2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Steve's Stick]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I would agree, but to me, Verhoeff is a much safer pick in a way. I have no doubt about his potential, and his ability to fulfill it. The other two are as blue-chip as you can get, but they might be more of a gamble to reach their high-end potential.

What is Verhoeff?

Someone referenced in another thread Brian Burke's story about the Sharks trading down because they already had a big left-shot d-man in Mike Rathje.

Is Verhoeff that much better than any of the forwards remaining after McKenna and Stenberg that if we are drafting 3rd, you should take him (even though RD is the strongest position in the organization)? ie would it be passing on Pronger to take Chris Gratton, Rob Niedermayer or Viktor Kozlov because you need the center?

Related to this Q: is there a chance that Verhoeff might go 2nd overall? Is he the number 1 type right-shot d-man that a team might value more than say a "peripheral" LW'er?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Steve's Stick

What is Verhoeff?

Someone referenced in another thread Brian Burke's story about the Sharks trading down because they already had a big left-shot d-man in Mike Rathje.

Is Verhoeff that much better than any of the forwards remaining after McKenna and Stenberg that if we are drafting 3rd, you should take him (even though RD is the strongest position in the organization)? ie would it be passing on Pronger to take Chris Gratton, Rob Niedermayer or Viktor Kozlov because you need the center?

Related to this Q: is there a chance that Verhoeff might go 2nd overall? Is he the number 1 type right-shot d-man that a team might value more than say a "peripheral" LW'er?

Could see STL selecting him.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I know a lot of us want to load up on elite forwards (obviously) but if the Flames do end up drafting 3rd I'd draft Verheoff with no hesitation. You can always trade from a position of strength in the future. I wouldn't take a lesser forward instead just because.

Originally Posted by Tbull8

100%
Unless theres a deal to be made for Misa

But Verhoeff's familiarity with Reschny, as well as the fact he billeted with Jarome would make for a pretty awesome addition to the core

Absolutely.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Steve's Stick

What is Verhoeff?

Someone referenced in another thread Brian Burke's story about the Sharks trading down because they already had a big left-shot d-man in Mike Rathje.

Is Verhoeff that much better than any of the forwards remaining after McKenna and Stenberg that if we are drafting 3rd, you should take him (even though RD is the strongest position in the organization)? ie would it be passing on Pronger to take Chris Gratton, Rob Niedermayer or Viktor Kozlov because you need the center?

Related to this Q: is there a chance that Verhoeff might go 2nd overall? Is he the number 1 type right-shot d-man that a team might value more than say a "peripheral" LW'er?

Verhoeff is a franchise defenseman in the making, somewhere in between Pietrangelo and Hedman.

-Verhoeff's 45 points in 63 WHL games in 2024-25 ranks as the 11th-best season by a U-17 defenseman in league history, and 5th in the last 35 years.

-Verhoeff's current production of 17 points in 22 games already ranks as the 16th-best season by a U-18 defenseman in NCAA history, and 5th-best in the last 35 years.

-Verhoeff's ppg of 0.77 ranks as the 9th-best season by a U-18 defenseman in NCAA history, and the BEST in the last 35 years.

Not only is there a legit chance he goes #2 in the draft, but he could go #1.
I know we need a C, but if the Flames chose to take Verhoeff, I would welcome it- although he and Parekh are both righties- so probably won't happen.