2026 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[shrader]

27 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Geertsen was 100% on Ruff.

And we need to get over the idea that he was brought here to play hockey. That very clearly wasn’t the case. 

[DarthEbriate]

10 hours ago, SabresBillsFan said:

I would fire the entire scouting staff. Whoever decided to sign Geertsen must have never watched him play last season. He was invisible 

And invisibility at the AHL level is tougher to do. (He last played in the NHL in 2021-22, three seasons spent in the AHL as a bottom-six guy there.)

[ponokasabre]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sportsnets-2026-nhl-draft-rankings-november-edition/

[Crusader1969]

On 11/19/2025 at 9:54 PM, LGR4GM said:

McKenna isn't a center and I'm unsure why they speculate on it. I worry about Verhoeff's skating but he's good. Is he way better than Mrtka... idk, but not enough. 

I still lean Stenberg or McKenna. 

Doesn't look like there is a goalie worth taking in the 1st round. 
 

Just wondering if you are still steadfast against taking one if they are ranked that high? .... considering that in the last 10 years here is the list of guys taken in rd 1

2017 • Jake Oettinger – 26th overall (DAL)

2019 • Spencer Knight – 13th overall (FLA)

2020 • Yaroslav Askarov – 11th overall (NSH)

2021 • Sebastian Cossa – 15th overall (DET)
          • Jesper Wallstedt – 20th overall (MIN)

[LGR4GM]

22 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

Doesn't look like there is a goalie worth taking in the 1st round. 
 

Just wondering if you are still steadfast against taking one if they are ranked that high? .... considering that in the last 10 years here is the list of guys taken in rd 1

2017 • Jake Oettinger – 26th overall (DAL)

2019 • Spencer Knight – 13th overall (FLA)

2020 • Yaroslav Askarov – 11th overall (NSH)

2021 • Sebastian Cossa – 15th overall (DET)
          • Jesper Wallstedt – 20th overall (MIN)

No interest at all. I would have considered Wallstadt in 2021.

Also we've drafted a bunch of goalies. Ratzlaff, Leinonen, Meloche, that other one. Plus we have Ellis and Levi at 25 or under. 

This team desperately needs offense talent in the pipe.

Edited Saturday at 03:30 PM by LGR4GM

[LGR4GM]

Tynan Lawrence needs to get back from injury already. He has only played 2 games this year because of an injury suffered in camp and then they shut him down again. In those two games, sounds like he did really well and everywhere talks about his pace and detail. He's a 6' tall center with an August bday playing in the USHL. He will go top 5 in all likelihood and is someone I want to see more of. 

[LGR4GM]

You could rank Juho Piiparinen 4th... I ***** wouldn't from the little I have read but, Craig Button does some really odd stuff for the draft.

[SabreFinn]

7 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

You could rank Juho Piiparinen 4th... I ***** wouldn't from the little I have read but, Craig Button does some really odd stuff for the draft.

WTF. He can't be serious?!