2026 NHL Draft: Canucks, Sharks, Blues Eye First-Round Trades

Vancouver Canucks hold the third and 24th overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft after another lottery disappointment.

Canucks Dual-Pick Leverage

The Canucks sit at third overall with the Minnesota Wild first-rounder also in hand. They project Caleb Malhotra as their target and could slide down two or three spots to collect extra assets while still securing the player. Staying put allows them to shop the 24th selection for an NHL-ready forward or defenseman who could contribute immediately in the fall. The 24th pick sits deep enough in the first round that multiple teams will view it as a strong value point for either moving up or acquiring young roster depth.

Sharks Rebuild Acceleration Path

San Jose owns the second overall selection and the 20th overall pick. With Ivar Stenberg projected as the top available player at second, the Sharks can entertain offers from teams desperate for the Swedish defenseman. Moving down inside the top ten would net additional prospects or picks while still landing a high-end defender. The presence of Macklin Celebrini already in the lineup pressures San Jose to balance asset accumulation with a faster timeline to contention.

Blues Three-Pick Flexibility

St. Louis controls the 11th, 15th and 29th overall selections. The Blues can package two of those picks to move up aggressively for a single high-impact prospect. They could also retain all three selections and trade a current roster player for another first-rounder. A hybrid approach remains available: move one pick for immediate help and keep the remaining two to add depth. Three first-round assets give the Blues more combinations than any other club entering draft weekend.

The 2026 NHL Draft will see at least three of the top-15 selections change hands.