In the highly anticipated 2026 NHL draft, teams made their picks with the hopes of shaping the future of their franchises. While it's challenging to make definitive judgments just hours after the selections are made, we've identified three winners and three losers of the draft. From savvy trades to unexpected picks, our analysis reveals which teams came out on top and which ones may be left scrambling in the coming seasons. With the draft's impact still unfolding, our expert assessment provides a glimpse into the potential consequences of each team's decisions.

Making immediate judgment calls about the NHL draft is difficult, but we nonetheless grade three winners and three losers of the 2026 NHL draft.