Two days from now, the 2026 NHL Draft will take place in Buffalo. On Friday night, what promises to be a memorable first round takes place at First Niagara Center.

While most of the hoopla surrounding Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, with both expected to go first and second, what happens afterward could create a domino effect. Assuming Toronto takes the highly touted McKenna to pair up with Auston Matthews, that would leave the Sharks with an interesting decision.

After dealing William Eklund to the Senators in exchange for the ninth pick, it would appear that the Sharks will keep the number two pick and select Stenberg. The dynamic scorer could team up with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith to form a potent top line that would consist of players 21 and younger.

By moving Eklund to Ottawa, who used one of the first round picks they received from Florida for Brady Tkachuk, San Jose set themselves up to target a defenseman with the ninth overall pick. With the Sharks recently acquiring Michael Kesselring from the Sabres, they added an experienced player to a blue line that is in the process of being revamped. In a draft that boasts a surplus of defense prospects, the Sharks will be able to select one. The highest rated defensemen include Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Alberts Smits, and Keaton Verhoeff.

With the Canucks recently hiring Manny Malhotra as their new head coach, they’re likely to pick his son Caleb Malhotra at number three. With captain Elias Pettersson possibly available following a dismal 2025-26 season, Vancouver could look to rebuild around the younger Malhotra.

Sabres Move Up to Four in Byram Trade with Blackhawks

Entering this week, nobody knew what the Blackhawks’ plans were. Heavily rumored to be open to moving the fourth pick for an NHL player to speed up their rebuild around Connor Bedard, that finally came to fruition last night in a deal that shocked the hockey world. Instead of acquiring a top six forward like Matthew Knies, the Blackhawks sent the number four pick along with defenseman Louis Crevier and the 45th pick going to Buffalo for Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway.

Most insiders couldn’t believe Chicago did that. While Byram is a good player capable of putting up double digits in goals and 50 points, the 25-year-old has never proven that he’s a number one defenseman. Signed at $6.25 million for one more year, the potential 2027 unrestricted free agent wants to be paid nearly double the salary. It’s a big gamble by Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, who also helped Buffalo unload the $4 million salary of Greenway. A solid fourth liner who kills penalties, he’ll enter the final year of his deal.

With the Sabres suddenly moving up to fourth overall, they can either use the pick to set up another trade or keep it. Buffalo is still in the market for a number one goalie. Would they try to find out if Connor Hellebuyck would wave his no-movement clause to come to Western New York. It’s still uncertain whether he wants out of Winnipeg.

If they hang onto the pick, the Sabres are rumored to like Swedish center Viggo Bjorck. Despite his smallish five-foot-nine, 180-pound frame, the very skilled Bjorck performed well at both the World Juniors and World Championships. A crafty playmaker with a right shot, he could be the best center in the draft. To be perfectly honest, I’d love to see him available when the Rangers pick at number five. Despite having veteran centers Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller, they’re expected to move on from Vincent Trocheck, whose 12-team no-trade list narrows down to 10 on July 1.

If there’s an area that they lack in the system, it’s a young center with potential. It’s an area that team president and general manager Chris Drury must address. He already faces a challenging off-season due to holes on the blue line and up front.

Drury Must Get Pick Right

Coming off a second consecutive playoff miss, the Rangers are in desperate need of younger talent to rebuild for the future. Despite Drury hinting at a retool in his letter last January, the current roster isn’t close to contending.

With Trocheck switching agents, it sounds like he’s more open to accepting a trade to out West. Considering how much his name was mentioned during last season, he probably wants to move on. The last thing Drury wants to do is create another unnecessary distraction, like what happened with Jacob Trouba. It’s best for Trocheck to go play for a team that can compete.

Perhaps a potential landing spot could be in Los Angeles where former linemate Artemi Panarin plays. The Kings recently hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach. He’s certainly familiar with what Trocheck brings. It doesn’t make sense to enter training camp with three veteran centers all over 30. Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller are probably safe. Both have full no-movement clauses.

With so much discussion centering around the fifth pick, it’s imperative for Drury to get it right. The direction of the franchise hinges on this decision. When assessing the roster, they need help everywhere. That should include center and on the blue line. Aside from being locked into Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov, there isn’t much behind them. Will Borgen is miscast as a second pair defenseman. On a contender, he’s a five or six.

Important decisions include whether or not to re-sign Braden Schneider. A frustrating player who doesn’t have the best metrics, the 24-year-old hasn’t evolved into a shutdown defenseman. He took a step back last year. Despite having good character, it’s awfully hard to justify giving him a long-term contract that’ll likely come in the neighborhood of $6.5 to $7 million AAV.

A year ago, they were unwilling to do it with K’Andre Miller, who instead was traded to the Hurricanes in exchange for Scott Morrow, along with first and second round picks. As a result, the Rangers hold the Stars’ 26th pick in the first round.

Meanwhile in Carolina, Miller helped lead the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup. Under winning coach Rod Brind’Amour, he was more successful in a defensive oriented system that swarmed opponents. In fact, Miller finished the postseason with nine assists and a plus-12 rating while leading all Hurricanes in ice time (24:03). Playing for Brind’Amour brought out Miller’s mean side. He played with more of an edge frustrating opponents during the franchise’s run to their second championship in 20 years.

For the Rangers, they can only hope that they’re able to use the first and second round picks on good players for the future. Currently, they have pick 64 at the conclusion of Round 2. For good measure, they also own picks 67, 77, 81, and 92 in the third round. With a surplus of later picks, it’s an opportunity for Drury to move up or down.

Center or Defenseman: Viggo Bjorck or Chase Reid

If they remain locked into the fifth spot, it becomes a question of what the organization covets more. As was noted above, the back end gets kind of thin after Fox and Gavrikov. There’s a need for another mobile defenseman that can be a difference maker. They rely too heavily on Fox to carry the offense while playing responsibly in his end. That needs to change.

If they decide to trade Schneider, they have to get a good return for him. Subtracting a player who averaged the third most minutes (20:09) on the blue line while leading the team with 141 blocked shots and ranking third with 163 hits would leave another hole to fill. At last check, they’re looking for a similar player back. Considering what the Sharks paid for Kesselring, which allowed the Sabres to move up seven spots in the first round, Schneider should be able to get a significant return. He’s younger and more proven than Kesselring, who’ll join his third team in over a year.

Regardless of what happens with Schneider, the Rangers must address both the center and defense positions. They lack a young pivot in the system. If the Sabres are indeed shopping the fourth pick they just acquired, then Bjorck could still be available when the Rangers select.

Of all the highly rated centers, he has the most potential. Currently ranked behind Malhotra, who’s expected to go off the board in the top four, Bjorck should receive strong consideration. The speed with which he plays is something the team lacks. Imagine Bjorck learning from countryman Zibanejad.

Usually, the Rangers don’t like to take smaller players early. However, the supremely skilled Bjorck could be the exception. We’ve seen other teams have success by going smaller. The Hurricanes did with Jackson Blake, who led them in the postseason with 20 points. They also had pint-sized Logan Stankoven with Blake on their best scoring line with Taylor Hall. He was acquired from the Stars for Mikko Rantanen.

If they decide to go with a defenseman, there are several good candidates. Reid is ranked the highest entering Friday. A slick moving skater who makes excellent reads in his zone, he’s good at jumping in gaps to keep offensive plays alive. Boasting a strong shot, Reid has all the tools to become an elite player. Listed at six-foot-two, 190 pounds, the right shooting defenseman has a good first pass that can help a team transition quickly. He could go anywhere from second to fifth in the draft. If he’s available when the Rangers pick, that should be the selection.

Addressing Key Areas a Must

Whatever they decide to do with the fifth overall pick, the Rangers must realize the importance of addressing key areas to improve overall talent and depth.

Not only do they lack a promising center and defenseman but they also are still without a top finisher. As well as the newly formed top line played down the stretch, neither Alexis Lafreniere nor Gabe Perreault resemble leading goalscorers. Lafreniere scored 24 for his second season of 20 goals or more. Perreault had a dozen as a rookie. Both will need to become more consistent while playing with Zibanejad, who paced the team with 34 goals.Will Cuylle ranked third with 20.

In other words, if the Sharks’ second pick is still in play, the Rangers should definitely go for it. In any draft, going for the best available player makes sense. It probably would cost a lot. However, they have both a number 5 and 26 to offer. If they can move up and get Stenberg, you do it. He’s going to be the best finisher in this draft. An elite talent with a deadly shot to go along with game-breaking speed, Stenberg would change how the Rangers play.

Sharks GM Mike Grier told reporters that he received one interesting offer. Considering that he was able to get the ninth pick for Eklund, it makes more sense for him to stay put. Stenberg would be a great fit in teal.

If they select Stenberg, then Reid could still be around when the Rangers draft. There’s no guarantee that the Sabres will keep the fourth pick. With them signing and trading Alex Tuch to the Capitals for a third round pick earlier today, GM Jarmo Kekalainen could be looking to make another splash. He told reporters that Byram wasn’t willing to negotiate a new contract to stay in Buffalo.

“That’s something that we’re working on. That’s definitely a focus right now. We have the fourth pick. We have the 20th pick. We have a lot of ammunition to explore if there’s another trade that we can make. Defensemen are not easy to find but we’ve had some productive talks and we’ll see where that goes,” Kekalainen said at an afternoon press conference.

They’re going to listen to offers. Considering the big step the Sabres took, nearly reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in their first postseason since 2011, they could be looking for immediate help. Following a strong showing in two rounds, Zach Benson is expected to sign long-term for a cap hit over $7 million.

Whatever happens with the Sabres could impact the Rangers. Unless they decide to move up a slot to guarantee the player they want. It’ll be interesting to see what happens over the next 48 hours.