Story Summary
A 12-team, 192-player non-keeper fantasy mock draft for the 2026-27 season was conducted on Monday,. It used standard categories – goals, assists, power-play points, shots on goal, hits and blocked shots for skaters; wins, goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts for goaltenders – with 16-player rosters comprising two centres, two left wings, two right wings, four defencemen, two goaltenders and four bench spots. Connor McDavid went first overall, followed by Nathan MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini.
The Tkachuk brothers were selected back-to-back for the same simulated team, with Brady taken 24th and Matthew 25th. Connor Hellebuyck, suspended by the Winnipeg Jets after requesting a trade and failing to report to training camp, fell to 45th overall after going in the late second round of the first mock. Porter Martone was the first rookie selected, while Cutter Gauthier rose after signing a new contract with Anaheim. The draft also highlighted changing goaltending outlooks: Jesper Wallstedt has a chance to become Minnesota’s clear No. 1 while Filip Gustavsson is expected to miss the start of the season, and Brandon Bussi is likely to begin as Carolina’s starter after Frederik Andersen signed with Edmonton.
Key Facts
- A 12-team, 192-player non-keeper fantasy mock draft was conducted on Monday,.
- Draft format used standard fantasy categories for skaters and goalies and 16-player rosters: two centres, two left wings, two right wings, four defencemen, two goalies and four bench spots.
- Connor McDavid was the No. 1 overall pick in the mock draft.
- Nathan MacKinnon was selected No. 2 and Macklin Celebrini No. 3.
- The first-round top 12 included Nikita Kucherov (4), Leon Draisaitl (5), Cale Makar (6) and Jack Hughes (12).
- Brady Tkachuk was selected 24th overall (Round 2) and Matthew Tkachuk 25th overall (Round 3); the brothers were stacked on the same fantasy team in the simulation.
- Five defencemen were taken in the first two rounds of the mock; only two goalies came off the board in that range.
- Connor Hellebuyck was selected 45th overall (Round 4) after being described in the mock as suspended by the Winnipeg Jets following a trade request and failure to report to training camp.
- Porter Martone was the first rookie taken in the mock draft and in both mock drafts.
- Jesper Wallstedt was taken in Round 5 and is noted as having a chance to be Minnesota’s clear No. 1 goalie with Filip Gustavsson expected to miss the start of the season due to injury.
- Brandon Bussi, taken in Round 6, was noted as likely to start for the Carolina Hurricanes after Frederik Andersen signed with the Edmonton Oilers.
- Connor Bedard, Seth Jarvis and Brad Marchand were expected to miss the start of the season because of injury; Mathew Barzal could miss the start, while Dylan Larkin was dealing with an injury.
IHM Discussion
This mock draft is a useful snapshot of fantasy sentiment in late September. Elite offensive stars dominated the top of the board, while positional availability shaped several selections. Five defencemen were taken in the first two rounds, compared with two goaltenders, illustrating how managers approached the format’s category balance.
The Tkachuk brothers landing on the same simulated roster was one of the draft’s eye-catching outcomes. In a format that counts hits and power-play points alongside scoring, managers can weigh the appeal of complementary stat profiles against the risk of concentrating too much of a roster on one NHL club.
Availability and role uncertainty were prominent themes. Hellebuyck dropped from the late second round in the first mock to 45th overall here while suspended by Winnipeg. Gauthier moved from 35th to 26th after signing his new Anaheim contract, and Martone again led the rookie class. Camp usage also informed the discussion around players such as Cole Hutson, who could see time on Washington’s first power play as a rookie.
Why It Matters
For fantasy managers preparing for drafts, the simulation offers several practical reference points. Five defencemen were taken in the first two rounds, showing how quickly the position can move in this format. Goaltending situations in Minnesota, Carolina and Vegas also remain relevant to draft planning, particularly in leagues that use multiple goalie categories. Hellebuyck’s fall to the fourth round shows how uncertainty over player availability can affect a simulated board, while Martone, Gauthier and Hutson were among younger players whose roles and circumstances drew attention.
Fan Pulse
Dallas had four players selected in the first two rounds, the most of any team in the simulation. Fan-selected teams were supplemented where necessary by simulated picks based on Yahoo Fantasy average draft position.
Mini Q&A
When and what format was this mock draft?
The 12-team, 192-player non-keeper mock draft was conducted on Monday,. It used standard fantasy categories and 16-player rosters: two centres, two left wings, two right wings, four defencemen, two goaltenders and four bench spots.
Who were the top three picks?
Connor McDavid was chosen first overall, Nathan MacKinnon was second and Macklin Celebrini third in the simulation.
Why did Connor Hellebuyck fall in the mock draft?
The mock notes Connor Hellebuyck had been suspended by the Winnipeg Jets after requesting a trade and not reporting to training camp, and he was selected 45th overall (late fourth round) in the simulation.
Which rookies and young players were highlighted?
Porter Martone was the first rookie taken in both mock drafts. Cutter Gauthier rose after signing a new contract, while Cole Hutson was identified as a rookie who could see early power-play time.
Which goalie situations did the mock flag?
Jesper Wallstedt was noted as having a chance to be Minnesota’s clear No. 1 while Filip Gustavsson is expected to miss the start of the season; Brandon Bussi was identified as likely to start for Carolina after Frederik Andersen signed with Edmonton.
Coach Mark Comment
Camp line combinations and power-play usage are worth monitoring, but fantasy managers should not overreact to every September experiment. The stronger signal is a player’s likely role once games begin. For goaltenders, availability and a clear path to starts can matter as much as name value in a format that counts wins, save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts.
What Comes Next
Monitor the availability of Bedard, Gustavsson, Jarvis, Barzal and Marchand as the season approaches. Hellebuyck’s suspension status, Adam Fantilli’s restricted-free-agent status and Alexander Nikishin’s unsigned status are also developments to watch.
IHM Final View
This second mock draft offers fantasy managers a detailed early-season reference point. McDavid led the board, elite skaters dominated the opening selections and uncertainty around availability reshaped several choices. Its value lies in the concrete situations to monitor as the regular season approaches.