2026 NHL Draft Thread

[LogosBlue]

I think Kyrou is going to bring back a 1st also.

Yep. and combine 2 of those firsts to move up somewhere

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

The Kyrou trade opens up so many new possibilities. Three 1st rounders is a totally reasonable draft haul, four is crazy. I'll be shocked if we walk away with four 1st round picks. I still don't love the idea of trading up, but it's more palatable with four 1sts. I don't think that's what Doug has in mind, though.

 

[PJJJP]

The last time we had multiple first rounders I thought there is no way we use all three...... Now that we have 4 there is no way we pick all 4 right? Right?

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I’d be interested to hear your take on Klepov

Liking big swings, I'm surprised you don't like Cover? Sorry I thought I put in on Minnesota fans....

 

[HighNote]

I dont see the Blues making 3 picks Friday. I didnt think they would in 2023 either but I can't see it happening twice. We need quality not depth

Little did you know we'd be making 4 picks, pal.

No but in all seriousness, we need to move one or two of these 1sts. I might even be down to move three of them depending on the returns.

 

[Blanick]

Package 11 and 29 and move up. Package 15 and 16 and move up.

Draft twice between 6 and 10.
Pick Bjorck and Rudolph.
????
Profit.

 

[542365]

For shits and giggles, how high does 11+15+16+29 get you?

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

For shits and giggles, how high does 11+15+16+29 get you?

About double the value of 1OA. Just under double

 

[Mike Liut]

For shits and giggles, how high does 11+15+16+29 get you?

More than anybody in this draft class is worth.

 

[542365]

About double the value of 1OA. Just under double

Wow! This week is going to be incredibly interesting! Hopefully fun, but DEFINITELY interesting! Franchise-altering week ahead!

Next years draft is supposedly loaded. I wouldn’t be upset if we tried finding a way to use our power in this draft to grab another first next year rather than 4 this year. Probably would rather make a move for an NHL player but picks are fun!

 

[Mike Liut]

Tankathon has us taking

11) Gus
15) Command
16) Suvanto
29) Rogowsky

That would be a nice haul. I’m 100% taking BPA on all 4 picks

 

[LGB]

About double the value of 1OA. Just under double

Not what I’m seeing

 

[bleedblue1223]

Everything can basically be thrown out until we know what our actual drafting positions will be, but if we do end up drafting 3 or 4 times, with Gastrin, I don't think we need to select 2 Cs anymore, so we can really load up the prospect pool with variety now.

I don't expect us to keep all our picks, so we'll see how things play out.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

Tankathon has us taking

11) Gus
15) Command
16) Suvanto
29) Rogowsky

That would be a nice haul. I’m 100% taking BPA on all 4 picks

Gastrin, Suvanto, Command is way to redundant
Rather take a swing on a higher upside winger with one of those picks.

 

[sfvega]

Tankathon has us taking

11) Gus
15) Command
16) Suvanto
29) Rogowsky

That would be a nice haul. I’m 100% taking BPA on all 4 picks

Wouldn't mind taking Hemming at 16 over Suvanto. Especially to throw a bone to Ranksu, whose team is flush with Swedes.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Not what I’m seeing

View attachment 1258294

There’s about a zillion different draft value charts out there, and most of them disagree with each other at least a little.

 

[Memento]

Wouldn't mind taking Hemming at 16 over Suvanto. Especially to throw a bone to Ranksu, whose team is flush with Swedes.

Suvanto: “Am I a joke to you? I am a ****ing Finn!”

EDIT: As a note, being completely sarcastic here.

 

[kimzey59]

Everything can basically be thrown out until we know what our actual drafting positions will be, but if we do end up drafting 3 or 4 times, with Gastrin, I don't think we need to select 2 Cs anymore, so we can really load up the prospect pool with variety now.

I don't expect us to keep all our picks, so we'll see how things play out.

For me, I'm still taking 2 C's.
Our system is still bone dry at the position and Gastrin is hardly a lock to be more than a 3rd liner. We really need somebody to emerge from our pool as a legit option in a top 6 role, but at minimum we need to make the competition brutal enough that the cream actually rises to the top.

But I limit it to two(in the 1st round at least). Based on the tankathon mock, I'd have zero interest in Rogowski at 29. Not with Nordmark, Mutryn and Shilov(I see him as a wing more than a center) still available.

 

[bleedblue1223]

For me, I'm still taking 2 C's.
Our system is still bone dry at the position and Gastrin is hardly a lock to be more than a 3rd liner. We really need somebody to emerge from our pool as a legit option in a top 6 role, but at minimum we need to make the competition brutal enough that the cream actually rises to the top.

But I limit it to two(in the 1st round at least). Based on the tankathon mock, I'd have zero interest in Rogowski at 29. Not with Nordmark, Mutryn and Shilov(I see him as a wing more than a center) still available.

If as an organization we have Thomas, Dvorsky, Lawrence/Command/Suvanto, Gastrin, Korotky, and I suppose Stancl if want to include him, I feel pretty good about that. If CMM sticks at C or we acquire another one, then we are just fine. In my view, we'd be in a good enough position to just draft the position in the future if necessary.

If C is still BPA, then by all means, take it, but I don't think we would need to force the position like I would've argued prior to the Kyrou trade.

 

[LogosBlue]

Tankathon has us taking

11) Gus
15) Command
16) Suvanto
29) Rogowsky

That would be a nice haul. I’m 100% taking BPA on all 4 picks

I would not be happy with those results. Very disappointing use of draft capital.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Should be noted, Tankathon almost certainly hasn't updated whatever logic they have after the trade. It's likely coded to give us as many Cs as possible because that was our biggest need.

 

[LogosBlue]

What would 15 + 16 get us if we tried to move up with these picks? Or 16 + 29?

 

[LetsGoBooze]

Who knows where we actually pick come Friday, but if we are still at 11 and Gustafsson and Lawrence still available, what way is everyone leaning?

 

[LogosBlue]

Who knows where we actually pick come Friday, but if we are still at 11 and Gustafsson and Lawrence still available, what way is everyone leaning?

Personally, I still take Lawrence. His speed, shot and overall upside as a true center are too much to pass up on. His floor is a 3C. Gus is a solid 2nd pair LD. I take the center with 2C upside all day.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

Same. I don't think we will this time either but also thought the same in 2023. My sense is Army didn't intend to use all 3 picks in 2023 but no trades to his liking materialized so he ended up using all 3. I guess we'll find out what happens this time around.

I think it was a strange 1st round, seemed like too many teams were just content to make their picks.

I hope today was just a precursor for a wild draft full of trades this week.