2026 NHL Draft Thread

[LogosBlue]

I would disagree with that assessment of the D men.
If you can't land one of the top 5 D men, I think you're better off waiting until the Colorado pick to snag a D man. I think there's a good chance one of the munchkins, Piiparinen, Goljer or Hakansson slips to 27, and if not you can just snag Vanecek, Dravecky or MacBeath in that spot.

The middle of the 1st is forward heavy with several good wingers(Belchetz, Novotny, Hemming, Nordmark) and centers(there's a chance Lawrence and Bjorck fall out of the top 10; Suvanto, Morozov, Shilov, Dagenais) that should be available. That really is the strength of the draft this year and we need to play to that strength instead of overthinking things.

As much as I like Malhotra, I think we have to plan on the Detroit pick going towards a forward. I'm not at all opposed to doubling up on offense with our top 2 picks(personally, I'm not completely opposed to using all 3 picks on forwards); but if we want to further address the D it needs to be with either our pick in the top 10 or with the Colorado pick. Missing out on that deep group of forwards in the teens would be a mistake IMO.

Your right. The way the players are lining up in the mock draft, that would be more feasable utilizing BPA mentality. I just think our sights should be firmly planted with Malhotra as our first pick. There will be plenty of good D left at the bottom of the first round.

Landing Malhotra and Morozov with our first two picks would be outstanding!

 

[MissouriMook]

I would disagree with that assessment of the D men.
If you can't land one of the top 5 D men, I think you're better off waiting until the Colorado pick to snag a D man. I think there's a good chance one of the munchkins, Piiparinen, Goljer or Hakansson slips to 27, and if not you can just snag Vanecek, Dravecky or MacBeath in that spot.

The middle of the 1st is forward heavy with several good wingers(Belchetz, Novotny, Hemming, Nordmark) and centers(there's a chance Lawrence and Bjorck fall out of the top 10; Suvanto, Morozov, Shilov, Dagenais) that should be available. That really is the strength of the draft this year and we need to play to that strength instead of overthinking things.

As much as I like Malhotra, I think we have to plan on the Detroit pick going towards a forward. I'm not at all opposed to doubling up on offense with our top 2 picks(personally, I'm not completely opposed to using all 3 picks on forwards); but if we want to further address the D it needs to be with either our pick in the top 10 or with the Colorado pick. Missing out on that deep group of forwards in the teens would be a mistake IMO.

If we’re trading Kyrou at or before the draft, I would prefer we target a Broberg-comparable, mostly-developed defenseman in that deal and snag centers with our first two picks.

Obviously a lottery win will turn one of the center selections into Stenberg or McKenna, but I think we could all learn to live with that.

Coming out of the first day of the draft with a combination along the lines of Malhotra, Morozov, and Nemec+ for Kyrou would feel like it has made this forgettable season worth it.

 

[LGB]

Just take the best player. I think you could make an argument for Malhotra over the defensemen, but don't just take him because he's a C.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

If we fall to pick 6 or 7 post-lottery, we may have no chance of even drafting Malhotra. Wouldn't mind landing him, but there's no guarantee of him being there. I personally think we are a lot more likely to go: top D available, then pivot to BPA with Det pick which will most likely be a Forward. We'll see, sometimes even the top 6-8 picks have some surprises. Lots of good options, personally as long as we land a top 8 pick i think we can navigate a very strong draft class.

 

[Spektre]

It’ll never happen, but the best possible outcome is for Detroit to miss the playoffs, and win the draft lottery.

 

[Bluesish]

I would disagree with that assessment of the D men.
If you can't land one of the top 5 D men, I think you're better off waiting until the Colorado pick to snag a D man. I think there's a good chance one of the munchkins, Piiparinen, Goljer or Hakansson slips to 27, and if not you can just snag Vanecek, Dravecky or MacBeath in that spot.

The middle of the 1st is forward heavy with several good wingers(Belchetz, Novotny, Hemming, Nordmark) and centers(there's a chance Lawrence and Bjorck fall out of the top 10; Suvanto, Morozov, Shilov, Dagenais) that should be available. That really is the strength of the draft this year and we need to play to that strength instead of overthinking things.

As much as I like Malhotra, I think we have to plan on the Detroit pick going towards a forward. I'm not at all opposed to doubling up on offense with our top 2 picks(personally, I'm not completely opposed to using all 3 picks on forwards); but if we want to further address the D it needs to be with either our pick in the top 10 or with the Colorado pick. Missing out on that deep group of forwards in the teens would be a mistake IMO.

I think it very much depends on which of the top 5 D men are available because one of them looks like Erik Gudbranson 2.0.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I would disagree with that assessment of the D men.
If you can't land one of the top 5 D men, I think you're better off waiting until the Colorado pick to snag a D man. I think there's a good chance one of the munchkins, Piiparinen, Goljer or Hakansson slips to 27, and if not you can just snag Vanecek, Dravecky or MacBeath in that spot.

The middle of the 1st is forward heavy with several good wingers(Belchetz, Novotny, Hemming, Nordmark) and centers(there's a chance Lawrence and Bjorck fall out of the top 10; Suvanto, Morozov, Shilov, Dagenais) that should be available. That really is the strength of the draft this year and we need to play to that strength instead of overthinking things.

As much as I like Malhotra, I think we have to plan on the Detroit pick going towards a forward. I'm not at all opposed to doubling up on offense with our top 2 picks(personally, I'm not completely opposed to using all 3 picks on forwards); but if we want to further address the D it needs to be with either our pick in the top 10 or with the Colorado pick. Missing out on that deep group of forwards in the teens would be a mistake IMO.

I would point out there are some good centers (D and Fs) still available in the 3rd round as well. A few D+1s that figured it out. ( that are often ignored in rankings) it’s a deeper draft by far compared to last year. We will still be getting some good talent with those 3-3rds

I totally do not get the Preston/Lin hype. Watched a Vancouver game and Preston spent his time on the perimeter and Lin kept losing his guy in his own zone. I want no part of either. Preston is a less engaged rookie Kyrou and Lin is a less talented Perunovich. I was more impressed with Noah Kosick’s two way game though it didn’t get him on the scoresheet.

 

[kimzey59]

I would point out there are some good centers (D and Fs) still available in the 3rd round as well. A few D+1s that figured it out. ( that are often ignored in rankings) it’s a deeper draft by far compared to last year. We will still be getting some good talent with those 3-3rds

I totally do not get the Preston/Lin hype. Watched a Vancouver game and Preston spent his time on the perimeter and Lin kept losing his guy in his own zone. I want no part of either. Preston is a less engaged rookie Kyrou and Lin is a less talented Perunovich. I was more impressed with Noah Kosick’s two way game though it didn’t get him on the scoresheet.

Preston I'll agree with, but I'd suggest that you just got a bad game from Lin.
Lin has legit skill. There's a reason he's over a PPG right now. Not sure he amount's to anything more than Matt Grezlyk, but I do think he has legit PPQB upside at the NHL level.

I'll agree that the talent in this years Draft goes well into the 3rd round. Another reason I think it's bunk that this is being called a "weak Draft". The only thing we're missing this year is a Celebrini/Bedard level #1 pick and I'm not sure McKenna/Stenberg are really that far behind them. Beyond that, this Draft is very solid all-around. Great crop of D at the top with a good secondary group behind them, excellent depth at forward through the early 20's, solid talent well into the 3rd round, good overall goalie pool(no 1st round talent but a lot of guys who should be good after some seasoning). Even if you do think it's "weak" at the #1 spot, this is a very good overall class.

 

[AyeBah]

Tommy Bleyl would be interesting with Avs pick. Could maybe trade back and get him as well

 

[oPlaiD]

It’ll never happen, but the best possible outcome is for Detroit to miss the playoffs, and win the draft lottery.

You'd rather draft like 5 and 8 than 1 and 15?

 

[kimzey59]

You'd rather draft like 5 and 8 than 1 and 15?

Two lottery draws.
We get #1, Detroit gets #5.

 

[oPlaiD]

Two lottery draws.
We get #1, Detroit gets #5.

I'll take it.

Then send that offer sheet out for Bedard. We won't need the five next 1st rounders after adding Bedard, Stenberg, and Verhoeff this offseason!

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Preston I'll agree with, but I'd suggest that you just got a bad game from Lin.
Lin has legit skill. There's a reason he's over a PPG right now. Not sure he amount's to anything more than Matt Grezlyk, but I do think he has legit PPQB upside at the NHL level.

I'll agree that the talent in this years Draft goes well into the 3rd round. Another reason I think it's bunk that this is being called a "weak Draft". The only thing we're missing this year is a Celebrini/Bedard level #1 pick and I'm not sure McKenna/Stenberg are really that far behind them. Beyond that, this Draft is very solid all-around. Great crop of D at the top with a good secondary group behind them, excellent depth at forward through the early 20's, solid talent well into the 3rd round, good overall goalie pool(no 1st round talent but a lot of guys who should be good after some seasoning). Even if you do think it's "weak" at the #1 spot, this is a very good overall class.

It’s not my first game with Lin. Actually six or seven. I even saw his three goal four assists game, which I was pretty unimpressed with as Power play in the WHL really isn’t that impressive. He has two guys on each side of him that took one time bombs. I watched him take steps in and rip the slap shot past the goalie. That doesn’t happen in the NHL. I just think he’s a very good junior player that perhaps you take a shot at in the third or fourth round as he is not a great skater. You know as well as I do that there is little pressure put on a power play in juniors. Bolduc looked pretty awesome blasting one timers while he was in juniors, but that didn’t happen as a pro. If I’m drafting a smaller defenseman, then I might pick.Galvas, Draveckyor Bleyl later. I’m not wasting an early pick.

 

[Spektre]

Two lottery draws.
We get #1, Detroit gets #5.

 

[Memento]

View attachment 1199892

I'll go for the "I f***ing love it, but it'll never happen" category for $1,200, Alex.

(But if it does happen, give me Rudolph with the #5 pick. Really high on the kid, higher than Reid.)

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Tankathon really likes us getting one of Ivar, Smits, Carels or Reid. No matter how many times I Sim the lotto 100% of the time I get one of those four

 

[LetsGoBooze]

Tankathon really likes us getting one of Ivar, Smits, Carels or Reid. No matter how many times I Sim the lotto 100% of the time I get one of those four

This is why its important not to fall any further. All those picks are money.

 

[Mike Liut]

This is why its important not to fall any further. All those picks are money.

I think Malhotra and Verhoeff are right there too.

 

[ToastedRavioli]

Here's where I think I am at:

1. McKenna
2. Stenberg

3. Verhoeff
4. Reid

5. Malhotra
6. Smits
7. Carels

8. Bjorck
9. Lawrence
10. Rudolph

11. Suvanto
12. Belchetz
13. Lin
14. Novotny
15. Hemming

An amazing draft for me would be getting one of the top 4 with our pick and one of those in the 8-10 range falling to our DET pick. A good/great draft would be one of those in the 5-7 range and any of those in the 11-15 range. Missing out on the top 7 would really suck. Detroit making the playoffs would also suck, although much less. A pick in the low 20s is still good value for Faulk, after all.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Gotta love mock draft season. I’m waiting for the first blues select Lin Villanueve and Preston draft with their picks in the first round so their team can take Malhotra, Carels, Nordmark

 

[LogosBlue]

If we don't fall up the standing much more, we still have a really good chance of drafting 1st or 2nd. 1 in 10 chance with the lottery.

 

[stl76]

I’m hoping Galvas is still available for our early 3rd rounder pick.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I’m hoping Galvas is still available for our early 3rd rounder pick.

I like a late bloomer that centers JP Hurlbert named Josh Evachesen. I wouldn’t mind a late pick on him. He can play and seems to be very under the radar. I’ve only seen one article on him. Checked in a few games. Why not? Makes up for what Hurlbert doesn’t do. Has some solid two way game. College commit.

I would rather gamble on a Galvas as he has played well in pro and internationally

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Scherbrrakov and malte gustaffson are 2 best d nobody talks about. Either could be good value with Detroit pick.