2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: The Ottawa 67's have sure bounced back- after a 2024-25 season that saw them finishing 17th-overall in the standings, they are now the 2nd-best team in the league. "B"-rated LHC Thomas Vandenberg (5'11.5",179lbs) is 5th in scoring on the team, with 17 goals and 34 points in 37 games, and is turning many scouts' heads- even getting a first-round nod in Craig Button's rankings. He certainly deserves it, as few players are as well-rounded, or play the kind of mature all-around game that he does- and he's one of the youngest players in the draft, with a September 8th birthdate. He is #25 for North American Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.

Vandenberg drives play offensively, while shutting down the opposing team's attack going the other way- he plays a mature style that will translate well to the NHL. While he boasts a solid and responsible game in all three zones, and sports a remarkably well-rounded skillset, his effectiveness is facilitated by his high-end speed, and his stellar handling skill that gives him full control of the puck while flying up the ice. He could stickhandle in a broom closet, and can make defenders look downright foolish with his array of one-on-one moves and deception tactics. Using an outstretched arm to fend off checkers, and angling his body away from sticks, his protection ability is exemplary, and aids him in breaking through to the middle. Though he lacks ideal size, Vandenberg can play through contact, and will dish out some hits of his own, showing a strong physical game, and a willingness to engage with bodychecks. Highly competitive, with a sky-high motor, he launches himself into puck-battles, and wins more than his fair share of 50/50 contests- he's fairly hard-nosed and gritty, but manages to keep the penalty-minutes down (he currently has only 14 PIM). While he oozes hockey sense and offensive awareness, he leans a bit towards scoring goals, with the ability to turn goalies inside-out in-tight, and a laser shot with a paralyzing release. Going the other way, Vandenberg is a detailed defensive contributor who busts his butt on the backcheck, using his mobility and awareness to be highly disruptive, while doggedly hunting down pucks. His positioning is sound, and he effectively stifles enemy incursions to the middle with well-timed stick checks- he is also 56% right now in the faceoff circle. Love this kid, but I wish his numbers were a bit higher- even still, I wouldn't hesitate to take him with a late-first, or an early-second.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: "C"-rated RD Cameron Chartrand (6'0.25",204lbs) was selected 19th-overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2024 QMJHL Draft, but unfortunately for him, they are currently the third-worst team in the league- although they are 8th in goals-for. Scouts wish that Chartrand were more aggressive and assertive in the offensive end of the rink, but he has earned the reputation as a quality defender in his own zone who is good against the rush, as well as the cycle; his meager 5 points in 19 games ranks 6th on the 'Dogs backend. I’m sure he wasn’t drafted with the 19th-overall pick to be a shutdown defender, though. Chartrand was a part of Team Canada's entry in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with no points, and a +4 in limited minutes. He is currently #95 for North American Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.

Chartrand's best attribute is his excellent speed and agility, which gives him the ability to mirror his opponents' footwork on the rush, and then surf across smoothly to make the stop with deft stickwork, or a stiff check. There is very little time and space to operate in when he's standing guard, and he has the strength to deal with attackers at the front of the net. He shows solid awareness in his own-zone, as well as confidence and poise in smoothly retrieving pucks, and kickstarting the breakout going the other way with smart passes to streaking forwards. Chartrand plays a physical game, but a smart and efficient one, as he doesn't take many penalties- he only has 6 PIM to date. In the other end of the ice, he sports a cannon of a shot that he can get on-net through traffic, and he holds the line well, but scouts would like to see more creativity in his passing game. Hopefully, he can get something going offensively, as he is on pace for only 10 points in 40 games. Chartrand also needs to work on his intensity and engagement, and has to be much more consistent game-to-game, as well as shift-to-shift. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.29th: "C"-rated RD Cameron Chartrand (6'0.25",204lbs) was selected 19th-overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2024 QMJHL Draft, but unfortunately for him, they are currently the third-worst team in the league- although they are 8th in goals-for. Scouts wish that Chartrand were more aggressive and assertive in the offensive end of the rink, but he has earned the reputation as a quality defender in his own zone who is good against the rush, as well as the cycle; his meager 5 points in 19 games ranks 6th on the 'Dogs backend. I’m sure he wasn’t drafted with the 19th-overall pick to be a shutdown defender, though. Chartrand was a part of Team Canada's entry in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with no points, and a +4 in limited minutes. He is currently #95 for North American Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.

Chartrand's best attribute is his excellent speed and agility, which gives him the ability to mirror his opponents' footwork on the rush, and then surf across smoothly to make the stop with deft stickwork, or a stiff check. There is very little time and space to operate in when he's standing guard, and he has the strength to deal with attackers at the front of the net. He shows solid awareness in his own-zone, as well as confidence and poise in smoothly retrieving pucks, and kickstarting the breakout going the other way with smart passes to streaking forwards. Chartrand plays a physical game, but a smart and efficient one, as he doesn't take many penalties- he only has 6 PIM to date. In the other end of the ice, he sports a cannon of a shot that he can get on-net through traffic, and he holds the line well, but scouts would like to see more creativity in his passing game. Hopefully, he can get something going offensively, as he is on pace for only 10 points in 40 games. Chartrand also needs to work on his intensity and engagement, and has to be much more consistent game-to-game, as well as shift-to-shift. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

6 foot and over 200 as a kid hes a brick sheethouse.

[fotze2]

Sandman, do you know if the scouts have tools like Instat and access to that?

It is insane. The next day after your kids game, they send out a breakdown of every players stats, where you can instantly show goals or assists or shots or every shift. I believe there are stats as well but our team does not allow parents access to that because I am sure they would bellyache to the coach about their players usage.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Sandman, do you know if the scouts have tools like Instat and access to that?

It is insane. The next day after your kids game, they send out a breakdown of every players stats, where you can instantly show goals or assists or shots or every shift. I believe there are stats as well but our team does not allow parents access to that because I am sure they would bellyache to the coach about their players usage.

I’ve heard of that before, and I’ve read plenty of articles about CHL players that have cited Instat, so I assume it’s a tool that NHL scouts would use- along with all the other fancy numbers that each analytics team develops.

I understand what you’re saying about hockey parents too, as my nephew played minor hockey- it can be unbearable.

[TimSJ]

Instat is pretty slick, morning after every game my son gets an email from Instat with all his details, shifts everything. He will forward me the email once in a while if there is a goal or hit or something that he wants me to see.

He will then also get emails from Video coach from instat with videos of specific shifts with notes.

It's a great tool, he also had it in U18 but really nothing was done with it, but the use of it this year in Junior is much more.

I'm sure scouts have access as I know his advisor has access or maybe he jsut send the email to him and looks at it sends him video with notes etc.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Instat is pretty slick, morning after every game my son gets an email from Instat with all his details, shifts everything. He will forward me the email once in a while if there is a goal or hit or something that he wants me to see.

He will then also get emails from Video coach from instat with videos of specific shifts with notes.

It's a great tool, he also had it in U18 but really nothing was done with it, but the use of it this year in Junior is much more.

I'm sure scouts have access as I know his advisor has access or maybe he jsut send the email to him and looks at it sends him video with notes etc.

I think the coaches also get the stats with every kid in comparison, like time on ice and shots a chances but not 100% sure. You only get your own kids stuff though. Like pts/icetime or +-.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Cosentino on Sportsnet has McKenna ranked 3rd. Multiples NHL scouts at the WJCs told the Athletic they don’t have him in the top 2.

Won’t be a surprise at all if he goes 3rd or 4th.

Crazy how McKenna is losing his luster somewhat. It seems like people are forgetting he's still only 17 and is putting up a fantastic NCAA freshman season with 10g and 29 points in just 22 games - 5th in Big 10 scoring overall.

It's extremely rare for a freshman of any age let alone a 17 year old to put up these kinds of numbers on a good, deep team in a conference like this. Hopefully the Flames can reap the benefits if they do end up drafting 3rd or 4th overall.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Crazy how McKenna is losing his luster somewhat. It seems like people are forgetting he's still only 17 and is putting up a fantastic NCAA freshman season with 10g and 29 points in just 22 games - 5th in Big 10 scoring overall.

It's extremely rare for a freshman of any age let alone a 17 year old to put up these kinds of numbers on a good, deep team in a conference like this. Hopefully the Flames can reap the benefits if they do end up drafting 3rd or 4th overall.

Again though it's not just about production. It's about how he creates that offense. The concern is his play away from the puck, level of compete, and the fact that he doesn't create a lot of offense from the middle of the ice.

I still have him #1, but I'm not ignoring the concerns. I see Stenberg having slightly less risk but less upside as well. So that's the balance.