2026 NHL Draft

[UWSaint]

First pick should be whoever is left between McKenna, Stenberg, or Reid, but I am expecting Malhotra. Which isn’t bad at all.

24th pick, Ryan Lin will end up being one of those guys in the top 20 on every team’s list but every team picking before 24 has a different other player ahead of him. And so he just keeps dropping and Canucks decide to take him.

33d pick, Canucks go long and draft Jaxon Cover. High risk high reward.

[Aaronp18]

Drafting the coaches kid has nightmare fuel written all over it, especially when Manny is turfed by the time we're back being competitive.

[UWSaint]

Drafting the coaches kid has nightmare fuel written all over it,

Which is why I think it will happen.

[Meds]

Drafting the coaches kid has nightmare fuel written all over it, especially when Manny is turfed by the time we're back being competitive.

I agree. The “family story” sounds great, hypotheticals are humongous.

As you say, what if Manny gets the axe, then what? Is his kid the type of pro who can go about his business or does it bother him to the point he wants out too.

What if Caleb busts? Does Manny play him anyhow?

What if Caleb is a star but Manny gets too worried about media perception of playing favourites and doesn’t play him enough.

I don’t think these things necessarily happen…..unless WE draft him. Because, well, the Canucks factor.

[Ronning's Ghost]

Lets see some predictions.

First pick should be whoever is left between McKenna, Stenberg, or Reid, but I am expecting Malhotra.

As am I. I expect ownership to put their thumb on the scale for the marketing angle. This was the basis of my only other correct Canuck draft prediction, Jett Woo.

Which isn’t bad at all.

I don't expect it will be "bad" in as much as I'm pretty sure that, barring disaster, he will be an NHL regular. But will he prove to have been the best player available? I'm not saying he won't, but I have doubts.

[Meds]

I don't expect it will be "bad" in as much as I'm pretty sure that, barring disaster, he will be an NHL regular. But will he prove to have been the best player available? I'm not saying he won't, but I have doubts.

Jason Bukala was on with Dodd and Drance today, and he was talking about Stenberg and Bjorck, and saying that one NHL player watched both of them at the World's and said that they both could have played in the NHL last season as 17 year olds.....

Bukala went on to say that right now he doesn't see how any player is BPA over Stenberg based upon what players in this draft have done to date. Pointed out that Stenberg has "proven" he can play at a high level in every tier of league that he has played in. Also referenced that Stenberg shared at the combine that he feels like he could move over and play center if given the opportunity. The kid has confidence.

My hesitations are only what seems to happen with European players in the post-season, and also not putting a ton of stock in his personal confidence because, well, see Patrik Laine for one.

[UWSaint]

Which isn’t bad at all.

I don't expect it will be "bad" in as much as I'm pretty sure that, barring disaster, he will be an NHL regular. But will he prove to have been the best player available? I'm not saying he won't, but I have doubts.

To the extent my post was unclear, I agree with you fully. By not bad at all, I mean I think Malhotra is a quality prospect and has a fair shot at being an impactful nhl player. Passing on one of the three guys I think have a materially better chance to be high quality nhl players would be a mistake—especially with the family wrinkle—but it’s not the same kind of mistake as reaching for a Lindstrom or Kotkeniemi. (Of course, Sennecke was considered a bit of a reach too, and that’s looked pretty damned good….)

[UWSaint]

Does Sam Jose’s acquisition of Kesselring change their perspective at the draft?

I think we might know more by whether the sign him longer term (he’s an rfa with a year to UFA).

I think he’s a fair bet for a bounce back. Last year injuries really derailed the season while he was still adjusting to the Sabres. But the year before, he seemed like that long, not too flashy, solid middle pairing defensemen that is all the rage. He, not Doan, was probably the chip Buffalo valued more in the Peterka deal.

I don’t think a 26 year old should factor too much into the equation on which 18 year old to pick, but if Kesselring is signed longer term, the team may think they have one of their rd spots locked up — could be second pairing, could be third, and might even be a stay at home complement to a true #1 LD.

Not only that, but SJS still has the assets to add to the d now if they want. All they did was trade down their second first rounder to get Kesselring. So they could add a Stenberg (or McKenna) to *next year’s” team and use an Eklund as a centerpiece to get another D in top of Kesselring for next year. Whereas if they take Reid, it will be a year or two until he’s in the NHL and likely longer before he has a meaningful impact.

[Aaronp18]

As am I. I expect ownership to put their thumb on the scale for the marketing angle. This was the basis of my only other correct Canuck draft prediction, Jett Woo.

Well it's one thing to take a chance in the second round on a kid that could be a feel good story for the franchise and fans but to drop a 3rd overall on a marketing angle is definitely not the right move.

We wouldn't do that now would we??

[Cornuck]

We wouldn't do that now would we??

I can't imagine that hapening, what with all the 'family' getting back together to run the team. We need to start on the next generation.

[Lancer]

As am I. I expect ownership to put their thumb on the scale for the marketing angle. This was the basis of my only other correct Canuck draft prediction, Jett Woo.

Well it's one thing to take a chance in the second round on a kid that could be a feel good story for the franchise and fans but to drop a 3rd overall on a marketing angle is definitely not the right move.

We wouldn't do that now would we??

Not since they selected hometown homeboy Virtanen.