2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Reggie Dunlop]

Sure wish we had a guy like Alberts.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I wouldn't hate Roobroek necessarily (and of course, for the Vegas pick, and not the Flames, even if they pull off a miracle and finish outside the top 10 picks of the draft). Good size, great mobility for his size, awesome hands, and WHEN HE WANTS, he can be an absolute beast out there. That's the problem with him is the lack of motor in his game, at least consistently. That motor is a Koenigseg, and about as reliable. When he is on his game, I think he is probably top 10 pick worthy, even as a winger. That just doesn't happen often, unfortunately. So while I would be fine with Calgary drafting him at the Vegas pick, I am sure there are players at that spot I would still prefer over him.


I actually doubt he lasts that long. There is going to be some team out there that sees his size and tools, and feel like they can help him put it all together. Heck, if they do, that's a steal anywhere after 15 IMO. Maybe anywhere after 10. On my list, I just don't really like players who don't have a good consistent motor.

[shutout]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...ruary-edition/

Cosentino’s ranking released earlier today:

1. Stenberg
2. McKenna
3. Verhoeff
4. Reid
5. Malholtra
6. Smits
7. Carels
8. Bjorck
9. Lawrence
10. Hemming

Agree with the top 9, just not the order.
Not sure how I am ranking the four defensemen and three centers in their position group and then integrating them together.

I would put Suvanto or Belchetz at ten.

[NewFan]

I think Conroy would be less stressed and possibly happier if the Flames landed the 3rd or 4th draft pick. Having the 1st overall choice creates immense pressure, as there's a constant fear of selecting the wrong player.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think Conroy would be less stressed and possibly happier if the Flames landed the 3rd or 4th draft pick. Having the 1st overall choice creates immense pressure, as there's a constant fear of selecting the wrong player.

Lol. this is supposed to be in green text, right?

[SuperMatt18]

The top 9 is kind of interesting.

You have the top 2 being 2 LWs in Stenberg and McKenna.

Then you have 4 dmen that I think are hard to really differentiate and I'd wager every team has a different order of the top 4 dmen: Verhoeff, Reid, Smits, Carels

And the 3 Centers that I'd guess also have a different order on every list: Malholtra, Bjorck, Lawrence,

For the Flames I still really feel like a top 2 pick to get one of the true elite forwards is needed, even if they aren't centers.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think Conroy would be less stressed and possibly happier if the Flames landed the 3rd or 4th draft pick. Having the 1st overall choice creates immense pressure, as there's a constant fear of selecting the wrong player.

Yeah that's not how things work at all. Every GM would prefer picking 1st over 3rd or 4th and if they didn't, they shouldn't be working in any professional league as a GM.

[mile]

I always see Hemming at the bottom of the top 10 or just outside the top 10... would love to have a pick in that range to grab him. Love the skill/size combination

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think Conroy would be less stressed and possibly happier if the Flames landed the 3rd or 4th draft pick. Having the 1st overall choice creates immense pressure, as there's a constant fear of selecting the wrong player.

I think you're projecting.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.27th: LD Alexandre Taillefer (6'1",170lbs) has been injured since late-December- but if he was healthy, he would be the second-highest scoring blueliner for the 9th-place Quebec Remparts, behind overager Cal Uens. At the time of his injury, he had put up 17 points in 28 games, which would equate to 44 in 68 in a full season, but he had only produced 3 points in the prior 10 games before going down. Taillefer started the year with 14 points in his first 18 games, but the return of D Charlie Morrison from an injury on Hallowe'en that cost him the first 6 weeks of the season likely pushed him down the lineup. Taillefer is #92 in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings for North American Skaters, and is committed to UMass for the 2027-28 season.

While Taillefer's numbers certainly stand out, he actually holds tremendous value in the defensive zone. He is an effortless skater in all directions, with superb edge-control, and he applies his top-tier mobility to closing his gaps quickly, while angling attackers to the wall to snuff rushes with big hits on top of stick-checks. He's a puck-hound with acute play-reading ability, and doggedly works to proactively make stops in all three zones, stepping up to disrupt breakouts as soon as they begin- his awareness in defensive situations is outstanding, his details are well-honed, and he wields robust physicality as a punctuation. Taillefer can throw bone-crushing bodychecks, both along the boards and in open-ice, but manages to keep the penalty-minutes down (he has only 15 PIM, including a Fighting-Major). He defends his net fiercely, does a tidy job of tying up his opponents' sticks in-front, and pins his adversaries to the boards below the goal-line effectively. Taillefer handles smoothly, and protects tightly, which helps him to excel in transition; he is slippery and elusive in retrievals, as well as calm and poised in breakout feeds. He is active in supporting the rush, and will jump up into the play in the offensive zone to keep plays alive, snuff the opposing teams' breakout, sneak in on the weak side for scoring chances, or pry open passing seams. With high-end vision, and crisp, accurate passing, he can find teammates through traffic for high-danger looks, and has a rocket of a shot from the point that creates a myriad of second-chance opportunities. Scouts question Taillefer's ceiling in the NHL, and wonder if he has the high-end skill to run a NHL powerplay, but his 0.61 ppg ranks 20th in the QMJHL; his floor is intriguing, as he could potentially fill the role of a shut-down specialist with puck-moving ability. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

[traptor]

Really warming up to the idea of Malhotra.

He might not be a bonafide no questions ask elite #1 prospect, but having a center that is detailed, has size and top 6 offensive upside would be huge. We could use some size in our future top 6 group.

Adding him to Reschny would solidify the best group of center prospects we've had in a long time.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think Conroy would be less stressed and possibly happier if the Flames landed the 3rd or 4th draft pick. Having the 1st overall choice creates immense pressure, as there's a constant fear of selecting the wrong player.

Oh, the pressure!!! I can just see Conroy in action at the microphone with the first pick.

"With the first pick in the 2026 NHL draft the Calgary Flames are stressed to announce we are selecting, from Penn State University, a western Canadian superstar at every level he has played at, and a player who has stated he would love to be a Calgary Flame, Gavin someone or other. Now excuse us while we retire to the men's room to change our underwear from ####ting ourselves over this pick and then rub one out as we just picked a generational talent and the best prospect every to be part of the organization. We are also forfeiting the remainder of our picks in this draft as the stress levels have been too high and we need to spend the next few days in counseling."

[dammage79]

1 OA in this draft is the easiest pick to make.

There's been like 1 month where McKenna was maybe... Maybe not the 1st OA pick.

That little ship had sailed. This is the McKenna draft and it's not as close as people want it to be.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dammage79

1 OA in this draft is the easiest pick to make.

There's been like 1 month where McKenna was maybe... Maybe not the 1st OA pick.

That little ship had sailed. This is the McKenna draft and it's not as close as people want it to be.

That ignores the fact that what Stenberg is doing in the SHL is really impressive, if not historic. I don't know why one would say it's not close given what he's doing.

He's producing at a level that is better than the Sedins, Leo Carlsson, Nick Backstrom, and others. Absolutely elite level.

My view is that both have similar potential but in different ways.
- McKenna's ceiling is a high end offensive producer, like a Patrick Kane. His downside is a guy who still puts up a lot of points, but doesn't necessarily drive offense and has other flaws. So let's say Phil Kessel. Range of outcomes is Kessel to Kane.
- Stenberg is likely to be a more complete player, but his offensive upside is perhaps lower. High end Miko Rantanen. I suppose if you are really worried about him downside is Kappo Kakko. But likely his worst outcome is a middle 6 forward.

That's how I see it. I have McKenna #1 but I don't think we can say "its not close". Stenberg has been producing all season at an elite level.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

That ignores the fact that what Stenberg is doing in the SHL is really impressive, if not historic. I don't know why one would say it's not close given what he's doing.

My view is that both have similar potential but in different ways.
- McKenna's ceiling is a high end offensive producer, like a Patrick Kane. His downside is a guy who still puts up a lot of points, but doesn't necessarily drive offense and has other flaws. So let's say Phil Kessel. Range of outcomes is Kessel to Kane.
- Stenberg is likely to be a more complete player, but his offensive upside is perhaps lower. High end Miko Rantanen. I suppose if you are really worried about him downside is Kappo Kakko. But likely his worst outcome is a middle 6 forward.

That's how I see it. I have McKenna #1 but I don't think we can say "its not close". Stenberg has been producing all season.

I'm not ignoring anything. It's my opinion. That's it. It's not close and I don't think it ever should have been. But that's why the games are played.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think Conroy would be less stressed and possibly happier if the Flames landed the 3rd or 4th draft pick. Having the 1st overall choice creates immense pressure, as there's a constant fear of selecting the wrong player.

You should wear a helmet

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by traptor

Really warming up to the idea of Malhotra.

He might not be a bonafide no questions ask elite #1 prospect, but having a center that is detailed, has size and top 6 offensive upside would be huge. We could use some size in our future top 6 group.

Adding him to Reschny would solidify the best group of center prospects we've had in a long time.

It’s only fine if you don’t think there is a star team carrying player in the draft

The Flames desperately need one, not just a random top 6

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'm not ignoring anything. It's my opinion. That's it. It's not close and I don't think it ever should have been. But that's why the games are played.

OK but given you are saying "it's not close and don't think it every should have been" can you expand on what you think makes that the case, given Stenberg's elite production in a hard league?
Is it a flaw in Stenberg's game or something else?

[mile]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2027417272743313643

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

It’s only fine if you don’t think there is a star team carrying player in the draft

The Flames desperately need one, not just a random top 6

Yeah I agree. This is based on the assumption we miss out on the top 3.

I don't really see a guaranteed (anyone COULD turn into a star) star player in the subsequent groups.

Malhotra has alot of nice tools features though.