The NHL Draft Lottery is set to take place on May 5th, according to a report from Frank Seravalli of Hockey 24/7.

For the second straight year, the NHL will broadcast the lottery draw live, allowing teams and fans to learn their fate as it happens. The old format was far more clinical, as the draw took place behind closed doors, witnesses were kept out of contact for hours before the broadcast, and results were revealed by flipping cards in first-round order. The 2025 lottery marked a turning point, as remaining possible outcomes were displayed in real time right up until the final ball in the four-number sequence was drawn.

Last year saw the New York Islanders move up the maximum 10 spots to snag the first overall pick and draft 2025-26 Calder Trophy favourite Matthew Schaefer. Meanwhile, the Canucks stayed in place at 15th overall, a pick they used to select centre Braeden Cootes at the 2025 Draft.

As it stands, the Canucks have the best odds of landing the first overall pick, as they currently sit in dead-last of the overall league standings, with an 11 point gap between them and the 31st-place Calgary Flames. As we wrote yesterday (with a massive knock on wood), the Canucks’ spot at 32nd feels pretty safe with just 14 games remaining this season.

The top spot of the draft has looked like a very clear two-horse race between Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg for most of the season, and as we get closer and closer to the draft, that doesn’t look like it will be changing anytime soon. After taking a beat to get comfortable with the adjustment from the WHL to college hockey, McKenna has come alive lately, tallying 30 points in his last 15 games dating back to January 17th. Meanwhile, Ivar Stenberg has turned heads with his SHL production, putting up an impressive 33 points in 43 games.

Round one of the 2026 NHL Draft is set to take place in Buffalo on June 26th, with rounds 2-7 commencing on June 27th.