Dave Pagnotta, speaking on NHL Tonight with Erika Watcher, discussed the likelihood of teams making significant moves up the draft board, particularly within the top 10, for the upcoming 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Pagnotta indicated that several teams are expressing interest in acquiring higher draft selections. He highlighted that teams holding valuable early picks, such as the San Jose Sharks with the second overall pick for the second consecutive year and the Chicago Blackhawks with the fourth overall pick, are open to listening to offers. This suggests a potential for trades involving these prominent positions.
The New York Rangers and the Calgary Flames are identified as two franchises actively exploring opportunities to move up in the draft order. The Flames, in particular, are looking to leverage their sixth overall pick, though there’s an understanding that they might also be open to trading away various players as part of a broader strategy to be creative this offseason. Their intent is to ascend the draft ranking.
Similarly, the Rangers are also investigating the possibility of trading up. Pagnotta also noted the potential for the Vancouver Canucks to be involved in draft-day maneuvers, especially following recent front office changes and upcoming decisions regarding their coaching staff. He suggested that the Canucks might look to the Sharks to see if a trade for the second overall pick could be arranged. Overall, Pagnotta anticipates that many teams will engage in discussions, and he hopes for more exciting trade activity at the 2026 draft compared to the previous year.
Potential Trade Activity at the 2026 NHL Draft
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period shared insights on NHL Tonight regarding the potential for team movement at the 2026 NHL Draft, especially concerning top-tier selections.
According to Pagnotta, there’s a notable level of curiosity among teams aiming to move up the draft order, with some clubs possessing picks willing to negotiate. He specifically mentioned the San Jose Sharks, who hold the second overall pick for the second year running, and the Chicago Blackhawks, who have the fourth overall selection, as teams that are open to discussing trades for their early picks.
The New York Rangers and the Calgary Flames are identified as two teams actively looking to improve their draft position. The Flames, holding the sixth overall pick, are keen on moving up, while also being open to trading various players as part of a creative approach to the draft and the summer period.
The Rangers are also expected to explore options to move higher in the draft. Pagnotta further suggested that the Vancouver Canucks, following recent front office restructuring, might also be a player in the trade market, potentially looking to acquire the second overall pick from San Jose. He anticipates that numerous teams will be open to trade discussions, and expresses hope for a more active trade landscape at the 2026 draft.
Potential for More Movement at the 2026 NHL Draft
Dave Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, appearing on NHL Tonight with Erika Watcher, addressed the possibility of significant team trades involving first-round picks, particularly within the top 10, at the upcoming 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Pagnotta indicated that several teams are actively exploring opportunities to move up the draft board, while others are willing to entertain offers for their current selections. He pointed to the San Jose Sharks, who possess the second overall pick for the second consecutive year, and the Chicago Blackhawks, holding the fourth overall pick, as teams that are open to listening to trade proposals for these valuable assets.
The New York Rangers and the Calgary Flames are specifically mentioned as two teams showing a strong interest in ascending the draft order. The Flames, currently at the sixth spot, are keen on moving up, and Pagnotta notes that they are also open for business regarding various other players, signaling a willingness to be creative in their draft and offseason strategy.
The Rangers are also expected to investigate options for moving up. Furthermore, Pagnotta speculates that the Vancouver Canucks, having recently made changes to their front office and coaching staff, might also be active in the trade market. He suggested that Vancouver could potentially target San Jose’s second overall pick. Pagnotta believes that many teams will be open to trade conversations and anticipates more “fireworks” at the 2026 draft than were witnessed the previous year.
How Many Teams Will Move Up at the 2026 NHL Draft?
Could There Be More Movement at the 2026 NHL Draft
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was on NHL Tonight with Erika Watcher on NHL Network on Sunday and was asked about whether there will be teams moving the first-round picks, specifically in the top 10, at the 2026 NHL Draft.
Erika Watcher: “We can talk about all these teams forever, but let’s just get one more for you. The NHL Draft is just about a month out from that. Are any teams looking to make a move up the board at the top of the draft?”
Dave Pagnotta: “Yeah, there are some teams that I believe are curious in terms of moving up, and there are some teams that are willing to listen on their pick. San Jose has the second overall pick for the second year in a row. They’re willing to listen on that second overall pick, and it sounds like Chicago, as well, is also willing to listen on that number four. You have the five and six slots right there.
I think the New York Rangers and the Calgary Flames are two teams that are interested in moving up, or at least going to explore those possibilities. Calgary was hoping they’d be in a better position with that pick, certainly going to be able to bring in somebody, a solid stud, somebody in there at the sixth spot.
But Craig Conroy is going to look to move up. They’re also open for business, by the way. Calgary is willing to listen on a variety of different players. So they’re speaking of creativity earlier, they’re willing to be creative here going into the draft and into the summer, but the Flames are looking to move up.
The Rangers are going to explore that possibility as well. I think San Jose is willing to listen on that number two pick. And I am curious about Vancouver now that they’ve made all their changes in the front office, and they’re going to shore up their coaching staff. It sounds like we may hear something in the next few days with that side of things.
It wouldn’t surprise me if they look to San Jose to see if they can move up to that number, two, but I think a lot of teams are willing to have those conversations, and hopefully, as we get closer to the draft, we see a few more fireworks than we saw last year.”
