RD Chase Reid - Soo Greyhounds, OHL (2026 Draft)

[Juxtaposer]

Tired of hearing it cuz it’s true?…

Tired of hearing it because if production was the only thing that mattered, we wouldn’t need scouts.

 

[Patty Ice]

Tired of hearing it cuz it’s true?…

No because people disregard context. @Brock gives a nice writeup in his McKeens top OHL thread if you care for it.

Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft

 

[Martin Skoula]

Am I missing something or are a lot of the highlights impressive through the bit where he skates the puck somewhere dangerous, and then immediately stop being as impressive once he has to make a decision on what to do from the danger spot? I don’t think I saw much if any playmaking savant that sees 2 steps ahead or a dangerous shooter out of my admittedly limited viewings.

Is the bet that his accelerated development path means that there’s a lot of runway for him to figure out that last 5% with the puck on his stick? Otherwise, is the appeal that if the elite offensive IQ/tools don’t materialize you got an RHD Hanifin?

 

[Star Platinum]

Tired of hearing it cuz it’s true?…

Because it's kindergarten level analysis and wrong

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Am I missing something or are a lot of the highlights impressive through the bit where he skates the puck somewhere dangerous, and then immediately stop being as impressive once he has to make a decision on what to do from the danger spot? I don’t think I saw much if any playmaking savant that sees 2 steps ahead or a dangerous shooter out of my admittedly limited viewings.

Is the bet that his accelerated development path means that there’s a lot of runway for him to figure out that last 5% with the puck on his stick? Otherwise, is the appeal that if the elite offensive IQ/tools don’t materialize you got an RHD Hanifin?

RH Hanifin is an asset who brought in a ton with trade protection and could win the Stanley Cup. He won the Olympics and at one point is that not a good enough ceiling/floor? Apparently that’s the type you win with and at a premium position carries value x 10 in a trade. Asset management 101

 

[Martin Skoula]

RH Hanifin is an asset who brought in a ton with trade protection and could win the Stanley Cup. He won the Olympics and at one point is that not a good enough ceiling/floor? Apparently that’s the type you win with and at a premium position carries value x 10 in a trade. Asset management 101

It’s a good asset, shouldn’t be mad about turning a top 5 pick into that, but at the same time not a slam dunk #1 you build your defense around. 2nd-3rd best D on a winner sure, but if you’re Chicago or San Jose you probably don’t want to be tanking long enough to get the #1 guy.

 

[Juxtaposer]

It’s a good asset, shouldn’t be mad about turning a top 5 pick into that, but at the same time not a slam dunk #1 you build your defense around. 2nd-3rd best D on a winner sure, but if you’re Chicago or San Jose you probably don’t want to be tanking long enough to get the #1 guy.

If there was a slam dunk #1 defenseman in this draft he would be ranked 1st overall with a bullet over McKenna and Stenberg. But that’s just not the kind of draft this is. You can only take what’s there.

 

[BlueBaron]

While I generally agree on having Reid high, it's pretty ridiculous to say that he would not just hold his own, but outright thrive if placed into an NHL game right now. So you're telling me that Reid, without any preseason games, replaces Jacob Slavin or Shayne Gostesbehere tomorrow and does pretty much as well? If so he's probably the greatest defensive prospect of all time. I think Schaefer has a chance to be the greatest defenseman of all time, and I doubt even he could have pulled that off.

Not sure if you got that I thought it was an outrageous statement.

 

[theTDC]

Not sure if you got that I thought it was an outrageous statement.

Thought that was obvious.

 

[dmcccdmn]

More than a month after the draft lottery, nothing has changed. We analyzed and over-analyzed, and Chase Reid is still the most likely 2OA pick going to the Sharks. Just like Misa was suspected to be their 2OA pick last year, nothing really changes when it comes to the first 2 picks. If Stenberg is an inch taller and plays Center, it would make things far more interesting.

 

[lawrence]

Am I missing something or are a lot of the highlights impressive through the bit where he skates the puck somewhere dangerous, and then immediately stop being as impressive once he has to make a decision on what to do from the danger spot? I don’t think I saw much if any playmaking savant that sees 2 steps ahead or a dangerous shooter out of my admittedly limited viewings.

Is the bet that his accelerated development path means that there’s a lot of runway for him to figure out that last 5% with the puck on his stick? Otherwise, is the appeal that if the elite offensive IQ/tools don’t materialize you got an RHD Hanifin?

Was mentioned by cam Robinson that his weak back word skating at times lead to turn overs and the ncaa is a perfect place to work on improving his defensive game.

 

[Random Comment]

More than a month after the draft lottery, nothing has changed. We analyzed and over-analyzed, and Chase Reid is still the most likely 2OA pick going to the Sharks. Just like Misa was suspected to be their 2OA pick last year, nothing really changes when it comes to the first 2 picks. If Stenberg is an inch taller and plays Center, it would make things far more interesting.

This is nothing similar to Misa ranking. REID is only being considered because of team need.

 

[Janvonpobben]

More than a month after the draft lottery, nothing has changed. We analyzed and over-analyzed, and Chase Reid is still the most likely 2OA pick going to the Sharks. Just like Misa was suspected to be their 2OA pick last year, nothing really changes when it comes to the first 2 picks. If Stenberg is an inch taller and plays Center, it would make things far more interesting.

overall median rankings. Stenberg is too good to pass up on and propelled sweden to wjc gold.

Mckenna, 1.44, 1

Stenberg, 2.33, 2

Reid, 3.56, 3

Malhotra, 4.78, 4

 

[OversKy]

I don't really get why Reid is pulling away from the Carels/Verhoeffs as the top D.

If his skills are so much more dynamic they should have resulted in far more production, and he's behind Verhoeff as a physical defender and behind Carels as a cerebral one.

OHL bias a bit here with so many scouting directors spending far more time in the eastern time zone.

He's really only my top D because there's such a consensus. My heart says that Verhoeff is the ultimate tools D, Rudolph is just as good if not better offensively but more raw than Reid, Carels is more well rounded but LH, Smits is intriguing. Reid's upside is more Dobson than Werenski to me and that's a great player.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

He's really only my top D because there's such a consensus. My heart says that Verhoeff is the ultimate tools D, Rudolph is just as good if not better offensively but more raw than Reid, Carels is more well rounded but LH, Smits is intriguing. Reid's upside is more Dobson than Werenski to me and that's a great player.

Most people say he's the top D given the upside.

Verheoff is bigger and better defensively but Reid skates better and is better offensively (for now)

Carels is a little more aggressive, Smits is much more.

It's why this is a weak draft. Every single prospect has holes, and while that is the case every year, this year is sort of an extreme. Especially when the top of the draft is two average-ish sized wingers.

 

[Castle8130]

Most people say he's the top D given the upside.

Verheoff is bigger and better defensively but Reid skates better and is better offensively (for now)

Carels is a little more aggressive, Smits is much more.

It's why this is a weak draft. Every single prospect has holes, and while that is the case every year, this year is sort of an extreme. Especially when the top of the draft is two average-ish sized wingers.

I disagree with this sentiment. These young defensemen at the top of the draft all have very impressive profiles. None are undersized and all have produced impressive statistical numbers.

At this point, we are looking for holes in all their games with a magnifying glass because we want the best player. We are "overscouting" so we don't make a mistake.

Chase Reid is a 6'2.5" right shot defenseman that scored at over a point per game pace in the OHL on a lackluster offensive team. He played in the NAHL last season (huge improvement). His skating is his best attribute and has strong decision making abilities. He has just as good of a profile as any defenseman drafted top 5 in the last 10 years (outside of the 1st oa picks).

 

[57special]

Reid looks smart and composed every time I see him. Has good size, and good skating. What's not to like? He might not be a defensive stopper, but what top #1D's in the NHL are? Makar, Hughes, Werenski, Bouchard and Josi certainly aren't. Guys like Ray Bourque and Larry Robinson, who were true elite two way Dman, are near impossible to find.

Would like to see Reid play a year in college playing against older, better competition before SJS even begins to think about playing him in the NHL.

 

[57special]

I disagree with this sentiment. These young defensemen at the top of the draft all have very impressive profiles. None are undersized and all have produced impressive statistical numbers.

At this point, we are looking for holes in all their games with a magnifying glass because we want the best player. We are "overscouting" so we don't make a mistake.

Chase Reid is a 6'2.5" right shot defenseman that scored at over a point per game pace in the OHL on a lackluster offensive team. He played in the NAHL last season (huge improvement). His skating is his best attribute and has strong decision making abilities. He has just as good of a profile as any defenseman drafted top 5 in the last 10 years (outside of the 1st oa picks).

Me too. Forwards are weak, but this draft is filled with talented D. It has a good 5-6 that look to be vg, but even after that there are guys like Lin who have all sorts of upside.

 

[Castle8130]

Me too. Forwards are weak, but this draft is filled with talented D. It has a good 5-6 that look to be vg, but even after that there are guys like Lin who have all sorts of upside.

You can put all of Reid/Carels/Smits/Verhoeff/Rudolph profiles against all the defensemen that have been drafted top 5-10.

Byram/Drysdale/Sanderson/Reinbacher/Nemec/Hughes/Makar/Juolevi/Korchinski/Jiricek/Levshunov/Yakemchuk/Parekh/Buium

We have 5 profiles in this draft that are better or just as good as all these guys I mentioned above

 

[WSS11]

Reid looks smart and composed every time I see him. Has good size, and good skating. What's not to like? He might not be a defensive stopper, but what top #1D's in the NHL are? Makar, Hughes, Werenski, Bouchard and Josi certainly aren't. Guys like Ray Bourque and Larry Robinson, who were true elite two way Dman, are near impossible to find.

Would like to see Reid play a year in college playing against older, better competition before SJS even begins to think about playing him in the NHL.

If SJ grabs Reid I suspect he’ll be at MSU next year and maybe gets a few games with the big club after their season. Then AHL or NHL for 27-28

 

[OversKy]

Reid looks smart and composed every time I see him. Has good size, and good skating. What's not to like? He might not be a defensive stopper, but what top #1D's in the NHL are? Makar, Hughes, Werenski, Bouchard and Josi certainly aren't. Guys like Ray Bourque and Larry Robinson, who were true elite two way Dman, are near impossible to find.

Would like to see Reid play a year in college playing against older, better competition before SJS even begins to think about playing him in the NHL.

I'm a little concerned about his lack of production as it matches what I see. At the junior level, players like Rudolph and when hes on his game, Carels are gamebreakers. Reid screwed his wrist up so maybe thats an answer but Rudolph blew the competition away in the playoffs while Reid was average at best. He's got great edges, skating, shot is a positive, hockey sense is at least above average on both sides of the puck, but does he continue down his proposed projection or does he slow down like he has this year imo.

 

[Janvonpobben]

Reid is very overrated by NA bias.

 

[67 others]

More than a month after the draft lottery, nothing has changed. We analyzed and over-analyzed, and Chase Reid is still the most likely 2OA pick going to the Sharks. Just like Misa was suspected to be their 2OA pick last year, nothing really changes when it comes to the first 2 picks. If Stenberg is an inch taller and plays Center, it would make things far more interesting.

Misa wasn't "suspected" to be 2nd. He was known to be 2nd. He was the undisputed best forward in the draft, called a potential franchise center, and hit numbers not seen in a long time. His game is complete two way play with super high offensive ceiling and he has no weaknesses. He was honestly, well, Celebrini lite

Nobody else was actually close to him or Schaefer when it came to top 2.

This draft, picks 2 through 6 are actually very close

 

[Hull2Roenick2Kane]

If SJ grabs Reid I suspect he’ll be at MSU next year and maybe gets a few games with the big club after their season. Then AHL or NHL for 27-28

I think San Jose is a bubble playoff team next year and then Reid shows up to the big club and they do some damage.

Reid is very overrated by NA bias.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Byram/Drysdale/Sanderson/Reinbacher/Nemec/Hughes/Makar/Juolevi/Korchinski/Jiricek/Levshunov/Yakemchuk/Parekh/Buium

We have 5 profiles in this draft that are better or just as good as all these guys I mentioned above

I would argue a good amount of these guys were seen the same or better then most defensemen in this class on draft day