Recruits 2026 and Beyond

[The Rancor]

Coco Armstrong January highlight reel:

Ironworker OTM

That first goal off the steal is glorious.

[Beeeej]

Coco Armstrong January highlight reel:

Ironworker OTM

That first goal off the steal is glorious.

Love this kid's style and his obvious joy.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Armstrong is turning 20 soon. Physical player with solid numbers, seems like a decent recruit. It's concerning that we're bringing in another forward - perhaps Walsh is gone. Honestly though I'm mostly worried about goaltending at this point. If Cournoyer blindsided the coaches with his decision then we're pretty fucked.

We also tend to carry a good amount of extra guys. Plus, Armstrong is RW. Walsh is C.

In that case, I have to imagine Dec is going back to juniors for another year. Another Pelletier situation waiting to happen?

Coulda been worse.  Robertson is every 1/2 day (or less).

[BearLover]

NHL Central Scouting final rankings are out: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/final-central-scouting-2026-international-draft-rankings-released

North American Skater Rankings:
Tuminaro 96
Puglisi 112
Caton Ryan 177

[stereax]

NHL Central Scouting final rankings are out: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/final-central-scouting-2026-international-draft-rankings-released

North American Skater Rankings:
Tuminaro 96
Puglisi 112
Caton Ryan 177

they don't think caton ryan is good at hockey???

[stereax]

NHL Central Scouting final rankings are out: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/final-central-scouting-2026-international-draft-rankings-released

North American Skater Rankings:
Tuminaro 96
Puglisi 112
Caton Ryan 177

they don't think caton ryan is good at hockey???

Out of age range?

No, he's still draft eligible - which is why he's ranked. I assume the reason he's ranked so low is because he's an overager, he's playing in the Ivy League so people don't put eyes on him as much, and perhaps concern that he's being carried by Walsh or Castagna. But 30 points in 34 games as a freshman in the Ivy League is a 0.88 ppg pace - higher than guys like Roger McQueen, in fact. And the toolset is definitely there. Would be an interesting late-round pick, in my (admittedly biased!) opinion, if you're an NHL team.

Interesting sidenote - Ryan is listed as a C on the skater rankings.

[BearLover]

NHL Central Scouting final rankings are out: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/final-central-scouting-2026-international-draft-rankings-released

North American Skater Rankings:
Tuminaro 96
Puglisi 112
Caton Ryan 177

they don't think caton ryan is good at hockey???

Out of age range?

Interesting sidenote - Ryan is listed as a C on the skater rankings.

What do you mean by this?

177 is great for a double overager, most of whom never remotely sniff these lists or get drafted. Putting up a point per game is obviously very good but NHL teams are going to discount that if you do it when you're 20.

[Trotsky]

Current commits.

Would anybody with some knowledge like to take a stab at predicting the Fall they will enter?  I assume Armstong (F) and Wehmann (F) are a lock for Fall 26.  With Alexis gone (still not official!!!) that probably means Cirka (G) comes in Fall 26 too.  Arend (F), Hughes (F), Randle (D), and Sandruck (F) all turn 20 prior to September.

[stereax]

NHL Central Scouting final rankings are out: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/final-central-scouting-2026-international-draft-rankings-released

North American Skater Rankings:
Tuminaro 96
Puglisi 112
Caton Ryan 177

they don't think caton ryan is good at hockey???

Out of age range?

Interesting sidenote - Ryan is listed as a C on the skater rankings.

What do you mean by this?

177 is great for a double overager, most of whom never remotely sniff these lists or get drafted. Putting up a point per game is obviously very good but NHL teams are going to discount that if you do it when you're 20.

He's... listed as a C (center) on the rankings.

Cato is still 19, actually. He turns 20 in June. He's a couple days younger than Celebrini. And came here, as per Casey, a year ahead of schedule. (Also, it was - mostly - a joke. I don't seriously think the guy is a first-rounder.)

[stereax]

Current commits.

Would anybody with some knowledge like to take a stab at predicting the Fall they will enter?  I assume Armstong (F) and Wehmann (F) are a lock for Fall 26.  With Alexis gone (still not official!!!) that probably means Cirka (G) comes in Fall 26 too.  Arend (F), Hughes (F), Randle (D), and Sandruck (F) all turn 20 prior to September.

I think we bring in the first three this year? And Dec as well, I think. Haven't heard about Sandruck though. But I'm an idiot pontificating on the internet.

[BearLover]

NHL Central Scouting final rankings are out: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/final-central-scouting-2026-international-draft-rankings-released

North American Skater Rankings:
Tuminaro 96
Puglisi 112
Caton Ryan 177

they don't think caton ryan is good at hockey???

Out of age range?

Interesting sidenote - Ryan is listed as a C on the skater rankings.

What do you mean by this?

177 is great for a double overager, most of whom never remotely sniff these lists or get drafted. Putting up a point per game is obviously very good but NHL teams are going to discount that if you do it when you're 20.

He's... listed as a C (center) on the rankings.

Cato is still 19, actually. He turns 20 in June. He's a couple days younger than Celebrini. And came here, as per Casey, a year ahead of schedule. (Also, it was - mostly - a joke. I don't seriously think the guy is a first-rounder.)

Oh. I thought you meant C rating. Central scouting assigns letter grades to players in earlier rankings and I wasn't seeing that anywhere.

[stereax]

NHL Central Scouting final rankings are out: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/final-central-scouting-2026-international-draft-rankings-released

North American Skater Rankings:
Tuminaro 96
Puglisi 112
Caton Ryan 177

they don't think caton ryan is good at hockey???

Out of age range?

Interesting sidenote - Ryan is listed as a C on the skater rankings.

What do you mean by this?

177 is great for a double overager, most of whom never remotely sniff these lists or get drafted. Putting up a point per game is obviously very good but NHL teams are going to discount that if you do it when you're 20.

He's... listed as a C (center) on the rankings.

Cato is still 19, actually. He turns 20 in June. He's a couple days younger than Celebrini. And came here, as per Casey, a year ahead of schedule. (Also, it was - mostly - a joke. I don't seriously think the guy is a first-rounder.)

Oh. I thought you meant C rating. Central scouting assigns letter grades to players in earlier rankings and I wasn't seeing that anywhere.

Oh - no, I don't see that. Though I should find some way to get my hands on the EP guide for this year when it comes out, because those guys rate their players.

[BearLover]

Current commits.

Would anybody with some knowledge like to take a stab at predicting the Fall they will enter?  I assume Armstong (F) and Wehmann (F) are a lock for Fall 26.  With Alexis gone (still not official!!!) that probably means Cirka (G) comes in Fall 26 too.  Arend (F), Hughes (F), Randle (D), and Sandruck (F) all turn 20 prior to September.

Cirka should not come. I would definitely think we take a goalie out of the portal instead. Sandruck decommitted awhile ago.  Armstrong, Wehmann, Arend, Hughes, Randle, Tuminaro highly likely to come. Hopefully Dec too to avoid a Pelletier scenario.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Current commits.

Would anybody with some knowledge like to take a stab at predicting the Fall they will enter?  I assume Armstong (F) and Wehmann (F) are a lock for Fall 26.  With Alexis gone (still not official!!!) that probably means Cirka (G) comes in Fall 26 too.  Arend (F), Hughes (F), Randle (D), and Sandruck (F) all turn 20 prior to September.

Cirka should not come. I would definitely think we take a goalie out of the portal instead. Sandruck decommitted awhile ago.  Armstrong, Wehmann, Arend, Hughes, Randle, Tuminaro highly likely to come. Hopefully Dec too to avoid a Pelletier scenario.

Wow, that wasn't even half a day.

[Trotsky]

Sandruck decommitted awhile ago.

Oh shit.  Thanks.