Overview
- Toronto is widely expected to use the top pick on Penn State winger Gavin McKenna, though the club has the option to trade the selection.
- San Jose’s No. 2 choice is poised to shape the next three selections, with Chicago, Vancouver and New York prepared to take the top prospect that San Jose passes on.
- Ottawa’s two newly acquired first‑round picks at Nos. 9 and 25 are drawing heavy interest from other clubs, and the Senators are fielding offers as they decide whether to trade for NHL-ready help.
- Several roster stories could prompt draft‑week moves: Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck remains under a long, $8.5 million AAV contract, Dylan Larkin controls where Detroit trades him, and Vincent Trocheck’s trade protection drops on July 1 after a change of agent.
- Cap and salary‑floor pressures around the league, especially for teams like Vegas, Colorado and Florida, make salary shedding likely and increase the chance that draft picks will be used to balance short‑term roster and cap needs.