The 2026 NHL draft is underway, and the Toronto Maple Leafs got the obvious part out of the way. With the first overall selection, they have taken Penn State winger Gavin McKenna.
Now that the ball is rolling, or puck is gliding rather, the St. Louis Blues' time to their first selection is coming closer and closer. There are a ton of options still available now, but over the next 10 picks following the consensus selection of McKenna, the herd will start to thin out.
Toronto got their guy, but can St. Louis get theirs?
When the Maple Leafs got this generous gift of the first overall pick a few weeks ago, the initial reports stated that McKenna was their guy. They wanted him to bring something exciting for the fans and for captain Auston Matthews to see in terms of staying long-term.
But for the Blues, they are in a completly different spot, as their retooling phase continues tongiht with these four first-round picks. They will have to select the best available from the prospect pool at No. 11, No. 15, No. 16, and No. 29.
The Blues are in need of center help, defensive depth, and four solid picks that can help support the youth movement. Viggo Bjorck is a solid selection if he is still there at No. 11, as well as Ethan Belchetz, though he is a winger. Malte Gustaffson would fit in on the blueline perfectly as well, and could be a supplemental pick at No. 15.
Tonight is going to be magical and surprising to say the least. But for the Maple Leafs and their fanbase, this was an obvious one, and hopefully a big win for their sake.
Add us as a preferred source on Google