rewrite this title Winners & Losers from 2026 NHL Draft Round 1: Maple Leafs land McKenna, Senators fail to utilise Brady Tkachuk trade picks

The opening day of the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo’s KeyBank Center came to an end on Friday. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the San Jose Sharks were the biggest headline makers after selecting the top two spots in this year’s draft

The day was full of hype, from Justin Bieber announcing the No. 1 overall pick for his beloved team, along with the GMs displaying their IQs in making smart picks, to a few decisions that left some fan bases scratching their heads.

Without further ado, below are the three winners and losers from the 2026 NHL Draft.

3 winners from the 2026 NHL Draft

#3 Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken were in clear need of a boost on their blue line after focusing heavily on forwards in recent years.

They addressed that need by selecting defenseman Chase Reid with the No. 7 overall pick. It’s a move that fits precisely what the Kraken have been missing for some time. Reid’s addition would bring a stabilizing presence on defense. A very solid addition for Seattle.

#2 Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs didn’t waste any time going with the clear consensus No. 1 prospect, selecting Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick. The highly talented forward brings elite puck skills and creativity, and he looks ready to slot straight into Toronto’s veteran top line.

This feels like a massive boost for the 13-time Stanley Cup champions, who have often lacked that extra spark when it matters most in the playoffs. Adding McKenna is exactly the kind of fresh energy they needed in their top six.

#1 San Jose Sharks

Arguably, the San Jose Sharks had the best night of any team in the draft. They selected forward Ivan Stenberg with the second overall pick and defenseman Keaton Verhoef at No. 9.

Both players bring high-end skill sets to their respective positions, and with Macklin Celebrini already in the fold, these additions give the Sharks a formidable young core heading into the future. The Sharks’ outlook is looking very promising.

3 losers from the 2026 NHL Draft

#3 Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators got a haul of picks in Brady Tkachuk’s blockbuster trade to the Florida Panthers. They selected Jason Cover with the No. 32 overall pick.

The Sens swung for skill but somehow couldn’t utilize their picks when other high-floor options were still available. The club is still in a rebuilding phase with more variance, raising eyebrows, and might stretch their rebuilding timeline longer than hoped.

#2 St. Louis Blues

The Blues entered the draft with multiple first-rounders after their recent aggressive moves. They didn’t find a way into the top 10 after drafting center Tynan Lawrence at No. 11.

They also gave up two first-rounders in the Mason McTavish trade to the Ducks. The additions look more like steady development, and only time will tell, but the night felt a bit flat for what they invested.

#1 Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks arguably had one of the worst nights in Buffalo on Friday. They entered the 2026 NHL Draft without a first-round pick. Although they initially had the No. 4 pick, they gave it away in a deal for immediate help in Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres.

Adding experienced pieces makes sense if you’re trying to get competitive quicker, but for a team that is still rebuilding the prospect pool, missing out on a high first-round pick stings.

The 2026 NHL Draft is not over yet, as more action is left in Rounds 2-7 on Day 2 at KeyBank Center on Saturday.

Also Read: Justin Bieber receives flak for Gavin McKenna announcement as Maple Leafs’ No. 1 overall pick

Edited by Abhishek Dilta