2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Even if they did, if every team has a different BPA, there is no such thing as BPA. Which was the point (or part of it)

Arguing that there is a BPA, and you should always draft it, assumes that BPA is generally agreed upon. It isn't.

Not only are teams going to have different opinions on each player's talent, but they will also have differing criteria - some will value size more than others, some value skating more, some may weight positional needs heavier in some years than others. Etc.

It also discounts that you just know some players are not really interested in your market.

If a team is picking ten lets say ten and they have one guy rated at 85 and the next at 77 if the 85 rated guy wont sign with you the rating become a mute point.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Fan69

It also discounts that you just know some players are not really interested in your market.

If a team is picking ten lets say ten and they have one guy rated at 85 and the next at 77 if the 85 rated guy wont sign with you the rating become a mute point.

Yup. All kinds of factors weigh in to who a team will draft.

Seems incredibly obvious to me, but whatever.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Seems incredibly obvious to me, but whatever.

lmao you're completely pivoting from your initial point, probably because it was terrible so I don't blame you but still, kinda funny.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by BigThief

lmao you're completely pivoting from your initial point, probably because it was terrible so I don't blame you but still, kinda funny.

No I am not - not at all. But you haven't understood it from the get go, so, I shouldn't be surprised.

But are you capable of contributing anything yourself? All you do is try to change other people's arguments, and put words in their mouths. Tiring and boring.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Why is it hard to believe that Anaheim didn't draft Sennecke as the player they believed was the BPA available? It's not too often teams target a RW if they are drafting by position over BPA

It's not hard to believe Anaheim had Senneke exactly where they took him.... Or higher.

That's my point entirely. The ducks had Senneke ahead of a lot of the "consensus" publications. Hence why I also said in that very post and I quote " Maybe a select few did" meaning obviously Anaheim.

I'm saying "Take BPA " is so open ended and unknown between 32 different organizations.

I said it yesterday too, BPA for San Jose wouldn't be another center, they're stuffed to the gills at that position, their BOA would very likely consider positional depth within the system.

Saying the Flames have needs everywhere without taking into consideration their strength of depth at various intangibles can set their needs apart from the consensus.

Look at what Don Maloney said in that rebiggle interview " McKenna might not even be good enough to be a top pick, it's not guarantee hes going to be a player" .

We aren't talking about the Hockey news draft rankings and saying BPA is their list, hell even Bob McKenzies list which is incredible accurate is heavily curated by talking to scouts is never 100 percent.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by dammage79

We aren't talking about the Hockey news draft rankings and saying BPA is their list, hell even Bob McKenzies list which is incredible accurate is heavily curated by talking to scouts is never 100 percent.

You're confusing/combing two topics, you and Enoch Root both.

If the Flames have one RHD they like and take a center despite the best player on their list being a RHD that would be a mistake. That's what were talking about. You guys bringing in draft lists and making it a league thing instead of singular to the team is just flat out missing the point.

[Tbull8]

I think you’re all in agreement.. just using different words

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by BigThief

You're confusing/combing two topics, you and Enoch Root both.

If the Flames have one RHD they like and take a center despite the best player on their list being a RHD that would be a mistake. That's what were talking about. You guys bringing in draft lists and making it a league thing instead of singular to the team is just flat out missing the point.

No it is you that is missing the point.

I am saying position can be one of the factors in considering who a team likes. It is you that is trying to suggest that another player is the BPA, but that's on you. BPA (for lack of a better term) can be determined differently, by different teams in different situations.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Never underestimate the ability of the Vancouver Canucks to Olli Juolevi themselves.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

No I am not - not at all. But you haven't understood it from the get go, so, I shouldn't be surprised.

But are you capable of contributing anything yourself? All you do is try to change other people's arguments, and put words in their mouths. Tiring and boring.

You made a really bad point, got called out for it, dammage came in and confused what was happening, it gave you an out to agree with him and be like "yeah, that's what I was saying!" when it clearly wasn't. Don't get all upset over it. Flames not taking Keaton Verhoeff because they have Parekh and Henry Mews would be a massive dumb mistake. Not taking Verhoeff because they think someone else is the better player wouldn't be. It's that simple

You guys pivoting to draft lists and things just muddied the point. It had nothing to do with that.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Even if they did, if every team has a different BPA, there is no such thing as BPA. Which was the point (or part of it)

Arguing that there is a BPA, and you should always draft it, assumes that BPA is generally agreed upon. It isn't.

Not only are teams going to have different opinions on each player's talent, but they will also have differing criteria - some will value size more than others, some value skating more, some may weight positional needs heavier in some years than others. Etc.

I've never thought that was BPA's definition. BPA is whoever the team thinks is the best available.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by BigThief

You made a really bad point, got called out for it, dammage came in and confused what was happening, it gave you an out to agree with him and be like "yeah, that's what I was saying!" when it clearly wasn't. Don't get all upset over it. Flames not taking Keaton Verhoeff because they have Parekh and Henry Mews would be a massive dumb mistake. Not taking Verhoeff because they think someone else is the better player wouldn't be. It's that simple

You guys pivoting to draft lists and things just muddied the point. It had nothing to do with that.

LOL

You live in your own little dream world.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I am saying position can be one of the factors in considering who a team likes.

Not really, from what I've seen over the decades of following the draft teams stay away from position and try to draft the best player they can.

End of story

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I've never thought that was BPA's definition. BPA is whoever the team thinks is the best available.

But if every team has their own opinion of who the BPA is, there is no such thing as BPA.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

LOL

You live in your own little dream world.

Passing on a star player because you have a C level prospect in Mews would be a nightmare. You had a bad take, don't get upset with me about it.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by BigThief

Not really, from what I've seen over the decades of following the draft teams stay away from position and try to draft the best player they can.

End of story

Every time? None ever considers position with their pick?

As I said, you live in a dream land.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's not hard to believe Anaheim had Senneke exactly where they took him.... Or higher.

That's my point entirely. The ducks had Senneke ahead of a lot of the "consensus" publications. Hence why I also said in that very post and I quote " Maybe a select few did" meaning obviously Anaheim.

I'm saying "Take BPA " is so open ended and unknown between 32 different organizations.

I said it yesterday too, BPA for San Jose wouldn't be another center, they're stuffed to the gills at that position, their BOA would very likely consider positional depth within the system.

Saying the Flames have needs everywhere without taking into consideration their strength of depth at various intangibles can set their needs apart from the consensus.

Look at what Don Maloney said in that rebiggle interview " McKenna might not even be good enough to be a top pick, it's not guarantee hes going to be a player" .

We aren't talking about the Hockey news draft rankings and saying BPA is their list, hell even Bob McKenzies list which is incredible accurate is heavily curated by talking to scouts is never 100 percent.

I think what you are talking about is "going off the board". The "board" being a subjective ranking or expectation of approximate draft order outside of a team's own internal ranking or priority order. That's completely different than the concept of BPA other than different teams have their own "board" and BPAs.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Every time? None ever considers position with their pick?

No, not really, only in insanely rare situations. You should follow the draft more.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...algary-flames/

“If you draft by position, you’ll make huge mistakes,” said Burke, who prefers to adjust his depth chart via trade. “You gotta take the best player.”

Burke's had a few quotes about it over the years.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/c...t-round-picks/
Teams never draft for need over the guy they think is the best. It's not a factor. GM's are asked and talk about this every draft.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by BigThief

Passing on a star player because you have a C level prospect in Mews would be a nightmare. You had a bad take, don't get upset with me about it.

JC. I did not say they should pass on a star player because they have Mews. You purposely manipulate other people's arguments, and then argue against that. It's weak and pointless.

What I said was, the Flames currently have really strong RD depth, which includes:

Weegar
Whitecloud
Parekh
Brzustewicz
Mews

and if they draft Verhoeff, it would be:

Weegar
Whitecloud
Verhoeff
Parekh
Brzustewicz.

Conversely, they have NO elite forward. That being the case, any of the top forwards available, would be a better pick for them.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by BigThief

No, not really, only in insanely rare situations. You should follow the draft more.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...algary-flames/

Burke's had a few quotes about it over the years.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/c...t-round-picks/
Teams never draft for need over the guy they think is the best. It's not a factor. GM's are asked and talk about this every draft.

Quoting generalizations to try and back up your incorrect statement.

And then the classic "you should follow the draft more"

This is a waste of my time and I'm done with you.