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

[bossram]

Huh? Reid and Buium have been running PP’s their entire hockey lives. What would they have to be “developed” for?

And even if that were true, then “develop them” I guess. We certainly have the years to do it.

Pretty much all teams at any high level of hockey run a variant of the 1-3-1 PP.

The "1" at the top is your classic PP QB. If you want to use two defensemen on the PP, one of them is going to have to play a role that isn't natural to a defenseman (either flank shooter/playmaker, bumper, or net front). This is why we basically never see two defensemen on the PP.

You would need to run an old school 2-3 spread PP to run two defensemen on the PP, but no one runs that formation because it's generally just less effective.

 

[racerjoe]

Huh? Reid and Buium have been running PP’s their entire hockey lives. What would they have to be “developed” for?

And even if that were true, then “develop them” I guess. We certainly have the years to do it.

They still have to be developed farther at the nhl level… almost all nhl defenders will have played powerplay at lower levels, they will just have been the best players… but they still need to be developed for the nhl.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Buffalo fan here wondering if Vancouver makes the pick how will it go?

1. McKenna
2. Stenberg
3. Reid?

With Reid, Malholtra and Bjorck on the board it feels like getting a 1D should be a top priority for the Canucks?

There’s a case for/against for both Malhotra and Reid. ( I’m ok with drafting either)

- Obviously, for Malhotra,his dad is our coach.
- Reid is American .The Canucks should do due diligence first,and see if he wants to play in a Canadian market ( he currently plays in Canada). Quinn Hughes returned the equivalent of 3 1st round picks. If Reid turned out to be anywhere near Hughes, the return would be very substantial if he wanted out many years from now..

Both players play in the most prestigious positions RHD and C.

 

[Nuckles]

Viggo Bjorck?

He's likely to make it in the NHL in a middle 6 role, but I question his upside given his lack of size + speed. Also because of that there's a good chance he ends up playing RW instead of C in the NHL.

For every Rossi and Stankoven there are countless undersized centres who either got pushed to the wing or weren't able to cut it.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

At this point I would be shocked if we don’t draft Malhotra, being that SJ clearly is going to be drafting Stenberg now. The American angst will be probably drive their decision not to pick Reid. Carels is no go for me with Buium and D-Pete on the left side unless we trade Buium. The only potential for a non-Malhotra selection would be going with centre Bjorck or RS D-man Verhoeff.

There's no way I'd pass on Carels, or any other LD, because of Zeev and D-Petey. I like Petey a lot but he's not likely much more than a #4 or bottom pairing D. Just because he's so easy to root for, and provides some physical pushback on a team with almost none, is no reason to over-rate his actual ability. He's not in the same tier of player as Zeev or Carels. No team would pass on a possible top pairing D-man because they have D-Petey already.

 

[CanaFan]

They still have to be developed farther at the nhl level… almost all nhl defenders will have played powerplay at lower levels, they will just have been the best players… but they still need to be developed for the nhl.

Ok, but how is that different than the “normal” development when guys transition to the NHL?

Anyway, I’m not a coach and I can’t debate the efficacy of one formation vs another. But I don’t think i’d let PP formation stop me from drafting Reid, especially this early in a rebuild where we don’t even have 3 long-term forwards to project on PP1, let alone 4. It feels way to cart-before-the-horse for me.

 

[racerjoe]

Ok, but how is that different than the “normal” development when guys transition to the NHL?

Anyway, I’m not a coach and I can’t debate the efficacy of one formation vs another. But I don’t think i’d let PP formation stop me from drafting Reid, especially this early in a rebuild where we don’t even have 3 long-term forwards to project on PP1, let alone 4. It feels way to cart-before-the-horse for me.

The problem is how much space does a team have to develop 2 at the same time? Let alone as it was pointed out how you deploy them. One them wouldn’t just be competing against other defenders but also forwards for that ice time.

 

[Jerry the great]

top 7 defenders:

 

[CanaFan]

The problem is how much space does a team have to develop 2 at the same time? Let alone as it was pointed out how you deploy them. One them wouldn’t just be competing against other defenders but also forwards for that ice time.

Sure, but what forwards do we have that they are competing with? Buium is here now and Reid wouldn’t be here til 27-28 at the earliest. And I don’t think we currently have any forwards that are PP1 quality that will be part of the core. Maybe next year we draft one, but that’s still 1 F and 2D. I don’t see how this isn’t manageable?

Again, this is all incredibly cart-before-the-horse type thinking.

edit: also if San Jose had been drafting at 3 instead of 2, they’d almost certainly be drafting Reid, even though they already have their Buium (Dickinson) as well as several core forwards that we don’t even have yet (Celebrini, Smith, Eklund).

Why would they have been strongly considering taking Reid if all of the objections you give are true?

 

[racerjoe]

Sure, but what forwards do we have that they are competing with? Buium is here now and Reid wouldn’t be here til 27-28 at the earliest. And I don’t think we currently have any forwards that are PP1 quality that will be part of the core. Maybe next year we draft one, but that’s still 1 F and 2D. I don’t see how this isn’t manageable?

Too hard to project what we might have then… like right now, lekk ohgren Rossi, plus coootes. I am also sure that will look much different very soon, and that isn’t including older players who are staples like boeser

 

[CanaFan]

Too hard to project what we might have then… like right now, lekk ohgren Rossi, plus coootes. I am also sure that will look much different very soon, and that isn’t including older players who are staples like boeser

I mean, respectfully to Boeser*, Ohgren, Cootes, and Rossi, but none of those guys *should* be on a PP1 outside of the years we are tanking for picks. *Boeser is capable but shouldnt be blocking future core players.

If you’re bypassing Reid because those guys are “in the way”, then we as fans are well and truly f***ed.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Buffalo fan here wondering if Vancouver makes the pick how will it go?

1. McKenna
2. Stenberg
3. Reid?

With Reid, Malholtra and Bjorck on the board it feels like getting a 1D should be a top priority for the Canucks?

Who does Buffalo want?

We will select them.

So best make an offer quick.

 

[UrbanImpact]

I think its down to Reid Vs Verheoff for the Canucks for the #3 pick just based on the most recent reports.
Verheoff apparently has a lot of supporters in terms of our scouts in the room. Harvey supposedly really likes him too.

Who knows though , it might be all smoke screen to try and force SJ to take Verheoff at #2 to kill any ideas that they can take Stenberg at #2 and still have Verheoff available at #9.


The Dman i really really want is Carels. Smooth skater, physical and mean, extremely young for this draft class. Just turned 18 yesterday. 9 months younger than Stenberg.

He reminds me of a mix of Jay Boumeester and Dion Phanuef.




@24 I want a home run swing on a guy like Mathis Preston. He can be the next Nylander/Barzal or he can be the next Drouin/Duclair. Thats why its a home run swing.


Also if we can get another 1st round pick in the teens, Alex Command is the guy.. He is an Joel EK clone.

 

[toddkaz]

Who does Buffalo want?

We will select them.

So best make an offer quick.

Ummm... Tynan Lawrence...yeah yeah him.

Probbaly Malholtra or Bjorck and to be honest we are guaranteed one of them unless we move to 2nd and get Stenberg.

 

[racerjoe]

I mean, respectfully to Boeser*, Ohgren, Cootes, and Rossi, but none of those guys *should* be on a PP1 outside of the years we are tanking for picks. *Boeser is capable but shouldnt be blocking future core players.

If you’re bypassing Reid because those guys are “in the way”, then we as fans are well and truly f***ed.

But as I said who knows how that will change when Reid makes the NHL, and I am only pointing out guys he would need to be out if he made the team today.

 

[CanaFan]

But as I said who knows how that will change when Reid makes the NHL, and I am only pointing out guys he would need to be out if he made the team today.

I mean, any player we draft will have to beat players who are on the team today. That’s intrinsic to a rebuild.

Assuming Reid is the player he’s projected to be, he will be more valuable to a PP than anyone currently on our roster or prospect pool outside of Buium and possibly Lekkerimaki.

It seems San Jose was very tempted to take Reid and they already have Dickinson. If Stenberg weren’t there, they’d probably be taking him at 2. No reason we can’t do the same.

 

[racerjoe]

I mean, any player we draft will have to beat players who are on the team today. That’s intrinsic to a rebuild.

Assuming Reid is the player he’s projected to be, he will be more valuable to a PP than anyone currently on our roster or prospect pool outside of Buium and possibly Lekkerimaki.

It seems San Jose was very tempted to take Reid and they already have Dickinson. If Stenberg weren’t there, they’d probably be taking him at 2. No reason we can’t do the same.

Personally I don’t think Reid is close to Buium… specifically in pp and offense.

That is the big issue, so now to have Reid on your PP he needs to learn a new role on the pp and be better than that person. I just listed the guys he would need to beat out today… and who knows who we add in debrusk trade, or pettersson. It’s hard to predict that.

 

[CanaFan]

Personally I don’t think Reid is close to Buium… specifically in pp and offense.

That is the big issue, so now to have Reid on your PP he needs to learn a new role on the pp and be better than that person. I just listed the guys he would need to beat out today… and who knows who we add in debrusk trade, or pettersson. It’s hard to predict that.

Sure, learn a new role. Beat out players. Maybe he’s our PP1 guy and Buium isn’t.

I don’t think anything is etched in stone at this point.

 

[racerjoe]

Sure, learn a new role. Beat out players. Maybe he’s our PP1 guy and Buium isn’t.

I don’t think anything is etched in stone at this point.

Stone no… but probability… yeah.

I do have Reid very high… I don’t want that to be misconstrued. Just not sold he has the pp1 chops.

 

[Icebreakers]

I mean, any player we draft will have to beat players who are on the team today. That’s intrinsic to a rebuild.

Assuming Reid is the player he’s projected to be, he will be more valuable to a PP than anyone currently on our roster or prospect pool outside of Buium and possibly Lekkerimaki.

It seems San Jose was very tempted to take Reid and they already have Dickinson. If Stenberg weren’t there, they’d probably be taking him at 2. No reason we can’t do the same.

I don't project Reid to have #1 pp upside . At least not a high chance. He doesn't have the dynamic upside. The main reason why people think he does is the other guys in the draft don't have it so he's the best of the bunch.


I like how people think Malhotra is a 3C but Reid is a top pairing PP1 guy when they both play in the same league and Malhotra outplayed him down the stretch while being a year younger.

The entire adversity thing where he got cut from the USHL was last season. He came into this year as an established OHL star. I would have liked to see him take the next step as one of the older players in the draft.

Reid will be a fine NHL defenceman. His skating will keep him in the league for a while. I just don't see that elite upside.

That coupled with what the team needs, I think I'd rather take Bjork than Reid at this point. I understand we are going to be bad for a while but you need forwards to support your d. We could very well draft D again next year. Our forward prospect group is so poor we are signing guys like Chiarot to NHL contracts.

We need balance in the org. You can't just have all dmen and no forwards. In 2029 we could very well have the exact same forward core. Reid won't be ready until 2027-2028 at the earliest, our 1st next year could be a dmen as well and if he is a forward may not be ready until 2029-2030. Buium/willander guys will be 25 by then with few years left with RFA status. You need to be competing. If Reid was on a different tier than Malhotra, Bjork then hell yeah take him. They are the same level of prospect to me so why don't you take what you need?

 

[Icebreakers]

Who's our second best forward prospect right now after Cootes U20 (who btw projects as a middle 6er)? Lekkerimaki doesn't count he's reaching bust status.

Riley freaking Patterson? It's a complete joke.

 

[CanaFan]

I don't project Reid to have #1 pp upside . At least not a high chance. He doesn't have the dynamic upside. The main reason why people think he does is the other guys in the draft don't have it so he's the best of the bunch.

I think he’s viewed as a potential PP1 player and a good one. If that’s not the projection, then I agree you don’t take him at 3. I think the general sense is that he is though.

I like how people think Malhotra is a 3C but Reid is a top pairing PP1 guy when they both play in the same league and Malhotra outplayed him down the stretch while being a year younger.

You don’t need to sell me on Malhotra, i’d take him at 3 all day long.

The entire adversity thing where he got cut from the USHL was last season. He came into this year as an established OHL star. I would have liked to see him take the next step as one of the older players in the draft.

Reid will be a fine NHL defenceman. His skating will keep him in the league for a while. I just don't see that elite upside.

That coupled with what the team needs, I think I'd rather take Bjork than Reid at this point. I understand we are going to be bad for a while but you need forwards to support your d. We could very well draft D again next year. Our forward prospect group is so poor we are signing guys like Chiarot to NHL contracts.

We need balance in the org. You can't just have all dmen and no forwards. In 2029 we could very well have the exact same forward core. Reid won't be ready until 2027-2028 at the earliest, our 1st next year could be a dmen as well and if he is a forward may not be ready until 2029-2030. Buium/willander guys will be 25 by then with few years left with RFA status. You need to be competing. If Reid was on a different tier than Malhotra, Bjork then hell yeah take him. They are the same level of prospect to me so why don't you take what you need?

We are at year 0 of this rebuild. We need everything. I don’t like the idea of bypassing talent for roster construction. We don’t even know if Buium is an NHL capable PP general and even if he is, I think they can co-exist given they play opposite sides.

If we think Malhotra or Bjork is the better NHL projection, then great, but I’m don’t support passing on Reid if we think he projects better.

 

[Bgav]

Who's our second best forward prospect right now after Cootes U20 (who btw projects as a middle 6er)? Lekkerimaki doesn't count he's reaching bust status.

Riley freaking Patterson? It's a complete joke.

Put some respect on Ty Muellers name

 

[Icebreakers]

Put some respect on Ty Muellers name

Thanks Todd

 

[Nick Lang]

It seems weird to me that your argument ignores the fact that Verhoeff dominated in the CHL a year ago, while Malhotra didn't dominate until like February of this season at the (relatively) same level.

Do you think Malhotra, who wasn't even impressive in the OHL until later in the year, would have looked better than Verhoeff playing several levels higher?

And to be clear, I think I'd rather we draft Malhotra than Verhoeff, I just find there are a lot of pretty specious arguments that are dismissive of a bunch of the prospects in favor of Malhotra.

For me it's more just simple hockey experience. Vorhoeff is rated highly for his physical tools but seriously lacks IQ. My least favorite of prospects and these guys often fail to live up to the lofty expectations people have because "huge". He's a fine project pick but he's not top 5 material due to his lack of intelligence in my books.

The league has been rigging the lottery for years.

Leafs win the 1st pick after Rogers sign a 1 billion dollar deal ? Absolute bs.

The league has not been rigging the lottery. That's why Edmonton got McDavid. My gawd. Yet another incredibly foolish post.

The value of draft picks might be changing as the cap grows and free agency weakens.

So many teams are also pushing to make the playoffs vs waiting 3-4 years for a 1st round pick to pan out.

This is largely a function of the league being stagnant after Covid for so long. Now, we're seeing the result after the shackles come off. It will return to normal after this re-alignment and as salaries increase against the cap making player movement more likely. Draft picks will then return to their normal value.

Trying to predict the quality of specific draft prospects a year+ out is fruitless

And even if there are multiple high-end centres, the Canucks could end up drafting after they're all taken

You see this all the time from fans who think they can do whatever they want a year or two later. It most often doesn't work out the way one thinks. It's very much a case of one in the hand is worth more than two in the bush. Very relevant here I believe.

i think hes gonna be a bust. think gudbranson type dman. big and strong but dumb as rocks for a brain. iq lacking. his skating is pretty poor. whoever drafts him he'll probably be switching teams throughout his career. carels/reid/randolph is the ones to watch.

Yeah people are quick to point out he's way better offensively than Gudbranson but the comparison is more so a big guy with all the tools who ends up being a mediocre overall and decent defender, but nowhere near worth a #3OA pick.

Sure, but there should then still be some teams doing it, if it’s easy enough to have two guys capable. It’s just not. I believe there is now more teams running 5 forwards.

You're absolutely right here. It's like having goons on the fourth line. The NHL has evolved beyond that. It is much more beneficial to run 4-5 guys that are good at offence on your PP, than to have 2 better defenders. There are next to no teams that have 2 defenders that are better than your top 4 forwards offensively.

That may be the case now but you shouldn't just assume that will still be the case a year from now. A year ago people thought guys like Roobroeck and Lawrence would be top 5 picks and Preston a top 10 pick based on the impressive numbers they posted in their D-1 year.

Assuming they can just get a good centre later on is how we wound up in this current predicament, and they may end up passing on the only high-end C in the draft because of his dad

100%. This is why I'm leaning Malhotra. In a perfect world you do everything with the long-term and maximum result in mind, but you have to weigh that with reality. We have some young defence with great potential and pretty much zilch in the forwards department. At some point you need something to build on there and the opportunity for Centers and forwards this high in the draft are few and far between and may be zero next year. Who knows.

I don't really believe that any of the defenders have a high chance to be superstars or that much better than Malhotra in comparison.