NHL Entry Draft: 2026 NHL Draft, June 26 7pm ET: Rangers with 5th pick after Lottery

[eco's bones]

Let’s assume for a second that we have two scenarios:

The Rangers take a defenseman at 5 (Carels, Reid or Smits), that likely means they’re taking a forward later in the 1st. Who would we expect?

The Rangers take a forward at 5 (Bjork or Malhotra), that likely means they’re looking defense later in the 1st. WHO would we expect? I like what I’ve read about Bleyl but I’m sure there will be others

If Bjorck were first at 5---at 26 (depending on who is still around) I'd go something like this--1. Villeneuve (he really does remind me of the Hutson's....it's his escapability and puck movement in smaller and medium spaces and he's going to Boston U next year where the Hutson's played) 2. Bleyl
3. Hakansson--could be a top end shut down D---strength, size, hockey IQ 4. Sokolovskii--big, strong, mean, very good skater for 6'8 though that size he has some work to do to clean it up a bit 5. Shecherbakov---really like him too 6. Piiparinen---another solid stay at home guy with size 7. Goljer a really good two way guy--there are a lot of really good defensemen I think who are going to drop between say 22 and the very earliest 2nd rounders.

If we take Carels, Smits, Verhoeff at 5--and go with a forward at 26. I prefer a center but 1. Dagenais might not be there 2. Hermansson (a wing) might not be there and 3. Morozov might not be there. I don't think Command will either so others I'd consider............4. if we did go C Rogowski might be the center I'd go with but 5. Preston--a winger might be there 6. Pugachyov a winger might be there 7. Mutryn a winger probably will be (6 and 7 are power forwards and play very hard physical games) 8. Hextall---scouts really like this guy because he's a very smart player but he might not have enough skill to become a real 2C 9. Ignatvicius 10. Ryder Cali--another player scouts really like 11. Adam Andersson--big physical Swedish center.

 

[Riche16]

I think I’m at the point where I’m going to be ecstatic with any of

McKenna
Stenberg
Reid
Carels
Smits
Bjork
Malhotra

Just because we're so far away from the date...

Where do these guys rank in our prospect system once selected?

 

[UnSandvich]

Just because we're so far away from the date...

Where do these guys rank in our prospect system once selected?

1st

 

[Filip Chytil]

 

[NYR Viper]

Is there any concern from anyone with the fact that Bjork is likely almost fully grown and not just height but also weight? Based on his listed metrics, it seems likely that he is about as big as he is going to get which means he’s likely tapped out physically. I like someone who is perhaps 6’ and maybe 175lbs who likely has the ability to put on 15-20lbs of strength. I’m not saying there is a major concern just a thought

 

[nyrage]

I can't even imagine how frightening this must be. 7' 1"??? Plus on skates.

I used to play against a Russian guy that was about 6'7" ex military guy that was built like an oak tree. The reach that this guy had. Not very fleet-footed, but to get around him felt like skating around a house. He would slash everyone that tried to get past him. I think the refs were afraid to call penalties on the guy.

 

[GoAwayRempe]

Is there any concern from anyone with the fact that Bjork is likely almost fully grown and not just height but also weight? Based on his listed metrics, it seems likely that he is about as big as he is going to get which means he’s likely tapped out physically. I like someone who is perhaps 6’ and maybe 175lbs who likely has the ability to put on 15-20lbs of strength. I’m not saying there is a major concern just a thought

None.

I very much doubt he's maxed out putting on weight too but I wouldn't really want him to put on much more as theres a point of diminishing returns.

 

[NYR Viper]

None.

I very much doubt he's maxed out putting on weight too but I wouldn't really want him to put on much more as theres a point of diminishing returns.

I think your second comment is exactly what I was referring to though. He can get stronger for sure but he is unlikely to get ‘bigger’ if that makes sense

 

[UnSandvich]

I think your second comment is exactly what I was referring to though. He can get stronger for sure but he is unlikely to get ‘bigger’ if that makes sense

I could be mistaking him for another prospect, but i think i've read somewhere that his dad is like 6'1, so he could just not have hit that late growth spurt yet

 

[Filip Chytil]

Chrenko is a smallish (5´11”, 170 lbs), offensively-minded center who creates a ton of offence. He has exceptional hockey IQ and usually prefers finding a teammate in an open spot rather than shooting the puck himself (32 of his 43 points were assists) - however, he does have a strong shot and has no problem taking the responsibility himself, as he proved at the World Juniors when Slovakia did not have a more dangerous shooter than him.

Chrenko projects as a potential top-six player at the NHL level and his upside is very high. He is a true offensive creator with great hands and decent skating - he might not be an exceptional skater, which would be more beneficial given his size and lack of physicality, but he´s agile and smart enough to keep up with the level of the competition. There are some risks given his profile and similarities to Filip Mešár, another smaller, offensive forward from Slovakia, however, I believe Chrenko is the better prospect and he has the potential to play in a top-six role one day. He´d make a strong selection on Day 2 of the draft.

Skating
Chrenko is not a true speedster; his top speed won´t stand out, but he´s a very agile player who´s good at changing directions and losing defensemen even at a solid pace. He can control the tempo of the game and likes to slow things down with the puck on his stick, waiting for the ideal opportunity to find a teammate. He´s strong on skates and the technique is good; however, he lacks the top-end speed you´d ideally like to see in a smaller player like him. Overall, his skating is definitely not a weakness – he´s mobile, agile and effective at different speeds, but he won´t be the fastest skater on the ice. The size-skating combo might not be ideal for the NHL level.

 

[Synergy27]

Man, the Carels concussion news really blows. I think that further complicates what was already a very complicated pick.

Unless the Rangers have Carels rated much, much higher than Smits, I don’t see how you can justify taking on the risk of future concussions. The org will definitely be thinking of Chytil at pick time.

I hope they just go Bjorck at this point, and would prefer Smits to Carels as well. Bummer because before this news the pick was very easily Carels for me.

 

[UnSandvich]

2026 NHL DRAFT: DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT – Maksim Sokolovskii, D, London Knights (OHL)

McKeen's Brock Otten provides a detailed scouting report on 2026 NHL Draft prospect Maksim Sokolovskii including video and skill grades.

www.mckeenshockey.com

 

[mas0764]

Projections say he may have to fall to 5. Who would you prefer?

If the top 4 go chalk, Smits or Bjork.

If Malhotra falls that’s a tough choice.

 

[mas0764]

Watch the video I posted, you’ll be very disappointed if we somehow get Reid and you’re expecting him to skate like Hughes or Makar

Watch the video on NHL tankathon for Reid, the dude flies. I love you Ed but you’re crazy on this one

 

[mas0764]

I don't value ceiling as highly as others do because the guys who cash in 100 (or even 90%) of the way are really rare. Doesn't mean that he can't, but I heavily lean towards a player not being able to check every box that they have empty because thats how it almost always plays out.

I would also be worried about what our org would try to do with him. Like I said I think some of the questions about his hockey sense are valid, but others are attached to him because he doesn't play the way that most D play (because most players can't.) The latter is something I would actually encourage him to lean on but our FO is so gung ho about "play the right way" that I'm relatively certain they would try to squelch it out.

Sounds like you are saying development is a thing! @haohmaru

 

[eco's bones]

2026 NHL DRAFT: DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT – Maksim Sokolovskii, D, London Knights (OHL)

McKeen's Brock Otten provides a detailed scouting report on 2026 NHL Draft prospect Maksim Sokolovskii including video and skill grades.

www.mckeenshockey.com

We could draft Villeneuve at 5 and his future partner Sokolovskii at 26.

 

[Riche16]

1st

So does that mean Gabe isn't a "prospect" anymore?

These guys all outweigh the rest as well?

No argument... just clarifying.

Thanks.

 

[Filip Chytil]

I want to bat signal ThePeoplesPeople, he might know something, but it might be too early, and it is the weekend after all

we can only hope that drury is consulting with sir avgard hockey professor on who to take at 5

 

[Filip Chytil]

alberts smits father is actually jimmy smits

Per sources, his second cousin twice removed is Smitty WerbenJagerManJensen

 

[Clark Kellogg]

 

[mike14]

So does that mean Gabe isn't a "prospect" anymore?

These guys all outweigh the rest as well?

No argument... just clarifying.

Thanks.

I think the old HF definition of prospects was 65 games or less, so Gabe is technically still one until after the 1st month of next season. I guess it just comes down to whether you still include him, knowing he's basically going to hit that mark immediatly

 

[haohmaru]

Sounds like you are saying development is a thing! @haohmaru

Development is a thing. I've never said otherwise. What I have said, however, is that if talent is truly elite/generational then it'll find its way no matter what organization it's with.

 

[UnSandvich]

So does that mean Gabe isn't a "prospect" anymore?

These guys all outweigh the rest as well?

No argument... just clarifying.

Thanks.

I don't consider him one. Technically i suppose he could meet the criteria, but given the second half of last season, I think he's got a spot on the roster fully cemented for September

 

[TGWL]

Is there any concern from anyone with the fact that Bjork is likely almost fully grown and not just height but also weight? Based on his listed metrics, it seems likely that he is about as big as he is going to get which means he’s likely tapped out physically. I like someone who is perhaps 6’ and maybe 175lbs who likely has the ability to put on 15-20lbs of strength. I’m not saying there is a major concern just a thought

Don't worry, they hired Kessel to show him how to put on weight and look bigger.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

If Drury decided to package Trocheck Schneider and 5 together or a package of
Lafréniere Schneider and 5, what could a realistic trade be?? 2ed or 3rd overall??
Drury needs to make a big splash for elite youth. Other organizations have it

The difference between the 2nd and 5th pick in this draft is not Trocheck, Schneider and Laf. I know draft hype is huge every year but that's exactly what is is - Hype. Id argue that is a bad trade in 99.9% of drafts. You can't glass cannon that many assets for one magic bean because if you miss (look at this teams track record) then you've set your organization back years.