Scouting Combine 2026

[GlassesJacketShirt]

For what it's worth, Slafkovsky was the one top consideration MTL never took to dinner in '22. Total non story in my view.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

This is the absolute juiciest thing to come out yet.

I wouldn't read anything into it. Excuse for the team to get to know him better in case down the road there's an opportunity to acquire him. Obviously if he were to somehow fall to them they'd take him unless he completely botched the interview in unimaginable ways.

 

[KMNRB]

That he did. Interesting that it wasn’t really picked up by many media members. Not a lot seems to be getting out about the Leafs right now.

Everyone knows about it. The trip has been talked about in every leaf related podcast or radio show.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I wouldn't read anything into it. Excuse for the team to get to know him better in case down the road there's an opportunity to acquire him. Obviously if he were to somehow fall to them they'd take him unless he completely botched the interview in unimaginable ways.

They already met him on his home turf apparently so no need for a second visit

 

[Hal L]

Before Canucks fan get excited. Remember Matthews also had lunch with Shane Doan and John Chayka just before 2016 Draft

https://arizonasports.com/nhl/arizona-coyotes/coyotes-coach-we-tried-everything-we-could-to-land-auston-matthews

 

[nergish]

I just can't believe Viggo Bjorck is already up to 6'4

 

[coooldude]

I started this drama and failed to end it, but here's the link to the NHL Draft Class podcast where McKenna confirms the visit from Chayka.

 

[ToDavid]

Everyone knows about it. The trip has been talked about in every leaf related podcast or radio show.

All I had seen was that one random low rent blog talking about it. Don’t remember any of the big guys mentioning it.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Nothing is ever really assured. His choice to go or not. Doesn't need to go if he doesn't want to. I'm sure while at PSU, he and his teammates heard about Shadeur Sanders and how he handled his pre draft process.

NHL draft, falling a bit doesn't really impact you financially. Getting the same contract whether he's 1 or 3 or 5 really. Unless he can't secure the second type of bonuses.

Random poster: falling a bit doesn’t impact you financially

McKennas dad:

 

[dmcccdmn]

McKenna having dinner with Vancouver changes nothing for the Sharks as they'll be facing the same dilemma of choosing between Reid and Stenberg.

Now if Vancouver meets up with Stenberg and only Stenberg, that could be juicy.

 

[Gekj]

McKenna having dinner with Vancouver changes nothing for the Sharks as they'll be facing the same dilemma of choosing between Reid and Stenberg.

Now if Vancouver meets up with Stenberg and only Stenberg, that could be juicy.

It was reported that Vancouver will meet or have already met with McKenna, Stenberg, Malhotra, Reid and I think Verhoeff.

 

[coooldude]

It was reported that Vancouver will meet or have already met with McKenna, Stenberg, Malhotra, Reid and I think Verhoeff.

Not sure if this is something you already know, but teams are meeting with a huge number of players and players with a huge number of teams. Van is probably meeting with 20-40+ players. Alexander Command is talking to 30/32 teams.

On the other hand there are only four nights at the combine. It's been confirmed the VAN is taking out McKenna, Stenberg, Reid, and Malhotra to dinner.

From the other point of view, the only dinner McKenna is having is with Vancouver. Also Chayka (TOR) flew out to meet McKenna and family in Whitehorse, which is obviously a bigger deal than a dinner at the combine.

What this all tells us is that Vancouver might draft any of the top 4. The Sharks are probably quite sure the Leafs are taking McKenna and they don't feel like they need to get to know him, and/or they don't care about him anyway. Sharks beat writer Sheng Peng has only confirmed Carels and Verhoeff to dinner - we are speculating the Sharks will have gone to dinner also with Reid and Stenberg.... But if those guys aren't the last two, that's very interesting, because up to this point (3 years) the Sharks haven't drafted any of their 4/1/2 guys without getting dinner first.

I'm guessing the Sharks will have met with like 50-60 players in meetings at the draft. They say they like to do it because it's the last chance to talk to players before they're under other team control.

 

[Grub]

Before Canucks fan get excited. Remember Matthews also had lunch with Shane Doan and John Chayka just before 2016 Draft

https://arizonasports.com/nhl/arizona-coyotes/coyotes-coach-we-tried-everything-we-could-to-land-auston-matthews

I think at this point most of us want Stenberg. We already know Mckenna is going to the Leafs.

 

[Chainshot]

So do we have any menu updates? Entres and desserts?

 

[EddieTheEagle]

So do we have any menu updates? Entres and desserts?

Joeys. Always Joeys.

Wait, there is no Joeys in Buffalo? Gramma Mora's.

 

[Grub]

Not sure if this is something you already know, but teams are meeting with a huge number of players and players with a huge number of teams. Van is probably meeting with 20-40+ players. Alexander Command is talking to 30/32 teams.

On the other hand there are only four nights at the combine. It's been confirmed the VAN is taking out McKenna, Stenberg, Reid, and Malhotra to dinner.

From the other point of view, the only dinner McKenna is having is with Vancouver. Also Chayka (TOR) flew out to meet McKenna and family in Whitehorse, which is obviously a bigger deal than a dinner at the combine.

What this all tells us is that Vancouver might draft any of the top 4. The Sharks are probably quite sure the Leafs are taking McKenna and they don't feel like they need to get to know him, and/or they don't care about him anyway. Sharks beat writer Sheng Peng has only confirmed Carels and Verhoeff to dinner - we are speculating the Sharks will have gone to dinner also with Reid and Stenberg.... But if those guys aren't the last two, that's very interesting, because up to this point (3 years) the Sharks haven't drafted any of their 4/1/2 guys without getting dinner first.

I'm guessing the Sharks will have met with like 50-60 players in meetings at the draft. They say they like to do it because it's the last chance to talk to players before they're under other team control.

For some reason I still don't think San Jose takes Stenberg. I understand drafting BPA and then try to package your other wingers for D-help, but they have alot of wingers that are similar in size (smallish) but further down in their development and IMO still are young and have great potential. I really think Sanjose will go for Chase Reid or Carels. Pretty sure before they won the draft lottery they were already thinking defensemen and which defensemen was going to drop to them at their position, now they basically get to pick their top D pick. If Chase Reid or Carels hit their potential then the value itself is already much more then Stenberg a winger. Filling a winger position is the easiest, but getting that Top 2 D-men is tough, something that they don't have yet.

 

[centipede2233]

For some reason I still don't think San Jose takes Stenberg. I understand drafting BPA and then try to package your other wingers for D-help, but they have alot of wingers that are similar in size (smallish) but further down in their development and IMO still are young and have great potential. I really think Sanjose will go for Chase Reid or Carels. Pretty sure before they won the draft lottery they were already thinking defensemen and which defensemen was going to drop to them at their position, now they basically get to pick their top D pick. If Chase Reid or Carels hit their potential then the value itself is already much more then Stenberg a winger. Filling a winger position is the easiest, but getting that Top 2 D-men is tough, something that they don't have yet.

I agree. Add in the fact chase Reid is an RD makes him more lucrative. But if the scouts like what they see and hear from chase Reid, they should really draft him. Much harder finding a top pairing RD then a really good winger.

It’s kinda like if both chase Reid and stenberg reached the potential of a Nylander or Werenski, you take Werenski. If chase Reid becomes an RD Werenski, you’ve struck gold.

 

[DemidovSZN]

For what it's worth, Slafkovsky was the one top consideration MTL never took to dinner in '22. Total non story in my view.

They took him to dinner during the world championship a week before the combine, that’s why.

 

[TGWL]

Then why have dinner at all with Canucks?

Not saying its anything, nor do I want the Canucks to overpay for 1st overall when im not even convinced Mckenna will be the best player in this draft in 5 years.

Free dinner?
Treating a potential #1 overall prospects,
An organization can still be classy inviting you out?
In case something changes and somehow he drops

Who knows.

 

[Castle8130]

Viggo's going to measure in at 6'0, get drafted 3rd oa, and then it will be revealed he got measured with his shoes on and we will have to start the draft over

 

[neelynugs]

So do we have any menu updates? Entres and desserts?

One 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Is a Pizza Connoisseur – Sportsology

www.sportsology.com

tommy bleyl - pizza guy

 

[LemonSauceD]

Buddy wants to play in Van. What if he pulls a Lindros?

Honestly , I think the Leafs would do very very well moving the #1 pick to the Canucks if they were interested.


To Canucks
1st overall

To Toronto

3rd overall
24th overall
42nd overall
Hronek

Thats probably a huge overpayment from the Canucks but just spitbaling.

Why would the Canucks ever do that bro.

 

[David Suzuki]

One 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Is a Pizza Connoisseur – Sportsology

www.sportsology.com

tommy bleyl - pizza guy

ranch on pizza wtf lol

 

[Peasy]

For what it's worth, Slafkovsky was the one top consideration MTL never took to dinner in '22. Total non story in my view.

Yup. If anything not taking them to dinner probably means they feel good about them.

 

[hockeeyyy]

For some reason I still don't think San Jose takes Stenberg. I understand drafting BPA and then try to package your other wingers for D-help, but they have alot of wingers that are similar in size (smallish) but further down in their development and IMO still are young and have great potential. I really think Sanjose will go for Chase Reid or Carels. Pretty sure before they won the draft lottery they were already thinking defensemen and which defensemen was going to drop to them at their position, now they basically get to pick their top D pick. If Chase Reid or Carels hit their potential then the value itself is already much more then Stenberg a winger. Filling a winger position is the easiest, but getting that Top 2 D-men is tough, something that they don't have yet.

Daxon Rudolph is someone I think has the potential to go 2nd. I know people love Reid here, but Rudolph doesn't get enough praise for his ability to produce. He continues to grow and evolve his game.