2026 NHL Draft Top-5 Scenarios: Maple Leafs Grab McKenna, Blackhawks Draft Verhoeff – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

With three top-five scenarios in the books, the fourth might be a little more unorthodox. However, we looked at what each team needs and, rather than strictly going best available, tried to make a pick that would make sense for each team in the top five.

While the second scenario did involve a trade atop the draft, this one has each team selecting where they are expected to for the 2026 NHL Draft. From there, we’ll see three forwards and two defensemen selected in this scenario, much like the first one we laid out.

With John Chayka and the Toronto Maple Leafs on the clock, it’s almost – yes, almost – a given on who they take with the first overall pick when the draft kicks off.

Maple Leafs Make McKenna Number One

Nothing is 100 percent set in stone, but it’s as close as you can get to a sure thing that the Maple Leafs will make Gavin McKenna the first overall selection. Following the moves that the Maple Leafs have made this offseason so far, it’s unlikely that they go with a defender and – simply put – Ivar Stenberg hasn’t received the same level of consideration from the Maple Leafs camp based on conversations between the organization and the player.

So, with that said, the Maple Leafs will look to the highly-touted, highly-skilled product of Whitehorse as their first selection in the draft and a player that can quickly make the jump to the NHL to help bolster the roster. His vision and hockey IQ will produce an offensive surge the Maple Leafs desperately need, while his hint of arrogance will do him well in the market that is Toronto.

Sharks Scoop Up Stenberg in Second Spot

With the second overall selection, the San Jose Sharks snag Stenberg to add to their already impressive offence. While a defender may have been an option a couple weeks back, Mike Grier added Michael Kesselring recently making it slightly more likely that they could pick Stenberg in the number two spot.

Transitioning to the NHL shouldn’t be difficult for the Swede who was already playing the SHL in Sweden. Add to that the Sharks’ cult of young forwards – including Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa and Will Smith – and it may be easier to get him in there sooner than later.

Canucks Land Reid at Number Three

While the Vancouver Canucks could undoubtedly use a strong forward to build around, the acquisition of Zeev Buium and the addition of another strong defensive option could build the future of the team’s blue line. That’s why, at third overall, taking Chase Reid would be a hard thing to pass on for the Canucks.

Reid gives the team the top defensive prospect in the draft, as well as a right-handed option with a ton of offensive upside. Add to that his strong two-way game and the Canucks might be looking to solidify their back end with this pick as part of a bigger rebuild.

Blackhawks Add Verhoeff at Fourth Overall

While he was a top-five option coming into this past season, the Chicago Blackhawks need for a strong defenceman might lead them to Keaton Verhoeff at fourth overall, over some forward options in the draft. Verhoeff’s size and skill is hard to ignore and outside of a slow transition to the NCAA game last season, he’s still a very good option for a team looking to bolster their back end.

The Blackhawks have a piece in net in Spencer Knight and are led up front with Connor Bedard and Anton Frondell coming up. The add of Verhoeff would be a major step in completing a rebuild for this Original Six franchise.

Rangers Draft Malhotra to Close Out Top-Five

Closing out the top-five, the New York Rangers take Caleb Malhotra – a kid that dominated the Ontario Hockey League last season and showed just how much skill he possesses. He’s going to be a tough one for the top four teams to pass over, but considering some of their needs he could potentially fall to the Rangers in the five spot.

If that’s the case, there’s no way the Rangers can pass on this speedy, skilled forward. They, too, are in a rebuild of sorts and Malhotra possesses the hockey IQ and talent that could help fast forward this transition for a team that can’t handle too much failure in a frustrated market.

Of course, keep in mind that these are hypothetical scenarios and, as such, teams could go in different directions. That said, these are potential picks that could be made based on the needs of the top-five teams in the 2026 NHL Draft, which is just around the corner.