2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

Few other Caleb Malhotra facts to consider:

He is first in scoring right now on the Bulldogs (O’Brien and Vanacker have played less games), and tied for second in OHL scoring with 61 points in 45 games.

He is prorated right now to finish with 91 points in 67 games.

While he is on PP2 from what I’ve seen, he is usually stapled to their second line, with Sam McCue and Cooper Dennis, while the first line consists of Jake O’Brien, Marek Vanacker, and Adam Benak. If Malhotra was with any two of that trio, and had more minutes, he would be going for 100+ points.

I wouldn’t be so quick to say that he definitely won’t be a first-liner in the NHL.

[robertsfanatic]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.26th: RHC Jack Hextall (5'11.75",188lbs) might be a little underrated; in the low-scoring USHL, he sits 16th in the scoring race, with 37 points (12 goals) in 38 games for the Youngstown Phantoms. Those numbers make him the top-scoring U-18 player in the league, although his ppg (0.97) ties him with Blake Zielinski (0.97), and puts him behind Victor Plante (1.00), Mikey Berchild (1.00), and Tynan Lawrence (1.31), albeit the latter trio has played far less games. He was the best player by a wide margin on Team USA in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and was tied for 5th in tournament scoring, with 7 points in 5 games- en route to a Championship win (he had 3 points in the Championship game against Team Sweden).

Hexy isn't the biggest guy on the ice, but he is usually the hardest-working and most competitive; he runs on an unrelenting motor, plays with immeasurable grit and fearlessness, pushes an insurmountable pace, and never gives up in battles. While his first-step quickness gets nitpicked, he's an excellent skater who can win races to loose pucks, and separate in open-ice from most pursuers. He is quite strong on his skates and well-balanced, but he's equally strong on the puck, and employs high-end protection skills, as well as outstanding stickhandling prowess- making it hard to take possession from him, and giving him top-tier puck;management. His numbers don't yet reflect his near-elite hockey IQ, but he has massive upside as a possession-driving playmaker who elevates his teammates with high-danger feeds, and always puts them in an advantageous situation. There is rarely an instance when Hextall isn't in the right place, at the right time, in perfect position, and he has the vision to spot seams that few others could see- nevermind pass through. He appears to be a reasonably good shooter as well, and has no problem attacking the net or cutting to the inside, but he most often looks to dish-off; I think he would have a lot more points if he were a little more selfish. Hexy works dilligently in all three zones, can drive transition, and wields a detailed, pro-style defensive game- he is as disruptive as they come, with the anticipation and intensity to limit time and space, block lanes, pick pockets, and intercept passes. He is as noticeable for his stellar play in his own-zone as he is for his abilities in the other end of the ice. He is committed to Michigan State next season, and it is my bet that his offensive numbers will be on a sharp upward trajectory over the next few years.

thanks for these and now i hope we get either Hextall and/or Di Iorio with our late 1st/early 2nd picks.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

They can. And do.

Then its a possible definition of BPA.

[The Original FFIV]

Just curious as to who people follow to get the most accurate rankings.

If you go on elite prospects, they have a series of rankings. But there’s a bunch of smartest guys in the room who have wild lists (button has Reid over Verhoeff for example)

Who do people follow here to get accurate/conventional lists? I’m off for a week so want to get familiar with the prospects.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Few other Caleb Malhotra facts to consider:

He is first in scoring right now on the Bulldogs (O’Brien and Vanacker have played less games), and tied for second in OHL scoring with 61 points in 45 games.

He is prorated right now to finish with 91 points in 67 games.

While he is on PP2 from what I’ve seen, he is usually stapled to their second line, with Sam McCue and Cooper Dennis, while the first line consists of Jake O’Brien, Marek Vanacker, and Adam Benak. If Malhotra was with any two of that trio, and had more minutes, he would be going for 100+ points.

I wouldn’t be so quick to say that he definitely won’t be a first-liner in the NHL.

People are so quick to overlook context and just look at points at face value.

If we did that, we would not have drafted Monahan, knowing that he was a PPG C on an awful 67s team that year.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Just curious as to who people follow to get the most accurate rankings.

If you go on elite prospects, they have a series of rankings. But there’s a bunch of smartest guys in the room who have wild lists (button has Reid over Verhoeff for example)

Who do people follow here to get accurate/conventional lists? I’m off for a week so want to get familiar with the prospects.

I like Scott Wheeler (I REALLY liked McKenzie because his methodology was so strong around survey, rather than personal opinion). Bingo's consensus list is a gem of a resource, particularly with the shifting average ranking as it helps give a broader sense of where these kids are ranked.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Malhotra has the lowest ceiling of the guys available in the top 10 from what I've seen.
He's probably going to end up a good 2/3 center which is always needed, but he lacks top end skill/talent that you'd want with your top 10 pick in my opinion.

High floor for sure, but that ceiling to me is quite low.

I disagree, Malhotra reminds me of Monahan with even better vision and passing skills, what's lost is he plays for a loaded Bulldog team full of 1st rounders so his share of ice time is fairly low.

[PeteMoss]

How many people are making their assessment on Malhotra's ceiling based on his dad? I have never seen the guy play.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

How many people are making their assessment on Malhotra's ceiling based on his dad? I have never seen the guy play.

Or based on his mom? Sister of Steve Nash.

[YyjFlames]

On BPA, Calgary probably won't prioritize a position over BPA if they draft in the top 3, but they do rank positionally in their draft list and will draft by position if they feel their system is lacking a particular position and the players are fairly closely rated.

Worth having a look back at some of Button's comments from before and after previous drafts. This piece from the 2024 draft is interesting (https://youtu.be/omAtpNl2TGo https://youtu.be/omAtpNl2TGo), as he points out that throughout the season, they were thinking defenders, but Conroy traded for a few throughout the year (Grush and Brz), so they didn't see such an urgent need and wouldn't reach when they went to the draft.

They then drafted a defender with their first pick anyway, but took forwards with their next three before coming back to Mews in the 3rd.

Button made similar comments about the 2025 draft that they wanted centres but they wouldn't reach for them if another player was better... They then drafted three centres with their first three picks, but those players arguably were the BPA.

I suspect the later in the draft it is, more weight is put on position over pure BPA as there are so many question marks for most prospects, but it seems pretty clear that they draft for position if prospects are pretty closely ranked.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Right. It's pretty obvious that every team would take whoever they like the best. And it should also be pretty obvious that every team is going to have very different lists of who that is.

And when we accept those two statements, the concept of BPA is pretty much meaningless. When fans argue that a team should take BPA, they are suggesting the team should pick from your their list, and not the team's own. Which is fine for conversation and debate among fans, but meaningless as an actual thing.

I think it’s been pointed out by at least a few people that you probably don’t understand what people mean by BPA, because it’s not that. BPA is the best player available, different teams, scouts, or fans will have an opinion on who that it, but it is still meaningful and valid.

That’s why the response to drafting by position is that you should draft BPA regardless of position. If the Flames think Verhoeff is BPA at their spot, the smartest play is to draft Verhoeff, not skip him and take a lesser prospect at a more desirable position.

[Braden]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Just curious as to who people follow to get the most accurate rankings.

If you go on elite prospects, they have a series of rankings. But there’s a bunch of smartest guys in the room who have wild lists (button has Reid over Verhoeff for example)

Who do people follow here to get accurate/conventional lists? I’m off for a week so want to get familiar with the prospects.

Bingos list is probably the best, see post #1469
I believe he compiles all the lists together to get an average

[Wastedyouth]

Flames should trade the Vegas 1st to Van for picks 33 and 49 and take Liam (33) and Marcus Ruck (49).

My weekly Ruckcast now concludes.

[BigThief]

Also the skill and ceiling of a top ten pick can swing wildly; when I see Maloltra I see a big two way center that makes his linemates better. High IQ with a strong vision for the ice to make plays. Maybe he won't be a top offensive center but he'll be a guy who any winger is better with and if they have a scoring touch he'll find them. I think his shot is underrated too. He'll also be that defensive presence that, as much as I loved him, Sean Monahan didn't develop into. IMO you're still looking at number one center, but probably not a star. None are available so you know, that's not his fault

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

How many people are making their assessment on Malhotra's ceiling based on his dad? I have never seen the guy play.

Manny had a good ceiling when he was drafted but IMO the Rangers rushed him and some guys just don't work out. Any assessment should be totally seperate of his dad but passed on the player Manny became ya Caleb has much higher potential than a 3rd line center

To answer your question I don't think anyone is doing that

[sekimet]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Flames should trade the Vegas 1st to Van for picks 33 and 49 and take Liam (33) and Marcus Ruck (49).

My weekly Ruckcast now concludes.

I have a few Canucks fans as friends (I know I know) there is a lot of chatter from them about Vancouver drafting the Ruck twins because of Sedins nostalgia... lol

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think it’s been pointed out by at least a few people that you probably don’t understand what people mean by BPA, because it’s not that. BPA is the best player available, different teams, scouts, or fans will have an opinion on who that it, but it is still meaningful and valid.

That’s why the response to drafting by position is that you should draft BPA regardless of position. If the Flames think Verhoeff is BPA at their spot, the smartest play is to draft Verhoeff, not skip him and take a lesser prospect at a more desirable position.

BPA stands for Best Player Available -cool, thanks for clarifying.

You also agree that different teams will have different opinions on who the 'BPA' is. Cool again. And if so, there is no definitive BPA. Which is my point.

The only time there is a clear and definitive BPA is at the top of the draft. McDavid was clearly better than the other players. Schaefer last year was clearly the best player. Beyond that, the differences from player to player are marginal at best, and are largely determined by personal preference, and list of criteria. As a result, lists vary.

So to talk about BPA (beyond 1st overalls, and other rare circumstances), is basically an agreed upon term for 'who I think is the best'. In some cases, you may get to 'who many of us think is the best'. But again, it is rare to achieve a definite 'Best player available', beyond the #1OA slot.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

BPA stands for Best Player Available -cool, thanks for clarifying.

You also agree that different teams will have different opinions on who the 'BPA' is. Cool again. And if so, there is no definitive BPA. Which is my point.

The only time there is a clear and definitive BPA is at the top of the draft. McDavid was clearly better than the other players. Schaefer last year was clearly the best player. Beyond that, the differences from player to player are marginal at best, and are largely determined by personal preference, and list of criteria. As a result, lists vary.

So to talk about BPA (beyond 1st overalls, and other rare circumstances), is basically an agreed upon term for 'who I think is the best'. In some cases, you may get to 'who many of us think is the best'. But again, it is rare to achieve a definite 'Best player available', beyond the #1OA slot.

Yeah, we know.

[BigThief]

Lmao Enoch Root, you're a riot buddy

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by BigThief

Lmao Enoch Root, you're a riot buddy

thanks, pumpkin