Prospect Info: 2026 NHL Draft Discussion - we have picks!

[Maplebeasts]

Lol Bjork and Malhotra over McKenna and Stenberg? Come on, they're simply trying to clickbait us Leafs fans, no?

One of their head scouts in the accompanying video they put up on youtube said that Mckenna plays like he doesn't know what it means to be a hockey player and doesn't know how to play high level hockey. It was one of the more cringe inducing, pretentious things I've heard from a "scout" talking about the projected #1 overall pick in the coming draft.

 

[SprDaVE]

I always enjoy their breakdowns

 

[Maplebeasts]

I always enjoy their breakdowns

Scouch is enjoyable. I don't know if he fixed it or not but the editing on this video was a problem earlier.

 

[TimeZone]

I always enjoy their breakdowns

Saying Ivan Demidov is as talented as McKenna is.... certainly a take.

I love Demidov as a player but he's as impressive physically as he is in regards to his natural skill-set.

His shot, puck handling leave something to be desired despite his extremely quick hands....I think he has 90+ point upside but in terms of pure skill he's nowhere near McKenna...nor Bedard.

Demidov will be 21 while McKenna is still 18, I will be quite disappointed if McKenna is a Demidov caliber player at his age, he's a #1 for goodness sake.

 

[Rare Jewel]

I always enjoy their breakdowns

I do like him as well. However, Scouch, famously, was one of the people who got the ball rolling on "the McKenna not going 1st" stuff earlier in the season, putting Tynan Lawrence and Mathis Pretson 1 and 2.

He even did a list with Stenberg @ 1st in April, then switched to McKenna post lottery. Make of that what you will.

 

[Morgs]

I do like him as well. However, Scouch, famously, was one of the people who got the ball rolling on "the McKenna not going 1st" stuff earlier in the season, putting Tynan Lawrence and Mathis Pretson 1 and 2.

He even did a list with Stenberg @ 1st in April, then switched to McKenna post lottery. Make of that what you will.

I've been listening to his streams lately.

He's very clear about his concerns with McKenna and he's genuinely confused why more Leaf fans don't have them (theyre the same concerns anyone paying attention has). He's also moved McKenna back to #1 for his final rankings, but He's very clear its a 2 person draft at the top.

He loves Villenueve & Preston. Like thinks Villenueve might end up as the best defenseman in the draft, and doesn't see an issue with his overall defensive performance, but knows there are limitations due to size and strength- but the offensive profile is just elite elite. Preston he thinks is basically WN reincarnated when he's on, but super streaky when he's not and needs to iron it out.

 

[Rare Jewel]

He's very clear about his concerns with McKenna and he's genuinely confused why more Leaf fans don't have them (theyre the same concerns anyone paying attention has). He's also moved McKenna back to #1 for his final rankings, but He's very clear its a 2 person draft at the top.

Yeah, I like his analysis. He's really persuaded me on one of the Dmen who projects in the top half of the draft, but I was surprised by his first stream post-lottery to see him change to McKenna at 1. I thought of all people, he would've held a bit firmer, given Stenberg was his #1 from the WJC onward, and McKenna's last game was at the end of March vs. UMD.

I share his concerns, and I appreciate the good stuff as well.

He loves Villenueve & Preston. Like thinks Villenueve might end up as the best defenseman in the draft, and doesn't see an issue with his overall defensive performance, but knows there are limitations due to size and strength- but the offensive profile is just elite elite. Preston he thinks is basically WN reincarnated when he's on, but super streaky when he's not and needs to iron it out.

I like Villeneuve as well. Maybe not as much as he does, but I like how active he tries to be with the puck and his edges and skating are matched by few.

 

[BertCorbeau]

If Eklund and Haltunnen got the 9th pick and Byram got the 4th pick then Knies could easily get that 2nd pick. Idk if I'd do it because I like Knies and what he brings.

SJ isn’t trading 2nd OA now that Eklundnis dealt

They’ll take Stenberg

 

[Morgs]

Yeah, I like his analysis. He's really persuaded me on one of the Dmen who projects in the top half of the draft, but I was surprised by his first stream post-lottery to see him change to McKenna at 1. I thought of all people, he would've held a bit firmer, given Stenberg was his #1 from the WJC onward, and McKenna's last game was at the end of March vs. UMD.

I share his concerns, and I appreciate the good stuff as well.


I like Villeneuve as well. Maybe not as much as he does, but I like how active he tries to be with the puck and his edges and skating are matched by few.

I love his stance on Rudolph (and to a lesser extent Carels) too. Very very few people have the guts to put out public rankings with this type of "shock value" with the numbers and the reasoning to back up their claims. Most times when people do this, its for the clicks and hate it receives. For him, he's just true to the way he does it.

 

[Rare Jewel]

I love his stance on Rudolph (and to a lesser extent Carels) too. Very very few people have the guts to put out public rankings with this type of "shock value" with the numbers and the reasoning to back up their claims. Most times when people do this, its for the clicks and hate it receives. For him, he's just true to the way he does it.

Well, Rudolph was the D that was alluding to.

Would probably steer clear of him in the top end of the 1st round anyway.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Flames looking like they’ll be taking Malholtra or Bjork after the Nemec trade

They need a centre

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Superstar]

I always enjoy their breakdowns

This guy thinks McKenna is not capable of correcting his riskier plays in the NHL? It's McKenna's vision and offensive ceiling that are unmatched, which makes him the #1 overall pick. The riskier plays could be corrected in the NHL because he's a smart player. Imagine slotting a player to #2 because a player is confident in his abilities and takes risks.

 

[Superstar]

Flames looking like they’ll be taking Malholtra or Bjork after the Nemec trade

They need a centre

I don't think Malhotra is sliding to #6.

 

[ULF_55]

Mario Lemieux and Kirk Muller were the top two picks in the legendary 1984 NHL Entry Draft. The Pittsburgh Penguins chose Lemieux first overall, while the New Jersey Devils selected Muller second overall. [1, 2]

The Draft

• Mario Lemieux: Known as "Super Mario," he was the clear consensus top pick. However, he made headlines by refusing to put on the Penguins' jersey on draft day due to an ongoing contract dispute. He signed shortly after and became one of the greatest players in hockey history. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• Kirk Muller: Drafted right after Lemieux, Muller was a highly-touted center from the OHL. He immediately stepped into the NHL and became a dedicated, gritty leader. [1, 2, 3]

Career Comparison

• Mario Lemieux: Played his entire 17-season career with Pittsburgh. He scored 1,723 points in 915 games, won two Stanley Cups, and took home three Hart Trophies (MVP). [1, 2]
• Kirk Muller: Played 19 seasons across several teams, including the Devils, Canadiens, and Stars. He scored 959 points in 1,349 games and won a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993. [1, 2, 3]

Legacy
While Lemieux went on to produce some of the most staggering offensive numbers in NHL history, Muller provided steady leadership and strong two-way play. For years, Muller faced the media pressure of being the player New Jersey settled for because they missed out on Lemieux. [1, 2, 3, 4]