Connor Bedard to work with. At the identical time, they might address that need outside of the draft, and go best player available here. On this NHL Mock Draft, they go BPA. Verhoeff is one of the best defenseman available on this class, and will easily go top three in June. This could be a house run selection for the Blackhawks.
5. Calgary Flames – Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Ethan Belchetz fell to No. 10 in our previous mock. Nonetheless, that wasn’t an indictment on his game. Multiple players saw their stock rise, and that forced some others to maneuver down. That form of chaotic stock movement has cooled off over the past month. The Flames have to add skill and offensive ability to their lineup. Because of this, they take Belchetz as their next franchise cornerstone. He could possibly be an incredibly impactful winger down the road in the correct situation.
6. Winnipeg Jets – Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)
The Winnipeg Jets face an uncertain future by way of their contention status. Winnipeg could try retooling and going at it again in 2026-27. Nonetheless, their roster is aging, and a scarcity of high-end prospects to construct around. They might use an injection of youth, and Tynan Lawrence stays an intriguing prospect. A midseason move to Boston University has not worked out as he hoped. Still, he has the potential to fill a top-six role within the NHL.
7. Latest Jersey Devils – Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)
Oliver Suvanto has maintained his draft stock over the previous couple of months. There may be lots to love about him. He’s certainly one of the youngest players on this class, giving any team the advantage of patience when developing him. He’s held down a vital role in Tappara’s lineup at just 17 years old. And he’s doing this for certainly one of the highest teams within the Finnish Liiga. Suvanto is a bulldozer down the center who refuses to be knocked around. The Devils could definitely use a player along with his skill set of their lineup.
8. Los Angeles Kings – Chase Reid, RHD, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
The Los Angeles Kings traded for Artemi Panarin before the NHL’s Olympic break. Nonetheless, they continue to be outside of the postseason with days remaining before the NHL Trade Deadline. With regards to the long run, the team could use a middle to switch the soon-to-be retiring Anze Kopitar long-term. At the identical time, they need a defenseman. There may be more value on the blueline here, and that results in the choice of Chase Reid on this 2026 NHL Mock Draft.
9. Nashville Predators – Alberts Smits, LHD, Jukurit (Liiga)
Alberts Smits has been very impressive over the course of this draft process. He has impressed each on the club level with Jukurit and on the international stage with Latvia. Smits could thoroughly go higher than this, but falls to No. 9 on this NHL Mock Draft. The Predators are one other team in need of a middle. Nonetheless, Smits provides more value and the next ceiling at his position than any center on the board at this stage within the draft.
10. San Jose Sharks – Viggo Bjorck, RW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
The San Jose Sharks have shown promise this season. Nonetheless, they should add more skill to their lineup. Macklin Celebrini has change into top-of-the-line players on the planet at just 19 years old. In saying this, he is tough carrying the Sharks offensively this season. Celebrini has 82 points in 57 games thus far within the 12 months. The subsequent closest player, Will Smith, has 42 fewer points than the 2024 first overall pick. Viggo Bjorck is undersized, but he would offer the form of skill that would complement Smith and Celebrini for years to come back.
11. Boston Bruins (via TOR) – Adam Novotný, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
The Boston Bruins love their bang-and-crash kind of player. But last 12 months, they showed a willingness to deviate from their preference once they chosen James Hagens with the seventh overall pick within the 2025 NHL Draft. Adam Novotný does play a tough game, but still is not exactly a bang-and-crash player. He is not as expert as Hagens, but he makes up for it through his elite play away from the puck. The offense is an issue mark, but his ability to affect the sport off the puck makes him a really intriguing prospect.
12. Chicago Blackhawks (via FLA) – Marcus Nordmark, LW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
The Chicago Blackhawks own this pick through the Seth Jones trade last season. It’s value noting that this pick is top-10 protected, as we learned a 12 months faraway from the deal itself. With their next pick, Chicago adds a winger alongside Bedard. Marcus Nordmark is a deceptive puck handler who can control the puck in addition to anyone on this class. He could be relied upon in all situations, as well, providing the Blackhawks with some options in the right way to deploy him around their franchise cornerstone.
13. Philadelphia Flyers – Dax Rudolph, RHD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
The Philadelphia Flyers need to enhance their defensive depth toward the highest end of their pipeline. Cam York is established, but he’s 25 years old. Outside of Oliver Bonk, the Flyers haven’t got much in the way in which of top-four potential defensemen. Dax Rudolph does lean a bit more offensive than other players on this class. He recently enjoyed a stretch of 16 goals and 39 points in 31 games, as an example. His offense should see him hold down a high-end role each at even strength and on the facility play within the NHL.
14. Ottawa Senators – Forfeited
As mentioned in our previous three NHL Mock Drafts, the Senators have forfeited this pick as a part of the Evgeni Dadonov trade fiasco from a pair years ago. There might be no pick made here because of this.
15. Washington Capitals – Ryan Lin, RHD, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Ryan Lin went to the Washington Capitals in our last NHL Mock Draft, with the ninth overall pick. He falls a bit on this one, however the fit within the American capital still is smart. Lin is an entire workhorse, playing in all situations for Vancouver. He drops here mostly due to his size. He’s a really expert passer and has displayed excellent decision-making with the puck. He did miss a few month with an injury, and his recovery could further affect his draft stock come June.
16. Columbus Blue Jackets – Nikita Klepov, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are experiencing a little bit of a brand new coach bump in 2025-26. Their resurgence hasn’t modified much by way of their needs, though. Columbus needs an injection of skill, and Nikita Klepov could be a implausible addition in that regard. He was one of the best player on the ice in a recent viewing against the Flint Firebirds. Klepov scored the game-winner with lower than three minutes left to cap off a four-point night. His creativity was on full display, and that creativity will make an NHL franchise very pleased in the long term.
17. San Jose Sharks (via EDM) – Xavier Villeneuve, LHD, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
The Sharks acquired this pick in last 12 months’s Jake Walman trade. They usually elect so as to add to their defensive depth with this selection. Xavier Villeneuve is one of the best pure offensive defenseman in the category. In some regards, he’s an additional forward on the ice. But this just isn’t to remove from his defensive game. He doesn’t sacrifice defense for offense. Villeneuve will make his mistakes, but he can clean them up all on his own with sheer effort and determination at times.
18. Seattle Kraken – Juho Piiparinen, RHD, Tappara (Liiga)
Villeneuve is one of the best offensive defenseman on this class. So perhaps it is a bit fitting that the following selection is one of the best pure defensive defenseman in the category. Juho Piiparinen is a smothering presence on the back end. He shuts down his opponents as they seek for scoring probabilities. In saying this, he has improved offensively over the previous couple of months. And he does well moving the puck. He just isn’t going to be a power-play quarterback, but he could possibly be one of the best pure defender on whatever team he’s drafted to.
19. Utah Mammoth – J.P. Hurlbert, RW, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
The Utah Mammoth could use a little bit of depth on the wings. J.P. Hurlbert has earned some high praise during this draft process because of his offensive ability. He’s creative within the offensive zone and has a very good shot. Hurlbert left the US National Team Development Program to hitch the Kamloops Blazers, and that has worked out well in his favor. Hurlbert’s defensive game needs plenty of work, however the Mammoth may benefit well from his scoring ability next to Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller.
20. Anaheim Geese – Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP
Speaking of the USNTDP, Wyatt Cullen has emerged as a possible first-round pick this 12 months. This system is experiencing a down season. Nonetheless, Cullen has established himself as certainly one of the team’s most consistent players. He breaks through defenses along with his incredible speed. And he can stickhandle with one of the best on this class. The Geese do have plenty of talented wingers, but they might still add to the position. He could be a really intriguing addition for the Geese.
21. Latest York Islanders – Ilia Morozov, C, Miami University (NCAA)
The Latest York Islanders added some incredible talent within the 2025 NHL Draft. But they might still use depth down the center of the ice of their pipeline. Ilia Morozov is an intriguing prospect who has been checked out as a possible top-15 pick. He drops a bit here because of inconsistent offensive play. Despite this, he’s all the time energetic and searching to make a play. His ability on the forecheck should earn him a job within the NHL, even when the offense doesn’t transfer.
22. Boston Bruins – Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA)
The Boston Bruins chosen Oscar Hemming in our last NHL Mock Draft, and the fit continues to make sense. Hemming has impressed since making his season debut for Boston College. He fires the puck on net, and is more in keeping with that bang-and-crash style Boston prefers. What makes this a simple selection is the chemistry Hemming has developed with James Hagens, Boston’s No. 7 pick from last season. Perhaps the Bruins can see this chemistry translate to the NHL in a number of seasons.
23. Detroit Red Wings – William Hakansson, LHD, Lulea HF (SHL)
The Detroit Red Wings watched forward Lucas Raymond placed on a show for Team Sweden on the 2026 Winter Olympics. They usually have two other young Swedish players on this roster already. There’s not a team within the league with a greater history with regards to developing Swedish players. The Red Wings need depth on the left side of their blueline. William Hakansson is a two-way defenseman who, beyond his nationality, checks plenty of boxes for Detroit.
24. Buffalo Sabres – Nikita Shcherbakov, LHD, Tolpar Ufa (KHL)
The Buffalo Sabres are in spot to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They usually have the talent of their pipeline to take some fliers late in the primary round. Nikita Shcherbakov has received some first-round consideration in recent weeks. He brings size, standing 6’5″, but it surely’s his stick skill that separates him from most his size. He’s an elite stick handler for his size, and he creates plenty of offensive opportunities. He’s under KHL contract, so his draft stock could possibly be a bit wonky. Still, he’s well worth the first-round pick if a team is willing to take the prospect.
25. Montreal Canadiens – Carson Carels, LHD, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
The Canadiens are in need of a little bit of defensive depth, they usually take a player many think is a top-10 selection. Our viewings don’t align with that view, but he should definitely still be a first-round pick. He does bring an incredible work ethic, and he’s a pacesetter on the ice. In saying this, his offensive production is a significant query mark. The intangibles make him a first-round pick. And if the Canadiens can develop his offense, they’d have a gem on their hands.
26. Pittsburgh Penguins – Axel Elofsson, RHD, Orebro HK (SHL)
Axel Elofsson got here up on our radar over the past month because of his offensive skill. He’s a really dynamic passer who can find space on the ice and thread the needle for his teammates. He also has a little bit of an underrated shot, as well. His defense is a significant query mark. He’s undersized, and he doesn’t play with much of an edge to offset that. Still, the offense alone makes him a first-round pick in our eyes. The Penguins could use a little bit of skill on the back end, as well, with Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang’s time with the team coming to an end within the near future.
27. Vancouver Canucks (via MIN) – Elton Hermansson, RW, MoDo Hockey (HockeyAllsvenskan)
The Vancouver Canucks acquired this selection within the Quinn Hughes trade this season. Elton Hermansson is a dominant player on the puck who plays with pace. He may also tackle defenders head-on with none hesitation. The problem with the Swede is his defense. His off-puck play within the offensive zone is not too bad. But on defense, he’s somewhat of a liability. After choosing McKenna to start this NHL Mock Draft, the Canucks take a probability on an intriguing middle-six winger here.
28. Latest York Rangers (via CAR/DAL) – Malte Gustafsson, LHD, HV71 (SHL)
The Latest York Rangers acquired this pick within the K’Andre Miller trade with the Carolina Hurricanes over the summer. They usually elect so as to add to their defensive depth with this pick. Malte Gustafsson is an enormous defender who’s surprisingly mobile for his size. His passing ability is not elite by any means, but he can move the puck well enough. His defense is his calling card, though there’s some offensive potential. In plenty of ways, he plays an analogous style to Miller.
29. Calgary Flames (via VGK) – Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
The Calgary Flames acquired this pick within the Noah Hanifin trade a pair years ago. Maddox Dagenais has continued to determine himself as a possible first-round pick on this process. The Remparts star has all of the makings of an efficient middle-six power forward. He brings a shoot-first mentality to the table, and with the form of shot he brings, coaches definitely won’t mind that. NHL teams love having size and skill of their centers, which makes Dagenais a reputation to look at throughout the remainder of this season.
30. Carolina Hurricanes – Alessandro Di Iorio, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Alessandro Di Iorio has maintained the rise he experienced last month. He’s a really responsible player with the puck and has good decision making. His play driving ability is kind of underrated, as well. Di Iorio can be player in transition. There are plenty of traits that would make him value selection late in the primary round. And the Hurricanes could do well adding a player like this to their prospect pipeline.
31. Seattle Kraken (via TBL) – Tobias Trejbal, G, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
The Seattle Kraken acquired this pick within the Oliver Bjorkstrand trade last season. And for the primary time in our NHL Mock Drafts this season, we now have a goaltender selection. Tobias Trejbal has pushed himself into first-round conversations over the past month. The Phantoms star is a right handed catcher, which is intriguing for a lot of teams. He moves well within the crease, and his lateral movement especially stands out. He plays with plenty of poise and control, which is impressive to see in a young netminder.
32. Latest York Islanders (via COL) – Adam Valentini, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)
Finally, we reach the tip of this NHL Mock Draft. The Islanders have this pick through last 12 months’s Brock Nelson trade. They usually take a probability on a player from top-of-the-line college teams within the country. Adam Valentini is a fierce competitor who has shown impressive flashes offensively. He focuses on making good decisions with the puck and is all the time within the face of his opponents. The Islanders double up at the middle position with this selection to shut out our mock.