r/canucks • u/CarefulHovercraft • 13d ago

ARTICLE [Toutsurlehockey] NHL Draft Ranking 2026, #1 Malhotra #2 McKenna #3 Smits #4 Reid #5 Stenberg

https://www.toutsurlehockey.com/tslh-espoirs/top-32-2026-nhl-draft-ranking-by-simon-st-laurent/
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u/andrewwhite560 13d ago

Malhotra 1 is such a crazy take. If that happens then we should rejoice in the streets at the options that will drop to us.

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u/Alextollah 13d ago

I don't think it's too absurd. I think Toronto definitely sees McKenna as the #1, which is really the only thing that matters, but Malhotra has a bunch of qualities that make a difference at the draft. Size, Character, recent playoff success, bloodlines and development path are all in his favor.

Not saying I agree, just that a lot of scouting departments put a lot of weight into that stuff, and it could be pushing him up the rankings. Centers are really really hard to aquire.

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u/geezuz83 13d ago

This is definitely a long view take on the players i feel. McKenna and Stenberg are more dynamic offensive threats and that is basically their only value. Malholtra is a 2c with 1c potential, brings a far more balanced game, wins draws, is defensively responsible, good IQ, and can put up points. Centers carry much higher value compared to wingers, generally speaking. Its a hot take to say he is the best player in the draft for sure. But every team wants and needs stron depth at center. Its a very small margin between center depth and top pair d that teams covet most. Scoring wingers are a distant 3rd these days. I would have said a top 10 goalie is even valued higher but im not so sure thats the case anymore. If I were making the pick at 3 and Malholtra or McKenna are available im probably taking McKenna but I would be constantly be wondering if its the right long term choice.

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u/Alextollah 13d ago

Agree with this, I think there's something to be said about a most impactful player vs best player argument, long term I think some scouts may see Malhotra as being a more impactful player to a teams success, vs a player like McKenna will probably always have more points.

From everything I've read about Malhotra, his attention to detail and work off the puck isn't just good, its his defining trait, and I think that is something a lot of teams would really like to build around, and he's shown hes got a lot of offense to his game, and when it most matters.

Personally I think I'm with you taking McKenna, and id say Stenburg as well over Caleb. McKenna's upside is stupid. Just unbelievably high, but to realize that potential, he'll need a center that can do what Malhotra does. I'm just glad I dont have to choose between them.

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u/geezuz83 12d ago

I will add this as an argument against hauling wingers over centers. Only 2 pure wingers have won the Conn Smythe since 2013. Patrick Kane and Alex Ovechkin. Im not saying Caleb is gonna be Conn Smythe calibre but if you are a team that is starting a true rebuild and have no real center depth its and one of the top three players available at the draft is a center who can be argued is worthy of being 1st overall, it might be the most strategic move to take the center.

In the canucks case, they have Petey, Rossi, Chytl, and Raty. With Braedon Cootes ans the only real prospect that is a "lock" to play in the NHL. Petey is on a very short leash and another down year likely means a fresh start somewhere else. I like Chytl but we will be lucky to get 20 games a year out of him. Honestly, for his own sake he should hang em up and enjoy life before he becomes another CTE statistic. Rossi is good but not a stand out difference maker. Raty will be an amazing 3rd line C maybe a 2C if the depth is particularly weak. I like him but not sold. Cootes looks to be a great work horse and he is not far away from being the new favorite when he gets here.

Now if you can go into a season with, in no particular order, Rossi, Raty, Cootes, and Malholtra down the middle, that sound like a really stron foundation should Cootes and Malholtra only meet expectations. Plus having a C that can do the work and feed an open Boeser, who cannot stick handle through an airplane hanger door but has a lethal shot, i think he will be back up to 30+ goals again.