Blackhawks Combine Notebook: Stenberg, Reid, Malhotra, More – Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The 2026 NHL Prospect Combine was this past week (June 1-6) in Buffalo, New York. The top 90 prospects met for interviews and fitness tests, so teams could get a final look at the candidates before making draft decisions later this month. The NHL Entry Draft is just around the corner, on Jun. 26-27.

For the Chicago Blackhawks, a lot of controversy surrounds their fourth overall pick. The organization is actually at the mercy of the first three selections made before them by the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks. This results in the Blackhawks having many potential options and candidates to consider.

With that in mind, here are some key notes from the Combine about who could be available at the No. 4 spot.

Blackhawks Interview Strategy

It turns out that the Blackhawks once again chose NOT to take any chances at the Combine dinner. They didn’t last year either, meaning the last prospect they released was defenseman Artyom Levshunov, the second overall pick in the 2024 Draft.

The Hawks felt that the interview process was sufficient. After all, they have done extensive research on these young players. General manager Kyle Davidson said after the Draft Lottery on May 5,

A lot of work goes into before something like the Combine happens. We talk to a lot of people along the way to make sure we understand these players.

So when you get to the combine there is already a connection where there may be an area scout or a crossover scout. It’s actually a fun experience when you just confirm at that moment. For us right now, we already have a good sense of who a lot of these players are. It includes a final check of a few questions, and I get to know myself better, having not met many of these players. A great final piece of the puzzle.

All told, the Blackhawks’ GM indicated that they would take the “best player available” for their fourth overall pick. This means they were busy at the Combine getting final impressions from a few prospects. But who do they mean? Let’s see if we can find a clue about what happened at the Combine.

Observations from the Combine

All signs point to Gavin McKenna not being available for the Blackhawks. Most experts believe that he will be taken by the Maple Leafs first overall. But after that, things seem to be up in the air.

At the second overall pick, it is known that the Sharks need a defense. So will they select defenseman Chase Reid (right, RHD)? On the other side of the coin, they still need more power forward. Which means outfielder Ivar Stenberg or midfielder Caleb Malhotra are off the table. Appropriately, the Sharks took defensemen Reid, Carson Cares and Keaton Verhoeff to dinner this week. But wait! They also treated Stenberg to dinner. It is clear that the Sharks are not showing their hand.

The Canucks, on the other hand, are rebuilding and need help everywhere. With the third overall pick, they would be very tempted to select Malhotra, especially since his father (Manny Malhotra) was recently named the new coach of the Canucks. However, nothing is offered.

With all of this uncertainty, it is in the best interest of the Blackhawks to consider all three of Reid, Stenberg and Malhotra as potential players in the 4th spot. If the forwards and/or Reid are off the board, D-men Carels (LD), Verhoeff (RD) and Alberts Smits (LD), could also be options. It may all come down to character, offer and consideration to fit the Blackhawks program.

Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun Times reported that the Blackhawks had met with Reid previously at his home in Detroit. They actually took him out to dinner! That’s a good sign that the organization has a lot of interest in the young D-man once the top three players are in place.

Aptitude Test Notes

Now that we’ve covered who the Blackhawks might be targeting with the fourth pick, let’s get to the fitness testing part of the Combine. Our Mark Scheig reported the heights and weights of all the prospects. Here is the official listing of the aforementioned Blackhawks targets.

• *Carson Cares (LHD), Prince George Cougars (WHL): 6-foot-1.75, 198 pounds
• Caleb Malhotra (C), Brantford Bulldogs (OHL): 6-foot-1.75, 185 pounds
• Chase Reid (RHD), Soo Greyhounds (OHL): 6-foot-2.5, 190 pounds
• Alberts Smits (LHD), Jukurit (Liiga): 6-foot-2.75, 209 pounds
• *Ivar Stenberg (LW/RW), Frolunda HC (SHL): 5-foot-11, 183 pounds
• Keaton Verhoeff (RHD), University of North Dakota (NCAA): 6-foot-4, 215 pounds

*It should be noted that Stenberg and Carols did not participate in fitness testing (including obtaining updated heights and weights). Stenberg opted out after falling ill after participating in the recent World Championships, and Carols was injured in the WHL playoffs. Their ratings were last compiled by NHL Central Scouting.

Malhotra did very well in the fitness test, finishing in the top 10 in five categories. He was 10th in 14:09 in the Vo2 Max bike test, his vertical jump of 22.8 inches tied for fifth, and in the pro agility shuttle run he tied for eighth from the left (4.4 seconds) and tied for 10th from the right (4.4 seconds). He also tied for ninth in the 10m sprint, with a time of 2.11 seconds.

The leading scorer is tied for 13^th in the horizontal jump, with a distance of 108.5 inches. Finally, he finished 18th in maximum power output on the Wingate bicycle ergometer test, one of the most popular tests at the Combine because of its intensity. Malhotra’s output was 15.9 watts of power per kilogram of body weight.

Verhoeff was in the top 10 in three categories. In the pro agility Shuttle run, he finished tied for third when starting right (4.27 seconds), and tied for eighth when starting left (4.4 seconds). He was tied for ninth in the left tackle at 168 pounds. Verhoeff also tied for 15th place with 12 pullups and had the 18th longest wingspan at 77.5 inches.

Reid has 11 arrests^th bench press. He measured 6.0 watts/kg. He was also in the top 25 with a 76.5 inch wingspan.

Smits had 8 arrests^th among prospects weighing 165 pounds for right tackle and tied for 16^th left hand grip (155 pounds of force).

For the Blackhawks, everything will depend on who is available when their number is called with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Will they stay with this kit?! We’ll get to some of the draft trade conditions in a separate episode.

But for now, they gained valuable insight at this year’s Combine. If they stay at number 4, they should bring a quality player.