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

[LadyStanley]

 

[vortexx]

Well then, looks like Stenberg is going to be the pick at #2 and the NHL released his video just in time to get to know him better

 

[Bizz]

Here's how the draft is gonna go based of current team needs:

1. McKenna (slight possibility for Stenberg)
2. Stenberg
3. Malhotra
4. Carels
5. Bjorck
6. Reid
7. Smits
8. Veorhoff

9. ???

unless we trade up we just traded Eklund for a longshot lottery ticket.

 

[Yummyshark]

 

[TheBeard]

Here's how the draft is gonna go:

1. McKenna (slight possibility for Stenberg)
2. Stenberg
3. Malhotra
4. Carels
5. Bjorck
6. Reid
7. Smits
8. Veorhoff

9. ???

unless we trade up we just traded Eklund for a longshot lottery ticket.

I expect 1 maybe 2 forwards to go higher than you think. Becheltz gonna have that Martone bump and maybe Lawrence goes to a team like Calgary

 

[spintops]

Everyone just assuming Stenberg. What if Eklund wasn't a fit but Grier loves Reid + Belchetz? Already teammates at MSU

 

[coooldude]

I think if none of the D are there at 9 you have to take Bjorck just from a value standpoint. Although with his production I do think someone will take him earlier and one of Verhoeff/Carels/Smits/Rudolph will be there.

And there is always at least one surprise near the top so I have to imagine a D will be there unless the Malhotra smoke is completely made up.

I personally would agree on Bjorck before Rudolph, Carels, or Gustafsson but Gus is a very Grier pick.

I think I made the opposite version of this exact meme when we won the lottery

 

[Bizz]

I don't think we're staying at 9 though. I think we're either gonna trade up into 6-8th or trade 9th for an established NHL defenseman. If we could get up into 5th that would be ideal.

 

[Munnyro]

This is such a fun time to be a Sharks fan.

 

[Jargon]

This is such a fun time to be a Sharks fan.

What a turnaround from a few years ago when it felt like that sign when you go into the Pirates of the Caribbean ride… abandon all hope ye who enter here.

I think I’m gonna have to change my profile picture soon.

 

[Yummyshark]

Everyone just assuming Stenberg. What if Eklund wasn't a fit but Grier loves Reid + Belchetz? Already teammates at MSU

Actually this might make sense - Belchetz will extremely likely still be available at 9th. Basically trading a skilled smaller winger for a large winger, giving the top 6 some more size. If GMMG doesn't trade up then this could be the play, because there's no way he can be sure any of the dmen will be around at 9th (in fact, I'd say odds are good that they'll all be gone).

 

[ChompChomp]

What a turnaround from a few years ago when it felt like that sign when you go into the Pirates of the Caribbean ride… abandon all hope ye who enter here.

I think I’m gonna have to change my profile picture soon.

After this weekend, it's going to have to be something like this:

 

[Gecklund]

Reid or Carels and Cullen would be cool

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[anthonyyy]

Thinking about it more, and hearing all the stuff about Stenberg, it just occurred to me the comp for him.

Competitive, can pass, can shoot, decent handler, responsible enough defensively. Sounds like a former Shark (whom I loved) Granlund.

Semi but also hilarious that we could've just resigned him.

 

[TheBeard]

Actually this might make sense - Belchetz will extremely likely still be available at 9th. Basically trading a skilled smaller winger for a large winger, giving the top 6 some more size. If GMMG doesn't trade up then this could be the play, because there's no way he can be sure any of the dmen will be around at 9th (in fact, I'd say odds are good that they'll all be gone).

To be honest, with the way Grier was casually talking about having serious options to trade down, i feel like the biggest concern he had was not getting a top tier forward in doing so. This trade seems to open up that door.

 

[WSS11]

I think Grier is trying to trade up to 5 to grab Reid or Carels (whomever is left). Stenberg at 2 now obviously

 

[SactoShark]

Athletic's mock already updated…

 

[mogambomoroo]

9th overall for Thomas Harley?
Dallas gets cap space for Robertson and Heiskanen can keep doing what he's doing?

 

[SJSharksfan4life]

Actually this might make sense - Belchetz will extremely likely still be available at 9th. Basically trading a skilled smaller winger for a large winger, giving the top 6 some more size. If GMMG doesn't trade up then this could be the play, because there's no way he can be sure any of the dmen will be around at 9th (in fact, I'd say odds are good that they'll all be gone).

This would make my day. I’m still wanting Reid.

 

[themelkman]

Rudolph seems most likely. Wheelers scouts poll had him in the top group, but almost universally voted last.


35% star chance in HockeyStats.

 

[spintops]

Gustafsson > Rudolph, keep building the towering D

 

[DG93]

Gustafsson > Rudolph, keep building the towering D

I'd be so down if they keep the pick

 

[rsteen]

Rudolph seems most likely. Wheelers scouts poll had him in the top group, but almost universally voted last.


35% star chance in HockeyStats.
View attachment 1258139

Win the lottery and still have to try to get excited about Daxon Rudolph. At least Stenberg has a real first name I guess.

 

[LilLeeroy]

Feel like Buffalo definitely takes a forward at 4 (the poor Blackhawk fans lol), should guarantee one of the 5 D is there at 9.