2026 NHL Draft Thread

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

And yet for all of those strengths, he only projects to put up 80 points in 66 games.

Kind of underwhelming for a top 5 projected player.

If he has all those advantages (including being physically imposing), you'd think he would be going at a better clip.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

And yet for all of those strengths, he only projects to put up 80 points in 66 games.

Kind of underwhelming for a top 5 projected player.

If he has all those advantages (including being physically imposing), you'd think he would be going at a better clip.

That kind of production is stellar for a player of Belchetz’ ilk. He is projected as a potential first-line winger in the NHL, and I would be shocked if he wasn’t picked in the top-6.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I understand your concern, but Belchetz dominates just as much with his speed, skill, and smarts, as he does with his size. I sent a video montage a while back to prove my point:

https://youtu.be/OILA4-bWUoQ

Yup, like I said, have seen that before. We don't need another LW anyhow unless that last name is McKenna.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I understand your concern, but Belchetz dominates just as much with his speed, skill, and smarts, as he does with his size. I sent a video montage a while back to prove my point:

https://youtu.be/OILA4-bWUoQ

Belchetz would instantly become Calgary's top prospect if drafted. No question. He doesn't look like a Brendan Gaunce to me at all.


I get that A) People want positional preference, and wingers are lower on the list, and B) somehow big = boring and bust, right?


Martone fell because he was a winger as well, but he was still picked 6th, and is doing well in the NCAA now. I was on-board with taking Lakovic or Horcoff with the 2nd pick last year. Neither player made it that far. Horcoff went 24th, and Lakovic 27th. They are both looking fantastic right now. I still think Horcoff tops out as a really good 3rd line center, but Lakovic is trending towards a top line winger right now (and was leading the WHL in goals last time I checked).


Having skilled size in your top 6 goes a long way.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Yup, like I said, have seen that before. We don't need another LW anyhow unless that last name is McKenna.

Seen that before? Those clips showcase his skill and speed, rather than brute force…

Sorry he’s not 5’9” and a mediocre skater like Bjorck.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Seen that before? Those clips showcase his skill and speed, rather than brute force…

Sorry he’s not 5’9” and a mediocre skater like Bjorck.

No, he is 6'5 with good skating like the graveyard of all those guys that came before him. Skill and speed like Tyler Biggs? Like Mark Jankowski? How many 6'5 players have been impwct players coming out of junior in the past decade? I'm not buying it.

[Tbull8]

Apparently Pat was saying on Flames talk that he knows for a fact McKenna would love to be a flame. Anyone else catch that?
I know he trains here over the summer

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Wacky Craig with his wacky list!

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/craig...in-deep-draft/

Believe it or not Craig is very connected in the scouting world, like Bob Mckenzie he has the voices of scouts from everywhere and likes to go watch intriguing kids as well.

One player he has ranked higher than everyone else is Oscar Hemming, from what I'm told he's not wrong on this kid.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Apparently Pat was saying on Flames talk that he knows for a fact McKenna would love to be a flame. Anyone else catch that?
I know he trains here over the summer

Didn't he have a Flames jersey on as a kid? Or was that some bs photoshopping?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Apparently Pat was saying on Flames talk that he knows for a fact McKenna would love to be a flame. Anyone else catch that?
I know he trains here over the summer

Just listened to it. He has heard from multiple sources that Gavin McKenna would love to be a Calgary Flame. He wants to play in Canada. Pat said this with the utmost confidence that this is fact

Around the 9 minute mark of FlamesTalk mailbag from yesterday

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Believe it or not Craig is very connected in the scouting world, like Bob Mckenzie he has the voices of scouts from everywhere and likes to go watch intriguing kids as well.

One player he has ranked higher than everyone else is Oscar Hemming, from what I'm told he's not wrong on this kid.

Oh I know. Which is why my comment was with tongue firmly planted in cheek.
He puts in the work and actually watches a ton of these guys.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Just listened to it. He has heard from multiple sources that Gavin McKenna would love to be a Calgary Flame. He wants to play in Canada. Pat said this with the utmost confidence that this is fact

Around the 9 minute mark of FlamesTalk mailbag from yesterday

If Maloney and ownership want guys to want to be here, thats a pretty big deal coming from a prospect like Mckenna

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Apparently Pat was saying on Flames talk that he knows for a fact McKenna would love to be a flame. Anyone else catch that?
I know he trains here over the summer

He was at Edge school this past Spring prior to the season with Dupont and Smith on the ice.

[Roof-Daddy]

Whatever place Gavin ends up being drafted to, he'll fully embrace it. That's just who he is.

[Monahammer]

I really want Morozov. He's been impressive at Miami.
Shilov too.

Joe Iginla's production is dipping, I'd look to snag him with our early 2nd.

[Monahammer]

our 1st: McKenna
Vegas 1st: Morozov/Shilov
Our 2nd: Iginla

Pretty pretty please

[Bingo]

Updated ...

Added Button
Updated Ellis and Constantino

6 total rankings
Need 2 to get averaged (ranked)

Gavin McKenna LW 1.17

Keaton Verhoeff RHD 2.33
Ivar Stenberg RW 2.50

Tynan Lawrence C 5.67
Ethan Belchetz LW 6.33

Chase Reid RHD 8.67

Ryan Lin RHD 11.17
Carson Carels LHD 11.83
Daxon Rudolph RHD 12.33
Ryan Roobroeck LW 12.67
Alberts Smits LHD 13.00
Mathis Preston RW 13.50

Marcus Nordmark LW 15.17
Xavier Villeneuve LHD 15.50
Viggo Björck C 15.83
Adam Novotný LW 16.67
Elton Hermansson RW 17.17
J.P. Hurlbert LW 17.33
Juho Piiparinen RHD 18.17

Caleb Malhotra C 19.67
Oliver Suvanto C 20.20
Nikita Klepov LW 20.33
Malte Gustafsson LHD 21.50

Oscar Hemming LW 23.40
Egor Shilov C 23.67
Jack Hextall C 24.60
Niklas Aaram-Olsen LW 25.20

William Håkansson LHD 27.00
Beckham Edwards C 27.50
Ilia Morozov C 29.50

Alessandro Di Iorio C 33.80
Tomas Chrenko C 34.20
Lars Steiner RW 35.67
Adam Valentini C 35.80

Vilho Vanhatalo RW 37.33
Maddox Dagenais C 38.00
Brooks Rogowski C 38.00

[devo22]

looks like a wide open class after the top guys. Will be interesting how the WJC changes things.

Curious about a couple of Finns in particular. Buttons love for Piiparinen is interesting, plus Suvanto could also be someone who rises.

[TheIronMaiden]

Not going to pretend to be an expert here, but Tynan Lawrence sounds like just the player the Flames need.

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I really want Morozov. He's been impressive at Miami.
Shilov too.

Joe Iginla's production is dipping, I'd look to snag him with our early 2nd.

Early 2nd seems pretty early for Joe Iginla, I could see him being available with our 3rd, or if we pick up a late 2nd. There will be a projected 1st rounder that will be available with our 2nd.