3 More Top 10 NHL First-Round Picks Could Be Had In Trades

There's been plenty of talk since the draft lottery that the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks are open to moving the second- and fourth-overall picks, respectively, in this month's NHL Draft. But we're hearing from insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period of other Top 10 picks that should be up for grabs as well.

Seattle will entertain moving the seventh overall pick in a deal for a top line forward, and Winnipeg may move the eighth overall pick for immediate second line help (they want a 2C and a 2LW this summer).

The Kraken have been searching for some high-end offensive help for years now. They were linked to St. Louis Blues forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou at the trade deadline back in March, though nothing came of it. There was also a concerted push by the Kraken to get Artemi Panarin when he became available earlier, but he had his heart set on the Los Angeles Kings. 

Seattle did acquire Bobby McMann from the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he had an excellent 18 games with them, registering 18 goals, including 8 goals in his first 10 contests with the team. But he's a pending UFA. They'd like to re-sign him, but there aren't many 29-goal scorers on the open market this summer, so he will be in demand.

Perhaps they can find a top-six boost by dangling that #7 pick. 

Winnipeg Jets dangling No. 8 pick for second line help

The Jets are set on the top line with Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Gabe Vilardi, but need to fill two spots on the second line. Winnipeg finished 26th in the league in goals per game, in what was an extremely disappointing season. Superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck wants to see some significant improvement, or else...

Could that 8th pick get them some help on the trade market? Here's one suggestion: 

If I’m Jets Gm Cheveldayoff I am all over trading 8th overall pick to Ducks for probable 2C Mason McTavish. We’re not talking top 3-4 here. And Jets have older core with Hellebuyck, 33, Scheifele,33, Morrissey, 31, and Connor, 30 in Dec

— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) June 3, 2026

Additionally, the New York Rangers are said to be open to trading the No. 5 pick in the Draft, to either move up, or move down. 

Only 11 times in the last 20 years has a team traded a Top 10 pick in the NHL Draft. There were none dealt before last year's draft. Could that all change in 2026?

 Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images