Blackhawks draft pick hinges on Sharks, Canucks

Blackhawks draft – For the first time in Kyle Davidson’s tenure, Chicago’s top draft-pick outlook could swing dramatically depending on who the Sharks and Canucks select with the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks. A rough 2026 mock draft scenario suggests the Blackhawks could end up

When Kyle Davidson walks into the draft room, the Blackhawks’ decision won’t happen in a vacuum. In this 2026 mock scenario, Chicago’s top pick doesn’t just come down to who the team likes—it depends on who’s still on the board when the Sharks and Canucks make their choices.

For the first time in Davidson’s tenure. a sizable range of players could end up as the Hawks’ top draft pick. The logic is simple and brutal: the Sharks pick second overall and the Canucks pick third overall. so their selections will determine who’s even left for Chicago. On top of that, Chicago’s internal ranking of prospects might not match the public consensus.

The 2026 draft class is widely considered weaker than normal. particularly in the middle and later stages of the first round. but it also has a reputation for chaos. In the version mapped out here. that chaos lands directly on Chicago’s roster-building priorities—especially at forward. where the Hawks have invested so much already in recent years through defensemen.

The projection starts with the Maple Leafs at No. 1 overall: Gavin McKenna, a left wing from Penn State (NCAA). The pick is described as low-uncertainty because McKenna’s roller-coaster season ultimately moved him back to the same spot he held last summer as the consensus top prospect. As a freshman, he was one of the top scorers in college hockey. The mock doesn’t frame him as a Connor Bedard-level sure thing. but it does emphasize that he could inject star potential into a Leafs franchise whose lottery win represented something “finally going right.”.

At No. 2, the Sharks would select Ivar Stenberg, a left wing from Frolunda (Sweden). The key question hanging over that slot is whether Sharks general manager Mike Grier sticks with his public declaration about picking the “best player available. ” which this mock treats as Stenberg. Or whether the Sharks decide they need a defenseman to fill the last remaining hole in their young core. potentially pointing to Chase Reid as the alternative.

Hawks fans, the mock notes, are hoping Stenberg falls to Chicago. Stenberg is described as a hard-working playmaker who produced one of the best seasons ever by a teenager in Swedish league hockey. Still. the Hawks are told they have to be ready for the other outcome—because the moment that second pick changes. it shifts what’s possible for the third overall selection. and then what’s left for Chicago.

At No. 3, the Canucks would take Caleb Malhotra, a center from Brantford (OHL). Malhotra is described as having skyrocketed up rankings after an electric playoff run alongside Hawks prospect Marek Vanacker on a loaded Brantford team. He’s presented as the consensus top player at hockey’s most valuable position. center. and the mock credits him with a mature. poised style. Malhotra is also committed to Boston University for next season.

The Canucks angle is straightforward in this scenario: they’ve been heavily linked to Malhotra because they need a young center to rebuild around. But the hiring of his father, Manny, as their new coach is flagged as a complication that could affect the team’s decision.

Then the mock arrives at the fork in the road for Chicago. At No. 4, it places Chase Reid, a defenseman from Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), as the Hawks’ pick. The warning is that if the top three forwards go 1-2-3. it would put Chicago in a difficult spot—and could motivate Davidson to trade the pick. The mock also lays out the internal tension: after the first three slots. the remaining prospects are largely defensemen. and Chicago has invested so much draft and development capital in defensemen already. Still, the piece says Chicago “owes it” to Bedard to expand forward talent around him.

A key detail is included about how Chicago might be thinking: the Hawks visited Reid at his family home outside Detroit. which the mock frames as an interesting hint that Reid is their top target if they’re forced into the defensive lane. Reid’s rise is described as quick through junior hockey over the past two years. with a path next season to Michigan State. His profile is said to include becoming a future NHL power-play quarterback.

The mock also acknowledges a fit problem. Reid’s right-handedness would create redundancy with Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov. But the conclusion is blunt: Davidson still has to get this pick right first.

From there. the mock draft continues through the first round. with each team’s needs and prospect profiles mapped into an orderly list. The Rangers at No. 5 would select Carson Carels. a defenseman from Prince George (WHL). described as a left-handed shot with some offensive pop but strongest in his defensive zone; he has committed to North Dakota for next season. At No. 6. the Flames would go for Alberts Smits. a defenseman from Munich (Germany). framed as potentially the most NHL-ready defender in the class after proving himself against elite players with Latvia’s Olympic team. The mock says Smits split this season between Finland and Germany and notes his physical maturity—6-3. 205 pounds—with good legs and good hands. It also states that, on the Flames, he would join Zayne Parekh as pillars of their future back end.

The Kraken at No. 7 would choose Keaton Verhoeff, a defenseman from North Dakota (NCAA). His stock. the mock says. declined as the season progressed. with concerns raised about hockey IQ. decision-making. and lateral mobility exposed by superior players in college hockey. Still. the piece says Verhoeff has supporters who praise his size—6-3. 208 pounds—and strength. and that he would represent good value at seventh overall for an “aimless” Kraken that desperately lacks an elite defensive prospect.

At No. 8, the Jets would draft Viggo Bjorck, a center from Djurgarden (Sweden). The mock calls him the second-best center in the class due to his solid play with Djurgarden and excellent international competitions. and says he isn’t far off NHL readiness while the Jets need to improve their center corps.

At No. 9, the Panthers would take Wyatt Cullen, a left wing from the U.S. National Development Program. If they don’t trade the pick. the mock says they’d have a chance to add an elite prospect to a barren pool. and that Matt Cullen’s son has surged this season with the highest upside among remaining prospects.

At No. 10, the Predators would select Daxon Rudolph, a right-handed defenseman from Prince Albert (WHL). The mock says he may or may not belong in the same tier as the defensemen drafted before him. and that the Predators’ recent first-round picks have prioritized forwards. making it time to balance an underrated prospect pool.

At No. 11, the Blues would choose Tynan Lawrence, a center from Boston University (NCAA). The mock says his midseason move to college hurt his draft stock, but credits his speed and work ethic. At No. 12. the Devils would select Alexander Command. a center from Orebro (Sweden). described as known for strength and having surged up rankings in recent months.

The Islanders at No. 13 would draft Ethan Belchetz, a left wing from Windsor (OHL), described as “mean” at 6-5 and 228 pounds, and close friends with Islander rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer.

At No. 14, the Blue Jackets would pick Ryan Lin, a defenseman from Vancouver (WHL). Opinions vary widely on the astute but undersized Lin, and some consider him a borderline top-12 pick.

At No. 15, the Blues (from Red Wings) would go with Malte Gustafsson, a defenseman from HV71 (Sweden), framed as the floor for the mobile and tall Gustafsson who has surged into the top-12 conversation.

At No. 16, the Capitals would select Oliver Suvanto, a center from Tappara (Finland), noting debate about whether he has NHL top-six upside but saying playing center gives him an advantage in this range.

At No. 17, the Kings would take Oscar Hemming, a left wing from Boston College (NCAA), described as having endured a strange season coming over from Finland but as an intriguing power forward.

At No. 18, the Capitals (from Ducks) would choose Nikita Klepov, a left wing from Saginaw (OHL). The mock says the Capitals could shop the selection after making the 16th pick and adds that Klepov led the OHL in scoring this season with 97 points.

At No. 19, the Mammoth would pick Adam Novotny, a left wing from Peterborough (OHL), singled out as one of the class’ best shooters.

At No. 20, the Sharks (from Oilers) would select Tommy Bleyl, a defenseman from Moncton (QMJHL). If the Sharks take Stenberg at No. 2, the mock says they “absolutely need a defenseman here,” and calls Bleyl undersized but a terrific skater.

At No. 21, the Flyers would draft Maddox Dagenais, a center from Quebec (QMJHL), described as fitting the Flyers’ type as a big forward who gets to the net.

At No. 22, the Penguins would take Ilia Morozov, a center from Miami (NCAA), described as defensively responsible with size.

At No. 23, the Bruins would select Elton Hermansson, a right wing from Modo (Sweden), an eye-opening offensive talent that struggles with consistency.

At No. 24, the Canucks (from Wild) would take Maksim Sokolovskii, a left defenseman from London (OHL), described as a 6-7 giant whose stock has surged since the scouting combin.

At No. 25, the Kraken (from Lightning) would draft Xavier Villeneuve, a defenseman from Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL). After drafting Verhoeff earlier, the mock says the Kraken can take a high-risk, high-reward swing on Villeneuve’s dynamic but light profile.

At No. 26, the Rangers (from Stars) would pick JP Hurlbert, a left wing from Kamloops (WHL), with consistency a concern but top-six upside if development “skyrockets” at Michigan.

At No. 27, the Sabres would select Jack Hextall, a center from Youngstown (USHL), described as a lower-risk, lower-upside bet in the late first round and a Rolling Meadows native.

At No. 28, the Canadiens would draft Adam Goljer, a defenseman from Trencin (Slovakia), with Slovakia described as returning to producing notable draft prospects like Goljer, a well-rounded defenseman.

At No. 29, the Blues (from Avalanche) would choose Tobias Trejbal, a goalie from Youngstown (USHL), with the mock saying their third first-round pick allows them to gamble on the class’ top-ranked goalie.

At No. 30, the Hurricanes would pick Mathis Preston, a right wing from Vancouver (WHL), with a stock dip described but an assurance that the Hurricanes never worry about drafting smaller, underappreciated forwards.

At No. 31, the Flames (from Golden Knights) would select Liam Ruck, a right wing from Medicine Hat (WHL). The mock says Ruck and his brother, Markus, both topped 100 points with Medicine Hat and will likely go in the first 40-50 picks.

At No. 32, the Senators would draft Simas Ignatavicius, a right wing from Geneva (Switzerland). The mock adds that he was born in Tennessee of Lithuanian descent and now plays in Switzerland, following a unique path.

The central point, though, is the one Chicago can’t control: by shaping the No. 2 and No. 3 selections, the Sharks and Canucks could decide whether Davidson gets a forward at No. 4—or whether the Hawks are pulled into a defense-first swing. For a franchise already wrestling with how to build around Connor Bedard. the timing of those picks may end up feeling more like a test of patience than a typical draft night exercise.

NHL 2026 mock draft Chicago Blackhawks Kyle Davidson Connor Bedard Mike Grier Ivar Stenberg Chase Reid Caleb Malhotra