RD Keaton Verhoeff - North Dakota, NCAA (2026 Draft)

[lawrence]

Could Verhoff have a Peitrangelo ceiling?

Last years u18 version of him reminded me of petriangelo. He was d-1 and he was their best player. This u18 wasn’t as good.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

I wouldn’t be upset if he goes 3rd overall to Vancouver and prefer his game and projected upside to a guy like Malhotra. He’s the biggest unicorn in the draft and I could see him carving out a Shea Weber like career even if his skating doesn’t improve. He’s got the size, shot and tools to be a very special player.

 

[Fatass]

Pietrangelo is the definition of a #1 defenseman. Big, athletic, smart, and a guy you'll never see on the highlights (in a good way), but his impact is through the roof. Carels is a guy who reminds me of Pietrangelo, but smaller.

That earlier description doesn't describe Verhoeff at the moment, but maybe he grows into that. In the current moment he's molding into Ed Jovanovski, a guy who is a #1 in every metric, but is willing to make the high risk play, in which he will succeed and he will be praised, but if he doesn't he will be scrutinized and called "Special Keaton".

“Special” Ed had the attributes you mention, but he was a seriously tough guy too. Does Verhoff have that level of toughness? If he does, then it sounds like the complete package, sans high iq.

 

[Cancuks]

I think the Sharks will take him.

 

[Breakers]

Teams trust North Dakota’s development practices

Ottawa Trusted it with Sanderson, and staying for a sophmore year has been passed down to copuntless top prospects because they have seen what it has done with the next the following season

Jost was lone exception against the wishes of other NHL/north dakota alumni

 

[coooldude]

Lots of narrative is chasing Verhoeff right now (stagnated, still low mobility, IQ questions), but I hadn't seen any shift by shifts since earlier this year, and this is the last game of his from @Prospect Shifts (Frozen Four semi).

Overall, I thought his mobility was better than earlier in the year - better pivots, a few 10-and-2's / mohawks to increase lateral mobility. Overall looked solid. Lost 2-0 but was a +0 and his shot was a weapon on the power play. Still not screaming offensive talent, but generally solid positioning. I didn't see any decision-making issues, a few poor or mid transition passes in execution not choice.

Would the Sharks consider him alongside Reid, Carels, Smits at 2? Possibly. I'm not sure I fully buy the "he stagnated this year", and he's still young for the class. But he's also not a clear 1OA or top 3 (obviously).

Spoiler: detailed notes

• First shift, trying really hard to throw the body and play physical to OK effect. long shift ends up in an icing by him, could likely have done a bit better.
• Second shift he and his partner get stuck with a blue line 3 on 2, Verhoeff gets a bit sucked to puck and leaves his guy open in the low slot, goalie bails him out.
• In general I think his mobility looks a lot better here than it did early season. He's able to use mohawks and pivot around his hips without looking as stiff. That was a big knock for me earlier. Still could be a bit more explosive in the first few steps.
• Used his size and reach well on a few entries to get in front of players, push them outside, poke a few pucks, and block a few shots.
• For me, his off puck positioning has been consistently solid across viewings. He's not a genius at anticipating flow of play but he is often where he should be for a sound game.
• Late in the first, got beat wide but then recovered and used his length to stick check from behind the forward at the low circle. No shot on goal.
• End of shift, pinched to control a dump in while his teammates changed, managed to control it and get it back to the far point so that MSU kept possession in zone. Could have been a pretty bad pinch, and was it on purpose? Unclear, but great outcome.
• Got hemmed in on a shift but had good anticipation to intercept a slot pass.
• Good defensive read midway thru 2nd to break up another slot pass. Didn't quite get good stick on it to get it further than the high slot.
• Flubbed a solid PP 1T chance from the Ovie spot. Redeemed himself a few seconds later with another 1T same spot that was well saved.
• Lost puck under forecheck pressure behind his net, but was in good position most of the shift prior. He recovered to win the puck on the boards and high flip it for icing. High compete.
• did a great job on the 5 on 3 to get shots on, distribute quickly to the open man, recovered a loose puck, didn't f*** it up when he lost an edge and still got the puck to a teammate. No goal, but Verhoeff did well.
• Started playing hero hockey in the 3rd around 17:00, all over the ice, but honestly didn't look too bad at it.
• Flubbed another PP 1T but hard to fault him, was a quick pass and still got it toward net, but was blocked.
• Tried a hero stretch but didn't go, another cross ice breakout pass in the feet of his teammate. Generally no flash in transition passing, nothing egregious but not a strength this game.
• Bobbled a puck on the blue line leading to a 2 on 0 with 5 to go... but where was his D partner? Terrible read by 13. Bailed out by the Wisco F bobbling the puck and a goalie save.
• By the last 5, he's truly heroing out there, looks like a C on the ice.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

Lots of narrative is chasing Verhoeff right now (stagnated, still low mobility, IQ questions), but I hadn't seen any shift by shifts since earlier this year, and this is the last game of his from @Prospect Shifts (Frozen Four semi).

Overall, I thought his mobility was better than earlier in the year - better pivots, a few 10-and-2's / mohawks to increase lateral mobility. Overall looked solid. Lost 2-0 but was a +0 and his shot was a weapon on the power play. Still not screaming offensive talent, but generally solid positioning. I didn't see any decision-making issues, a few poor or mid transition passes in execution not choice.

Would the Sharks consider him alongside Reid, Carels, Smits at 2? Possibly. I'm not sure I fully buy the "he stagnated this year", and he's still young for the class. But he's also not a clear 1OA or top 3 (obviously).

Spoiler: detailed notes

• First shift, trying really hard to throw the body and play physical to OK effect. long shift ends up in an icing by him, could likely have done a bit better.
• Second shift he and his partner get stuck with a blue line 3 on 2, Verhoeff gets a bit sucked to puck and leaves his guy open in the low slot, goalie bails him out.
• In general I think his mobility looks a lot better here than it did early season. He's able to use mohawks and pivot around his hips without looking as stiff. That was a big knock for me earlier. Still could be a bit more explosive in the first few steps.
• Used his size and reach well on a few entries to get in front of players, push them outside, poke a few pucks, and block a few shots.
• For me, his off puck positioning has been consistently solid across viewings. He's not a genius at anticipating flow of play but he is often where he should be for a sound game.
• Late in the first, got beat wide but then recovered and used his length to stick check from behind the forward at the low circle. No shot on goal.
• End of shift, pinched to control a dump in while his teammates changed, managed to control it and get it back to the far point so that MSU kept possession in zone. Could have been a pretty bad pinch, and was it on purpose? Unclear, but great outcome.
• Got hemmed in on a shift but had good anticipation to intercept a slot pass.
• Good defensive read midway thru 2nd to break up another slot pass. Didn't quite get good stick on it to get it further than the high slot.
• Flubbed a solid PP 1T chance from the Ovie spot. Redeemed himself a few seconds later with another 1T same spot that was well saved.
• Lost puck under forecheck pressure behind his net, but was in good position most of the shift prior. He recovered to win the puck on the boards and high flip it for icing. High compete.
• did a great job on the 5 on 3 to get shots on, distribute quickly to the open man, recovered a loose puck, didn't f*** it up when he lost an edge and still got the puck to a teammate. No goal, but Verhoeff did well.
• Started playing hero hockey in the 3rd around 17:00, all over the ice, but honestly didn't look too bad at it.
• Flubbed another PP 1T but hard to fault him, was a quick pass and still got it toward net, but was blocked.
• Tried a hero stretch but didn't go, another cross ice breakout pass in the feet of his teammate. Generally no flash in transition passing, nothing egregious but not a strength this game.
• Bobbled a puck on the blue line leading to a 2 on 0 with 5 to go... but where was his D partner? Terrible read by 13. Bailed out by the Wisco F bobbling the puck and a goalie save.
• By the last 5, he's truly heroing out there, looks like a C on the ice.

He fell off a little for me from 2nd overall to 4th/5th. I basically have him an Reid in a coin-flip.

Smits is my top Dman for the draft.

 

[Calvin Bale]

I think the Sharks will take him.

You really think Grier has him ahead of Carels and Reid? This is also assuming they don't just go BPA, which ultimately boils down to who Toronto is taking 1st overall.

 

[Volica]

Teams trust North Dakota’s development practices

Ottawa Trusted it with Sanderson, and staying for a sophmore year has been passed down to copuntless top prospects because they have seen what it has done with the next the following season

Jost was lone exception against the wishes of other NHL/north dakota alumni

Had Verhoeff stayed in the WHL, similar to McKenna this would be likely be your undoubted 1-2-3 with Stenberg in there.

Props to all three of those young men who played against some big time competition as 17 year olds.

 

[Shark Finn]

Quiet thread but he was one of the players Grier took for dinner this week, along with Reid, Carels, Stenberg and apparently two others who haven't been named yet. A reach at #2?

 

[brrt]

Quiet thread but he was one of the players Grier took for dinner this week, along with Reid, Carels, Stenberg and apparently two others who haven't been named yet. A reach at #2?

No. I wouldn't give him any kind of need bump for the Sharks though, because he's not the type of defenseman I think they need.

 

[Shark Finn]

No. I wouldn't give him any kind of need bump for the Sharks though, because he's not the type of defenseman I think they need.

I think they need all type of defenders at this point! The cupboard is so bare.

 

[brrt]

I think they need all type of defenders at this point! The cupboard is so bare.

Okay, then I wouldn't give any player a need bump and just go with the most valuable player. Which it's defensible to think Verhoeff is.

 

[boredmale]

Quiet thread but he was one of the players Grier took for dinner this week, along with Reid, Carels, Stenberg and apparently two others who haven't been named yet. A reach at #2?

A little but you could trade down to 5 and almost guarantee you still get one of Reid or him, you probably safe trading down to 6 as Carcels seems to have overtaken him

 

[Thrasymachus]

Unlikely to be on the board at #13 but if he did somehow drop, would be pretty much the perfect partner for Schaefer.

 

[boredmale]

Unlikely to be on the board at #13 but if he did somehow drop, would be pretty much the perfect partner for Schaefer.

Or Aitcheson. lol

I said this before the lottery but if Islanders won it and would have pick 3rd I serous would conder taking this guy, he is the perfect fit for our team(sort of like Ekblad, nothing to fancy but above average(and well above in many categories) in most aspects of the game)

 

[matt trick]

You really think Grier has him ahead of Carels and Reid? This is also assuming they don't just go BPA, which ultimately boils down to who Toronto is taking 1st overall.

I prefer either to Verhoeff, but I have to admit you can pair a guy like him (or Dickinson) with anybody. His skating needs some work but he's a 6'4 17 year old.

He also had a standout combine and Grier loves size and competitiveness. Another year in college, a year in the AHL, D+3 in the NHL like Sanderson, albeit a bit accelerated.

I want Reid, but I can see the appeal of Smits (size, speed, pro/olympics proven), Verhoeff (youth, size, RHD), or Carels (compeitiveness & well rounded) as well. Stenberg or Malhotra are also fine with me, but with four (or arguably 6) good D-men, I think you got to trust your scouts to get you a top pairing guy.

 

[Star Platinum]

I think they need all type of defenders at this point! The cupboard is so bare.

They do, but I think they're probably only gonna let them draft one at #2

 

[frontsfan67]

Or Aitcheson. lol

Both LHD

 

[ScoutyMcScoutface]

I think the Sharks will take him.

I'd be all over him if I were the sharks.

His profile is ridiculously rare. He's also a summer birthday that played in the NCAA as a 17 year old.

Him and Mckenna are the only two possible franchise players in this draft

 

[coooldude]

I'd be all over him if I were the sharks.

His profile is ridiculously rare. He's also a summer birthday that played in the NCAA as a 17 year old.

Him and Mckenna are the only two possible franchise players in this draft

He also beasted the combine and specifically the left and right shuttle, which indicates he has a high ceiling on mobility if he can figure out his freakin' edges, pivots, hip flexibility, etc.

But his brain is the big question. He clearly has incredible physical tools. From my multiple amateur watchings I see a very meat and potatoes guy with physical tools and an elite shot. I don't know whether I see Ekblad, or someone dumber/less imposing. If they pick him, I get it and I'll be rooting him on and hoping his youth gives him that extra runway to develop the decision making.

 

[AccordingtomySource]

He also beasted the combine and specifically the left and right shuttle, which indicates he has a high ceiling on mobility if he can figure out his freakin' edges, pivots, hip flexibility, etc.

But his brain is the big question. He clearly has incredible physical tools. From my multiple amateur watchings I see a very meat and potatoes guy with physical tools and an elite shot. I don't know whether I see Ekblad, or someone dumber/less imposing. If they pick him, I get it and I'll be rooting him on and hoping his youth gives him that extra runway to develop the decision making.

This is the part about player evaluations that are so fascinating. How people can have completely different reads on a player, and neither is inherently right or wrong.

The part about his brain being Keaton’s biggest weakness stuck out to me. While the combine testing results are positive, skating is still without a doubt the biggest question mark on if he develops into the top pair guy he has the potential to be, or just a 2nd pair guy whose shot is a weapon on the PP.

I think he can get the blinders on occasionally and that masks itself as an IQ problem, but I don’t think it’s that. To me he’s a guy that’s been bigger and stronger than everyone his whole career and he needs to play a little different now that he’s not. I’ve seen that he’s incredibly coachable and able to pick up and implement adjustments on the fly, certainly something that takes at least a little capacity between the ears to do.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

This is the part about player evaluations that are so fascinating. How people can have completely different reads on a player, and neither is inherently right or wrong.

The part about his brain being Keaton’s biggest weakness stuck out to me. While the combine testing results are positive, skating is still without a doubt the biggest question mark on if he develops into the top pair guy he has the potential to be, or just a 2nd pair guy whose shot is a weapon on the PP.

I think he can get the blinders on occasionally and that masks itself as an IQ problem, but I don’t think it’s that. To me he’s a guy that’s been bigger and stronger than everyone his whole career and he needs to play a little different now that he’s not. I’ve seen that he’s incredibly coachable and able to pick up and implement adjustments on the fly, certainly something that takes at least a little capacity between the ears to do.

Coupled with the fact his "whole career" has been shorter than most prospects there are two ways to view that.

Some would say he missed vital development that will permanently hamper his long range potential.

The other school of thought is that since he has not had as long of a development curve there is more of an upside once he is taught the things he has missed.

Basketball coach Pat Riley was a master of this.

 

[LeProspector]

In my opinion he goes to Vancouver at 3

 

[canuckslover10]

In my opinion he goes to Vancouver at 3

Vancouver seems set on Malhotra tbh.