2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Seems like McKenna and Stenberg are consensus 1-2 so if the Flames fall out of that they have an important choice to make. Take the consensus #3 in Voerhoff or pick for a position. Maybe they trade down a spot or 2. Would like to know everyone’s thoughts on h this. The Flames are deeper on D than F, especially C but they could also use a big, all-around potential #1 D.

I think you take the best player available.

[Tbull8]

Ya at that point I just have full faith in the scouts. If they think Verhoeff is BPA then you take him. If they think it’s Lawrence, then the position is a plus

[Samonadreau]

No matter what just take BPA.

Ducks didnt #### around and trade down to get Sennecke. They just used the pick and took the guy they wanted.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

No matter what just take BPA.

Ducks didnt #### around and trade down to get Sennecke. They just used the pick and took the guy they wanted.

This board would be fun if the flames picked at number 3 and then drafted the consensus list’s 12th best player, Marcus Nordmark. (Where I think was roughly where Sennecke was ranked in his draft)

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

No matter what just take BPA.

Ducks didnt #### around and trade down to get Sennecke. They just used the pick and took the guy they wanted.

"BPA" is the most subjective term used.

Who is BPA? According to whom?

Is it the Statline that says a player is BPA? Are we implying the media lists are the biblical list of categorized BPA?

Do we fire up the lynch mob if the Flames take LD Smits over Verhoeff or Reid?

Or if they have Belchetz over Lawrence or Bjorck?


"But hes BPA according to the Flames list" "but the consensus publications lists have player x as the next best player! "

[Aarongavey]

If the Flames want a center I hope they pick Thomas Vandenberg in the second round. Guy plays in all situations, is a PPG and is one of the youngest players in the draft.

[The EBUG's EBUG]

Mckenna with a goal, two assists so far in this outdoor game, all even strength.

In the 36 days since the start of the World Jrs between Canada and Penn State he's at:

14 games
11 goals
17 assists
28 points
2 game misconducts (lol)

That'll play.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by The EBUG's EBUG

Mckenna with a goal, two assists so far in this outdoor game, all even strength.

In the 36 days since the start of the World Jrs between Canada and Penn State he's at:

14 games
11 goals
17 assists
28 points
2 game misconducts (lol)

That'll play.

But, but, but he's a perimeter player, isn't competitive enough and has some sort of "attitude problem" made up by people for some reason and now gets parroted like it's fact

[Tbull8]

To be fair he did lose the board battle in ot that led to the winning goal. Definitely has room to improve but what prospect doesn’t. I’d bet on skill prevailing

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

But, but, but he's a perimeter player, isn't competitive enough and has some sort of "attitude problem" made up by people for some reason and now gets parroted like it's fact

This might be an unpopular take, but these traits aren't always as bad as they are made out to be. Some of the apparent perimeter and easy going players actually have some benefits. They can actually be more consistent over long periods because they don't always have to be playing life or death playoff hockey. Guys like Ferland get injured, and tend to not have long careers, compared to guys like Gaudreau.

These guys probably shouldn't be the only piece on the team, but they're still useful. Kucherov isn't necessarily the most competitive player in the league. But he still produces as much as McDavid and has won multiple cups. And even Nylander, as annoyingly easy going as he is, tends to be more productive than Matthews and the others in the playoffs.
Wingers in particular can get away with being this type of player. These guys also tend to excel on the powerplay, which is only becoming more important every year.

If you can get one of these guys to play with a big two-way center like Barkov, you're golden.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Boy I don’t agree with that. Kuch is REALLY competitive

[SuperMatt18]

I can get Stenberg being above McKenna but anybody else is ridiculous and he shouldn't be 3 or 4 on any list.

He put up generational numbers in Medicine Hat.

He had one of the highest draft year production in the WJC ever.

And he's been on a tear in the NCAA since the world junior.

To me he still easily has the highest potential of any player in this draft and I'm not sure it's close. Sure maybe his floor isn't as high as others but his ceiling is way higher than anyone else.

[Tbull8]

I keep comparing Stenberg to zetterberg. May never put up 100 points but he’s going to consistently win you games and be reliable on both sides of the puck. Flames definitely need the high end potential of a McKenna but I won’t be upset if they ended up with Stenberg either

[fotze2]

The spitten chiclets with Mckenna is nuts, i know dudebros and all that.

He said one of his classes is fly fishing. What a joke mockery of it all. I bet he geta in crap for saying that. Its a prestigious university. You can't even go to sait for that. Insane.

[1qqaaz]

Current Odds of each pick, as per Tankathon:

1st: 9.7%
2nd: 9.6%
3rd: 0.3%
4th:16.1%
5th: 44.8%
6th: 19.6%

A top 6 pick is basically a lock. 5th OA is more likely.

Perhaps we're better off analyzing guys like Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Caleb Malhotra, and Tynan Lawrence rather than just McKenna, Stenberg, and even Verhoeff.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.31st: "C"-rated Czech RW Jakub Frolo (6'1",194lbs) is a player I like, and with 12 points in the last 10 games (although it appears he was ejected on Nov.29th after only 2:18 TOI), he is now up to 8 goals and 33 points in 30 games for Ilves of the U20 in Finland- he is tied for 12th-overall in points, and 4th in assists. His efforts have earned him one game in the Liiga, with no points in just over 6 minutes on the ice. Frolo is #40 for European Skaters in their Mid-Term List.

Frolo plays the kind of physical, rambunctious style (85 PIM) that drives opponents nuts, and keeps them off-balance- he is mean and edgy, and always in pursuit of the puck, which keeps him in close contact with his enemies, and in their faces. He has no problem doing the dirty work for his linemates, as he is fully willing to dig out pucks from the corners, win battles along the boards, and cause havoc in front of the net. Coaches will never have to remind him to finish his checks, as he does so with gusto, and can dish out some heavy hits in open-ice. In addition to being hard-working, energetic, and competitive, Frolo displays vision and creativity with the puck in his high-end playmaking game, along with soft-touch in his passing, and above-average puck-skill- he can spot teammates through traffic, and can connect with slip passes though feet, saucers over sticks, and backhands. He skates with his head up to map out his surroundings, and uses delays and cut-backs to open space and wait for the best options to open up. Frolo's handling is well-developed, and while he protects well when driving wide or streaking through traffic, he can also make defenders look foolish with dekes and dangles. He possesses strong off-puck intelligence, with solid spatial awareness, and looks to make himself available for passes, with good attention to his positioning at all times. Though he isn't a burner by any means, he skates well enough to contribute meaningfully to transition, and shows good maneuverability on his edges- which gives him an extra layer of escapability. With 5 goals in his last 10 games, it appears that he's shooting more lately, but I wouldn't call his shot threatening; he gets most of his scoring chances by attacking the middle, and driving the net. Frolo is also a responsible defensive player with good anticipation and awareness, who is as heavy on the backcheck as he is on the forecheck, and will lay out attackers; he might have a good floor as an NHL bottom-six player, with his ability to grind it out along the boards, but there's huge potential for more. There's a need for some attention to his foot-speed though. I have a feeling that a team will take a flier on him in the second-round.

If I was Conroy, I would draft him with a 2nd round pick simply because of his name. "Frolo man, Frolo."

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Current Odds of each pick, as per Tankathon:

1st: 9.7%
2nd: 9.6%
3rd: 0.3%
4th:16.1%
5th: 44.8%
6th: 19.6%

A top 6 pick is basically a lock. 5th OA is more likely.

Perhaps we're better off analyzing guys like Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Caleb Malhotra, and Tynan Lawrence rather than just McKenna, Stenberg, and even Verhoeff.

Bjork. I would have no issue taking him at 4.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Current Odds of each pick, as per Tankathon:

1st: 9.7%
2nd: 9.6%
3rd: 0.3%
4th:16.1%
5th: 44.8%
6th: 19.6%

A top 6 pick is basically a lock. 5th OA is more likely.

Perhaps we're better off analyzing guys like Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Caleb Malhotra, and Tynan Lawrence rather than just McKenna, Stenberg, and even Verhoeff.

We were in line for those odds at 2nd overall a few hours ago.

The order realigns by the day.

At this point, anywhere in the top 5 is a distinct possibility. I'm hoping and praying for top 3. It's needed and it's well, well overdue for this team.

At 5th, i'd lean towards Malhotra or Bjorck. Lawrence has disappeared offensively after the jump to college. A drop off was expected, but not to this extent.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I can get Stenberg being above McKenna but anybody else is ridiculous and he shouldn't be 3 or 4 on any list.

He put up generational numbers in Medicine Hat.

He had one of the highest draft year production in the WJC ever.

And he's been on a tear in the NCAA since the world junior.

To me he still easily has the highest potential of any player in this draft and I'm not sure it's close. Sure maybe his floor isn't as high as others but his ceiling is way higher than anyone else.

2 PPG and tore it up at the WJCs. And now he's up to 32 points in 24GP with Penn State.

What's funny is he's turned around his draft season and despite doing everything he's needed to since December he's fallen in many rankings.

This could be great for the Flames if they wind up drafting 2 or 3 and his hold on top spot is in question among team scouts. Hope we can draft this kid that was wearing a Flames #19 jersey just a few years ago.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.1st: Right-handed LW Nikita Ovcharov (6'1.5",196lbs) was named Player of the Game for Team Lafleur in October's QMJHL Top Prospects Game, with a goal and two assists, showing off his offensive awareness, and his lethal wrister. In league play, he is currently the 4th-leading scorer on a mediocre Quebec Remparts squad, who are currently 11th, out of 18 teams in the QMJHL, sporting 31 points (13 goals) in 46 games- which prorates to 43 in 64. Ovcharov usually patrols the wing on the Remparts' second-line, but is used frequently on the powerplay. He started slowly in North America, with only 4 points in his first 12 games in Quebec, but then went on to post 21 points in his next 20 games; unfortunately, he has only put up 6 points in his last 14 games- including none in his last six. Ovcharov was taken 15th-overall in the CHL Import Draft, and is currently #102 for North American Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term List.

Though he isn't a burner, or a perfect skater aesthetically, Ovi moves quite well when at top speed, and can win races to loose pucks in straight lines, or beat defensemen wide. He is a nice blend of skill and power, with the size and physicality to work the boards, and win positioning in front of the net. He owns an overwhelming shot with power and precision, a paralyzing release, and the ability to pick corners in-flight- he can score from distance, or from bad angles. Ovcharov has silky mitts in-tight as well, and can often be spotted in close proximity to home plate; he goes to the net hard, challenges goalies from below the dots, and will set up shop in-front to pounce on loose pucks. He also has the built-in instincts to find open pockets of space off-puck to get open for high-danger passes. I believe he's a much better playmaker than he's been able to show in Quebec so far, as he displays soft-touch distribution skill, and an ability to create advantages for teammates in his passing, but scouts would still like to see more diversity in his offensive game. He is not without IQ and vision, but may lack the high-end puck-skill to pull off the more dynamic, high-difficulty plays. Ovi is a big-bodied power-forward, with a penchant for dishing out big hits, the strength to outmuscle larger opponents, the motor to outpace faster opponents, and the intensity to win puck-battles. He will take a beating in front of the net while proving to be an immoveable object, and can play through contact while maintaining possession- he is well-balanced, strong on the puck, and protects extremely well. Ovcharov is a solid 200-foot winger, who contributes a workmanlike approach to playing a responsible defensive game, with the awareness to be a disruptive force on the backcheck, as well as the physicality to force attackers off of their game. Obviously, his consistency is a big issue that has affected his numbers, which means he may have to wait until the later-rounds of this summer's draft to be selected.