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

[Buresflyingelbow]

Risky, but I like it. And if Carels is gone, I'd grudgingly take Rudolph or Verhoeff (if he's still around)

Love Carels but unfortunately with Buium, Reid is the play here at BPA and asset management. Hughes didn’t last as long but he brought back a ton of assets and that’s what you need to focus on. With the new group all these guys are going to grow up together and go from the hard times to the contender status if built right. Being American and wanting to sign Buium for 8 years and making him a key cog in the rebuild is contradictory as he is an American and players want to play for a winning team. Playing in Canada is something special on the ice and also off it where you’re considered a god and the best place to play in the world, helps that Vancouver is one of the best cities to live in around the world.

 

[VanJack]

Wow! Some pretty wild trade theories working their way through social media this morning.

The most recent one was Elias Pettersson to the Leafs for Nick Robertson and Morgan Reilly. But before the ink was dry, the Canucks would flip Reilly to the Dallas Stars for a center.

But the one that really got my attention was from Jeff Marek. His 'rumor' was a three-way trade between the Stars, Hawks and Canucks, with the fourth overall pick in play.

It goes something like this. Debrusk, Hoglander and one of their second round picks in 2027 to the Stars; Unsigned Jason Robertson heading to Chicago; and the Canucks getting Chicago's fourth overall pick.

Usually these kinds of proposals are just Internet fodder on a slow news week. But apparently Chicago has their heart set on Stenberg; and if he's gone, they're prepared to get creative to add more dynamic scoring to complement Bedard. And Dallas in a serious cap crunch with Robertson.

So who knows? That's the fun of HF Boards.

 

[WTG]

Pretty much a consensus among so many of the long time draft rankers that Malholtra is not the BPA at 3rd but many say the Canucks will take him anyways.

Its' like they are saying ... well he isn't the best choice at 3 but, you know, its Vancouver after all.

But the NHL consensus poll had Malhotra over Stenberg.

That ranking determines who the actual professionals deem to be BPA.

I like Malhotra, he seems like a great pick at 2 and I would pick him above Stenberg. I like Stenberg but the fact he's 19 by November really puts things in perspective. If he was born a few weeks earlier, his draft year would have been where he put up 9 points in 37 games and would be a great pick at ~10.

Wingers are just wingers and I don't want to draft a Guentzel at #3 over a #2 shutdown C.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Wow! Some pretty wild trade theories working their way through social media this morning.

The most recent one was Elias Pettersson to the Leafs for Nick Robertson and Morgan Reilly. But before the ink was dry, the Canucks would flip Reilly to the Dallas Stars for a center.

But the one that really got my attention was from Jeff Marek. His 'rumor' was a three-way trade between the Stars, Hawks and Canucks, with the fourth overall pick in play.

It goes something like this. Debrusk, Hoglander and one of their second round picks in 2027 to the Stars; Unsigned Jason Robertson heading to Chicago; and the Canucks getting Chicago's fourth overall pick.

Usually these kinds of proposals are just Internet fodder on a slow news week. But apparently Chicago has their heart set on Stenberg; and if he's gone, they're prepared to get creative to add more dynamic scoring to complement Bedard. And Dallas in a serious cap crunch with Robertson.

So who knows? That's the fun of HF Boards.

That’s an awful trade for Dallas.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

The point with drafting one of Murtyn or Pug is that one hits and becomes a core member who contributes to a playoff run like Ferlund did vs us in the Playoffs and is invaluable towards the team with physical play and protecting the high end talent.

I’d love us to draft size and compete with motor over high end skill that has the talent but not the drive. This draft at 24 and up draft floor and get guys instead of boom or bust guys that disappear 5 years after the draft.

 

[Bitz and Bites]

Wow! Some pretty wild trade theories working their way through social media this morning.

The most recent one was Elias Pettersson to the Leafs for Nick Robertson and Morgan Reilly. But before the ink was dry, the Canucks would flip Reilly to the Dallas Stars for a center.

But the one that really got my attention was from Jeff Marek. His 'rumor' was a three-way trade between the Stars, Hawks and Canucks, with the fourth overall pick in play.

It goes something like this. Debrusk, Hoglander and one of their second round picks in 2027 to the Stars; Unsigned Jason Robertson heading to Chicago; and the Canucks getting Chicago's fourth overall pick.

Usually these kinds of proposals are just Internet fodder on a slow news week. But apparently Chicago has their heart set on Stenberg; and if he's gone, they're prepared to get creative to add more dynamic scoring to complement Bedard. And Dallas in a serious cap crunch with Robertson.

So who knows? That's the fun of HF Boards.

That would be pretty wild but a huge win for us if it actually happened. I’d think that Dallas could get a better package than DeBrusk, Hogs, and a second but if we retain enough salary it could make sense for them. I’d even consider the Minny 1st instead of the second to sweeten the deal.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Deep Dive on Chase Reid:

Draft Profile: Chase Reid | Chris Whalen Hockey

www.chriswhalenhockey.com

View attachment 1252544

He’s the guy if Stenberg is off the board, plain and simple with Manny being to coach here and what it would entail. Carels isn’t there because he plays the same position as Buium who we put all our chips in already and looks like an absolute stud.

 

[theguardianII]

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 a fit for Robertson is Chicago, and Chicago really needs to step up to the table but I don't think they will deal their 1rst pick.

Dallas is in trouble with their cap, I think that the Canucks might be able to be involved in a three way deal to take some of the cap heat off Dallas. Sequin might end up on LTIR but that isn't a certainty but he has played only 47 games the last two years. But there is no way these rookies could figure out how or have the balls to try.

The only guy I can see with a big enough ticket price is Sequin with one more year to go, so big a hit that not many teams can take that on, Canucks could and he is a center to boot. Not likely to play all year but that is okay too IF he would agree to come here until the TDL.

I don't think Robertson, 96 pts last year, will sign for less than EP40 or Rantenen and that is all the cap space they have and more. IMO they need to clear at least another 8 million to fill out their roster or have some lower cost 4th liners and still need 8 million in additional cap space to keep Robertson and a NHL roster.

Maybe a Larkin and ? for Robertson, that might work but it leaves Chicago out and they need to put something in place for Bedard to sink his teeth into.

Watching Carolina I can't see EP40 EVER playing there, they don't take a rest although he would be blocking lots of shots.

Still both the Rangers and Islanders are old enough with enough high priced long term clause players that they are win now teams needing goal scoring. Didn't DeBrusk say he wasn't the type of player suited for a rebuild? IMO something could be worked out there that the return is a first. Debrusk and ?, nothing too significant but to add to the quantity? Of course Boeser has scored many goals playing with a center on either team.

There are a few GM's with their heads on the block.
Chicago, Detroit, Rangers, Columbus and Islanders, these guys could make a deal for "NOW".

While the Canucks don't have a lot of big game hitters to trade they do have quite a few 3rd/4th line types that now have NHL experience and aren't expensive. I wouldn't want to see Raty go now that he is so good on FO's but that is a high value skill.

Rutherford pretty much has ripped the bandaid off but not all the way, IF these rookies can complete the tear down and not try to start building the team now or with what they have now, then a couple more savvy trades could almost totally finish the tear down and allow for the start of the build part. BUT they still need more high skill at forward, Caleb ain't that or enough. But a RHD STUD top pairing dman could possibly help finish the job.

 

[theguardianII]

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.

Stenberg is far above Caleb. He has played against men in the supposedly second best league in the world for two years now whereas Caleb has just one year against boys in a depleted CHL.

I keep forgetting about Rossi, but then most of the media forget about Cootes as well. Then there is Raty, the 2nd best FO man in the NHL. That is 3 centers now not counting EP40. All at one time or another were "good" players, now what? I know EP40 has gone into the crapper but the rest suddenly are dog excrement?

At 17/18 years old I am sure he will gain some weight and strength, most Swede's seem to take longer to fill out and if he can do the thing he does now then the upside is far greater.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Please dont take malhotra, especially when Reid is available.

Malhotra and Reid play the most premium positions in the league and hold the most value. If you pass Stenberg if available take the guy who’s father isn’t the coach and create an uncomfortable dressing room, will we really go through the dressing room drama again by choice? Makes no sense and Stenberg or Reid should be 1 and 2 on our draft board. If they draft Malhotra they are looking at dressing room drama 2.0 and not needed for a bunch of kids progressing on the team.

Don’t be stupid after what we just went through

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

If the Canucks had the 2nd pick overall they would take McKenna or Stenberg 1st or 2nd overall in the draft, why would that change if we had the 3rd overall pick and Stenberg fell like he should with SJ in front of us. I think Caleb is something the team is preparing ourselves with but Stenberg is the obvious selection at 3rd overall without the drama. If both forwards are taken I see us taking Caleb as the best Center in the draft due to a need and value when Reid could be the best player available. Nobody talks about Chicago giving us our 2nd back next year and moving up a spot to draft Stenberg and letting Caleb fall to us.

 

[orcatown]

There are plenty that rank him in the top 3/4 and lots that acknowledge that the top prospects are largely equivalent, so this seems like fretting over nothing.

Yes I do see him being ranked at 3 or 4 or sometimes lower than that. But, so often, I hear these same people say they don't think he's the BPA at 3rd but that it is a given Vancouver will take him. So it becomes more like who do you expect to be drafted rather than who should be drafted. And most of that seems based on the fact Vancouver needs centers rather than him being the BPA.

A crucial draft and the Canucks need to get it right. There's a lot to like in Malholtra but I have some fear that some of the things he does against Junior players he will just not be able to do in the NHL. One example is they way he anticipates passes through the middle and picks them off. Lots of his scoring comes through this because he catches the other team going the wrong way and this gives him a lot space to make plays. It is a good skill to have but at the NHL level, players don't stick around if they are making such passes. Thus you can't base much of your game on this. Nor can you use the kind of wrap around stick checking Malholtra does to create turnovers against NHL players . They protect the puck too well for this to work.

What a player like Stenburg has proven is that he can turn over pucks and keep puck possession against men.

Don't want to get into another Stenburg vs. Malholtra arguement (or a Reid vs, Malhotra one) but I hope the team is basing their selection on who is the BPA. Malholtra is in that discussion but it does seem the team is slipping into a selection based on positional need according to many of people analyzing the draft.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

As a fan how could you lower Cootes ceiling as a prospect by taking Malhotra and giving him less runway as a legit stud prospect who made the team as a 18 year old? If Stenberg is there you run to the podium with his name on the back of a Jersey and look to the next year with a draft filled with Centers to complement him? If you get DuPont, consider yourself luckyy and you just won the draft lottery that provides a generational talent. Take the top 2 talent in the draft and cross off your #1 winger off the board. Cootes has all the criteria to be a Captain and 2nd line Center to complement all the Center’s next year without winning the DuPont lottery. If you take him and win it you just got a RHD and top line winger in back to back drafts.

 

[Vector]

That’s an awful trade for Dallas.

Some smart pants here suggested the Stars trade Robertson for the 4th overall then package that with something else for the 2nd and take Stenberg. No idea who said it, though.

 

[theguardianII]

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.

As good as the Sharks played this season showing that they are either close or right there to take the next step they really need defencemen, lots of them.

Hronek would be their top dman instantly, on a lot of teams as well now.
MP might even be a possibility but not getting nearly as much in return.

If Quinn got the equivalent of 4 firsts then Hronek should get two and a half.

My OCD idea has SJ trading Misa for Hronek and then them drafting two dmen in the first round or trading #2 AND Misa for Hronek and Willander and/or Mancini throw in Lekkerimaki if needed. The Canucks then promote Kudryavtsev and sign an older veteran dman, like Schenn to a retirement contract and trade a late round pick for Myers if he will come back.

The Canucks would then have the #'s 2, 3, 24, 33 and 41 picks this year.

That could be a forward #2 Stenberg or Mckenna, #3 RHD Reid, #24 C Shilov, #33 C Roobroerk and #41 C Rogowski there are lots of centers after # 7 spot. I would guess that at least 4 of those will be NHL players some of more note than others.

It is all fantasy anyway. these rookies will sit on their hands and do no trading at all, the Sedins already like the guys on the team as they called them "the new core"