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2026 NHL Draft

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I’ve seen the Ruck brothers ranked all over the place and it seems to me they should be higher. If you were doing a scouting report what would you list as their areas for development?

They both have their own strengths and weaknesses. For Liam it's about engagement away from the puck but it's not like he's on controller disconnect Ovechkin mode. He's still out there hounding pucks it just needs to be more consistent and he's a solid forechecker. For Markus it's about trusting in his own shot more as he's constantly looking for his brother to be the finisher so he passes up some opportunities to set him up.

They could both use some refinement on their skating which seems to be the biggest knock on them but they more than make up for that in their cerebral approach to the game. Getting some more explosiveness in their skating could really help them out and that will come as it is likely a very major area of concern for any team that drafts them. You can refine skating at this level. You can't refine IQ as easily.

I think one of the major red flags teams have with them is no one knows how they will play apart. They feed off of one another so much that they are basically joined at the hip. Getting one without the other is a gamble because you really don't know how they will play away from each other. Getting both is like hitting the lottery because you have a lifetime of chemistry. The twin telepathy comment gets thrown around a lot with them but it's because it's true. It's insane how well they know each others games and complement each other, the chemistry cannot be taught. If you could add a big winger to a line with them that can muck it up in the corners the sky is the limit. But I think between the two of them they can make 2/3rds of a really good line but the 3rd guy might just be a passenger if he can't gel well enough.
 
The Jets don't seem like trade-downers. Have they ever - outside of the Vegas expansion draft deal?

Preston's NHLe of 0.097 is above only Suvanto, Hemming, Hermansson, and Lawrence for forwards this year.

His prior draft NHLe forward comps are future Leafs superstar Easton Cowen, Marco Kasper, Dylan Holloway and former Leafs superstar Fraser Mintin.

He is reportedly one of the fastest skaters in this draft class.
Other than that trade down to protect Enstrom deal… I don’t think they’ve ever traded down.

I feel like they might’ve traded out of a late 6th/7th round pick for a similar round pick in a future draft… but I can’t find info on that.
 
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They both have their own strengths and weaknesses. For Liam it's about engagement away from the puck but it's not like he's on controller disconnect Ovechkin mode. He's still out there hounding pucks it just needs to be more consistent and he's a solid forechecker. For Markus it's about trusting in his own shot more as he's constantly looking for his brother to be the finisher so he passes up some opportunities to set him up.

They could both use some refinement on their skating which seems to be the biggest knock on them but they more than make up for that in their cerebral approach to the game. Getting some more explosiveness in their skating could really help them out and that will come as it is likely a very major area of concern for any team that drafts them. You can refine skating at this level. You can't refine IQ as easily.

I think one of the major red flags teams have with them is no one knows how they will play apart. They feed off of one another so much that they are basically joined at the hip. Getting one without the other is a gamble because you really don't know how they will play away from each other. Getting both is like hitting the lottery because you have a lifetime of chemistry. The twin telepathy comment gets thrown around a lot with them but it's because it's true. It's insane how well they know each others games and complement each other, the chemistry cannot be taught. If you could add a big winger to a line with them that can muck it up in the corners the sky is the limit. But I think between the two of them they can make 2/3rds of a really good line but the 3rd guy might just be a passenger if he can't gel well enough.
It's so funny how similar they are to the Sedins...

The Sedins weren't fast either. They just got stronger and stronger over the years.

Henrik deferring too much, Daniel being a bit casual away from the puck. Right down to just needing a 3rd wheel. They always did best with a smart guy that could read off them and play in the corners.

Will be fun. No way a team wants one without the other.
 
No, I wouldn’t because you can’t do 2 for 1

You can if you trade #9 for 2 later picks.

I'm not sure I would do that but if we had 8 & 9 and could get 16 & 18 for 9 I would sure consider it. It would probably take an add but if it wasn't too much it would be very much worth considering.

Say we had Rudolph at 8, I would consider who we could get at 9 compared to the twins. You would also need to consider what 2 players you could take with those 2 picks compared to the twins. A lot to consider.
 

Viggo was interviewed by the Jets and had some kind words about the meeting.
The Jets have never been shy about drafting smaller players in the 1st round

JoMo, Ehlers, Connor, Ville, Perfetti... even Barlow isn't huge
 
It's so funny how similar they are to the Sedins...

The Sedins weren't fast either. They just got stronger and stronger over the years.

Henrik deferring too much, Daniel being a bit casual away from the puck. Right down to just needing a 3rd wheel. They always did best with a smart guy that could read off them and play in the corners.

Will be fun. No way a team wants one without the other.

It really is wild how similar they are and play. Which seems like a lazy comparison. The Sedins were bigger but didn't really play bigger. The Sedins were also further along in their development but also played in a men's league coming up. Though it did take them awhile to really break out in the NHL. They were just okay until the lock out and then came back completely different players. I think the Rucks will have a slower development path. But its also a different era the Sedins likely could have used more development time back then.
 

Viggo was interviewed by the Jets and had some kind words about the meeting.
this has to be ai lol


look at all those random as articles from today
 
They both have their own strengths and weaknesses. For Liam it's about engagement away from the puck but it's not like he's on controller disconnect Ovechkin mode. He's still out there hounding pucks it just needs to be more consistent and he's a solid forechecker. For Markus it's about trusting in his own shot more as he's constantly looking for his brother to be the finisher so he passes up some opportunities to set him up.

They could both use some refinement on their skating which seems to be the biggest knock on them but they more than make up for that in their cerebral approach to the game. Getting some more explosiveness in their skating could really help them out and that will come as it is likely a very major area of concern for any team that drafts them. You can refine skating at this level. You can't refine IQ as easily.

I think one of the major red flags teams have with them is no one knows how they will play apart. They feed off of one another so much that they are basically joined at the hip. Getting one without the other is a gamble because you really don't know how they will play away from each other. Getting both is like hitting the lottery because you have a lifetime of chemistry. The twin telepathy comment gets thrown around a lot with them but it's because it's true. It's insane how well they know each others games and complement each other, the chemistry cannot be taught. If you could add a big winger to a line with them that can muck it up in the corners the sky is the limit. But I think between the two of them they can make 2/3rds of a really good line but the 3rd guy might just be a passenger if he can't gel well enough.
Looking at Washington with two mid-first round picks, two Protases, and a certain Tom Wilson for good measure. 😳
 
Looking at Washington with two mid-first round picks, two Protases, and a certain Tom Wilson for good measure. 😳

Yeah they seem well positioned to grab them and the right team makeup for them to excel. Could be quite a few years before they are playing meaningful minutes though so who knows if those guys are still there.
 
If anything, the decisions seem to be swayed by draft fallers and academic players.
I think the organization just sticks to its draft board and academic inclined players get baked in. Also if your board is close to consensus you are also more likely to get fallers. The only top 10 faller was Perfetti. Scheifele was a reach. Ehlers and Trouba were pretty much picked in their consensus spot.
 
I think the organization just sticks to its draft board and academic inclined players get baked in. Also if your board is close to consensus you are also more likely to get fallers. The only top 10 faller was Perfetti. Scheifele was a reach. Ehlers and Trouba were pretty much picked in their consensus spot.

Yeah we pretty much mostly stick to consensus. Scheif was the only real reach we've ever done. You could make an argument that Connor was also a faller based on where we got him even if that was due to 2 teams over 4 picks muking it up.

This draft I can't see us shying away from consensus to much. I feel like there is a lot of smoke around Bjorck for us so I have a really strong feeling that is who we take.
 
Yeah we pretty much mostly stick to consensus. Scheif was the only real reach we've ever done. You could make an argument that Connor was also a faller based on where we got him even if that was due to 2 teams over 4 picks muking it up.

This draft I can't see us shying away from consensus to much. I feel like there is a lot of smoke around Bjorck for us so I have a really strong feeling that is who we take.
I can see us taking Bjorck if he is available. Though. I think he is getting his tires pumped enough that he will be gone by 8. I think ultimately for the Jets it will come down to picking between the last 2 of the top 5 defensemen.
 
I can see us taking Bjorck if he is available. Thought I think he is getting his tires pumped enough that he will be gone by 8. I think ultimately for the Jets it will come down to picking between the last 2 of the top 5 defensemen.

That's how I'm hoping it turns out. Rudolph or Verhoeff are my picks. Bjorck if both of them are gone.

Get that 1RD we've needed for some time now.
 
That's how I'm hoping it turns out. Rudolph or Verhoeff are my picks. Bjorck if both of them are gone.

Get that 1RD we've needed for some time now.
My big hope is Smits goes before 8. Then Chevy gets to pick between the 2 big RHD. My true draft miracle would be Carels falling to 8, but that seems like too much of a long shot to hold out hope for.
 
My big hope is Smits goes before 8. Then Chevy gets to pick between the 2 big RHD. My true draft miracle would be Carels falling to 8, but that seems like too much of a long shot to hold out hope for.

Dream scenario but can't see him lasting that long. Smits and Lawrence are the two I'm scared of. They could still be useful players but potentially not as useful as the rest in that group.
 
Yeah they seem well positioned to grab them and the right team makeup for them to excel. Could be quite a few years before they are playing meaningful minutes though so who knows if those guys are still there.
It certainly fits Washington's strategy as well. Another high scoring WHL player who was dropped down draft lists for his size, skating and mobility profile in Andrew Cristall, has reportedly made great strides with the Caps organization in his first pro season.
 
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