NHL Draft Tracker 2026: Full Results, List of Picks From Rounds 1-7 originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft wrapped up on Saturday in Buffalo as the league officially welcomed its next generation of stars. The two-day event kicked off with a prime-time first round on Friday night at KeyBank Center — making Buffalo the first city to host the draft in its new decentralized format — before concluding with Rounds 2 through 7 on Saturday afternoon.
Leading the class was exceptional-status forward Gavin McKenna, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by Anton Stenberg to the San Jose Sharks at No. 2 and Caleb Malhotra to the Vancouver Canucks at No. 3.
On Saturday afternoon, Rounds 2 through 7 of the draft came and went in Buffalo, with 192 players selected through the afternoon. Whether international players, ones in the American leagues, or amateurs prepping for the collegiate level, teams picked up valuable pieces to add to their prospect pools.
One of the most fascinating storylines of the weekend came from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who kept an incredible family dream alive by drafting twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruck. GM Kyle Dubas selected Liam, a goal-scoring winger, at No. 22 overall on Friday, before calling his twin brother and elite playmaker, Markus, at No. 39 on Saturday. The dynamic duo finished top-two in WHL scoring with Medicine Hat last season and will now head to the pros together.
But the draft wasn’t just about picks. There were some major trades.
The Boston Bruins traded the No. 23 overall pick and a 2028 first-round pick (top-10 protected) to acquire winger JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth. Around the NHL, the New York Rangers acquired Pavel Dorofeyev, the St. Louis Blues traded for Mason McTavish, and the Carolina Hurricanes picked up the rights to John Carlson.
As eyes shift towards free agency on July 1, franchises will walk away from the KeyBank Center pleased with how they bolstered their futures. Soon enough, some of these players will be the future of the NHL.
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft wrapped up on Saturday in Buffalo as the league officially welcomed its next generation of stars. The two-day event kicked off with a prime-time first round on Friday night at KeyBank Center — making Buffalo the first city to host the draft in its new decentralized format — before concluding with Rounds 2 through 7 on Saturday afternoon.
Leading the class was exceptional-status forward Gavin McKenna, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by Anton Stenberg to the San Jose Sharks at No. 2 and Caleb Malhotra to the Vancouver Canucks at No. 3.
On Saturday afternoon, Rounds 2 through 7 of the draft came and went in Buffalo, with 192 players selected through the afternoon. Whether international players, ones in the American leagues, or amateurs prepping for the collegiate level, teams picked up valuable pieces to add to their prospect pools.
One of the most fascinating storylines of the weekend came from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who kept an incredible family dream alive by drafting twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruck. GM Kyle Dubas selected Liam, a goal-scoring winger, at No. 22 overall on Friday, before calling his twin brother and elite playmaker, Markus, at No. 39 on Saturday. The dynamic duo finished top-two in WHL scoring with Medicine Hat last season and will now head to the pros together.
But the draft wasn’t just about picks. There were some major trades.
The Boston Bruins traded the No. 23 overall pick and a 2028 first-round pick (top-10 protected) to acquire winger JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth. Around the NHL, the New York Rangers acquired Pavel Dorofeyev, the St. Louis Blues traded for Mason McTavish, and the Carolina Hurricanes picked up the rights to John Carlson.
As eyes shift towards free agency on July 1, franchises will walk away from the KeyBank Center pleased with how they bolstered their futures. Soon enough, some of these players will be the future of the NHL.
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