---
title: "NHL Draft 2026: Toronto locks in the favorite, while Ukrainian talents prepare for a breakthrough"
description: "The 2026 NHL Draft has kicked off in Buffalo! 🏒 Toronto is preparing a loud selection with the first pick, securing rights to favorite Gavin McKenna. Special attention is focused on Ukrainian prospects — Ilya Shybinsky and Nikolai Kosarev, whose selection could return Ukrainian hockey to the elite level. 🇺🇦⛸️"
date: 2026-06-26T21:05:21.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/nhl-draft-2026-toronto-mckenna-ukrainian-prospects
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# NHL Draft 2026: Toronto locks in the favorite, while Ukrainian talents prepare for a breakthrough

![Young Canadian national team hockey player in red jersey on ice, symbolizing future NHL Draft 2026 favorites](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/26/draft-nhl-2026-toronto-mckenna-ukrainian-prospects/draft-nhl-2026-toronto-mckenna-ukrainian-prospects-1.webp)

Key events in the sports world unfolded at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo (New York State). The 2026 National Hockey League draft officially kicked off here — an annual procedure that determines the future of the elite division for years to come. According to the lottery results, the first overall pick belongs to the Toronto Maple Leafs, immediately focusing the attention of the entire industry on their strategy.

### Gavin McKenna: Consensus Leader and Toronto's Choice

The main intrigue of the first round was the figure of 18-year-old Canadian forward Gavin McKenna. Playing for the University of Pennsylvania in the NCAA, he demonstrated outstanding productivity, recording 51 points (15 goals and 36 assists) in just 35 games last season. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau unanimously recognized him as the top prospect among North American players.

Toronto's intention to select McKenna with the first pick was confirmed by the club's General Manager, John Chayka. A series of closed interviews and tests conducted on the eve of the draft indicated that the club sees the young winger as a key figure for the future roster. This decision fits into a successful tradition of recent years: McKenna's predecessors, such as McClain Celebrini (2024) and Matthew Sheffer (2025), have already proven they can become the backbone of their teams in the elite league.

### The Ukrainian Trail: Shybinsky and Kosarev on the Verge of a Breakthrough

For the Ukrainian hockey community, the 2026 draft holds special significance. For the first time in a long time, the names of two promising players from the national team — Ilya Shybinsky and Nikolai Kosarev — appear on the scouts' extended lists. Their potential selection will be an important step towards restoring Ukraine's constant representation in the NHL, which was interrupted after the careers of legends like Ruslan Fedotenko and Alexei Ponikarovsky ended.

**Ilya Shybinsky**, a left winger, has already established himself as a productive player in the junior OHL league. As part of the Guelph Storm, he recorded 44 points in his debut season. Furthermore, his potential was confirmed by his performances for the senior Ukrainian national team at the IIHF World Championship (Division 1A), where he became one of the team leaders with 7 points in 5 games. In the future, Shybinsky plans to continue his career in the NCAA for Saint Lawrence University.

**Nikolai Kosarev**, a product of the Kharkiv school, has gone from the WHL (Victoria Royals) to a professional contract in Norway with Stavanger Oilers. The defenseman has repeatedly been recognized as the best at junior world championships, attracting the attention of North American scouts. According to the Canadian Hockey League, Kosarev plans to return to the North American system in the 2026–2027 season.

### Selection Strategy and Regulations

The main rounds of player rights distribution, where Ukrainian prospects are expected to be selected, will take place on Saturday, June 27. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) regulations, NHL clubs retain rights to drafted players from European championships or Canadian junior leagues for two to four years before signing a rookie contract. This gives teams time to develop talents and subsequently integrate them into the main roster.