📸: Katie Adler/RMNB
The Washington Capitals officially have two first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft after Monday night.
To go along with their own selection, which would currently be the 16th overall pick, the Capitals will receive Anaheim’s first as part of the John Carlson trade at the deadline. The conditional pick transferred hands as the Ducks qualified for the playoffs on Monday.
🚨Trade
To #FlyTogether
John Carlson, 36 y/o RD, Yr 8/8 $8M
To #ALLCAPS
’26 or ’27 1st Round Pick*
’27 3rd
If ANA makes playoffs, it’s 26 1st. If they miss playoffs, ANA can choose either ’26 or ’27 pick
ANA adds $8M Cap Hithttps://t.co/hAZD97of5V
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 6, 2026
The Ducks secured their playoff spot despite being idle, as the Nashville Predators lost 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks. The loss eliminated the Predators from playoff contention, cementing the eight Western Conference playoff teams.
If the Ducks had failed to make the postseason, they would have had the option to keep their 2026 pick, instead sending their first-round selection from the 2027 draft.
Anaheim’s first-round pick could fall anywhere from 17th overall all the way to 32nd, the last pick of the round, if they win the Stanley Cup. The Ducks still have an outside chance of winning the Pacific Division, so their draft positioning is still up in the air.
The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26 and will be held at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center.