The Vancouver Canucks are atop the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery with a 18.5% chance of securing the first overall pick, while Gavin McKenna is projected as the top prospect in a class featuring elite forwards and premium defensemen.
The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery will determine the top two selections from among the 16 non-playoff teams. Vancouver, who finished last in the league, enters with the best odds, followed by Chicago (13.5%), New York (11.5%), Calgary (9.5%), and Toronto (8.5%). Vancouver’s true odds of securing the first overall pick rise to 25.5% due to the 10-spot rule, which prevents teams from moving more than 10 spots up in the standings.
The lottery uses a system of 14 ping-pong balls to generate a four-number combination from 1,001 possible outcomes. Teams are assigned combinations based on their regular-season finish, with the worst teams receiving the most combinations and thus the best odds.
The projected top five prospects for the 2026 class are among the most exciting in recent draft history:
Gavin McKenna, a left winger for Penn State, is widely viewed as the top prospect. He recorded 32 goals and 67 points in 54 games this season and brings elite scoring ability with high-end hockey IQ.
Ivar Stenberg, a two-way forward from Sweden, is considered the top challenger to McKenna. Stenberg is a more balanced player with strong defensive instincts and elite skating ability.
Caleb Malhotra, a center for the Windsor Spitfires, has climbed draft boards with his complete two-way game. He finished with 28 goals and 61 points in 68 games this season.
Chase Reid, a right-shot defenseman for the Windsor Spitfires, offers mobility and offensive upside. At 6'2" and 205 pounds, Reid combines size with smooth skating and a high hockey IQ.
Keaton Verhoeff, a right-shot blueliner from North Dakota, brings size, poise, and strong two-way play. At 6'4" and 208 pounds, Verhoeff is a projectable defender with offensive instincts.
With the Canucks leading the odds and a generational talent like McKenna in the mix, the 2026 draft lottery could set the stage for a major shakeup in the NHL’s long-term landscape.
The NHL Draft Lottery will determine the first two picks on May 5, with the full 2026 NHL Draft set for June 28 in Las Vegas.
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