2026 Pre-Draft Top 9

[BigRangy]

Seems like there’s a reasonably consensus top 9 in the draft this year. (Consensus top 2 as well).

In no order

Bjorck
Carels
Malhotra
McKenna
Reid
Rudolph
Smits
Stenberg
Verhoeff

If any, who do you think goes at 10 or later? Which player gets drafted a bit higher than consensus and goes top 9? What’s the latest spot that any of these guys will go?

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I can see Gustafsson breaking into this group

I would think Rudolph is most likely to fall but tbh I just think any of the defenders if someone likes Gustafsson more than one of em.

 

[Sombastate]

Looks like Smits stock has dropped a bit from rankings. Wouldn't be surprised if he falls a spot or two

 

[UnSandvich]

Rudolph & Verhoeff the most likely 2 to fall, Gustafsson and Cullen imo the most likely two to rise

 

[boredmale]

Rudolph & Verhoeff the most likely 2 to fall

Hopefully to the Islanders, especially Verhoeff. lol

We need RHD.

I think there will be some team who falls in love with Verhoeff from 5-9 though

 

[boredmale]

My 2 cents is

Bjorck
Carels
Malhotra
McKenna
Reid
Smits
Stenberg
Verhoeff

then

(any of these 3 could sneak into top 8)
Rudolph
Cullen
Lawrence

then

(either of these 2 could sneak into 9-11)

Gustafsson
Belchetz

 

[Castle8130]

Seems like there’s a reasonably consensus top 9 in the draft this year. (Consensus top 2 as well).

In no order

Bjorck
Carels
Malhotra
McKenna
Reid
Rudolph
Smits
Stenberg
Verhoeff

If any, who do you think goes at 10 or later? Which player gets drafted a bit higher than consensus and goes top 9? What’s the latest spot that any of these guys will go?

Bolded are locks in the top 10. Any of the others could fall. Who could break into this group? Wyatt Cullen is the best answer. There is some serious steam for him. Gustafsson could, but unlikely. For as well liked as Belchetz is, I think it'd be a reach to grab him top 9. Leaving the combine there seems to be a lot of rumbling that Tynan Lawrence could really fall.

I don't think people realize how high the "high guys" are on him. The ones that love him might have him top 5 in their lists

 

[Hinterland]

Seems like there’s a reasonably consensus top 9 in the draft this year. (Consensus top 2 as well).

In no order

Bjorck
Carels
Malhotra
McKenna
Reid
Rudolph
Smits
Stenberg
Verhoeff

If any, who do you think goes at 10 or later? Which player gets drafted a bit higher than consensus and goes top 9? What’s the latest spot that any of these guys will go?

I don't think one of these nine is gonna go after 10. However, if the question is who should go after 10 then, in my opinion, the answer is McKenna. I think he's Matvei Michkov 2.0. He reminds me of Michkov in so many ways and I think coaches in pro hockey are gonna hate him just like they hate Michkov.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

All of them will bust

 

[pgfan66]

Rudolph & Verhoeff the most likely 2 to fall, Gustafsson and Cullen imo the most likely two to rise

This.

Belchetz could go higher too if someone believes he’s Martone 2.0.

 

[Hinterland]

This.

Belchetz could go higher too if someone believes he’s Martone 2.0.

Belchetz is Mantha 2.0...at the very best. Not every big guy plays big. Also, Martone, in his draft season, scored close to 2x Belchetz' points...without Greenway by his side.

 

[boredmale]

I don't think people realize how high the "high guys" are on him. The ones that love him might have him top 5 in their lists

It feels like all the guys who went to college like McKenna, Lawrence, Verheoff and even Hemming are getting unvalued in places like here because they not living up the hype in College

 

[Checkmate17]

Seems like there’s a reasonably consensus top 9 in the draft this year. (Consensus top 2 as well).

In no order

Bjorck
Carels
Malhotra
McKenna
Reid
Rudolph
Smits
Stenberg
Verhoeff

If any, who do you think goes at 10 or later? Which player gets drafted a bit higher than consensus and goes top 9? What’s the latest spot that any of these guys will go?

Belchetz at #9 instead of of Rudolph