Scouting Combine 2026

[Chainshot]

Can't wait for all the juicy, juicy gossip about who went to dinner with whom, which conversations felt great, and which idiot listed himself at 6'3" but was actually barely 6'0".

I await the annual gymbro rant about the bench press testing among other things.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Not noticing many “snubs” off the bat unless I’m missing anything

Sörensson & Bartholdsson should been invited from Sweden imo.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

I await the annual gymbro rant about the bench press testing among other things.

I await the "zero pull-up" list

 

[Zine]

Interesting no Russian-based players invited again. I expect Dan Milstein/Gold Star will hold their talent showcase sometime this summer.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I await the annual gymbro rant about the bench press testing among other things.

In other words, the infamous Sam Bennett couldn't even do a pull-up thing that meant he was never going to be strong enough to handle the physicality of the NHL.

 

[Czechboy]

4 Czech goalies invited and we got 9 out of 90. Good numbers for us. Especially when most of us consider this a weaker draft class with no real tip top guy. Goalies look great but that will take years till (if) we see them in NHL.

Novotny being our big deal and he seems to have skipped a bit.

 

[Brodeur]

In other words, the infamous Sam Bennett couldn't even do a pull-up thing that meant he was never going to be strong enough to handle the physicality of the NHL.

The book "Future Greats and Heartbreaks" covered some of the combine testing and how some of the results could be counterintuitive. There was a guy like Nick Petrecki that performed well in most of the strength exercises but some teams figured that he was already close to his physical peak, so there might not be much more untapped upside. Kinda like the "how" was more valuable than "how much."

The Kings were debating between Drew Doughty and Zach Bogosian in 2008. Kings GM Dean Lombardi mentioned how Bogosian was the one who looked like a professional athlete during the combine while Doughty struggled and was overweight. But the Kings staff thought that if Doughty could play as well as he did while being out of shape, then there could be some upside once he got into a regular workout regimen. Granted that sort of thinking doesn't always work out (Steve Bernier for example).

It would be interesting to see how teams process the workouts. I remember seeing a video of the Blues staff from 2007 when they had three first rounders. They had their strength coach workout various guys and he didn't know whether a guy was a potential top 10 pick or a 2nd day guy. But he was focused to see who might have been skipping leg day / which guys had undeveloped leg muscles.

There was a guy named Reece Scarlett who was ranked by some as a late 2nd/early 3rd in 2011. But somehow NHL teams knew that it was going to be difficult for him to put on muscle and he ended up dropping to the 6th. And looking back at it 15 years later, they were probably correct. On the flip side, I'm not sure if teams can accurately project things like "What if Shea Weber puts on 40 pounds of muscle?"

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

The book "Future Greats and Heartbreaks" covered some of the combine testing and how some of the results could be counterintuitive. There was a guy like Nick Petrecki that performed well in most of the strength exercises but some teams figured that he was already close to his physical peak, so there might not be much more untapped upside. Kinda like the "how" was more valuable than "how much."

The Kings were debating between Drew Doughty and Zach Bogosian in 2008. Kings GM Dean Lombardi mentioned how Bogosian was the one who looked like a professional athlete during the combine while Doughty struggled and was overweight. But the Kings staff thought that if Doughty could play as well as he did while being out of shape, then there could be some upside once he got into a regular workout regimen. Granted that sort of thinking doesn't always work out (Steve Bernier for example).

It would be interesting to see how teams process the workouts. I remember seeing a video of the Blues staff from 2007 when they had three first rounders. They had their strength coach workout various guys and he didn't know whether a guy was a potential top 10 pick or a 2nd day guy. But he was focused to see who might have been skipping leg day / which guys had undeveloped leg muscles.

There was a guy named Reece Scarlett who was ranked by some as a late 2nd/early 3rd in 2011. But somehow NHL teams knew that it was going to be difficult for him to put on muscle and he ended up dropping to the 6th. And looking back at it 15 years later, they were probably correct. On the flip side, I'm not sure if teams can accurately project things like "What if Shea Weber puts on 40 pounds of muscle?"

Oh my gadddd Nick Petricki!

Nooooo Kings Cup winner Drew Doughty.

And oh my gadddd Steve Bernier.

Pain.

 

[brrt]

The book "Future Greats and Heartbreaks" covered some of the combine testing and how some of the results could be counterintuitive. There was a guy like Nick Petrecki that performed well in most of the strength exercises but some teams figured that he was already close to his physical peak, so there might not be much more untapped upside. Kinda like the "how" was more valuable than "how much."

The Kings were debating between Drew Doughty and Zach Bogosian in 2008. Kings GM Dean Lombardi mentioned how Bogosian was the one who looked like a professional athlete during the combine while Doughty struggled and was overweight. But the Kings staff thought that if Doughty could play as well as he did while being out of shape, then there could be some upside once he got into a regular workout regimen. Granted that sort of thinking doesn't always work out (Steve Bernier for example).

It would be interesting to see how teams process the workouts. I remember seeing a video of the Blues staff from 2007 when they had three first rounders. They had their strength coach workout various guys and he didn't know whether a guy was a potential top 10 pick or a 2nd day guy. But he was focused to see who might have been skipping leg day / which guys had undeveloped leg muscles.

There was a guy named Reece Scarlett who was ranked by some as a late 2nd/early 3rd in 2011. But somehow NHL teams knew that it was going to be difficult for him to put on muscle and he ended up dropping to the 6th. And looking back at it 15 years later, they were probably correct. On the flip side, I'm not sure if teams can accurately project things like "What if Shea Weber puts on 40 pounds of muscle?"

Should still be a clear positive if someone is strong and in shape. Because if someone is weak and unfit at the Combine then I definitely think that poor work ethic is a bigger negative than it is a positive that there are easier fitness gains to be made. Not like there are education or resource limitations that would prevent anyone from taking care of their body nowadays.

But how they look is probably the most important thing. For instance if Verhoeff looks really athletic during the testing then I think the teams would feel a lot better about his skating getting smoother than if he looks clumsy and heavy footed. And of course how big their frames are matters a lot when projecting how they'll look 5 years from now.

 

[hockeeyyy]

Should still be a clear positive if someone is strong and in shape. Because if someone is weak and unfit at the Combine then I definitely think that poor work ethic is a bigger negative than it is a positive that there are easier fitness gains to be made. Not like there are education or resource limitations that would prevent anyone from taking care of their body nowadays.

But how they look is probably the most important thing. For instance if Verhoeff looks really athletic during the testing then I think the teams would feel a lot better about his skating getting smoother than if he looks clumsy and heavy footed. And of course how big their frames are matters a lot when projecting how they'll look 5 years from now.

I think you're misunderstanding him a bit.

There are people, like myself, who grew up to 6'1/150lbs at 18 and have the frame of someone who could conceivably hold 180lbs comfortably, but not much else. There are people like Matthew Knies who was 200lbs when he was drafted, and can comfortably put 40 more -- his frame is absolutely massive.

Some kids have the ability to stack on muscle and weight from doing very little, while other kids put in the work, but can't seem to keep the weight on. It's not an issue of work ethic, but genetics.

 

[brrt]

I think you're misunderstanding him a bit.

There are people, like myself, who grew up to 6'1/150lbs at 18 and have the frame of someone who could conceivably hold 180lbs comfortably, but not much else. There are people like Matthew Knies who was 200lbs when he was drafted, and can comfortably put 40 more -- his frame is absolutely massive.

Some kids have the ability to stack on muscle and weight from doing very little, while other kids put in the work, but can't seem to keep the weight on. It's not an issue of work ethic, but genetics.

I think you need to reread my comment because I said that the players frame is one of the most important things to look for.

And no. Failing to put on weight is a work ethic / discipline issue. There is no magical fairy that goes into some players stomach and removes food from it.

 

[57special]

I think you're misunderstanding him a bit.

There are people, like myself, who grew up to 6'1/150lbs at 18 and have the frame of someone who could conceivably hold 180lbs comfortably, but not much else. There are people like Matthew Knies who was 200lbs when he was drafted, and can comfortably put 40 more -- his frame is absolutely massive.

Some kids have the ability to stack on muscle and weight from doing very little, while other kids put in the work, but can't seem to keep the weight on. It's not an issue of work ethic, but genetics.

Yup, my 6'1" son killed himself stuffing food into his face to get up to 180 lb(for baseball). He was strong and fast , but lean. Decided to quit baseball, concentrate on academics, and lost 15 lbs. in just a few months, even though he still had a healthy appetite. If he's anything like me, his full adult physical strength won't come in till his 20's. I've also known "beasts " in their mid teens who dominate their age groups, then end up looking like middle aged tubs of lard by their mid 20's.

 

[My3Sons]

Yup, my 6'1" son killed himself stuffing food into his face to get up to 180 lb(for baseball). He was strong and fast , but lean. Decided to quit baseball, concentrate on academics, and lost 15 lbs. in just a few months, even though he still had a healthy appetite. If he's anything like me, his full adult physical strength won't come in till his 20's. I've also known "beasts " in their mid teens who dominate their age groups, then end up looking like middle aged tubs of lard by their mid 20's.

These sorts of things are tricky to predict. My oldest was 185 as a high school senior. Never lifted weights but was running every day . He’d have been closer to 200 had he lifted and he maybe could have gone to about 220 at six feet tall had he continued to play in college. In contrast my middle son was about 160 but lifted weights and got to about 185 at a bit over six feet as a high school senior. He was probably close to maxed out. Same parents same general physical attributes. I am sure some scouts would assess it and some would shake it off.

 

[HawksDub89]

Can't wait for all the juicy, juicy gossip about who went to dinner with whom, which conversations felt great, and which idiot listed himself at 6'3" but was actually barely 6'0".

Heard Grier went to breakfast, Lunch and dinner with Verhoeff today.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

In other words, the infamous Sam Bennett couldn't even do a pull-up thing that meant he was never going to be strong enough to handle the physicality of the NHL.

Pretty sure he was injured but your point is well founded.

 

[bobbyb2009]

I think you need to reread my comment because I said that the players frame is one of the most important things to look for.

And no. Failing to put on weight is a work ethic / discipline issue. There is no magical fairy that goes into some players stomach and removes food from it.

But if somebody finds one, please please please tell her to come visit me because I keep putting too much in my stomach

 

[southsider]

The book "Future Greats and Heartbreaks" covered some of the combine testing and how some of the results could be counterintuitive. There was a guy like Nick Petrecki that performed well in most of the strength exercises but some teams figured that he was already close to his physical peak, so there might not be much more untapped upside. Kinda like the "how" was more valuable than "how much."

The Kings were debating between Drew Doughty and Zach Bogosian in 2008. Kings GM Dean Lombardi mentioned how Bogosian was the one who looked like a professional athlete during the combine while Doughty struggled and was overweight. But the Kings staff thought that if Doughty could play as well as he did while being out of shape, then there could be some upside once he got into a regular workout regimen. Granted that sort of thinking doesn't always work out (Steve Bernier for example).

It would be interesting to see how teams process the workouts. I remember seeing a video of the Blues staff from 2007 when they had three first rounders. They had their strength coach workout various guys and he didn't know whether a guy was a potential top 10 pick or a 2nd day guy. But he was focused to see who might have been skipping leg day / which guys had undeveloped leg muscles.

There was a guy named Reece Scarlett who was ranked by some as a late 2nd/early 3rd in 2011. But somehow NHL teams knew that it was going to be difficult for him to put on muscle and he ended up dropping to the 6th. And looking back at it 15 years later, they were probably correct. On the flip side, I'm not sure if teams can accurately project things like "What if Shea Weber puts on 40 pounds of muscle?"

Fun fact of the day, those three first round picks selected by the Blues in 2007 are still playing in the NHL today, Lars Eller, David Perron, and Ian Cole. Hopefully we still have that strength coach on staff as we have three first first rounders in this years draft lol

 

[Brodeur]

Fun fact of the day, those three first round picks selected by the Blues in 2007 are still playing in the NHL today, Lars Eller, David Perron, and Ian Cole. Hopefully we still have that strength coach on staff as we have three first first rounders in this years draft lol

St. Louis offered up #9 and #24 to move up for Jakub Voracek but nobody was willing to move down. The book mentioned that Voracek was not exactly a gym rat and had the highest body fat percentage measured among forwards at the combine. Despite that Voracek did put up some good workout numbers compared to his peers. The author had a lunch with Voracek and Slovak forward David Skokan. Author noted that Skokan looked way more like an athlete than Voracek. Voracek noted that Skokan spent a ton of time in gym (not so much for Voracek at the time).

Central Scouting had Skokan one spot ahead of Voracek in their midseason ranking but Voracek would go 7th overall while Skokan went in the 7th round. Maybe another example of how being a bit out of shape didn't necessarily hurt Voracek since teams could have figured he could improve physically. On the flip side, Skokan (ranked #69 by ISS, #89 by THN) was already in really good physical shape but that might have worked against him.

Book also has a funny line about Kyle Turris looking more like somebody who snuck in to get autographs rather than being one of the top prospects. Sometimes it's easy to forget that these guys are 18 and many are physically immature.

Maybe the NHL combine results get incorrectly interpreted by fans as if it's the NFL Draft combine. Guys are getting drafted in the NFL at an older age and are going immediately into your lineup, so better combine results means more there. Whereas with the NHL, it's almost like you're looking for who has the most room for growth since most of these guys are a few years away from being difference makers.

Edit: Skokan's combine photo popped up when I was looking up his hockeydb. Couldn't help but look up Voracek's too.

 

[majormajor]

Maybe another example of how being a bit out of shape didn't necessarily hurt Voracek since teams could have figured he could improve physically.

I wonder how much he did. It was observed at many points in his NHL career that Voracek's body looked out of shape. He had a belly and it just didn't stop him from being a great player.

 

[ToDavid]

I think you need to reread my comment because I said that the players frame is one of the most important things to look for.

And no. Failing to put on weight is a work ethic / discipline issue. There is no magical fairy that goes into some players stomach and removes food from it.

Genetics are absolutely a massive factor in weight and muscle gain, especially at 17-18.

 

[bigdog16]

Genetics are absolutely a massive factor in weight and muscle gain, especially at 17-18.

This. I was a smaller forward and remember eating until I would throw up when I was 18-19 playing jr hockey. I did whatever possible and I never played over 180.

 

[coooldude]

This. I was a smaller forward and remember eating until I would throw up when I was 18-19 playing jr hockey. I did whatever possible and I never played over 180.

Different sport, but I gained 30 pounds doing the same thing at age 19, and was still struggling to keep it on. Now playing lots of beer league and drop in hockey as a middle aged man and I'm carrying a further 20 pounds of muscle and fat easily and fight to keep trim. Took me until my mid 20s to have my adult strength.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

This. I was a smaller forward and remember eating until I would throw up when I was 18-19 playing jr hockey. I did whatever possible and I never played over 180.

Yep, I'm the exact opposite. 5'10 but never played under 185, have always had a very dense lower body and very wide hips/shoulders. My daughters are the same - the other coaches on my 9 year old's team call her quadzilla. She's 4'5 but nearly 90 lbs. She's heavier than all the boys she plays with, which you'd never guess unless she's wearing shorts.

She hasn't done anything special to have that build, it was just the way she was born.

 

[hockeeyyy]

Failing to put on weight is a work ethic / discipline issue.

It's unfortunate you believe this, because you are absolutely wrong. I hope you don't have teenagers under your authority because they will absolutely crumble if they were held to that impossible standard.

Body Weight Satisfaction, Comments, Nutrition and Injury Risk in 489 Adolescent Elite Athletes - PubMed

Safe Weight Loss and Weight Gain (Care of the Young Athlete) | Thompson River Pediatrics and Urgent Care – Johnstown, CO

Athletes in wrestling, gymnastics, dancing, and running aim for a low body mass to optimize performance, while contact and collision sports like football encourage increased mass. Body weight changes are common among athletes for performance improvement.

www.trpeds.com

 

[My3Sons]

Yep, I'm the exact opposite. 5'10 but never played under 185, have always had a very dense lower body and very wide hips/shoulders. My daughters are the same - the other coaches on my 9 year old's team call her quadzilla. She's 4'5 but nearly 90 lbs. She's heavier than all the boys she plays with, which you'd never guess unless she's wearing shorts.

She hasn't done anything special to have that build, it was just the way she was born.

And here I thought it was your skull that was overly dense.