What time does NHL Draft start today? TV channel, schedule, live stream for Friday's Round 1
Tyler GreenawaltFri, June 26, 2026 at 4:30 AM UTC·2 min readWhat time does NHL Draft start today? TV channel, schedule, live stream for Friday's Round 1 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the clock with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
AdvertisementAdvertisementPenn State winger Gavin McKenna headlines this year's elite class after a season where he posted 51 points in 35 games. McKenna is widely considered a franchise-altering playmaker and the consensus choice to go first overall to Toronto.
Swedish standout winger Ivar Stenberg and premier puck-moving defenseman Chase Reid are other highly touted prospects expected to dominate the top of the board, with the San Jose Sharks holding the crucial No. 2 pick. The Vancouver Canucks follow at No. 3, while the Chicago Blackhawks round out the top four selections.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NHL Draft, including start times, TV channels, streaming options and draft order.
What time does the 2026 NHL Draft start today?
Date: Friday, June 26
Round 1 start time: 7 p.m. ET
Round 1 of the NHL Draft will air on ESPN beginning Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The draft will take place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
What channel is the NHL Draft on today?
TV channel (U.S.): ESPN (Round 1) | NHL Network (Rounds 2-7)
Live stream: fubo
The 2026 NHL Draft begins with Round 1 on Friday, June 26, and concludes with Rounds 2-7 on Saturday, June 27.
Fans in the U.S. can watch on ESPN for the first round and switch to NHL Network for Saturday's coverage.
Fubo offers a free trial for new U.S. subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
AdvertisementAdvertisementNHL Draft TV schedule
Round | Day | Date | Start time (ET) | TV channels/Live Stream |
1 | Friday | June 26 | 7 p.m. | ESPN, fubo |
2-7 | Saturday | June 27 | 11 a.m. | NHL Network, fubo |
NHL Draft order 2026
First round
Pick | Team |
1 | Maple Leafs |
2 | Sharks |
3 | Canucks |
4 | Blackhawks |
5 | Rangers |
6 | Flames |
7 | Kraken |
8 | Jets |
9 | Senators (from Panthers) |
10 | Predators |
11 | |
12 | Devils |
13 | Islanders |
14 | |
15 | Blues (from Red Wings) |
16 | |
17 | |
18 | Capitals (from Ducks) |
19 | Mammoth |
20 | Sabres (from Oilers via Sharks) |
21 | Flyers |
22 | Penguins |
23 | |
24 | Canucks (from Wild) |
25 | Senators (from Lightning via Kraken via Panthers) |
26 | Rangers (from Stars via Hurricanes) |
27 | Sharks (from Sabres) |
28 | Canadiens |
29 | Blues (from Avalanche via Islanders) |
30 | Flames (from Golden Knights) |
31 | Hurricanes |
32 | Senators |
