2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Royle9]

I've heard Zayne left a pretty good impression on a lot of guys at the WJHC's.
Not just from a Calgary perspective, but a lot of guys bonded quite well with him, including McKenna.

He was obviously very close to Misa (best friends outside of hockey) but I guess he and McKenna made a pretty strong friendship as well.

Make it so gif.

[dammage79]

McKenna just feels like a Flame. A big 3 or Reschny Parekh and McIenna would be pretty special IMO.

[Badgers Nose]

Flames will be amazing in 3-4 years. We've never had a pipeline like this, and even more kids are joining this summer.

[Tbull8]

Reschny McKenna can be our Toews and Kane

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dammage79

McKenna just feels like a Flame. A big 3 or Reschny Parekh and McIenna would be pretty special IMO.

McKenna - Reschny - Gridin is an entire top line, waiting to happen

Follow that up with ??????? - Danielson - Coronato

[Tbull8]

Potter Danielson Coronato second line?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Potter Danielson Coronato second line?

Potter can center Honzek and Suniev or Wyttenbach on the 3rd line

[1qqaaz]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2010060612672651487

The Win Column article quotes Pat Steinberg:

"I know for a fact that Gavin McKenna wants to be a Calgary Flame. I know he would love to be a Calgary Flame. I know that. It has been confirmed to me by multiple different people, that if Gavin McKenna were to become a Calgary Flame, he would jump at it and would love to represent the organization."

This is consistent with other earlier reports. He used to come to Flames games in a Tkachuk jersey, about 3 years ago.

Having a top pick would be great. Having a top pick that actually stays around would be even better.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

McKenna - Reschny - Gridin is an entire top line, waiting to happen

Follow that up with ??????? - Danielson - Coronato

Stromgren. Honzek for 30 games a year.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.10th: In the 2024-25 season, the BCHL's Salmon Arm Silverbacks were swept 4-0 in the Conference Quarterfinal by the Sherwood Park Crusaders, after posting the 5th-best regular-season record (out of 21 teams) in the league; their goal-differential of +20 came as a result of scoring the 5th-least amount of goals (161), while allowing the 3rd-least goals-against (141). The Siverbacks' top defenseman was 16 year-old Ben MacBeath (pronounced Mac-BETH), who was tied for 9th-overall in scoring by D, with 34 points in 53 games, and led his team's blueline in scoring by 19 points. When Central Scouting put out their Preliminary Rankings for the 2026 Draft, they rated MacBeath as a "B"- denoting a possible second, or third-round draft-choice, possibly because MacBeath was the highest scoring U-17 defenseman in the BCHL by 12 points, on a team that didn't score much. While he was drafted in the 7th-round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft by Kelowna, he has spent his entire rookie season in that league with his hometown Calgary Hitmen, after a trade in May of 2025 that sent Carson Wetsch to the Rockets. His transition to the WHL has had some growing pains this season, as he started the campaign with 8 points in his first 15 games with the Hitmen, but it would seem that he is catching on lately, with 12 points in his last 10 tilts- for 6 goals and 27 points in 35 games. Those numbers prorate to 53 points over a 68-game season, and as he did in his D-minus-1 year, he's putting up those stats on a rather weak offensive team, as while the Hitmen are 7th in the standings, they are 14th in goals-for (out of 23 teams), and he leads their blueline by 8 points.

Though he doesn't employ much physicality, and doesn't display a mean edge, MacBeath (6'2",184lbs) is a well-developed rush-defender and seems to specialize in separating man from puck in the defensive zone with clever stickwork, expert angling, and tight gap-control. He is hyper-aware in his own zone, and quick to close on attackers to limit time and space, but is highly disruptive in knocking down passes, filling lanes, and checking sticks. When he gains control of the puck, he is proficient in making safe and accurate outlets with poise. In the other end of the ice, he activates quite often and gets pucks on-net with good frequency. He exhibits high IQ and vision, with acute passing-skill, to exert his abilities as a playmaker (he sits 18th in scoring by D in the 'Dub, 6th for U-18 defensemen), and walks the line with shiftiness and deception to open lanes. Macbeath has good speed, but even better edges and agility to pivot on a dime, transition seamlessly, and surf laterally with quickness. He is a very smart two-way defenseman, and can contribute in any situation, as well as both sides of special teams, but I don't see him as having any high-end skills or traits, and he perhaps isn't elite in any area; he is however, very well-rounded and extremely dependable- perhaps like TJ Brodie, stylistically. Adding another layer of physicality wouldn't hurt, but he is still a hard-worker with good compete.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by dammage79

McKenna just feels like a Flame. A big 3 or Reschny Parekh and McIenna would be pretty special IMO.

Yeah, watching the three at the tourney felt like destiny in a weird way.

IDK why but I already was seeing and tracking Gavin like a Flames prospect without realizing that he's still undrafted as of yet.

We sunk a billion into an arena and it's our first draft in over a decade where we're in a realistic lottery shot. If it's at all rigged, Bettsy owes us this one.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

He should pee on Winnipeg and Canucks jerseys and post it so that those teams are turned off by his "poor" character.

Or maybe Vancouver gets in ahead of us (1 and 2) only to go off the board again to let destiny happen

Jokes aside, I like the cut of this kid's jib. Being from the Yukon, he could have simped for any other Canadian team, but he picked the Flames to get behind. Clearly he's a keeper.

I hope he brings balance to the BOA finally. The yin to McButtplug's yang.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.11th: With the loss of talent that the Tri-City Americans experienced after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, I would've thought they were in for a huge drop- but as of right now, they have taken a step up in the standings, from 15th-place in the WHL last season, to now occupying the 10th-spot. The major difference is that they are fourth-worst this season in goals-for (119 in 39 games). With rearguards Jackson Smith and Terrell Goldsmith leaving for greener pastures, their top offensive-defenseman is now lefty Jakub Vanecek (6'1.5",191lbs), who leads the Amerks' blueline by 7 points with 21 in 30 games (prorated to 42 in 59); they chose him 25th-overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. He made Czechia's team for the World Juniors, but he was a spare, and unfortunately didn't get into any games; he did, however, participate in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and produced 2 points in 4 games. While he isn't very flashy, Vanecek can do it all, with his high-end mobility and puck-skill helping him to be an excellent puck-mover, and a solid two-way player. His quickness going backwards gives him proficiency in stopping the rush, and scouts love his ultra-smooth retrievals, as well as his calm, poised first-passes that kick-off the breakout. He's a transitional driver by pass or by carry, and will jump into the attack when the coast is clear- bringing a heavy shot that he can get on-net through bodies, and solid playmaking vision. He isn't menacingly physical, but he finishes his checks, and wins more than his fair share of puck-battles. Tri-City uses him on their first PP unit, and also on the PK. Vanecek was rated as a "B" by Central Scouting in their Preliminary Rankings, and that's about where I see him- in the second, or third-round.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Yeah, watching the three at the tourney felt like destiny in a weird way.

IDK why but I already was seeing and tracking Gavin like a Flames prospect without realizing that he's still undrafted as of yet.

We sunk a billion into an arena and it's our first draft in over a decade where we're in a realistic lottery shot. If it's at all rigged, Bettsy owes us this one.

needs to happen for years to come.

[Roko]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

He should pee on Winnipeg and Canucks jerseys and post it so that those teams are turned off by his "poor" character.

Or maybe Vancouver gets in ahead of us (1 and 2) only to go off the board again to let destiny happen

Jokes aside, I like the cut of this kid's jib. Being from the Yukon, he could have simped for any other Canadian team, but he picked the Flames to get behind. Clearly he's a keeper.

I hope he brings balance to the BOA finally. The yin to McButtplug's yang.

Vancouver loves their Swedes but need a centre just as bad as us. Stenberg there or Lawrence. Verhoeff to Winnipeg since they could use a D really bad. And we take mckenna.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by dammage79

McKenna just feels like a Flame. A big 3 or Reschny Parekh and McIenna would be pretty special IMO.

I have had a feeling since before this season started that McKenna is going to be a Flame so I am totally with you there.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.10th: In the 2024-25 season, the BCHL's Salmon Arm Silverbacks were swept 4-0 in the Conference Quarterfinal by the Sherwood Park Crusaders, after posting the 5th-best regular-season record (out of 21 teams) in the league; their goal-differential of +20 came as a result of scoring the 5th-least amount of goals (161), while allowing the 3rd-least goals-against (141). The Siverbacks' top defenseman was 16 year-old Ben MacBeath (pronounced Mac-BETH), who was tied for 9th-overall in scoring by D, with 34 points in 53 games, and led his team's blueline in scoring by 19 points. When Central Scouting put out their Preliminary Rankings for the 2026 Draft, they rated MacBeath as a "B"- denoting a possible second, or third-round draft-choice, possibly because MacBeath was the highest scoring U-17 defenseman in the BCHL by 12 points, on a team that didn't score much. While he was drafted in the 7th-round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft by Kelowna, he has spent his entire rookie season in that league with his hometown Calgary Hitmen, after a trade in May of 2025 that sent Carson Wetsch to the Rockets. His transition to the WHL has had some growing pains this season, as he started the campaign with 8 points in his first 15 games with the Hitmen, but it would seem that he is catching on lately, with 12 points in his last 10 tilts- for 6 goals and 27 points in 35 games. Those numbers prorate to 53 points over a 68-game season, and as he did in his D-minus-1 year, he's putting up those stats on a rather weak offensive team, as while the Hitmen are 7th in the standings, they are 14th in goals-for (out of 23 teams), and he leads their blueline by 8 points.

Though he doesn't employ much physicality, and doesn't display a mean edge, MacBeath (6'2",184lbs) is a well-developed rush-defender and seems to specialize in separating man from puck in the defensive zone with clever stickwork, expert angling, and tight gap-control. He is hyper-aware in his own zone, and quick to close on attackers to limit time and space, but is highly disruptive in knocking down passes, filling lanes, and checking sticks. When he gains control of the puck, he is proficient in making safe and accurate outlets with poise. In the other end of the ice, he activates quite often and gets pucks on-net with good frequency. He exhibits high IQ and vision, with acute passing-skill, to exert his abilities as a playmaker (he sits 18th in scoring by D in the 'Dub, 6th for U-18 defensemen), and walks the line with shiftiness and deception to open lanes. Macbeath has good speed, but even better edges and agility to pivot on a dime, transition seamlessly, and surf laterally with quickness. He is a very smart two-way defenseman, and can contribute in any situation, as well as both sides of special teams, but I don't see him as having any high-end skills or traits, and he perhaps isn't elite in any area; he is however, very well-rounded and extremely dependable- perhaps like TJ Brodie, stylistically. Adding another layer of physicality wouldn't hurt, but he is still a hard-worker with good compete.

Will PBP announcers call him the Scottish play-er instead of referring to him by name?

[stemit14]

I’m interested in more info on the Ruck twins. They seem to be tearing up the WHL this year. Yet most of the draft projections have them as 2nd/3rd round picks. What are their perceived or real weaknesses that could keep them being drafted in the first round?

Is it as simple as they are likely not to be as good if they don’t play together? i.e. Ruck twins together = value of top 20 pick in the draft. But each Ruck twin drafted separately = value of a 2nd/3rd round pick each depending on which one your team gets.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm really interested to see how NHL teams go about handling the Rucks. They've always played together, seems the smart move would be to draft them together, so when one team finally picks one will all the other teams back off and let that team pick the other one with their next pick?

The book on them IMO is average size, average speed, super smart and highly skilled.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

https://twitter.com/user/status/2010060612672651487

The Win Column article quotes Pat Steinberg:

"I know for a fact that Gavin McKenna wants to be a Calgary Flame. I know he would love to be a Calgary Flame. I know that. It has been confirmed to me by multiple different people, that if Gavin McKenna were to become a Calgary Flame, he would jump at it and would love to represent the organization."

This is consistent with other earlier reports. He used to come to Flames games in a Tkachuk jersey, about 3 years ago.

Having a top pick would be great. Having a top pick that actually stays around would be even better.

We can only hope at this point. I do think the NHL is a little rigged when it comes to "generational" players. For instance, to forget about Chicago's huge sex scandal from average fan, they gifted them Connor Bedard. Next, Celebrini is given to San Jose when he is from the area (I believe his dad had ties to the Warriors with employment)? Edmonton for McDavid sure feels like it was a pity lottery pick win since the Oilers can't draft for ****. It was probably also to warn other franchises to not tank (Coyotes and Sabres). Lastly, the Penguins were on the verge of moving until they won Crosby in a lockout year. I too think that was not a coincidence.

The Flames are upcoming bottom feeders, and we're due. To put icing on the cake, we finally have a new arena under construction. Future revenue for the NHL, and to make the Flames very relevant again we can have a franchise player such as Gavin. That bodes well with giving the Flames McKenna. Just my opinion though! It would be nice to have a franchise player that sticks with the Flames for his whole career, if possible.