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

[TGWL]

I had a 1% hope that Stenberg would fall. That 1% of hope is gone.

It's possible Reid falls.

 

[Filip Chytil]

The Blackhawks were hoping to acquire the No. 2 pick from the San Jose Sharks to draft winger Ivar Stenberg, but that appeared to be an unlikely scenario after the Sharks acquired the ninth-overall pick on Tuesday. Because of that and the Vancouver Canucks likely to draft Caleb Malhotra with the third selection, the Blackhawks were facing a scenario where the best available player on their board would have been a defenseman.

Wonder who the other 4 teams are that Grier said inquired about the 2nd overall pick. He said there were 5. CHI was one of them.

 

[Filip Chytil]

Updated Wheeler mock here....PIT really wants to move up:

4. Buffalo Sabres: Chase Reid, RHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)​

Two things before we get to the Sabres’ options at No. 4:

1. I believe the Blackhawks were zeroed in on Stenberg throughout this process and that once the Sharks made the Eklund trade to acquire No. 9, it became clear to them that they were taking Stenberg at No. 2 and a defenseman at No. 9. That conclusion led them to pivot as quickly as they did today to pushing for Bowen Byram, who gives them an immediate PPQB to play with Connor Bedard as they push to get better. I don’t think they were prepared to wait two years for Reid, and maybe another two years for him to figure it out in the NHL. That puts you into 2030 and beyond before you realize the impact of the pick. Byram gives them a 25-year-old right-shot D now.
2. When I reached out for intel into who the Sabres might consider at No. 4, I got this back from a league source: “Think they might use it for something.” So this circus might not be done. I’ve been hearing the Penguins have been aggressive in trying to move up as well.

Now, if they do make the pick and the forwards go 1-2-3 (and everything I’ve gathered has led me to believe that’s the most likely outcome), I’d bet that they’ll take one of the D, and Reid and Carels are the most likely. And if it’s Reid, could righty Radim Mrtka, already in trade rumors, be on his way out as well?

 

[GoAwayRempe]

Reid to NYR at 5?

Just became a more legit possibility.

 

[GoAwayRempe]

The f*** does Pittsburgh have to move?

 

[will1066]

Tkachuk would be a Ranger and we’d have a somehow more barren pipeline

I think Benn and Seguin would be Blueshirts, along with Stamkos and pugilist Deslauriers, who would make Slats choose over Rempe

 

[n8]

I noticed that our 2nd round pick from K'Andre Miller got downgraded to the 64th OA. Drury, you idiot. How was that not a conditional 2nd. Drury manages to put impossible conditionals on every trade except this one. Carolina winning the Stanley Cup upgrading the 2nd to a 1st should've been a no-brainer. Even getting a dumb conditional 4th like the Panarin trade would have been welcome over this downgrade.

 

[will1066]

What the hell is Chicago doing?

 

[mike14]

are we now looking at forwards going with the first 4 picks?

 

[Synergy27]

Updated Wheeler mock here....PIT really wants to move up:

Isn’t Byram left handed?

 

[Filip Chytil]

The f*** does Pittsburgh have to move?

No clue, but pretty sure they want Viggo.

 

[GoAwayRempe]

No clue, but pretty sure they want Viggo.

I think Buffalo does too tbh.

I don't see the match for Pittsburgh.

 

[Filip Chytil]

Isn’t Byram left handed?

Yes he is

 

[Synergy27]

Yes he is

Would be pretty funny if Davidson actually thought he was a righty.

 

[duhmetreE]

I’d be livid if I were a hawks fan

Please someone take Verhoeff. I’ve gotten comfortable with the Rangers taking Bjorck.

 

[McRanger92]

Wheeler had Buffalo taking Reid. Don’t be so quick to drink Scam Robinson’s Bjorck kool-aid

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Im annoyed at all of this movement and not really sure why.

Stand pat at 5 and you'll land a very good player. Don't fall for some dumb trade down offer. If someone like Winny or Seattle get stupid, maybe,

Would love to see Reid fall to 5 but dont think he will.

Tor - McKennus
SJ - Stenboig
Van - Malhot
Buf/Pitt/Other - Reed/Viggo/?
NYR - McIlrath

 

[will1066]

Drury: ChatGPT, help me propose a trade with Buffalo for Braden Schneider

ChatGPT: I recommend a trade with the Sabres for Drew Stafford, a quality right wing who would make an immediate impact to the Rangers' top six, in return for Schneider.

Drury: But isn't Stafford retired? I played with him in Buffalo during our memorable playoff run in spring 2007.

ChatGPT: Oh, yes, my mistake. Instead, I recommend Maxim Afinogenov, another quality right wing who plays for the Sabres.

Drury: OK, thanks. nevermind

 

[Clark Kellogg]

 

[RangersFan1994]

Would Schneider and 26 to Sabres for 20 and D Radim Mrtka, D Maxim Strbak work for both teams current needs?

Upgrade AHL young d that can get called up and more quality depth. Granted both are RD, can move Morrow for LD. Rangers need young d in Hartford not when it is 4 out of 6 are mainly AHL vets. Both D dont require waivers.

 

[RangerBoy]

Just became a more legit possibility.

Buffalo takes the smurf and the Rangers take Reid.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Flames take a forward. There are no difference maker forwards in this draft especially at #6.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

I think the top 4 will go (in some order)

McKenna
Stenberg
Reid
Malhotra

If Bjorck is taken before us then Reid would be the way to go. Of course, that leaves us in the unfortunate position of collectively holding our breath and hoping we don't pick someone out of left field and leave Reid on the board.

 

[Crease]

Drury: ChatGPT, help me propose a trade with Buffalo for Braden Schneider

ChatGPT: I recommend a trade with the Sabres for Drew Stafford, a quality right wing who would make an immediate impact to the Rangers' top six, in return for Schneider.

Drury: But isn't Stafford retired? I played with him in Buffalo during our memorable playoff run in spring 2007.

ChatGPT: Oh, yes, my mistake. Instead, I recommend Maxim Afinogenov, another quality right wing who plays for the Sabres.

Drury: OK, thanks. nevermind

“You are absolutely right to question my response. Here, let me try again.”

 

[UnSandvich]

I think the top 4 will go (in some order)

McKenna
Stenberg
Reid
Malhotra

If Bjorck is taken before us then Reid would be the way to go. Of course, that leaves us in the unfortunate position of collectively holding our breath and hoping we don't pick someone out of left field and leave Reid on the board.

I think it's pretty unlikely we skip Reid if he's on the board. He's clearly the best D prospect in the draft