The 2026 NHL Draft order will begin to take shape during the annual NHL Draft Lottery, one of the biggest events on the league\u2019s offseason calendar.<\/p>\n
The lottery will be held on Tuesday, May 5, in the middle of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, giving non-playoff teams a chance to land a franchise-changing pick while the postseason continues. The event determines the top selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, including which team will earn the No. 1 overall pick.<\/p>\n
The draft lottery has helped reshape several NHL franchises in recent years. In 2025, the New York Islanders won the lottery and used the No. 1 overall pick to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer.<\/p>\n
This year, the Canucks enter the lottery in the best position to land the No. 1 overall pick. Vancouver has an 18.5 percent chance to win the first lottery draw, but its actual odds of receiving the top pick are even better at 25.5 percent because of the NHL\u2019s 10-spot move-up limit.<\/p>\n
The Blackhawks have the next-best odds at 13.5 percent, followed by the Rangers at 11.5 percent. The \u00a0Flames, Leafs\u2019 conditional pick, Kraken, Jets and Panthers are also among the teams near the top of the lottery order.<\/p>\n
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.<\/p>\n
How to watch NHL Draft Lottery 2026: TV channel, live stream<\/p>\n
This year’s NHL Draft Lottery will air nationally on ESPN. Hockey fans can stream the event on\u00a0fubo<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0ESPN app<\/a>.<\/p>\n