2026 NHL Draft Preview and Best Bets:
The NHL Draft is just around the corner (June 26, 27) as the next crop of NHL talent gathers in Buffalo, and teams look for their next superstar. For some, it will be the realization of a dream forged on frozen ponds and backyard rinks; for others, it will be the first bitter taste of falling further than expected. The Toronto Maple Leafs own the first overall pick and are expected (and reportedly have already informed) to select Gavin McKenna, who played last season at Penn State University. After a slow start to his freshman season, McKenna finished with 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games. His strong play-making ability will likely see him playing alongside Auston Matthews.
Where the NHL Draft starts to get interesting is at pick number two, owned by the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks’ biggest need is on the blueline, and there are as many as five defensemen who are top ten draft worthy. The Sharks could easily trade down and still get the player that would bolster their blueline for years to come. One of those teams that could be a trade partner for San Jose is the Calgary Flames, who need a center who could anchor their top line. That center is Caleb Malhotra (son of Vancouver head coach, Manny Malhotra), and at 60/1 to go second overall, he is worth a wager.
Now, if Malhotra were to go second overall to Calgary in a trade, it would open the door for the Canucks to draft Swedish-born Ivar Stenberg (+360 to be drafted 3rd overall). One other question still out there is what does Vancouver do if both Stenberg and Malhotra are available to be drafted third overall? Do the Canucks take Caleb Malhotra, who arguably is the best center available in the draft, but the downside could be that teammates are afraid to criticize the head coach and dad when the team is struggling. Stenberg is highly skilled and has been compared to future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane. The fact that he is Swedish likely appeals to Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who were recently named Co-Presidents of the Canucks.
Next up is the pick number four in the Draft, and once again, I will target Caleb Malhotra (+700), and here is why. I expect the Maple Leafs to select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick. If San Jose keeps its pick, they will grab a defenseman, and then it comes down to Vancouver, and if they pass on Malhotra, I don’t see how Chicago passes on him, or if they were to swing a trade that the team they trade with would not select Malhotra.
Draft Kings is also offering five potential players to be selected in the top five: Alberts Smits (+200), Viggio Bjorck (+350), Daxon Rudolph (15/1), Malte Gustafson (65/1) and Ryan Lin (75/1). After consulting with my group of NHL Draft experts, the overwhelming consensus was that Viggio Bjorck is worth a shot. Bjorck plays the coveted center position, and even though he is just 5-foot-9, he plays much bigger than his size and is known for elevating the level of play of his linemates.
They are also offering as many as ten other players to be first round selections. Russian Egor Shilov has spent the past two seasons playing in North America. He is coming off a 32-goal, 82-point season playing for Victoriaville in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. A highly skilled player who is projected as high as 18th overall has great value at (+700) to be a first-round draft pick. Despite his shorter odds (+340), Niklas Aaram Olsen is considered more of a fringe first-round pick by the experts whom I spoke with.
Finally, I am going to provide you with five players and my picks to go Over or Under their draft selection projected number. Good luck to all. Let’s cash some bets.
2026 NHL Draft Best Bets
Caleb Malhotra 2nd overall pick (60/1) – ¼ unit
Ivar Stenberg 3rd overall pick (+360) – ¼ unit
Caleb Malhotra 4th overall pick (+700) – ¼ unit
Viggio Bjorck to be selected in the Top 5 (+350) – ¼ unit
Alexander Command to be selected in the top 10 (30/1) – .15 units
Ethan Belchetz to be selected in the top 10 (+300) – .15 units
Egor Shilov to be selected in the 1st round (+700) – 1 unit
Niklas Aaram Olsen to be selected in the 1st round (+340) – .15 units
Alexander Command Draft Position Under 15.5 (-110) – ½ unit
Daxon Rudolph Draft Position Under 8.5 (+255) – ½ unit
Jack Hextall Draft Position Over 26.5 (+135) – ½ unit
Maddox Dagenais Draft Position Over 21.5 (+135) – ½ unit
Malte Gustafsson Draft Position Over 10.5 (+100) – ½ unit
