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

[SJS1991]

I wouldn’t be surprised if we did go after Nikishin, I would be pretty unhappy if we moved #9 for him. He is nowhere near being a legit top pairing defenseman right now and he’s already 25 years old in October. I don’t know if he has upside left other than just generic improvements from NHL experience. It also sounds like he wants to be PAID and might be trying to get to UFA as quick as possible, which is only a couple years away.

Still watching the Peters/Robinson podcast and they’re saying Smits at #5 with a bullet unless Malhotra is there, which seems unlikely. So that’s a bummer.

They likely want to try and see what they can get with 9OA + 27OA etc and if nothing comes... they will be in position to draft a defenseman.

But the 9OA pick is going towards the defense.... one way or another.

 

[Pavelski2112]

Yeah, if Grier had parlayed this situation into Stenberg and Smits, I would have sung his praises.

I do think that having Orlov, Mukhamadullin, and Chernyshov here would definitely benefit Nikishin, who allegedly still doesn’t speak good English to the extent that it affects his ability to be coached. And realistically, I realize that #9 probably has an average outcome of what Nikishin is now.

I would wait until we know who’s available at #9 before pulling the trigger. If Verhoeff is there, keep the pick and take him. If the choice is between Gustafsson or Nikishin… that’s a tough one. I dunno what I’d do, and I really like Gustafsson.

Yea I've been cooling off a bit on wanting Nikishin just because of the ridiculous value of defensemen at this point. If the Sharks are going big game hunting, they need to pick up someone who's proven and worth the price.

 

[SJS1991]

Yeah, if Grier had parlayed this situation into Stenberg and Smits, I would have sung his praises.

I do think that having Orlov, Mukhamadullin, and Chernyshov here would definitely benefit Nikishin, who allegedly still doesn’t speak good English to the extent that it affects his ability to be coached. And realistically, I realize that #9 probably has an average outcome of what Nikishin is now.

I would wait until we know who’s available at #9 before pulling the trigger. If Verhoeff is there, keep the pick and take him. If the choice is between Gustafsson or Nikishin… that’s a tough one. I dunno what I’d do, and I really like Gustafsson.

His dad (Gustafsson) works for the sharks too.... so they have intel.

 

[Jargon]

Yeah, if Grier had parlayed this situation into Stenberg and Smits, I would have sung his praises.

I do think that having Orlov, Mukhamadullin, and Chernyshov here would definitely benefit Nikishin, who allegedly still doesn’t speak good English to the extent that it affects his ability to be coached. And realistically, I realize that #9 probably has an average outcome of what Nikishin is now.

I would wait until we know who’s available at #9 before pulling the trigger. If Verhoeff is there, keep the pick and take him. If the choice is between Gustafsson or Nikishin… that’s a tough one. I dunno what I’d do, and I really like Gustafsson.

This draft is fun because of the trades and potential big ones still to come. The actual draft order seems pretty locked up to me, unfortunately.

What’s your order, assuming no trades?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Yea I've been cooling off a bit on wanting Nikishin just because of the ridiculous value of defensemen at this point. If the Sharks are going big game hunting, they need to pick up someone who's proven and worth the price.

Especially given Nikishin’s alleged contract demands and proximity to free agency. That gives me a lot of pause.

His dad (Gustafsson) works for the sharks too.... so they have intel.

That’s pretty interesting. Not sure what to think of it, but I’m surprised that none of the draft insiders have picked up on this fact.

 

[Got Mullet]

On Peters’ and Robinson’s podcast, they’re putting #2 at 85% Stenberg. They allege that the Sharks traded Eklund for #9 under the presumption that the pick would get us Byram.

As Byram goes this is my thinking as well. It seems like Grier had a deal in place for Byram prior to the draft lottery but the Sharks moving up to #2 threw a wrench into that. That would explain why Grier looked visibly disappointed when the Sharks number was picked. I imagine he tried everything he could to move pick #20 up to #9 or #10 but no takers. It wasn't until Ottawa came calling after the Tkachuk trade that he could get a pick in that range again to facilitate the trade for Byram. Then we all know what happened shortly after Eklund was moved.

 

[Juxtaposer]

What’s your order, assuming no trades?

Here’s my official prediction:

1. Toronto - McKenna
2. SJ - Stenberg
3. Vancouver - Reid
4. Buffalo - Malhotra
5. NYR - Smits
6. Calgary - Carels
7. Seattle - Verhoeff
8. Winnipeg - Bjork
9. SJ - Rudolph/Gustafsson/trade

Of course it just takes one guy to screw up the whole thing, but I would be surprised if it deviated too much from this.

 

[Pavelski2112]

Maybe Smits will still be there at #9

I'm huffing the good copium tonight

 

[Jargon]

Here’s my official prediction:

1. Toronto - McKenna
2. SJ - Stenberg
3. Vancouver - Reid
4. Buffalo - Malhotra
5. NYR - Smits
6. Calgary - Carels
7. Seattle - Verhoeff
8. Winnipeg - Bjork
9. SJ - Rudolph/Gustafsson/trade

Of course it just takes one guy to screw up the whole thing, but I would be surprised if it deviated too much from this.

I wonder about Calgary picking defense - they seem sort of stacked there.

 

[SJS1991]

That’s pretty interesting. Not sure what to think of it, but I’m surprised that none of the draft insiders have picked up on this fact.

Sam Cosentino....just mentions it in this podcast as like an after thought. he says this at 37:58 mark

 

[Juxtaposer]

I wonder about Calgary picking defense - they seem sort of stacked there.

For me I think Carels makes a lot of sense as a partner for Zayne Parekh. They’ve got nothing on the left side and their RHD (Parekh, Nemec, Brzustewicz) are all smaller, bad defensive players. Carels would bring a lot of safety and stability to the system. Bjork is the only other guy I think they could go for.

 

[timorous me]

While I lean towards sharing your opinion, I just don’t think their claim is unrealistic. It would also make more sense that the Hawks overpaid in a desperate attempt to intervene at the last minute.

Robinson is also alleging that the Sharks are heavy on Nikishin too.

Yeah, I was thinking about this for a while before (I was vacuuming a car before an in-law's visit, so I had time) and came to the conclusion that the Byram idea is quite possible—I just think a lot of us probably don't want to believe that because it makes the trade feel a little worse on an emotional level.

But I do think it can work out well in the end despite that. Stenberg will, imo, be a superior player to Eklund within a few years, so that's an upgrade up front. And then it's just up to Grier to use that #9 pick wisely on defense. To me that means moving up a couple spots or making a trade.

Nikishin? I do think there's potential for improvement (though of course I'd prefer not to give up 9 for him). Despite being a 24-year-old rookie, I think jumping into Brind'Amour's system can create added challenges, especially for a kid in his first season in North America.

 

[sampler]

Here’s my official prediction:

1. Toronto - McKenna
2. SJ - Stenberg
3. Vancouver - Reid
4. Buffalo - Malhotra
5. NYR - Smits
6. Calgary - Carels
7. Seattle - Verhoeff
8. Winnipeg - Bjork
9. SJ - Rudolph/Gustafsson/trade

Of course it just takes one guy to screw up the whole thing, but I would be surprised if it deviated too much from this.

The big question for SJ becomes Winnipeg then. If they take Rudolph at 8, the sharks are forced to take Gustafsson at 9 or try a frantic trade.

I don't like the 9 spot in this draft. Very dangerous place to be if you are 100% dead set on picking D. Gustafsson is not a top 10 pick level D. Rudolph has his issues, but hes a good option at 9. He's going to DU, he'll get the superstar coaching from Carle. I think hell end up an excellent top 4 RHD, and a reasonable return for Eklund. Gustafsson feels a much lower ceiling and not nearly as high a pick.

The sharks will need help form one of Buf, NYR, Sea, or WPG to take a forward. I cannot fathom the sharks picking Bjork or Lawrence at 9 but that's the BPA theory.

Tomorrow could be truly insane. Robertson still may be on the move. Would Dallas pick F or D if they end up top 8? I could see them snatching Bjork or Lawrence if they trade up with Seattle, NYR, or whoever.

 

[SJS1991]

I wonder about Calgary picking defense - they seem sort of stacked there.

its either Carels or Viggo... its 1 of the 2. They love Carels and i think Carels wants CGY too.

 

[David71]

what if the sharks DONT pick stenberg at 2 but someone else...? a defenseman likely.

 

[Star Platinum]

We doin' a Draft Day Thread (DDT) tomorrow?

View attachment 1259901

Potential for Hatfields and McCoys once the pick is made

 

[Surfer Dude]

FWIW i don't think WPG will take Rudolph, American factor is real to them. They either go Bjork or even maybe Gustaffson imo since some mockers actually have him ahead of Rudolph.

Actually think Bjork has chance to go with 3-6 or 8 depending on how things shake out.

Edit: Rudolph is CAN. was still thinking of Reid. NVM.

 

[Star Platinum]

As Byram goes this is my thinking as well. It seems like Grier had a deal in place for Byram prior to the draft lottery but the Sharks moving up to #2 threw a wrench into that. That would explain why Grier looked visibly disappointed when the Sharks number was picked. I imagine he tried everything he could to move pick #20 up to #9 or #10 but no takers. It wasn't until Ottawa came calling after the Tkachuk trade that he could get a pick in that range again to facilitate the trade for Byram. Then we all know what happened shortly after Eklund was moved.

 

[Star Platinum]

FWIW i don't think WPG will take Rudolph, American factor is real to them. They either go Bjork or even maybe Gustaffson imo since some mockers actually have him ahead of Rudolph.

Actually think Bjork has chance to go with 3-6 or 8 depending on how things shake out.

Where Bjorck goes is the most interesting thing in the draft after the Sharks make the #2 pick to start the dominoes falling

 

[NiWa]

This talk about Gustafsson not being a top 10 worthy pick...

Gus: EP 10, McKeen 9, Flo/Chris Peter's 11, Hockey Prospect 8.
Rudolph: EP 7, McKeen 11, Flo 9, Hockey Prospect 10.
Smits: EP 11, McKeen 6, Flo 8, Hockey Prospect 12

You can have preferences among them of course, but he's right there in the thick of it.

 

[Jargon]

I dunno man, get Knies for 9, pick Reid at 2, or trade down with Rangers or Buffalo and pick best D available + getting a shiny asset.

 

[CaptainShark]

The assumption in here seems to be that Grier has turned down every offer for the #2 that he got. To me, it sounded like there was at least one offer that gave and gives him food for thought. Maybe he is waiting to pull the trigger until we are on the clock, looking if someone will up the ante more and also making sure he is not giving away McKenna (however unlikely that may be).

 

[BaybayShark]

FWIW i don't think WPG will take Rudolph, American factor is real to them. They either go Bjork or even maybe Gustaffson imo since some mockers actually have him ahead of Rudolph.

Actually think Bjork has chance to go with 3-6 or 8 depending on how things shake out.

Rudolph is Canadian

 

[Surfer Dude]

Rudolph is Canadian

oops you're right. nvm thanks for the reminder

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

Hoping a team falls in love with Belchetz. Maybe his size and skill combo will be enough for him to go before 9. Would help at a chance to get a top defender