2026 NHL Draft Ends With McKenna No. 1 as Sharks Earn A+ and Lightning Take D
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 28
2026 NHL Draft Ends With McKenna No. 1 as Sharks Earn A+ and Lightning Take D
3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 28
Summary
Toronto opened the 2026 NHL Draft by taking Gavin McKenna first overall, capping a 32-team event that now shifts attention from picks to class quality.
San Jose drew the top grade at A+ after landing No. 2 pick Ivar Stenberg, No. 9 defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and additional blue-line help around Macklin Celebrini.
Tampa Bay received the worst mark, a D, with its 6-pick class criticized for undersized selections and limited projected NHL upside.
Toronto still graded out strongly at A after adding McKenna and 9 more players, while other highly rated classes included Calgary, Carolina, Chicago and Florida at A.
The recap frames this draft as potentially franchise-shaping for San Jose, while underscoring how quickly post-draft judgment centers on fit, upside and organizational needs.