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

[Nuckles]

Another poster pointed out that now Caleb has become the highest upside pick, if he can hit and be a ppg C that's more valuable than Stenberg will ever be short of Kucherov or Ovechkin.

Malhotra doesn't even need to put up those numbers. 65-70 points with good defensive play down the middle will be of more value to this team than a 85-90 point winger. And that's not even factoring in the potential leadership qualities

 

[thecupismine]

Wikipedia says 2020:

Todd Harvey - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

NHL.com says 2021:

Todd Harvey Joins Canucks Insider Podcast to Discuss the Upcoming NHL Entry Draft | Vancouver Canucks

This upcoming NHL Entry Draft is an important one for Director of Amateur Scouting, Todd Harvey. Harvey first became the Director of Amateur Scouting in 2021, when the pandemic made it challenging to scout players in person. Now, Harvey and the rest of the scouting team are preparing for what

www.nhl.com

You say 2022.

So which is it?

Edit:

Daily Hive article also says 2020:

How the Vancouver Canucks have drafted since Judd Brackett left | Daily Hive | Offside

A recent report suggested that many Vancouver Canucks scouts don't have contracts next season. Should they return?

dailyhive.com

The NHL article is correct, it’s 2021 for the 2022 draft. It’s what’s on elite prospects, it’s what’s on this forum (July 3rd 2021: Confirmed with Link: - Canucks promote Todd Harvey to Director of Amateur Scouting )etc.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

The NHL article is correct, it’s 2021 for the 2022 draft. It’s what’s on elite prospects, it’s what’s on this forum (July 3rd 2021: Confirmed with Link: - Canucks promote Todd Harvey to Director of Amateur Scouting )etc.

But again, the Daily Hive article states it was announced in 2021 but he's led the Draft since 2020:

"Todd Harvey was promoted in 2020 to Director of Amateur Scouting when Judd Brackett left the Canucks for the Minnesota Wild. While the announcement became official in 2021, former assistant general manager John Wiesbrod confirmed Harvey has held the role ever since Brackett left."

 

[thecupismine]

But again, the Daily Hive article states it was announced in 2021 but he's led the Draft since 2020:

"Todd Harvey was promoted in 2020 to Director of Amateur Scouting when Judd Brackett left the Canucks for the Minnesota Wild. While the announcement became official in 2021, former assistant general manager John Wiesbrod confirmed Harvey has held the role ever since Brackett left."

If you want to include the Weisbrod/Benning led process, and judge two covid drafts where Weisbrod said he did it without the title, be my guest. The point still stands even with those two drafts that we have some of the most games played in the league from third round & later picks, and there was all of 1 more more second round pick to evaluatte.

The expected hit rate of picks in the 11-15 range is ~50%, and it looks like we're tracking above that. 2nd round picks are usually around 10-15%, 3rds are ~5%, and 4th and later are 1-2%.

With the caveat that we still need more time to evaluate, the picks are tracking to hit at way above the expected rate. To call it mediocre is to say unless you're like the Montreal Canadiens or Washington Capitals, you're mediocre.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

If you want to include the Weisbrod/Benning led process, and judge two covid drafts where Weisbrod said he did it without the title, be my guest. The point still stands even with those two drafts that we have some of the most games played in the league from third round & later picks, and there was all of 1 more more second round pick to evaluatte.

The expected hit rate of picks in the 11-15 range is ~50%, and it looks like we're tracking above that. 2nd round picks are usually around 10-15%, 3rds are ~5%, and 4th and later are 1-2%.

With the caveat that we still need more time to evaluate, the picks are tracking to hit at way above the expected rate. To call it mediocre is to say unless you're like the Montreal Canadiens or Washington Capitals, you're mediocre.

And like I said, hit rate on dmen has been fantastic.

They need to show me alot more regarding ability to draft forwards who can contribute and contribute meaningfully.

Cootes appears on track but Lekk is not trending well.

I'm concerned Harvey and Co. are great at unearthing dmen but lack the ability to unearth dmen (and goalies).

Medvedev as an example did not look good last year especially given where he was taken.

Given the comments around Harvey pushing for Verhoeff, it just appears like too much tunnel vision.

I will give him some more time, but I want to see more.

 

[RobsonStreet]

Riley Reid. Everyone knows her.

She doesn’t count. They’re just step siblings, it’s not like they’re blood related, relax.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

I think it’s worth noting with Reid that JR essentially ran Hughes out of town with him publicly speaking out of his ass any chance he had to try to bully Hughes into a guilt signing or pinning him into a corner. Brady and Quinn both had motives to play with their brothers. I think it’s a failure if we walk out of this Draft in this particular order on who the top player available at 3rd overall.

1. Mckenna
2. Stenberg
3. Reid
4. Malhotra.

One of the top 3 will be there regardless and the Caleb and Manny thing should have put a stamp on that after Manny took the job. I like Caleb and think he’s a great pick but your going to get one of those 3 as a alternative choice and I don’t think you should mess up the team dynamic with one of those 3 options available.

 

[lawrence]

It's not like WPG actually valued him properly though.

Wpgs offer for ehlers was higher than what Carolina offered him. Ehlers just wanted a change.

 

[lawrence]

Reid that JR essentially ran Hughes out of town

I’m Ok with you liking him as a prospect. But please don’t make up stories.
This was never the case.

 

[AquiliniHurtsMySoul]

Carels should be the pick if Stenberg isn't there.

Can't take Malhotra because of his Dad. Reid carries too much flight risk.

 

[Brock Boeser Laser Show]

Stenberg, Malhotra, Carels.

I don't think I could handle the drama when Reid is unsigned and playing at Michigan State. This board would be in a constant state of panic.

 

[Icebreakers]

Stenberg, Malhotra, Carels.

I don't think I could handle the drama when Reid is unsigned and playing at Michigan State. This board would be in a constant state of panic.

You wouldnt have to worry about that. He would have to play 4 full seasons there to go as a UFA. Thats wasting your career.

 

[Brock Boeser Laser Show]

You wouldnt have to worry about that. He would have to play 4 full seasons there to go as a UFA. Thats wasting your career.

Oh I imagine he would sign for business reasons. I just remember panic with Hughes after he was drafted. Turns out the panic should've been reserved for later....

If you draft Reid you better known he's fully committed and not giving you lip service. This franchise doesn't need egos or drama. We need dawgs that want to grow here and win here. No throwing the parachute when times are tough.

 

[Icebreakers]

Oh I imagine he would sign for business reasons. I just remember panic with Hughes after he was drafted. Turns out the panic should've been reserved for later....

If you draft Reid you better known he's fully committed and not giving you lip service. This franchise doesn't need egos or drama. We need dawgs that want to grow here and win here. No throwing the parachute when times are tough.

Yeah. Theres just no way to know though. The kids 18 and doesnt know anything either. Its just a risk you are taking. Hes obviously going to say the PR answer as an unproven prospect.


We shall see with Buium, a US guy in and out, won 2 WJC golds and NCAA title and WC title. USNTDP guy. All his buddies play on American teams. Cant get more American than Buium. I bet Calgary took Parekh over him due to the Fox situation.

 

[CanaFan]

Yeah. Theres just no way to know though. The kids 18 and doesnt know anything either. Its just a risk you are taking. Hes obviously going to say the PR answer as an unproven prospect.


We shall see with Buium, a US guy in and out, won 2 WJC golds and NCAA title and WC title. USNTDP guy. All his buddies play on American teams. Cant get more American than Buium. I bet Calgary took Parekh over him due to the Fox situation.

This is fair, I doubt 18 y/o Quinn Hughes knew he’d want to leave 8 years into the future. Had the Canucks been a well-run franchise that continued to rise and became a competitive team, there’s a good chance he’d be here today, even with his brothers in New Jersey (it’s also extra bad luck that both brothers ended up on the same team as well).

There’s no way to vet this with any prospect, unless they have a very strong desire to avoid Canada altogether and make that known in interviews. But most kids just want to play in the league and aren’t going to risk getting a “bad” reputation, so you can never truly know. But at least with Reid he doesn’t have any highly touted siblings at this point, and hopefully the Sedins-RJ era won’t be filled with as many gross errors as the Dim Jim / JR eras that ultimately drove Hughes out.

 

[Icebreakers]

This is fair, I doubt 18 y/o Quinn Hughes knew he’d want to leave 8 years into the future. Had the Canucks been a well-run franchise that continued to rise and became a competitive team, there’s a good chance he’d be here today, even with his brothers in New Jersey (it’s also extra bad luck that both brothers ended up on the same team as well).

There’s no way to vet this with any prospect, unless they have a very strong desire to avoid Canada altogether and make that known in interviews. But most kids just want to play in the league and aren’t going to risk getting a “bad” reputation, so you can never truly know. But at least with Reid he doesn’t have any highly touted siblings at this point, and hopefully the Sedins-RJ era won’t be filled with as many gross errors as the Dim Jim / JR eras that ultimately drove Hughes out.

Winning does solve everything, but winning is the hardest thing you can do in the sport as well.

Kesler was the heart and soul of the team and gave no indication of wanting to leave at any point with the Canucks, until we stopped winning lol.

 

[Knight53]

 

[lawrence]

Winning does solve everything, but winning is the hardest thing you can do in the sport as well.

Kesler was the heart and soul of the team and gave no indication of wanting to leave at any point with the Canucks, until we stopped winning lol.

i have 2 names jerseys in my entire life.

One , Pavel bure.

Ryan Kesler was the other. He was my favourite player during that era. He left when we struggled. Completely bailed.
Quinn Hughes did exactly the same thing.

Never again. Just go the next ranked player.

Next year too. Stay the f away from Carter Meyer

 

[Icebreakers]

i have 2 names jerseys in my entire life.

One , Pavel bure.

Ryan Kesler was the other. He was my favourite player during that era. He left when we struggled. Completely bailed.
Quinn Hughes did exactly the same thing.

Never again. Just go the next ranked player.

Next year too. Stay the f away from Carter Meyer

It is kind of true though.

Horvat would have happily signed that deal in VAN if we offered it to him. No matter what dumpster fire we were.

Same with the Sedins.


Theres just something gross about wanting to jump ship as soon as times get tough. Like you are one of the core pieces / leaders. But some people dont want that responsibility they just want to play hockey.

 

[sting101]

Carels should be the pick if Stenberg isn't there.

Can't take Malhotra because of his Dad. Reid carries too much flight risk.

Why? You prioritize a 3rd OA over a Coach and a rookie one at that at the start of a rebuild from a bottom feeder.

Good chance with all the losing that Manny isn't around when or if it becomes an issue. Or he feels the situation isn't ideal for his son or the parties involved and walks away before you know just how good he is anyway.

I don't think it matters at all anymore. Your looking at a year at BU then a year where he does the Horvat 4/3C thing. By year 3 or 4 if it looks like it's not ideal he can step aside. Even BrindAmour and Cooper didn't have to survive a rebuild.

Focus on building a proper core end of story.

It doesn't matter how good your wings are you simply will never contend without 2-3 pillars down the middle. Cootes is a 2/3 upside. Rossi unless he matures at the defensive end will be playing wing or gone by then. We have nothing in the 1-2 holes

This notion that we can get 2 pillars at C in the next 2-3 drafts would pigeonhole this team to chasing Cs of the very ilk that Malhotra has from likely worse draft slots which means they may not be available.

The notion of a quick fix or fluffing EP40 is a nightmare scenario.

It's a no brainer if he's available. Take Malhotra

 

[CanaFan]

Winning does solve everything, but winning is the hardest thing you can do in the sport as well.

Kesler was the heart and soul of the team and gave no indication of wanting to leave at any point with the Canucks, until we stopped winning lol.

Stopped winning and were clearly entering a rebuild phase. Given that he was 30 at that point and still looking for a Cup, I feel that’s pretty understandable. You can’t laud players for being hyper competitors then be surprised / butthurt when then don’t want to play their remaining years playing for high draft picks. That’s not disloyalty, that’s the competitive fire you as a fan loved so much when they were competing for a Cup.

Look, if the expectation is that we can only draft players that will stay with us until the day they retire like the Sedins, then I think we’re gonna be passing on a lot of talented players unnecessarily. I certainly dont want a Brady or Matt Tkachuk scenario, but anyone who hits 30 and doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild, I have no problem with. You give us a decade of high level play and then allow us to get a haul of assets at the end? Sign me up.

 

[Icebreakers]

Stopped winning and were clearly entering a rebuild phase. Given that he was 30 at that point and still looking for a Cup, I feel that’s pretty understandable.

Look, if the expectation is that we can only draft players that will stay with us until the day they retire like the Sedins, then I think we’re gonna be passing on a lot of talented players unnecessarily. I certainly dont want a Brady or Matt Tkachuk scenario, but anyone who hits 30 and doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild, I have no problem with. You give us a decade of high level play and then allow us to get a haul of assets at the end? Sign me up.

No im just giving that as an example of winning solves everything. He had every right to leave. Who knows though, if we werent successful from like 2008-2013, he might have left earlier.

I just dont like the Tkachuk/Hughes situation where they have been with the team for like 5-6 years and are a distraction in the locker room because they clearly want out. Also Gaudreau should have told CGY he was going to leave instead of leading them on.

 

[bossram]

Wpgs offer for ehlers was higher than what Carolina offered him. Ehlers just wanted a change.

Reportedly.

But it's clear they never valued him correctly. Despite being their best forward, he was only reluctantly ever used on the 1st line or 1PP simply as a last resort when there were injuries. WPG's best ever stretch came when Connor was injured and Ehlers was fixed to the top line. As soon as he was back, they literally never deployed him like a 1st line player again.

He was never valued correctly in WPG and he knew that.

 

[Yossarian54]

Happy with: McKenna, Stenberg, Malhotra, Reid, Carels

Slightly nervous but willing to see where it goes: Verhoeff, Bjork, Rudolph, Smits.

Not really bothered by the American factor with specific reference to Reid. I would be more worried if he was from an established hockey family/playing USHL. A top 3 pick especially the most sensible financial decision is to spend less time in college and he will get NHL money bust or not. If we're not starting to win consistently and push for playoffs by the time Reid is 23-25 and looking to sign long term contracts then honestly just pack up the franchise and go home at that point.

I slightly lean D and C this early in the rebuild but if they think Stenberg is the best pick so be it.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

I’m Ok with you liking him as a prospect. But please don’t make up stories.
This was never the case.

You don’t think the media presser of JR calling out Hughes a year early of being able to re-sign didn’t create havoc around Hughes and the media since that moment? He was asked every interview and then JR went out again and confirmed it. Thats childish games and created tension between the player and franchise, who would want to play here with that looming over his head even if he signed a 3 or 4 year deal? I don’t love Reid at all but I see the need for a player with his upside and skillset as one of the best in the draft who could become the best player in the draft.

I like Stenberg, Reid and Malhotra the same with a slight edge to Stenberg due to resume in a mens league and maintaining his position throughout the year. The American factor scares me with Reid and the father son factor scares me with Malhotra. Centers and RHD are the 2 best assets you can have league wide but I’d avoid both for Stenberg if available.

I see an opportunity to fill out the roster on the backend with Reid and solidify the Center position with Cootes and Malhotra, I see the most drama around Malhotra and for me after what we just went through as a club that’s a no draft zone for me, so much drama and now a rebuild because of it. We had two number 1 Centers, a Norris top 3 Dman in the game and a Vezina calibre goalie who has proven to be a stud in the playoffs and that’s all gone because of them not liking each other and our media feeding off that.