{"id":215760,"date":"2026-03-12T01:39:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T01:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/215760\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T01:39:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T01:39:14","slug":"every-first-round-pick-from-the-2026-nhl-draft-thats-changed-hands-ranked-by-regret","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/215760\/","title":{"rendered":"Every first-round pick from the 2026 NHL draft that\u2019s changed hands, ranked by regret"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft is going to take some work to keep track of. Last week\u2019s deadline saw three trades involving first-rounders in this year\u2019s draft alone. That brings the total number of picks that have changed hands from just that round to an even dozen, potentially, although some will depend on conditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, not all of the teams involved in those moves would make them over again. So today, let\u2019s get you caught up on which picks have moved while also turning this into a ranking of regret. We\u2019ll go through all 12 picks, ranked from the ones whose former teams have no regrets at all to those where a team might like a do-over.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll start with the least regrettable of them all, which turns out not to be a very tough choice\u2026<\/p>\n

12. The Minnesota Wild\u2019s pick<\/p>\n

Placement-wise, this is a tricky one to project. The Wild are on pace to post one of the best records in the league, but their path to the final four is as tough as it gets. If they lose in the first two rounds, this pick probably ends up in the mid-20s.<\/p>\n

The trade: In December, the Wild traded this pick along with Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi \u00a0and prospect Liam Ohgren to Vancouver for Quinn Hughes.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: Quinn Hughes is awesome, and would probably continue to be awesome in Minnesota.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: Quinn Hughes is awesome, and has definitely continued to be awesome in Minnesota.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 0\/100. Only because I\u2019ve decided that we\u2019re not going to do negative numbers. Minnesota fans may have had some mild pangs over parting with Buium or Rossi, but a mid- to late-20s pick for arguably the best defenseman on the planet? I feel like the Wild front office can live with that just fine.<\/p>\n

11. The Dallas Stars\u2019 pick<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a twist on this one, in that it\u2019s one of only two picks in the round that have been traded twice \u2026 kind of. We\u2019ll get to that, but since we\u2019re focused on regret, it\u2019s the first trade we\u2019re focused on.<\/p>\n

The trade: At last year\u2019s deadline, the Stars sent firsts in 2026 and 2028 to Carolina along with Logan Stankoven and two thirds for Mikko Rantanen.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: Rantanen had gone from Colorado to Carolina earlier in the year but didn\u2019t want to sign an extension there, so the Hurricanes flipped him to Dallas.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: Remember when Rantanen single-handedly beat the Avs in the 2025 playoffs? That was cool.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 10\/100. The deal cost the Stars plenty, and we\u2019ll see what the future first ends up looking like. But for now, no regret.<\/p>\n

10. The Colorado Avalanche\u2019s pick<\/p>\n

The Nic Roy trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs raised a few eyebrows, but that\u2019s for next year\u2019s first. This one is likely to be very late in the round.<\/p>\n

The trade: The Avs sent this pick and a 2028 third plus Oliver Kylington and Calum Ritchie to the New York Islanders for Brock Nelson and William Dufour. (This is the other pick that\u2019s been traded twice; the Islanders flipped it to the St. Louis Blues for Brayden Schenn last week.)<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: Nelson was a big name at the 2025 deadline, and the Avs were Cup-hunting.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: While some of us didn\u2019t love the move at the time, Nelson\u2019s proven us wrong as a great fit in Colorado.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 15\/100. Knowing that and where this pick will land, the Avs make this move again in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n

9. The Detroit Red Wings\u2019 pick<\/p>\n

The Red Wings haven\u2019t quite clinched a playoff spot yet, but they\u2019re close. A run to the conference final isn\u2019t out of the question in a weird Atlantic, but this pick will probably end up in the low 20s.<\/p>\n

The trade: The Red Wings sent this pick along with Justin Holl, Dmitri Buchelnikov and a third to acquire Justin Faulk at least week\u2019s deadline.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: The Red Wings needed a top-four defenseman in a market where not many were available. In addition, patience was wearing a bit thin for Steve Yzerman\u2019s conservative approach, especially after Dylan Larkin\u2019s comments<\/a> about last year\u2019s (quiet) deadline.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: Pretty much the same, since it\u2019s been less than a week. But Faulk has looked good in his two games so far, and the response to the trade was reasonably positive<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 25\/100. Check back when we\u2019ve had a chance to evaluate the deal with the benefit of at least one playoff run, but for now, Faulk still has that new-car smell.<\/p>\n

8. The Anaheim Ducks\u2019 pick<\/p>\n

Hey, I remember this trade.<\/p>\n

The trade: The Ducks sent this pick and a third to the Capitals for John Carlson in what may have been last week\u2019s most surprising trade<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: The young Ducks shocked many of us by trading a conditional first for a veteran UFA, apparently figuring that they had as good a shot as anyone at this year\u2019s Pacific.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: The same, except the weather is slightly warmer.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 35\/100. Of all the moves on our list, this one feels the most \u201cTBD.\u201d We haven\u2019t seen how Carlson fits in Anaheim, we don\u2019t know if they can (or want to) re-sign him, and most importantly, we don\u2019t know where the pick will end up being. The Ducks have the option to keep it if they miss the playoffs, which feels unlikely. But the difference between making it and winning at least two rounds is significant, so we\u2019ll see. For now, let\u2019s assume they\u2019re comfortable but maybe a little bit nervous.<\/p>\n

7. The Vegas Golden Knights\u2019 pick<\/p>\n

Right now, it would be in the late teens, which is surprisingly high, although in a weak Pacific it\u2019s not hard to imagine Vegas going to the conference final and pushing this pick to the end of the round.<\/p>\n

The trade: This pick went to Calgary, but not for Rasmus Andersson; that\u2019s next year\u2019s pick. This one is from way back in 2024, when the Knights got Noah Hanifin for a first, a 2025 third and Daniil Miromanov (with the Flyers tagging in for some retention).<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: The Knights were the defending champs at the time, and were doing what they always do \u2014 shoving their way to the front of the line for the best player available.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: Hanifin\u2019s been fine in Vegas over the years.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 45\/100. Do the Golden Knights ever regret anything? Does anyone in Vegas?<\/p>\n

\"Noah<\/p>\n

\n Noah Hanifin has 10 points in 18 playoff games for the Vegas Golden Knights. (Ethan Miller \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

6. The Florida Panthers\u2019 pick<\/p>\n

This projects to be easily the highest pick we\u2019ve had yet, coming in right around the ten spot if the season ended now.<\/p>\n

The trade: The Panthers traded this pick along with Spencer Knight to the Chicago Blackhawks for Seth Jones and a 2026 fourth at least year\u2019s deadline. (If you\u2019re wondering, the Brad Marchand trade also cost the Panthers a first, but it\u2019s in 2027.)<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: Flags fly forever, let\u2019s go win another Cup. Besides, there\u2019s no way the pick will be all that high.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: They did indeed win that Cup, so we can\u2019t rank this one all that high. And crucially, it\u2019s top-10 protected, meaning there\u2019s a good chance the Panthers come out of this with a good pick and then get right back to contending next year. But it\u2019s also possible that they could end up sending the 11th or 12th pick to Chicago, which is a steep price for a team with no prospects<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 50\/100. This is as high as I can go, given the Panthers won the Cup. But when you factor in the season Knight is having, you do wonder how this one looks down the line. At the very least, Hawks fans have to be thrilled with how this all worked out.<\/p>\n

5. The Carolina Hurricanes\u2019 pick (maybe)<\/p>\n

This one gets a bit complicated. The Hurricanes have two firsts, their own and the Stars\u2019 from the Rantanen deal, and the Rangers get whichever one is better. Right now, that would be the Hurricanes\u2019 pick, but it depends on how the rest of the season and playoffs go. This could just end up being the same Stars pick we\u2019ve already covered. For now, let\u2019s assume it\u2019s Carolina\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The trade: Last summer, Carolina traded this pick, a second and Scott Morrow to the Rangers for K\u2019Andre Miller.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: The Hurricanes apparently really like Miller, enough that they gave up a ton to get him and then signed him to a $60-million extension.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: Miller\u2019s a solid player and at 26 still has room to grow, but the Hurricanes gave up plenty, both in terms of trade and contract.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 60\/100. If you were expecting Miller to blossom into a Norris candidate in Carolina, it hasn\u2019t happened yet. If you were willing to settle for a solid second-pair guy, you\u2019re feeling OK.<\/p>\n

4. The Edmonton Oilers\u2019 pick<\/p>\n

This pick is top-12 protected, although it would take a significant Oilers collapse for that to come into play. Like the Ducks\u2019 and Knights\u2019 picks, it would be in the teens today but could jump to the end of the round if the Oilers emerge from the Pacific.<\/p>\n

The trade: The Oilers sent this pick and Carl Berglund to the Sharks for Jake Walman at last year\u2019s deadline.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: Walman\u2019s good and not too expensive for another year, and the Oilers were very much in \u201cwin now\u201d mode. People thought the move was OK at the time<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: Walman signed an extension, which helps. He hasn\u2019t been amazing in Edmonton, but he\u2019s been fine, at least when he\u2019s healthy.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 65\/100. We\u2019re getting into dicey territory here, although not quite full \u201cI want a do-over\u201d status. Any regret here is less about keeping the pick and more about opportunity cost \u2014 could it have been spent more wisely, either at the time or during this year\u2019s goalie hunt?<\/p>\n

3. The Tampa Bay Lightning\u2019s pick<\/p>\n

Wait, the Lightning once owned a first-round pick?<\/p>\n

The trade: The Lightning acquired Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken in a three-way deal involving Detroit as a cap broker. It cost them a package including this pick and next year\u2019s first, both top-10 protected.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: A classic all-in push by a Cup favorite.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: Last year\u2019s Lightning only won one playoff game, in a series that Bjorkstrand missed due to injury and in which Gourde had only one point. They\u2019re favorites again this year, but with Bjorkstrand about to hit UFA and Gourde turning 34, this feels like a big overpay for two bottom-six depth pieces.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 75\/100. It\u2019s not Tanner Jeannot trade bad<\/a>, but it\u2019s a lot.<\/p>\n

2. The Toronto Maple Leafs\u2019 pick<\/p>\n

Did you know about this one? It doesn\u2019t come up very often.<\/p>\n

The trade: The Leafs sent this pick, a 2025 fourth and Fraser Minten to the Bruins for Brandon Carlo at last year\u2019s deadline.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: The price was sky-high, but the Leafs figured they were getting a long-term blue line piece, since Carlo was 28 and signed through 2027 on a deal the Bruins were eating some salary on. Besides, it will be a late first, right? Right?<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: Uh-oh! The pick will not be a late-first, and since it\u2019s top-five protected (instead of 10 or 12 like most other protected firsts), the Leafs will likely end up surrendering a top-10 pick to a division rival for a player who hasn\u2019t fit well. Weird, they never do stuff like that<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 95\/100. This won\u2019t be the trade that gets Brad Treliving fired in a month, but it will be mentioned in the first paragraph of his Leafs obituary. In fact, you were probably assuming it would take top spot on today\u2019s list. And it kind of does, except that \u2026<\/p>\n

1. The Ottawa Senators\u2019 pick<\/p>\n

I went back and forth on whether this one should even count. But while it\u2019s not a trade, the Senators used to have a first-round pick and now they don\u2019t. That means it changed hands, right?<\/p>\n

The trade: At the 2022 deadline, the Ducks sent defenseman John Moore and the contract of Ryan Kesler to Vegas for Evgenii Dadonov and a second. No, neither of those teams is the Senators, but stay with us.<\/p>\n

The thinking at the time: What a relatively dull trade that surely will not cost anyone their job.<\/p>\n

The thinking a few hours after that: Wait, it turns out Dadonov has a no-trade clause that the Knights somehow didn\u2019t know about, and the trade has to be scrapped<\/a>. How does that happen?<\/p>\n

The thinking after the league looked into it: It turns out the blame was with the Senators and then-GM Pierre Dorion, who apparently hadn\u2019t informed the Knights about the NTC when they sent Dadonov to Vegas in 2021. (Vegas wasn\u2019t on his list, so the clause didn\u2019t factor into that trade.)<\/p>\n

The league punished the Senators by stripping them of a first-round pick<\/a> in either 2024, 2025 or 2026, with the team getting to decide which pick it gave up. The rebuilding Senators kept their picks in 2024 and 2025, meaning the bill comes due this year. The debacle also helped cost Dorion his job<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The thinking right now: It\u2019s fair to say Senators fans aren\u2019t thrilled. New owner Michael Andlauer sure wasn\u2019t<\/a>. And they have at least a bit of a case \u2014 losing a first isn\u2019t unprecedented, but it\u2019s harsh punishment. If the whole thing was Dorion\u2019s fault, Sens fans would argue, then he\u2019s already more than paid a price.<\/p>\n

Unless the league backs down at the last minute \u2014 which would also not be unprecedented<\/a> \u2014 the Senators could forfeit a pick in the mid-teens.<\/p>\n

Regret rating: 100\/100. Regret might not be the right word in Ottawa; maybe \u201crage\u201d would be better. Either way, it\u2019s a mess. At least the Leafs still have Carlo in the lineup, where he could still theoretically help them someday. The Sens are going to lose their pick for nothing at all, because of how a GM their fans didn\u2019t like screwed up a trade his team wasn\u2019t even involved in. If you put this one on the list, I don\u2019t see how it goes anywhere but the top spot.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft is going to take some work to keep track of.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":215761,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,824,165,164,2066,92,2069,1805,2070,2065,4227,404,26224,17438,2992,8614],"class_list":{"0":"post-215760","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-anaheim","8":"tag-anaheim","9":"tag-anaheim-ducks","10":"tag-anaheim-headlines","11":"tag-anaheim-news","12":"tag-carolina-hurricanes","13":"tag-colorado-avalanche","14":"tag-dallas-stars","15":"tag-detroit-red-wings","16":"tag-edmonton-oilers","17":"tag-florida-panthers","18":"tag-minnesota-wild","19":"tag-nhl","20":"tag-ottawa-senators","21":"tag-tampa-bay-lightning","22":"tag-toronto-maple-leafs","23":"tag-vegas-golden-knights"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215760\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}