2026 NHL Draft

[Lancer]

That's one of the factors that make the draft such a crap-shoot: ability to project what they will be in 2-3 years' time. Maybe a kid doesn't think the game or has a decision-making speed because they never had to by virtue of their calibre of competition - their skill was just that good. That doesn't mean they can't get better, but how can a scouting staff tell for sure? Just like a prospect whose skating mechanics raise red flags; it may be a matter of him just getting the right skills coaching, or he may never get it. Figuring out how quickly/easily a kid can learn physically as well as mentally... outside of specialized testing (which I've never heard of happening even at the combine, but would be happy to be proven wrong) and interview, I don't know how a scouting staff would quantify that.

[Topper]

or maybe the kid left his heart in San Francisco while riding a scooter in the Tenderlion District

[Aaronp18]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWZeZo5GLv6 ... Bza21naHI=

More praise for McKenna. Gotta have him at the top of my list still!

[Carl Yagro]

Getting tossed from games for sticking up for teammates. Getting in legal trouble for sticking up for family from abuse.

Nah, we don't need that kind of Canadian asshole on this team.

Probably paid the coach for all that praise /s

[donlever]

Yeah...I'm good with McKenna....still prefer Verhoeff.

But either or....not the Swede.

[Carl Yagro]

Yeah, but Don, we need a PLAY-DRIVING winger so that Scoots can possibly be a PPG player again, don't ya know?

A guy who is supposedly in his prime, the 1C, the highest-paid on the team and in the upper-echelon of all earners, needs a ROOKIE to help remove his face from milk cartons after being MIA now for... checks notes... 27 months.

Some 18yo kid is going to bring our PT back to glory so fans can all glaze his skinny nutz with their tongues. You deserve all the praise for others' work, O mighty alien. JT, QH, Bo, Kuz... all say hi.

Meanwhile, we are just beginning a real REBUILD that the owner finally (allegedly) agreed to. This typically should take 5-7 years before contending status. We need this failed state for what? Shot-blocking?

Woo! He's over 50pts again. We still suck and picking high for years. Raise the ticket prices again, Francesco. We so happy... Oh, he baaaack!

[donlever]

Yeah....agree with all or at least most of that Hank.

Playin' a fine tune on your PostaCaster.

[Aaronp18]

Actually wouldn’t want McKenna to play with Petey. Get him out with a hard working defensively solid pivot.

Right now Cootes would be a better option than EP.

[donlever]

Agree...but our group of merry bunglers wouldn't do that.

They'll take the Gavins gonna fix him approach CP talks about.

[Carl Yagro]

Worse yet, The Bungles will give us a big whiff of Stenchberg to see if Febreeze can still mask the odor.

[Aaronp18]

Yeah, guess I keep thinking it can’t get worse but somehow I’m sure these guys will figure out a way.

Realistically we’re taking what’s there at 3 anyways. Haha

[donlever]

My guess is if they pick 3 and McKenna and Stenberg are gone that they take Malhotra.

[Carl Yagro]

[Cousin Strawberry]

You guys and your irrational hatred for Stenberg would be a fascinating study for psych students. He's a solid pick just like McKenna but just like McKenna he isn't projecting as a franchise level piece.

I really like the potential in Verhoeff as well but there's no indication yet that he's one either. Some of these media wankers have him as the 3rd best damn ffs.

The consensus is there is about 6 decent picks and nobody knows any more than anyone else regarding who will be the best of the bag

If I was picking 1 OA I think I take the Canadian simply because of his showing some jam in trying college in his draft year and also for starting shit over his mom. Yes at least showing passion and commitment.

As for Stenberg, he's probably the better winger right now but he hasn't shown that extra oomph yet imho

[Megaterio Llamas]

My guess is if they pick 3 and McKenna and Stenberg are gone that they take Malhotra.

Good guess Donny. I'm leaning toward the American defenseman Chase Reid, myself. He's a late riser and, of course, Rutherford is absolutely obsessed with American players.

Allvin takes a Swede, or Rutherford takes an American. No Canadians.