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?!

[LGR4GM]

17 hours ago, SabreFinn said:

WTF. He can't be serious?!

You may have had a few more looks at Piip than myself if you follow Liiga, he's just kinda there. He isn't bad but from my little fact finding mission, there just isn't anything that screams top 10 pick let along top 5. At this point, I would put him in that 20-40 range I suppose. 

Am i missing something?

 

Edited Tuesday at 02:09 PM by LGR4GM

[French Collection]

Tons of scouts in Calgary for the CHL vs USA prospects game tonight. Game two tomorrow in Lethbridge.

https://chl.ca/prospectschallenge/
 

[LGR4GM]

2 minutes ago, French Collection said:

Tons of scouts in Calgary for the CHL vs USA prospects game tonight. Game two tomorrow in Lethbridge.

https://chl.ca/prospectschallenge/
 

Thanks, the media guide had a ton of info. 

https://media.chl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/29133708/2025-CHL-USA-Prospects-Challenge_TeamCHL_PlayerProfiles-v1.0-October-28-2.pdf

Edited Tuesday at 02:42 PM by LGR4GM

[French Collection]

https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/news_article/show/1350482?referrer_id=3865497
 

The other link had tons of stuff on team CHL, this one is team USA.

[SabreFinn]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

You may have had a few more looks at Piip than myself if you follow Liiga, he's just kinda there. He isn't bad but from my little fact finding mission, there just isn't anything that screams top 10 pick let along top 5. At this point, I would put him in that 20-40 range I suppose. 

Am i missing something?

 

I have not watched him play that much, but nothing about him says he is a top-10. I have to watch some more Tappara. And same goes for the other two Finns, 20-40 range, as you said. The Swedes on the other hand, they might have three players in top 10.

[LGR4GM]

23 minutes ago, SabreFinn said:

I have not watched him play that much, but nothing about him says he is a top-10. I have to watch some more Tappara. And same goes for the other two Finns, 20-40 range, as you said. The Swedes on the other hand, they might have three players in top 10.

You talking about Suvanto and Hemming? I haven't watched Hemming but have seen a little of Suvanto and I could see him slide in that 15-20 range due to his position and skills. I agree, I think the Swedes have a better class for the 1st round with Stenberg and Bjorck leading the way. 

[SabreFinn]

5 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

You talking about Suvanto and Hemming? I haven't watched Hemming but have seen a little of Suvanto and I could see him slide in that 15-20 range due to his position and skills. I agree, I think the Swedes have a better class for the 1st round with Stenberg and Bjorck leading the way. 

Yes. Suvanto might be drafted in that range since there are only few top ranked centers. But to draft a center in that range it need to be top-6 potential,  and I can't see that. I haven't seen Hemming either, I hope he can show something good at WJC if he get a spot on the team,  I wasn't impressed with his brother but I have heard this younger one is better.

[SabreFinn]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

You may have had a few more looks at Piip than myself if you follow Liiga, he's just kinda there. He isn't bad but from my little fact finding mission, there just isn't anything that screams top 10 pick let along top 5. At this point, I would put him in that 20-40 range I suppose. 

Am i missing something?

 

Btw, to me, Piiparinens d-partner Jesper Mattila is the best defenseman in Liiga ( a late bloomer I wouldn't hesitate to give a  two way contract with Sabres), it helps Piiparinens stats a lot. 

[LGR4GM]

I spent some time yesterday looking at McKenna. I'm beyond concerned by his 2way game. This board already loses its mind when a guy does a weak fly-bye on the backcheck or along walls and holy bleep is that McKenna. Offensively, dynamic, skilled, amazing. Defensive, lacks scanning, doesn't get position on checks, his board game fails unless he can get the puck on his stick with room. 

If Buffalo were say, Colorado or Carolina, I'd take McKenna but Stenberg, Belchetz, and Lawrence really feel like guys who will be better rounded in the NHL. But who's better Ovechkin or Tkachuk? 

[LGR4GM]

Please note it's November. This stuff isn't fixed but fluid.