Who could be available for the Winnipeg Jets at 8th overall in the NHL Draft?

When the NHL Draft Lottery concluded Tuesday night, the Winnipeg Jets slid from seventh to eighth overall after the San Jose Sharks jumped from ninth to second. Despite the drop, this is a deep draft class with talent available throughout the top 10.

While some have questioned whether Winnipeg should retain the pick or move it for immediate help to the current core, it remains important to assess the players who could be available at the 2026 NHL Draft in late June.

The draft board is never set in stone, and an unexpected selection can always alter the flow of the first round. Even so, Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are regarded as consensus top-three prospects in this class, making it unlikely they reach Winnipeg at eighth overall.

The focus for Winnipeg is on making the most of this selection, particularly given how rarely they’ve been in this draft range in recent years. With only two top-10 picks in the last decade, the opportunity to add a meaningful piece to the organization is significant.

In most cases, amateur scouting staffs will emphasize selecting the best player available rather than drafting for organizational need. That said, Winnipeg’s current roster needs are well established, with the organization looking to add a second-line centre and a top-pairing right-shot defenceman. The complication with that approach is that most players from this draft class are not expected to make an NHL impact for several years.

With that balance between best player available and longer-term roster needs in mind, attention now turns to the top prospects who could be on the board when Winnipeg selects in late June.

Using the Elite Prospects consolidated rankings as a guide, here is a look at players currently ranked between third and 13th overall, a range that could realistically shape Winnipeg’s options at eighth overall.

3. Keaton Verhoeff (D) — North Dakota (NCAA)
4. Chase Reid (D) — Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
5. Viggo Björck (C) — Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
6. Tynan Lawrence (C) — Boston University (NCAA)
7. Carson Carels (D) — Prince George Cougars (WHL)
8. Ethan Belchetz (W) — Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
9. Daxon Rudolph (D) — Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
10. Alberts Smits (D) — Jukurit (Liiga)
11. Adam Novotny (W) — Peterborough Petes (OHL)
12. Ryan Lin (D) — Vancouver Giants (WHL)
13. Caleb Malhotra (C) — Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Here is a closer look at each of the players who could be in consideration when Winnipeg selects eighth overall.

3. Keaton Verhoeff

Is from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. He is a 6’4″ right-shot defenceman who plays for University of North Dakota.

4. Chase Reid

Is from Chesterfield, Michigan. He is a 6’2″ right-shot defenceman who played this past season for the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL and is committed to playing at Michigan State next season.

5. Viggo Björck

Is from Stockholm, Sweden. He is a 5’10” forward who plays for Djurgårdens IF in the SHL.

6. Tynan Lawrence

Is from Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is a 6’0″ centre who plays for Boston University.

7. Carson Carels

Is from Cypress River, Manitoba. He is a 6’2″ left-shot defenceman who plays for Prince George of the WHL.

8. Ethan Belchetz

Is from Oakville, Ontario. He is a 6’5″ winger who plays for Windsor of the OHL.

9. Daxon Rudolph

Is from Lacombe, Alberta. He is a 6’2″ right-shot defenceman who plays for Prince Albert of the WHL.

10. Alberts Smits

Is from Valmiera, Latvia. He is a 6’3″ left-shot defenceman who plays for Jukurit in Liiga.

11. Adam Novotny

Is from Hradec Kralove, Czechia. He is a 6’1″ winger who plays for Peterborough of the OHL.

12. Ryan Lin

Is from Richmond, British Columbia. He is 5’11” right-shot defenceman who played for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL and is committed to to the University of Denver next season.

13. Caleb Maholtra

Is from Toronto, Ontario. He is a 6’2″ centre who plays for Brantford of the OHL.

With a wide range of talent expected to be available when Winnipeg is on the clock at eighth overall, the organization will have multiple directions it can go in late June. Whether they prioritize immediate organizational needs or continue to build for the future, the decision at the draft table will be a significant one for the next phase of the roster.

As always, keep it locked to illegalcurve.com and be sure to join us every Saturday morning at 9 AM on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show as we lead up to the Draft.