The 32 players picked in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft have NHL hopes. Some have gotten a start toward that goal by signing a three-year, entry-level contract.
More could sign as we make our way toward the 2026-27 season.
Here is a look at which players have signed and the status of the others:
1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Signed entry-level contract July 3. Playing for Maple Leafs
2. Ivar Stenberg, LW, San Jose Sharks
Signed entry-level contract July 2. Playing for Sharks
3. Caleb Malhotra, C, Vancouver Canucks (unsigned)
Playing for Boston University
4. Daxon Rudolph, D, Buffalo Sabres (unsigned)
Playing for University of Denver this season
5. Alberts Smits, D, New York Rangers
Signed entry-level contract July 15. Playing for Rangers
6. Carson Carels, D, Calgary Flames (unsigned)
Playing for University of North Dakota
7. Chase Reid, D, Seattle Kraken (unsigned)
Playing for Michigan State
8. Viggo Bjorck, C, Winnipeg Jets
Signed entry-level contract July 13. Playing for Jets
9. Keaton Verhoeff, D, San Jose Sharks (unsigned)
Playing for University of North Dakota
10. Wyatt Cullen, LW, Nashville Predators (unsigned)
Playing for University of Minnesota
11. Tynan Lawrence, C, St. Louis Blues (unsigned)
Playing for Boston University
12. Alexander Command, C, New Jersey Devils (unsigned)
Playing for Orebro in the Swedish Hockey League
13. Malte Gustafsson, D, New York Islanders
Signed entry-level contract July 14. Playing for HV71 in the SHL
14. Oscar Hemming, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets (unsigned)
Playing for Boston College
15. Nikita Klepov, RW, Anaheim Ducks
Signed entry-level contract July 25. Will play for Ducks or Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League
16. Maddox Dagenais, C, St. Louis Blues (unsigned)
Playing for Quebec of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
17. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Utah Mammoth (unsigned)
Playing for Michigan State
18. Oliver Suvanto, C, Washington Capitals
Signed entry-level contract July 14. Playing for Tappara in Liiga
19. Elton Hermansson, RW, Los Angeles Kings
Signed entry-level contract July 15. Playing for MoDo in Allsvenskan, Sweden's second division
20. Ilia Morozov, C, Buffalo Sabres (unsigned)
Playing for Miami University
21. Ryan Lin, D, San Jose Sharks (unsigned)
Playing for University of Denver
22. Liam Ruck, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (unsigned)
Playing for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League
23. JP Hurlbert, LW, Detroit Red Wings (unsigned)
Playing for University of Michigan
24. Adam Novotny, LW, Vancouver Canucks
Signed entry-level contract Aug. 11. Playing for Peterborough of the OHL
25. Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, RW, Ottawa Senators (unsigned)
Will play for Leksand in Allsvenskan
26. Gleb Pugachyov, RW, Montreal Canadiens (unsigned)
Playing for Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League
27. Maksim Sokolovskii, D, Philadelphia Flyers (unsigned)
Playing for London of the OHL
28. Marcus Nordmark, LW, Anaheim Ducks
Signed entry-level contract July 15. Playing for London of the OHL
29. Juho Piiparinen, D, Vegas Golden Knights
Signed entry-level contract July 15. Playing for London of the OHL
30. Jack Hextall, C, Calgary Flames (unsigned)
Playing for Michigan State
31. Thomas Bleyl, D, Nashville Predators (unsigned)
Playing for Michigan State
32. Jaxon Cover, RW, Ottawa Senators (unsigned)
Playing for London of the OHL
