The "Which team is rumoured to like who?" thread - 2026 Draft Edition

[Zombotron]

For Vancouver, Mathis Preston

Preston is one of the most gifted and athletic scoring forwards in the 2026 class, outside of the elite wingers at the apex of the projected draft order. And he’s one of the players who we’ve most frequently heard the Canucks linked to over the course of this week in Buffalo.

What we heard at the combine from 2026 NHL Draft prospects on Canucks’ radar

These players should be options for the Canucks with their picks at 24th, 33rd and 41st in the draft.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Castle8130]

I remember hearing the Hawks liked Boisvert in 2024 and Nestrasil in 2025, and both rumours ended up being correct.

They seem to be a very loose-lipped franchise around draft day.

It's quite frankly sad. Gajan at 35th oa 2023 was another one

 

[NC 1972]

I can see why NYI would like his game - the combination of competitiveness and efficiency works.

If, however, NYI are going to take an off-puck player like that, I really wish they'd have another pick.

Pass

 

[doublechili]

I can see why NYI would like his game - the combination of competitiveness and efficiency works.

If, however, NYI are going to take an off-puck player like that, I really wish they'd have another pick.

I think sometimes teams look for upside in the 1st round and a guy keeps getting passed on until someone finally takes him, and then he becomes a consistent 20-30 goal scorer in the NHL and people wonder how he lasted so long in the draft. I could be very wrong, but Novotny kind of fits the description of one of those guys. Good size, good skating, good shot, no real holes.

 

[Kevin Musto]

It's quite frankly sad. Gajan at 35th oa 2023 was another one

Beaudin in 2018 was leaked by Laz

it's been an issue for a long time

 

[Chainshot]

The Sharks coach was on our local ABC affiliate's after-game program on Saturday night, where myself and another Sharks fan ended up with wildly different takeaways. He heard a ringing endorsement for Reid, and I got hung up on Warsofsky mentioning the possibility of trading down. Regardless, he seemed to skip right past the topic of Stenberg when his name was brought up.

Buffalo's daily hockey show had Marty Biron bring up Morozov with Wheeler for a spot earlier this week which Wheeler corroborated as someone Buffalo is interested in. I don't think he makes it to 27 but there we are.

Seems like there is intersectionality here with both the possibility of trading down happening but not at 2OA instead at 20OA and now Buffalo is closer to where the public spaces have Morozov rated.

 

[Lion Hound]

NYR Beat writers with any intel: <CRICKETS> <CRICKETS>

 

[CaptainShark]

Buffalo's daily hockey show had Marty Biron bring up Morozov with Wheeler for a spot earlier this week which Wheeler corroborated as someone Buffalo is interested in. I don't think he makes it to 27 but there we are.

But he may be there at 20…

 

[Chainshot]

But he may be there at 20…

Yep, I posted that before they announced the trade. It seems like that could be part of why they made the swap.

 

[Kasperi kapanen]

I’m gunna say it again, the Penguins LOVE Bjorck and it seems like they are really really hoping he falls a bit so they can trade up for him.

 

[doublechili]

I’m gunna say it again, the Penguins LOVE Bjorck and it seems like they are really really hoping he falls a bit so they can trade up for him.

I suspect a lot of teams love Bjorck and he's not going to fall.

 

[LeProspector]

I suspect a lot of teams love Bjorck and he's not going to fall.

Vancouver is a team that loves Bjorck too.

 

[Castle8130]

I suspect a lot of teams love Bjorck and he's not going to fall.

Bjorck aint falling past Calgary

 

[Beauterham]

According to Corey Pronman, the Blues really like Belchetz.

I just hope we're not dead set on picking him at #11, especially if someone like Rudolph or Björck is still on board. In that case, pick that player and try to move up from #15 for Belchetz.

 

[Kasperi kapanen]

I suspect a lot of teams love Bjorck and he's not going to fall.

I wouldn’t be so sure.

When was the last time a 5’9 center was drafted inside the Top 10?

 

[doublechili]

I wouldn’t be so sure.

When was the last time a 5’9 center was drafted inside the Top 10?

You didn't say anything about top 10 in your post that I was responding to, however I don't think Bjorck will make it past 10 (or more like 8) so that doesn't really matter - big trade up for PIT though - not easy to do.

Anyway, typically I'd be agreeing with you about Bjorck's size. But I'll respond with two things. First, he can always move to wing. Second, when was the last time GMs/scouts saw a 5'9" draftee play against NHLers and hold their own physically?

 

[HighLifeMan]

Bjorck aint falling past Calgary

I don't know about that. Conroy just did an interview and said he had two players targeted at 6. He seemed enamored with Verhoeff and Carels and was a bit more reserved about Bjorck and his size. He could obviously be bluffing, but it certainly didn't come off that way.

 

[Mike Pecarino]

I’d be shocked if Bjorck was still available outside the top 10. I also wouldn’t be shocked that 6 years from now he’s deemed the best forward after Stenberg and McKenna to come out of this draft class.

 

[Castle8130]

I don't know about that. Conroy just did an interview and said he had two players targeted at 6. He seemed enamored with Verhoeff and Carels and was a bit more reserved about Bjorck and his size. He could obviously be bluffing, but it certainly didn't come off that way.

I swear if you guys picking in the 5-8 range allow Florida to get Bjorck, it will be the end for everyone

 

[koivalev]

According to Corey Pronman, the Blues really like Belchetz.

I just hope we're not dead set on picking him at #11, especially if someone like Rudolph or Björck is still on board. In that case, pick that player and try to move up from #15 for Belchetz.

Interesting, I'd imagine they'd have to take him at 11 since New Jersey I feel would definitely take him 12th. Maybe they'd go with one of Hemming/Novotny/Dagenais if that's how it shakes out (which could throw off the Isles looking at Novotny).

 

[koivalev]

I swear if you guys picking in the 5-8 range allow Florida to get Bjorck, it will be the end for everyone

Unfortunately that's how I see it shaking out right now. Seattle has only drafted Cs top 10 so I feel like they have to go D at some point, especially with their choice of Šmits, Rudolph, and Gustafsson (although that's what I thought last year with Mrtka literally playing in their backyard and look what happened there).