The dates for the 2026 NHL Draft are set. Without a location set yet, we now know it will take place on June 26th and June 27th of 2026.
David Pagnotta was the first to report this, with the additional comment that they hope to have the host city decided by the end of the calendar year.
David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) on X
The 2026 NHL Draft will take place June 26-27, 2026
NHL President of Content & Events Steve Mayer just confirmed with us live on @SiriusXMNHL. He added host city is not yet decided; goal is to finalize that by end of this calendar year.
This draft could be big for the Chicago Blackhawks. Will they have the right to select Gavin McKenna first overall? Will they be picking in the top three for the fourth year in a row? There is a lot to be determined before then.
Until the rebuild is clearly over, the date of the draft will be extra important for Chicago. Right now, it isn't unfair to think that they have a shot at the lottery and McKenna.