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The Official 2026 Off-Season Thread: Revenge of the Nerds

Without further ado, here are my May rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft:
No. 1: Ivar Stenberg, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Frolunda (SHL)
Stenberg is the most complete winger in the draft class. His combination of skill, three-zone detail and overall compete stands out. Stenberg is equal parts play driver/shooter and a future first-line NHL forward who can be deployed in all situations if required. He produced 11 goals and 22 assists playing pro in Sweden’s top league, the SHL, this year and is currently part of Sweden’s men’s national team for the World Championship in Switzerland.
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No. 2: Gavin McKenna, LW, 6-foot, 170 pounds, Penn State (NCAA)
McKenna’s second half of the season at the NCAA level produced fantastic results offensively. He ended his freshman season at Penn State with 15 goals and 36 assists in 35 games, but he contributed 11 goals and 22 assists over his final 18 games. He averaged over 22 minutes per game of ice time, with the bulk of his shifts coming at even strength and the power play. McKenna’s defensive detail improved over the course of the season, but he still has work to do off the puck. His minus-7, in relation to his offence and number of games played, is something that stands out for me compared to Stenberg.
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Here we go. Sportsnet starting shit.
 
I think they want to avoid the distraction while they are still in the playoffs. He's still getting paid, so he's just basically been benched.

He's also probably the 1A available coach this offseason, meaning teams will wait.
 
zeke said:
ME's strategy but with trocheck instead of coyle would make us really good really quick.


Knies --- Matthews --- McKenna
Cowan --- Trocheck --- Nylander
Maccelli --- Tavares --- Robertson
Lorentz --- xxxxxxx ---- Joshua

McCabe ---- Tanev
Rielly --- Raddysh
OEL --- Andersson

Woll
Stolarz
​

Easily fits the cap.

That tavares line could be sheltered.

Could do the pairs this way with McCabe's pair the shutdown pair, Mo's pair the offensive pair, and the swedes as an all purpose pair.....or you could balance the pairs with McCabe-Raddysh and Rielly-Tanev. In either set up all 3 pairs would play pretty even minutes.
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Move one of Maccelli or Robertson for a young 4LC and sign Kane. Start McKenna on line 3 the power play and let him grow from that spot.
 
Age 19:

Matthews 82gms, 17:38, 40gl/69pt pace
Marner 77gms, 16:49, 20gl/65pt pace
Nylander 22gms, 16:20, 22gl/49pt pace - held down on the marlies to help the matthews tank job
Nylander (20): 81gms, 16:01, 22gl/62pt pace


just play McKenna in his rightful role, imo.
 
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