When is the 2026 NHL Draft? Date, time, how to watch on TV channel, top prospects, No.1 pick winner.

"Who'll get the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo?"

The NHL has announced the dates and location for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft. This year’s event will once again feature a decentralized format, with top prospects, media, and fans attending in person while team executives, scouts, and coaches participate virtually.

When is the 2026 NHL Draft ?

The 2026 NHL Draft will take place on June 26-27, 2026.

Round 1: Friday, June 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Rounds 2-7: Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET

Where is the 2026 NHL Draft?

The draft will be held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

How to watch NHL Draft? What channel is the NHL Draft on?

United States:

Round 1: ESPN / ESPN2

Rounds 2-7: NHL Network

Streaming: ESPN+ (both days)

Canada:

Sportsnet (English)

TVA Sports (French)

Additional streaming options include Fubo and Sling TV, which carry ESPN and NHL Network.

How to stream the NHL draft

ESPN+ will carry both days. Fubo and Sling carry ESPN and NHL Network.

Who are the top prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft?

Gavin McKenna (left wing, Penn State) is widely regarded as the top prospect and the favorite to be selected first overall. Other highly ranked prospects include:

Ivar Stenberg (Sweden)

Chase Reid

Carson Carels

Keaton Verhoeff

Daxon Rudolph

Caleb Malhotra

When is the NHL draft lottery?

The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery has already been held. The final draft order is now set, with several teams (including the San Jose Sharks and others) in contention for high selections.

Which team has selected first overall Pick from NFL Draft in Last 10 years.?

The draft was first created for the 1963 NHL season. This will be the 60th draft in the history of the NHL.

Here is a look at which teams got the No. 1 picks from the last 10 drafts and who they selected.

2025: Matthew Schaefer – New York Islanders

2024: Macklin Celebrini (SJ-Sharks)

2023: Connor Bedard (Blackhawks)

2022: Juraj Slafkovsky (M.Canadiens)

2021: Owen Power (BUF)

2020: Alexis Lafrenière (NYR)

2019: Jack Hughes (NJD)

2018: Rasmus Dahlin (BUF)

2017: Nico Hischier (NJD)

2016: Auston Matthews (TOR)

2015: Connor McDavid (EDM)

2014: Nathan MacKinnon (COL)

2013: Aaron Ekblad (FLA)

2012: Nail Yakupov (EDM)

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