Report: Expect Top-5 Pick Traded at 2026 NHL Draft

With the NHL Draft Lottery bringing some shocking results this week, it sure sounds like we are in store for some major trades next month in Buffalo.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks shot up the draft board, with the Leafs winning the first overall pick, and the Sharks, once again, sitting in the second hole. Both teams are looking to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season, and there's certainly already been a ton of potential trades discussed throughout the hockey world.

On Thursday's episode of Daily Faceoff Live, hockey analyst Colby Cohen was asked about the potential of some deals within the top-five picks of the draft, and Cohen feels we are in store for some drama:

Colby Cohen: I’m gonna go higher. I think you’re gonna see some movement in the top of the draft this year because I think people believe that there’s a very, very big drop-off after pick No. 2 as far as a sure thing goes. So, I think if there’s an opportunity to move back from three to five and you still feel like you can get your guy. … I could see a team like Chicago being strategic about what they do. I could see Mike Greer making a move and, and thinking like, ‘Hey, I could move back to four and still get what I’m looking for.’ Or, if the Rangers or someone like that had an idea like, ‘Hey, we really want who’s gonna go number two.’

Don't expect to see the Maple Leafs move off the first pick, as many feel Gavin McKenna is going to wind up in Toronto. However, when it comes to the Sharks, look for GM Mike Grier to pull the trigger to land a top-pairing defenceman who is under contract for the next few seasons.

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