2026 NHL Draft Thread

[traptor]

Correct me if im wrong but no one was raving about Bedard or Celebrinis skating.


They were solid skaters but it wasn't their site skill.


I dont think their compete was ever doubted though, but i chalk that up to McKenna being in a huge change in environment. I'd be supprised if it doesn't come together before the end of the season.

[Canada 02]

Mckenna's last game vs Michigan, he ramped up his physical play and compete level. I suspect he heard the criticism.

[Sandman]

Things come so naturally and so smoothly for McKenna, and the way he can hold onto the puck and slow the game down might make people see a player who isn’t competitive or giving his all- but it’s a talent and not a detriment.

[Canada 02]

in 14 games, Mckenna has had 3 different centers, and the one consistent linemate, RW Aidan Fink is injured, so he played the last 3 weeks with a different winger as well.

Having watched a lot of Penn State and North Dakota, there is no way I would want the Flames to take Verhoeff over Mckenna. That's not a criticism of Verhoeff. He looks like a top pair D-man; Calgary just desperately needs dynamic offensive skill.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I would argue that with the new building and the whole "get some excitement going for it", it is easier to sell hope in drafting McKenna over Verhoeff. Flames have had plenty of top-end defencemen over the years, but they have rarely had that franchise game-breaking forward.


Regardless, it has to come down to BPA, period. I trust the Flames to figure out who that may be, but it is an interesting conversation.


Part of me also feels this way - What is sports, really? Everyone in the NHL will always say: "We are in the business of winning games." Maybe.. or maybe a better definition should be: "We are in the entertainment business." I can take a losing season when it is a fun to watch season . 2013-14 was a fun season, for those that can remember. Sucked losing, believe me, but give me that season over the last 3 or 4. I still remember the standing ovations after LOSSES that season. Hard-working team that was FUN to watch.


I am excited for this rebuild since this team will once again be fun to watch. If they go into that new building selling hope and being fun to watch, who won't be happy? Then you build on it, and make the playoffs for the first time in that new building, and hopefully there will be some good long runs in that core, and maybe a final. That's success. However, I argue you don't need success right way - you need to sell hope and be entertaining. That's the business that the Flames have to be in right now.


I mean, past this season - I can watch the games and enjoy pieces or moments in a game, while hating everything else, and simply just focus on those good moments, but even I am having trouble in some games - this is a write-off. However, words of wisdom: "How can we enjoy the sweetness of life, if we never taste bitterness?" Bitter season - bitter few seasons, actually. Sweetness is around the corner.

[The Cobra]

There is 75% of the year to go to judge these players. Too early to make any consensus pick.

[PizzaManTre]

Ivar Stenberg with a 4-point game in the SHL today, almost at a point per game and leads his team in scoring.

Could Stenberg go #1 over McKenna and Verhoeff?

[Roko]

Stenberg looks so calm and smart. Got a nose for getting around the net big time. Would not be mad to draft him.

https://youtu.be/ZB71XMioM6w?si=yEocy83-hGfqbLYe

[RyZ]

Stenberg is 41 in red in that video.

I have been following more closely this season, admittedly, for no other reason than that my nephews name is Ivar as well so I guess my eyeballs have just been drawn to him a little more. He appears to be an elite 1st line point producing F in the making that is clearly a top 5 guy, almost certainly a top 3 guy and could legitimately threaten for the #1 overall. His numbers in the SHL at his age rival those of Forsberg, Naslund and the Sedins. Hes going to very, very good.

[JTech780]

Hypothetically if Calgary gets the 1st overall pick in this draft, one thing that might come into consideration is that with the new building coming, star forwards generate much more excitement than steady #1 defensemen. You want to sell tickets to the new building McKenna is probably the guy.

I am not saying that the Conroy and the scouting staff will think this way, but Maloney and Murray Edwards will certainly take ticket sales into account. This just could be a situation where the two align in who is the best and most exciting prospect.

I will say that I think steady #1 defensemen lead to more winning than flashy wingers.

[Darkon]

I had the chance to watch Carson Carels last night (plays for the Prince George Cougars so likely won’t get much attention). Ellis has him listed at 15. I know he is a left hand D but man he looks like a very solid all round defender. Scored a beauty on a nice shot, his skating was noticeably better than most of the other players on the ice and he just looked really good. I will be watching him with interest as a possible later in the 1st round pick. Just to let you know
Edit - Just saw now that Cosentino has listed at 6 and he seems to be a rather late riser. Maybe he won’t be going so late in the 1st��#♂️

[traptor]

Stenbergs production is insane.


Im not sure how he compares stylistically to Raymond and Nylander, but his draft year production is blowing theirs away.


Would be an amazing grab.

[Jay Random]

I feel a lot more optimistic about the draft when there are at least three players who grab the eye, like McKenna, Verhoeff, and Stenberg at the moment. If you finish last, even if you lose both lottery draws, you're still guaranteed a crack at one of the three.

[stemit14]

Just for the crazy hypothetical - at this point, if the flames ended picking 1st overall and somehow Vegas missed the playoffs and their pick won the 3rd overall lottery pick… what looks best for the flames:

A) McKenna + Verhoeff: probably the “safest” selection. Would be the two highest ranked prospects. Virtually guarantees the flames will have a solid defence with the likelihood of at least 2 of Verhoeff, Parekh, Mews, Brzustewicz, Morin becoming top pair defencemen. However, it is adding another right shot defenceman to the greatest area of strength in the organization.

B) McKenna + Stenberg: prettty much solves the lack of elite skill overnight. Both of these wingers look like they could carry their own line and could be complimented by two-way centers (eg. Suzuki-level centers) instead of franchise level centers. Still runs the risk of building a team through the wings instead of up the middle like most contenders.

C) McKenna + Lawrence: this one drafts best player available with the first pick and then best center available with the next pick. Gives the team skill at its most needed area (center). Risk of taking the player with the lowest projected upside though in Lawrence.

I’m assuming the flames take McKenna no matter what at this point but you never know.

[Roko]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Just for the crazy hypothetical - at this point, if the flames ended picking 1st overall and somehow Vegas missed the playoffs and their pick won the 3rd overall lottery pick… what looks best for the flames:

A) McKenna + Verhoeff
B) McKenna + Stenberg
C) McKenna + Lawrence

I’m assuming the flames take McKenna no matter what at this point but you never know.

There is no draw for 3rd, so only way this works is Vegas wins the lottery. I do B. Two stud forwards would be game changing. I don’t think Verhoeff is what we need with RD already pretty blocked - don’t want Parekh losing a spot.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Roko

There is no draw for 3rd, so only way this works is Vegas wins the lottery. I do B. Two stud forwards would be game changing. I don’t think Verhoeff is what we need with RD already pretty blocked - don’t want Parekh losing a spot.

You can only jump up a maximum of 10 draft positions, correct? So if Vegas finished 13th from the bottom and won the draft lottery, they would end up 3rd.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Just for the crazy hypothetical - at this point, if the flames ended picking 1st overall and somehow Vegas missed the playoffs and their pick won the 3rd overall lottery pick… what looks best for the flames:

A) McKenna + Verhoeff: probably the “safest” selection. Would be the two highest ranked prospects. Virtually guarantees the flames will have a solid defence with the likelihood of at least 2 of Verhoeff, Parekh, Mews, Brzustewicz, Morin becoming top pair defencemen. However, it is doing another right shot defenceman to the greatest area of strength in the organization.

B) McKenna + Stenberg: prettty much solves the lack of elite skill overnight. Both of these wingers look like they could carry their own line and could be complimented by two-way centers (eg. Suzuki-level centers) instead of franchise level centers. Still runs the risk of building a team through the wings instead of up the middle like most contenders.

C) McKenna + Lawrence: this one drafts best player available with the first pick and then best center available with the next pick. Gives the team skill at its most needed area (center). Risk of taking the player with the lowest projected upside though in Lawrence.

I’m assuming the flames take McKenna no matter what at this point but you never know.

I would flip it and have Verhoeff in every scenario myself but it will be tough for the Flames to get two of the top 5-6 players in this draft.

[Samonadreau]

Vegas is 5th in the league and 1st in the division in pt%. They are not missing the playoffs.

[Bonded]

If McKenna doesn’t pick up his production he could be one of the biggest fallers in recent memory.

[shutout]

Originally Posted by Bonded

If McKenna doesn’t pick up his production he could be one of the biggest fallers in recent memory.

Think if he does not improve his effort and commitment to playing 5v5 hockey he could be a faller. Talent to produce and create offense is there and undisputed. Problems seem to be around him not wanting to play the other 75% of the game that is required, instead of just the 25% when you have the puck on your stick playing offense.