2026 NHL Draft Thread

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by dino7c

These days if you want eyeballs a controversial take is the way to go...Not drafting McKenna #1 is smartest guy in the room stuff and will end badly for someone IMO. Ranking him 4th is pure clickbait.

I wish it were true because that would give the Flames a very good chance to take him

As usually happens with guys hyped up huge when they’re 15/16, scouts and fans tend to pick their game apart by the time draft day comes around.

I’m not sure that’s true for McKenna. He made the jump from the Dub to NCAA. He’s been hot lately in NCAA, but I’m not sure if the criticism is unwarranted.

I’ll start off by saying, I’m a big fan of his. Tons of skill, there’s games where you don’t really notice him and he ends up with a goal and two assists. My issue with him, is that he’s a perimeter player. Yes, he attacks the middle of the ice, but he doesn’t do that very often. That’s my biggest red flag with McKenna.

He’d be a great complimentary piece to play with a stud #1 centre, but we don’t have that. I see the Kucherov comparisons and I somewhat agree. But I don’t see his ceiling as anywhere near Kuch

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.28th: Scouts were no doubt waiting for "B"-rated LD Charlie Morrison (6'3.25",198lbs) to return from the injury that cost him the first 14 games of the season; after 10 games back, and 2 contests in the CHL-USA Prospect Challenge (no points), he sat at 3 points, with a +4, and 12 PIM, for the 13th-place (out of 18 teams) Quebec Remparts. In 14 games since the Prospects Challenge, he has only produced 3 points, which gives him a total of 6 points in 24 games, while the Remparts have improved to 10th in the standings. Morrison should have a few more points, based on his 15 points in 2024-25, but he will surely be taken high in the draft- perhaps even in the second-round. In their Mid-Term Rankings, Central Scouting put him at #29 for North American Skaters.

Morrison is a mean and gritty two-way performer, who intimidates with his size, hard-hitting physicality, and frightening mobility. With high-end athleticism, he exhibits smoothness and speed in all directions, making him first to loose pucks, able to outrun and outmaneuver forecheckers, and capable of surfing across the ice to close out attackers quickly. Standing at almost 6'4", with a long reach and a well-timed stick, his footwork and mobility give him enormous range, and the capacity to effectively cut off huge swaths of ice. He applies stifling gaps and brings a tunnel of death to his rush-defense, separates man from puck with an active stick, makes smooth retrievals with speed and agility, and gets the puck moving the other way with calm, poised breakout passes. Morrison can carry through the neutral zone, availing himself of his reliable handling and well-honed protection skills, and contributes intelligently to the rush, supporting the offense with sound decision-making, as well as high-IQ processing. There are flashes of quality playmaking acumen, as well as some glimpses of creativity and vision at times, and he has shown the ability to create space by pinching in to the play once in a while, but he is mainly focused right now on his defensive duties, and is deployed a lot against opposing teams' top players. Morrison is a quality shut-down artist, a first-rate match-up option, and a minute-muncher, but also a calming, stabilizing force on the backend. I think he looks like a possible #4 defenseman on an NHL-squad in the future.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.28th: To boost their Memorial Cup aspirations, the powerhouse Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL made a late-October trade with Oshawa that brought defensive standout D Ben Danford and Zackary Sandhu into the fold, with D Lucas Moore, D Luca DiPlacido, numerous draft picks, and "B"-rated draft-eligible LW Aiden O'Donnell (6'0.75",182lbs) going the other way. It was a good news/bad news proposition for O'Donnell, as on one hand, he got a new start with a new team after his disappointing offensive output with a deep and talented Bulldogs squad- only 8 points in 14 games. On the other hand, the Generals are the worst team in the league this season, as well as the lowest scoring (106 goals to date, compared to the Bulldogs' 210), which is part of the reason that O'Donnell has provided only 6 goals and 11 points in 21 games with his new team, for a total of 19 points in 35 games. Central Scouting puts him at #84 for North American Skaters in their Mid-Term Rankings, but he was a 14th-overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.

At his best, O'Donnell is a very well-rounded, all-situations power-forward, who skates well, plays with pace and physicality, and exerts a detailed defensive game. He has a hard shot with a deceptive release, smooth hands around the crease, and a nose for the net- most of his play-creation revolves around his shoot-first mentality. There are flashes of high-end vision at times though, and he has shown solid instincts in the offensive zone, but he hasn't put it all together yet, and a lot of his ideas go unrequited on a team like the Gens. He has a good knowledge of how to use opposing defensemen as screens to fool goalies, is able to shoot while in-flight, and can fire off the catch. While he is willing to do the dirty work for his linemates along the boards and in front of the net, he is more of a supporter and opportunist in the offensive zone, rather than a true play-driver. O'Donnell uses his frame well to fend off checks while in-motion, exerts deft puck-protection skills, and will lean into defenders to push his way inside. He works hard, goes to all the battle areas of the ice, and will plant himself in front of the net for second-chance opportunities. He is stronger than he looks, can outwork bigger opponents in 50/50 contests, and can dole out crushing hits. O'Donnell seemed like a sure-fire second-rounder at the start of the season, but his poor offensive output will likely put him in the third, or fourth-round.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Has anyone ever gone back and looked at any of Pronman's weird rankings in the past and seen if they actually panned out long term?

Ranking McKenna 4th is hilarious.

Cosentino on Sportsnet has McKenna ranked 3rd. Multiples NHL scouts at the WJCs told the Athletic they don’t have him in the top 2.

Won’t be a surprise at all if he goes 3rd or 4th.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Reading that Joe Iginla's stock is rising (just realized the article I read is old). Central Scouting had him ranked 124th for North American skaters. Be curious to see where he's ranked in a couple months.

[Tbull8]

Of course it is. He’s an Iginla. I won’t be surprised if he goes as high as late 2nd

[mile]

He has 1 point in his last 10 games - it's hard to see him being more than a 3rd round pick

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by mile

He has 1 point in his last 10 games - it's hard to see him being more than a 3rd round pick

Poor kid was traded to the Vancouver Giants at the deadline too- they are near the bottom of the WHL standings. No points in 2 games.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, character matters. But lots of 18 year old kids struggle with commitment and such. Then they mature.

When you're drafting at the top of the list, you have to go for talent and upside.

Andersson dropped to the second round because of concerns about his effort IIRC

[Sandman]

Liam and Markus Ruck are now 3 and 4 in the WHL scoring race- Liam has 66 points in 47 games, while Markus has 65. Both are projected to be at about 95 points apiece at season’s end.

Daxon Rudolph must be tired of hearing about the other 3 big D in this draft (Verhoeff, Reid, and Carels), cuz he’s put up 24 points in his last 15 games, for 54 in 46- to place 3rd in scoring by D in the WHL, behind Pickford and Woo.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.28th: Ilya Morozov is the real deal. The "B"-rated LHC has seen his points-production decrease recently (1 point in his last 10 games), but it doesn't make his freshman season in the NCAA as the youngest player in the circuit any less impressive, sporting 7 goals and 14 points in 24 games currently. Morozov was measured at 6'2.5",197lbs by Central Scouting, and he doesn't turn 18 until August 3rd, 2008. If his season ended today, his ppg of .58 would represent the 64th-best season of all-time by a U-18 player in the NCAA, or the 21st-best U-18 season (by ppg) in the last 35 years. In their Mid-Term Rankings, Central Scouting put him at #8 among North American Skaters.

Morozov's game is mostly simple, straightforward and projectable, with highly robust physicality, and a detailed, hard-working defensive approach. Highly competitive, he gives second, and third efforts in puck battles, and uses his frame as leverage to control the boards, and finish all of his checks. He is not a speed merchant, with some deficiencies in his start-up and acceleration, but he's a powerful skater at top-speed- capable of winning races and separating from attackers in open-ice. Though he lacks flash or dynamism, his IQ is off the charts, giving him acute anticipation, proactive positioning, and the ability to spot open passing seams or routes to the net. Most say that he leans towards his playmaking as his primary weapon, but he's actually quite well-balanced offensively- though he does display sound instincts, and top-notch vision, as well as the ability to shift defenses with delays and deception. His shot is hard and accurate, with the ability to pick corners while in-flight, and he's not at all afraid to compete in hard areas, such as the front of the net, and below the goal-line. Morozov is hard-working, plays a heavy game, and owns a relentless motor- he routinely plays over 20 minutes per game, in all situations against men. Many question if he will be able to play on an NHL top-line, but even if he can't- he will be the ideal middle-six center in the show. The downturn in his offensive output is a bit of a concern, but still- look for him in the late first-round.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Cosentino on Sportsnet has McKenna ranked 3rd. Multiples NHL scouts at the WJCs told the Athletic they don’t have him in the top 2.

Won’t be a surprise at all if he goes 3rd or 4th.

lol throwing others off the scent...trick Vancouver into not taking him

[Snuffleupagus]

Re: skating reports

A lot of these scouting reports on a players skating is a year or sometimes even older especially if they're Europeans, high end players at 16 or 17 undoubtedly get better at their weaknesses before they're ready for the NHL.

Don't trust these media hack "scouts" on what a player is, isn't or will be.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: "B"-rated RD Giorgos Pantelas (6'2",214lbs) started his season with the Wheaties off with a bang, piling up 10 points in his first 9 games. Things have cooled off considerably for him, at least on the offensive side of the puck, but he still boasts a very respectable 22 points (2 goals) in 47 games, which prorates to 32 in 68. Brandon is currently 8th in the WHL standings, but have the 4th-best goals-for, with 190 tallies in 47 games. Pantelas specializes in shutdown defense anyway, which was his role in 5 games at the Hlinka in limited minutes (0 points in 5 games), and in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. In their Mid-Term Rankings, Central Scouting put him 58th for North American Skaters, but most seem to have him in the second-round.

With the appearance of a linebacker on skates, Pantelas actually has excellent mobility for a big man, with decent edges for extra maneuverability, and a smooth, projectable stride. Improvements must be made to his acceleration and straight-line speed, but he seems to have no issues matching footwork with oncoming rushers when skating backwards. Together with his 4-directional quickness, his long reach and his active stick give him enormous range, making it virtually impossible to get past him, and he is one of the top rush-killers in this draft-class with his air-tight gap control. With expert angling, and well-timed poke-checks, he closes space on attackers rapidly, and will finish them off by crushing them into the wall. Pantelas plays a heavy game, and uses his frame as leverage to win battles, clear the front of the net, throw bone-jarring hits, and control the boards. He excels in shutting down opponents with his outstanding awareness in the defensive zone, that puts him in the right position to block shots, intercept passes, disrupt plays with his well-developed details, and close lanes. Pantelas creates a high amount of turnovers, makes a ton of recoveries, and is poised and decisive in transitioning the puck out of the zone to streaking forwards with clean breakouts on crisp feeds; his composure makes him a calming presence on the backend. He is not without skill, wielding solid puck-control, smooth handling, and tight protection that aids him in carrying through the neutral zone, but he also exhibits precision and a soft-touch in his passing. Pantelas will join the rush if the coast is clear, will activate into the play when it's safe to do so, and is proficient at holding the line to extend offensive zone play. There is a decent amount of offensive awareness in his toolkit, and glimpses of play-creation, but I wouldn't say his shot is particularly threatening, and it's mostly used as a playmaking device, or to cause havoc in-front. Look for him in the second-round, with a possible Robin Regehr-type ceiling, although Pantelas is not nearly as mean.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: Sitting 8th in ppg by U-18 players (0.78) in the MHL is "B"-rated winger Gleb Pugachyov (6'3",198lbs), who scouts seem to like for the second-round. His numbers aren't exactly earth-shattering (8 goals and 21 points in 27 games), but he has earned 8 games in the VHL (2 points), and 9 games in the KHL (3 goals, and a +7), and he reportedly hasn't looked out of place in games against men. In their Mid-Term Rankings, Central Scouting put him #15 for European Skaters. He has spent the entire month of January in the KHL.

While some question his puck-skills and decision-making, there is no denying how stellar Pugachyov is without the puck. One of his finest traits is his smooth skating stride, which gives him good speed and agility for a big man, and makes his range very difficult to traverse. He hunts pucks down with aggression, dislodges possession with violence, and uses his surprising mobility to limit his opponents' time and space in all three zones- he is a disruptor defensively with good habits, mature instincts, a high-end work-ethic, and attention to detail. Unlike many kids with large frames, he knows how to use his size, and he uses it prolifically to win board battles, intimidate on the forecheck, go to the net, and to bully his way around. He wields a heavy game, and will throw his considerable weight around to impose his will. Though he owns a good shot and solid finishing skills, he leans more towards being a playmaker, and he has enough IQ and vision to succeed in a middle-six role in the NHL-but his puck-skills have to catch up to his brain. Look for him in the second, or third-round.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Pantella sounds really good. Physical with some offensive chops. Reggie comps don’t get tossed around that often. Colour me excited.

And Morozov sounds like a real nice get for our center depth. Good motor. Physical. Good compete and attention to detail. More playmaker but complete game. I’d love to try to trade up to get him mid first. Size at C is a serious need.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: Another Russian who is lurking around the second-round (and sneaking into the first on some lists) is "B"-rated (the "B" stands for "Behemoth") LD Nikita Shcherbakov (6'5",187lbs), who has been playing in the men's professional leagues for most of the season. He actually started in the KHL, but with no points and poor ice-time in 7 games, he was sent to the VHL (5 points and a -5 in 22 games), and is now dominating the MHL (8 points in 13 games) with Tolpar Ufa- although he's an older draft-eligible, with an October 23rd, 2007 birthday. Central Scouting puts him as #11 on their list of European Skaters.

While he may not be as jaw-dropping to watch as fellow Russian monster Dimitri Simashev was a few years ago, he is still a wonderful skater- especially for a player of his considerable size; he moves quickly and fluidly in all directions, and is startlingly agile on his edges. His mobility gives him the ability to kill rushes with his tight gap-control, escape attackers in retrievals, skate the puck through transition, and activate into the play in the offensive zone with the ability to come back quickly to his post defensively, without missing a beat. While he's a quality puck-mover, his shut-down presence is high-end, and he's very difficult to get past with his enormous range. He handles well, has a hard shot from the point that he can get on-net through traffic, and sees the ice well, but he's more likely to be a puck-moving, middle-pairing D-man in the NHL, who can be used as a match-up option. He is used on both sides of special teams though, even in the VHL. Shcherbakov owns excellent instincts, positioning, and details in the defensive zone, but could afford to be much more physical; while he is aggressive in closing out attacks, he prefers to use stickwork to make stops. Look for him in the second round.