2026 NHL Draft recap: McKenna, the Ruck twins, the tallest player in NHL history

[p]We saw the highest-ever drafted Latvian-born player in Alberts Smits (New York Rangers - No. 5), the Ruck twins going to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the most Swedes ever taken in the first round (7), the tallest hockey player ever in Alexander Karmanov (San Jose Sharks), the first-ever player from Cayman Islands in Jaxon Cover (Ottawa Senators) round out the first round. [/p][p]Check out all of the team's draft picks below. [/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/latest-nhl-offseason-trade-buzz/UgcSv6Z0/"]Follow along here for the latest trade buzz around the league![/a][/b][/p][embed guid="869a6812-9b61-475d-a0b4-019aa58f5b70" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaUnKYWjK9k" social-type="youtube" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/anaheim-ducks/4CM4ojpD/"]Anaheim Ducks[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Nikita Klepov (RW, Saginaw - OHL)[/p][p]RD1: Marcus Nordmark (LW, Djurgarden Jr. - SWE)[/p][p]RD2: Jayden Kurtz (D, Rogers - HIGH-MN)[/p][p]RD2: Mathis Preston (RW, Vancouver - WHL)[/p][p]RD3: Rian Chudzinski (RW, Moncton - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD5: Eric Frossard (D, Guelph - OHL)[/p][p]RD6: Gleb Peshkov (G, Vladivostok Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD6: Noah Kosick (C, Seattle - WHL)[/p][p]RD7: James Rieber (D, Waterloo - USHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boston-bruins/jeans23J/"]Boston Bruins[/a][/h2][p]RD2: Yuri Ivanov (G, Spartak Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD2: Nils Bartholdsson (RW, Rogle Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Matvei Kotkov (RW, Yaroslavl Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Oscar Olsson (LW, Orebro Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD5: Jacob Vandeven (D, Komoka - GOHL)[/p][p]RD6: Roberto Henriquez (G, Green Bay - USHL) [/p][p]RD7: Cullen McCrate (D, Fargo - USHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/buffalo-sabres/UobjtMIP/"]Buffalo Sabres[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Daxon Rudolph (D, Prince Albert - WHL)[/p][p]RD1: Ilia Morozov (C, Miami (OH) - NCAA)[/p][p]RD4: Olivers Murnieks (C, Saint John - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD5: Doman Szongoth (C, Kookoo Jr - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD6: Dylan Dumont (RW, Drummondville - QMJHL)[/p][embed guid="c77c3c51-4a28-424f-ac79-0654d4ab40e5" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUlZFM7nJK4" social-type="youtube" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/calgary-flames/EZekktRt/"]Calgary Flames[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Carson Carels (D, Prince George - WHL)[/p][p]RD1: Jack Hextall (C, Youngstown - USHL)[/p][p]RD2: Chase Harrington (LW, Spokane - WHL)[/p][p]RD2: Tobias Trejbal (G, Youngstown - USHL)[/p][p]RD2: Alan Shaikhlislamov (RW, Ufa-Jr - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD3: Joe Iginla (RW, Vancouver - WHL)[/p][p]RD4: Egor Barabanov (C, Saginaw - OHL)[/p][p]RD5: Simon Katolicky (LW, Tappara Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD6: Bode Laylin (D, Tri-City - USHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/carolina-hurricanes/Sx0gl0tm/"]Carolina Hurricanes[/a][/h2][p]RD2: William Hakansson (D, Lulea - SWE)[/p][p]RD2: Wiggo Sorensson (C, Boro/.Vetlanda - SWE-4)[/p][p]RD3: Zachary Lansard (RW, Regina - WHL)[/p][p]RD4: Michael Berchild (LW, USA-U18 - NTDP-USHL)[/p][p]RD4: Ryder Fetterolf (G, Ottawa - OHL)[/p][p]RD5: Zachary Jovanovski (G, Guelph - OHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chicago-blackhawks/A1kbmKeg/"]Chicago Blackhawks[/a][/h2][p]RD2: Xavier Villeneuve (D, Blainville-Boisbriand - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD2: Ryan Roobroeck (LW, Niagara - OHL)[/p][p]RD3: Samu Alalauri (D, Pelicans Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD7: Alexander Ivanov (D, Bars Kazan - RUS-2)[/p][p]RD7: William Sorbrand (C, Timra Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/colorado-avalanche/hACAnvBa/"]Colorado Avalanche[/a][/h2][p]RD2: Egor Shilov (C, Victoriaville - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD3: Beckett Hamilton (C, Red Deer - WHL)[/p][p]RD4: Tobias Tvrznik (G, Wenatchee - WHL)[/p][p]RD4: Axel Elofsson (D, Orebro Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD5: Cole Tuminaro (D, Chicago - USHL)[/p][p]RD6: Theodore Lechner (D, Holy Angels - HIGH-MN)[/p][p]RD7: Shawn Carrier (LW, Halifax - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD7: Ondrej Ruml (D, Ottawa - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Alexandre Raymond (G, Rouyn-Noranda - QMJHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/columbus-blue-jackets/0vCzmbQ5/"]Columbus Blue Jackets[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Oscar Hemming (LW, Boston College - NCAA)[/p][p]RD3: Alessandro Di Iorio (C, Sarnia - OHL)[/p][p]RD4: Evan Jardine (LW, Youngstown - USHL)[/p][p]RD5: Parker Snell (G, Edmonton - WHL)[/p][p]RD6: Anttoni Uronen (C, HIFK - FIN)[/p][p]RD6: Jonas Woo (D, Medicine Hat - WHL)[/p][p]RD7: Filip Novak (LW, Sparta Jr. - CZE-JR)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dallas-stars/vVAvnIuC/"]Dallas Stars[/a][/h2][p]RD2: Jakub Vanecek (D, Tri-City - WHL)[/p][p]RD5: Ryan Brown (LW, London - OHL)[/p][p]RD6: Anton Emil Wilde Larsen (G, Frederikshavn - DEN)[/p][p]RD7: Jasper Kuhta (C, Ottawa - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Mikhail Cherepanov (D, New Hampshire - NCAA)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/detroit-red-wings/dnJdmCF0/"]Detroit Red Wings[/a][/h2][p]RD1: JP Hurblert (LW, Kamloops - WHL)[/p][p]RD2: Victor Plante (LW, USA-U18 - NTDP-USHL)[/p][p]RD3: Michal Orsulak (G, Prince Albert - WHL)[/p][p]RD4: Adam Levac (C, Peterborough - OHL)[/p][p]RD5: Beckham Edwards (C, Sarnia - OHL)[/p][p]RD6: Luka Arkko (LW, Pelicans Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD7: Myles Brosnan (D, Dexter School - HIGH-MA)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/edmonton-oilers/Mg0qoxeI/"]Edmonton Oilers[/a][/h2][p]RD2: Rudolfs Berzkalns (C, Muskegon - USHL)[/p][p]RD3: Malcom Gastrin (LW, Modo Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD5: Andrew Robinson (D, Windsor - OHL)[/p][p]RD6: Caden Harvey (C, Windsor - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Ryan Cameron (G, Cedar Rapids - USHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/florida-panthers/fc1eq8Pp/"]Florida Panthers[/a][/h2][p]RD2: Simas Ignatavicius (RW, Geneve - SWISS)[/p][p]RD2: Ryder Cali (C, North Bay - OHL)[/p][p]RD3: Jonas Kemps (D, Chicago - USHL)[/p][p]RD6: Vilho Vanhatalo (RW, Tappara Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD6: Cole Zurawski (RW, Owen Sound - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Louis-Antoine Denault (G, Newfoundland - QMJHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-kings/CIDo8i2o/"]Los Angeles Kings[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Elton Hermansson (RW, Modo - SWE)[/p][p]RD2: Liam Lefebvre (C, Chicoutimi - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD2: Adam Goljer (D, Trencin - SVK)[/p][p]RD3: Yegor Rybkin (G, Nizhny Novgorod Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Thomas Vandenberg (C, Ottawa - OHL)[/p][p]RD5: Vertti Svensk (D, Saipa Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD5: Giorgos Pantelas (D, Brandon - WHL)[/p][p]RD6: Alex Kostov (RW, Flint - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Tobias Krestan (RW, HV71-Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD7: Lucas Ambrosio (D, Eria - OHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/minnesota-wild/j9Ck7BHi/"]Minnesota Wild[/a][/h2][p]RD3: Adam Andersson (C, Leksand Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Kayden Lemire (RW, Prince George - WHL)[/p][p]RD5: Filip Ruzicka (G, Brandon - WHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/montreal-canadiens/nu2G7VWc/"]Montreal Canadiens[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Gleb Pugachyov (RW, Nizhny Novgorod Jr. - RUS)[/p][p]RD2: Timofei Runtso (D, Victoria - WHL)[/p][p]RD3: Cooper Cleaves (D, Dartmouth - NCAA)[/p][p]RD4: Brayden Klimpke (D, Saskatoon - WHL)[/p][p]RD6: Parker Trottier (LW, USA-U18 - NTDP-USHL)[/p][p]RD6: Wesley Royston (RW, Owen Sound - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Jean-Samuel Daigneault (D, Muskegon - USHL)[/p][p]RD7: Tyler Deakos (RW, Waterloo - USHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nashville-predators/QV0K6kn4/"]Nashville Predators[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Wyatt Cullen (RW, USA - U-18)[/p][p]RD1: Tommy Bleyl (D, Moncton - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD3: Dmitri Borichev (G, Loko-76 Yaroslavl - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Jakub Floris (D, Lukko Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Justin Graf (LW, Cedar Rapids - USHL)[/p][p]RD5: Philip Hemmyr (LW, Bjorkloven - SWE-2)[/p][p]RD6: Benjamin Cossette Ayotte (D, Val-D'or - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD7: Charlie Puglisi (C, Winchendon - HIGH-MA)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-jersey-devils/Kh0O591A/"]New Jersey Devils[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Alexander Command (C, Obebro Jr. - SWE)[/p][p]RD2: Matias Vanhanen (LW, Everett - WHL)[/p][p]RD2: Nikita Shcherbakov (D, UFA JR - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD2: Lavr Gashilov (C, Yekaterinburg Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD5: Daniil Rusakovich (G, Dinamo-Shinnik Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD6: Luke Wilfley (C, Portland - WHL)[/p][p]RD7: Quinn McKenzie (C, Sault Ste. Marie - OHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-york-islanders/xESz5TGG/"]New York Islanders[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Malte Gustafsson (D, HV71 - SWE)[/p][p]RD4: Lincoln Kuehne (D, Arizona State - NCAA)[/p][p]RD5: Vladimir Dravecky (D, Brantford - OHL)[/p][p]RD6: Artyom Matyuk (C, Nizhyn Novgorod Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD7: Robert Cowan (RW, Western Michigan - NCAA)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-york-rangers/O4zxeyWN/"]New York Rangers[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Alberts Smits (D, Jukurit - Liiga)[/p][p]RD2: Benjamin MacBeath (D, Calgary - WHL)[/p][p]RD3: Danai Shaiikov (G, Gatineau - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD3: Charlie Morrison (D, Quebec - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD3: Blake Zielinski (C, Des Moines - USHL)[/p][p]RD4: Spencer Bowes (LW, Ottawa - OHL)[/p][p]RD5: Andre Mondoux (D, Kingston - OHL)[/p][p]RD5: Darian Anderson (RW, Flint - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Ivan Patrikhayev (D, CSKA - RUS)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ottawa-senators/noTCHmWM/"]Ottawa Senators[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Jonas Lagerber Hoen (RW, Leksands Jr. - SWE)[/p][p]RD1: Jaxon Cover (LW, London, OHL)[/p][p]RD3: Adam Nemec (LW, Sudbury - OHL)[/p][p]RD3: Oscar Holmertz (C, Linkoping Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD3: Louis Felix Bourque (RW, Drummondville - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD4: Elliot Lennon (G, Deerfield - HIGH-MA)[/p][p]RD5: Harris Pangretitsch (D, Sault Ste. Marie - OHL)[/p][p]RD6: Alexander Grunin (D, Novosibirsk Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][embed guid="cdd3a69e-1f7f-459b-952a-b3dec37b8a14" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_h2y2UJlew&pp=0gcJCUELAYcqIYzv" social-type="youtube" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/philadelphia-flyers/QySGG7oT/"]Philadelphia Flyers[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Maksim Sokolovskii (D, London - OHL)[/p][p]RD2: Brek Liske (D, Everett - WHL)[/p][p]RD2: Martin Psohlavec (G, Karlovy Vary Jr - CZE-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Marek Sklenicka (G, Seattle - WHL)[/p][p]RD5: Kent Saur (C, Andover - HIGH-MN)[/p][p]RD7: Max Laatikainen (D, K-Espoo Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/pittsburgh-penguins/AkN0nWU6/"]Pittsburgh Penguins[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Liam Ruck (RW, Medicine Hat - WHL)[/p][p]RD2: Markus Ruck (C, Medicine Hat - WHL)[/p][p]RD2: Tomas Galvas (D, Liberec - CZE)[/p][p]RD3: Pierce Mbuyi (LW, Owen Sound - OHL)[/p][p]RD4: Parker Von Richter (D, Barrie - OHL)[/p][p]RD5: Matvei Nikonovich (Togliatti Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/san-jose-sharks/E588Co9j/"]San Jose Sharks[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Ivar Stenberg (LW/RW, Frolunda - SHL)[/p][embed guid="bac3ae4b-18ef-4be0-8e74-6dfa778c96e1" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mPYazQVK7U" social-type="youtube" /][p]RD1: Keaton Verhoeff (D, North Dakota - NCAA)[/p][p]RD1: Ryan Lin (D, Vancouver - WHL)[/p][p]RD4: Brady Knowling (G, USA-U18 - NTDP-USHL)[/p][p]RD6: Jake Gustafson (C, Portland - WHL)[/p][p]RD7: Alexander Karmanov (D, North Bay - OHL)[/p][embed guid="34e11ebe-1bb0-4970-981c-bcdcf32e2916" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ2KfRkKyjk&t=68s&pp=ygUDbmhs" social-type="youtube" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/seattle-kraken/MibYQ5nU/"]Seattle Kraken[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Chase Reid (D, Sault Ste. Marie - OHL)[/p][p]RD2: Casey Mutryn (RW, USA18 - NTDP-USHL)[/p][p]RD4: Viktor Fedorov (C, Torpedo-Gorkynn - RUS-2)[/p][p]RD5: Finn Kearns (D, St. Andrews College - HIGH-ON)[/p][p]RD5: Luken Huff (D, Cedar Rapids - USHL)[/p][p]RD6: Ola Palme (D, Vaxjo Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD7: Rylan Singh (D, Guelph - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: William Tomko (C, Sioux City - USHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/st-louis-blues/KSAayVoi/"]St. Louis Blues[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Tynan Lawrence (C, Boston University - NCAA)[/p][p]RD1: Maddox Dagenais (C, Quebec - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD3: Luke Schairer (D, USA-U18 - NTDP-USHL)[/p][p]RD4: Landon Nycz (D, UMASS - NCAA)[/p][p]RD4: Vladimir Proskurin (G, Mystischi Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD5: Nicholas Bogas (D, USA-U18 - NTDP-USHL)[/p][p]RD5: Carter Stevens (RW, Geulph - OHL)[/p][p]RD6: Lars Steiner (RW, Rouyn-Noranda - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD7: Colin Fitzgerald (C, Sault Ste. Marie - OHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tampa-bay-lightning/YVE3zk1c/"]Tampa Bay Lightning[/a][/h2][p]RD2: Oleg Kulebiakin (RW, Halifax - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD3: Zach Olsen (RW, Saskatoon - WHL)[/p][p]RD3: Tomas Kralovic (D, Bratislava - SVK)[/p][p]RD5: Morgan Anderberg (C, Vaxjo - SWE)[/p][p]RD5: Cooper Soller (C, Sioux Falls, USHL)[/p][p]RD6: Stepan Shurygin (G, Saginaw - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Max Vilen (D, Moncton - QMJHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/toronto-maple-leafs/ShE7Z8G3/"]Toronto Maple Leafs[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Gavin McKenna (LW, Penn State - NCAA)[/p][p]RD2: Alexander Bilecki (D, Kitchener - OHL)[/p][p]RD3: Ethan MacKenzie (D, Edmonton - WHL)[/p][p]RD3: Mans Gudmundsson (D, Farjestad Jr - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD3: Juuso Ainasto (G, Jokerit Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Patriks Plumins (G, Zemgale - LVA)[/p][p]RD5: Cooper Williams (C, Saskatoon - WHL)[/p][p]RD6: Yaroslav Fedoseyev (D, Chelyabinsk Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD6: Brody Pepoy (RW, Saginaw - OHL)[/p][embed guid="f35fff96-569f-4a12-bd61-d417dd6579e6" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DySLpPGb3L8" social-type="youtube" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/utah-mammoth/hnwxhtVp/"]Utah Mammoth[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Ethan Belchetz (LW, Windsor - OHL)[/p][p]RD3: Adam Valentini (C, Michigan - NCAA)[/p][p]RD4: Carl Axelsson (G, Muskegon - USHL)[/p][p]RD5: Theodor Knights (D, Modo Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD5: Florent Houle (RW, Sherbrooke - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD7: Artem Prima (LW, Minot - NAHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/vancouver-canucks/YiOrnTV9/"]Vancouver Canucks[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Caleb Malhotra (C, Brantford - OHL)[/p][p]RD1: Adam Novotny (LW, Peterborough OHL)[/p][p]RD2: Brooks Rogowski (C, Oshawa - OHL)[/p][p]RD2: Niklas Aaram-Olsen (LW, Orebro Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD3: Dmitri Ivchenko (G, OMSK Jr. - RUS-JR)[/p][p]RD4: Yaroslav Bryzgalov (LW, Medicine Hat - WHL)[/p][p]RD5: Connor Davis (RW, Cedar Rapids - USHL)[/p][p]RD6: Lucian Bernat (RW, Tappara Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][p]RD6: Samuel Eriksson (D, Farkestad Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][embed guid="0a3edf0a-6518-4b9f-91ef-838793eb5b2c" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU4X9uSq3Ds" social-type="youtube" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/vegas-golden-knights/fTT0TsUg/"]Vegas Golden Knights[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Juho Piiparinen (D, Tappara - FIN)[/p][p]RD3: Benjamin Wilmott (C, Barrie - OHL)[/p][p]RD3: Sean Burick (D, Penticton - WHL)[/p][p]RD4: Jonah Silverston (RW, Prince Albert - WHL)[/p][p]RD5: Will McLaughlin (D, Portland - WHL)[/p][p]RD6: Matthew Minchak (G, Kingston - OHL)[/p][p]RD7: Noel Pakarinen (LW, K-Espoo Jr. - FIN-JR)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/washington-capitals/UND9nmoG/"]Washington Capitals[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Oliver Suvanto (C, Tappara - FIN)[/p][p]RD4: Tyus Sparks (C, Spokane - WHL)[/p][p]RD5: Brian McFadden (D, Thayer Academy - HIGH-MA)[/p][p]RD7: Logan Stuart (C, USA-18 - NTDP-USHL)[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/winnipeg-jets/r3L8pAaJ/"]Winnipeg Jets[/a][/h2][p]RD1: Viggo Bjorck (C, Djugardens Jr. - SWE-JR)[/p][p]RD3: Samuel Hrenak (G, Fargo - USHL)[/p][p]RD4: Zach Wooten (LW, Green Bay - USHL)[/p][p]RD5: Alexandre Taillefer (D, Quebec - QMJHL)[/p][p]RD6: Landon Hafele (C, Green Bay - USHL)[/p][p]RD7: Alofa Tunoa Ta'Amu (D, Edmonton - WHL)[/p][p]RD7: John Parsons (G, Providence - H-EAST)[/p]