2026 NHL Draft: We won #2! Reid or Stenberg for the win; taking Verhoeff is a drafting sin!

[SJS1991]

who is up in the series again? the Carolina smurfs? oooooh that's right the Golden Knights.

 

[Pavelski2112]

who is up in the series again? the Carolina smurfs? oooooh that's right the Golden Knights.

Tbf it's not because Vegas is bigger, it's just because evil always wins

Seriously though, Vegas is just a well-oiled machine. They're like the T-1000. They've bought into their system 110% and everyone gives a full effort every game. Carolina just hasn't gotten the production they need from their top line and depth. They've been carried by the Stankoven line but they're finally facing a team that they can't just keep to <2 goals a game.

 

[jMoneyBrah]

I don't mean to be anachronistic, but the last time the Sharks used the No. 2 overall pick on a defenseman was in the 1996 NHL Draft, when they selected Andrei Zyuzin.

At the time, Zyuzin was considered a high-floor, lower-ceiling prospect. Scouts viewed him as a reliable two-way defenseman rather than a high-risk, high-reward swing. He was a bust.

That description sounds pretty similar to some of the Chase Reid hype we're hearing today: a low-floor, high-ceiling top prospect.

Not only do I disagree with how you’re framing the conversation around Reid; but, brah, pulling out an example from 30 years ago, made by different people, with access to a completely different set of data, about a completely different type of player, in the context of a completely different style of NHL hockey… yeah, I don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish with this statement.

 

[SJS1991]

Tbf it's not because Vegas is bigger, it's just because evil always wins

Seriously though, Vegas is just a well-oiled machine. They're like the T-1000. They've bought into their system 110% and everyone gives a full effort every game. Carolina just hasn't gotten the production they need from their top line and depth. They've been carried by the Stankoven line but they're finally facing a team that they can't just keep to <2 goals a game.

I'm just giving @YUPPY a hard time because i think the Stenberg and Reid discord is dumb at this point. So I'm just matching the dumb discord with equally dumb comments back.

As i have stated before, I think its either Stenberg or Reid at 2OA with a darkhorse chance of it being Verhoeff.

Plus if SJS is going to take anything away from the cup final... it wont be from CAR, it will be from VGK. Warso during the year talked about Vegas glowingly. And he specifically mentioned the back end... how they defend, how they get the puck out and how large they are.

I don't have a horse in this race... I just think it will be very interesting how the organization is talking about the back end this, the back end that, we need size, we need to move the puck in transition, etc only to draft a 5'11" winger. Love Stenberg, really do, but he just doesn't seem to fit what the sharks have been telling us.

 

[coooldude]

Not only do I disagree with how you’re framing the conversation around Reid; but, brah, pulling out an example from 30 years ago, made by different people, with access to a completely different set of data, about a completely different type of player, in the context of a completely different style of NHL hockey… yeah, I don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish with this statement.

Which brings ME back to the Falloon example that someone else brought up, which is a similarly irrelevant but on surface value "relevant" example from 35 years ago, which would indicate maybe we should pass on the undersized scoring winger. (Again, I don't think Falloon has any bearing on the Stenberg pick but at this point I really think it's 20-25% they pick Stenberg.)

 

[SJS1991]

Which brings ME back to the Falloon example that someone else brought up, which is a similarly irrelevant but on surface value "relevant" example from 35 years ago, which would indicate maybe we should pass on the undersized scoring winger. (Again, I don't think Falloon has any bearing on the Stenberg pick but at this point I really think it's 20-25% they pick Stenberg.)

40% Reid
25% Stenberg
20% Verhoeff
15% Trade down

Is where I'm at roughly. I think Reid seems to be the guy, given reporting etc. If not him I think all other options are around the same. But i do think its telling that when Sheng did his quick check in, defense was the main focus (based on vibes). So i think the more interesting discussion these 3 weeks will be Reid v Verhoeff v Carels... and based on who they select, what does that tells us about the direction of the back end.

 

[Surfer Dude]

Tbf it's not because Vegas is bigger, it's just because evil always wins

Seriously though, Vegas is just a well-oiled machine. They're like the T-1000. They've bought into their system 110% and everyone gives a full effort every game. Carolina just hasn't gotten the production they need from their top line and depth. They've been carried by the Stankoven line but they're finally facing a team that they can't just keep to <2 goals a game.

arguably, CAR could be up 3-0 but for a few bounces. it's been extremely close. eichel line hasn't scored much either, neither they don't rely on a single line. this has been one of the highest scoring finals i think and some offense from blueline to counter the forechecking. at some point i think the size will matter as the series go longer. but i think the goalie has been the main issue for CAR with FA likely replaced with Busi.

my take away is more both teams are fully bought into their structure systems. they all forecheck and cycle bec there just no neutral zone ice to skate in. this is not what our offense does well at all and conversely, they can't win pucks on the boards on D either right now. we'd get destroyed like MTL the way both teams are playing.

edit: KAndre Miller trade was huge for CAR with Stanky. it's not just Slavin show or Gotisbeshere now. Need to find a similar guy in a deal like Miller for the Sharks.

 

[YUPPY]

who is up in the series again? the Carolina smurfs? oooooh that's right the Golden Knights.

Did Vegas build its defense through the draft? Did they even draft a No. 1 defenseman like Chase Reid? NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

Noah Hanifin and Alex Pietrangelo are widely considered the top defensemen for the Vegas Golden Knights, and neither was drafted by the franchise. Both were acquired through trades or free agency.

So much for the "whiny little-girl voice" argument that it's so hard to acquire a No. 1 defenseman through trades.

 

[Carl Lindros]

Did Vegas build its defense through the draft? Did they even draft a No. 1 defenseman like Chase Reid? NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

Noah Hanifin and Alex Pietrangelo are widely considered the top defensemen for the Vegas Golden Knights, and neither was drafted by the franchise. Both were acquired through trades or free agency.

So much for the "whiny little-girl voice" argument that it's so hard to acquire a No. 1 defenseman through trades.

People want to play and live in Vegas though. Nobody is waiving their NMC for Winnipeg or Buffalo...

 

[Hodge]

The fact that they are hinting at moving back is certainly something, I think it's because they didn't want to trade their 30 year olds for picks and realize they don't have many assets.

The only GMs who traded lottery picks in recent years were Grier, Dorion, and Benning, they all lost those trades horribly. There is no good GM who would risk a core piece for peanuts, even if they like Verhoeff the best.

How the hell did we lose the Geekie for Bystedt, Lund and Havelid trade horribly? At worst it’s a wash since none of those players have established themselves in the NHL entering their D+5 seasons.

 

[SJS1991]

Did Vegas build its defense through the draft? Did they even draft a No. 1 defenseman like Chase Reid? NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

Noah Hanifin and Alex Pietrangelo are widely considered the top defensemen for the Vegas Golden Knights, and neither was drafted by the franchise. Both were acquired through trades or free agency.

So much for the "whiny little-girl voice" argument that it's so hard to acquire a No. 1 defenseman through trades.

they got their Number 1D in the expansion draft... they forced Ducks to give them a young talented defenseman.

Theodore, McNabb, Whitecloud (up to this year) were their main 3 pillars for basically their existence. Thats how they built their defense. From there they added. The argument for the sharks would be Reid (or whoever at 2OA), Dickinson, and somebody (Polhkamp, LSW, if they trade for a Kesselring/Schneider) can be their core 3 on the backend. And then you can move around pieces to add to them.

Also dumb argument is dumb... name the wingers they draft high that are on this team? So why draft Stenberg? We can clearly trade for Eichel, Marner, Howden, Barbashev, etc

 

[SJS1991]

Also @YUPPY internet scouts are talking…

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

The one you need, oh yes indeeeed!

Voerhoeff's, the one I want,
you should remember that,
Voerhoeff's, the one I want, I want

I don't cry when my dog runs away,
I don't get angry when my mom smokes pot,

But Voerhoeff's all I got.

 

[coooldude]

So i think the more interesting discussion these 3 weeks will be Reid v Verhoeff v Carels... and based on who they select, what does that tells us about the direction of the back end.

I personally don't think the pick will tell us anything about the grand vision of the backend. Picking any three of them still sets us in the direction of a defensive corps that is (mostly) big and hard to play against. I think the pick will simply tell us which of the obvious and well trodden arguments for each of these guys is the one they believed in the most.

Reid -> they buy his development path, hockey brain, and ability to control play. They see puck possession and transition game as critical to our success. They aren't as concerned with drafting a defenseman who is polished defensively (although again, Reid got props from OHL coaches and now guys like Belchetz at the combine saying he was the hardest player to play against).

Verhoeff -> they believe in his trajectory and physical tools and think his potential to be a two way beast like Ekblad is bigger than Reid or Carels trajectory to be Carlson or Sanderson. They believe that the NCAA challenges were due to a much harder league, that he would have crushed the WHL this year, and that he's smart enough to transition to the NHL over time. They either don't value mobility as much as physical tools, or they think his mobility can improve or is good enough.

Carels -> they believe in his development pathway and like his aggressive attitude, and think he's shown flashes of upside higher than the other two. They buy the Sanderson comp and his ability to get there more than the other two.

I think the Grier regime has consistently picked players in the first and second that have some obvious outlier/upside tool or trait so to me, from their POV, it's Reid (the skating and ability to control the game) or Verhoeff (physical tools, shot, runway). Carels has flashed great upside but he's not physically a beast and he was outshone by Verhoeff in the same tournaments, plus all else considered Verhoeff is RD.

 

[Surfer Dude]

Also @YUPPY internet scouts are talking…

6'2.5 now. Likely 6'3 by his growth end.

Hodge should be wet for him now.

 

[Hodge]

You know it’s a dogshit draft class when an offenseman who couldn’t even score a point per game in the watered down OHL is being talked about as a potential 1st overall pick. This is like 2022 all over again. McKenna = Cooley, Stenbust = Slafkovsky, Reid/Verhoeff/Smits/Carels = Nemec/Jiricek/Mintyukov/Korchinski.

 

[coooldude]

Sidenote, for as stupid as some of our carousel convos are on here, the McKenna thread is extra special with the influx of absolute mouth breathers from the GTA, as well as leaf haters from all round.

 

[SJS1991]

You know it’s a dogshit draft class when an offenseman who couldn’t even score a point per game in the watered down OHL is being talked about as a potential 1st overall pick. This is like 2022 all over again. McKenna = Cooley, Stenbust = Slafkovsky, Reid/Verhoeff/Smits/Carels = Nemec/Jiricek/Mintyukov/Korchinski.

Woah, stenberg better start eating some spinach or stretch in the mornings. Those 4/5 inches aren’t going to come from no where.

 

[YUPPY]

they got their Number 1D in the expansion draft... they forced Ducks to give them a young talented defenseman.

Theodore, McNabb, Whitecloud (up to this year) were their main 3 pillars for basically their existence. Thats how they built their defense. From their they added. The argument for the sharks would be Reid (or whoever at 2OA), Dickinson, and somebody (Polhkamp, LSW, if they trade for a Kesselring/Schneider) can be their core 3 on the backend. And then you can move around pieces to add to them.

Also dumb argument is dumb... name the wingers they draft high that are on this team? So why draft Stenberg? We can clearly trade for Eichel, Marner, Howden, Barbashev, etc

The lesson isn't "always draft the defenseman" because you have a need; it's "draft the best player" and build around him.

If Stenberg is viewed as a true franchise winger and Reid is viewed as a No. 1 defenseman, you take the better overall player. Most public rankings have Stenberg ahead of Reid for exactly that reason. Stenberg is producing against men in the SHL at a level that's extremely rare for a draft-eligible winger and projects as a top-line offensive driver. He's already proven he can play at a very high level against professional competition, while Reid is still more projection than production.

To me, it comes down to a simple question: if Stenberg becomes a Nylander-level first-line winger and Reid becomes a Dobson-level No. 1 defenseman, which player do the Sharks believe is more likely to reach that ceiling? Draft the player, not the position.

 

[Hodge]

Woah, stenberg better start eating some spinach or stretch in the mornings. Those 4/5 inches aren’t going to come from no where.

Okay Hemming = Slafkovsky. Stenbust = Savoie?

 

[Star Platinum]

Voerhoeff's, the one I want,
you should remember that,
Voerhoeff's, the one I want, I want

I don't cry when my dog runs away,
I don't get angry when my mom smokes pot,

But Voerhoeff's all I got.

Mucho gusto
Me llamo Chase Reid
I'm slippery just like Paul Coffey
And if you want to get beat physically
Well you're probably better off drafting Carson Carels

 

[SJS1991]

Okay Hemming = Slafkovsky. Stenbust = Savoie?

Yes that’s perfect in fact.

 

[Star Platinum]

Sidenote, for as stupid as some of our carousel convos are on here, the McKenna thread is extra special with the influx of absolute mouth breathers from the GTA, as well as leaf haters from all round.

I gave up on that thread

 

[SJSharksfan4life]

The lesson isn't "always draft the defenseman" because you have a need; it's "draft the best player" and build around him.

If Stenberg is viewed as a true franchise winger and Reid is viewed as a No. 1 defenseman, you take the better overall player. Most public rankings have Stenberg ahead of Reid for exactly that reason. Stenberg is producing against men in the SHL at a level that's extremely rare for a draft-eligible winger and projects as a top-line offensive driver. He's already proven he can play at a very high level against professional competition, while Reid is still more projection than production.

To me, it comes down to a simple question: if Stenberg becomes a Nylander-level first-line winger and Reid becomes a Dobson-level No. 1 defenseman, which player do the Sharks believe is more likely to reach that ceiling? Draft the player, not the position.

We did draft the best player, 2 drafts ago. He’s one of the best in the league. Now, let’s build around HIM, as you say. Get that defenseman who can grow with this team using the skills we vitally need. Get some more players, build a better team.

 

[mogambomoroo]

I know there are a lot of opinions about Chase Reid, but even if he became your typical offensive defencemen/PP1 guy (which is a big win) he still has size and has time to learn to use that to his advantage.