2026 NHL Mock Draft Roundup: New Names Enter the Mix (Including Second-Round Options) ...Middle East

We’re now just three sleeps away from the start of the 2026 NHL Draft, and mock draft season is piping hot! With the Blackhawks having the fourth overall selection, the options continue to be presented by writers and analysts.

The Toronto Maple Leafs taking Gavin McKenna at No. 1 overall appears to be a foregone conclusion; every mock draft has that locked in. But what the Sharks do at No. 2 continues to be up for debate, and that will impact who’s available for the Canucks and Blackhawks.

We got a couple new mock drafts from two of the writers I cite regularly here over the past couple days that have different picks for the Blackhawks at No. 4. And Scott Wheeler was kind enough to put together two full rounds, so we’ve got three more names to consider there.

Let’s look at those mock draft selections for the Blackhawks with my thoughts on the projected prospects heading to Chicago.

Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff) — June 22

Ellis’ top 4 picks:

Ellis’ comments on the Blackhawks taking Carels:

Carels, in my opinion, is closer to being the best defender than the third. He was one of the best young defenders in the CHL, and scouts love him. Carels brings that rugged, heavy-lifting mentality he and his family use on the farm right onto the ice. When you combine his elite defensive awareness, seamless two-way game, punishing physique, and off-the-charts hockey IQ, you get a truly premium defensive prospect. He showed high-end flashes during the World Juniors, and he possesses every tool necessary to become a top-pairing defender one day. You won’t find many more defensemen as rounded as him in the draft, and he hits like an absolute truck. Carels is the type of prospect who’ll work his tail off no matter what, and you have to love that.

If the Blackhawks are on the clock at No. 4 and the top three play out the way Ellis projects — which feels like a very good case — I think the Blackhawks’ choice is likely between Carels, Alberts Šmits and Caleb Malhotra. I’ve become a big fan of Carels as an option for the Hawks; some consider him the top defensive prospect in this class. I wrote about him as a potential Blackhawks draft target. He’s smart, detailed and very physical; he could be an ideal long-term complement for either Artyom Levshunov or Sam Rinzel.

My latest #NHLDraft mock draft.Top 32 today, top 64 on Friday: t.co/Hr3de2sMhq

Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) — 2 Rounds — June 23

Wheeler’s top 4 picks:

Wheeler’s comments on the Blackhawks taking Reid:

If the forwards go 1-2-3, and everything I’ve gathered has led me to believe that’s the most likely outcome, I’d bet that Verhoeff, Alberts Šmits and Daxon Rudolph are less the Blackhawks’ type and that they’ll favor either Carels or Reid. The sense I get is they’re high on both. Carels would fit as a lefty opposite righties Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel, but Reid is narrowly favoured as the consensus No. 1 D, and if you’re not sold on Levshunov as your PP1 QB of the future, then he’s probably the guy.

34. Jakub Vaněček, LHD, Tri-City (WHL)

37. Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara (OHL)

45. Adam Goljer, RHD, Trinec (Extraliga)

I’m not sure the Blackhawks go defense with three of their first four picks; the blue line pipeline isn’t full at the moment, but let’s remember their entire defense group in the NHL is going to be 26 and under (as it stands right now). I do like the fit of Vaněček in the system, though; I had him on my recent list of potential second-round targets for the Blackhawks. Roobroeck is an interesting, big forward who could go anywhere from 22 to 40 it seems, depending on the mock draft you’re reading. I’m not against adding power forwards to the system.

My final 2026 NHL Mock Draft at @TheAthletic:– Predicting the first two rounds– Packed with intel and tidbits – The latest on the top and more Gift link: t.co/7iZZGnZuQw pic.twitter.com/JKofuCkYGX

Hence then, the article about 2026 nhl mock draft roundup new names enter the mix including second round options was published today ( Tuesday 23/06/2026 - 06:08 PM ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 2026 NHL Mock Draft Roundup: New Names Enter the Mix (Including Second-Round Options) )

Also on site :

• Thomas Tuchel criticises unpopular World Cup hydration breaks for changing football’s ‘identity’
• Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
• Hirakawa in the saddle with Haas in Austrian GP FP1