2026 NHL Draft Top-5 Scenarios: Maple Leafs Add Stenberg, Canucks Draft Reid – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Well, we’ve already looked at two possible scenarios for the top five picks in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. To this point, we’ve stuck with the Toronto Maple Leafs holding onto their first overall selection and – in both cases – taking Gavin McKenna with top pick.

In the first hypothetical scenario, each team held onto their selections and picked what I felt was necessary for their respective successes – both current and future. In the second scenario, however, things got a little more interesting with a superstar dealt and the San Jose Sharks moving on from the second overall selection.

This time around, we’ll go back to the idea that each of the top-five teams will hold onto their respective picks. However, we are going to shake things up atop the draft board for John Chyaka and the Maple Leafs. With that said, here’s a look at our third hypothetical scenario for the top-five in this year’s draft.

Maple Leafs Take Ivar Stenberg First Overall

What if the things McKenna needed to improve on were some of the things that excited teams about Ivar Stenberg’s game? Let’s not kid ourselves that the repertoire that McKenna has in his game might be handful of skills that can’t be taught. That can be true. But given Stenberg’s experience against the competition he faced this season in the SHL, his overall development might be a step ahead of the pack.

Now playing alongside fellow draft-eligible Swede Viggo Björck at the World Championship on Sweden’s top line, the faith that his country has in Stenberg is intriguing for NHL teams. Add to that the connection of his fellow countrymen in William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the Maple Leafs’ roster and the newly appointed Mats Sundin to the team’s front office and you have to wonder if Stenberg is a real possibility at number one.

He has all the skill to transition to the next level and while he may not develop into a 110-point player, there’s a true belief that he can be an 80-point, two-way force that will become an important piece – much like an Aleksander Barkov.

Sharks Add McKenna at Second Overall

While the need for a number one defenceman is there for the Sharks, in this scenario it’d be hard to pass up on McKenna if he fell to number two. Even with the depth of their forward prospect pipeline, the Sharks adding McKenna’s pure skill alongside the likes of Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa and Will Smith would make this team incredible to watch over the next decade.

It’d be hard for the Sharks to pass on a player like Chase Reid, but McKenna brings hockey IQ and offensive production that teams only dream of having on their roster. Getting the chance to have two players with that kind of skill set would only enhance the Sharks overall.

Canucks Draft Defenceman Reid With Third Overall Pick

After losing their star defenceman Quinn Hughes in a trade to the Minnesota Wild during the 2025-26 season, this scenario offers the Vancouver Canucks an opportunity to solidify a number one defenceman again in the 2026 NHL Draft, by draft Reid.

We’ve talked about his size and skill already in previous scenarios, but his ability to drive the play could help the Canucks bounce back slightly next season – if he were to crack the roster. Reid has a ton of potential. His transitional game is something that has teams going nuts about his game and that could help the Canucks’ disheveled forwards in creating more opportunities on a night-to-night basis.

There are a number of directions the Canucks could go here with the third overall pick and while there are still some top forward options with Stenberg and McKenna off the board, passing on Reid could be a franchise altering mistake for the Canucks if he’s available at three.

Blackhawks Select Björck Fourth Overall

Unfortunately the Chicago Blackhawks aren’t as close as the Sharks to completing the rebuild. The team has holes both up front and on the back end – meaning they could go in either direction with the fourth overall selection.

With players like Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels still on the board in this scenario, the Blackhawks are still going to try and add some more firepower up front alongside Connor Bedard – by taking Björck with the fourth overall selection.

While there is still some skepticism around Björck going this high in the draft, he does bring a lot of high-end talent that – if developed properly – could transition quite well to the NHL level. As of now, Björck is representing Sweden at the World Hockey Championship and kicked the tournament off on the top line.

Giving Bedard that extra firepower might be just what the team needs to take another step toward playoff contention again.

Rangers Grab Malhotra Fifth Overall

Like the Blackhawks, the New York Rangers need help in all areas of the team. Having moved on from players like Chris Krieder, Jacob Trouba and Artemi Panarin over the past couple of seasons, the team has been left with its figurative meat gone from the lineup, with skin and bone as the only things remaining.

It’s because of that, in this scenario, that the Rangers will take Caleb Malhotra. Given what he did in the OHL this season and his expected developmental route, Malhotra gives the Rangers an opportunity to get a talented forward back into the lineup to help push the pace of play and add some offensive production.

His speed and vision will better the current Rangers for now and give them a shot at turning this thing around faster than they likely had hoped.

Now, keep in mind that these scenarios are hypotheticals and each team could potentially go in different directions, but these picks are based off of what these teams need to advance their current rosters. With that in mind, stay tuned for another top-five scenario as we continue to break down the top end of the 2026 NHL Draft.