The ONG Memorial Draft Thread - 2026 Edition: Picks 4, 20, 45, 124, 156, 188 (Draft is June 26 and 27)

[toddkaz]

We went from 27th pick so who really cares about this thread to holy cow we got the 4th and 20th and this thread is now popping!

Malholtra is slated for college is that happening or does he play in the NHL next year? Some say Bjorck is NHL ready

 

[Jetskiis]

We went from 27th pick so who really cares about this thread to holy cow we got the 4th and 20th and this thread is now popping!

Malholtra is slated for college is that happening or does he play in the NHL next year? Some say Bjorck is NHL ready

Malhotra will be in college next year.

Bjorck has the brain and the work ethic to jump straight into the NHL, just like Benson. I think he will start as our 3rd line center and quickly jump to first line. He is a coaches dream, and will quickly become Ruff's favorite player

 

[Jim Bob]

Malhotra will be in college next year.

Bjorck has the brain and the work ethic to jump straight into the NHL, just like Benson. I think he will start as our 3rd line center and quickly jump to first line. He is a coaches dream, and will quickly become Ruff's favorite player

I think they slow cook Bjorck if he is the pick and Norris, Ostlund, Helenius, McLeod, Kulich, and Carrick are still around.

 

[Jetskiis]

I think they slow cook Bjorck if he is the pick and Norris, Ostlund, Helenius, McLeod, Kulich, and Carrick are still around.

Jarmo is not known for slow cooking rookies. His philosophy centers on earning a spot rather than age, particularly with top draft picks and elite European prospects

Fantilli, Dubois, Werenski, Sillinger all made the team their rookie years.

Everything we know about Bjorck and his work ethic and off the ice stuff, he will earn a roster spot and be with the team day 1.

While i agree, there is no need to rush him, I just think he will be ready

 

[Jim Bob]

Jarmo is not known for slow cooking rookies. His philosophy centers on earning a spot rather than age, particularly with top draft picks and elite European prospects

Fantilli, Dubois, Werenski, Sillinger all made the team their rookie years.

Everything we know about Bjorck and his work ethic and off the ice stuff, he will earn a roster spot and be with the team day 1.

While i agree, there is no need to rush him, I just think he will be ready

They have a ton of forwards coming back, even with Tuch walking and Greenway going out the door.

Bjorck might want another year in the SHL before coming over, like Ostlund did, as well.

There are options if they take Bjorck. And I won't expect him to be playing in the NHL right away. But, it can be an option if he forces the issue with regards to what he wants and how he shows in camp.

But, Jarmo isn't going to rush him, either.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

We come out of this draft with Reid OR Bjorck and Morozov I think I’d have a heart attack.

 

[mcy35]

I’m on the Bjork train assuming the top 3 go as anticipated. There’s always curveballs and it wouldn’t shock me to see a d man come off the board to Vancouver…

 

[Chainshot]

We come out of this draft with Reid OR Bjorck and Morozov I think I’d have a heart attack.

Same. They really should put a medical advisory on this if those are the picks they wind up with. That would be thrilling.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Same. They really should put a medical advisory on this if those are the picks they wind up with. That would be thrilling.

It would only be my fifth one and be the one that finally takes me out

 

[toddkaz]

We come out of this draft with Reid OR Bjorck and Morozov I think I’d have a heart attack.

One of Reid or Malhotra is gonna be there at 4th. Thats all but guarantee. San Jose and Vancouver wouldn't be stupid enough to both pass on Stenberg.

We have our pick of Malholtra, Reid or Bjorck.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I’d draft Karmanov at 45. He only started playing competitively at 14. He’s got so much more room to grow (no pun intended).

 

[Jim Bob]

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/49154008/2026-nhl-draft-rankings-big-board-prospects-projections-players-mckenna-stenberg-carels

4. Viggo Bjorck
C/RW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
Most likely NHL outcome: Second line

Incredibly intelligent with a work rate off the charts, Bjorck is a well-rounded player with the details to win games. His accomplishments are notable, earning SHL minutes as a draft-eligible player while demonstrating the processing ability that translates across levels. He drove the bus for Sweden at the world juniors and outbattled seasoned NHL veterans at the world championships, winning battles and driving play.

After some eye-popping test results at the combine and a demonstrated ability to play in tough games, he left no doubt that he has the tools to be the NHL's next small top-six center. The model undervalues the intangibles that drive his game. Although he is a high-risk pick this early, he has legitimate top-six upside and a track record of scoring. He also possesses the type of competitive fire that makes players like Logan Stankoven and Zach Benson successful in the NHL.

5. Chase Reid
D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Most likely NHL outcome: Top pairing

Reid combines high-end mobility, above-average size, strong physical skills, elite hockey sense, and both playmaking and shooting ability.

After getting cut from the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks and bouncing through the NAHL, Reid joined the OHL and quickly became a top defensive prospect. The model penalizes him for not having a competitive or productive draft-minus-one season, but his production was steady through this past campaign, and his defensive play and decision-making consistently improved.

He controls the ice by carrying pucks in transition, evading opponents effortlessly and finding the quickest path to scoring chances for himself or his teammates. His creation is already top-end NHL offensive-caliber with the way he attacks the middle, draws in coverage and finds teammates. Reid has the potential to be a No. 1 defender if his offense translates and his defensive game continues to improve.

Both guys fit...

 

[kinghock]

We come out of this draft with Reid OR Bjorck and Morozov I think I’d have a heart attack.

If you want Morozov you will need to trade 20th` and 45th picks to LA for their 17th pick, because they want to take Morozov as well.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

If you want Morozov you will need to trade 20th` and 45th picks to LA for their 17th pick, because they want to take Morozov as well.

I’ll just put a native curse on them so they pass on him.

 

[ChrisWhalenHockey]

Hi everyone, since everyone seemed to like my Benson article I posted here a few weeks ago I thought I'd contribute this to the community as well: Draft Profile: Chase Reid | Chris Whalen Hockey

I've done a full deep dive on the top 6 prospects in the draft, and here is an article on Chase Reid, now that Buffalo owns that 4th pick and he very well could be in play.

Feel free to let me know what you think

 

[ValJamesDuex]

After sleeping on it I'm thinking they may go best D at 4OA if they do not acquire another dman.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Hi everyone, since everyone seemed to like my Benson article I posted here a few weeks ago I thought I'd contribute this to the community as well: Draft Profile: Chase Reid | Chris Whalen Hockey

I've done a full deep dive on the top 6 prospects in the draft, and here is an article on Chase Reid, now that Buffalo owns that 4th pick and he very well could be in play.

Feel free to let me know what you think

I agree with this. He reminds me a lot of Makar. I would just add that he can be sneakily dirty.

 

[toddkaz]

After sleeping on it I'm thinking they may go best D at 4OA if they do not acquire another dman.

I hope not. This team needs a high end 1C since Eichel left.

Malholtra is gonna be there at 4OA and is the best center in the draft. I think Vancouver takes Reid.

 

[HaNotsri]

I bet he is a year or two away.

Helenius had his Finnish coach saying he was NHL ready and it took until late in his 2nd NA pro season to crack the lineup.

I could see Björck having a similar timeline if he is the pick.

Bjorck | DRAFT | New Jersey Devils

ESSENTIALS RANKING: 4th EU Skaters (Central Scouting) POSITION: C/RW AMATEUR CLUB: Djurgårdens IF (SHL) HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 172 SHOOTS: R COUNTRY: SWE 2025-26 STATS: 42 GP, 6 G, 9 A, 15 PTS, +5, 12 PIM

www.nhl.com

He definitely fits the profile of the 1st round forwards that Forton has picked lately.

Especially since he surged late and they tend to pick based on spiking curves. He scored 10 pts in the final 20 games when he doubled his ice time. Didn't play that much until after wjc. I think he needs a year or two but his ceiling is very high.

 

[Club]

Malhotra
Bjorck
Reid

Are favorites of who id like

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Malhotra
Bjorck
Reid

Are favorites of who id like

Don't go out on a limb or anything

If Malhotra is their guy they want, does he get past Van at 3 ? Did the scouts get too mesmerized by his playoff run ?

 

[Der Jaeger]

What's everyone using for a draft pick trade value chart?

 

[truthbluth]

This board typically aligns with HP, while I tend to like the rankings from EP. In particular I like that with EP you get to see the debates…sometimes. On Bjorck, who EP have 8th, there seemed to be a split amongst their scouts on projecting him:

“
As such, opinions on how high we should be on Björck and his projection were diverse even among our scouting staff. The ones on the more skeptical side still saw him as a high-probability bet to play in an NHL team’s top-nine, but questioned whether he had enough to become a true top-six driver. Others were more optimistic about him being special enough to overcome the pitfalls associated with his archetype and eventually become a true top-six, if not top-line centre.
“

I’ve only seen him play in international tourneys where he’s done well. He seems to have that PatrIck Kane quality where he just doesn’t seem as short as he is most of the time. I think this gift needs to be BPA, and I think I trust Forton to make the call, but I’d be fine with Bjorck, not ecstatic like the bulk of this board.

 

[dickiedunnwrotethis]