Chicago Blackhawks drop to the fourth pick in 2026 NHL draft

The Maple Leafs won the draft lottery and will likely draft Penn State superstar Gavin McKenna, with the Sharks winning the second pick and the Canucks dropping to the third pick. All in all, it was a very disappointing night for the Blackhawks and their fans.

Chicago Blackhawks at pick No. 4

Several things are tough to swallow: going from the second pick to the fourth, and the fact that the Blackhawks won’t get that conditional pick from the Panthers. Not to mention it was the Blackhawks’ fourth straight year of last-place finishes. They got the fortune with Connor Bedard a few years ago, but this was quite the opposite of fortune.

What will the fourth overall selection look like? Several mocks have the fourth spot being a landing place for defensemen Chase Reid, Carson Carels, or Alberts Smits. Going with a defenseman would not necessarily be surprising for the Blackhawks.

There is also the possibility of using the pick in a trade. The Blackhawks have assets, and it’s really time to take a big step forward. Do they go bold? It really feels like they should; this rebuild process has inched along for six seasons now. A rebuild can only be inched along so long before making a big move, and the young core and team are over being bottom feeders.

Davidson showed he can gain draft picks and build a farm; now we see what he can do to take the next step. This fourth pick could be key ammunition for that next step.