Jack’s Daily: Blackhawks Cap Plans; Ducks Bite Back; Stenberg Falls?
As the disappointment continues to linger among Chicago Blackhawks fans following Tuesday’s NHL Lottery results, a few recent mock drafts have surfaced suggesting that one of the top two forwards in the class could still be available with the fourth overall pick. More in the links for post-lottery mock drafts from TSN, Daily Faceoff, Sportsnet, and The Athletic. Also in Blackhawks news, an NHL insider reported the league’s salary cap floor and ceiling figures for the 2026-27 regular season.
Plus, one top prospect helped his team win the opening game of the league’s Championship Series. Around the league, the Sabres steamrolled through the Canadiens in Game 1, the Ducks fought back to even the series against Vegas, while the three finalists for the Selke Trophy were announced. All that & more in the Daily!
Blackhawks Offseason, News & Trade Rumors Chicago Hockey Now: How much money will the Chicago Blackhawks need to spend this offseason to reach the salary cap floor? Here’s how the NHL’s financial figures for next season will impact GM Kyle Davidson’s decisions this summer. More CHN: The ping pong balls didn’t bounce the Blackhawks way at the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday.
Dropping to fourth was the worst-case outcome, as they will likely miss out on both Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg . However, based on some of the latest Mock Drafts revealed across the league, there seems to be a belief that Stenberg will still be on the board at No. 4.
McKenna is almost assuredly going first overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But both Sam Cosentino from Sportsnet and Craig Button from TSN projected the Blackhawks to draft the Swedish forward with the fourth selection. With the Maple Leafs winning the lottery and securing the top pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joins James Duthie to share his mock draft for how he sees the first 16 picks playing out.
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