NHL draft tracker live updates: Gavin McKenna goes first, scouting reports

Ten years after picking Auston Matthews No. 1 overall, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna first at the 2026 NHL draft on Friday, June 26.

The Penn State star and Matthews will be asked to help the Leafs get back to the playoffs after the end of their nine-year postseason run.

The pick was announced by Justin Bieber and Matthews was on video welcoming McKenna to the team.

Red Line Report, an independent scouting publication, lists this year's draft as a strong one.

"The top end of the first round has star power, the top 10 is jam-packed with big, strong skating, offensively gifted defensemen, and there are strong options right on down through the mid-20s," writes Kyle Woodlief, publisher and chief scout for Red Line Report.

USA TODAY's Mike Brehm will detail what's going on at the draft while Woodlief will provide scouting reports on who was selected. Follow along:

Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick

LW Gavin McKenna, Penn State

Brilliant hockey sense and fantastic whole ice vision. He’s ultraquick at processing situations and finding the best play. Ridiculous stickhandling skills – at times it looks like he’s playing a game of “keep-away” shinny hockey. His variety of moves is endless: change of pace, toe drag, delay, inside-outside. It’s dizzying for any defender, and it’s near impossible to take the puck off him. His finishing skill around the net, along with his passing creativity and imagination are already at NHL star level. Plus, he has the ability to elevate his game under pressure. Showed his compete and desire to constantly challenge himself and improve by moving to the NCAA. Still needs to work on his play without the puck and consistent D-zone effort.

Projection: Dynamic offensive catalyst and facilitator.

Style compares to: Nikita Kucherov

What time is NHL draft tonight?

The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft will start at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, June 26. The second through seventh rounds will start at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, June 27.

2026 NHL Draft: How to watch, stream

• Dates: Friday, June 26 (first round) and Saturday, June 27 (rounds 2-7)
• Times: 7 p.m. ET on the first day, 11 a.m. ET on the second.
• Location: KeyBank Center (Buffalo, New York); Prospects will be there and general managers will work remotely
• TV: ESPN on the first day and NHL Network on the second.
• Streaming: Fubo carries ESPN and NHL Network

Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick

2026 NHL Draft first-round order

1. Toronto Maple Leafs 
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Buffalo Sabres (from Chicago)
5. New York Rangers
6. Calgary Flames
7. Seattle Kraken
8. Winnipeg Jets
9. San Jose Sharks (from Florida via Ottawa)
10. Nashville Predators
11. St. Louis Blues
12. New Jersey Devils
13. New York Islanders
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
15. St. Louis Blues (from Detroit)
16. St. Louis Blues (from Washington)
17. Los Angeles Kings
18. Washington Capitals (from Anaheim)
19. Utah Mammoth
20. Buffalo Sabres (from Edmonton via San Jose)
21. Philadelphia Flyers
22. Pittsburgh Penguins
23. Boston Bruins
24. Vancouver Canucks (from Minnesota)
25. Ottawa Senators (from Tampa Bay via Seattle and Florida)
26. New York Rangers (from Dallas via Carolina)
27. San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo)
28. Montreal Canadiens
29. St. Louis Blues (from Colorado via Islanders)
30. Calgary Flames (from Vegas)
31. Carolina Hurricanes
32. Ottawa Senators

Gary Bettman opens 2026 NHL Draft

Naturally, the commissioner is booed. He's on the stage with the Sabres' Josh Doan and the Bills' Dion Dawkins, who are cheered.

NHL draft trade tracker

The NHL draft is more than just about the prospects being selected. Here is the latest trade news and rumors.

2026 NHL Draft prospects with famous relatives

• Ivar Stenberg is the brother of Blues player Otto Stenberg.
• Caleb Malhotra is the son of Canucks coach and former NHL player Manny Malhotra.
• Keaton Verhoeff is the cousin of current NHL players Kirby and Colton Dach.
• Wyatt Cullen is the son of three-time Stanley Cup winner Matt Cullen.
• Parker Trottier is the grandson of Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier.
• Adam Nemec is the brother of Flames defenseman Simon Nemec.
• Joe Iginla is the son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.
• Weston Cameron is the nephew of Stanley Cup winner Jason Arnott.

Matthew Schaefer at the NHL draft

Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who was taken No. 1 overall in 2025, is chatting with prospects in Buffalo. Schaefer won the 2025-26 Calder Trophy in an unanimous vote.

NHL draft is decentralized again

For the second year in a row, the NHL draft is decentralized. The top prospects are in Buffalo, New York, at KeyBank Center, but general managers are in their home cities.

NHL draft comparables

What are the best and worst case scenarios for the top prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft?

2026 NHL Draft top prospects

The top prospects as listed by NHL Central Scouting:

Top North American skaters

• LW Gavin McKenna, Penn State
• D Chase Reid, Sault Ste. Marie
• D Carson Carels, Prince George
• D Keaton Verhoeff, North Dakota
• D Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert

Top international skaters

• LW Ivar Stenberg, Sweden
• D Alberts Smits, Latvia
• C Oliver Suvanto, Finland
• C Viggo Bjorck, Sweden
• RW Elton Hermansson, Sweden

2026 NHL Draft's top 120 prospects

Check out the top 120 NHL draft prospects from The Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy.

NHL mock draft: Who follows Gavin McKenna?

Red Line Report has Gavin McKenna going first to the Maple Leafs. Who goes second to the Sharks? Check out the latest NHL mock draft.