A bit early but wanted to get a thread started to drop things as the season goes on.

Of interest to us Blues fans, Corey Pronman released his draft rankings this morning. McKenna has dropped to #4 in his. Although this still places him in the Tier 1 list.

It's starting to really feel like a Shane Wright type slide for him. Came into his draft year as the consensus #1 pick and his stock dropped as the season went on. Ended up going 4th overall to Seattle who are reportedly already open to moving on from him.

The top 5 in his rankings:

Keaton Verhoeff
North Dakota
Shoots:
R
Height:
6' 3.5"
Weight:
208 lbs
DOB:
19-Jun-08

Profile
Verhoeff is a big two-way defenseman. He's a strong skater, especially for his size. He isn't flashy offensively, but he has good skill, sees the ice at a high level and makes difficult plays with a great point shot that will be a threat in the NHL. He’s hard on his checks and uses his size. He projects as a tough-minutes top-pair defenseman who could score at a quality clip.

Player Comp: Seth Jones

Ivar Stenberg
Frolunda
Shoots:
L
Height:
5' 11"
Weight:
183 lbs
DOB:
30-Sep-07

Profile:Profile
Stenberg is an electric offensive talent. He’s a high-end puck handler, passer and shooter who can make difficult plays with the puck routinely and is a natural scorer. He isn't that big or mean, but he works hard and has shown he can win battles against men. His frame and good (but not great) small-guy skating will be concerns on his NHL projection. He could be a top-line winger.

Player comp: Clayton Keller

Chase Reid
Sault Ste. Marie
Shoots:
R
Height:
6' 2.25"
Weight:
188 lbs
DOB:
30-Dec-07

Profile: Reid is a talented defenseman with a lot of offensive tools. He has the speed, hands, vision and shot to generate chances and score at the next level. Reid can create in transition and off the blue line with his feet and creativity. Reid isn't overly physical, but he works hard enough and makes plenty of stops due to his reach, feet and compete level even while playing an aggressive style of play offensively. He projects as a major minutes NHL defenseman who can run a power play.

Player comp: Noah Dobson

Gavin McKenna
Penn State
Shoots:
L
Height:
5' 11"
Weight:
170 lbs
DOB:
20-Dec-07

Profile: McKenna possesses off-the-charts puck skills, vision and overall offensive creativity. He's a strong skater who can generate a ton of chances with pace. He’s a pass-first player who projects to run a power play at a high level due to his elite playmaking ability. He's not overly physical and can be pushed to the outside too much, and gives inconsistent efforts at even strength. He projects as a top-line winger who can run a PP1, but may frustrate his coaches at times, too.

Player comp: Artemi Panarin


Tynan Lawrence
Boston University
Shoots:
L
Height:
6' 0.5"
Weight:
185 lbs
DOB:
03-Aug-08

Profile: Lawrence is an excellent skater with a strong motor who brings a lot of pace and energy to his shifts. He's a very strong puck handler who creates chances on the move. He isn't an elite offensive threat due to having good, not great, vision, but he has the traits to be a great two-way play-driving top line center in the NHL who can play in all situations.

Player comp: Matty Beniers


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/699238 ... f-mckenna/

I think this draft is shaping up more as lots of talent but no generational superstar. Which I guess is good and bad in the sense that it's not, first overall pick or bust. Which is also why as we see rankings come out, I think the top 5 will be a different order on each of them.

You have a couple of talented wingers in Stenberg and McKenna then you have two stud but different d-men in Reid and Verhoeff. Verhoeff being a dominate two way guy and Reid seen as a PP QB guy.

That doesn't even touch on Carels, Malhotra, and big nasty winger Ethan Belchetz.

It's a very wingers and d-man heavy draft.

Honestly as long as they don't go on a prolonged winning streak they should come away with an impact player. I wonder how the depth of the draft plays into the deadline. The Blues don't have a 2nd rounder this year. I believe it was traded in order to get back their own 2nd from a couple years ago to sign the Oiler boys to their offer sheets. Is the draft deep enough that they'll feel good about taking a 2nd back for certain players, or are they going to hold out for firsts?

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 10:03 am I think this draft is shaping up more as lots of talent but no generational superstar. Which I guess is good and bad in the sense that it's not, first overall pick or bust. Which is also why as we see rankings come out, I think the top 5 will be a different order on each of them.

You have a couple of talented wingers in Stenberg and McKenna then you have two stud but different d-men in Reid and Verhoeff. Verhoeff being a dominate two way guy and Reid seen as a PP QB guy.

That doesn't even touch on Carels, Malhotra, and big nasty winger Ethan Belchetz.

It's a very wingers and d-man heavy draft.

I really think we'll be able to land Stenberg if he makes it well known that he'd like to play for the Blues. There isn't a lot of difference in the talent level in the top four to six picks and we will definitely be in that range.

How does the rest of the draft look, i.e. late first, second, even third rounds? If we could trade Schenn and/or Faulk for draft picks, what do you think we could expect talent wise?

RAFritchey wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 5:44 pm How does the rest of the draft look, i.e. late first, second, even third rounds? If we could trade Schenn and/or Faulk for draft picks, what do you think we could expect talent wise?

Fairly deep. From everything I've seen there is no reason that couldn't find another Lindstein/Stenberg in the 20s of this draft, maybe even better. They can't pick only once in the 1st two rounds. That needs to be addressed at the deadline for sure.

So Gavin McKenna was arrested for Felony aggravated assault. When I first saw the news I figured this would definitely hurt him come draft day but if the rumors of what happened are true, he moves back to #1 on my board.

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:13 pm So Gavin McKenna was arrested for Felony aggravated assault. When I first saw the news I figured this would definitely hurt him come draft day but if the rumors of what happened are true, he moves back to #1 on my board.

Do people not realize fighting is so common in hockey they have a specific penalty for it? Don’t pick fights with hockey players!

Dave's a mess wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:59 pm

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:13 pm So Gavin McKenna was arrested for Felony aggravated assault. When I first saw the news I figured this would definitely hurt him come draft day but if the rumors of what happened are true, he moves back to #1 on my board.

Do people not realize fighting is so common in hockey they have a specific penalty for it? Don’t pick fights with hockey players!

Would be a shame if this actually impacts the kids future. At what point is someone repeatedly drunkingly harassing your mom not legal grounds to knock em out? Allegedly.

If the Blues don't get the first pick overall, should we trade up to make sure we draft Stenberg, especially given the other talent (we could really use a top defense prospect, too)? If so, how much should we be willing to trade to get him?

RAFritchey wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 6:46 pm If the Blues don't get the first pick overall, should we trade up to make sure we draft Stenberg, especially given the other talent (we could really use a top defense prospect, too)? If so, how much should we be willing to trade to get him?

Depends how many picks they end up with and how the lottery treats them. I’m sure they’ll get a few more picks at the deadline, but who knows haw far they’ll have to move up.

RAFritchey wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 6:46 pm If the Blues don't get the first pick overall, should we trade up to make sure we draft Stenberg, especially given the other talent (we could really use a top defense prospect, too)? If so, how much should we be willing to trade to get him?

I think the level of players in the top 4-6 spots is so close that teams will be drafting for needs or who they like and each team's draft board will be different than others.

Our draft position is going to be high enough that if Ivar says to the other teams he'd prefer to play with his brother I believe they will acquiesce. I think he's going to be our pick if that is really what Ivar wants.

I think McKenna is a lock for #1.

Not having a 2nd rounder (right now) would greatly hinder the Blues chances of trading up.

Also there is just a very real chance Stenberg doesn't even go top 2. Although there's a very real chance he goes #1.

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 9:51 am

Dave's a mess wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:59 pm

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:13 pm So Gavin McKenna was arrested for Felony aggravated assault. When I first saw the news I figured this would definitely hurt him come draft day but if the rumors of what happened are true, he moves back to #1 on my board.

Do people not realize fighting is so common in hockey they have a specific penalty for it? Don’t pick fights with hockey players!

Would be a shame if this actually impacts the kids future. At what point is someone repeatedly drunkingly harassing your mom not legal grounds to knock em out? Allegedly.

If we assume the general shape of the story is as reported, I doubt it has a major impact on his draft status at least. Tim will correct me if I'm wrong, but it seemed like while McKenna's draft status might have slipped a little the first part of the season, he was still at worst in the very top echelon of players in the draft, and certainly still in consideration for #1 overall depending on which scout you talk to. I think he'd picked it up a bit recently as well. If 4-5 players makeup that top group, I doubt this moves him any lower than 5.

Now if there's more to the story, who's to say what happens. But while teams want players that aren't going to put themselves in bad positions off the ice, I don't think this particular story (if true) is going to scare teams away. I'm also assuming he's not going to end up with a felony conviction at the end of the day. That obviously wouldn't be great for his draft stock.

Dave's a mess wrote: Fri Feb 06, 2026 9:36 am

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 9:51 am

Dave's a mess wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:59 pm

Do people not realize fighting is so common in hockey they have a specific penalty for it? Don’t pick fights with hockey players!

Would be a shame if this actually impacts the kids future. At what point is someone repeatedly drunkingly harassing your mom not legal grounds to knock em out? Allegedly.

If we assume the general shape of the story is as reported, I doubt it has a major impact on his draft status at least. Tim will correct me if I'm wrong, but it seemed like while McKenna's draft status might have slipped a little the first part of the season, he was still at worst in the very top echelon of players in the draft, and certainly still in consideration for #1 overall depending on which scout you talk to. I think he'd picked it up a bit recently as well. If 4-5 players makeup that top group, I doubt this moves him any lower than 5.

Now if there's more to the story, who's to say what happens. But while teams want players that aren't going to put themselves in bad positions off the ice, I don't think this particular story (if true) is going to scare teams away. I'm also assuming he's not going to end up with a felony conviction at the end of the day. That obviously wouldn't be great for his draft stock.

It's not so much the story that will impact his draft stock, it's that he now has a felony charge to deal with. He faces up to 20 years in prison so that definitely could alter his draft stock haha

if the story is as said, you would hope the other dude sobered up and realized he was the cause of the whole thing and doesn't want to go through with charges, but it's 100% going to turn into a lawsuit and money grab now as well.

The biggest problem is that most likely none of this will be resolved by draft day. Especially if it's something that goes to actual trial.

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Fri Feb 06, 2026 10:24 am

Dave's a mess wrote: Fri Feb 06, 2026 9:36 am

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 9:51 am

Would be a shame if this actually impacts the kids future. At what point is someone repeatedly drunkingly harassing your mom not legal grounds to knock em out? Allegedly.

If we assume the general shape of the story is as reported, I doubt it has a major impact on his draft status at least. Tim will correct me if I'm wrong, but it seemed like while McKenna's draft status might have slipped a little the first part of the season, he was still at worst in the very top echelon of players in the draft, and certainly still in consideration for #1 overall depending on which scout you talk to. I think he'd picked it up a bit recently as well. If 4-5 players makeup that top group, I doubt this moves him any lower than 5.

Now if there's more to the story, who's to say what happens. But while teams want players that aren't going to put themselves in bad positions off the ice, I don't think this particular story (if true) is going to scare teams away. I'm also assuming he's not going to end up with a felony conviction at the end of the day. That obviously wouldn't be great for his draft stock.

It's not so much the story that will impact his draft stock, it's that he now has a felony charge to deal with. He faces up to 20 years in prison so that definitely could alter his draft stock haha

if the story is as said, you would hope the other dude sobered up and realized he was the cause of the whole thing and doesn't want to go through with charges, but it's 100% going to turn into a lawsuit and money grab now as well.

The biggest problem is that most likely none of this will be resolved by draft day. Especially if it's something that goes to actual trial.

I'd be shocked if this isn't a plea down to something miniscule, but I'm not a lawyer. There's a hearing next week, so maybe that sheds some light onto things.

Good.

McKenna is the best player in the draft.....hands down, nobody is even on his level when it comes to talent and the way he thinks the game. All these talking heads are making a case for Stenberg because that's the only thing they can do for the next 4 months. McKenna is going first overall.

Now lets get into the rest of the draft. My rankings and opinion of course

Ivar Stenberg is going #2....the one thing he has on McKenna is a better 200ft game. Locked in #2 pick.
Carson Carels -He's the best overall dman in the draft. You draft him, 15 years of solid #1 LHD on your blueline. Skates like Jaybo.
Chase Reid - Best offensive dman in the draft hands down. Defensive game might struggle at NHL level
Keaton Vehoeff - EJ part two....GM's wont be able to pass on the size but to me he's EJ and I ain't taking him before #5
Alberts Smits - This is the guy to watch, he could definitely rise and sneak into the top 3 and he's playing in the Olympics for Latvia
Daxon Rudolph - The right handed version of Carels.. How this kid is not getting more press is beyond me. I might take him over both Red and Verhoeff
Caleb Malhotra - Not a fan of the centers in this draft but Malhotra is my pick for the first center off the board.
Ethan Belchetz - if you want a big mean goal scoring forward, this is your guy.
Viggo Bjorck - Small but extremely talented and he makes things happen when he has the puck.

Wanted to mention Tynan Lawrence. I know that he's going top 10....he's just not in my top 10. I have him right now at #11. I do think Malhotra is the better player but it's a weak year for centers.
Back to Stenberg, there is a lot i like about him. I will probably be the only one you hear say this but there were times in the WJC's than Stenberg reminded me of TJ Oshie and to me that's a good thing as Osh is one of my favorite players ever. I just think McKenna is closer to elite level than Stenberg.
My guess is that we will end up with another late round pick as well after Army sends some guys packing. with that late round pick I'm looking at Tomas Chrenko. The puck just always finds this guy and he makes things happen. He was very good in the WJC's for Slovakia. In fact I feel like he should be ranked higher than where he's coming in at.

How i'd like to see it play out
We get McKenna or Stenberg , add a late round pick and grab Chrenko

More likely
Carels or Reid and Cherenko

Dream scenario if we end up with three picks
McKenna or Stenberg
Rudolph
Cherenko

Do not sleep on Carson Carels or Daxon Rudoph.

NHLTIM wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 9:10 am McKenna is the best player in the draft.....hands down, nobody is even on his level when it comes to talent and the way he thinks the game. All these talking heads are making a case for Stenberg because that's the only thing they can do for the next 4 months. McKenna is going first overall.

Now lets get into the rest of the draft. My rankings and opinion of course

Ivar Stenberg is going #2....the one thing he has on McKenna is a better 200ft game. Locked in #2 pick.
Carson Carels -He's the best overall dman in the draft. You draft him, 15 years of solid #1 LHD on your blueline. Skates like Jaybo.
Chase Reid - Best offensive dman in the draft hands down. Defensive game might struggle at NHL level
Keaton Vehoeff - EJ part two....GM's wont be able to pass on the size but to me he's EJ and I ain't taking him before #5
Alberts Smits - This is the guy to watch, he could definitely rise and sneak into the top 3 and he's playing in the Olympics for Latvia
Daxon Rudolph - The right handed version of Carels.. How this kid is not getting more press is beyond me. I might take him over both Red and Verhoeff
Caleb Malhotra - Not a fan of the centers in this draft but Malhotra is my pick for the first center off the board.
Ethan Belchetz - if you want a big mean goal scoring forward, this is your guy.
Viggo Bjorck - Small but extremely talented and he makes things happen when he has the puck.

Wanted to mention Tynan Lawrence. I know that he's going top 10....he's just not in my top 10. I have him right now at #11. I do think Malhotra is the better player but it's a weak year for centers.
Back to Stenberg, there is a lot i like about him. I will probably be the only one you hear say this but there were times in the WJC's than Stenberg reminded me of TJ Oshie and to me that's a good thing as Osh is one of my favorite players ever. I just think McKenna is closer to elite level than Stenberg.
My guess is that we will end up with another late round pick as well after Army sends some guys packing. with that late round pick I'm looking at Tomas Chrenko. The puck just always finds this guy and he makes things happen. He was very good in the WJC's for Slovakia. In fact I feel like he should be ranked higher than where he's coming in at.

How i'd like to see it play out
We get McKenna or Stenberg , add a late round pick and grab Chrenko

More likely
Carels or Reid and Cherenko

Dream scenario if we end up with three picks
McKenna or Stenberg
Rudolph
Cherenko

Do not sleep on Carson Carels or Daxon Rudoph.

I agree with you on McKenna. I like your assessment of the rest of the top players.

I'm on Team Ivar because I think #1 is not going to come our way.

Thank you.

Thanks as always for the knowledge Tim. I hate that we need to know about the top few guys, but at least the crappy season won't be for naught.

Tim is going the be pissed draft day when the Blues take Verhoeff #3

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sun Feb 08, 2026 6:38 am Tim is going the be pissed draft day when the Blues take Verhoeff #3

You wouldn’t be wrong

NHLTIM wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 9:10 am McKenna is the best player in the draft.....hands down, nobody is even on his level when it comes to talent and the way he thinks the game. All these talking heads are making a case for Stenberg because that's the only thing they can do for the next 4 months. McKenna is going first overall.

Now lets get into the rest of the draft. My rankings and opinion of course

Ivar Stenberg is going #2....the one thing he has on McKenna is a better 200ft game. Locked in #2 pick.
Carson Carels -He's the best overall dman in the draft. You draft him, 15 years of solid #1 LHD on your blueline. Skates like Jaybo.
Chase Reid - Best offensive dman in the draft hands down. Defensive game might struggle at NHL level
Keaton Vehoeff - EJ part two....GM's wont be able to pass on the size but to me he's EJ and I ain't taking him before #5
Alberts Smits - This is the guy to watch, he could definitely rise and sneak into the top 3 and he's playing in the Olympics for Latvia
Daxon Rudolph - The right handed version of Carels.. How this kid is not getting more press is beyond me. I might take him over both Red and Verhoeff
Caleb Malhotra - Not a fan of the centers in this draft but Malhotra is my pick for the first center off the board.
Ethan Belchetz - if you want a big mean goal scoring forward, this is your guy.
Viggo Bjorck - Small but extremely talented and he makes things happen when he has the puck.

Wanted to mention Tynan Lawrence. I know that he's going top 10....he's just not in my top 10. I have him right now at #11. I do think Malhotra is the better player but it's a weak year for centers.
Back to Stenberg, there is a lot i like about him. I will probably be the only one you hear say this but there were times in the WJC's than Stenberg reminded me of TJ Oshie and to me that's a good thing as Osh is one of my favorite players ever. I just think McKenna is closer to elite level than Stenberg.
My guess is that we will end up with another late round pick as well after Army sends some guys packing. with that late round pick I'm looking at Tomas Chrenko. The puck just always finds this guy and he makes things happen. He was very good in the WJC's for Slovakia. In fact I feel like he should be ranked higher than where he's coming in at.

How i'd like to see it play out
We get McKenna or Stenberg , add a late round pick and grab Chrenko

More likely
Carels or Reid and Cherenko

Dream scenario if we end up with three picks
McKenna or Stenberg
Rudolph
Cherenko

Do not sleep on Carson Carels or Daxon Rudoph.

So good to hear from you Tim! Thanks for sharing. Here’s to a complete Blues melt down to finish out the season. We need that top 2 pick bad!!

NHLTIM wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 9:10 am McKenna is the best player in the draft.....hands down, nobody is even on his level when it comes to talent and the way he thinks the game. All these talking heads are making a case for Stenberg because that's the only thing they can do for the next 4 months. McKenna is going first overall.

Now lets get into the rest of the draft. My rankings and opinion of course

Ivar Stenberg is going #2....the one thing he has on McKenna is a better 200ft game. Locked in #2 pick.
Carson Carels -He's the best overall dman in the draft. You draft him, 15 years of solid #1 LHD on your blueline. Skates like Jaybo.
Chase Reid - Best offensive dman in the draft hands down. Defensive game might struggle at NHL level
Keaton Vehoeff - EJ part two....GM's wont be able to pass on the size but to me he's EJ and I ain't taking him before #5
Alberts Smits - This is the guy to watch, he could definitely rise and sneak into the top 3 and he's playing in the Olympics for Latvia
Daxon Rudolph - The right handed version of Carels.. How this kid is not getting more press is beyond me. I might take him over both Red and Verhoeff
Caleb Malhotra - Not a fan of the centers in this draft but Malhotra is my pick for the first center off the board.
Ethan Belchetz - if you want a big mean goal scoring forward, this is your guy.
Viggo Bjorck - Small but extremely talented and he makes things happen when he has the puck.

Wanted to mention Tynan Lawrence. I know that he's going top 10....he's just not in my top 10. I have him right now at #11. I do think Malhotra is the better player but it's a weak year for centers.
Back to Stenberg, there is a lot i like about him. I will probably be the only one you hear say this but there were times in the WJC's than Stenberg reminded me of TJ Oshie and to me that's a good thing as Osh is one of my favorite players ever. I just think McKenna is closer to elite level than Stenberg.
My guess is that we will end up with another late round pick as well after Army sends some guys packing. with that late round pick I'm looking at Tomas Chrenko. The puck just always finds this guy and he makes things happen. He was very good in the WJC's for Slovakia. In fact I feel like he should be ranked higher than where he's coming in at.

How i'd like to see it play out
We get McKenna or Stenberg , add a late round pick and grab Chrenko

More likely
Carels or Reid and Cherenko

Dream scenario if we end up with three picks
McKenna or Stenberg
Rudolph
Cherenko

Do not sleep on Carson Carels or Daxon Rudoph.

That's disheartening to hear... oshie was "eh" here and only became the player he was in OV's shadow

we don't have an OV so stenberg, here, will be a waste of a pick so judging by this assessment its mckenna or bust