2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Roko

Give me Stenberg/McKenna, Malhotra, Morozov

This is what I'm hoping for as well!

[Roof-Daddy]

Hypothetical question for one of the really smart CBA guys we have posting here on CP.

McKenna gets drafted 1st overall, signs an ELC and goes to NHL camp. Plays 9 games but isn't quite NHL ready so the team sends him.....down.....down where? Signed an NHL ELC, cant go back to college. Only 18, cant play AHL can he? Would he go back to Medicine Hat to play another year of junior?

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Hypothetical question for one of the really smart CBA guys we have posting here on CP.

McKenna gets drafted 1st overall, signs an ELC and goes to NHL camp. Plays 9 games but isn't quite NHL ready so the team sends him.....down.....down where? Signed an NHL ELC, cant go back to college. Only 18, cant play AHL can he? Would he go back to Medicine Hat to play another year of junior?

He would be able to play in the AHL because he would have been drafted out of the NCAA. The age rule only applies to players drafted out of the CHL.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Hypothetical question for one of the really smart CBA guys we have posting here on CP.

McKenna gets drafted 1st overall, signs an ELC and goes to NHL camp. Plays 9 games but isn't quite NHL ready so the team sends him.....down.....down where? Signed an NHL ELC, cant go back to college. Only 18, cant play AHL can he? Would he go back to Medicine Hat to play another year of junior?

He wouldn't be considered a CHL draft pick, so he could play in the AHL. It's the same reason Gridin can play in the AHL this year despite not turning 20 until March.

He could go back to Medicine Hat too if that's what they decided was for the best, much like Kuznetsov did when he left college to sign with the Flames but after he struggled in the AHL, they sent him to Saint John in the Q, who held his CHL rights.

[Canada 02]

Tynan Lawrence was back yesterday for Muskegon. Scored a goal and had a game high 7 shots

[Canada 02]

Tynan Lawrence had a hat trick tonight and an assist; 4 goals in 2 games

[Roko]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Tynan Lawrence had a hat trick tonight and an assist; 4 goals in 2 games

This could get very interesting if he takes off…

[Sandman]

6 goals and 9 points in 5 games for Lawrence. Love it!

[Jiri Hrdina]

That’s why I don’t think of it as a top 3. It’s a top 4 and rankings will show that as he plays more
Any of the top 4 is massive
And there is something really compelling about running Lawrence and Reschney up the middle. Two all around complete centers
That’s an identity to build around
Ironically they are also likely competing for the same role on Team Canada

[Royle9]

2 picks in top 10 would be the best case scenario realistically

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Royle9

2 picks in top 10 would be the best case scenario realistically

Agreed except I don’t know how realistic it is

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts from Central Scouting's Preliminary Rankings:

-Niklas Aaram-Olsen (6'0",184lbs) was rated a "B" by Central Scouting, but I don't believe his 22 points (12 goals) in 17 U20 contests are a true representation of how good he is- especially seeing how he posted 41 points (23 goals) in just 42 games last season. Despite this, he's climbing the rankings, with some seeing him as a late first-rounder. Aaram-Olsen is actually from Norway, plays a power-game, and is a shoot-first LW with a nose for the net, an accurate laser of a shot, quick hands, and an eye for open space. He's more quick than outright fast, but uses his edges and stickhandling well. He would do well to develop his playmaking further, as his tunnel-vision for the net might make him too predictable. Aaram-Olsen has been rewarded for his play with 8 games (no points) in the SHL.

-B-Rated C Landon Hafele (5'11.75",185lbs) has a big flaw- he was born on September 18th, 2007, meaning he missed the cut-off for the 2025 Draft by just 3 days. Other than that, he actually possesses a projectable game, with pace and physicality, speed and intensity, and a defensive conscience. He goes to the greasy areas, wins battles, has a nose for the net, and plays with an edge (31 PIM). So far, his 22 points in 20 games for the Green Bay Gamblers ties him for 14th in USHL scoring, but he seems destined for the second-round.

-RHC Jack Hextall (5'11.75",188lbs) was arguably (no argument in my opinion) the best forward for Team USA at the Hlinka (7 points in 5 games), and scouts think enough of his game that many are ranking him in the late-first round- although he was given a "B" by Central Scouting. To date, he's up to 19 points in 23 games for Youngstown of the USHL, which is 4th on the team- but I believe he's better than his stats would suggest, with 34 points in 53 games last season. I see Hexy as a sharply well-rounded player who is good at everything, carries an overflowing toolkit of projectable skills, a high-end IQ, and a remarkably tight two-way game. He skates well, but isn't elite in this area, and could stand to add a separation gear. He plays a physical game, battles hard for loose pucks, and doesn't shy away from the trenches, but needs to bulk up and get stronger.

-Scouts have always liked 6'1.5", 205lb RD Lincoln Kuehne (pronounced "KEEN"), and Central Scouting even surprisingly gave him a "B" grade, but I don't like his game nearly as much as fellow American D Luke Schairer. Like Schairer, his skating is his biggest strength, which makes him hard to beat off the rush- and he's a physical, edgy, play-killing defender with smooth retrievals (though it has been said that he needs work in this area), a solid first-pass (though he has leaned a lot towards rimming the puck in the NCAA), and no fear of joining the rush or pinching into the play when the coast is clear (though he doesn't put points on the board). While he has been mainly deployed on the third-pairing for Arizona State, he is used regularly on their PK, and has been able to keep up with the pace of the NCAA for the most part, using his excellent speed and tight gap-control. Some say he has second-pairing potential in the NHL, but I don't see it as his results offensively are virtually non-existent: 10 points in 62 games with the NTDP last season, and zero points in 14 games with ASU so far. I say let's call him what he is: a swift-skating, defensive D with compete, who plays on the edge, and is hard to play against- and there's nothing wrong with that.

-LD Jackson Marthaler (6'1.75",198lbs) is a B-rated defenseman who is basically a clone of Lincoln Kuehne, without the high-end edge or aggressiveness. Wonderful skater, no offense.

-RD Samu Alalauri (6'1.5",203lbs) was rated "C" by Central Scouting, but he's finally starting to get some respect. I really liked him at the Hlinka, where he put up 4 points in 5 games, and is up to an impressive 14 points in 21 U20 contests to date back home in Finland- putting him 8th in scoring by D. Alalauri possesses excellent mobility, anticipation, and hockey sense to be a reliable defender in his own end, and an effective puck-mover going the other way- playing a very safe and simple game with the puck. He also showed off his physicality at the Hlinka, with some big hits.

-LD Alexander Bilecki (6'1",180lbs) is a "C" rated defender who seems like the type to garner some interest on draft day. He's a second-round pick of the Kitchener Rangers, and seems to play a solid, puck-moving, two-way game, devoid of much flash or dynamism. He skates well, and has his own-zone game down, displaying proficiency against the rush, solid play-killing ability, and smooth retrievals with calm and poised breakout passes to start the rush- he makes quick, smart plays under pressure. In the other end of the rink, he activates a ton, possesses a good shot, and supports the play well. Bilecki has 11 points in 25 games, which projects to 30 in 68, but he also plays on the third-pair most nights in Kitchener. He's the type that will maybe lead the team's blueline in points in the next season or two, and could be worth a third-round pick.

-It will be interesting to see where "C" rated RD Tommy Bleyl will end up being picked. Though he is listed as being 6'0",161lbs by some outlets, Central Scouting measured him at 5'10.75"; I believe if he were truly a six-footer, we would be talking about a potential second-rounder, at least. Right now, Bleyl sits at 25 points in 23 games with the Moncton Wildcats, which projects to 69 in 63, and his current +19 is 5th-overall in the Q (and leads the Wildcats by 5)- which is an indicator of his two-way ability. Bleyl is second in scoring by D in that league, behind only highly-touted Xavier Villeneuve- who has posted 29 points in 25 games, and he leads Moncton's blueline in scoring by 12 points. Bleyl is an excellent skater who uses his dazzling speed on both sides of the puck, and is known as a zone-entry machine. He is a solid puck-mover who makes sound decisions under pressure, and exerts his mobility to kill oncoming rushes- there is even a pinch of physicality in his game. He drives play through transition, and facilitates chances in the offensive zone- he even has a hard and heavy shot. Watch out for this kid.

-Only 3 teams in the OHL have scored less goals than the 19th-placed (out of 20 teams) Sarnia Sting's 72, which explains why "C"-rated LW Ryan Brown (5'10.5".177lbs) hasn't lived up to the potential of last season's production of 41 points in 68 games; he currently sits at 15 points in 24 contests. Brown brings dogged determination, boundless energy, and unrelenting motor to every game, with difference-making speed to beat defenders wide, or win races to loose pucks. He's physical, gritty, and hard-nosed, with a solid two-way game, and is not lacking in puck-skill.

[Rick M.]

I’ve seen Stenberg listed at 5’8”. Is that accurate?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I’ve seen Stenberg listed at 5’8”. Is that accurate?

Tallest I've seen is 6'0 and that's been the most consistent. 5'8" is logically an old measurement.

And besides, since the Flames have had Gaudreau types in the past when are we as a fanbase gonna get over the size thing. Wolf isn't big enough either.


Edit: the last paragraph wasn't directed at you RickM. Just a general blanket statement.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I’ve seen Stenberg listed at 5’8”. Is that accurate?

No, Central Scouting measured him at 5’11”. EP has him at an even 6’0”.

[Roko]

Rather than chase Verhoeff and McKenna, like folks in other threads are pondering… I would love to get 4th (Lawrence) and one of Stenberg/McKenna. That would be ideal to me.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Roko

Rather than chase Verhoeff and McKenna, like folks in other threads are pondering… I would love to get 4th (Lawrence) and one of Stenberg/McKenna. That would be ideal to me.

Well, I don’t see any scenario where you would get 2 of the three, unless you aquire another pick in the top 3, which is virtually impossible….

If we got 4th, we would gleefully take Lawrence, then hope for another good C with Vegas’ pick.

[stemit14]

Till the season ends and the draft lottery is done, I’ll hope for the perfect scenario:

1. Flames trade for at least 1 more first round pick in the 2026 draft (from Andersson trade) that let’s say ends up being 22nd overall.
2. Flames get 1st overall after the draft lottery.
3. Vegas misses the playoffs and their pick wins one of the draft lottery spots and jumps up 10 spots to 4th overall.
4. Flames draft McKenna at 1st overall.
5. Flames draft Lawrence at 4th overall.
6. Flames draft best center/defenceman available (i..e. highest ceiling) at 23rd overall.
7. Flames draft Joe Iginla with their 2nd round pick.
8. Next year, flames pick 1st or 2nd overall in 2027 and drafts C Alexis Joseph.
9. Tij Iginla refuses to sign extension with Utah and is traded to Calgary for picks + prospects.

Core of the rebuilt team will be pretty set at that point. Just need them to develop. Would have crazy organizational depth at virtually every position. The timing will have worked well also because the flames will have drafted and developed defencemen and complimentary players early (which take the longest to develop) and then elite star players later (which take the shorter time to develop). Hopefully able to compete for a playoff spot by the second year in the new building (2028-2029).

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Till the season ends and the draft lottery is done, I’ll hope for the perfect scenario:

1. Flames trade for at least 1 more first round pick in the 2026 draft (from Andersson trade) that let’s say ends up being 22nd overall.
2. Flames get 1st overall after the draft lottery.
3. Vegas misses the playoffs and their pick wins one of the draft lottery spots and jumps up 10 spots to 4th overall.
4. Flames draft McKenna at 1st overall.
5. Flames draft Lawrence at 4th overall.
6. Flames draft best center/defenceman available (i..e. highest ceiling) at 23rd overall.
7. Flames draft Joe Iginla with their 2nd round pick.
8. Next year, flames pick 1st or 2nd overall in 2027 and drafts C Alexis Joseph.
9. Tij Iginla refuses to sign extension with Utah and is traded to Calgary for picks + prospects.

Core of the rebuilt team will be pretty set at that point. Just need them to develop. Would have crazy organizational depth at virtually every position. The timing will have worked well also because the flames will have drafted and developed defencemen and complimentary players early (which take the longest to develop) and then elite star players later (which take the shorter time to develop). Hopefully able to compete for a playoff spot by the second year in the new building (2028-2029).

This iginla obsession a lot of posters have is just getting ridiculous