With the 2026 draft complete, theScore's Kyle Cushman hands out his initial grades for each team's incoming rookies.
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Anaheim Ducks
Grade: B
The Ducks doubled down on skill in the first round with Klepov and Nordmark. Klepov led the OHL in scoring and projects as a power-play threat. Nordmark is a frustratingly inconsistent player, but he's a top-10 talent in terms of pure skill. Preston was a great shout in the second round as an elite skater with intriguing offensive potential. This is a class defined by its boom-or-bust potential.
Calgary Flames
Grade: B+
Carels was an ideal fit for the Flames, and Calgary made the slam-dunk pick at No. 6 when he was available. He's a physical, two-way defenseman who projects as a near-perfect partner down the road for Zayne Parekh or Simon Nemec. Carels does the heavy lifting with this grade.
Hextall is a well-rounded center prospect, while Harrington is a forechecking menace. Trejbal is the top goaltender off the board, and rightfully so with this size and production in the USHL. Shaikhlislamov had an impressive campaign in the Russian junior league. Barabanov was one of the top-ranked reentry players as a standout passer after a big OHL year.
Of course, Iginla is the Day 2 pick that'll get the most attention. He's a long shot - and No. 65 was much higher than where he was expected to go - but it's hard not to love this story. Plus, Calgary had the draft capital to take him early.
Edmonton Oilers
Grade: D+
Berzkalns featured for Latvia at the last two world juniors and projects as a big center with bottom-six upside. Gastrin climbed the ranks in Sweden this year but remains a long shot. Overall, it's a small draft class with limited potential for Edmonton.
Los Angeles Kings
Grade: B
Hermansson is a swing on potential with his high-end skill. He played against men last season in the Swedish second-tier pro league and showed flashes at the Under-18s. Lefebvre, previously undrafted, enjoyed a breakout QMJHL campaign, helping Chicoutimi win the league title. Goljer has top-four upside as a puck mover with size. Zielinski recorded a point per game in the USHL. This is a quality class for Los Angeles.
San Jose Sharks
Grade: A++
It's almost unfathomable that the Sharks landed Stenberg, Verhoeff, and Lin. San Jose already had the best young core in the NHL, but now they're miles ahead of everyone else.
Stenberg is a phenomenal fit with Macklin Celebrini. He brings similar elements with his offensive skill, two-way acumen, and high-end motor. While he, obviously, isn't the same caliber as Celebrini, Stenberg will step into the NHL next season as a top-six contributor.
But it's not just Stenberg. The Sharks' proactive decision to trade William Eklund paid dividends, as San Jose managed to net Verhoeff at No. 9. Coming into the year, Verhoeff was considered the second-best prospect in the draft. Though his skating and decision-making were exposed late in the season and contributed to his slide, he's still a big right-handed rearguard with an excellent defensive profile and has top-pairing upside.
Lin clinched the A-plus grade for San Jose. He's undersized but is arguably the smartest blue-liner in the draft. Lin is headed to the University of Denver next season and could have a huge campaign. He has a chance to be San Jose's power-play quarterback of the future.
Lastly, Karmanov is ... a pick. He's 7-foot-1, and that's the draw. Like, that's four inches taller than Zdeno Chara. Will he ever play in the NHL? Almost certainly not. But why not do it in the seventh round and see what your development staff can make of the tallest player in NHL draft history?
Seattle Kraken
Grade: B+
The Kraken used a first-round pick on a defenseman for the first time in team history when they selected Reid at No. 7. Many had Reid as the top-ranked defenseman, so this was a superb get for Seattle. He looked fantastic at the world juniors with Team USA and has developed rapidly over the past year and a half. In particular, Reid's skating and shot stand out.
Mutryn is a hard-checker with a bottom-six profile. Fedorov represents good value in the fourth round after he played KHL games as an 18-year-old.
Vancouver Canucks
Grade: A-
The Canucks drafting their new head coach's son will catch headlines. If Vancouver believes he was the best player available at No. 3, then it's the right pick. Malhotra is a strong defensive pivot who found an unexpected level of offense down the stretch and through the OHL playoffs. He could be a future NHL captain.
Vancouver added strong value through the rest of the draft. Novotny has top-six potential as a complementary scorer and forechecker. Rogowski is a 6-foot-7 center with skill. Aaram-Olsen is a sniper who dominated in the Swedish junior league. There's a lot to like here for Vancouver.
Vegas Golden Knights
Grade: D+
Piiparinen is an unremarkable blue-liner who could be a good defensive piece in the future. He'll never put up points, but he's a 6-foot-3, right-handed defenseman and is adept in his own zone. Burick is among the draft's biggest players at 6-foot-8, but he only recorded four assists. Sivertson is the only pick that gets you really excited as a 6-foot-3 forward who can shoot.
