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

[Filip Chytil]

Bjorck has the kind of profile that could entice someone to take him in the top-five. If that were to happen, that would open the door for some chaos at the top of the draft.

As of this writing, we expect Gavin McKenna to go first to the Maple Leafs. And despite Mike Grier trying to say right-handed offensive defenseman don’t grow on trees, many expect the Sharks to target Ivar Stenberg at two.

Here’s where it gets interesting. We are not alone in saying this. Some believe that the Vancouver Canucks may not be looking at Caleb Malhotra. This is one of the spots in which the draft really starts. Take the coach’s son or look another direction?

If the Canucks go away from Malhotra, they have their pick of the top defensemen. They could also taking the rising prospect in Bjorck.

Nothing definitive as of yet. But if there is a prospect that could crash the top of the draft like Beckett Sennecke did, it’s Bjorck. If not the Canucks, there’s a good chance he goes soon after.

Bjorck has been the prospect we’ve heard the most in the early going of this week. He and other top prospects will speak to the media Thursday morning in Buffalo. It will be interesting to see what they have to say just days away from achieving their dream of being drafted to the NHL.

 

[Kupo]

If Bjork goes in the top 4, someone great we would be nuts to pass on drops to us.

 

[Filip Chytil]

 

[bhamill]

If SJS keep 2 and 9, I’m calling Reid and Lawrence or Belchetz.
This is based on nothing but vibes.
I see McKenna at 1OA, Reid at 2, Stenberg/Malhotra in either order at 3 & 4.
NYR pick between Carels (who would be my prediction prior to the concussion talk and country/city nonsense), Bjorck, Smits and Verhoeff. I assume Lilley will have done his due diligence on Carels, if we take him I’m not worried. If we dont take Bjork I predict he’s gone by 7.

 

[Filip Chytil]

 

[Filip Chytil]

 

[McRanger92]

Sounds like Dustin Brown

 

[Filip Chytil]

Wheeler says here that "I think Villeneuve is probably not even 50/50 to go 1st round. I think Villeneuve is going in the 2nd round."

Pronman says: "I think people are presuming the Rucks are going in the 1st round. I would not presume that. Just getting towards the draft, I get the sense teams are scared of the Rucks more than they're excited about the Rucks because I feel there is a lot of pressure to take both of them together..."

Wheeler also says: "I can see Command like 11, 12, 13, 14. That's in play for him." Then says he wouldn't be surprised if it's above Lawrence.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Wheeler says here that "I think Villeneuve is probably not even 50/50 to go 1st round. I think Villeneuve is going in the 2nd round."

Pronman says: "I think people are presuming the Rucks are going in the 1st round. I would not presume that. Just getting towards the draft, I get the sense teams are scared of the Rucks more than they're excited about the Rucks because I feel there is a lot of pressure to take both of them together..."

Wheeler also says: "I can see Command like 11, 12, 13, 14. That's in play for him." Then says he wouldn't be surprised if it's above Lawrence.

I called the Rucks in the 2nd round. Flames 34-35th picks.

 

[Greg02]

Folks, please stop confusing me with birthday math puzzles.

If you get 23 people in a room, odds are two of them share a birthday.

 

[noncents]

If you get 23 people in a room, odds are two of them share a birthday.

just due to distribution of births around certain days?

 

[duhmetreE]

If Bjork goes in the top 4, someone great we would be nuts to pass on drops to us.

Verhoeff just screams Rangers. Is that my ptsd?

 

[mas0764]

Verhoeff just screams Rangers. Is that my ptsd?

Yes.

I’m down to this. I want one of these.

McKenna
Stenberg
Reid
Malhotra
Bjork/Smits

 

[Gardner McKay]

If Bjork goes in the top 4, someone great we would be nuts to pass on drops to us.

And we would probably pass, like idiots.

 

[WhereO Is Kakko]

“But after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs by four points this season, Sharks general manager Mike Grier said he's open to trading the No. 2 pick…”

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Drury? Drury?

 

[mas0764]

“But after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs by four points this season, Sharks general manager Mike Grier said he's open to trading the No. 2 pick…”

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Drury? Drury?

Don’t really have anything to trade for 2.

 

[WhereO Is Kakko]

Don’t really have anything to trade for 2.

Could be. I’ve seen Schneider plus (plus plus) discussed as perhaps a possible asset for SJ.

One thing I’d like to know - what is the professional relationship between Drury and Grier? Does the latter even respect the former?

 

[CTRanger]

He was my vote at 26 on the board draft. Big fan!

 

[mike14]

Could be. I’ve seen Schneider plus (plus plus) discussed as perhaps a possible asset for SJ.

One thing I’d like to know - what is the professional relationship between Drury and Grier? Does the latter even respect the former?

would need to be a massive ++++. Would you do next year's unprotected 1st for this years 2oa?

 

[McRanger92]

would need to be a massive ++++. Would you do next year's unprotected 1st for this years 2oa?

Schneider might have more value than we think. Especially if he’s willing to sign in an “undesirable” location. Winnipeg. San Jose. Columbus. He’s a pretty low maintenance dude for a small market team in an era of player exoduses. Just something to think about

 

[McRanger92]

Could be. I’ve seen Schneider plus (plus plus) discussed as perhaps a possible asset for SJ.

One thing I’d like to know - what is the professional relationship between Drury and Grier? Does the latter even respect the former?

According to some close enough to collude on the Goodrow waiver. Believe they were teammates at BU and possibly in Buffalo too.

 

[mas0764]

Schneider might have more value than we think. Especially if he’s willing to sign in an “undesirable” location. Winnipeg. San Jose. Columbus. He’s a pretty low maintenance dude for a small market team in an era of player exoduses. Just something to think about

Then do it already

 

[mike14]

Schneider might have more value than we think. Especially if he’s willing to sign in an “undesirable” location. Winnipeg. San Jose. Columbus. He’s a pretty low maintenance dude for a small market team in an era of player exoduses. Just something to think about

I assume he has a fair value, but nowhere #2 which means the add needs to be enormous

edit - unless there is a league perception that this draft really isn't much chop and is only going to get you a 'useful' piece at best, even with the top picks

 

[McRanger92]

I assume he has a fair value, but nowhere #2 which means the add needs to be enormous

edit - unless there is a league perception that this draft really isn't much chop and is only going to get you a 'useful' piece at best, even with the top picks

There’s good players in every draft, but teams also want to win. Being a perennial loser is not as easy as it sounds.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I assume he has a fair value, but nowhere #2 which means the add needs to be enormous

edit - unless there is a league perception that this draft really isn't much chop and is only going to get you a 'useful' piece at best, even with the top picks

I'm guessing Schneider probably has equal or slightly higher value than Brady Skjei did at the time of his trade. So maybe a mid 1st.