2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Tkachukwagon]

Originally Posted by Sandman

My boy Tyus Sparks had 2 goals, and another favourite of mine, Cooper Williams, had 2 assists for the other side.

Sparks is a hell of a hockey name.

[The Original FFIV]

I went to the game last night and was less than impressed, albeit one showing.

Carels - I don’t get the hype. Got points but very average sloppy breakout passes, roams around the ice. I get wheelers viewpoint about relying on instinct over hockey sense.

Rudolph was the better player. Plays with an edge and was positionally sound.

Hope we get a F with our pick, if not maybe Reid or Smits are better than these two guys.

Would be a kick in the junk to suck all season and be left with one of these guys as the reward. I’m hoping 2027 will be better than this draft.

[Monahammer]

I would take Belchetz over the D if somehow we are left without one of McKenna, Stenberg, Lawrence or Malhotra to take.

Any of these 5 would be better than the top of draft D, for us. They are all BPA forwards, all bringing different elements, and all would fit our team.

Basically there is no circumstance that should have us picking a d top of draft, IMO.

[Samonadreau]

^Verhoeff looks like an absolute stud and he must be good friends with Reschny both playing for Victoria last year and both going to NoDak this season.

If hes #3 on Calgarys list and the other 2 are already taken I would be fired up to get Verhoeff.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I would take Belchetz over the D if somehow we are left without one of McKenna, Stenberg, Lawrence or Malhotra to take.

Any of these 5 would be better than the top of draft D, for us. They are all BPA forwards, all bringing different elements, and all would fit our team.

Basically there is no circumstance that should have us picking a d top of draft, IMO.

I just don't get this.

Seems like some don't see the impact a minute munching, all situations, 200 foot defenseman brings to a hockey team.

Take the highest roster projectible player at the Flames pick regardless of position.

Break a tie with a center.

[Monahammer]

I don't undervalue them, I just disagree that any of these guys in the top 10 this year are that, Bingo. I have been very consistent on my views on this.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I don't undervalue them, I just disagree that any of these guys in the top 10 this year are that, Bingo. I have been very consistent on my views on this.

OK fair enough ... I've seen the anti defenseman and certainly anti defensive defenseman angle in the past. Clearly wasn't you.

It's almost like they black out when the puck is in their own zone to have such a view.

Personally I see Verhoeff's ability to handle a 19 year old tournament as an undrafted teen as very much an upper roster impact player.

[Monahammer]

Maybe, I have been down on Verhoeff's game for a while, and admit that he played better than I expected at the WJC. I just worry that he hasn't had to work hard on his defensive game in the past because of puck control and size, and I have seen that at times when watching him.

I could be very wrong. I am often wrong.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I just don't get this.

Seems like some don't see the impact a minute munching, all situations, 200 foot defenseman brings to a hockey team.

Take the highest roster projectible player at the Flames pick regardless of position.

Break a tie with a center.

Playing defense is largely a learned skill. Drafting defensemen at the top of the draft is more challenging and less consistent than drafting forwards. Verhoeff may be dominating due at least in part to his size - it's difficult to separate that from the other skills he has.

Also, the Flames need elite offensive talent more than anything else.

If we don't get one of the top 2, I hope we take one of the Cs.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Playing defense is largely a learned skill. Drafting defensemen at the top of the draft is more challenging and less consistent than drafting forwards. Verhoeff may be dominating due at least in part to his size - it's difficult to separate that from the other skills he has.

Also, the Flames need elite offensive talent more than anything else.

If we don't get one of the top 2, I hope we take one of the Cs.

I assume Verhoeff won't be an option if they pick 4th (clearly can change).

If they don't see Smits, Reid and Carels as top pairing dmen and they do see say Lawrence, Bjorck or Malhotra as top six at least I'm fine with that.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I assume Verhoeff won't be an option if they pick 4th (clearly can change).

If they don't see Smits, Reid and Carels as top pairing dmen and they do see say Lawrence, Bjorck or Malhotra as top six at least I'm fine with that.

If they have the 3rd pick, and McKenna and Stenberg are gone, I would hope they look at trading down with someone that really wants Verhoeff and would pay a premium to trade up.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

If they have the 3rd pick, and McKenna and Stenberg are gone, I would hope they look at trading down with someone that really wants Verhoeff and would pay a premium to trade up.

Probably will come down to the degree to which another team really values Verhoeff over the next tier of dmen: Carels, Reid, Smiths who seem to be on the rise.

[Calgary Highlander]

Given that Coleman is likely to return a 1st round pick, would fans rather get the 1st rounder this year or next year (given the Flames already have multiple 1sts in both drafts?)

I like the earlier return of a 2026 pick, but there's always the fun factor of a late 1st becoming a much earlier 1st when a contender falls flat on their face the next season (see Toronto Maple Leafs).

[Jiri Hrdina]

I see benefits to both.
I think next year's draft may be stronger overall, and i like spreading the picks out and having the upside of it being higher
But if you give Conroy another 1st this year, he may be able to combine it with the Vegas pick to move up.

[Enoch Root]

I think it depends on the team and the expected slotting of the pick.

If it's a non-division leader, take it this year and hope it's in the early 20s or late teens. If it's an expected division winner, and likely in the 25-32 range, we have one of those (plus a mid-30s pick) and I would rather take a pick next year.

[Jason14h]

https://puckpedia.com/draft

There’s not a lot of teams with thier 1st in this draft left

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

https://puckpedia.com/draft

There’s not a lot of teams with thier 1st in this draft left

Yeah, pretty much all of the contenders have already traded away their 2026 firsts. COL, DAL, MIN, TB, CAR, VGK. If the Flames are getting a 2026 first it will have to come from a team like LA or DET.

[Major Major]

Fun fact - If the Flames acquire a second 28' first round draft pick (and make all their picks), it will mark the fifth consecutive year they draft more than once in the first round.

That would tie them for the longest ever consecutive streak of this kind with the 74-78 Canadiens.

This could go from don't say rebuild, to hybrid rebuild, to rebiggle, to the most extensive rebuild ever undertaken.

And yes, I know there have been more concentrated rebuilds... Chicago's recent sell off saw a 8 first round picks in 3 years stretch, but 2 of those were for Hagel, which was a dumb move and not a classic rebuild move.