TSN’s Craig Button breaks down '26 NHL Draft lottery, Hawks’ options at No. 4 | Blackhawks Breakaway

TSN’s Craig Button breaks down ’26 NHL Draft lottery, Hawks’ options at No. 4 | Blackhawks Breakaway

May 7, 2026



On this episode of the Blackhawks Breakaway Podcast, Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis react to the 2026 NHL Draft lottery results, highlighted by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ stunning jump from No. 5 to No. 1 overall. They also discuss the Blackhawks falling to No. 4 and share early thoughts on their options before tossing to Pat’s 1-on-1 interview with GM Kyle Davidson following the lottery.

TSN draft analyst Craig Button then joins the show to react to the results and break down his first mock draft, which has Ivar Stenberg landing with the Blackhawks at No. 4. He discusses his Big Board, what Toronto could do at No. 1 and whether Gavin McKenna is a lock, along with San Jose’s intriguing decision at No. 2 between the best available forward or defenseman. Button also weighs in on how the lottery outcome could impact Auston Matthews’ future, whether the Blackhawks could emerge as an appealing destination for a disgruntled elite player, and much more.

Pat and Charlie close by reacting to Button’s comments and sharing their biggest takeaways from the conversation. Charlie also explores a potential Matthews-to-San Jose scenario, and examines why each of the three teams picking ahead of Chicago faces a pivotal decision.

They wrap up by debating whether the Blackhawks should take the best player available or draft for organizational need at No. 4, plus Connor Bedard’s decision to skip the 2026 IIHF World Championship while rehabbing his shoulder and the latest on Roman Kantserov’s contract timeline.

#nhl #chicagoblackhawks #connorbedard #nhldraftlottery #nhldraft

00:00 – 06:50 – Initial Reactions to NHL Draft Lottery
06:51 – 10:05 – Kyle Davidson interview
10:06 – 17:55 — Craig Button initial reactions to Draft Lottery Results
17:56 – 22:38 — Could the Blackhawks land Carson Carels or Chase Reid?
22:39 – 28:37 — Will Gavin McKenna be a fit for Toronto?
28:38 – 31:22 — Will Austin Matthews leave Toronto?
31:23 – 37:39 — Will this be a more unpredictable NHL Draft?
37:40 – 45:34 — Initial Reactions to Craig Button
45:35 – 48:33 — Could the Blackhawks trade the No. 4 pick?
48:34 – 51:24 — Connor Bedard not playing in Worlds
51:25 – 53:42 – Outro

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View Comments (14)

  1. I can understand making a point for Malhotra and Carels/Reid (whoever is available) Malhotra would be your 2C and allows Frondell to play with Bedard. Carels is the LHD that plays with Levshunov and allows Vlasic and Kaiser to slide down where they belong. Reid becomes your top line RHD and slides Levshunov and Rinzel down one spot each. Whatever happens, im actually fine with it.

  2. I know people say dont draft for need but as Craig says, when there is such a small margin between players, you are absolutely drafting for position need and at that point, there isnt a problem with that.

  4. I don't mind a rebuild but its being done by an incompetent cuck. Davidson is going to play the rebuild card until he is fired, the dude is highly incompetent (consistently on the worst GM's in the league conversation among analysts )…. bet he has a killer spreadsheet and power point wowing the front office, though.

  5. I agree at some point you have to draft for need look at the sharks for example they are loaded offensively adding another winger is not addressing their need defensively and giving the state of the league its hard to find what you need in free agency or via trade for most teams their best option is the draft

  6. Hawks do NOT have a true#1D…as Button said,good luck winning without one (of those)
    .KD shoukd draft Carels..but LD will instead go for this BPA idea when it really is so close..I just do not believe their's a big gap between the top 5 of this draft..

  8. There are 4 right shot d man in the top 20..if SJS is smart, they pick Stenberg and trade UP for one of the other R D men. I have no problem drafting Chase Reid at #4….dont waste drafts making trades.

  9. So lets just clarify what Button said.. He does not see Levshunov a top pairing D man? Most likely a 4..
    So when KD said he drafts BPA he lied because levshunov is so far from a serviceable d man its not even funny. What an absolute disaster of a draft pick. 2nd overall and you cant even put him on PP1? that says alot about this scouting department.

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