2026 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[LGR4GM]

Here's central scoutings preliminary list.

https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_document/prd/wie2axdger9u2k2ycr4r.pdf?key_custom_source=custom_tabs

 

[bob_sauve28]

 

[LGR4GM]

28 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:

 

They need to fire Forton 

[LGR4GM]

Actually they need to fire Forton and Devine and anyone else who's been in the scouting department for over 5 years. It's a dump and it's decision making processes are so inept and stupid that me,  a random mofo on his computer, routinely outdrafts the Sabres. 

Hey Terry Pegula, how is it that some guy has a better process than your entire scouting department? How? 

Edited October 28 by LGR4GM

[DarthEbriate]

34 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:

 

They do need to draft better, although 3 of Adams' drafts are much too early to bother counting in any top 150 list unless it was Celebrini. Adams' flaws in his early drafting (underweight skill/finesse reaches with almost no grinders selected)... are well documented.

 

However, specific to this top 150 list the more important thing is to look at who is on that list. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6755065/2025/10/28/nhl-player-tiers-roster-building-trades-drafting/   This is nearly all established players (except Celebrini) and high-end scorers. But if you were starting a team, would you consider Erik Karlsson as a top 150 player in the league to build your team around? I wouldn't.

Eichel, Reinhart, Ullmark. Adams traded them away or didn't offer an extension going into the UFA season allowing them to walk.

 

Who is on the Sabres roster from the Top-150 list? Thompson (pre-Adams), Dahlin (pre-Adams). That's it.

The real issue is trading away two top-50 skaters and a top-10 goalie and getting (thus far) nothing close in return for any of them.

[LGR4GM]

How's my boy doing? Well, Nikita Klepov is currently at 9g, 13a in 14games. Puts him first on his team by 2pts ahead of a d+2 guy in Barbanov.

There aren't many like Klepov and if gets faster more powerful, he's got some game breaker to him. 

[LGR4GM]

Pronman didn't even rank him:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6754147/2025/10/29/nhl-draft-top-prospects-2026-gavin-mckenna-pronman/

[LGR4GM]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6737460/2025/11/05/nhl-draft-2026-prospects-ranking-wheeler-preliminary/

This draft is very defense heavy. We need to hope, teams feel inclined to go after defenders. They said, Klepov is still my target.

[LGR4GM]

Tynan Lawrence is a name to know as well. He's got an August birthday but he's the top center in the draft. He's got excellent playmaking and skating, he's very engaged all over the ice and he's not at full strength yet. The Sabres need to look at motor, iq, and then the rest of the package. Tynan has all that's needed. We'd have to draft top 5 probably which is why I didn't mention him. Idk if I'd take him over 6'5" Belchetz, but that's something to decide by June. 

Klepov however is right behind these two for me. I think the entire industry is napping on him. 

This draft could see 6 defenders go on the top 10. 

[LGR4GM]

Carson Carels would be the guy if you plan to replace Power down the line (Mrtka will in 2yrs but still). He's direct, physical, good. Is he flashy, not really, more like Kesselring with more offense. He'll probably be 6'2" at the combine, so he's got decent size for the backend. 

[LGR4GM]

If y'all want bigger Helenius with more defense but probably less offense, Oliver Suvanto is a 6'3" center with an early September bday. Super young but he's already in Liiga.

Edited 1 hour ago by LGR4GM

[SabreFinn]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

If y'all bigger Helenius with more defense but probably less offense, Oliver Suvanto is a 6'3" center with an early September bday. Super young but he's already in Liiga.

He already plays a mature game imo. I count on him playing for team Finland at WJC.

[SabreFinn]

Just now, LGR4GM said:

He's very intriguing but hard to read. Super young, playing in a men's league, with limited offense but great defense. Hard to read. 

Agree with you,  screams third line center, very typically Finnish. WJC will show if he has some offense in him.