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

[Jargon]

I wonder what would happen if Grier took Stenberg and chicago took Reid. Could it be the first time that prospects are traded after they are drafted? if grier takes Reid and Chicago gets stenberg, then the sharks lose the difference between Stenberg and Reid to chicago, which is likely a lot. However, Chicago has incentive NOT to trade before the draft on the chance they can get stenberg for free.

I could weirdly imagine the sharks draft stenberg, chicago drafts Reid and then, that evening ahead of the second round, the sharks trade stenberg+ #62 to chicago for Reid and #34 and #37.

Then, the sharks get Reid and two more late 1st round talents (Bleyl, Mutryn, Goljer...). Chicago gets their dream player in Stenberg as the desperately needed 1W for Bedard.

I can’t imagine this at all

 

[SJS1991]

honestly, the rumor that the Sharks one young defenseman and one older vet really makes Reilly/Nemec feel fairly possible.

Orlov - Reilly
Dickinson - Nemec
Desharnais - Pohlkamp (or something)

It’s still bad but in a different way? I think other #3 spot at LD needs an upgrade unless Dickinson takes a big step.

Switch Orlov and Rielly. Rielly can’t play off hand… Orlov can.

It will be bad enough having Rielly, he needs to be a LHD hahaha.

 

[Pavelski2112]

Zero interest in Nemec. I'd be fine giving up that package if he's proven himself, but he hasn't yet, and probably never will.

Agreed. Another case of people overrating handedness and draft position.

 

[Bizz]

honestly, the rumor that the Sharks one young defenseman and one older vet really makes Reilly/Nemec feel fairly possible.

Orlov - Reilly
Dickinson - Nemec
Desharnais - Pohlkamp (or something)

It’s still bad but in a different way? I think other #3 spot at LD needs an upgrade unless Dickinson takes a big step.

yes, out of all the Defensemen available for us to get this offseason, let's target literally the two worst ones.

news flash: we're done tanking.

 

[Zarzh]

They are grounded. I'm not saying Misa and Stenberg are sure to go for 100+ pts. But, from what I saw from Misa as a barely 19 year old at the end of the season looked like a guy with a solid 80+ pt future within a few years. Stenberg looks similarly poised given what he's already shown against men (a Mitchkov/Demidov type). Reid seems like the far more variable player who could be anything from a #1 RHD to a borderline NHLer. He has not proven anything against men, and coming out of the gutted CHL, he's far less of a "sure thing".

I wonder if grier makes a serious unexpected splash? Here are some crazy ideas:
1. Dallas lost in round one. they are tight against the cap with Robertson as an RFA. So, how about #2 for Heiskenen straight up? Would allow dallas the space to keep robertson and get the #2 pick. harley and Lindell are the top 2 LD for them...

2. #2 for Dorofyev+Korzak+Dowd: VGK has minimal cap space and I dont see how they can resign dorofyev and andersson without jettisoning 12+M in cap hit, especially since the word is that Pietrangelo may be coming back. This move gives the sharks a 35+ goal scoring 1st line Wing, as well as a solid mid pair, 6'4 Right handed D signed to term at just over 3M at age 25. Dowd is included as a cap dump given his 3M salary. hes a serviceable fourth liner for us and we have infinite space next eyar so any one year cap hit fits fine easily for us. For vegas, they flip Dorofyev into stenberg and dont miss a beat while getting big cap savings.

3. #2 to Buffalo for Power and Benson. Allows Buffalo the space to keep Tuch and Byram (after next year) since Benson would cost a fair amount and Power does too. Sharks get a potential top 6W and top 4 D both young.

I strongly doubt grier goes any of these kind of routes, but I would be very happy if grier flipped #2 for a bona fide U25 D rather than the coin flip that is Chase Reid or keaton Voerhoff. And if Grier can get the D AND a top 6W, it would be pretty cool. the sharks have ample cap space, so there are big deals out there with more cash strapped teams.

Are you secretly a Golden Knights fan?

 

[Jargon]

yes, out of all the Defensemen available for us to get this offseason, let's target literally the two worst ones.

news flash: we're done tanking.

I’m not necessarily pro-these moves, I just think they seem likely.

Switch Orlov and Rielly. Rielly can’t play off hand… Orlov can.

It will be bad enough having Rielly, he needs to be a LHD hahaha.

Completely forgot he was an LD…. Yeah not great.

 

[sampler]

Are you secretly a Golden Knights fan?

I hate the knights, but I do think there is a deal to be made with them given their cap situation. Dorofyev and Korczak would both be excellent adds. Dorofyev has two straight 35 goal seasons and he's 25 years old. Korczak is the bigger question mark but he seems to be poised for a bigger role and he's also just 25, 6'4 RHD signed to term at a low price.

I strongly doubt this deal happens, but just throwing out fun ideas out of sheer boredom

 

[ThePlanet]

If Hronek refuses to waive, would you be willing to sub in Willander?

I would greatly prefer this outcome. Kid is going to be an absolute minute-muncher.

 

[TheBeard]

I hate the knights, but I do think there is a deal to be made with them given their cap situation. Dorofyev and Korczak would both be excellent adds. Dorofyev has two straight 35 goal seasons and he's 25 years old. Korczak is the bigger question mark but he seems to be poised for a bigger role and he's also just 25, 6'4 RHD signed to term at a low price.

I strongly doubt this deal happens, but just throwing out fun ideas out of sheer boredom

Id rather Vegas sign the one-dimensional player to an egregious contract than give them a potentially better player on a rookie contract who's 7 years younger.

 

[dmcccdmn]

Quick question/poll for the board. Assuming we don’t trade either 1st round pick, what would be your ideal 1st round draft? Does who we pick at pick 2 change your answer for pick 20 and vice versa?

For me in a vacuum, I’d prefer Reid at 2 based on what’s been mocked in the 20 range. However, if we can move up a few spots and grab Lin I’d be good with a Stenberg, Lin combo.

Reid at 2OA and Lin at #20. No moving up. Get that RHD problem done with and move on to your other issues.

 

[sampler]

Id rather Vegas sign the one-dimensional player to an egregious contract than give them a potentially better player on a rookie contract who's 7 years younger.

Fair. Still think the sharks might be able to make a strategic trade with Vegas to get Korczak.

Something like Korzak+Karlsson+Dowd for Musty+Dellandrea.

 

[TheBeard]

Quick question/poll for the board. Assuming we don’t trade either 1st round pick, what would be your ideal 1st round draft? Does who we pick at pick 2 change your answer for pick 20 and vice versa?

For me in a vacuum, I’d prefer Reid at 2 based on what’s been mocked in the 20 range. However, if we can move up a few spots and grab Lin I’d be good with a Stenberg, Lin combo.

If it’s Reid at 2 I want Grier to move up at the draft to 15 depending on who’s still there. If they can get a big power forward winger and all it cost to move up is the Colorado 2nd (which, to be honest it might.) I’m looking at Hemming or Cullen. Someone will fall and Lin doesn’t really do it for me. Defense is important.

 

[TheBeard]

Fair. Still think the sharks might be able to make a strategic trade with Vegas to get Korczak.

Something like Korzak+Karlsson+Dowd for Musty+Dellandrea.

I’m not doing anything to help Vegas get younger and better.

 

[KirbyDots]

Quick question/poll for the board. Assuming we don’t trade either 1st round pick, what would be your ideal 1st round draft? Does who we pick at pick 2 change your answer for pick 20 and vice versa?

For me in a vacuum, I’d prefer Reid at 2 based on what’s been mocked in the 20 range. However, if we can move up a few spots and grab Lin I’d be good with a Stenberg, Lin combo.

Pretty much what I'd like to see. I'd prefer Reid. In fact, when we won the 2oa pick my first thought was, "wow we get to draft Chase Reid!". I was previously resigned to thinking we would simply take the best dman available, so I only did deep dives into the top crop on defense. If our scouts feel Stenberg is that much better, I'll be fine with it.
As for the 20th pick, unless a top power forward falls into our laps I'd prefer to go with another d. Ideally, do what Grier did to get Dickinson. Move up 3-5 picks and take whichever of the top dmen drops.

 

[mogambomoroo]

I'm so happy the draft is almost here, I want to know which route Sharks decides to take.

 

[Hodge]

It's depressing to think we could have drafted Martone last year and Malhotra this year for the perfect blend of hard skill behind Celebrini and Smith.

 

[67 others]

If it’s Reid at 2 I want Grier to move up at the draft to 15 depending on who’s still there. If they can get a big power forward winger and all it cost to move up is the Colorado 2nd (which, to be honest it might.) I’m looking at Hemming or Cullen. Someone will fall and Lin doesn’t really do it for me. Defense is important.

What if Gustafsson is still there at 15?

 

[67 others]

It's depressing to think we could have drafted Martone last year and Malhotra this year for the perfect blend of hard skill behind Celebrini and Smith.

Im fine with Misa. He's going to be a two way phenom and franchise C level who gets to be our Malkin. He's Celebrini lite

 

[67 others]

Pretty much what I'd like to see. I'd prefer Reid. In fact, when we won the 2oa pick my first thought was, "wow we get to draft Chase Reid!". I was previously resigned to thinking we would simply take the best dman available, so I only did deep dives into the top crop on defense. If our scouts feel Stenberg is that much better, I'll be fine with it.
As for the 20th pick, unless a top power forward falls into our laps I'd prefer to go with another d. Ideally, do what Grier did to get Dickinson. Move up 3-5 picks and take whichever of the top dmen drops.

I think most will be happy no matter who we pick. Except the dorks.

All the players from 2-6th are near equal in value as far as I am concerned.

Just over a month ago we were praying Smits or Rudolph dropped to 10th OA

And yeah, Chase Reid is my favorite as I have dug into his development path, watched many games, and I work in a junior hockey arena and see a lot of what translates to the big leagues more as each year passes, but I won't be unhappy if we draft Stenberg. ill just wonder who we end up trading to fill the holes in a year.

 

[Hodge]

Im fine with Misa. He's going to be a two way phenom and franchise C level who gets to be our Malkin. He's Celebrini lite

More like Marleau lite

 

[SoCalSharkzFan]

It's depressing to think we could have drafted Martone last year and Malhotra this year for the perfect blend of hard skill behind Celebrini and Smith.

Just say you're an unrepentant size queen at this point.

 

[67 others]

More like Marleau lite

They play nothing alike. Marleau was a speed perimeter player with a great shot and okay passing and good intercepts and puck stripping open ice.

Misa is more of a dog willing to go in corners and along the boards and come up with the puck, Which was one of his only areas of improvement noted in his draft year and he clearly worked on it as it was a strength last season. His shot and skating aren't as elite as Marleau but are still good and he has zero glaring weaknesses, is renowned for his responsible two way play and tied and beat junior records.

 

[unbridledid]

It's depressing to think we could have drafted Martone last year and Malhotra this year for the perfect blend of hard skill behind Celebrini and Smith.

You are complaining about having Misa and having one of: Reid, Carels, Smits or Stenberg? The rich get richer, the foundation is being built and looking great for you guys. As a Hawks fan I know you guys are going to be a problem in the future.

 

[STL Shark]

If it’s Reid at 2 I want Grier to move up at the draft to 15 depending on who’s still there. If they can get a big power forward winger and all it cost to move up is the Colorado 2nd (which, to be honest it might.) I’m looking at Hemming or Cullen. Someone will fall and Lin doesn’t really do it for me. Defense is important.

Moving up in the teens is the dumbest use of assets in the draft. Based on what we have this draft and next, it would basically take the rest of our 2026 draft picks to move up from 20 to 15 for what is likely the same tier of player. Terribad use of draft capital for likely no gain.

 

[Saskatoon]

Maybe Misa doesn't become a star but having a good #2 center is still important and we all know Smith isn't going to be a center