NHL Draft 2026

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2054640915180872072

It's funny because even the comparables he uses for the guys ahead of him (Seth Jones, Jakob Chychrun, Aaron Ekblad respectively) are a level below McKenna's (Panarin). I think he's just ultimately leaning a little too hard into the D > W argument. But also even a prime-Seth Jones seems like a weird comparison for Chase Reid, who seems to have a much more dynamic game.

With that said I do think this is a draft where any of the top 5 or 6 guys taken could eventually be the best player. But right now the choice at 1 should be obvious.

 

[herman]

It's funny because even the comparables he uses for the guys ahead of him (Seth Jones, Jakob Chychrun, Aaron Ekblad respectively) are a level below McKenna's (Panarin).

And his skill grades are sort of all over the map; used to feel a bit more consistent and useful, but these past few years have really felt a bit mailed in.

 

[rdowdall]

And his skill grades are sort of all over the map; used to feel a bit more consistent and useful, but these past few years have really felt a bit mailed in.

I think it's grouped in their tiers, sorted d first over f, then sorted by name. Not necessarily draft position. If that's the case he shouldn't have included numbers.

 

[rdowdall]

I think it's grouped in their tiers, sorted d first over f, then sorted by name. Not necessarily draft position. If that's the case he shouldn't have included numbers.

But then that doesn't make sense because the second tier isn't that way. So maybe not.

 

[herman]

 

[mr grieves]

With that said I do think this is a draft where any of the top 5 or 6 guys taken could eventually be the best player. But right now the choice at 1 should be obvious.

Yeah, should be: trade it for a guy who was once one of a draft class's top 5 or 6 guys who could eventually be the best player and then became it. Ideally, this player is a defenseman.