2026 NHL draft features uncertainty in top picks and defensemen prospects
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 12:32 AM
Last updated Jun 27, 2026
HockeyThe Herald's mock draft for the 2026 NHL Draft highlights significant variability in anticipated top picks, particularly among defensemen. Scouts indicate that Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels from UND are likely to be selected within the top 10. If new commitments Liam Ruck or Markus Ruck are also drafted, UND could tie or set a record for first-round selections. The San Jose Sharks, with the ninth pick, face options of selecting a forward or addressing defensive needs, while the Vancouver Canucks are reported to have interest in Caleb Malhotra despite recent coaching hires complicating the situation. The draft is expected to feature a diverse group of talented players, with top prospects attracting considerable attention.
- •Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels projected as top 10 picks.
- •UND could break its first-round pick record.
- •San Jose Sharks consider options with the No. 9 pick.
- •Caleb Malhotra's draft prospects complicated by coaching changes.
- •Diverse talent pool expected to emerge in the draft.
- 12:32 AMYahoo Sports — The Herald's 2026 NHL first-round mock draft
"Jun. 26—GRAND FORKS — There are some NHL Drafts where the top few picks are easy to predict. That is not the case this year. The Herald has polled scouts throughout the season, and their opinions on the top players vary significantly. That's especially true for the top five defensemen, an area of particular interest to UND fans. UND defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and incoming freshman defenseman ...
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