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

[Icebreakers]

All of these clips yu showed are kinda hating. The first one is a bit of a weird play more a fumble on him. The second not many defensmean are making that play. The guys coming in full speed on a rebound. That "pizza" is a guy from the other team coming off the bench

Nah, he's one of the players most prone to errors in the 1st round. None of it is hating. Those are all extremely low IQ moves. There's extreme red flags of this player which is why his ranking fell on almost every list after the second half of the season. If you like him then that's your opinion, you can like anyone you want.

 

[sting101]

I've only ever read or heard Reid described as a high character person, a diligent hard working player. Of course, the MAGA stuff, to me personally is a big character flaw, but anyone that knows that the algos are like, it's almost inevitable for someone of his age to fall into that deluge...and then some.

He gave an interview where he describes himself as very competitive, but also very trustworthy, which I thought was very interesting.

His mom says that he's a very active person, always likes to be doing something and move; I can't see that type of person not having a good work ethic. She also says that he's got the biggest heart, and brings joy to everyone's lives, a big people person. The anti-Quinn/Pete if you will.

The Reid's apparently don't come from big money. His mom is a retired competitive dancer and teaches dance and an insurance agent. His dad works for a transportation company.

Maybe it's all a subterfuge from being labelled MAGA, but there's articles from last year as well that say similar things. He's described as a "large empath" and never wants to let anyone down. The "busiest person in the world". "Hardest worker". Despite being a late birthday and a bit old for the draft, he went from sub-6' to 6'2-3' in the last 2 years. Has only played the position for about 7-8 yrs as a converted forward.

There could be a steeper growth curve vs others that we'll take advantage of if we pick him at 3rd.

The MAGA stuff that people are trying to use as a way to discredit the character of Reid is abysmal. The only thing i would be worried about is he's an American from back east and at some point family becomes a factor and as he gets closer to free agency he may want to go homeward.

Could be the best asset in the draft seems like a great kid

 

[Mike Pecarino]

The MAGA stuff regarding Reid is so over-blown. Something for the social media hoard to spread around to facilitate their boredom due to the insatiable need for new hockeys to come out at every minute. Boredom brings out the worst in all of us.

 

[Agent007]

The MAGA stuff regarding Reid is so over-blown. Something for the social media hoard to spread around to facilitate their boredom due to the insatiable need for new hockeys to come out at every minute. Boredom brings out the worst in all of us.

You think so?

I haven’t seen it myself but from what I’ve heard he follows a lot of MAGA people and I believe has liked MAGA posts.

It’s not to say this will be a problem but if you’re passing on Malhotra due to locker room dynamics but then draft a guy who’s got political views that can be controversial and there’s been a recent trend of a certain type of American player preferring to play long term in the states that could not only be a locker room “cultural” issue but also a long term build issue.

You’d have to imagine these are the things discussed during the interview process/dinner. If you got that hint strong personality and strong political views then you’d think they would factor that in.

 

[CanaFan]

The MAGA stuff regarding Reid is so over-blown. Something for the social media hoard to spread around to facilitate their boredom due to the insatiable need for new hockeys to come out at every minute. Boredom brings out the worst in all of us.

If we draft Reid boy ole boy the stories we have to look forward to regarding lefty Swede Willander and MAGA Reid and is woke coach Manny favouring Willander over Reid? But more importantly how will Reid deal with it, if Willander is getting more rope from woke coach? Very interesting.

edit: all in good fun

 

[Icebreakers]

At this point just take whoevers available of Stenberg, Malhotra, Reid and Carels and pick them out of a hat. That way we can blame fate.

 

[Deeds26]

It's Pagnotta and not to be taken at 100% but he says hes not expecting Malhotra to be picked by the Canucks at 3rd.

 

[Vector]

“I’m not expecting the Vancouver Canucks to select Caleb Malhotra with the third-overall selection, if he’s available.“

 

[Vancouver_2010]

The MAGA stuff regarding Reid is so over-blown. Something for the social media hoard to spread around to facilitate their boredom due to the insatiable need for new hockeys to come out at every minute. Boredom brings out the worst in all of us.

If he plays a meaningful role in our quest to win the Stanley cup, his political view is irrelevant. I don't care if he believes in Satan, a Christian, an extreme left or right. I want to watch him play hockey, that's all.

 

[Mike Pecarino]

You think so?

I haven’t seen it myself but from what I’ve heard he follows a lot of MAGA people and I believe has liked MAGA posts.

It’s not to say this will be a problem but if you’re passing on Malhotra due to locker room dynamics but then draft a guy who’s got political views that can be controversial and there’s been a recent trend of a certain type of American player preferring to play long term in the states that could not only be a locker room “cultural” issue but also a long term build issue.

You’d have to imagine these are the things discussed during the interview process/dinner. If you got that hint strong personality and strong political views then you’d think they would factor that in.

I think it’s getting over blown. I have some family and close friends whom I would consider to be Maple MAGA but it hasn’t come between us. I mean, Buium is Jewish, does he support Israel? At first it bothered me a little, but the more I look at it the less it bothers me.

 

[Mike Pecarino]

If we draft Reid boy ole boy the stories we have to look forward to regarding lefty Swede Willander and MAGA Reid and is woke coach Manny favouring Willander over Reid? But more importantly how will Reid deal with it, if Willander is getting more rope from woke coach? Very interesting.

edit: all in good fun

The accusations and innuendo of nepotism is a real potential scenario that could unfold before our eyes once the triple chin Sekeres and friends get behind it.

 

[Mike Pecarino]

“I’m not expecting the Vancouver Canucks to select Caleb Malhotra with the third-overall selection, if he’s available.“

When you see the once touted draft jewel darlings like Perfetti, McTavish and Shane Wright being given up on and shopped the red flags start flying everywhere. Pass.

 

[CanaFan]

The accusations and innuendo of nepotism is a real potential scenario that could unfold before our eyes once the triple chin Sekeres and friends get behind it.

Anything has real potential if you spend enough time wallowing in it. We literally just had a lefty-Petey / righty-Miller / Garland / Kane split in the room. If you’re going to spend all your day worrying about high character guys like Manny and Caleb being an issue, then you should probably be just as worried about this happening again too. Especially if our “woke” Canadian media starts making a big deal of it too.

I’m not bothered by any of it myself, but I was more thinking of you.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

If it’s not Malhotra, it’s Stenberg or Reid.

 

[Mike Pecarino]

Anything has real potential if you spend enough time wallowing in it. We literally just had a lefty-Petey / righty-Miller / Garland / Kane split in the room. If you’re going to spend all your day worrying about high character guys like Manny and Caleb being an issue, then you should probably be just as worried about this happening again too. Especially if our “woke” Canadian media starts making a big deal of it too.

I’m not bothered by any of it myself, but I was more thinking of you.

By you referring to the Canadian media as “woke” then it’s safe to assume that Reid liking MAGA posts is not an issue with you?

Curious, for you who is the best player available between Reid and Malhotra?

Me? It’s Reid by a country mile. And I hate the MAGA plague. Don’t see once stance or views on politics as being a problem in the room as I had once initially, but I do see nepotism or the “paranoia” or “assumption” of nepotism as being a problem, especially in this city and the media and fans in this town.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Verhoeff reminds me a lot of Bouchard... big shot, bad decision making.
But don't get me wrong, Bouchard is great at the things he's great at; he just needs a super solid partner to bail him out on the regular as soon as the play goes the other way.
Carels and Verhoeff would probably make a good pairing.

 

[AquiliniHurtsMySoul]

It'll be Reid or Stenberg, whichever one is left.

Sincerely hoping it's Stenberg.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Reid only followed DT Jr which he doesn't follow anymore.

There’s never been any post showing he liked posts anything MAGA.

Meanwhile our very own hometown kid Macklin Celebrini follows Trump’s granddaughter and other actual MAGA influencers, lol. In the case of Reid, we're talking about a 17-18 year old kid who's literally never voted a single day in his life probably just following popular and trending people. His mother is a dancer. I don't know many dancers who are MAGA or MAGA leaning.

 

[CanaFan]

By you referring to the Canadian media as “woke” then it’s safe to assume that Reid liking MAGA posts is not an issue with you?

Curious, for you who is the best player available between Reid and Malhotra?

Me? It’s Reid by a country mile. And I hate the MAGA plague. Don’t see once stance or views on politics as being a problem in the room as I had once initially, but I do see nepotism or the “paranoia” or “assumption” of nepotism as being a problem, especially in this city and the media and fans in this town.

You can see my vote in the “who should we draft 3rd” thread. It’s Reid by a slim margin over “my boy” Malhotra. I hate MAGAt’s with a passion but I also don’t know that that’s what Reid is or if he’s just a naive kid who isn’t terribly discerning with his social media. Either way I’ll let the team do their checks and if they aren’t concerned then I won’t be either. Talent wise he’s got the best ceiling of anyone not named McKenna, so I wouldn’t want to pass on him without very good cause.

 

[BWJM]

As people have stated - you should build a club so good that players don’t want to leave, no matter the nationality.

MAGA/Politics should also be a non-factor. Need to keep that out of hockey. The kids are young.

Stenberg or Reid and then crush your 24th overall pick with Morozov or Pugachyov.

 

[Jay26]

The Trump/America/MAGA pearl clutching is just so tedious at this point. We have so many of our own problems in this country....

Either way, the only thing that genuinely worries me about American players is if they're going to bolt or no. I'm that sense I'm gunshy on Reid, and for good reason. It's like how we used to view Russians (ie. Never knowing if they're committed and if they're a waste of a pick).

 

[Canucker]

You can see my vote in the “who should we draft 3rd” thread. It’s Reid by a slim margin over “my boy” Malhotra. I hate MAGAt’s with a passion but I also don’t know that that’s what Reid is or if he’s just a naive kid who isn’t terribly discerning with his social media. Either way I’ll let the team do their checks and if they aren’t concerned then I won’t be either. Talent wise he’s got the best ceiling of anyone not named McKenna, so I wouldn’t want to pass on him without very good cause.

Yeah, I was initially turned off by the reports Reid was hovering around the MAGA universe and a little apprehensive by some of the religious leanings but after seeing some of the interviews and combine videos I'm less concerned...he came away seeming like a decent kid, there was nothing there that seemed like he would be a problem in the dressing room. I think I still have Carels ahead of him but its a LOT closer than pre-combine for me now...I would have been disappointed if we picked him at 3, now I'd be ok with it (provided we didn't pass on a Stenberg or McKenna).

 

[VanillaCoke]

I'm not a big fan of ep40 but he's likely better under manny, and if available I can see huge value in stapling stenberg to his wing.
Hard to imagine points, and his value, not piling up in that situation.

Also have tons of time for Reid (prefer carels) if he can stack points and eventually get sold high like Hughes, no problem.

 

[DonnyNucker]

I'm not a big fan of ep40 but he's likely better under manny, and if available I can see huge value in stapling stenberg to his wing.
Hard to imagine points, and his value, not piling up in that situation.

Also have tons of time for Reid (prefer carels) if he can stack points and eventually get sold high like Hughes, no problem.

Who cares about EP. he is toxic and on his way out. If we draft Stenberg, his development is the most important part of our season. stapling him to EP is not in his best interests

 

[Vector]

Go outside and touch grass. It’s Father’s Day and the sun is shining.