Prospect Info: 2026 NHL Draft Thread

[StevenToddIves]

its certainly a favorable attribute, i hope i didnt make it sound otherwise. but its not elite, and i think to play the way he does, given what he offers, he kinda needs it to be. N-S explosive but speed is more very good than great. some quirks to his agility

great list, always appreciate you coming by and sharing your thoughts. ill be posting my board either tonight or tomorrow, but we share the same top 6 (albeit rearranged a bit). love to see youre on the klepov train

gotta give credit where its due on pugachyov as well. i thought i was unusually high on him having him where i did, but hearing your range, seeing a place like HP rank him equally as aggressively, etc. made me revisit some mhl playoff tape and i did end up moving him up a bit. awesome, awesome player

any thoughts on suvanto? i believe hes the only player i have in my top 16 that you dont/havent previously talked about

Considered Suvanto at 15 or 16, but preference. Also keep in mind that I do not have the 100s of film-watching hours this year, so more room for error than usual.

 

[My3Sons]

its certainly a favorable attribute, i hope i didnt make it sound otherwise. but its not elite, and i think to play the way he does, given what he offers, he kinda needs it to be. N-S explosive but speed is more very good than great. some quirks to his agility

great list, always appreciate you coming by and sharing your thoughts. ill be posting my board either tonight or tomorrow, but we share the same top 6 (albeit rearranged a bit). love to see youre on the klepov train

gotta give credit where its due on pugachyov as well. i thought i was unusually high on him having him where i did, but hearing your range, seeing a place like HP rank him equally as aggressively, etc. made me revisit some mhl playoff tape and i did end up moving him up a bit. awesome, awesome player

any thoughts on suvanto? i believe hes the only player i have in my top 16 that you dont/havent previously talked about

I think I'd go with Pugachayov if Bjorck and Cullen aren't there.

 

[NJDfan86]

Maybe Gustafson as well as a defender?

I was using the scouting communities consensus on the top 5 defenders - I think he is right there with Verhoeff but he is and RHD so that gives him a boost.

My personal opinion is that the only 2 defenders in the "top 5" that I really believe in are Reid and Carels - there is a 0% chance they drop to 12 so i personally wouldn't entertain any D at 12 .

 

[StevenToddIves]

I was using the scouting communities consensus on the top 5 defenders - I think he is right there with Verhoeff but he is and RHD so that gives him a boost.

My personal opinion is that the only 2 defenders in the "top 5" that I really believe in are Reid and Carels - there is a 0% chance they drop to 12 so i personally wouldn't entertain any D at 12 .

Smits could play in the NHL now and in 5 years could be a physical, shut-down force with 40-50 point potential. Don't sleep on him.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I think I'd go with Pugachayov if Bjorck and Cullen aren't there.

I'd be demanding them to trade the pick for a roster player instead.

 

[My3Sons]

I'd be demanding them to trade the pick for a roster player instead.

I’m not trading 12 for a declining overpaid vet. I don’t think 12 returns a real difference maker.

 

[Devils Trap]

I’m not trading 12 for a declining overpaid vet. I don’t think 12 returns a real difference maker.

Agree, like I bet you we can get a Rakell for 12 but there is no way we should.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I’m not trading 12 for a declining overpaid vet. I don’t think 12 returns a real difference maker.

Who says it has to be for a declining overpaid vet? We have so many picks (with the 12O having the highest value). They can be flipped for a young-ish player who can contribute now

 

[My3Sons]

Who says it has to be for a declining overpaid vet? We have so many picks (with the 12O having the highest value). They can be flipped for a young-ish player who can contribute now

I’ll believe it when I see it. This is considered a pretty average draft snd look at what a Byram went for. Good player but not great and in need of a new deal. What’s the forward equivalent? And he went for much more than a mid first round pick. I just don’t see any team offering a very good young player. Maybe a mediocre one or a guy in a similar spot to Nemec. I’d love it if they could get a slightly better version of a Mercer level player but I’m skeptical that would be the return.

 

[dgibb10]

I’ll believe it when I see it. This is considered a pretty average draft snd look at what a Byram went for. Good player but not great and in need of a new deal. What’s the forward equivalent? And he went for much more than a mid first round pick. I just don’t see any team offering a very good young player. Maybe a mediocre one or a guy in a similar spot to Nemec. I’d love it if they could get a slightly better version of a Mercer level player but I’m skeptical that would be the return.

I think I'd do it for Ryan McLeod or Mason McTavish.

 

[Forge]

I think I'd do it for Ryan McLeod or Mason McTavish.

Based on current prices, I don't think 12 alone nets either, so it depends on what they'd have to add.

I'm very interested in McTavish though

 

[Forge]

I really want to be excited about Command, but I'm a little sketched by a top 12 pick from Sweden still mostly in the j20 in his draft year. I feel like that doesn't happen all that much and most are in the shl or allsven.

Is that a dumb thing to be weirded out by?