2026 NHL Draft

[Meds]

Has anyone here watched Verhoeff play?

As has been pointed out here, Verhoeff could very well be the unicorn of this draft. He has the size and smarts to be a right-shot Pronger or Hedman.

However I have read some scouting concerns regarding his mobility and skating. Nothing egregious, but the sort of thing that separates a good second pair guy from a stud 1D.

I do think some of it has to do with him being a 17 year old kid that is playing against 22-25 year old men in the NCAA, and he literally could still be dealing with coordination issues that naturally come with growing.

But we've seen too many times here a guy who looks like he has the brains, size, and skill to be something special only for his skating and mobility be average at best. For defensemen this often separates them from the pack.

[JelloPuddingPop]

If you are drafting in the top 3.

You shouldn't be looking for projects.

No to Ol' One Eye's son.

[Cousin Strawberry]

So voerhoff is a project at this stage? Reid is a stud who doesn't suffer from club foot as a teenager so that's why I'm going thataway

[Nuckertuzzi]

No to Ol' One Eye's son.

Swear I heard that in a country lyric.


Agree BPA all the way. Don't mess around with 3rd should that be our fate.

The Dach's and Manny senior's can be had by trade or later firsts, and not waste a top 5 on. Hard to say if Jr is in that group or something more, but the 'safe' bet is always BPA.

[Picker of Cherries]

Ideally draft Verhoeff or Reid and then trade Hronek for a Malhotra or similarly high draft pick.
Hurts for next season, but if they are going full rebuild that’s probably a good thing so they get another top pick next season.

[Ronning's Ghost]

All of the top 5 prospect are all-but-certain to be significant contributors to their teams, but the near unanimity of McKenna as as #1 overall notwithstanding, I don't think any are the Crosby/McDavid type no doubt guaranteed lynch pins.

It seems to me that for at least the past 20 years or so, the Canucks have prioritized skill, even if it meant sacrificing some speed, strength, or toughness. We have all observed in detail what such players can and can't do for their hockey teams, especially in the playoffs.

Given the results, I'd like to see them try a different approach. Employ the Madden draft algorithm: if it's close, choose either the bigger guy, or the faster guy.

he literally could still be dealing with coordination issues that naturally come with growing.

I hope that there are people on the Canucks scouting staff who have a track record of successfully making that assessment.

Assuming they are convinced that every negative associated with him is attributable to coordination not quite keeping up with growth, and will resolve itself in time, I believe that Verhoeff is the player the Canucks need. (Not least because it's been a generation since they have seemed capable of protecting smaller skilled forwards.)

If the Canucks wind up picking 1st, and have information that the teams picking 2-4 really wanted McKenna, Stenberg, and Reid, then I think that the Canucks would be better off with whatever they got for trading down + Verhoeff than they would be with any of those three.

(Also, I don't want to see them pick Reid, because I believe that "Americans want to go home" thing is real.)

[Picker of Cherries]

If NYR as rumoured really want Reid and are a couple picks back of the Canucks after the lottery
, you might be able to get their two firsts, let’s say 5th and 27th since they hold the Dallas pick.
Canucks still get Verhoeff or Malhotra and another late first.

[Meds]

All of the top 5 prospect are all-but-certain to be significant contributors to their teams, but the near unanimity of McKenna as as #1 overall notwithstanding, I don't think any are the Crosby/McDavid type no doubt guaranteed lynch pins.

Yeah. That’s why they are generational talents.

Generational Player: Crosby…..McDavid…..Celebrini

Superstar Player: Ovechkin…..Draisaitl…..Bedard

Just using the second grouping as examples of hyper talented players that you can build around, but they won’t be equally effective regardless of who they play with and won’t elevate their linemates to the same level.

he literally could still be dealing with coordination issues that naturally come with growing.

I hope that there are people on the Canucks scouting staff who have a track record of successfully making that assessment.

I have (almost) zero faith in this organizations scouting ability.

[Meds]

If NYR as rumoured really want Reid and are a couple picks back of the Canucks after the lottery
, you might be able to get their two firsts, let’s say 5th and 27th since they hold the Dallas pick.
Canucks still get Verhoeff or Malhotra and another late first.

Yeah, if we aren’t grabbing McKenna then trade down and stock up. More darts the better.

He’s the only guy that I think projects to be a career point per game guy. The comparisons to Patrick Kane are just too good. If we can’t get him, and there’s the opportunity to make a move that keeps us in the top 5 while adding another 1st…..just do it.

[Nuckertuzzi]

I would consider a player that's close to scoring 1,000 goals in this league generational.

[theman]

If the Canucks end up with the 3rd pick, I am fine with trading down like the post above mentions.

[Nuckertuzzi]

What a way to usher in the new GM. Would easily be the ballsiest move in Canucks' history.

...well maybe second after Burkie in '99.

[JelloPuddingPop]

I would consider a player that's close to scoring 1,000 goals in this league generational.

Yep.

[Meds]

I would consider a player that's close to scoring 1,000 goals in this league generational.

I think he’s a generational scorer. But not overall as a player. I don’t know, I think if I have to choose between Ovie and Crosby, it’s not even close.

It’s not to take away from him.

Was Brett Hull generational? 741G - 1.09PPG…..

Ovie’s line is similar. 929G - 1.07PPG…..

[Nuckertuzzi]

I totally get what you're saying, Mëds. I would want Sid on my team over Ovie, too, any day of the week. And I agree with the overall player assessment thing. You can name a lot of players who are better overall.

I just think any player that owns a significant record all to himself is the very definition of "generational". In fact, there is no other generation if he's the only one that has it.

We're just conflating the term generational with best overall players.