Jets unable to follow Maple Leafs

Now that history didn’t repeat itself, the focus for Kevin Cheveldayoff and his amateur scouts will be firming up their final draft list.

Two teams moved up significantly in the 2026 NHL Draft lottery on Tuesday, but the Winnipeg Jets weren’t one of them.

After the Toronto Maple Leafs moved from fifth to first overall, it was the San Jose Sharks that jumped to second from ninth, which meant the Jets slipped one spot from seventh to eighth in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Once the Leafs claimed the first overall pick, it was hard not to wonder if the Jets would follow suit and choose second, just like they did in 2016 when they moved from sixth to second overall.

After franchise centre Auston Matthews went to the Leafs, Patrik Laine was chosen by the Jets and immediately provided a jolt to the organization.

Not only was Laine a prolific goal scorer as a teenager, thanks in part to his blistering slapshot, he brought a big personality and quickly became a fan favourite.

The Jets are still in line to select from a group of talented players as they make their highest selection since Cole Perfetti fell to them at 10th overall in 2020.

Though there is occasionally a surprise selection or two near the top of the draft, some of the players who might still be available include Swedish winger Viggo Bjorck, who impressed at the World Junior Hockey Championship with his speed and scoring ability. Some research shows that Bjorck has played both centre and right wing this year.

Prince Albert Raiders blue-liner Daxon Rudolph chipped in 78 points while also bringing the size (6-foot-2, 206 pounds) and right-handed shot that virtually every team in the NHL covets.

Latvian D-man Alberts Smits (who suited up for his country at the world junior and in the 2026 Olympics), Peterborough Petes winger Adam Novotny (who played for Czechia at the world junior) and Boston University centre Tynan Lawrence are among the players that could also be on the radar for the Jets.

One player whose name is likely to be called before the Jets make their selection is Prince George Cougars defenceman Carson Carels, as the pride of Cypress River has been catapulting his way up draft boards after an outstanding season.

Carels is a strong skater who plays with an edge and recorded 20 goals and 73 points in 58 games this season before adding 10 points in 10 playoff games.

As it stands, Carels is in contention to be the first D-man chosen, along with Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL and Keaton Verhoeff from the University of North Dakota.

Carels and Verhoeff also suited up for Canada at the world junior as underage players.

The Jets amateur scouts logged numerous games around the globe this season and the next step in the process is interviewing prospects at the NHL Combine in Buffalo early next month.

After that stage, the final list will be debated and ultimately finalized.

The Jets currently have seven picks in the 2026 NHL Draft: one in each of the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth and two in the seventh.

The Jets moved their second round selection in the 2025 trade deadline deal for defenceman Luke Schenn.

Given where the Jets are in their competitive window after becoming the fifth Presidents’ Trophy winner to miss out on the Stanley Cup playoffs the following season — coupled with the age of most members of the core group — there are some observers wondering if Cheveldayoff might consider moving the first round pick for some immediate help.

When you consider frank exit interview comments from Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck wondering about the direction the organization is headed, you can be sure general managers around the league will be inquiring about the cost of acquiring that eighth overall pick.

On the flip side, the Jets need an injection of talent at forward and defence, so making the selection looks like the most likely outcome for a draft and development franchise — barring an offer Cheveldayoff can’t refuse.

Moving up to first or second overall was the Jets best bet to find a top-tier talent that could potentially jump into the lineup this fall, especially when you consider the seasons had by Penn State winger Gavin McKenna and Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg.

But it’s important to remember that every draft is different and occasionally players that don’t go in the top-5 come into training camp and earn a spot.

Look no further than last fall, when Ben Kindel made the Pittsburgh Penguins after being chosen 11th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft and produced 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games as a rookie.

That is more the exception than the rule, so what comes next will be difficult to predict until we see how the first seven picks unfold at KeyBank Center in upstate New York next month.

The Seattle Kraken chose Spokane Chiefs forward Berkly Catton eighth overall in 2024 and he graduated to the NHL as a 19 year old, chipping in seven goals and 17 points in 66 NHL games this season.

A look at the last 10 players chosen eighth overall reveals a handful of intriguing prospects surrounded by a few playing significant roles or on the verge of earning additional ice time and responsibility, headlined by St. Louis Blues defenceman Philip Broberg, Los Angeles Kings blue-liner Brandt Clarke, Washington Capitals right-winger Ryan Leonard, Detroit Red Wings centre Marko Kasper and Buffalo Sabres right-winger Jack Quinn.

Forward Casey Mittelstadt, who was chosen in 2017, has the most NHL games on his resume (509) from that group and he racked up 15 goals and 42 points in 71 games with the Boston Bruins this past season.

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