Lincoln's Justin Graf Picked 118th Overall by Nashville Predators in NHL Draft

A Lincoln native made news on the national sports stage Sunday as the Nashville Predators tapped left wing Justin Graf with the 118th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, putting the town on the hockey map during an otherwise quiet weekend at Town Hall.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

The Lincoln Public Library continues to flag construction disruptions around Library Lane as the town's "Big Dig" project affects parking and access. Visitors are advised to allow extra travel time; updates are posted at lincolnbigdig.com. On the programming front, the library is seeking applicants to fill an opening on its Board of Trustees, following the recent departure of longtime trustee Peter Sugar. The board is particularly interested in candidates with a strong commitment to library service. Two upcoming drop-in programs offer residents easy ways to engage with the library this week: a Knitting & Stitching Group meets July 1, and Drop-In Tech Help is available July 2 for anyone needing a quick technology consult.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

No new coverage from Lincoln Patch in this cycle. The Boston Globe's search results for Lincoln, Massachusetts did not surface any fresh local news articles in the coverage window, though the paper's Legacy obituary pages note the passing of Irving Michael, a Lincoln resident who lived from 1929 to 2026.

Sports Illustrated reports that Lincoln's Justin Graf was selected by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft, describing him as a forward with NHL pedigree. Graf, a left wing, went 118th overall. Per Sports Illustrated (read it at https://www.si.com/nhl/predators/onsi/nhl-draft/nashville-drafts-forward-with-nhl-pedigree-in-fourth-round).

COMING UP

- **July 1** — Knitting & Stitching Group, Lincoln Public Library - **July 2** — Drop-In Tech Help, Lincoln Public Library - **July 6** — Lincoln Garden Club summer board meeting (outside organizational booking at the library)