Prospect Info: The 2026 NHL Draft First Round Thread - Part 5

[DonnyNucker]

Just gotta laugh that in a year where we have the 3rd pick, the top 2 picks are slam dunks, and our choice is between our coach's son or an American defenceman who follows Trump on Instagram. Lol

only if you don't know a damn thing about value and how this (or every draft) will play out. Stenberg isn't going top 3. I am not even sure Chicago will select him. Centres and D have far more value than non elite wingers. A lot of the Stenberg Stans are going to look quite foolish next Friday.

 

[pitseleh]

Was listening to Cam Robinson on his Called Up podcast and he mentioned he’s gotten pushback on his reports about the Canucks and Malhotra. Mentioned Allvin really liked Reid, Harvey really likes Verhoeff, and there’s even a chance the Canucks go with Carels.

It’s the time of year for obfuscation but thought it was interesting.

 

[Burke's Evil Spirit]

I wonder about Carels. He ticks a lot of classic hockey man boxes this team loves - mean, big, humble, etc. They didn't interview him at the combine but they easily could have met up with him when the Cougars came through town to play the Giants.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

Drafting Malhotra at 3 and packaging together the next 3 picks to slide in to the top 15 and pick Lawrence is a dream scenario.

Being year 1 in to the rebuild and having Cootes, Caleb and Tynan up front and Zeev and Willy on the back end is insane.

Dude... no. The next 2 years the 1st roubd centers are so much better.

 

[lawrence]

I wonder about Carels. He ticks a lot of classic hockey man boxes this team loves - mean, big, humble, etc. They didn't interview him at the combine but they easily could have met up with him when the Cougars came through town to play the Giants.

We did interview him.