Prospect Info: The 2026 NHL Draft First Round Thread - Part 4

[Gekj]

I find people in media(not scouts) will often believe what they want to believe on the strength of a draft which sometimes gets corrected when you get very close to the draft but other times does not. They'll say that someone told them something in regards to the strength of a draft which lines up with what they want to believe, especially the further away you are from a draft. If the team they follow have a high pick then it's a strong draft, late pick then it's average or below at the top and/or middle but has good depth, etc.

 

[Jerry the great]

Deep Dive on Chase Reid:

Draft Profile: Chase Reid | Chris Whalen Hockey

www.chriswhalenhockey.com

 

[racerjoe]

SJ is set for top six forwards and while Stenberg could be an upgrade on Eklund, there’s also a chance he ends up being kinda the same thing. If SJ does really like Stenberg and what he brings, they should be trying to trade Eklund for a top pairing D-man but I don’t see any team that would make that trade and then SJ still has gaping holes in their D corps and not many tradable assets to fix it.
There’s enough high ceiling D at the top of this draft that they should be able to just pick whatever flavour they want and develop him as opposed to using a high pick on a lower value (and redundant) asset like a smallish winger and then try and trade for one. I think Reid would fit what they need, a top pair RHS who can run a power play and he should be their choice.

They could trade back to say 4, pick who they think is best there and it gives them an extra asset to move for a now dman too. I don’t think trade backs are likely, but have heard a fair bit of chatter of them open to moving the pick.

 

[Bojack Horvatman]

San Jose really needs to pick a D. They are at the point where BPA goes out the window and it’s about picking the player that helps them be a contender. Ask Toronto how being stacked at forward and not good enough of a defence works in the playoffs.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Cam Robinson also saying the Canucks should take Reid (if available) and pick a forward at the 2027 draft.
…………
Pronman's final rankings (paywall)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...-android-share



Tier 1
1. Reid
2. Smits
3. Verhoeff
4. McKenna
5. Stenberg

Tier 2
6. Bjorck
7. Malhotra
8. Carels
9. Gustafsson
10. Rudolph
11. Cullen
12. Belchetz
13. Hemming
14. Mutryn
15. Pugachyov

Tier 3
16. Lawrence
17. Suvanto
18. Command
19. Hextall
20. Rogowski

 

[Bitz and Bites]

They could trade back to say 4, pick who they think is best there and it gives them an extra asset to move for a now dman too. I don’t think trade backs are likely, but have heard a fair bit of chatter of them open to moving the pick.

That could be a good play on their part if they view Reid and Carels as being in the same tier although they need a RHD PPQB and would probably lean towards Reid. There’s been some smoke that we really like Reid so they should probably just stay at two and take him if he’s their guy.

 

[Gekj]

That could be a good play on their part if they view Reid and Carels as being in the same tier although they need a RHD PPQB and would probably lean towards Reid. There’s been some smoke that we really like Reid so they should probably just stay at two and take him if he’s their guy.

I think the rumours were SJ were willing to trade down to as far as #4 but not anything past that. The implication would be Chicago is taking a forward and is much higher on one of Stenberg/Malhotra than the other and their unsure on which one Van will take so they can guarantee their guy by moving up to #2.

I also believe it's common practice where if a team wants to move up the other team moving down will ask who their going to take so that they don't lose their guy by trading down so SJ would know for sure in this scenario.

Van seem like their taking a forward so one of Stenberg/Malhotra, which allows SJ to still get their choice of defenceman at #4. This is where some of the gamesmanship comes into play as we've seen rumors recently(accurate or not) come out or resurface that the Canucks are high on Reid and may take him at #3 to try and disuade SJ from trading down if he is their guy.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

I think the rumours were SJ were willing to trade down to as far as #4 but not anything past that. The implication would be Chicago is taking a forward and is much higher on one of Stenberg/Malhotra than the other and their unsure on which one Van will take so they can guarantee their guy by moving up to #2.

I also believe it's common practice where if a team wants to move up the other team moving down will ask who their going to take so that they don't lose their guy by trading down so SJ would know for sure in this scenario.

Van seem like their taking a forward so one of Stenberg/Malhotra, which allows SJ to still get their choice of defenceman at #4. This is where some of the gamesmanship comes into play as we've seen rumors recently(accurate or not) come out or resurface that the Canucks are high on Reid and may take him at #3 to try and disuade SJ from trading down if he is their guy.

I think Robertson ends up in Chicago based on something around the #4.

Could Dallas then trade up to #2 and draft Stenberg?

Possible.

 

[Vector]

I think Robertson ends up in Chicago based on something around the #4.

Could Dallas then trade up to #2 and draft Stenberg?

Possible.

That's a really interesting idea. Although, what would they then package with the 4th to move up to 2nd? They have the 59th overall this year and their own 2027 1st. I guess they could include Bichsel and/or Bourque.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

That's a really interesting idea. Although, what would they then package with the 4th to move up to 2nd? They have the 59th overall this year and their own 2027 1st. I guess they could include Bichsel and/or Bourque.

San Jose needs alot of help on D.

If they can flip the #2 for #4 + Bichsel; they could end up with their choice of dmen in the draft AND Bichsel who fits a need and their timeline.

Dallas gets Stenberg who can come in and play straight away. Maybe not a 1-for-1 swap with Robertson but close enough that it more than offsets the cost to re-sign him. Plus they add cap space for other moves.

 

[God]

That's a really interesting idea. Although, what would they then package with the 4th to move up to 2nd? They have the 59th overall this year and their own 2027 1st. I guess they could include Bichsel and/or Bourque.

bichsel or bourque plus 4 for 2 seems like a massive overpay and probably not wise given that both are useful players and relatively cheap, i would think it would be more along the lines of the 2nd rounder or next year's 1st

 

[Vector]

bichsel or bourque plus 4 for 2 seems like a massive overpay and probably not wise given that both are useful players and relatively cheap, i would think it would be more along the lines of the 2nd rounder or next year's 1st

I could see Bourque going since he's RFA and I don't think he's actually very good despite scoring 20 goals last season.

 

[Donuts]

Wow Malhotra is heavy favorite to be drafted #3oa at playnow and thats with stenberg still available at 3. I like malhotra but canucks got to go with stenberg if he is available

Will hardcore pro stenberg fans go on social media to have their voices heard by the management like the fans did when they were thinking of hiring Dorion.

 

[Vector]

Betting sites don’t know shit.

 

[Vancouver_2010]

Please dont take malhotra, especially when Reid is available.

 

[VanillaCoke]

bichsel or bourque plus 4 for 2 seems like a massive overpay and probably not wise given that both are useful players and relatively cheap, i would think it would be more along the lines of the 2nd rounder or next year's 1st

Jason Robertson & Lian Bischel for Ivar Stenberg (or caleb malhotra).


Am I really that high or are you guys insane?

 

[CanaFan]

Wow Malhotra is heavy favorite to be drafted #3oa at playnow and thats with stenberg still available at 3. I like malhotra but canucks got to go with stenberg if he is available

Will hardcore pro stenberg fans go on social media to have their voices heard by the management like the fans did when they were thinking of hiring Dorion.

Hopefully not. I can’t think of anything more embarrassing than a pro scouting group taking their drafting cues from social media

 

[Verviticus]

Cam Robinson also saying the Canucks should take Reid (if available) and pick a forward at the 2027 draft.
…………
Pronman's final rankings (paywall)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...-android-share



Tier 1
1. Reid
2. Smits
3. Verhoeff
4. McKenna
5. Stenberg

Tier 2
6. Bjorck
7. Malhotra
8. Carels
9. Gustafsson
10. Rudolph
11. Cullen
12. Belchetz
13. Hemming
14. Mutryn
15. Pugachyov

Tier 3
16. Lawrence
17. Suvanto
18. Command
19. Hextall
20. Rogowski

anyone who has three players above both mckenna and stenberg is trying so, so hard to be fancy that id have to take a lot of hits to the head to consider what they have to say

edit: oh thats pronman? man his brain has turned to mashed potatoes huh

 

[StreetHawk]

San Jose really needs to pick a D. They are at the point where BPA goes out the window and it’s about picking the player that helps them be a contender. Ask Toronto how being stacked at forward and not good enough of a defence works in the playoffs.

San Jose needs alot of help on D.

If they can flip the #2 for #4 + Bichsel; they could end up with their choice of dmen in the draft AND Bichsel who fits a need and their timeline.

Dallas gets Stenberg who can come in and play straight away. Maybe not a 1-for-1 swap with Robertson but close enough that it more than offsets the cost to re-sign him. Plus they add cap space for other moves.

I think the rumours were SJ were willing to trade down to as far as #4 but not anything past that. The implication would be Chicago is taking a forward and is much higher on one of Stenberg/Malhotra than the other and their unsure on which one Van will take so they can guarantee their guy by moving up to #2.

I also believe it's common practice where if a team wants to move up the other team moving down will ask who their going to take so that they don't lose their guy by trading down so SJ would know for sure in this scenario.

Van seem like their taking a forward so one of Stenberg/Malhotra, which allows SJ to still get their choice of defenceman at #4. This is where some of the gamesmanship comes into play as we've seen rumors recently(accurate or not) come out or resurface that the Canucks are high on Reid and may take him at #3 to try and disuade SJ from trading down if he is their guy.

That’s the thing with trade downs. Any team trading up is also doing it cause they fear getting jumped. If the sense is that SJ doesn’t want to go past 4 then less reason to fear getting jumped.

 

[Kill Vector]

anyone who has three players above both mckenna and stenberg is trying so, so hard to be fancy that id have to take a lot of hits to the head to consider what they have to say

edit: oh thats pronman? man his brain has turned to mashed potatoes huh

Careful or you’ll end up managing an NHL team.

 

[Michael Dal Swolle]

Watching some Stenberg highlight reels.

Really like how he invites pressure with the puck as a tactic to open up ice elsewhere. Holds onto the puck with patience and challenges defenders to either step up on him or give up space to allow him to get a shot off. Really crafty at getting the puck through his checker if challenged. Carries the puck with authority and with his head up which compliments his vision - finds the right plays quickly and moves the puck accurately.

To me the shot is just decent- has a good quick release and generally places his shot well but the velocity doesn't blow me away. Scored a lot of goals just getting to the net for rebounds or finding open ice for one timers on a sliding goalie.

Skating lacks top end speed, doesn't skate well enough to beat defenders 1 on 1, but definitely not slow either and has the acceleration and shiftiness that makes him an option as a neutral zone puck transporter, though maybe not a high end one at the NHL level.

Did not seem to get challenged a lot physically in the SHL - not a lot of highlights involving him coming out of a scrum in the corner with the puck, or putting defender on his back, and got a lot of work done in front of the net in situations where you think a top pairing NHLer would shut him down or just bury him.

Reportedly plays a mature defensive game, obviously I won't see that watching scoring highlights. There aren't a ton of clips of his scoring plays that start with him stripping the puck off an attacking player and turning that into offense but that doesn't mean he's poor defensively, just maybe not much of a puck hound.

To me he kind of looks like Marco Rossi - gets a lot of his offensive work done managing the puck well and finding the open man, or getting to soft ice around the net. Will probably need to find a bit more jam to his game to be successful in this style of play, which Rossi has.

I think a lot of people are getting caught by the "he outscored Forsberg" stat-card reading argument in falling in love with this guy - the skill package is nice and it's encouraging that he's had success in a men's league but to me he's going to need to add some size and tenacity to his game, or become a more pure sniper if he ends up a perimeter player, to maintain offensive production. If he ends up a winger Rossi, on a team that already has centre Rossi, I'm not sure he's a great value at 3rd overall.

 

[theguardianII]

Please dont take malhotra, especially when Reid is available.

Maholtra is likely Byfield 2.0 at best.

It does appear that the Canucks have decided it will be Caleb no matter what, unfortunately.
It is a "safe" pick due to his going to college next year. That is a whole year or TWO of waiting for him to get used to the game, so they are safe from too much angst until the 2028/29 season.

So much "they need Caleb" and a total absence of "what is Cootes" then?

All the talk ignores him totally.

Buium might be good, Willander might be able to play and EPD is seemingly leaning towards being another Ohlund or young Edler. Still another STUD RHD isn't a bad thing to have in the stable.

The thing is most of the top 3 Dmen prospects are all considered top pairing guys but Caleb is ranking as a #2 center and the team has one of those already being paid 11.6 million and another kid named Cootes.

Button talks to his audience/listeners, if about/in Vancouver then Caleb is a must and best player and pick, if Winnipeg or Calgary then Caleb is a 2nd/3rd line support center, .

So according to Button for Vancouver Caleb is a potential #1 center but for anyone else a #2 or 3. Even in his own rankings Caleb is now #6 or 7 and not even the top center.

I seriously think the Canucks will get or have available either McKenna or Stenberg. I think SJ need dmen just too much to pass on the best dman in this class.

IMO the Canucks take the consensus BPA with their first and second pick then flood the next 3 picks with centers, there is a good chance that their 2nd first round pick could be a center, there are a few large guys. The thing about large guys is they can change their game to become big hitting checkers more easily than pygmies.