2026 NHL Draft

[Aaronp18]

The top 4 I’m with many here right now:
McKenna
Verhoeff
Stenberg
Lawrence

Although if we finish last we won’t worry about the 4th pick.

After that it depends on who we take with our first. If we get one of the forwards we target some D later on, perhaps packaging a couple picks to move up or moving a pick or two to grab more in the 2nd round. But we need one or two of:
Carels
Rudolph
Reid
Lin

If we snag Verhoeff we strengthen up front:
Malhotra
Hurlbert
The Rucks
Valentini

Anyways, there’s more player to target but I think you get the gist of the strategy.

[BoS]

Thanks Aaron.

I know nothing of any players beyond McKenna and his temper. That’s enough for me to want this guy.

Wondering why you suggest a d-man with the next pick; Organizational need, or plenty of good options as bpa?.

[Aaronp18]

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Wondering why you suggest a d-man with the next pick; Organizational need, or plenty of good options as bpa?.

Each of those D are all RH as well, seems to be a penthora of RHD in the top 2 rounds this year and plenty from out west here as well.

Couple rational reasons I guess, that’s easily one of the most sought after positions so stocking up puts us in a great position to be extremely strong at that position or potentially use them as trade chips later to fill needs.

And really like to strengthen that side of the D and have a solid first pairing with Buium for the future! So the more options the better IMO.

[donlever]

Not confident in Willander & Buium as a pair AP?

Verhoeff Buium could be stellar!!

Good post on draft strategy theroems.....maybe those fucking guys will read it

[Aaronp18]

Not necessarily that I’m not confident in a Buium/Willander pairing but I like the options if we are drafting a top end forward with our first pick this year.

If Willander steps up and fills that role we can either have a second pairing that’s solid or use that top end RHD prospect as a bargaining chip to strengthen holes elsewhere.

A RHD seemingly gets a little extra on the trade market as we’ve seen!

A Verhoeff/Buium pairing could potentially be the best D pairing we’ve seen in a Canucks uni. Then the strategy is clear, draft forwards and in particular centres!

[donlever]

I've offered up a couple of 11.6 potential trade theories of late but with 4 picks out of the first 40 using some later than top 3, '26 draft capital to dump EP in return for some developing youth as well as to defer from retention potentially works too.

[Aaronp18]

I've offered up a couple of 11.6 potential trade theories of late but with 4 picks out of the first 40 using some later than top 3, '26 draft capital to dump EP in return for some developing youth as well as to defer from retention potentially works too.

Yeah somehow ditching EP would be a sounds investment with one of our later picks this year.

Seems to just be spiralling right now.

[Meds]

.

Wondering why you suggest a d-man with the next pick; Organizational need, or plenty of good options as bpa?.

Each of those D are all RH as well, seems to be a penthora of RHD in the top 2 rounds this year and plenty from out west here as well.

That almost makes the case on its own right now.

[BoS]

I don’t think you can ever have enough D prospects, particularly on the right side.

Whats this years crop of centres look like?

[donlever]

Current leading center prospects to watch in the 2026 NHL Draft:

Caleb Malhotra (C, Brantford Bulldogs - OHL): Viewed by some as the best center in the class, with high-end skill and playmaking ability, solidifying himself as a top-five candidate.

Tynan Lawrence (C, Muskegon Lumberjacks - USHL): Regarded as a premier, high-skill center with top-line NHL potential.

Viggo Bjorck (C, Djurgardens - SHL): Undersized but skilled, intelligent playmaker who has been dominant at the junior level and effective in the SHL.

Oliver Suvanto (C, Tappara - Liiga): assessed as one of the most mature and complete 17-year-old centers in Liiga since Aleksander Barkov, boasting great size and defensive reliability.

Gleb Pugachyov (C/RW, Chaika Nizhny Novgorod - MHL): Strong two-way game.

[Cornuck]

I'm thinking we'll have a center to pick from with our 2nd 1st round pick and after taking 'BPA' with the first one, then grabbing a center would be handy - but again, it depends on who is there. Most of those on Donnie's list will likely be gone.

One that could be available is Ryan Roobroeck *Canadian* - 6'4 - 208 with 58 points in 49 OHL games - If we can grab someone like that, then we have our 2C- 3C set for a while.
Also looking at Brooks Rogowski - (American) - 6'6 231 with 30 points in37 OHL games.

I don't see us getting that ever elusive 1C in this draft, though - so luckily we have the 2027 draft
A quick look shows 3 of the 4 top prospects are centres. (2 of them Canadian, since we're going with that theme these days)

[donlever]

I don't see us getting that ever elusive 1C in this draft, though - so luckily we have the 2027 draft

Hence my proposed EP to Chicago trade a couple of days back with Anton Frondell as the core return piece.

[Aaronp18]

I don't see us getting that ever elusive 1C in this draft, though - so luckily we have the 2027 draft

Hence my proposed EP to Chicago trade a couple of days back with Anton Frondell as the core return piece.

Frondell and McKenna would suit this team very nicely over the next few years!

[Meds]

Current leading center prospects to watch in the 2026 NHL Draft:

Caleb Malhotra (C, Brantford Bulldogs - OHL): Viewed by some as the best center in the class, with high-end skill and playmaking ability, solidifying himself as a top-five candidate.

His dad was a warrior and incredibly smart player…..just didn’t have the high end skill. If junior got the old man’s athleticism and work ethic, and also has some elite playmakikg skill, I’m taking him ahead of Stenberg.

McKenna/Verhoeff
Malhotra

[donlever]

He is also a June b-day so still 17 and 6'2" 182 lbs. already.