2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Such a great (and criminally underrated) draft for D!

In drafts like this, my thought is that it's a good idea to load up on that position with a bunch of your picks.

Look at the 08 draft for an example. Ended up getting Brodie in the 4th round and there tons of high end D-men that year, 17 decent to HOF D-men that year alone.

While getting a C is a good idea potentially with pick 1, the Flames defense pool is rather shallow when you remove Parekh and Brz from it. Due to D-men taking longer to develop, it's more prudent in my opinion to get a few of them in this draft as well. Stack the deck.

We basically have 5 picks in the top 65 or so at this point, I'd like to take two centers and three defenseman this year if everything works out. Start to build some depth at those positions and hope for the best. Realistically, if you have 8 high end defense prospects, maybe 3-4 turn into legit top 4 defenders. Right now we have 3, Parekh, Brzustewicz, and Mews. Got to add more and more. Parekh could turn out to be a top pairing guy, or could be a depth PP guy like Marc Andre Bergeron who could never round out his game at the NHL level. Mews injury might set him back like it did Poirier. It is so hard to tell.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

In drafts like this, my thought is that it's a good idea to load up on that position with a bunch of your picks.

Look at the 08 draft for an example. Ended up getting Brodie in the 4th round and there tons of high end D-men that year, 17 decent to HOF D-men that year alone.

While getting a C is a good idea potentially with pick 1, the Flames defense pool is rather shallow when you remove Parekh and Brz from it. Due to D-men taking longer to develop, it's more prudent in my opinion to get a few of them in this draft as well. Stack the deck.

We basically have 5 picks in the top 65 or so at this point, I'd like to take two centers and three defenseman this year if everything works out. Start to build some depth at those positions and hope for the best. Realistically, if you have 8 high end defense prospects, maybe 3-4 turn into legit top 4 defenders. Right now we have 3, Parekh, Brzustewicz, and Mews. Got to add more and more. Parekh could turn out to be a top pairing guy, or could be a depth PP guy like Marc Andre Bergeron who could never round out his game at the NHL level. Mews injury might set him back like it did Poirier. It is so hard to tell.

I’m even thinking that if we are picking between 3-8 (and we most certainly will) that there’s a very high possibility of our team coming away with a defenseman as their top pick. The D in the top-10 are all serious game-changers, and probably in a tier ahead of the desired centers. I’m perfectly fine with that, as most of our top prospects on the backend are six-footers.

[The Original FFIV]

USA Today (via the hockey news) posted a mock draft.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...n/88651824007/

I don’t like our pick at 5. Believe we would go C or D if we land at 5. But not another winger who may be excelling playing in a man’s body against boys. Viggo/Malholtra or a D over Beltchez unless we are going TPA.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

USA Today (via the hockey news) posted a mock draft.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...n/88651824007/

I don’t like our pick at 5. Believe we would go C or D if we land at 5. But not another winger who may be excelling playing in a man’s body against boys. Viggo/Malholtra or a D over Beltchez unless we are going TPA.

Lots to choose from at that point. Agree i dont see Belchetz in the top ten.

Could walk away with Reid, Carels. Could go Lawrence or Malhotra or Bjork.

Personally i think Bjork is going to be very high on flames lists but if they go defencemen you could grab two center with the LA and our second rounder.

Draft could go
Carels, Reid
Dagenais
Hextall.


But i see Bjork high on flames lists so it could likely be
Bjork
Dagenais
Shcherbakov

Could also be an outcome.
Big fan of Dagenais.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Lots to choose from at that point. Agree i dont see Belchetz in the top ten.

Could walk away with Reid, Carels. Could go Lawrence or Malhotra or Bjork.

Personally i think Bjork is going to be very high on flames lists but if they go defencemen you could grab two center with the LA and our second rounder.

Draft could go
Carels, Reid
Dagenais
Hextall.


But i see Bjork high on flames lists so it could likely be
Bjork
Dagenais
Shcherbakov

Could also be an outcome.
Big fan of Dagenais.

Another mock and I think this one is more in line, although I see the C going earlier that they do.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2026-nhl-draft/mock-draft/

If we don’t make the top 3 and land 4-6, has to be one of Lawrence/Malholtra/Bjork. If we can’t land one of these guys, can see us dropping down a few spots if we can. There’s about 4 d that seem to be similar. I can’t get excited about any one of them, seem to be similar types (good 2 way dmen that typically become 3-4s). Have to go elite offensive skill with our pick.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Another mock and I think this one is more in line, although I see the C going earlier that they do.

If we don’t make the top 3 and land 4-6, has to be one of Lawrence/Malholtra/Bjork. If we can’t land one of these guys, can see us dropping down a few spots if we can. There’s about 4 d that seem to be similar. I can’t get excited about any one of them, seem to be similar types (good 2 way dmen that typically become 3-4s). Have to go elite offensive skill with our pick.

Being a bit of a draft pretender here... But I would get excited about Carels. His production has come on in the last 6 weeks. Turns 18 in the summer, over 6 ft. Already put on the World Jr squad. Could be a great D partner for Zayne or a good 1-2 punch.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I didn't realize that the PWHL used "the gold plan" for their draft order, which I love and advocate for.

https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2024...r-of-selection

Proposed in the late-2000s by statistician Adam Gold, the ‘Gold Plan’ is also known as ‘Draft Order of Selection by Mathematical Elimination.’ The PWHL’s adaptation of the system rewards team success upon elimination from playoff contention.



Once a team is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, it begins earning ‘Draft Order Points’ in all subsequent games (including all regular-season games that begin following a team's elimination), using the league’s standard points system that awards three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss. The team with the most Draft Order Points at the conclusion of the regular season will earn the first selection in each round of the draft. The non-playoff team with the fewest Draft Order Points will select second in each round of the draft.



If the two non-playoff teams tie for the most Draft Order Points, the first pick in each round of the draft will be awarded to the team with the most regulation wins after elimination. If still tied, the team with the most combined overtime and shootout wins post-elimination will earn the top pick. If still tied, the team with the fewest overall regular-season standings points will earn the first selection in the draft (e.g. the sixth-place team). If the teams finish with identical point totals in the regular-season, the league’s regular tiebreaker rules will be utilized to determine the team in sixth place. The league’s standings page will begin displaying Draft Order Points once a team is eliminated from playoff contention.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Being a bit of a draft pretender here... But I would get excited about Carels. His production has come on in the last 6 weeks. Turns 18 in the summer, over 6 ft. Already put on the World Jr squad. Could be a great D partner for Zayne or a good 1-2 punch.

It’s hard to get excited about 2 way D. Every team needs one but these guys seem to be very blah. I’d much rather go for that top end skill at top of draft vs safe, albeit solid players that are more complementary pieces.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Lots to choose from at that point. Agree i dont see Belchetz in the top ten.

Could walk away with Reid, Carels. Could go Lawrence or Malhotra or Bjork.

Personally i think Bjork is going to be very high on flames lists but if they go defencemen you could grab two center with the LA and our second rounder.

Draft could go
Carels, Reid
Dagenais
Hextall.


But i see Bjork high on flames lists so it could likely be
Bjork
Dagenais
Shcherbakov

Could also be an outcome.
Big fan of Dagenais.

Why do you see Bjorck being high on the Flames list?

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

It’s hard to get excited about 2 way D. Every team needs one but these guys seem to be very blah. I’d much rather go for that top end skill at top of draft vs safe, albeit solid players that are more complementary pieces.

My point is that if Carels finishes the year at 75+ points I don't think anyone will be downplaying his offensive abilities. If he is blending that kind of production at 17 with solid defensive acumen, he is a potential franchise defenseman.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Why do you see Bjorck being high on the Flames list?

Skilled,high iq, center, high gaf. Some if the main points of flames drafting especially the high iq.

[Royle9]

Belchetz has the highest bust potential I’ve seen in years, I’d be very upset to see him taken 5th myself.
Greg Nemiesz 2.0

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Major Major

My point is that if Carels finishes the year at 75+ points I don't think anyone will be downplaying his offensive abilities. If he is blending that kind of production at 17 with solid defensive acumen, he is a potential franchise defenseman.

Understood. The other thing is that defence is the hardest position to learn at the nhl level by all accounts. Good to dominate at junior but another thing to translate at the pro level. Which makes F a little more easier to get excited about, provided it’s not a reach like Beltchez seems to be.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I didn't realize that the PWHL used "the gold plan" for their draft order, which I love and advocate for.

https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2024...r-of-selection

Proposed in the late-2000s by statistician Adam Gold, the ‘Gold Plan’ is also known as ‘Draft Order of Selection by Mathematical Elimination.’ The PWHL’s adaptation of the system rewards team success upon elimination from playoff contention.



Once a team is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, it begins earning ‘Draft Order Points’ in all subsequent games (including all regular-season games that begin following a team's elimination), using the league’s standard points system that awards three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss. The team with the most Draft Order Points at the conclusion of the regular season will earn the first selection in each round of the draft. The non-playoff team with the fewest Draft Order Points will select second in each round of the draft.



If the two non-playoff teams tie for the most Draft Order Points, the first pick in each round of the draft will be awarded to the team with the most regulation wins after elimination. If still tied, the team with the most combined overtime and shootout wins post-elimination will earn the top pick. If still tied, the team with the fewest overall regular-season standings points will earn the first selection in the draft (e.g. the sixth-place team). If the teams finish with identical point totals in the regular-season, the league’s regular tiebreaker rules will be utilized to determine the team in sixth place. The league’s standings page will begin displaying Draft Order Points once a team is eliminated from playoff contention.

It would definitely change the buyer-seller dynamic. Teams poised to miss the playoffs might avoid selling their best players, some might even become moderate buyers if they are so far out at the trade deadline. I think it could also over compensate good teams that have either just been unlucky or play in good divisions. For example, a team that is missing the playoffs because they just happen to be a sliver weaker in a strong division, but has their schedule lopsided towards teams not in their division down the stretch after elimination, would disproportionately benefit. Or in the case of Florida this year who have been to the finals 3 years in a row, have a stacked team, and is out mostly due to being a victim of their own success, could realistically go on a tear, still miss the playoffs, and sneak into a high draft position.

I would prefer a system that uses a variety of metrics to determine lottery odds, like success over the past several years, draft position and lottery wins. Plus whatever other relevant analytics or metrics.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Belchetz has the highest bust potential I’ve seen in years, I’d be very upset to see him taken 5th myself.
Greg Nemiesz 2.0

yeah I didn't even really get the argument for Belchetz- flames lack an offensive game breaker at F? sure true, but we have plenty of guys that check in at the vaguely PPG that he's putting up, heck Malholtra has a dozen more points and plays a position we need

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It would definitely change the buyer-seller dynamic. Teams poised to miss the playoffs might avoid selling their best players, some might even become moderate buyers if they are so far out at the trade deadline. I think it could also over compensate good teams that have either just been unlucky or play in good divisions. For example, a team that is missing the playoffs because they just happen to be a sliver weaker in a strong division, but has their schedule lopsided towards teams not in their division down the stretch after elimination, would disproportionately benefit. Or in the case of Florida this year who have been to the finals 3 years in a row, have a stacked team, and is out mostly due to being a victim of their own success, could realistically go on a tear, still miss the playoffs, and sneak into a high draft position.

I would prefer a system that uses a variety of metrics to determine lottery odds, like success over the past several years, draft position and lottery wins. Plus whatever other relevant analytics or metrics.

I like the fact that it would give every fan something to cheer for down the stretch - including cheering for wins instead of losses. The worst teams would still have the best chances of getting the highest picks, but tanking would be discouraged.

I agree there are some downsides, but overall I think it's way better.

Imagine the #1 pick being up for grabs in the final weekend of the season, but instead of fans cheering for a loss, they are cheering for a win.

I'm all in on that.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Major Major

My point is that if Carels finishes the year at 75+ points I don't think anyone will be downplaying his offensive abilities. If he is blending that kind of production at 17 with solid defensive acumen, he is a potential franchise defenseman.

My kid did camp last year with him and said he's ridic. I had never heard of him last year.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Skilled,high iq, center, high gaf. Some if the main points of flames drafting especially the high iq.

Bjorck ticks every single box except size. And I find that irrelevant. Bjorck is #2 on my wishlist behind only McKenna.

[Groot]

Looking at our 2025 prospect rankings, next season will see 3 promoted and off the list, maybe 4 with Parekh but I think he could see some AHL time next season. Brzustewicz (3rd), Gridin (4th) and Kuznetsov (17th) all promoted. Fantastic showing by Kuznetsov BTW.

So next year, we remove 3 from the rankings, but add Wiebe, and that was to 40 prospects in the system last year.

What is exciting is we add 5 players this draft in the top 70, with a likely top-5 pick. Hopefully #1 with Van #2 so our selections would be...

1
24 (placeholder for Vegas)
32 (would be 33 but Ottawa loses their 1st rounder)
64
65

To add to an already impressive prospect list and steady young NHL players.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Bjorck ticks every single box except size. And I find that irrelevant. Bjorck is #2 on my wishlist behind only McKenna.

I would love to see a breakdown and direct comparisons between Lawrence/Malhotra/Bjorck. I feel like Malhotra is the safer pick between him and Bjorck and I love how he has progressed this season. Both probably have 2nd line center upside, but Malhotra's size could make him a poor man's 1st line center.

Lawrence is a bit of a mystery box to me.