While the Winnipeg Jets won’t be pleased with dropping one spot in the draft lottery and settling on the eighth overall pick, it will be the team’s highest since selecting Patrik Laine at No. 2 in 2016.
The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks dropped two places, which hurt the latter the most, as they had the best chance to land the No. 1 pick. That slice of good fortune befell the Toronto Maple Leafs, who desperately needed a narrative shift.
So, who will general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff grab at No. 8, and will he immediately help the Jets recapture their spot among the Stanley Cup odds favourites at the BetMGM online sportsbook?
Related: Gavin McKenna Scouting Report: Why Leafs Will Draft McKenna
Which Player Should the Jets Pick in the First Round?
On the surface, drafting eighth doesn’t seem likely to move the needle immediately.
That’s probably true with the 2026 draft, but the Jets selected some gems in similar spots, securing the now-departed Nikolaj Ehlers at No. 9 in 2014, Jacob Trouba at No. 9 in 2012, and Mark Scheifele at No. 7 in 2011.
Who Will the Jets Draft With No. 8 Pick?
The Jets are in desperate need of a second-line centre. That obviously won’t happen with the eighth pick, but there is a centre I’ve had my eye on that could be an instrumental part of the Jets’ future.
It’s 18-year-old Viggo Björck, who plays for Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League. As a teenager, he adapted well to life in the Swedish pro league.
He makes up for a lack of size (5-foot-10) with silky-smooth skill, high-end vision, and an ability to win puck battles that far exceeds his stature. Björck also reads the game well and, with nine points in seven games, helped lead Sweden to gold at the 2026 World Junior Championship.
Only Ivar Stenberg, expected to be selected first or second, and Jack Berglund scored more points for the gold medalists (10).
As they are in a win-now window, Cheveldayoff might also opt to trade his eighth pick and other assets for a top-tier second-line centre.
Have the Jets Ever Had a First Overall Draft Pick?
No, the Jets have never drafted first overall.
What Is the Highest Draft Pick the Jets Have Had?
The Jets had the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NHL draft, selecting Patrik Laine.
When Is the 2026 NHL Draft?
The 2026 NHL Draft takes place on June 26 and 27.
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