2026 NHL Draft

[Flair Hay]

I was wondering if the CHL would alter it's "exceptional player" rules to allow more elite younger players as a way of increasing talent level

If you're losing the best players earlier, why not bring them in earlier?

I doubt they'd be so bold as to move to an official U19 league, but that could be an option too

Seems like the best thing they could do

 

[Daximus]

Correct me if I'm wrong, NCAA players can now come to camps now without impacting their scholarships, so long as they pay their own way?

This has generally always been the case I think but I don't know if anyone has ever done it. They just can't play any games as far as I know which makes it a tough sell.

The NCAA free agent rules also now apply to anyone who plays there, even if they were drafted out of the CHL. So there is a path to UFA after 4 years of NCAA for virtually every prospect in North America now and we are starting to see more Euro kids come over and commit to NCAA as well. Whether the NHL will make a change to this rule to extend eligiblity to sign I don't know. There is also a new 5th year rule for NCAA that I don't quite understand.

 

[Buffdog]

This has generally always been the case I think but I don't know if anyone has ever done it. They just can't play any games as far as I know which makes it a tough sell.

The NCAA free agent rules also now apply to anyone who plays there, even if they were drafted out of the CHL. So there is a path to UFA after 4 years of NCAA for virtually every prospect in North America now and we are starting to see more Euro kids come over and commit to NCAA as well. Whether the NHL will make a change to this rule to extend eligiblity to sign I don't know. There is also a new 5th year rule for NCAA that I don't quite understand.

Yeah the fact that "the loophole" (lol) is available to almost every elite player now is a little troubling for markets like ours. Although a player would have to be OK burning that many years of their pro career to take advantage of it

 

[Daximus]

I was wondering if the CHL would alter it's "exceptional player" rules to allow more elite younger players as a way of increasing talent level

If you're losing the best players earlier, why not bring them in earlier?

I doubt they'd be so bold as to move to an official U19 league, but that could be an option too

There are a lot of ways they could morph the league to make some changes. I think it's inevitable that they expand more into the US. The USHL is jumping on expanding into California, Nevada and Arizona.

There are a bunch of different routes they could go. From removing the barriers of the CHL leagues and implementing a more national league. Which would likely move a lot of smaller market down to Junior A levels and a complete restructuring of Junior hockey in the country. To removing the drafts all together in these leagues and adopt more of a Euro model so kids can sign at any age.

The CHL leagues will either make some changes or continue with the status quo but it's an oppourtunity to do something interesting.

 

[Upperdeckjet]

Oh I've watched. He was okay. He's prone to making a lot of bad reads and his offensive game is not nearly as polished as a lot of the other guys in this class. His IQ with and without the puck is my major question with him. He doesn't see the ice very well and has basically zero creativity with the puck. Just a very straightline offensive player. There is zero doubts he has a nice shot and a solid physical game.

I think he tops out as a 4-6 type of player in the NHL. I think he has limited offensive ceiling but a pretty strong physical defensive game that needs some refinement in his reads. I don't think he has the chops to be a regular PP QB so I think he's mostly going to be a 5v5 and PK matchup type of guy which limits his upside as a high end defencemen similarly to someone like Samberg. Which is still a good defencemen but not a great defencemen and certainly not someone I think we should take at #8.

I believe the draft will fall such that we will be taking one of Rudolph, Bjorck or Smits. That is also the order of my preference.

However, Smits is a top 10 pick in every mock draft out there. To project him to top out as a 4-6 player would not be a very commonly shared view in my opinion.

 

[Daximus]

Yeah the fact that "the loophole" (lol) is available to almost every elite player now is a little troubling for markets like ours. Although a player would have to be OK burning that many years of their pro career to take advantage of it

With the NIL money now it complicates things even further. No idea how much NIL money more middling prospects get. Apparantely McKenna was getting $700k to play for Penn State.

That's nearly equivalent to an ELC so it lessens the sting for someone like him to stick around if he feels it's better for his development.

 

[Daximus]

I believe the draft will fall such that we will be taking one of Rudolph, Bjorck or Smits. That is also the order of my preference.

However, Smits is a top 10 pick in every mock draft out there. To project him to top out as a 4-6 player would not be a very commonly shared view in my opinion.

It's definitely not a commonly shared view. Just my take on how I think he will develop. I think scouts are in love with his size and physical game. Wouldn't be the first time teams and scouts put a lot of value in that over other things.

 

[Flair Hay]

Yeah the fact that "the loophole" (lol) is available to almost every elite player now is a little troubling for markets like ours. Although a player would have to be OK burning that many years of their pro career to take advantage of it

Yeah that is one thing that really, really should get addressed in the next CBA if now 70% of top NHL prospects are going to be in NCAA instead of 30%

 

[Flair Hay]

It's definitely not a commonly shared view. Just my take on how I think he will develop. I think scouts are in love with his size and physical game. Wouldn't be the first time teams and scouts put a lot of value in that over other things.

Seeing that Cam Robinson list with Smits above Rudolph and Verhoeff really surprised me. If thats the case I think the board are going to be really pleased with how this draft turns out.

 

[Daximus]

Yeah that is one thing that really, really should get addressed in the next CBA if now 70% of top NHL prospects are going to be in NCAA instead of 30%

Yeah it's something they would likely have to give a concession on with the PA to get them to agree. Not sure the NHL wants to give up anything to make it happen though.

 

[Daximus]

Seeing that Cam Robinson list with Smits above Rudolph and Verhoeff really surprised me. If thats the case I think the board are going to be really pleased with how this draft turns out.

Yeah I really hope he gets taken in the top 7. Opens up a lot more options for us.

 

[Buffdog]

With the NIL money now it complicates things even further. No idea how much NIL money more middling prospects get. Apparantely McKenna was getting $700k to play for Penn State.

That's nearly equivalent to an ELC so it lessens the sting for someone like him to stick around if he feels it's better for his development.

Guys like McKenna where the NIL money is ballpark to NHL ELC are one thing

But with the way ELCs are structured with AHL money only being 90K, it makes it much more attractive for guys who likely won't make the jump straight to the NHL to stay in school

PLUS they can pick their team if they stay for the 4 years

If NHL owners were smart, they'd allow some sort of exception or change to the ELCs so that they aren't automatically two-way

 

[Finnflash]

I would take Rudolph on the jets and be very content with it. Curious why he is your pick?

Honestly I don’t see any risks with him compared to the other in his range.

 

[Daximus]

Guys like McKenna where the NIL money is ballpark to NHL ELC are one thing

But with the way ELCs are structured with AHL money only being 90K, it makes it much more attractive for guys who likely won't make the jump straight to the NHL to stay in school

PLUS they can pick their team if they stay for the 4 years

If NHL owners were smart, they'd allow some sort of exception or change to the ELCs so that they aren't automatically two-way

That would likely be an easier sell than changing signing eligibility to the PA. Whether they could get the owners on board with something like that remains to be seen.

I don't think the NHL will make any changes yet as these changes are pretty fresh. They'll see if players start sticking in the NCAA and going FA which is likely another 3-4 years away and if teams start losing guys they'll look at changes.

 

[ps241]

Yeah the fact that "the loophole" (lol) is available to almost every elite player now is a little troubling for markets like ours. Although a player would have to be OK burning that many years of their pro career to take advantage of it

What is good for us is that it seems like top guys are even more anxious to get to the show. Those top prospects especially from the US want to fast track.

 

[Buffdog]

What is good for us is that it seems like top guys are even more anxious to get to the show. Those top prospects especially from the US want to fast track.

And ultimately, the CHL to NCAA to pro development pathway might be a little quicker for almost every quality propsect

Ultimately I could see a shift in the entire NHL towards more younger guys in line-ups, sooner

We're already seeing the start of it (IMO). Partly because these kids put in so much work (both on and off the ice) as teenagers that we're seeing much more finished/polished prospects at draft time - both in their on-ice skill and their S+C

 

[ps241]

And ultimately, the CHL to NCAA to pro development pathway might be a little quicker for almost every quality propsect

Ultimately I could see a shift in the entire NHL towards more younger guys in line-ups, sooner

We're already seeing the start of it (IMO). Partly because these kids put in so much work (both on and off the ice) as teenagers that we're seeing much more finished/polished prospects at draft time - both in their on-ice skill and their S+C

100%

The skill level they are developing is nuts. Also they are training like pros in the gym from an early age. All the academy’s popping up these kids are full time hockey players from when they are in grade 6 or 7

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

Honestly I don’t see any risks with him compared to the other in his range.

I also think whatever his defensive issues are, they can be dealt with pretty easily.

 

[MelikeJets]

The Jets as currently built are 3 or 4 players away from being a true cup contender unfortunately. Even if Stenberg or McKenna fell in our lap it would barely move the needle. We need to start re-tooling now not in a year from now after an early exit. People will hate on this but the time to trade Helle is now. A cup winner doesn't need a Vezina winning goalie just a good tender with a strong defensive minded team in front of him. Sprinkle in a sniper or 2( ala KFC) and I think the chances to succeed in the playoffs goes up exponentially.

 

[jgimp]

I also think whatever his defensive issues are, they can be dealt with pretty easily.

I think his upside is tremendous if he hits. Puck mover who can skate and join the rush and contribute on the power play. Even if he doesn't hit his full potential, I think he can still play 2RD with PP2 abilities. Ive heard a few comparisons to Doughty, which would be huge.

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

I think his upside is tremendous if he hits. Puck mover who can skate and join the rush and contribute on the power play. Even if he doesn't hit his full potential, I think he can still play 2RD with PP2 abilities. Ive heard a few comparisons to Doughty, which would be huge.

Oh can you imagine how great that would be for us...

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

The Jets as currently built are 3 or 4 players away from being a true cup contender unfortunately. Even if Stenberg or McKenna fell in our lap it would barely move the needle. We need to start re-tooling now not in a year from now after an early exit. People will hate on this but the time to trade Helle is now. A cup winner doesn't need a Vezina winning goalie just a good tender with a strong defensive minded team in front of him. Sprinkle in a sniper or 2( ala KFC) and I think the chances to succeed in the playoffs goes up exponentially.

This is maybe the most accurate post I have ever read on here. You nailed it perfectly.

 

[jgimp]

Oh can you imagine how great that would be for us..

That and bottoming out this year and nabbing a T5 pick for next year's draft for a Top C would be massive for this franchise.

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

That and bottoming out this year and nabbing a T5 pick for next year's draft for a Top C would be massive for this franchise.

A replacement for Schief will be needed desperately, sooner rather than later.

 

[KingBogo]

A replacement for Schief will be needed desperately, sooner rather than later.

Next season is rumoured to be top heavy with centres, though I haven’t made the effort to look into it.