2026 NHL Draft Predictions, 6/27: Who Follows No. 1 Pick Schaefer?

Schaefer is the consensus top player in the class and the New York Islanders won’t likely pass on the versatile Erie Otters’ star, despite an illness and injury-plagued season. There is some disparity in the analysis after No. 1, and that will provide your best NHL bets.

Saginaw center Michael Misa is rated second overall by most NHL experts, but the San Jose Sharks could go in several different directions. Taking the best odds on who goes No. 2-4 may be your value NHL prop bets.

Top 4 NHL Draft Predictions

1. Bet Frondell No. 2, Misa No. 3

Michael Misa is a pure goal scorer. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound forward scored 62 goals across 65 regular-season games in the Ontario Hockey League this season and most scouts have him going second overall.

However, San Jose chose a center first in the last two drafts – Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Swede Anton Frondell, a center who is projected as a right wing, might be the NHL pick here. Frondell, 18, had 25 points in 29 games playing against men in Sweden this season.

Corey Pronman on Anton Frondell
(Via The Athletic Podcast)

“In talking to teams leading up to the Draft, there are teams that have Anton Frondell at the #2 spot. There are teams who are all in on this player & view him a potential two-way, hard to play against 1st line center.” pic.twitter.com/pq9s1SWLaC

— Ovi (@OviClapBomb) June 26, 2025

You currently get +200 odds for Frondell to be picked second and Misa +175 to go third to Chicago, or a team that deals up. The value is worth it, but Misa may be too hard to pass up for the Sharks.

Bet on Michael Misa No. 3 Overall Pick (+175)

2. Mammoth Value at No. 4

If San Jose goes with Misa at No. 2, the odds for No. 4 will be interesting.

Frondell dropping one more spot to Utah at No. 4 gives you juicy +800 odds. Chicago could look to forwards Caleb Desnoyers, Boston College’s James Hagens, Porter Martone or even Brady Martin.

Players with 20+ single-tournament points in the U18 WJC:

1. James Hagens – 22; 2024
2. Nikita Kucherov – 21; 2011
3. Gavin McKenna – 20; 2024
4. Will Smith – 20; 2023
5. Jack Hughes – 20; 2019pic.twitter.com/wMOKcTgm2t

— Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) June 8, 2025

However, if Schaefer, Misa and Frondell are gone, the board is wide open for the Utah Mammoth. Utah could even trade down, so keep your eye on late NHL news. The Mammoth went a bit off the board last season, so you never know where it may look.

The current odds for Martin (+125), a versatile center from Sault Ste. Marie, and two-way forward Caleb Desnoyers (Even) from Moncton are low. Our NHL prediction with value odds is Hagens (+900), but it might take a trade. Hagens had 37 points in 37 games this season.

Bet on James Hagens No. 4 Overall Pick (+900)

3. Expect Eklund Off Board Before Pick 13

Top-rated young players from Sweden are never bad picks

Victor Eklund plays tougher than his 5-10, 161-pound frame and is projected as a top-six forward. He had 19 goals in 42 games playing against men in his country this season, which tells you plenty.

Victor Eklund, the No. 2-ranked international skater, and his brother William (No. 7 in 2021) can become the third Swedish brothers ever selected in Round 1 of the #NHLDraft.

Tune-in to the opening round Friday at 7 p.m. ET (@ESPN, @ESPNPlus, #Sportsnet, @TVASports).#NHLStats:… pic.twitter.com/KtOlJfET50

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) June 23, 2025

It would be a surprise if Eklund gets by Buffalo at No. 9, Anaheim (10) and Pittsburgh (11, 12) at -120 odds. Take better NHL prop odds for under 12 ½ picks if you can get it.

Bet on Victor Eklund Under 12.5 (-120)

4. Bet Ryker Lee to Go in First Round

Bill Zonnon, Milton Gastrin and Will Horcoff are pretty safe bets to go in the first round, but won’t get you much value.

Ryker Lee, a 6-0, 180-pound skillful right wing who is headed to Michigan State, could fill your wallet at the sportsbook. Lee is +250 to be picked in the first round and is the type of player that a team with multiple picks (Philadelphia, Calgary and Nashville) might select.

Stacking the accolades! 🙌

Ryker Lee is the 2024-25 #USHL Rookie of the Year!

🔗 https://t.co/k9cjYUxPD8 pic.twitter.com/DMVFq7v0Qv

— USHL (@USHL) April 28, 2025

Lee is a bit of a project, but he had 31 goals and 37 assists in the USHL and was named the league’s rookie of the year. He could go anywhere from 25-40.

Bet Ryker Lee (+250) to be Drafted in First Round

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Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets