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

[Icebreakers]

Impressive Kid



With Manny as coach think they pass on Caleb now.

Zeev Buium - Chase Reid
Elias Pettersson - Tom Willander

Would be the best U23 d-core in the entire league.

Then trade Hronek at 2027 draft.

Sounds good on "paper" but theres too many players with the same playstyle. You need players that actually play defense, which Buium and Reid do not (and we arent even sure Willander or EP25 can be shutdown guys). You need guys like Slavin, Toews, etc on your team.

Also Reid and Buium are fighting each other for pp1 spot. You need the heavy guys and people to win battles in the boards. We arent trying to build a fantasy hockey roster.

 

[Hodgy]

It has been a long time since the World Juniors, and one really shouldn't overrate a small sample size, but Chase Reid looked significantly better than either of Carels or Verhoeff, who actually both struggled with Verhoeff struggling more.

 

[Knight53]

Sounds good on "paper" but theres too many players with the same playstyle. You need players that actually play defense, which Buium and Reid do not. You need guys like Slavin, Toews, etc on your team.

Also Reid and Buium are fighting each other for pp1 spot. You need the heavy guys and people to win battles in the boards. We arent trying to build a fantasy hockey roster.

Thats what you hope DPetey and Willander develop into. Bottom pairing would be defensive dman as well.

Not wanting two stud puck moving dmen because they play the same way is outdated thinking.

 

[Icebreakers]

Thats what you hope DPetey and Willander develop into. Bottom pairing would be defensive dman as well.

Not wanting two stud puck moving dmen because they play the same way is outdated thinking.

Im not saying it cant work, it just not as good as you think it is on paper. Obviously if Dupont is in this draft im taking him regardless if we have Buium or not.

 

[ChilliBilly]

1. - Mckenna
2 - Stenberg
3 - Mahlotra

Now if someone wants to move up, I would love to trade 3 for a gradated top 10 and another good asset. Unless somehow either Stenberg or McKenna is available. Then I walk fast and take em.

But is Seattle offered 7 OA 25 OA and 38 OA for 3rd OA and 78th I would be all over it.

 

[Baby Buium]

For what it's worth my dream last night had us drafting Reid at #3.

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

Sounds good on "paper" but theres too many players with the same playstyle. You need players that actually play defense, which Buium and Reid do not (and we arent even sure Willander or EP25 can be shutdown guys). You need guys like Slavin, Toews, etc on your team.

Also Reid and Buium are fighting each other for pp1 spot. You need the heavy guys and people to win battles in the boards. We arent trying to build a fantasy hockey roster.

I don't think this is true at all.

It CAN be true when both guys play the same style and side and cannibalize each other's ice time (like Burns and Karlsson in San Jose).

But to me puck transporting out of the zone and entering the other zone are two of the most important skills these days and having an elite D on your top two pairings who can do that, and then be paired together late in games when trailing isn't a bad thing at all.

 

[MS]

But the unique point here is you are not making those decisions because of a player's nationality and perceived resulting issues.

Literally every single draft pick that's ever made will have character and culture fit taken into consideration. This is just a new extension of that.

And it's a big deal. A *substantial* percentage of star-level American players drafted to Canadian teams are just doing what Quinn Hughes did - get through 5-6 years and then leverage their way the hell out of town. You absolutely have to factor this into the value proposition - if Chase Reid is a 9/10 player who forces his way out of town in 5-6 years and Carson Carels is an 8/10 player who is a rock for your team for 12-15 years ... that's a pretty easy decision which one to take.

It sucks that this has to be a consideration, but it absolutely does have to be a consideration.

Ya, if the tier is truly flat then I totally agree. But as I have said in the past, I don't think it will actually end up being flat, and I also doubt that NHL scouting teams, who watch thousands of hours of tape on these guys, will see these players being equal. Scouting and projecting is just so difficult and unpredictable that there is a tendency to believe that a group of players are all equal or within a tier, but that's never actually the case in hindsight.

But sure, if you truly don't think you can project a difference between Reid and Carels, then go ahead and take Carels. Not sure how many life long scouts who have spent hours and hours watching these two players will believe that though. Maybe they should though.

I've said this a few times over the last few years, but 'good scouting' is just Keep it Simple Stupid and don't do dumb shit. Don't think you're smarter than you are. Don't go to drafts trying to dazzle with brilliance. Get the right players in the right tiers and then when you're up to pick, pick the player from the highest tier whose value proposition best fits your organization. Where teams go wrong is when they think they're going to outsmart everyone or fall in love with a guy and lose perspective on what tier he should actually be in.

I have Chase Reid as the best D in this draft. But it's also *BARELY* so. And if I have him, like 2% ahead of Carels but history is telling us that there's probably a 20-30% chance (at least) that his commitment to this organization will be an issue ... this, again, makes things a pretty easy decision.

 

[thecupismine]

Literally every single draft pick that's ever made will have character and culture fit taken into consideration. This is just a new extension of that.

And it's a big deal. A *substantial* percentage of star-level American players drafted to Canadian teams are just doing what Quinn Hughes did - get through 5-6 years and then leverage their way the hell out of town. You absolutely have to factor this into the value proposition - if Chase Reid is a 9/10 player who forces his way out of town in 5-6 years and Carson Carels is an 8/10 player who is a rock for your team for 12-15 years ... that's a pretty easy decision which one to take.

It sucks that this has to be a consideration, but it absolutely does have to be a consideration.




I've said this a few times over the last few years, but 'good scouting' is just Keep it Simple Stupid and don't do dumb shit. Don't think you're smarter than you are. Don't go to drafts trying to dazzle with brilliance. Get the right players in the right tiers and then when you're up to pick, pick the player from the highest tier whose value proposition best fits your organization. Where teams go wrong is when they think they're going to outsmart everyone or fall in love with a guy and lose perspective on what tier he should actually be in.

I have Chase Reid as the best D in this draft. But it's also *BARELY* so. And if I have him, like 2% ahead of Carels but history is telling us that there's probably a 20-30% chance (at least) that his commitment to this organization will be an issue ... this, again, makes things a pretty easy decision.

This draft would be a lot simpler if we were in Portland and our coaches name was Manny Smith.

 

[ChilliBilly]

Literally every single draft pick that's ever made will have character and culture fit taken into consideration. This is just a new extension of that.

And it's a big deal. A *substantial* percentage of star-level American players drafted to Canadian teams are just doing what Quinn Hughes did - get through 5-6 years and then leverage their way the hell out of town. You absolutely have to factor this into the value proposition - if Chase Reid is a 9/10 player who forces his way out of town in 5-6 years and Carson Carels is an 8/10 player who is a rock for your team for 12-15 years ... that's a pretty easy decision which one to take.

It sucks that this has to be a consideration, but it absolutely does have to be a consideration.




I've said this a few times over the last few years, but 'good scouting' is just Keep it Simple Stupid and don't do dumb shit. Don't think you're smarter than you are. Don't go to drafts trying to dazzle with brilliance. Get the right players in the right tiers and then when you're up to pick, pick the player from the highest tier whose value proposition best fits your organization. Where teams go wrong is when they think they're going to outsmart everyone or fall in love with a guy and lose perspective on what tier he should actually be in.

I have Chase Reid as the best D in this draft. But it's also *BARELY* so. And if I have him, like 2% ahead of Carels but history is telling us that there's probably a 20-30% chance (at least) that his commitment to this organization will be an issue ... this, again, makes things a pretty easy decision.

This was the point of my earlier post.

If someone like Seattle wants Reid and we can cash in and still get 7th and another 1st, jump at it.

I mean, Maholtra might be there at 7 anyways. If Seattle wants Reid, I have no issue with getting the dregs if that is Carels Smits Maholtra or Verhoeff. Or Bjork.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Sounds good on "paper" but theres too many players with the same playstyle. You need players that actually play defense, which Buium and Reid do not (and we arent even sure Willander or EP25 can be shutdown guys). You need guys like Slavin, Toews, etc on your team.

Also Reid and Buium are fighting each other for pp1 spot. You need the heavy guys and people to win battles in the boards. We arent trying to build a fantasy hockey roster.

Reid does play defense. His defense came a long way watching him in the playoffs vs the beginning of the season.

I agree with the OP really impressive interview. Really like this kid. Whether it's him, Stenberg, or Malhotra we're in a good spot.

 

[StickShift]

Literally every single draft pick that's ever made will have character and culture fit taken into consideration. This is just a new extension of that.

And it's a big deal. A *substantial* percentage of star-level American players drafted to Canadian teams are just doing what Quinn Hughes did - get through 5-6 years and then leverage their way the hell out of town. You absolutely have to factor this into the value proposition - if Chase Reid is a 9/10 player who forces his way out of town in 5-6 years and Carson Carels is an 8/10 player who is a rock for your team for 12-15 years ... that's a pretty easy decision which one to take.

It sucks that this has to be a consideration, but it absolutely does have to be a consideration.

So it started with this cabal of American Olympic players, but I guarantee you’re going to see this become more common among top-100 players across the league, regardless of nationality.

That’s why Reid doesn’t particularly scare me off. I think any of these draft picks, if they become an 8/10 or 9/10 star, could pull the exact same move. Regardless of being an American, a Canadian farm kid, or a rink rat with local ties.

The cup is the hardest trophy in sports to win, and hockey careers are one bad injury away from being derailed. It makes perfect sense that players want to put themselves in the best possible position to win.

The best thing the Canucks can do is build a strong infrastructure and cultural foundation where they become an organization where 3-4 star players believe they can come together and win a cup.

That’s not actually a high bar. Most organizations are fully capable of creating that attractive environment. Too many just shoot themselves in the foot with backwards hires, cheap ownership, or bad incentives that ultimately push good players away.

 

[SelltheTeamFrancesco]

Reid or Verhoeff are the only two players in the general range that I'm extremely iffy about. Reid seems awesome but I'm extremely hesitant about high-level Americans. Verhoeff is all tools and potential but I'm not convinced he'll be able to put it together to justify a 3rd overall selection.

I am not sure if Rudolph counts as the range. But I would add him his pace and laziness/attitude at times worries me a lot.

 

[pitseleh]

Now that the American thing is an issue more broadly, it would be easy for Reid to get out of being drafted by the Canucks through his interview / agent if he really wanted to. It’s not like going a pick or two higher is going to affect his earnings. It sounds like Michkov basically did so a few years ago.

His feelings obviously might change over his career, so the risk is not zero, but clearing that hurdle materially reduces the risk, especially since he just spent a year playing in Canada. You have to hope that the culture they are building here will keep people around, assuming they eventually start winning.

 

[Vector]

I am not sure if Rudolph counts as the range. But I would add him his pace and laziness/attitude at times worries me a lot.

I’d say he’s in a tier below Reid and Carels.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

While it may be a good idea in theory to trade down, it won’t happen primarily because the organization needs to sell the 3rd OA to the fans ( after they experienced such a shitty season).

Case in point..The Canucks are opening Rogers Arena for a drafting party on draft day

I think you could sell 3 picks in the First Round.

 

[Hammman]

We don’t even have a remotely negative media in this market. Other than Drance, nobody said boo about Benning until he was basically fired and everyone loved JR / PA until the wheels fell off the team last year starting with the Miller leave.

Some people here can’t tell the difference between a media that has been unfairly ripping a decently run team and a media that has been accurately reporting a horribly run team.

The moment this team has a modicum of normalcy, the media will revert to its puppy dog status and fawn over 99%of the things the team does.

Which wasn't my point. I'm replying to the notion that a potential media response is a good reason not to draft Malhotra Jr.

 

[F A N]

So it started with this cabal of American Olympic players, but I guarantee you’re going to see this become more common among top-100 players across the league, regardless of nationality.

That’s why Reid doesn’t particularly scare me off. I think any of these draft picks, if they become an 8/10 or 9/10 star, could pull the exact same move. Regardless of being an American, a Canadian farm kid, or a rink rat with local ties.

The cup is the hardest trophy in sports to win, and hockey careers are one bad injury away from being derailed. It makes perfect sense that players want to put themselves in the best possible position to win.

The best thing the Canucks can do is build a strong infrastructure and cultural foundation where they become an organization where 3-4 star players believe they can come together and win a cup.

That’s not actually a high bar. Most organizations are fully capable of creating that attractive environment. Too many just shoot themselves in the foot with backwards hires, cheap ownership, or bad incentives that ultimately push good players away.

Does Chase Reid have a girlfriend? If so where is she from?

One underestimated aspect is that there's a high chance that a player who is single meets someone locally unless there's a girlfriend back home. Like Myers met his wife when he was playing in Kelowna. Luongo met his wife when he was playing in Florida. Of course these days a lot of players go for the models/influencer types as well (e.g. Petey and Quinn Hughes).

 

[lawrence]

View attachment 1256451

His final rankings.. I thought all the Malhotra fan boys said he was 2nd and gods gift to humanity?

bait post.

his final top 5 is literally the same as it always was with exception he moved Carels into the top 4.

Keyword his own personal rankings. The top 2 was from teams that made a submission to his site.

 

[DFAC]

I want us to draft more Canadian kids.

 

[CanaFan]

View attachment 1256451

His final rankings.. I thought all the Malhotra fan boys said he was 2nd and gods gift to humanity?

Saying Malhotra isn’t a 45pt 3C and is actually a reasonable choice at 3 is calling him gods gift to humanity?

Tough crowd.

 

[Rowlet]

A lot of my concerns with Reid have been eased watching him interview. He interviews well and seems genuine enough regarding flight risk stuff. If he was firmly not interested, he wouldn't be doing Donnie & Dhali or anything like that.

 

[lawrence]

Sounds good on "paper" but theres too many players with the same playstyle. You need players that actually play defense, which Buium and Reid do not (and we arent even sure Willander or EP25 can be shutdown guys). You need guys like Slavin, Toews, etc on your team.

Also Reid and Buium are fighting each other for pp1 spot. You need the heavy guys and people to win battles in the boards. We arent trying to build a fantasy hockey roster.

I watched the interview. good kid. don't get me wrong. he said the right things. earlier I mentioned, that these US players will say the right things, hockey is Canada's number 1 sport. hes groomed by his agent already, and of course he mentioned what I mentioned of what US born players will say in an interview with a Canadian team. Canada's number 1 sport.

Now that the American thing is an issue more broadly, it would be easy for Reid to get out of being drafted by the Canucks through his interview / agent if he really wanted to

This method never works and never has. Agents will never advise their player to openly tell a team they want to avoid being drafted there; agents who act this way do not last very long. Word spreads very very fast.
Instead, they are are taught to communicate well, express interest in every team, and leave everyone with a good impression. This protects their future career prospects, as positive reputations lead to more playing chances later on.
Should the player decline to sign a entry level contract with the team that drafted him, the agent can easily frame it as the player is seeking another opportunity elsewhere, taking zero heat for the decision. (Aka Cutter Gautier)

 

[lawrence]

Saying Malhotra isn’t a 45pt 3C and is actually a reasonable choice at 3 is calling him gods gift to humanity?

Tough crowd.

I don't have a f in clue where the "Malhotra fanboys" tag came from.

there was never a "Reid fanboys" or "Stenberg fanboys" or "Mckenna fanboys" but for whatever reason there is a Malhotra fanboy tag, wtf.

 

[Rowlet]

I don't have a f in clue where the "Malhotra fanboys" tag came from.

there was never a "Reid fanboys" or "Stenberg fanboys" or "Mckenna fanboys" but for whatever reason there is a Malhotra fanboy tag, wtf.

They're also just lying, nobody ever said Cam has him at 2, Cam's poll of real NHL scouts had him at 2.