To me, this draft is either the first of many in a rebuild (in which case it’s a fairly low stakes affair, we just want to stock the cupboards) or the first opportunity to execute a hasty retool (in which case who really cares who we pick it’s not going to work out anyways).
At #3 I don’t think there was a clear choice and taking a center with a big frame and a great head on his shoulders - who is off to college next year and unlikely to move the needle on this team for at least a couple years - is a fine choice.
Personally, in the lead up to the draft I thought we should trade down - if we got St Louis top three 1sts we could have come away last night with Novotny, Tynan Lawrence, and then let’s say Maddox Dagenais and Ethan Belchetz, that’s a big addition to the prospect pool - but Malhotra will almost certainly be an NHLer and a good soldier and we need a ton of those.
I’m pleased with the Novotny pick and intrigued by the Rogowski pick, don’t really know enough about the rest to have an opinion on ‘em.
Anyway, hopefully management can accumulate some extra 1sts and 2nds for the next draft and we’re right back here next year with a clear shot at a defenseman or center with franchise potential.
Yah, I think lots of ppl on the board here like big doods who can play a heavy game and are hard to play against. I like a roster filled with that kind of makeup as well. I wonder if we going back to days of Patty Quinn when he stockpiled on guys like: Antoski, Stojanov, Cullimore, Polasek, Mike Wilson, McAllister & Brad Ference.
Rogowski Suffered a broken hand in a fight so we know he is willing,
I’m intrigued too by our picks. Size but apparently with skill. A solid foundation to build around in later drafts. I wonder if that translates in Cootes being expendable at some point. Or how it bodes for re-signing Rossi.
It appears they are letting Blueger walk so if they trade Pettersson they definitely need a centre back.
This draft feels different to me. Maybe just because we had 2 1st rounders.
Hockey Widow wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2026 6:26 am
Rogowski Suffered a broken hand in a fight so we know he is willing,
I’m intrigued too by our picks. Size but apparently with skill. A solid foundation to build around in later drafts. I wonder if that translates in Cootes being expendable at some point. Or how it bodes for re-signing Rossi.
It appears they are letting Blueger walk so if they trade Pettersson they definitely need a centre back.
This draft feels different to me. Maybe just because we had 2 1st rounders.
I don't know if Cootes is expendable with the drafting of Malhotra and Rogowski. If anything, it incentivizes management to look at trading Pettersson or Rossi by next year's TDD in order to make room for Cootes and maybe Malhotra by the end of next season. I predict the Dickless Swede will be dealt first. If they don't think the odds are good one of the kids takes a centre spot this time next year, management can always go and grab a band-aid C on a short contract. Not like they need wins in the next couple of years, so anybody who can take those minutes and fit into the room culture-wise.
Rogowski Is likely years away. I think he’ll need a long stint in Abbotsford. He sounds like a swing for the fences, who has the potential to be a difference maker if he develops, but might be the next Klimovich.
“Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room.”
- President Merkin Muffley
Picker of Cherries wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2026 6:50 am
Rogowski Is likely years away. I think he’ll need a long stint in Abbotsford. He sounds like a swing for the fences, who has the potential to be a difference maker if he develops, but might be the next Klimovich.
He'll likely take the Raty path of seasoning in the minors for a year or two before making the jump - that's after he does his next year in the OHL and then a year of NCAA. I give the kid 3-4 years from now before we see him playing in Vancouver for longer than a cup of coffee.
Picker of Cherries wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2026 6:50 am
Rogowski Is likely years away. I think he’ll need a long stint in Abbotsford. He sounds like a swing for the fences, who has the potential to be a difference maker if he develops, but might be the next Klimovich.
He'll likely take the Raty path of seasoning in the minors for a year or two before making the jump - that's after he does his next year in the OHL and then a year of NCAA. I give the kid 3-4 years from now before we see him playing in Vancouver for longer than a cup of coffee.
He is Myers sized. Does he fall over every time he looks at his feet? If not, just teach him to hit. We need a big mook. Regowski the De-Snotter has a nice ring.
I'm hoping we might have right handed Brian Boyle in 4-5 years. That's one more year in the OHL, and then at least three at Michigan State. And then probably a year or two in Abby, if we still have the farm there in 2031. You know, Brian Boyle style.
Megaterio Llamas wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2026 8:12 am
I'm hoping we might have right handed Brian Boyle in 4-5 years. That's one more year in the OHL, and then at least three at Michigan State. And then probably a year or two in Abby, if we still have the farm there in 2031. You know, Brian Boyle style.
A new-age Brian Boyle is not a bad player to have in one's bottom-6. Hopefully he profiles as well of not better. He's a poly-sport athlete, which hints at an ability to pick up new physical skills. Look forward to seeing him in his last season in the OHL.