2026 NHL Lottery Mock Draft: Who The Maple Leafs Should Pair With Auston Matthews
Who should the Toronto Maple Leafs draft first overall? Could the Vancouver Canucks get a first-overall-caliber winger at third overall? Ryan Kennedy shares his instant post-lottery mock draft.
The lottery balls have been plucked, and we now know who will select first in the 2026 NHL draft. The Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks won the lottery draws and will pick first and second, respectively. So why waste time?
Here's an instant NHL mock draft based on the newly established order of the top 16 picks. 1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State If you want to keep Auston Matthews in town, bringing in a playmaking winger with immense offensive upside is a good way to do it.
While McKenna still needs to round out his game, you have to go with the massive potential here. This kid can create with elite hockey sense and vision. 2.
San Jose Sharks: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie Honestly, this could also be Keaton Verhoeff or Carson Carels, but the Sharks should take advantage of the fact this draft is deep in elite defenders. Reid is smart, fast and great at both ends.
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