2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Major Major]

If McKenna keeps up his scoring pace he's on now, it will be a very good season for someone in his position, but it certainly wouldn't be generational production in his draft year.

I'm wondering if that would weaken his stock among scouts or will it be explained away as adjusting to a new league or playing down the lineup.

More than likely though that he explodes mid season and gets up to around that 2 ppg I was expecting.

[Ped]

Yeah, the Hawks were clearly in tear-down made.


Kane was traded for a conditional 1st
They took picks to acquire Zaitsev and his salary
They got a 1st and a 2nd in the McCabe trade
They got a 2nd in the Domi trade
They got a 2nd to take on Bailey's contract


Yes, they traded for Hall, Foligno, and Perry, but gave up just 2 minor-league defencemen and a 7th in those picks, they clearly acquired those guys to help mentor the young guys. Perry obviously didn't work out that way.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Major Major

If McKenna keeps up his scoring pace he's on now, it will be a very good season for someone in his position, but it certainly wouldn't be generational production in his draft year.

I'm wondering if that would weaken his stock among scouts or will it be explained away as adjusting to a new league or playing down the lineup.

More than likely though that he explodes mid season and gets up to around that 2 ppg I was expecting.

Yeah, I could easily see a team wanting Verhoeff over McKenna at 1st oa unless his production explodes.

Blues and Sharks would both prefer a Dman over a Winger all things equal.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Major Major

If McKenna keeps up his scoring pace he's on now, it will be a very good season for someone in his position, but it certainly wouldn't be generational production in his draft year.

I'm wondering if that would weaken his stock among scouts or will it be explained away as adjusting to a new league or playing down the lineup.

More than likely though that he explodes mid season and gets up to around that 2 ppg I was expecting.

They have a wagon team and he is not the top dog and a trillion years younger. Different world in college. So different.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by traptor

Yeah, I could easily see a team wanting Verhoeff over McKenna at 1st oa unless his production explodes.

Blues and Sharks would both prefer a Dman over a Winger all things equal.

Maybe. Those teams could definitely use defence and Verhoeff looks like a fantastic defenceman.

Still have to be careful. Hawks thought the same in the 2024 draft. It’s still early but I think they would rather have Demidov right now instead of Levshunov. While Levshunov is progressing to be a legit top pairing defenceman, Demidov is progressing to be a top 2-3 winger in the entire league.

[jg13]

I know it's not the greatest comparison as they play different positions but

Eichel was nearly 0.5 years older than McKenna when he made his debut for Boston College and put up 71 pts in 40 games. McKenna is on pace for 52 pts in 40 games.

I expect McKenna will start putting up more points but I believe the production will end up around 1.5 PPG for 60 in 40 while 6 months younger.

BU was ranked #2 in the country in Eichels draft year. PSU is ranked #3 in the country in McKennas.

Getting McKenna could very well be franchise altering but given the top talent in this draft even drafting 3rd OA I believe could be the same.

[Sandman]

More takeaways from Central Scouting's Preliminary List:

-I really liked LW Oscar Hemming at the Hlinka, who plays a more rugged and physical power game than his big brother, Emil- who was a Dallas first-rounder in 2024. He's also bigger, listed at 6'3.5",193lbs, but likes to score like his sibling. Oscar's office is down-low and in front of the net, where he's an immoveable object who looks for second-chance opportunities to pounce on loose pucks. While he moves well at top speed, resembling a freight train barreling down the tracks, he could use work on his boots- particularly his explosiveness and acceleration. Hemming has yet to take part in league play this season so far, and looks to be joining the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the BCHL when he is healthy (I assume he's been injured).

-"A" rated RW Elton Hermansson (6'1",181lbs) was another player I liked at the Hlinka, tying for second in scoring with 6 goals and 11 points in 5 games- second only to teammate Marcus Nordmark. Hermansson is superbly skilled with the puck, able to stickhandle through the tightest of spaces, and has the speed and edgework to make opponents look silly. To go along with his lethal arsenal of shots, he has the hockey sense and playmaking ability to drive play. This season, he has put up 4 goals and 7 points in 10 games in the Allsvenskan, but his production in the U20 has been rather pedestrian- 4 points in 8 games.

-Hermansson's Hlinka teammate, "A" rated LW Marcus Nordmark (6'1.5",180lbs), is an absolute stud with both power and finesse, and exhibits both a lethal shot and high-end playmaking ability, as well as sublime puck-skill- he's also a conscientious 200-ft player, and could go top-10 in the draft. Right now, he's 2nd in U20 scoring with 7 goals and 23 points in just 14 games (2 points behind Jets' prospect Viktor Klingsell), and his 36 PIMs give you a peek at his grit index. Absolute beauty.

-LC Oscar Holmertz (6'0",187lbs) was 4th in scoring for Team Sweden at the Hlinka (behind D-man Axel Elofsson) with 7 points in 5 games, and struck me as an example of a player who isn't elite in any one area, but good at everything, with no true weaknesses. He's a speedster, works hard, can play in any situation, employs a tight 200-ft game, and is well-balanced offensively. Right now, he's at 15 points in 15 U20 games, and ranked "B" by Central Scouting.

-I'm sure that if RD Axel Elofsson (5'10",154lbs) were even six-feet tall, he would've received at least a "B" ranking, but as it stands- he's a "C" in the eyes of Central Scouting, and as we've seen in the past few drafts, the smaller D-men have to wait longer to hear their names called. Elofsson tied Oleg Tverdovsky's record for most points all-time for D in the Hlinka, with 11 in 5 games, and put up an impressive 32 points in 38 U20 games in the 2024-25 season- which is the second-best total of all-time by a U-17 defenseman in that league (though his ppg were higher than Luka Radivojevic's). To date this season, he's piled up 19 points in 14 games in the U20. Elofsson is skilled and speedy, but struggles against larger opponents, and has a ways to go to shore up his own-zone play. He could also use some tweaks to his footspeed if he expects to survive in the pros.

-Like most Swedes, RW Nils Bartholdsson is supremely skilled with the puck, and he's nearly elite in the speed department, but his size (5'9.5",170lbs) holds him back a bit- which may be why he was given a "C" rating by CS. Even still, while he has a bit of trouble against larger opponents, he is built like a fire-hydrant and gives his all in puck-battles. Blessed with a lethal shot, top-notch playmaking acumen, and the ability to drive play, he is currently tied for 10th in U20 scoring with 10 goals (6th) and 18 points in 15 games. At the Hlinka, he was tied for 9th-overall in scoring, with 6 points in 5 games.

-LHC Max Isaksson was another member of the Swedish team at the Hlinka that I liked- he was tied for 9th in the event (6 points in 5 games), and served as Captain for Tre Kronor. While Isaksson isn't flashy, and perhaps not elite in any area, he works hard, plays with some grit, provides his team with exemplary two-way play, and isn't afraid of playing in traffic, or going to the dirty areas of the ice to get the job done. In league play this season, he has 6 goals and 12 points in 13 U20 games- Central Scouting gave him a "C" rating, which might be accurate.

-LHC Adam Andersson was another member of Team Sweden's entry in the Hlinka to be graded as a "C" by CS, and a lot of that has to with his size (6'3.25",199lbs) and the position he plays. Andersson isn't the most skilled or fleet of foot, but he's physical, and a presence along the boards and net-front. His bread-and-butter might be the effort and intelligence he puts into his defensive duties. In the U20 league to date, he has a rather disappointing 7 points in 13 games.

-LW Ivar Stenberg (listed as 5'11",183lbs by CS) was deservedly given an "A" grade, and has played the entire season to date in the SHL- putting up an impressive 12 points in 17 games so far, tying the production of Anton Frondell. His detractors might point out that he's older by draft standards, due to his Sept.30, 2007 birthday, but he amassed an incredible 26 goals and 53 points in just 27 U20 games in 2024-25. Before his D-minus-one season began, he was 3rd in WJC-18 scoring (13 points in 7 games), and 3rd in the Hlinka as well (10 points in 5 games)- as one of the youngest players in both events. Though he is not yet driving play in the SHL the way he did in junior, his play in the pros is still getting good reviews; he is showing good habits, playing a sound 200-ft game, winning puck battles, and going to the greasy areas to score. While he's as skilled and cerebral as they come, he also owns a good amount of grit and isn't afraid to initiate contact, or play through checks.

-LW Niklas Aaram-Olsen was given a "B" grade, but he's looking a lot like a potential first-rounder right now, with 9 goals and 16 points in 12 U20 games- which has earned him 6 games in the SHL (unfortunately no points, but also hardly any ice-time). Aaram-Olsen has a bit of power, skates and handles well, and wields a good two-way game, but his shot and goal-scoring instincts are his bread-and-butter. He competes hard, goes to the greasy areas, and wins battles along the boards. He's one to watch, IMO.

-RHC Viggo Bjorck (5'9",177lbs) was given the "B" treatment by Central Scouting, and that's mostly because of his size, and the fact that he doesn't possess the kind of speed one would expect from a smaller player who is so highly touted. Even still, he moves well and is incredibly agile, with an elite brain and a lethal shot- and he doesn't back down from bigger opponents. Bjorck is the owner of the record for most points by a U-17 player in Sweden's U20 league, with a jaw-dropping 74 points in just 42 games- 24 points more than the next-highest scorer (Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, with 50). This season, he has played 4 games in the U20 circuit (5 points, and 25 PIM), but has been in the SHL for the majority of his draft season (6 points in 15 games).

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Ped

Yeah, the Hawks were clearly in tear-down made.


Kane was traded for a conditional 1st
They took picks to acquire Zaitsev and his salary
They got a 1st and a 2nd in the McCabe trade
They got a 2nd in the Domi trade
They got a 2nd to take on Bailey's contract


Yes, they traded for Hall, Foligno, and Perry, but gave up just 2 minor-league defencemen and a 7th in those picks, they clearly acquired those guys to help mentor the young guys. Perry obviously didn't work out that way.

So fewer trades than Conroy made when he was in year down mode and the Hawks still decided to keep 5-6 veterans and not trade them.

[Fuzzy14]

The next three weeks are crucial to the race for the bottom. Games against Columbus, Chicago, St Louis, San Jose, Buffalo - all contestants in the toilet bowl. If the flames lose most of these games, it's hard to see a scenario where they crawl out of the basement, absent a major winning streak.

[Tbull8]

Mckenna still has the gamebreaker talent that the Flames are desperate for. If Verhoeff passes him in the eyes of some teams, thats fine. Both are going to be studs and it potentially gives the Flames 2 chances at getting Mckenna then

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Mckenna still has the gamebreaker talent that the Flames are desperate for. If Verhoeff passes him in the eyes of some teams, thats fine. Both are going to be studs and it potentially gives the Flames 2 chances at getting Mckenna then

McKenna entered the dub at 15 and had 18pts in 16 games. Then as a 15/16 year old had 97pts in 61 games and then as a 16/17 year old he had 129pts in 56 games and 38 points in 16 playoff games. Absolute insane numbers.

As a 17 year old in the NCAA he has 13pts in 10 games and I suspect he will only get better. I think as the season moves along McKenna will get back to some of the hype that have him listed as near generational.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah he's at 1.3 P/GP now after a slow start.

If he gets into the 1.7 P/GP range that gets him into the Eichel / Celebrini production range for a draft eligible playing NCAA.

It would be foolish to pass on Mckenna.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah he's at 1.3 P/GP now after a slow start.

If he gets into the 1.7 P/GP range that gets him into the Eichel / Celebrini production range for a draft eligible playing NCAA.

Macklin Celebrini is looking more and more like he's going to end up a generational talent AND he was not considered one at the draft. Things can change quick.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Macklin Celebrini is looking more and more like he's going to end up a generational talent AND he was not considered one at the draft. Things can change quick.

I think he got wrongly over-shadowed by Bedard being just a year before him and so much hype around him. The reality Celebrini was always the more complete player. I think what has surprised people is how fast the offensive production has come for him in the NHL, while it's been a little more slow for Bedard.

Right now I would take Celebrini over any other young player in the league.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Macklin Celebrini is looking more and more like he's going to end up a generational talent AND he was not considered one at the draft. Things can change quick.

Yeah I don't know if you could ask for anything more of a 19 year old center as he's playing 20+ minutes a game and putting up over a ppg.

[the-rasta-masta]

Maybe this has been mentioned before but something to consider is that all the data, models, and comparibles on draft -1 seasons in the past might not be accurate as of this season. With the NCAA rule changes, its clear their has been a talent migration from the CHL to the NCAA. Making direct comparisons in numbers between previous NCAA players draft seasons and this upcoming crop might not tell the whole story.

I am curious about some of the draft modelling based on NHLe and how their might be some adjustment time needed as the league talent pools rebalance.

[traptor]

Celebrini is on a 113 pt pace right now. Insane production for his sophomore year. Would beat McDavids.


There's really no true bottom feeder team right now.

The teams that tanked feel like they're done bottoming out, and fighting to get better quick (Ducks, Hawks and Sharks)

Then there's teams like the Flames, Blue and Predators that are fighting to stay relevant.

It would be a very good time for the Flames to do a bit of a sell off. 32nd feels very attainable.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think he got wrongly over-shadowed by Bedard being just a year before him and so much hype around him. The reality Celebrini was always the more complete player. I think what has surprised people is how fast the offensive production has come for him in the NHL, while it's been a little more slow for Bedard.

Right now I would take Celebrini over any other young player in the league.

Agreed. For me, it would be Celebrini, then likely Bedard or Carlson. After that, probably Demidov or Schaefer.

[Jiggy]

McKenna is also one of the smaller players weight wise, which shows he can compete against bigger players.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think he got wrongly over-shadowed by Bedard being just a year before him and so much hype around him. The reality Celebrini was always the more complete player. I think what has surprised people is how fast the offensive production has come for him in the NHL, while it's been a little more slow for Bedard.

Right now I would take Celebrini over any other young player in the league.

I think Bedard got the credit that he deserved as he dominated Junior in a way that hasn't been seen in quite awhile. He scored 143 points in 57 games (the most since 1996) and in the World Junior he scored 23 points in 7 games (the most since 1993). He looked like a very special player.

I'd say his first NHL seasons have been a bit of a disappointment. Scoring 61 and 67 points is impressive for a teenager in the NHL, but not "player of the ages" impressive. Which is what his junior career suggested. He certainly has not peaked, and maybe he will attain the heights expected when drafted.

I didn't follow Celebrini as closely, but I don't think he was as dominant. In the World Juniors, for example, he led Canada in scoring with 8 points in 5 games - which is nothing like what Bedard did. Celebrini has adapted better to the NHL and looks like the better player now. That doesn't change what they both accomplished prior to the NHL.