2026 NHL Draft Preview with Byron Bader
Summary
Apples & Ginos Fantasy Hockey welcomes back Byron Bader from HockeyProspecting.com to preview the 2026 NHL Draft. Bader explains his updated model, which uses NHL equivalence and age-dependent development to rank prospects. The discussion highlights top picks like Carson Carols and Keaton Verhoff, while analyzing centers Tynan Lawrence and Caleb Malhotra for dynasty value.
Topics discussed
Intro: Byron Bader joins to discuss 2026 NHL Draft prospects
Explaining the HockeyProspecting model and D-minus metrics
Top 3 prospects: McKenna, Stenberg, and Celebrini analysis
Top Defensemen: Carols, Reed, and the depth of the class
Keaton Verhoff: Size, production, and draft stock concerns
Daxon Hamlett and Oliver Bonk: High upside vs. size
Omitted Defensemen: Albert Smith and Malte Strömwall
Top Centers: Tyne Lawrence's age and development path
Caleb Malhotra and Vigo Bjork: Centers with high ceilings
Byron's Sleeper Picks: Hurlburt, Nordmark, and Russian prospects
Outro: Canucks analytics joke and where to find Byron Bader
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