Question 1

When is the 2026 NHL Draft?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is expected to take place in late June or early July 2026. The exact dates and host city will be confirmed by the NHL closer to the event. The draft consists of seven rounds held over two days.

Question 2

How does the NHL Draft work?

Accepted Answer

The NHL Draft is an annual event where teams select eligible prospects — typically 18-year-old players from junior, college, and international leagues. The draft order is determined by a combination of regular-season standings (for non-playoff teams) and a draft lottery. Teams with worse records get higher odds at the top pick. Each team starts with one pick per round across seven rounds (224 total picks), though picks are frequently traded between teams.

Question 3

Who is the projected #1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft?

Accepted Answer

Porter Martone is widely projected as the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. A power forward from the Brampton Steelheads (OHL), Martone combines elite skating with a physical, goal-scoring game.

Question 4

How many rounds are in the NHL Draft?

Accepted Answer

The NHL Draft has seven rounds. With 32 teams, that produces 224 selections per draft (plus any compensatory picks).

Question 5

What is NHLe (NHL equivalency)?

Accepted Answer

NHLe — NHL equivalency — is a stat that translates a prospect's scoring from their current league into an estimated NHL-level production rate. Different leagues have different conversion factors. NHLe helps compare prospects playing in vastly different leagues and competition levels.

Question 6

What do the draft tiers mean?

Accepted Answer

The tier system groups prospects by projected draft range: Elite (Tier 1) for top-5 picks, Top 15 (Tier 2) for likely first-round selections, Late 1st Round (Tier 3) for picks in the late 20s, 2nd Round (Tier 4) for picks 33-64, and Tiers 5-6 for later rounds.

Round	Overall	Original Team	Notes
1	#14	Own pick
2	#43	St. Louis Blues	via trade with STL
3	#78	Own pick
3	#96	Colorado Avalanche	via trade with COL
4	#101	Toronto Maple Leafs	via trade with TOR
5	#142	Own pick
6	#185	Pittsburgh Penguins	via trade with PIT
7	#206	Own pick

Columbus Blue Jackets — 2026 NHL Draft Profile

Draft Needs

2026 Draft Picks

Top Prospects for Columbus Blue Jackets