2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: The Ottawa 67's have sure bounced back- after a 2024-25 season that saw them finishing 17th-overall in the standings, they are now the 2nd-best team in the league. "B"-rated LHC Thomas Vandenberg (5'11.5",179lbs) is 5th in scoring on the team, with 17 goals and 34 points in 37 games, and is turning many scouts' heads- even getting a first-round nod in Craig Button's rankings. He certainly deserves it, as few players are as well-rounded, or play the kind of mature all-around game that he does- and he's one of the youngest players in the draft, with a September 8th birthdate. He is #25 for North American Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.

Vandenberg drives play offensively, while shutting down the opposing team's attack going the other way- he plays a mature style that will translate well to the NHL. While he boasts a solid and responsible game in all three zones, and sports a remarkably well-rounded skillset, his effectiveness is facilitated by his high-end speed, and his stellar handling skill that gives him full control of the puck while flying up the ice. He could stickhandle in a broom closet, and can make defenders look downright foolish with his array of one-on-one moves and deception tactics. Using an outstretched arm to fend off checkers, and angling his body away from sticks, his protection ability is exemplary, and aids him in breaking through to the middle. Though he lacks ideal size, Vandenberg can play through contact, and will dish out some hits of his own, showing a strong physical game, and a willingness to engage with bodychecks. Highly competitive, with a sky-high motor, he launches himself into puck-battles, and wins more than his fair share of 50/50 contests- he's fairly hard-nosed and gritty, but manages to keep the penalty-minutes down (he currently has only 14 PIM). While he oozes hockey sense and offensive awareness, he leans a bit towards scoring goals, with the ability to turn goalies inside-out in-tight, and a laser shot with a paralyzing release. Going the other way, Vandenberg is a detailed defensive contributor who busts his butt on the backcheck, using his mobility and awareness to be highly disruptive, while doggedly hunting down pucks. His positioning is sound, and he effectively stifles enemy incursions to the middle with well-timed stick checks- he is also 56% right now in the faceoff circle. Love this kid, but I wish his numbers were a bit higher- even still, I wouldn't hesitate to take him with a late-first, or an early-second.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: "C"-rated RD Cameron Chartrand (6'0.25",204lbs) was selected 19th-overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2024 QMJHL Draft, but unfortunately for him, they are currently the third-worst team in the league- although they are 8th in goals-for. Scouts wish that Chartrand were more aggressive and assertive in the offensive end of the rink, but he has earned the reputation as a quality defender in his own zone who is good against the rush, as well as the cycle; his meager 5 points in 19 games ranks 6th on the 'Dogs backend. I’m sure he wasn’t drafted with the 19th-overall pick to be a shutdown defender, though. Chartrand was a part of Team Canada's entry in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with no points, and a +4 in limited minutes. He is currently #95 for North American Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.

Chartrand's best attribute is his excellent speed and agility, which gives him the ability to mirror his opponents' footwork on the rush, and then surf across smoothly to make the stop with deft stickwork, or a stiff check. There is very little time and space to operate in when he's standing guard, and he has the strength to deal with attackers at the front of the net. He shows solid awareness in his own-zone, as well as confidence and poise in smoothly retrieving pucks, and kickstarting the breakout going the other way with smart passes to streaking forwards. Chartrand plays a physical game, but a smart and efficient one, as he doesn't take many penalties- he only has 6 PIM to date. In the other end of the ice, he sports a cannon of a shot that he can get on-net through traffic, and he holds the line well, but scouts would like to see more creativity in his passing game. Hopefully, he can get something going offensively, as he is on pace for only 10 points in 40 games. Chartrand also needs to work on his intensity and engagement, and has to be much more consistent game-to-game, as well as shift-to-shift. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: "C"-rated RD Cameron Chartrand (6'0.25",204lbs) was selected 19th-overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2024 QMJHL Draft, but unfortunately for him, they are currently the third-worst team in the league- although they are 8th in goals-for. Scouts wish that Chartrand were more aggressive and assertive in the offensive end of the rink, but he has earned the reputation as a quality defender in his own zone who is good against the rush, as well as the cycle; his meager 5 points in 19 games ranks 6th on the 'Dogs backend. I’m sure he wasn’t drafted with the 19th-overall pick to be a shutdown defender, though. Chartrand was a part of Team Canada's entry in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with no points, and a +4 in limited minutes. He is currently #95 for North American Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.

Chartrand's best attribute is his excellent speed and agility, which gives him the ability to mirror his opponents' footwork on the rush, and then surf across smoothly to make the stop with deft stickwork, or a stiff check. There is very little time and space to operate in when he's standing guard, and he has the strength to deal with attackers at the front of the net. He shows solid awareness in his own-zone, as well as confidence and poise in smoothly retrieving pucks, and kickstarting the breakout going the other way with smart passes to streaking forwards. Chartrand plays a physical game, but a smart and efficient one, as he doesn't take many penalties- he only has 6 PIM to date. In the other end of the ice, he sports a cannon of a shot that he can get on-net through traffic, and he holds the line well, but scouts would like to see more creativity in his passing game. Hopefully, he can get something going offensively, as he is on pace for only 10 points in 40 games. Chartrand also needs to work on his intensity and engagement, and has to be much more consistent game-to-game, as well as shift-to-shift. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

6 foot and over 200 as a kid hes a brick sheethouse.

[fotze2]

Sandman, do you know if the scouts have tools like Instat and access to that?

It is insane. The next day after your kids game, they send out a breakdown of every players stats, where you can instantly show goals or assists or shots or every shift. I believe there are stats as well but our team does not allow parents access to that because I am sure they would bellyache to the coach about their players usage.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Sandman, do you know if the scouts have tools like Instat and access to that?

It is insane. The next day after your kids game, they send out a breakdown of every players stats, where you can instantly show goals or assists or shots or every shift. I believe there are stats as well but our team does not allow parents access to that because I am sure they would bellyache to the coach about their players usage.

I’ve heard of that before, and I’ve read plenty of articles about CHL players that have cited Instat, so I assume it’s a tool that NHL scouts would use- along with all the other fancy numbers that each analytics team develops.

I understand what you’re saying about hockey parents too, as my nephew played minor hockey- it can be unbearable.

[TimSJ]

Instat is pretty slick, morning after every game my son gets an email from Instat with all his details, shifts everything. He will forward me the email once in a while if there is a goal or hit or something that he wants me to see.

He will then also get emails from Video coach from instat with videos of specific shifts with notes.

It's a great tool, he also had it in U18 but really nothing was done with it, but the use of it this year in Junior is much more.

I'm sure scouts have access as I know his advisor has access or maybe he jsut send the email to him and looks at it sends him video with notes etc.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Instat is pretty slick, morning after every game my son gets an email from Instat with all his details, shifts everything. He will forward me the email once in a while if there is a goal or hit or something that he wants me to see.

He will then also get emails from Video coach from instat with videos of specific shifts with notes.

It's a great tool, he also had it in U18 but really nothing was done with it, but the use of it this year in Junior is much more.

I'm sure scouts have access as I know his advisor has access or maybe he jsut send the email to him and looks at it sends him video with notes etc.

I think the coaches also get the stats with every kid in comparison, like time on ice and shots a chances but not 100% sure. You only get your own kids stuff though. Like pts/icetime or +-.

[Hot_Flatus]

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.

Crazy how McKenna is losing his luster somewhat. It seems like people are forgetting he's still only 17 and is putting up a fantastic NCAA freshman season with 10g and 29 points in just 22 games - 5th in Big 10 scoring overall.

It's extremely rare for a freshman of any age let alone a 17 year old to put up these kinds of numbers on a good, deep team in a conference like this. Hopefully the Flames can reap the benefits if they do end up drafting 3rd or 4th overall.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Crazy how McKenna is losing his luster somewhat. It seems like people are forgetting he's still only 17 and is putting up a fantastic NCAA freshman season with 10g and 29 points in just 22 games - 5th in Big 10 scoring overall.

It's extremely rare for a freshman of any age let alone a 17 year old to put up these kinds of numbers on a good, deep team in a conference like this. Hopefully the Flames can reap the benefits if they do end up drafting 3rd or 4th overall.

Again though it's not just about production. It's about how he creates that offense. The concern is his play away from the puck, level of compete, and the fact that he doesn't create a lot of offense from the middle of the ice.

I still have him #1, but I'm not ignoring the concerns. I see Stenberg having slightly less risk but less upside as well. So that's the balance.

[PeteMoss]

People also get fatigued by prospects. Hard to find a draft in any sport these days where people just cling to 1 guy at the top for the entire year.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2016948145712763237

[dammage79]

Give me Viggo Bjorck or give me death.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Crazy how McKenna is losing his luster somewhat. It seems like people are forgetting he's still only 17 and is putting up a fantastic NCAA freshman season with 10g and 29 points in just 22 games - 5th in Big 10 scoring overall.

It's extremely rare for a freshman of any age let alone a 17 year old to put up these kinds of numbers on a good, deep team in a conference like this. Hopefully the Flames can reap the benefits if they do end up drafting 3rd or 4th overall.

As Jiri says, the concern is over the other dimensions of his game, and the lack of progress in those areas despite being challenged by scouts, coaches, etc. Sometimes the self-confidence of elite athletes shades into a stubborn refusal to change their game. If NHL scouts and GMs believe McKenna is always going to half-ass his play without the puck and avoid the tough areas of the ice, it puts a ceiling on his potential.

[Royle9]

I've been pumping Bjorck for a LONG while, I do think he's something special.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I've been pumping Bjorck for a LONG while, I do think he's something special.

Impressive.

[shutout]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/2016948145712763237

Probably no other player this draft where the tape measure is going to be so important to his draft position. 5'9" he drops out of the top ten. Almost 5'11" with a taller brother and father and he is maybe in the top five.

[dammage79]

I believe Bjorcks skills paired with his motor will flourish in the NHL. Think young Theo Fleury. This is who he is IMO. Hopefully without the life altering trauma.

Heart/motor/hutzpah/jam/doggedness..

People want elite traits, his is effort.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: Tappara U20 have deployed a rather big and heavy forward group over the course of the season that includes first-time draft-eligibles Simon Katolicky (6'4"), Vilho Vanhatalo (6'4"), Oliver Suvanto (6'3"), and "C"-rated RW Lucian Bernat, who measures 6'4", and 194lbs. Tappara is a bit mediocre this year, sitting 9th in the 18-team U20 league right now, while sporting the 8th-most goals-for. Despite missing 6 games to injury, Bernat is the team's second-leading scorer, with 10 goals and 22 points in 29 games; he has caught fire recently though, with 12 points in his last 10 games. This resurgence comes on the heels of his notable performance in November's 5 Nations, where he showed physical dominance, and produced 3 points in 3 games for Team Slovakia. Bernat was a little less noticeable in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, although he did manage to place 2nd in scoring for the Slovaks, with 3 points in 4 games- while leading the tournament in PP ice-time, logging almost 7 minutes per game with the man-advantage. He might be a bit of a long-term project, but he's also quite young, with a June 8th birthday.

Most of what Bernat generates comes from his tunnel-vision to the net, and his high-volume shooting. It seems that there is very little play-creation in his repertoire, except for when he's deployed on the PP, and he's more of an opportunist and a supporter, than a true play-driver. Bernat is huge, and he uses his frame well in a power-forward role, muscling his way to the net for in-close chances, or setting up shop in-front to get his stick on tips and rebounds; he has soft hands to beat goalies, and an impressive shot, with an NHL-caliber release. He consistently finds open space off-puck, putting himself in good position to receive passes in high-danger, and will crash the net to clean up garbage around the crease. Bernat has no fear of driving inside, and there are few opponents who can do anything to stop him; his puck-protection is nearly impregnable, he's ultra-strong on the puck, and he even has the stickhandling skill to challenge defenders one-on-one. While he's decently mobile for a big man, his mechanics look a little wonky, with a bit of a short and choppy stride and a slight heel-kick- he's clearly not maximizing his power, and he's not getting the best extension. I believe that all aspects of his skating need some level of improvement, including his edgework and agility. Bernat controls the boards, wins 50/50 battles, dominates down-low, and is a load to handle in front of the net. He works hard defensively, exerts his enormous range to dislodge pucks, and will throw his considerable weight around to stop attackers in their tracks. As in the offensive zone, his off-puck awareness serves him well when defending, as he's usually in good position to harass puck-carriers, fill lanes, and disrupt plays. Look for him in the late-second, early third-round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: LHC Rudolfs Berzkalns will get attention from scouts on draft day, but perhaps not because of his scoring prowess- only 16 points in 27 games to date (prorated to 30 points in 51 games) with the first-place Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL. "Rudy" hasn't played since leaving early from Team Latvia's 5th game of the World Junior Championship against Sweden with an injury that some suspect might have been a broken hand- but it was reported that he suffered a concussion shortly before that tournament, in USHL play. Unfortunately, that wouldn't be his first concussion. Only 1 goal in his 5 games at the WJC, but that was the game-tying goal against Canada with less than two minutes left, that sent the game to OT at one goal apiece- but the Canadians still won in the first minute of the extra frame. He had a bit of a resurgence in the month of November, with 8 points in 10 games, that seemed to overlap with the return of Tynan Lawrence to the Lumberjacks' lineup, but he then went pointless in 4 December games. With the talent in Muskegon, he is usually deployed in their middle-six, but he does see time on both sides of special teams. He is currently #49 on Central Scouting's list of North American Skaters.

Berzkalns is a big (6'3.5",205lbs) center, who are always in demand, and though his stats look mediocre, scouts insist there is plenty of untapped offensive skill in his toolkit; indeed, he does flash some dynamic elements at times, but mostly sticks to playing a simple, straight-forward style. Right now, he brings physical dominance with a bit of a mean streak (35 PIM), and a solid power-forward game that makes him a commanding presence along the boards and around the net, but his best attribute right now is his defensive impact. He backchecks as hard as he forechecks, making stops with his awareness, disrupting plays with an active stick, and separating man from puck with his physicality. A natural center in the truest sense, he takes the middle away from enemy incursions, and supports his D down low. He is willing to put his body on the line to block shots (which caused his injury at the WJC), and seems to get in the middle of every lane, forcing turnovers and uncontrolled play. Rudy is intense and hard-working, always well-positioned, sharply detailed, and seems to take pride in being as spotless defensively as possible. He is also capable of dishing out some bone-rattling hits, sometimes in open-ice.

In the other end of the rink, he isn't a natural play-driver, and even though he exhibits soft-touch passing skill, he is only creative in flashes. There is a lot of projectable traits in his power-game though, such as his well-timed forays to the low-slot (which is how he scored the game-tying goal at the WJC), his sharply-tuned protection skill, and his presence in proximity of the net. Rudy displays soft hands in-close, remarkable hand-eye co-ordination, a cannon of a shot, and a deceptive release. There's work to be done on his start-up, but he's a runaway train when moving at top-speed, and shows decent skill in possession- his stickhandling and puck-control are reliable, but he often defers to teammates to carry through transition. He will participate in give-and-go's to push the pace and create room to move, but he does have a modicum of deception when needed, and even a few one-on-one moves. Despite not impressing much with his numbers, I really like this kid- but he's a bit raw, and might need a little time to marinate. Look for him in the second, or third-round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.30th: RHC Tomas Chrenko (5'11",170lbs) was given a "C" by Central Scouting, but he seems destined to be a first-round pick, and perhaps a future star in the NHL. Chrenko was too good for Slovakia's U20 league (10 points in 4 games), so he has been plying his trade in the men's pro league with HK Nitra, where he leads all U-20 players with 22 points in 30 games (7 more than Adam Nemec in 5 more games). In fact, Chrenko's ppg of 0.67 is tied for 14th-best all-time in Slovakia's top league in a season for players 18-and-under with 2 or more games. Chrenko showed very well in May's U-18 Tournament as well, tying for the team lead on Slovakia's entry, with 5 goals and 8 points in 7 games. His 69 points in 45 games in Slovakia's U20 in the 2023-24 season as a 16 year-old is 13th-most all-time, and the records go on and on. In the latest installment of the World Junior Championship, Chrenko impressed for Team Slovakia, finishing 12th in tournament scoring (tied for 2nd in goals) with 5 tallies, and 8 points in 5 games- which was tops on his team by 3. He is #16 for European Skaters on Central Scouting's Mid-Term List. He's a little long in the tooth by draft standards, with a Nov.2nd, 2007 birthday.

Chrenko is not big, but he's not at all afraid of competing in all of the greasy areas of the ice, including the corners and in front of the net. A well-balanced offensive performer, he looks to be both a capable goal-scorer, as well as a creative playmaker- his hockey sense, IQ, and positioning are all elite, both with, and without possession. While he takes a high number of shots, gets inside frequently, and will drive the net to finish in-tight, he also understands space-creation through delays, and patiently draws pressure to open his passing options. He possesses the high-end vision to spot teammates through traffic, and the passing-skill to thread the needle through layers of coverage- be it over sticks, between legs, or through triangles. He is proficient at feeding the puck to the slot for high-danger opportunities, and will take shots to create chances in-front. Speaking of shots, his hard wrister was on full display at the WJC, and he proved that he can unleash rockets from difficult angles, shoot through screens, fire off the catch, and pick corners from distance- although most of his tallies came from being in the slot at the right moments. Chrenko is more quick than outright fast, and will need some work on his explosiveness and straight-ahead speed, but he is quite agile on his edges, which makes him slippery and elusive, and he handles like a dream. He has a number of ways of evading pressure when streaking up the ice, including some slick one-on-one moves, the use of deception, and rapid changes in direction; he's dynamically skilled with the puck, and a massive contributor to his team's transition through his ability to make clean exits and entries. Still, there are concerns about his pace, and his puck-protection. Chrenko drives play, and is even solid on the backcheck, but the issue here might be translatability, as well as his NHL-floor- he's perhaps a high-risk-high-reward proposition. Look for him in the late-first, or early-second.