The 2025–26 NHL season has been a reminder of just how quickly things can change across the league. A few teams that entered the year with playoff expectations couldn’t find consistency, while others leaned fully into rebuilding and player development. The result is a draft order that feels like a snapshot of the NHL in transition—where timelines, not just talent, define where teams end up.
Clubs like the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks have stayed the course, prioritizing youth and long-term growth as they continue to climb out of rebuilds. Meanwhile, teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers landing in the non-playoff group would point to seasons where expectations simply weren’t met—whether due to injuries, inconsistency, or roster imbalance.
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What stands out most is how tightly packed the middle tier has become. Several teams hovered around the playoff line deep into the season, only to fall short in the final stretch. That makes this draft order especially meaningful. It’s not just about adding prospects—it’s about defining the next step, whether that’s pushing back into contention or resetting for the future.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
Regular season record: 32-36-14
If Toronto somehow ends up here, it means something went seriously wrong in a season where they’re usually a 100+ point team. With all their offensive firepower, missing the playoffs would likely come down to defense or goaltending issues. The upside? A rare chance to grab a franchise-changing prospect.
2. San Jose Sharks
Regular season record: 39-35-8
This spot fits where the Sharks are right now—deep in a rebuild and near the bottom of the standings. They’ve struggled on both ends of the ice and are focused on the long game. A top pick like this is exactly what they need to speed things up.
3. Vancouver Canucks
Regular season record: 25-49-8
Vancouver has recently looked more like a contender than a lottery team, so this would be a surprising drop. They’ve been strong in net and well-balanced offensively. Still, adding a high-end prospect would only make their core more dangerous.
4. Chicago Blackhawks
Regular season record: 29-39-14
The Blackhawks are still building from the ground up, even with a star already in place. They’ve been near the bottom of the league while focusing on development. Another top-five pick keeps that rebuild moving forward.
5. New York Rangers
Regular season record: 34-39-9
The Rangers have been one of the league’s better teams, so landing here would be a big surprise. They usually rely on elite goaltending and star talent to stay near the top. If they do pick here, it’s a chance to reload quickly.
6. Calgary Flames
Regular season record: 34-39-9
Calgary has been stuck in the middle—good enough to compete, but not quite enough to break through. They’ve hovered around the playoff bubble in recent seasons. This pick reflects a team still trying to figure out its direction.
7. Seattle Kraken
Regular season record: 34-37-11
Seattle has shown flashes of being a solid playoff team but hasn’t fully locked that in yet. Their depth is strong, but they could use more top-end scoring. This pick gives them a chance to raise their ceiling.
8. Winnipeg Jets
Regular season record: 35-35-12
The Jets are usually competitive thanks to strong structure and goaltending. Falling into the lottery suggests something didn’t click offensively. Even so, they’re not far off and can use this pick to stay in the mix.
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9. Florida Panthers
Regular season record: 40-38-4
Florida has been one of the league’s toughest teams, coming off deep playoff runs. Seeing them here would likely mean injuries or a down year. They’re still built to win now, so this pick is more of a bonus than a necessity.
10. Nashville Predators
Regular season record: 38-34-10
The Predators have quietly stayed competitive while retooling their roster. They’ve been in the playoff hunt but not quite over the line. Adding more scoring talent here would go a long way.
11. St. Louis Blues
Regular season record: 37-33-12
St. Louis is no longer in its Cup-contending phase and has been trending toward a retool. They’ve had inconsistent results and need to get younger. This pick helps them continue that transition.
12. New Jersey Devils
Regular season record: 42-37-3
The Devils are a rising team, but injuries—especially in goal—have held them back. When healthy, they play fast and can beat anyone. Missing the playoffs would sting, but this pick adds to their already strong core.
13. New York Islanders
Regular season record: 43-34-5
The Islanders are a classic bubble team built on defense and goaltending. They’ve stayed competitive but often struggle to score. This pick could help address that long-standing issue.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
Regular season record: 40-30-12
Columbus is still rebuilding, though their young talent is starting to show promise. Injuries and inconsistency have slowed their progress. Another first-round pick keeps the rebuild moving in the right direction.
15. St. Louis Blues (from DET)
Regular season record: 37-33-12
This extra pick gives the Blues valuable flexibility. They can either add another prospect or use it in a trade. For a team in transition, that’s a big advantage.
16. Washington Capitals
Regular season record: 43-30-9
The Capitals are starting to shift away from their veteran core. They’ve remained competitive but not dominant. This pick is an important step toward building their next era.
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Conclusion
This draft order blends rebuilding teams with a few surprising underperformers. The top of the list is about finding franchise players, while the rest are looking to tweak and reload. Either way, this is where the future of the league starts to take shape.
