2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

8 goals and 13 points in 7 USHL games for Lawrence. If he keeps this up, he could go top-3.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by devo22

I don't think it's that bad. I just think he falls victim to a.) some of his biases and b.) the temptation of going for what clicks well, from time to time. But to his credit, he seems to own his mistakes (he has "prospects I was wrong about" articles on The Athletic). For me, he's certainly behind guys like Scott Wheeler, that's for sure.

I do predict though that ranking Gavin McKenna at 4 will age extremely poorly.

I dont. The list of game changing wingers is short.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

8 goals and 13 points in 7 USHL games for Lawrence. If he keeps this up, he could go top-3.

Not much chance lawrence doesnt go in the top five.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Not much chance lawrence doesnt go in the top five.

No way.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Sandman

8 goals and 13 points in 7 USHL games for Lawrence. If he keeps this up, he could go top-3.

Obviously he has a long way to go but if Lawrence keeps up that ppg of 1.86, how does that rank amongst other players historically in the draft year playing in the USHL?

[The Fonz]

Lawrence
Stenberg
McKenna

Need 1 of these 3 so friggin bad

[robertsfanatic]

this is likely a "way too early to ask" type of question but do any of these players look like they would play in the NHL next year?

likely McKenna but anyone else? Stenberg?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Obviously he has a long way to go but if Lawrence keeps up that ppg of 1.86, how does that rank amongst other players historically in the draft year playing in the USHL?

There have been players with a higher ppg than 1.86, but they all appear to have played in the USHL with the NTDP.

In the history of the USHL, only 13 players who were U-18 (and played more than 1 game) have had a better ppg than Lawrence.

Just for s**ts and giggles, in the history of the USHL, only 29 players who were U-19 (and played more than 1 game) have had a better ppg than Lawrence.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

this is likely a "way too early to ask" type of question but do any of these players look like they would play in the NHL next year?

likely McKenna but anyone else? Stenberg?

McKenna
Stenberg
Verhoeff maybe? He’s got the size for sure
Belchetz

Are the guys i see playing next year or at least I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
Lawrence would be a bit surprising after the injuries and coming from the ushl instead of college

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

this is likely a "way too early to ask" type of question but do any of these players look like they would play in the NHL next year?

likely McKenna but anyone else? Stenberg?

There are often surprises that make their NHL clubs the year after being drafted, but I think any of the top-4 would be a candidate- Stenberg, Lawrence, Verhoeff, and McKenna. I would think McKenna needs time to get bigger and stronger though.

[dammage79]

Did anybody see Ben Kindle or Braeden Cootes making the NHL this year out of this past draft class?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Did anybody see Ben Kindle or Braeden Cootes making the NHL this year out of this past draft class?

Exactly.

[robertsfanatic]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Did anybody see Ben Kindle or Braeden Cootes making the NHL this year out of this past draft class?

fair points but i guess i should have asked the question better - which players can come in and make an immediate impact next season?

not asking for 100 points but look at Schaeffer for the Isles.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

fair points but i guess i should have asked the question better - which players can come in and make an immediate impact next season?

not asking for 100 points but look at Schaeffer for the Isles.

Humbly I say flip a coin and you'll get a better guess than even the most ardent arm chair scouts. It's so tough when you pack in the variable outcomes.

How many of the 32 teams would McKenna make? Then multiply that by coaching fit , player chemistry, injuries, division, conference and then do that for 32 1st round drafted players.

Who knows how say a Macklin Celebrini would pan out as a Philadelphia Flyer under John Tortorella... Etc etc.

Then look at Gridin, came screaming into camp on an absolute heater and cruised through camp and made the team on said heater. Then got sent down once he came off the heater.

The consensus is the 2025 draft was one of the weaker drafts in a 5 year block (2023 to 2027) and that has a mittfull of 1st round picks making the team . This 26 draft is supposed to be one of the better ones. So who knows. Maybe none make it after the hype of this draft. T

[D as in David]

It would need to be determined before training camp begins for those four that Sandman listed. Stenberg in the SHL and the other three in the college system. It would be possible, I believe, for Stenberg to go to an NHL camp and still go back to Sweden if he didn't pan out next season but it would be unusual. Maybe someone knows where that's possible.

As soon as the players on the college track sign a contract, they can't go back to college. The AHL is an option for all four if they show up to an NHL camp and aren't ready for the NHL.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Lawrence
Stenberg
McKenna

Need 1 of these 3 so friggin bad

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Obviously he has a long way to go but if Lawrence keeps up that ppg of 1.86, how does that rank amongst other players historically in the draft year playing in the USHL?

Well I'm not going to dig right into it like Sand, but I can tell you it beats the hell out of what Kyle Connor did at the same age.

Connor put up 1.43 in his draft year. Gaudreau 1.2, Gridin 1.38

[ForeverFlameFan]

Let's say the Flame pick 4th OA and unfortunately all 3 forwards we liked go before our pick. Are we still going BPA and selecting Verhoeff?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Let's say the Flame pick 4th OA and unfortunately all 3 forwards we liked go before our pick. Are we still going BPA and selecting Verhoeff?

Yes, we should. We would have an absolute embarrassment of riches on the backend if that were the case. Good Alberta kid too.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Let's say the Flame pick 4th OA and unfortunately all 3 forwards we liked go before our pick. Are we still going BPA and selecting Verhoeff?

As of now, probably. Could change between now and then.
I know we feel like the Flames are in a good spot on D but that still is assuming a lot goes right. Nothing wrong with adding a guy like Verhoeff who projects to be a top pairing D.