2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

He did sleep with a teammate’s wife- pretty sure it’s more than an allegation at this point. I’m sure he’s got his life turned around these days, but there was definitely a time in his life where he was a huge prick- and I’m one of his fans, lol.

[Canada 02]

McKenna performing in a big game. #1 vs #3

https://twitter.com/user/status/1986970621058675130

[JTech780]

I know Calgary already has a high end RHS D in Parekh, but Keaton Verhoeff looks like the type of player teams build contenders around. 6'4" 212lbs, can skate, can play in all situations. If we are tanking this year, Verhoeff is the player early on that I would be looking at, at the draft.

[shutout]

Originally Posted by JTech780

I know Calgary already has a high end RHS D in Parekh, but Keaton Verhoeff looks like the type of player teams build contenders around. 6'4" 212lbs, can skate, can play in all situations. If we are tanking this year, Verhoeff is the player early on that I would be looking at, at the draft.

If you miss out on McKenna and you think that Verhoeff is a better #1 defenseman is it possible to trade Parekh for the offensive centerman?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by shutout

If you miss out on McKenna and you think that Verhoeff is a better #1 defenseman is it possible to trade Parekh for the offensive centerman?

Its way too early to give up on Zayne.

[Roko]

I was hoping we would be fighting for bottom with San Jose because they need a verhoeff more than a McKenna.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Its way too early to give up on Zayne.

Crazy to talk about trading Zayne after 10 games with a bad coach.

There is no guarantee on what he becomes, but he could end up being anywhere from an elite dman to a bust. You don't give up on that potential when he is 19 years old after 10 games lol.

Assuming Huska doesn't ruin him, I think he will be pretty good though. The Zayne we saw this year is not the Zayne I saw last year. He is learning.

[Vinny01]

Athletic just put out their top 10 for 27. DuPont was 3rd. Joseph 1 and Russian winger Privalov 2nd

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Athletic just put out their top 10 for 27. DuPont was 3rd. Joseph 1 and Russian winger Privalov 2nd

For those who care, these are Pronman's rankings v. Wheeler's who haven't come yet. Notably there are 4 centers in the top 10 right now. Good sign.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by shutout

If you miss out on McKenna and you think that Verhoeff is a better #1 defenseman is it possible to trade Parekh for the offensive centerman?

No one trades a great centre one for one with a great defenceman. I can't think of any examples at all.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No one trades a great centre one for one with a great defenceman. I can't think of any examples at all.

Teams rarely trade great centres for great defenceman in general...so tough to find any examples of anything in regards to that.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No one trades a great centre one for one with a great defenceman. I can't think of any examples at all.

Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones is an example of 2 high picks in their 20’s who were traded for each other. Neither were great but the thought was they could be at the time of the deal

[Ped]

Wheeler's updated 2026 rankings


1 McKenna
2 Stenberg
3 Verhoeff
4 Lin
5 Lawrence


Next highest center is Bjorck at 12.


https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showth...199310&page=23

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones is an example of 2 high picks in their 20’s who were traded for each other. Neither were great but the thought was they could be at the time of the deal

The bloom was already off the rose for Johansen. He had some productive years in Columbus, but they’d seen enough of him to recognize he was soft and lazy, and was never going to be a play-driving #1C.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Ped

Wheeler's updated 2026 rankings


1 McKenna
2 Stenberg
3 Verhoeff
4 Lin
5 Lawrence


Next highest center is Bjorck at 12.


https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showth...199310&page=23

If the Flames finish bottom 3 then it guarantees them a top 5 pick. Which that's where it really feels like you need to land this year to get an impact player.

[Ped]

Re: Johansen-Jones I think at the time it was one team needed a top-6 center and another team needed a blueliner.


Johansen had 213 points in his first 283 games in Nashville, which is pretty decent production, especially in Nashville where they didn't score much in those days.

[devo22]

going through Scott Wheeler's list ... there's no way Elton Hermansson doesn't end up being a Red Wings prospect. Then again, William Hakansson sounds like a safe bet too.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Been having fun diving deeper into prospects and the draft.

Studied the last ten drafts pretty in depth.

I noticed we're seeing even less impact players coming out of rounds 2-7 in recent years.

And not so much even the bottom half of the first round. Some good secondary players. But stars are scarce there. The largest concentration is in the top 10, and moreoso top 4-5. Some drafts have had better players come out of slots 3-5 than 1-2. So its worth keeping in mind if we do miss in the lottery.

Basically its never been more important to be drafting at the very top to get game breaking talent. The fall off is massive every 5 picks from 1st OA.

Its really ideal that they are at rock bottom with a cushion. The lost season could be franchise altering, and right in time for the new rink. Seems like the stars are aligning, for once.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Roko

I was hoping we would be fighting for bottom with San Jose because they need a verhoeff more than a McKenna.

season is still young

[shutout]

Originally Posted by dino7c

season is still young

And the Blues will win the lottery