GDT: 2026 NHL Draft, June 26 @ 7pm ET on ESPN: Rangers with 5th pick after Lottery

[RangersFan1994]

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, Winger
The Leafs step up to select McKenna to fill the void that was left behind when Mitch Marner departed for Vegas. McKenna’s offensive upside is immense. His attention to detail and three-zone compete vastly improved in the second-half of his season at Penn State. McKenna is a game-changing talent and future top-line winger for the Leafs.

2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, Winger
As soon as the Sharks traded William Eklund to the Ottawa Senators this week it signaled to me that they had made a decision to select Stenberg if he was available to them at second overall. Stenberg, like McKenna, is an electric talent offensively. He will, in time, be deployed in all situations for the Sharks and log heavy minutes in the process as one of their first-line wingers skating beside Macklin Celebrini.

3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, Centre
Malhotra is, by the slimmest of margins over Viggo Bjorck, the top available centre in this draft class. The Canucks recently named Caleb’s father, Manny, their head coach. This scenario presents a unique situation but it’s nothing Caleb can’t overcome. He’s a complete player who can be deployed in all situations and he has built-in leadership qualities as well. Malhotra is a future first-line centre for the Canucks.

4. Buffalo Sabres: Viggo Bjorck, Centre
Bjorck is the best available player in this slot and someone who the Sabres would be fortunate to select. He plays much bigger than his listed size (five-foot-nine, 180 pounds) and has proven he is trustworthy in all situations. Bjorck packages his pace, skill and relentless compete into positive results. Like Malhotra, he is a future top-line centre.

5. New York Rangers: Chase Reid, Defenceman
The Rangers land Reid in this slot and they end up with a future top-pairing, right-shot defender who’s one of the top skaters in the draft class and can be used in all situations. His offensive upside is intriguing and should result in Reid providing productive results with the man advantage.

Jason Bukala's 2026 NHL Mock Draft

Interesting

 

[NYblades]

Buff isn’t making that pick but I love Jason Bukkake’s optimism that Reid falls to 5

This mock has Reid falling to 6.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25444305-brs-final-2026-nhl-mock-draft

 

[kovazub94]

Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire

Churning my direction....

works in this context

 

[McRanger92]

This mock has Reid falling to 6.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25444305-brs-final-2026-nhl-mock-draft

The only certainty in these mocks is McKenna at 1. The rest is throwing shite at the wall

 

[McRanger92]

Wrong post

 

[McRanger92]

Interesting

Spence

 

[NYblades]

The only certainty in these mocks is McKenna at 1. The rest is throwing shite at the wall

The only certainty in these mocks is McKenna at 1. The rest is throwing shite at the wall

Stenberg going #2 seems to be consistently stated by most draft experts as well, but beyond #2, I agree anything is possible.

 

[duhmetreE]

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, Winger
The Leafs step up to select McKenna to fill the void that was left behind when Mitch Marner departed for Vegas. McKenna’s offensive upside is immense. His attention to detail and three-zone compete vastly improved in the second-half of his season at Penn State. McKenna is a game-changing talent and future top-line winger for the Leafs.

2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, Winger
As soon as the Sharks traded William Eklund to the Ottawa Senators this week it signaled to me that they had made a decision to select Stenberg if he was available to them at second overall. Stenberg, like McKenna, is an electric talent offensively. He will, in time, be deployed in all situations for the Sharks and log heavy minutes in the process as one of their first-line wingers skating beside Macklin Celebrini.

3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, Centre
Malhotra is, by the slimmest of margins over Viggo Bjorck, the top available centre in this draft class. The Canucks recently named Caleb’s father, Manny, their head coach. This scenario presents a unique situation but it’s nothing Caleb can’t overcome. He’s a complete player who can be deployed in all situations and he has built-in leadership qualities as well. Malhotra is a future first-line centre for the Canucks.

4. Buffalo Sabres: Viggo Bjorck, Centre
Bjorck is the best available player in this slot and someone who the Sabres would be fortunate to select. He plays much bigger than his listed size (five-foot-nine, 180 pounds) and has proven he is trustworthy in all situations. Bjorck packages his pace, skill and relentless compete into positive results. Like Malhotra, he is a future top-line centre.

5. New York Rangers: Chase Reid, Defenceman
The Rangers land Reid in this slot and they end up with a future top-pairing, right-shot defender who’s one of the top skaters in the draft class and can be used in all situations. His offensive upside is intriguing and should result in Reid providing productive results with the man advantage.

Jason Bukala's 2026 NHL Mock Draft

I don't see how Buffalo would value Bjorck over Reid- all things being equal. They have a lot of young Centers. Norris-Tage-Benson-McLeod-Helenius-Ostlund. They have literally ZERO RHD.

 

[mrmovies779]

Sharks don't need anymore forwards,they need dmen.If they keep the pick I would be shocked if they pass on Reid

 

[Clark Kellogg]

 

[Clark Kellogg]

 

[Waltuh]

would've said sharks drafting stenberg at 2 is stupid before they got 9. now they're basically guaranteed one of the good D prospects on top stenberg.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

 

[Clark Kellogg]

 

[Filip Chytil]

So Drury wants to move back or forward ?? If he moves back he better have a nack for someone falling

Not sure i would necessarily say he wants to move back. Might just be keeping all things on the table and not ruling anything out rather than an indication NYR are definitely moving back. We need more info. Tough to draw any conclusions based off it.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

The flipping Blues have 4 firsts? That's my wet GM dream.

 

[Waltuh]

The flipping Blues have 4 firsts? That's my wet GM dream.

 

[McRanger92]

Trying to explain to the Rangers board that teams that have been losing constantly for a decade don’t want more lottery picks is like trying to teach a dog to speak Spanish

 

[Clark Kellogg]

 

[Levitate]

Trying to explain to the Rangers board that teams that have been losing constantly for a decade don’t want more lottery picks is like trying to teach a dog to speak Spanish

Fine, I guess they can give us their lottery picks if they're that tired of them

 

[McRanger92]

Fine, I guess they can give us their lottery picks if they're that tired of them

Manifest it. I know I am,