Day 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft saw the Detroit Red Wings make a trade to add a prospect in first round.
Entering Friday, June 26, the Wings didn’t hold a first-round selection in the event held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, having sent the No. 15 pick in a package deal to the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Justin Faulk.
But roughly three hours into Friday’s draft, Wings general manager Steve Yzerman struck a deal with the Utah Mammoth, acquiring the No. 23 pick in exchange for goalie Sebastian Cossa, the 2021 first-round pick who had dropped down the depth chart. The Wings selected forward J.P. Hurlbert, a Texas native headed to play for Michigan, with strong family ties to Detroit.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who won the draft lottery earlier this year, picked Penn State forward Gavin McKenna at first overall. Forward Ivar Stenberg went second, to the San Jose Sharks.
Rounds 2-7 are Saturday (beginning at 11 a.m. on NHL Network and ESPN+), and the Wings go into Day 2 holding seven picks over the six rounds.
What to know about J.P. Hurlbert
Hurlbert played for Kamloops of the WHL in 2025-26, producing 97 points in 68 games. He posted 37 points in 56 games for the U.S. National Team Development Program U17 team and 31 points in 34 games for the NTDP Juniors in 2024-25, then decided for his development to head west to play in juniors for a year.
He’ll be headed to Michigan in the fall, though. He’s a wily player who can deceive opponents with quick plays.
He has roots in Detroit – his father is from the area, though the family moved to Dallas when Hurlbert was still a toddler. Hurlbert’s father and grandfather – also named J.P. – also attended the draft at the KeyBank Center.
“I’m just so excited to go back to where both of them are from, that’s truly special,” Hurlbert said on ESPN.
“I grew up with Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Terry Sawchuk,” the eldest Hurlbert said, “when the Red Wings were winning Stanley Cups in the ’50s. This is a dream come true.”
Still quiet on the Dylan Larkin front
There were trades sending veterans across the league the day of the draft and in the days leading up to it, but things remained quiet on the Dylan Larkin front. The Wings’ captain has requested a trade to a contender; that news emerged on June 4. Neither side has commented on the situation.
Larkin has a no-trade clause, so he holds power over where he goes – the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights top his list – but general manager Steve Yzerman does not have to trade Larkin, who has five years left at a $8.7 million cap hit. Essentially the Wings would need a player like Larkin in return: A top-line center (they are thin down the middle) who can play in all situations.
Busy times around the league
Free agency begins Wednesday, so in addition to dealing with the draft, GMs are figuring out their rosters for the coming season.
Among the bigger news this week: Forward Brady Tkachuk going from the Ottawa Senators to Florida Panthers via a trade, and forward Alex Tuch going in a sign-and-trade from the Buffalo Sabres to Washington Capitals. The Senators in turn have been busy, trading for forwards William Eklund and two-time Stanley Cup champion Andre Burakovsky, as well as goalie Samuel Ersson.
The Boston Bruins, who populate the Atlantic Division along with the Wings, Panthers and Senators, shored things up by acquiring forward JJ Peterka from Utah Mammoth, which rreceived the No. 23 pick in the 2026 draft and a conditional first-round pick in 2028.
The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired forward Valeri Nichuskin, and the Panthers also acquired defenseman Garnet Hathaway. Another Metropolitan Division team, the New York Rangers, acquired forward Pavel Dorofeyev from Vegas in return for 2026’s Nos. 26 and 92 (a third-rounder) and a conditional first-rounder in 2028.
On Friday, the Blues acquired center Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks for picks Nos. 15 (originally the Wings’) and 29.
And in Winnipeg, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff told reporters Friday that he’s listening to offers for goalie Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce), who backstopped the U.S. to gold at the 2026 Olympics.
Red Wings 2026 draft picks
Overall pick number in parentheses.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.
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She’s co-authored “Red, White & Gold: How American men and women became the kings and queens of Olympic hockey” (order at USA.ChampsBook.com.) Her books: “The Franchise: Detroit Red Wings, A Curated History of Hockeytown,” and “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” and “The Big 50: The Men and Moments that made the Detroit Red Wings” are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What did Detroit Red Wings do on Day 1 of 2026 NHL Draft
Reporting by Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
