2026 NHL Draft

[Carl Yagro]

I'm waiting for news that Verhoeff tried to one up Mckenna...

#CanadianDraftDodgers

[donlever]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUgRWSji ... Z0NzY5eXMy

[Cousin Strawberry]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUgRWSji ... Z0NzY5eXMy

Whoever drafts this kid is getting a damn good piece. He was fantastic playing for his country at the WJs

[dbr]

Pretty detailed scouting report on Keaton Verhoeff over at McKeen's. I'll just share my own "tldr" summary but it's worth reading in full and there are tons of clips showing examples (good and bad) in there as well.

• Skating: Mixed bag, "average to below average" right now. Has a powerful stride and "average" straight line speed. Good edgework and can be elusive in the offensive zone (where he is very aggressive). Backward skating has been a major issue (he will defend rushes without turning around to skate backwards on occasion) and "four way mobility" is poor although his reach papers over this limitation somewhat. Much of this can be improved upon and many big defensemen have done so previously.
• Shooting: wrist shot release is already "near elite" and gives goaltenders all sorts of trouble; shot selection will need to improve but he has the tools to be the best goal scoring defenseman in this class.
• Skills: handles the puck very well which is a huge part of his game in the offensive zone but does tend to get cocky and make costly mistakes in all three zones.
• Smarts: Offensively his only issue is consistency, plays intelligently in the offensive zone. Author is decidedly less optimistic in other areas, does not see him improving his rush defense enough to even become above average while in his own zone he has improved somewhat and that may end up being possible.
• Physicality/Compete: just going to copy/paste part of this section: However, I don’t ever find my self comfortable calling Verhoeff a “shut-down defenseman.” His defensive zone plays need to be shown more consistently and he overall isn’t the skating talent required to be a shut-down guy. Verhoeff’s physicality has been average, but he will not be viewed as a big hitting defenseman either. He doesn’t have the dexterity or angles to make open ice hits or be effective physically on the rush, he really is only effectively physically around the walls, infront of the net or when making plays in the offensive zone.

I'm not worried about issues with consistency and decision-making, and while it's common for young players to improve their skating after being drafted it is a bit unnerving just how far Verhoeff seems to need to go, and how extensively it impacts his game at this point.

[Cornuck]

Great link dbr ^ Nice to see a 'warts and all' breakdown.

[Aaronp18]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/articl ... hio-state/

NCAA record! I like the 1-7 stat line when clearly overpowering an opponent.

[donlever]

He pulled off the McGregor celly post goal.

[Aaronp18]

He pulled off the McGregor celly post goal.

Guess he is undefeated with 1 KO.

[Carl Yagro]

Kid from our own backyard returns from WJC pumped full of confidence... we need Brock to blast more pucks off the glass in practice.

We can't get out-tanked.

[Hockey Widow]

Ya McKenna is showing why he has been so highly ranked. He has a nasty streak to boot. When you watch him play he rarely smiles, all business. Gets pissed easily when he misses a shot. I think he is the real deal and maybe the closest we will have to having another franchise player after Hughes left. And we do need elite scoring.

Honestly it is looking like we can't go wrong with any of McKenna, Sternberg, Lawrence or Verhoeff. Our talent pool is so bad anyone of them will help. But I still lean towards a forward. we need elite wingers but we also need elite centres.

[rockalt]

Honestly it is looking like we can't go wrong with any of McKenna, Sternberg, Lawrence or Verhoeff. Our talent pool is so bad anyone of them will help. But I still lean towards a forward. we need elite wingers but we also need elite centres.

That's what I tell myself too because I don't want to hold out hope of them winning the lottery. They still have the best odds to pick 3rd so for me finishing dead last is what's most essential.

Having said this, I've always coveted McKenna and even moreso now. I wouldn't normally choose the winger but he has the highest upside and his stock dropped due to s slower adjustment to college hockey. I think he is separating himself from the pack and I will be shocked if he doesn't go first overall no matter who is picking.

Again I'll be satisfied with finishing in the top 3, devastated if the Canucks fall out but ecstatic if they win the draft. My preferences

1. McKenna
2. Stenberg (I would be happy - I think he is going to be a great player but I don't think he can reach McKenna's potential level)
3. Verhoeff (I understand the value but that scouting report concerns me that his potential is limited)

[donlever]

Does Verhoeff need to improve his skating?

Yes, for sure.

But let's not throw the baby out with the bath water just yet.

Assessing multiple scouting reports and personal optical analytics (i.e. see for yourself) as opposed to basing judgement on one man's evaluation would be prudent.

There are multiple appraisals of the player and his skating available all over the interwebz....(as well as video of his play...take a look see)

Examples...

His edgework has been fine overall; he can be deceptive when jumping up into the offensive zone, and those plays come about because of his edges. Those negative aspects of his skating can be fixed, many raw defensemen before him have fixed their issues as well, and he has shown flashes of being a big difference maker in the offensive zone due to how he approaches the offensive zone possessions, due to the aggressiveness of his skating.

Verhoeff has, essentially, the most coveted profile in the sport. He’s a 6-4, RHD who skates very well and is born late in the draft cohort. Verhoeff is also a player who can be relied upon heavily on either side of the puck. Defensively, Verhoeff has strong stick details, closes gaps efficiently, and plays proactively and physically, whether that be in the corners, in front of his net, or standing up at both bluelines. He’s also poised under pressure and makes plenty of slick retrievals and outlet plays in the DZ.

Offensively, Verhoeff can lead the rush with his feet or use his playmaking ability to advance the puck. He walks the line confidently, handles the puck well (occasionally flashing high-end skill) and, of course, has a bullet of a shot from the point.

[rockalt]

Does Verhoeff need to improve his skating?

Yes, for sure.

But let's not throw the baby out with the bath water just yet.

Assessing multiple scouting reports and personal optical analytics (i.e. see for yourself) as opposed to basing judgement on one man's evaluation would be prudent.

Thanks for sharing. I'm not basing my opinion on the single scouting report (though it was good). I just have a personal preference for McKenna because I think he has the highest upside of the 3 based on his stat history and highlights I have seen. Verhoeff has a lot going for him and plays a more pivotal position but I worry he will just be a safe pick - he could max out at a solid top pair d-man but not top 10 in his position. Don't get me wrong that would be a great player but I'd rather swing for the fences and pick McKenna.

[donlever]

Certainly a good argument rockalt and I too am starting to be swayed that way.

I think Verhoeff is minimum Seth Jones/Noah Dobson with a chance to be elite level.

A good question asked by Topper earlier in the thread.

Who is the potential Unicorn of the draft?

Arguments are it's Verhoeff.

Tough call all around....as long as we get 1 of the 3 I will be happy.

[Cousin Strawberry]

Stenberg draws a lot of comparison to Nik Kucherov which would be unicorny AF