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

[Icebreakers]

Verhoeff at 3 is egregious.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

How does he compare to Heiskanen in the liiga this year. Have any Fins commented on it?

Similar numbers for point production, Smits a little better overall but did more in his rookie year, Heiskanen more his d+1.

Heiskanen is a smoother dman, if that makes sense. Smits is a more abrupt guy, more in people's faces.

Also, in the world champs Smits had the 3rd fastest shot behind Hronek and Faulk, measured at 162.87 Km/h. That was ahead of Seider, Ekholm and others.

A few people have done some great rundowns on Smits in his thread in the prospects area. He is a guy where I feel like many write him off as a Latvian defensive defenceman ... but he is actually a tremendous skater with a huge shot and he jumps up a lot. A guy who could go 10-12 but some teams could have in the top 5.

 

[iceburg]

Verhoeff at 3 is egregious.

please explain

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Carels and Buium are both left handed

Yes different players though, it would solidify our D core having each on a different pair imo. I think getting another top 3 LD that can be more of the shutdown/matchup guy would be great. Takes pressure off Zeev.

Like If there was a chance to trade 24+ and move up to get Malte Gustafsson to be that guy, that would be outstanding.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

I agree. Next year we are either drafting Dupont or a 1C. Malhotra fits well with either. Reid on the other hand makes our D crowded if we land Dupont.

Literally thinking you might win the lottery is a terrible reason not to draft Reid.( or draft Malhotra)

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

I think Malhotra is the pick and always has been. Gotten to much attention so they are making a smokescreen so it's not as obvious.

Lets hope!

I agree. Next year we are either drafting Dupont or a 1C. Malhotra fits well with either. Reid on the other hand makes our D crowded if we land Dupont.

Exactly. As much as I want Dupont I'm not getting my hopes up for #1. So getting a C like Sundstrom then running him & Malhotra as your top 6 C's is almost my dream scenario here.

Say they get Malhotra & Morozov in this draft.. Then Sundstrom or Joseph next year.. that's a killer C group & then you bump Cootes to wing in your top 6.

Also with Reid I question whether he's actually going to be that potential elite defenseman. All his tools are outstanding but I don't know if he really controls the game at either end. Think there's a chance he's more of a great 2/3 than bonafide top pair. D are just harder to predict aswell which gives me pause.

 

[Baby Buium]

Literally thinking you might win the lottery is a terrible reason not to draft Reid.( or draft Malhotra)

That's not what I said. We are either winning the lottery or drafting one of the highly regarded centres next season.

Just like some stock may be put into Reid for the American factor, I'm sure a small amount of stock is put into upcoming drafts for a long-term view of the team roster construction.

 

[Jack Burton]

I'd rather the debate be Carels vs Reid. Carels would be a great complement to Buium on the left side.

I’d much prefer Smits on the left to unlock Willanders offense talent.

And I’d much prefer Verhoff on Buiums right to unlock both of their offensive talents.

 

[Baby Buium]

I still believe we should just go off the board and draft Rudolph.

 

[Beerz]

You think you guys are going D...and not Malhotra?

 

[Jerry the great]

please explain

Of all the guys in that top tier:
McKenna
Stenberg
Bjorck
Carels
Reid
Verhoeff
Smits
Malhotra

he's one of the riskier options IMO. skating/decision making combo is a little iffy. in the same way as Jiricek IMO....but at least with Verhoeff you're going to get zero entitlement and a very high work rate to address the issues.

I wouldn't be thrilled with the pick if that's what they do, but i wouldn't throw a temper tantrum either.

If the skating does level up a bit and the game slows down for him, he'd be a massive foundational piece.

 

[iceburg]

I still believe we should just go off the board and draft Rudolph.

I could see them trying to trade down and taking either Rodolph or Lin. And I wouldn't be disappointed depending on the return. I don't see him at #3.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

That's not what I said. We are either winning the lottery or drafting one of the highly regarded centres next season.

Just like some stock may be put into Reid for the American factor, I'm sure a small amount of stock is put into upcoming drafts for a long-term view of the team roster construction.

Absolutely agree we’ll be picking high next season, as for winning the lottery I have Canuck luck jadedness.

Either way ,I don’t think you can go wrong with picking a potential first pairing D or a C.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

It’s going to be Malholtra.

 

[iceburg]

Of all the guys in that top tier:
McKenna
Stenberg
Bjorck
Carels
Reid
Verhoeff
Smits
Malhotra

he's one of the riskier options IMO. skating/decision making combo is a little iffy. in the same way as Jiricek IMO....but at least with Verhoeff you're going to get zero entitlement and a very high work rate to address the issues.

I wouldn't be thrilled with the pick if that's what they do, but i wouldn't throw a temper tantrum either.

If the skating does level up a bit and the game slows down for him, he'd be a massive foundational piece.

What keeps coming back to me is that he played NCAA as a true 17 year old. He turned 18 five days ago. I agree that he is one of the riskier options. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if, in five years, he is viewed as the best D-man to come out of the draft.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

You think you guys are going D...and not Malhotra?

My guess is 60% Malhotra, 40% Reid.

I’d be very surprised if it’s anyone else.

 

[StreetHawk]

Lets hope!



Exactly. As much as I want Dupont I'm not getting my hopes up for #1. So getting a C like Sundstrom then running him & Malhotra as your top 6 C's is almost my dream scenario here.

Say they get Malhotra & Morozov in this draft.. Then Sundstrom or Joseph next year.. that's a killer C group & then you bump Cootes to wing in your top 6.

Also with Reid I question whether he's actually going to be that potential elite defenseman. All his tools are outstanding but I don't know if he really controls the game at either end. Think there's a chance he's more of a great 2/3 than bonafide top pair. D are just harder to predict aswell which gives me pause.

Everything is an unknown.

Reid vs Carels is interesting, in that production wise, edge to Carels. But, tools/potential lead Reid as pundits don't think Carels can translate his W production to NHL. Being conservative with Carels but Optimistic with Reid.

Van needs everything, so no reason to force a pick.

Probably due to the stench of the guys who were recently moved out, but want to get guys who want to be here.

 

[Beerz]

My guess is 60% Malhotra, 40% Reid.

I’d be very surprised if it’s anyone else.

Thanks

 

[aregora]

Carels was my #1 dman and possibly ahead of Malholtra until I heard about his recent concussion. That scares me off a bit. I get the Bjork size issues, but his performances at various levels thus far are really impressive.

Those are my top 3 (after Stenberg/McKenna). Anything else and I'm a little disappointed.

 

[iceburg]

Man, I am completely torn at 3. At this stage my ranking is as follows:
McKenna
Stenberg
Carels/Bjork/Verhoeff
Malhotra
Reid
Smits
Rudolf

I would be happy with either Bjork or Carels but Verhoeff's higher ceiling is enticing.
I just can't get past the Caleb/Manny thing to pick Malohtra at #3.

 

[rypper]

You think you guys are going D...and not Malhotra?

The team has been connected to Malhotra forever. This was prior to making changes to the front office and hiring his dad as head coach. Things have quieted slightly but it's only the most flimsy of insiders saying they absolutely won't take Malhotra.