2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Major Major]

Are people sleeping on Carels here? Dude is on fire. I take him over Reid. 6 months younger and a lefty.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Are people sleeping on Carels here? Dude is on fire. I take him over Reid. 6 months younger and a lefty.

I think i have Carels 4 but frankly I would be pretty disappointed.

For the flames I have

McKenna
Stenberg
Malhotra
Carels

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Sandman, is there a future Tom Wilson in this draft class? A mixture of skill and intimidation/physicality.

Hard to find a match-up for Tom Wilson in this draft (or any draft for that matter), with most of the big, mean intimidators coming from the backend these days. Here’s a few players that I love, who compare a bit to Wilson stylistically:

RW Rian Chudzinski: he puts the “power” in power-forward, and although he’s only 6’1”, he’s hard-hitting and mean, with 37 points in 50 games.

LW Sawyer Dingman: 6’4”, mean and physical, can beat people up, and is actually useful with regular minutes.

C Cameron Kuzma: 27 points in 62 games, but I think he’s capable of more. Plays a responsible game, and is rather scary.

RW Wesley Royston: 6’4”, and is a shockingly good skater who hits everything that moves. Very smooth and fast, with 18 points in 57 games. He’s better than his numbers though, and had 27 in 63 last season.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Are people sleeping on Carels here? Dude is on fire. I take him over Reid. 6 months younger and a lefty.

I think Carels is the second best D in the draft, and may challenge Verhoeff for first.

[Tkachukwagon]

LW Sawyer Dingman: 6’4”, mean and physical, can beat people up, and is actually useful with regular minutes.

Just found out this is the son of former Flame Chris Dingman.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I think Carels is the second best D in the draft, and may challenge Verhoeff for first.

I love his story. Talk about mental toughness and fortitude. Plus he played for the Olympic team?
I would be torn between he and Verhoeff at 3rd. Really like this kid and think he will be an absolute stud.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Are people sleeping on Carels here? Dude is on fire. I take him over Reid. 6 months younger and a lefty.

I've been beating his drum for a while.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by stemit14

At this point, my list of preference would be:

1. McKenna
2. Stenberg
3. Verhoeff
4. Malhotra
5. Bjork
6. Reid

Carels instead of Reid and you have my top 6.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by CFO

Flames need a top forward but always take BPA. If they fall into acquired #3 spot veroeff is the choice. But you never know - always a chance someone really likes him and takes him at #2.

Just too bad verheoff is RH.

Don’t force fit and just take BPA.

This isn’t a one year bottom out so if it falls against the flames just grab one of the stud D at 3/4/5 and use your excess other pics to grab forwards they covet.

A top 5 pick is very likely in store next year at least. This franchise just needs an injection of elite prospects. Yes, you’d love it to be forwards, but worst case you deal from a position of strength (RD) and acquire a forward. Could be a worse position to have excellent depth in the system.

[Tbull8]

Mckenna
Stenberg
Trade pick 3+ for Misa
Verhoeff/Carels/Reid/Malhotra
Bjorck
Smits

That's my order

[FlamesAddiction]

Is Viggo Bjorck still only 5'8", or is that old information?

[prizefighterinferno]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Is Viggo Bjorck still only 5'8", or is that old information?

5'10 now I believe. Looks like Brayden Point out there.

[iloveicedhockey]

I think I needed a reminder on just how the odds will likely play out and Tankathon has delivered. I think we end up with one of either Verhoef or Reid, and that's still great.

[Roko]

I don’t feel the same passion towards malhotra myself. I’d rather almost any other player than him. Just don’t see it

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Originally Posted by Roko

I don’t feel the same passion towards malhotra myself. I’d rather almost any other player than him. Just don’t see it

He plays a premium position. He has pro size. He looks like he could be on an upward trend of development.

He has a complete game. He’d instantly look good in our cupboards.

He’s a solid playmaker. Solid finisher. Responsible 200 foot game.

My only criticism is that he plays for a powerhouse team. But so did Marner, tachuck etc.

What aren’t you liking about him? Sure he’s a bit of a late bloomer but that package at Center is tantalizing. I take that over or weight equally with Desnoyers, Martin or OBrien. Slightly smaller edge with OBrien due to him being a RHS and similar size.

Plus he’s Steve Nash’s nephew.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Sandman, is there a future Tom Wilson in this draft class? A mixture of skill and intimidation/physicality.

No to drafting neanderthals. Even ones who have fooled people into thinking they are good hockey players.

[Hagger]

Say, Flames pick #3 and McKenna + Stenberg are gone. Would you offer the pick to SJ for Misa ... SJ might do it to take Verhoeff or Reid. As a Flames fan I think I would make the trade

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Hagger

Say, Flames pick #3 and McKenna + Stenberg are gone. Would you offer the pick to SJ for Misa ... SJ might do it to take Verhoeff or Reid. As a Flames fan I think I would make the trade

Yes. I would.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Hagger

Say, Flames pick #3 and McKenna + Stenberg are gone. Would you offer the pick to SJ for Misa ... SJ might do it to take Verhoeff or Reid. As a Flames fan I think I would make the trade

Yes. I would do that deal for sure.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Yes. I would do that deal for sure.

As would I.