2026 NHL Draft

[BCExpat]

Viggo Björck has looked really good at the world championships, playing on a line with Raymond and Stenberg.
Craig Buttons (TSN) now has him in fourth place:

1. Gavin McKenna
2. Ivar Stenberg
3. Carson Carels
4. Viggo Björck
5. Chase Reid

Viggo Björck will more than likely be available at 6 OA, so he will be someone the Flames might end up drafting. The Flames need high end offensive talent and I think he'll be a good one.

[donlever]

Hakkan Bjorck?

Viggo Loob?

[JelloPuddingPop]

I still think we end up with Stenberg or McKenna.

Love the optimism Donny!

Like a repeat of the 2017 draft, when EP40 fell into our lap - when some unlucky GM drafted Patrick.

I can only hope the leaves or SJ are dumb enough not to draft them.

[Per]

I still think we end up with Stenberg or McKenna.

One can dream. It’d be nice, for sure.

[UWSaint]

Viggo Björck will more than likely be available at 6 OA, so he will be someone the Flames might end up drafting.

My impression is that hockey smarts are always undervalued among the suite of skills. And that’s one of the things going for Bjorck if the scouts are right. I also think size is something slightly overvalued — I am not saying it doesn’t matter; I am just saying there’s too much “big size” makes up for other defecits and too much “small size” is a deficit that can’t be overcome (when that same issue has been with the player as he’s destroyed every level….). Small but pound for pound strong guys like Bjorck really neutralize the greatest comparative disadvantage of an undersized forward.

If Bjorck is a fail, I will have to reevaluate my impressions…. But I think there’s a very good chance that the team who drafts him will be getting a very good player worthy of the selection they used.

[Per]

Viggo Björck will more than likely be available at 6 OA, so he will be someone the Flames might end up drafting.

My impression is that hockey smarts are always undervalued among the suite of skills. And that’s one of the things going for Bjorck if the scouts are right. I also think size is something slightly overvalued — I am not saying it doesn’t matter; I am just saying there’s too much “big size” makes up for other defecits and too much “small size” is a deficit that can’t be overcome (when that same issue has been with the player as he’s destroyed every level….). Small but pound for pound strong guys like Bjorck really neutralize the greatest comparative disadvantage of an undersized forward.

If Bjorck is a fail, I will have to reevaluate my impressions…. But I think there’s a very good chance that the team who drafts him will be getting a very good player worthy of the selection they used.

He is also listed at 177 cm, so 5’10, and he only recently turned 18, so he could still grow an inch.
Sure, still not a big guy, but not as small as 5’9. And already playing against grown men.

[Cousin Strawberry]

Not a fan of the way QH has carried himself post Canucks with the comments and what not but let's not kid ourselves....Vancouver ran the best player to ever play for this franchise out of town. The nagging to publicly commit years in advance of being able to extend(and thus weaken his bargaining power), the decision to let key vets go after promising showings, the choosing of the unpopular Petey over the very popular miller, the inability to retain the coach that he liked, the geriatric president flapping nonstop about what he likely viewed as personal topics, the unprofessional bullshit that orbits the entire franchise...yeah I can't blame him one bit

[Ronning's Ghost]

...Vancouver ran the best player to ever play for this franchise out of town.

I don't follow this topic very closely, and new information may have come to light since the last time I paid attention, but my understanding was that it was just the opposite, that management did everything within their power to keep him, but he could not be swayed and wanted to go back to the U.S.

[Lancer]

...Vancouver ran the best player to ever play for this franchise out of town.

I don't follow this topic very closely, and new information may have come to light since the last time I paid attention, but my understanding was that it was just the opposite, that management did everything within their power to keep him, but he could not be swayed and wanted to go back to the U.S.

That was my take as well. The fact that management was clown shoes was a contributing factor but not the decisive one. If the team was beating the shit out of the division, contending and Petey decided he loved red meat and gym gains, maybe Quinn could have been persuaded to take a gulp and give it a go in Snow Mexico for the sake of pure winning. That’s the point: unless the team can convince a top American kid that the organization is the best in the league and can convince him that trophies in his case are just around the corner and as long as his career, he’s a flight risk.

[Meds]

Not a fan of the way QH has carried himself post Canucks with the comments and what not but let's not kid ourselves....Vancouver ran the best player to ever play for this franchise out of town. The nagging to publicly commit years in advance of being able to extend(and thus weaken his bargaining power), the decision to let key vets go after promising showings, the choosing of the unpopular Petey over the very popular miller, the inability to retain the coach that he liked, the geriatric president flapping nonstop about what he likely viewed as personal topics, the unprofessional bullshit that orbits the entire franchise...yeah I can't blame him one bit

What comments?

Links please or it’s all just bowl smoke.

[Meds]

...Vancouver ran the best player to ever play for this franchise out of town.

I don't follow this topic very closely, and new information may have come to light since the last time I paid attention, but my understanding was that it was just the opposite, that management did everything within their power to keep him, but he could not be swayed and wanted to go back to the U.S.

I think that’s just poorly worded by Cuz. The rest of his post dumps on the decisions made by TFGs. They drove the team into the ditch and QH was just one of several casualties (not counting us fans).

[donlever]

Sitting at a podium in front of what might be the most abysmal sports media in the world espousing opinions that the captain of the team wants to leave town to play with his brothers is on the opposite side of the street to doing everything in your power to make him happy.

[Cousin Strawberry]

The media pestering him for hints whether he wants to stay or go a full 16 months before he can even resign was the result of the blathering old fool puking state secrets into microphones.

Put this all together with the other mismanagement follies and it's like Burke himself was driving him to the airport

[Lancer]

Question is whether media was pestering him in a vacuum, or whether there already were rumblings? If there are even whispers behind the scenes that the best defenceman in franchise history was contemplating bolting the club, wouldn’t you want the media asking?

[Cousin Strawberry]

There's a very good chance Lancer yes but why air the laundry? Maybe hold the cards close and see what can be done rather than whatever the hell that was.

It's all about perpetuating the chickenshit outfit mantra