2026 NHL Draft Thread

[stemit14]

Would just really like for a legit #1 centre prospect to be there in the top 5 if the flames missed out on McKenna. Like in the Bedard draft… teams that missed out on Bedard got to pick guys like Carlsson, Fantilli and Smith. Would love for a center of their calibre be available where the flames pick. McKenna is the dream scenario despite being a winger instead of a center… but an elite, play-driving center would still be such a game changer for this team.

[Canada 02]

wrong thread

[Yanda]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Would just really like for a legit #1 centre prospect to be there in the top 5 if the flames missed out on McKenna. Like in the Bedard draft… teams that missed out on Bedard got to pick guys like Carlsson, Fantilli and Smith. Would love for a center of their calibre be available where the flames pick. McKenna is the dream scenario despite being a winger instead of a center… but an elite, play-driving center would still be such a game changer for this team.

When you have a guy like McKenna all your other pieces become expendable. For instance we could try to package Zary+Coronato for Stutzle, for example.

We have other pieces that we currently see as untouchables or undesireable to move that would suddenly give us the trade chips we need to find our center. Sure its uncommon but Eichel moved.. we would have the luxury to be able to overpay if the situation arose.

Another thing is we would become a better UFA destination, while that hasnt happened in Chicago I could 100% see San Jose being a player for free agents in the next few years. Closet Sharks fan, but McDavid and Matthews have the same agent, second coming of Thorton/Marleau?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Yanda

When you have a guy like McKenna all your other pieces become expendable. For instance we could try to package Zary+Coronato for Stutzle, for example.

We have other pieces that we currently see as untouchables or undesireable to move that would suddenly give us the trade chips we need to find our center. Sure its uncommon but Eichel moved.. we would have the luxury to be able to overpay if the situation arose.

Another thing is we would become a better UFA destination, while that hasnt happened in Chicago I could 100% see San Jose being a player for free agents in the next few years. Closet Sharks fan, but McDavid and Matthews have the same agent, second coming of Thorton/Marleau?

Ottawa trades Stutzle for two lesser pieces why?

Chicago hasn’t signed any free agents on note because they have’s tried to. But that will change over the next 2 years, as their team is just starting to rebound with many great prospects already playing and many more on the way. Chicago will be a destination again as soon as the team is better.

San Jose is a bit further down the line with their defence still largely unsettled.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Ashes

So as of right now, Joe Iginla listed as a "C" rating from Central Scouting. I remember during the 2024 draft thread there was some discussion about how missing out on Tij didn't matter since Joe is the superior player. Am I remembering that right/wrong?

I'm excited to track him this season, just shocked he's starting the season this low on the rankings. Assuming it has more to do with last season's stats & his smaller physical stature than anything else though. RHS, listed as a Center in some places and RW in others.

Joe had a really disappointing D-1 year.

[Jiri Hrdina]

This year is utter nightmarish for Ottawa fans unless they turn things around.
Currently 5th best odds to win #1.
I just ran my first simulation and sure enough Ottawa got #1, which they forfeited.
Preds #2
Flames #3 - taking Stenberg.

But that is going to be a MISERABLE year for the Sens unless they turn things around.

For what it's worth the Flames got #1 on my 2nd simulation.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

This year is utter nightmarish for Ottawa fans unless they turn things around.
Currently 5th best odds to win #1.
I just ran my first simulation and sure enough Ottawa got #1, which they forfeited.
Preds #2
Flames #3 - taking Stenberg.

But that is going to be a MISERABLE year for the Sens unless they turn things around.

For what it's worth the Flames got #1 on my 2nd simulation.

Losing a 1st rounder always seemed overly punitive to me, especially considering it’s the new owner they had to take on the pain. I really thought the NHL might reconsider the severity of the punishment given that the new owner had nothing to do with it, but it doesn’t look that way.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

This year is utter nightmarish for Ottawa fans unless they turn things around.
Currently 5th best odds to win #1.
I just ran my first simulation and sure enough Ottawa got #1, which they forfeited.
Preds #2
Flames #3 - taking Stenberg.

But that is going to be a MISERABLE year for the Sens unless they turn things around.

For what it's worth the Flames got #1 on my 2nd simulation.

That situation makes the angst around here last year seem like a nothing burger. Man oh man, that has the potential to be the worst decision ever.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Losing a 1st rounder always seemed overly punitive to me, especially considering it’s the new owner they had to take on the pain. I really thought the NHL might reconsider the severity of the punishment given that the new owner had nothing to do with it, but it doesn’t look that way.

And it feels like now its too late, because, the perception would be that they are lessoning the punishment because of where Ottawa sits in the standings. And other teams would lose their minds over that.

If they wanted to do that, it seems like they would have had to make that call prior to the season starting, to avoid any perception that the standings were affecting that decision.

I agree it seems overly harsh now.
But from a selfish Flames POV, I'll take it.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

That situation makes the angst around here last year seem like a nothing burger. Man oh man, that has the potential to be the worst decision ever.

Yup.
Right now, if I understand the numbers properly it would increase the odds of the Flames picking 1st from 25.5% to 34% (+8.5%). Not small. Whoever is last overall will get a potential boost depending on where Ottawa finishes.

Edit: Actually that isn't quite right, because whoever wins the 2nd overall pick gets #1 in that scenario.
So I think it would be

Odds of the Flames winning #1 in the lottery 25.5%
Odds of the Flames getting #1 because of Ottawa winning #1: That would be Ottawa's odds (8.5%) but you then need to have the Flames ALSO winning #2 (18.8%).

So I think that means it actually only raises the odds by about 1.6%?

[Knut]

Ottawa really should have given away last years first. It was out of the lotto and then they could moves past it. Unless they think they can convince the NHL not to lose the pick.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Knut

Ottawa really should have given away last years first. It was out of the lotto and then they could moves past it. Unless they think they can convince the NHL not to lose the pick.

Yup and they picked a guy with very low upside in Logan Hensler.
Could be a franchise altering mistake.

[Monahammer]

Ottawa and making baffling draft related decisions, name a better combo!

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Macindoc

Verhoef. Likely the BPA after McKenna and fills an organizational need as a talented LHD.

Verhoeff, is a beast. Great consolation prize. But is a right handed shot.

[1qqaaz]

Top 2026 Prospects by NHLe:

1. JP Hurlbert (F) - 54.0
2. Yegor Shilov (C) - 44.2
3. Nikita Klepov (F) - 43.4
4. Caleb Malhotra (C) - 42.4
5. Ivar Stenberg (F) - 40.7
6. Xavier Villeneuve (D) - 38.8
7. Pierce Mbuyi (F) - 33.1
8. Vladimir Dravecky (D) - 31.8
9. Beckham Edwards (C) - 31.8
10. Carson Carels (D) - 30.3
11. Adam Valentini (F) - 27.3
12. Gavin McKenna (F) - 27.3 (56.7 last year)

Several players are missing altogether due to small sample sizes (Tynan Lawrence, Di Liorio) or bad conversion factors (Elton Hermansson and Marcus Nordmark).

These guys are ranked all over the place. The Flames may be able to get a high ceiling prospect with their Vegas pick or their own 2nd round pick.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yup.
Right now, if I understand the numbers properly it would increase the odds of the Flames picking 1st from 25.5% to 34% (+8.5%). Not small. Whoever is last overall will get a potential boost depending on where Ottawa finishes.

Edit: Actually that isn't quite right, because whoever wins the 2nd overall pick gets #1 in that scenario.
So I think it would be

Odds of the Flames winning #1 in the lottery 25.5%
Odds of the Flames getting #1 because of Ottawa winning #1: That would be Ottawa's odds (8.5%) but you then need to have the Flames ALSO winning #2 (18.8%).

So I think that means it actually only raises the odds by about 1.6%?

Assuming the Flames finished last, I believe the odds that they draft 1st would be the sum of:

1) them winning the lottery, plus
2) OTT winning the lottery, plus
3) any of the teams from 12 to 16 winning both of the lotteries, plus
4) a team from 12 to 16 winning the 1st lottery, and the Flames or OTT winning the 2nd draw

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Assuming the Flames finished last, I believe the odds that they draft 1st would be the sum of:

1) them winning the lottery, plus
2) OTT winning the lottery, plus
3) any of the teams from 12 to 16 winning both of the lotteries, plus
4) a team from 12 to 16 winning the 1st lottery, and the Flames or OTT winning the 2nd draw

Right but if Ottawa wins the lottery then the team that gets #1 is only the Flames if the Flames win the 2nd slot. Otherwise the team that gets #1 is the team that wins #2.
Right?

[This post is terrible]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Right but if Ottawa wins the lottery then the team that gets #1 is only the Flames if the Flames win the 2nd slot. Otherwise the team that gets #1 is the team that wins #2.
Right?

I thought Sureloss said they do a redraw if Ottawa wins the lottery

[Jiri Hrdina]

No they just skip the pick I think

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by This post is terrible

I thought Sureloss said they do a redraw if Ottawa wins the lottery

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

No they just skip the pick I think

Answered:

Originally Posted by sureLoss

When Arizona forfeited their 2021 1st pick (11th OA) as punishment for physically testing draft prospects outside of the combine, the NHL announced there would be a redraw if Arizona won the draft lottery.

https://media.nhl.com/public/news/14948



I would assume it be the same case if Ottawa would win the lottery.

Precedents don't always mean a lot in the NHL, but there is a precedent on this, and I don't see why they wouldn't follow the same procedure.