The 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft is just around the corner, and with the first-round order now finalized following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, fans can start preparing for one of the most anticipated draft days in recent memory. The first round takes place on June 26 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, with rounds 2 through 7 following on June 27. Behind the scenes, Fanatics has already rolled out official NHL Draft gear for all 32 teams, and the merchandise lineup is packed with hats, apparel, and collectibles.
2026 NHL Draft First-Round Order
The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the No. 1 overall pick for the first time in franchise history, setting the stage for plenty of intrigue. The complete first-round order is: 1. Toronto Maple Leafs, 2. San Jose Sharks, 3. Vancouver Canucks, 4. Chicago Blackhawks, 5. New York Rangers, 6. Calgary Flames, 7. Seattle Kraken, 8. Winnipeg Jets, 9. Florida Panthers, 10. Nashville Predators, 11. St. Louis Blues, 12. New Jersey Devils, 13. New York Islanders, 14. Columbus Blue Jackets, 15. St. Louis Blues (from Detroit), 16. Washington Capitals, 17. Los Angeles Kings, 18. Washington Capitals (from Anaheim), 19. Utah Mammoth, 20. Buffalo Sabres (from Edmonton), 21. Philadelphia Flyers, 22. Pittsburgh Penguins, 23. Boston Bruins, 24. Vancouver Canucks (from Minnesota), 25. Seattle Kraken (from Tampa Bay), 26. New York Rangers (from Dallas), 27. San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo), 28. Montreal Canadiens, 29. St. Louis Blues (from Colorado), 30. Calgary Flames (from Vegas), 31. Carolina Hurricanes, 32. Ottawa Senators.
Official NHL Draft Hats and Apparel
The signature item for any NHL Draft is the official on-stage hat that each prospect puts on after being selected. Fanatics has released the Authentic Pro On-Stage Podium A-Frame Adjustable Hat for each team at $35.99, featuring the team’s primary logo embroidered on the front with a structured fit and flat bill design. These are the exact same hats that draftees will wear when they walk across the stage at KeyBank Center.
Beyond hats, Fanatics also offers the Authentic Pro Draft Cuffed Pom Knit ($34) for colder-weather style, and a range of draft-themed t-shirts and hoodies featuring “Draft Day” graphics with team colors and logos. NHLShop.com has dedicated team-specific draft gear landing pages where fans can browse by franchise.
Draft Prospects and Storylines
The 2026 Draft class features several high-end prospects who are expected to make an immediate impact. Swedish forward Filip Stenberg is considered a potential No. 1 pick after an eventful season, while defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and forwards Caleb Malhotra and Chase Reid are among the top North American skaters. Five top prospects — Malhotra, Verhoeff, Reid, Carson Carels, and Alberts Smits — attended the Stanley Cup Final as part of the NHL’s pre-draft prospect tour, getting a firsthand look at the championship atmosphere.
Malhotra, son of Vancouver Canucks coach Manny Malhotra and ranked No. 6 among North American skaters, had a reunion with Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour during the Final. The experience was part of a tradition that dates back to the 2015 Draft class, which included Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Noah Hanifin.
Where to Buy Draft Gear
Official 2026 NHL Draft merchandise is available now at Fanatics.com and Shop.NHL.com. Fans can shop by team or browse the full Draft Gear collection. Free shipping is available on orders over $29 using code NHL29FS. With the draft less than a week away, now is the perfect time to grab your team’s draft hat and get ready for the next generation of NHL stars.