Prospect Info: 2024 25 Devils DRAFT Thread

[Billdo]

2025 Draft Profile:

C Ivan Ryabkin, Muskegon USHL
A prospective top 5, if not even higher, pick coming into this season, Ivan Ryabkin's draft year has been nothing short of a disaster. He followed up an excellent D-1 season with Dynamo Moscow's MHL affiliate by...essentially burning all bridges with the team. His poor conditioning, poor engagement, poor body language, and horrid sense of entitlement quickly soured the organization, stifling any shot at an extended KHL look. His MHL performance nose-dived over a lack of concern, even leading to some healthy scratches, and he eventually bailed to the USHL in an attempt to save his draft stock.

This, up front, does not sound like a player I would like, but I believe there's still reason to believe. Let's talk skills first. Ryabkin never stopped being a top 5 (well, maybe more top 10 now) talent in the draft. His playmaking is some of the best in the class in spite of how goal-weighted his USHL totals are, and his one timer is heavy and accurate. Ryabkin's vision and creativity are otherworldy, and while he doesn't always apply them productively, he's capable of wowing with his puck movement. His skating is fluid and steady, being able to not just handle at speed but attack defenders head-on, though his pace leaves you wanting more.

Most intriguingly, though, is that Ryabkin is a full blown psychopath. It's not just that he's physical, sure, he finishes checks, but he's outright dirty. Ryabkin will headshot players, slewfoot, board, throw elbows, tackle behind play, basically do anything; if it's illegal, he's tried it. He doesn't always have the game sense for when to pull these stunts either, sometimes randomly taking someone out. What isn't random, though, is how fierce of a teammate he is. Yes, the player who I said can be pouty and have poor body language is a hyper competitive teammate. Ryabkin will be the first person to stand up for his linemate and lay out whoever hit him. Think Kadri level passion here.

Ryabkin and his enigma of a draft year have proven to be immensely hard for the scouting world to fully grasp, and who's to say I'm not the wrong one for still believing in him? I don't fault anyone for looking at all the red flags and wanting to pass on him, but at the same time, I think it's quite comical that his pure hockey ability is being underrated over it. This is an exceptionally talented playmaking center, with very solid goal scoring upside, who can play a nasty, heavy forechecking game. The question is over whether or not he can get it together, not if he's fundamentally good enough to make it. Things like his conditioning and entitlement will need to put into check, and I imagine the pace instantly improves if the former does, but I want to believe I'm seeing progress with body language and engagement, even if he'll still throw plays away at times. Ryabkin will need a ton of patience and likely annoy the crap out of people even at his best, but I would kill to pick this kid up at 50. Absolutely, positively everything we need to add all in one player, and it would be near all time value to land him mid 2nd should he hit.

This is what I want lol

 

[Forge]

2025 Draft Profile:

C Ivan Ryabkin, Muskegon USHL
A prospective top 5, if not even higher, pick coming into this season, Ivan Ryabkin's draft year has been nothing short of a disaster. He followed up an excellent D-1 season with Dynamo Moscow's MHL affiliate by...essentially burning all bridges with the team. His poor conditioning, poor engagement, poor body language, and horrid sense of entitlement quickly soured the organization, stifling any shot at an extended KHL look. His MHL performance nose-dived over a lack of concern, even leading to some healthy scratches, and he eventually bailed to the USHL in an attempt to save his draft stock.

This, up front, does not sound like a player I would like, but I believe there's still reason to believe. Let's talk skills first. Ryabkin never stopped being a top 5 (well, maybe more top 10 now) talent in the draft. His playmaking is some of the best in the class in spite of how goal-weighted his USHL totals are, and his one timer is heavy and accurate. Ryabkin's vision and creativity are otherworldy, and while he doesn't always apply them productively, he's capable of wowing with his puck movement. His skating is fluid and steady, being able to not just handle at speed but attack defenders head-on, though his pace leaves you wanting more.

Most intriguingly, though, is that Ryabkin is a full blown psychopath. It's not just that he's physical, sure, he finishes checks, but he's outright dirty. Ryabkin will headshot players, slewfoot, board, throw elbows, tackle behind play, basically do anything; if it's illegal, he's tried it. He doesn't always have the game sense for when to pull these stunts either, sometimes randomly taking someone out. What isn't random, though, is how fierce of a teammate he is. Yes, the player who I said can be pouty and have poor body language is a hyper competitive teammate. Ryabkin will be the first person to stand up for his linemate and lay out whoever hit him. Think Kadri level passion here.

Ryabkin and his enigma of a draft year have proven to be immensely hard for the scouting world to fully grasp, and who's to say I'm not the wrong one for still believing in him? I don't fault anyone for looking at all the red flags and wanting to pass on him, but at the same time, I think it's quite comical that his pure hockey ability is being underrated over it. This is an exceptionally talented playmaking center, with very solid goal scoring upside, who can play a nasty, heavy forechecking game. The question is over whether or not he can get it together, not if he's fundamentally good enough to make it. Things like his conditioning and entitlement will need to put into check, and I imagine the pace instantly improves if the former does, but I want to believe I'm seeing progress with body language and engagement, even if he'll still throw plays away at times. Ryabkin will need a ton of patience and likely annoy the crap out of people even at his best, but I would kill to pick this kid up at 50. Absolutely, positively everything we need to add all in one player, and it would be near all time value to land him mid 2nd should he hit.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

RW Alexander Zharovsky, Ufa MHL
As has been a trend with Russian-based prospects this year, there's a lot of talent to be had, but not a lot of refinement yet, and Alexander Zharovsky is no exception. We are talking exceptional handling ability, deception, and creativity, like next level elite. Load up any highlight reel of the player and you'll be blown away by what you see. His ability to bait defenders and finesse the puck through traffic is top of the class, and his problem solving and flashes of higher level playmaking are exceptional. In terms of pure talent level, Zharovsky is likely not that far behind players that will go top 5 this year.

There are two elements to his game that must progress in the coming years in order for him to have a career: his skating and the maturity of his game. Now, with his skating, it's not to say he lacks shiftiness or any sort of higher gear, but he's one of those players who is fairly low pace/methodical in general, and with the puck on his stick, he only leans into it more. There's really no separation ability here, a lot of his success is coming from vision and skill (which, fundamentally, isn't bad since you'd always bet on skating being more likely to improve down the road, but this player will be closed in on quickly if he doesn't get anywhere with it).

Secondly, his game exudes a high degree of immaturity at this point. He's incredibly loose with the puck at times, creative to a fault, overcomplicating plays, and inconsistent with his effort level. There are flashes of wanting to backcheck or pressure defenders on the forecheck, but we don't see it with any sort of regularity yet. On top of all of this, he plays in a bit of a joke division in the MHL, so he isn't exactly being challenged to improve upon any of these things either.

Ultimately, the bet with Zharovsky is that he's at the very beginning of his development curve and both his mobility and habits will improve over time. I like to describe these players as stash and forget prospects; don't project them on a roster, don't bank on them hitting, just revisit them 4-5 years down the road and see what happens. I should note he did see some playoff KHL action at the end of the season, and while there were definitely still some issues, we at least saw a glimpse of him maybe being able to play in a more structured environment.

The baseline skill is elite and, factoring in anti-Russian bias on the floor, will likely lead him to being one of the most talented players still available when he's selected. For us, I've been begging Tom to take upside picks for a few years now and would appreciate seeing him select the 6'1" winger out of Russia. We seem to favor hockey sense and pro league showings with our early picks, so while his game isn't exactly Tom-coded, coupled with the preestablished Ufa connection, there might be reason to believe we'd at least think about him at 50.

Outstanding write-ups of Zharovsky and Ryabkin -- we're all lucky to have you, Evan!

I think both of these players slip into the 2nd round because, quite frankly, it's a huge gamble taking either one in the 1st round. GMs and scouts, in my experience, are truly phobic about taking potential "busts" in the 1st round because it's something the media will make sure follows them around for the rest of their careers. In today's draft landscape, the mix of the words "red flags" and "Russian" sends most NHL front offices running for the hills.

As such, the Devils would be wise to snatch up either Ryabkin or Zharovsky (or both) if they are available with their 2nd round picks. Of course this is contingent on no other potential high-end forward dropping because, needless to say, in the miraculous alternate dimension where Kindel or Reschny is still available in the 50s, you take them no matter what.

But Reschny and Kindel will not be around that late. Ryabkin or Zharovsky, quite conceivably, could. And if they are, I might jump off a cliff if we pass on them for a 6'5 Scandinavian RW with minimal hockey sense and a big shot.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

C Jake O'Brien, Brantford OHL
No mistake should be made, Jake O'Brien's combination of passing vision/puck skills/offensive hockey IQ are absolutely elite and as good as any player in the entire 2025 NHL Draft. As good as Misa, as good as Hagens, as good as anyone. He's also a 6'2 right-shot center who racked up 98 points (66 assists in 66 games) and, with a June birthday, is one of the younger players in the class. So, how is it possible that such a talent could potentially drop out of the top 10 picks altogether?

Well, O'Brien's elite talents are mitigated by multiple areas of his overall game which must improve in order for him to succeed in top 6 role at the NHL level, and this is not a player-type who can conceivably carve out a bottom 6 role if he's not fit for a scoring line. This dichotomy makes O'Brien perhaps the most fascinating case study in the entire 2025 draft and, to my personal dismay, probably the most difficult prospect to describe in a few short paragraphs in literally years.

Let's start with the good. O'Brien is not simply a good passer -- he's almost supernatural. Eyes behind his head? Radar? Sonar? Echolocation? I think he's got all of those things. He sees plays before they develop, and has the rare combination of natural misdirection, opponent-manipulation and creativity to actually manufacture a play into development. He's special. He's able to slow down the game any time he's in any space whatsoever in the offensive zone by anticipating -- all at once -- defensive and teammate positioning, and can extend that time with an almost magical set of hands. He's certainly a pass-first player, but a marked improvement in his shot -- which I would now classify as "excellent" -- has elevated him into a true dual threat. In space and on the PP there is, quite simply, no deadlier offensive player in the 2025 draft.

Now, let's touch on the caveats. O'Brien is not a very good skater. I wouldn't call him "poor", but he's probably a tick below average, even at the OHL level. This hampers his transition and defensive game to a great degree, and though his hands are exquisite enough to turn defenders inside out, once he achieves this he lacks the burst to separate. Additionally, despite a 6'2 height he is reed-thin at maybe 160-165 pounds and clearly lacks physical strength. Though his compete level is great (and not in question), he is easy for physical opponents to knock off the puck, a non-factor in loose puck battles, and can struggle in all the greasy factors of the game. As such, O'Brien dominated all year on the power play -- scoring an unbelievable 1/2 of his overall points on the man advantage -- but was really only a "pretty good" player at 5x5, often not looking like a 1st round pick at all (much less top 10) at even strength.

So, where do you draft O'Brien? Honestly, it's the stumper of the 2025 draft. If he develops physically and can add a couple gears to his skating, he could potentially outscore Misa and Hagens in the NHL 15-20 years down the road. Or, he could wind up being a PP specialist a coach has to bury in the line-up at even strength -- not exactly something you'd want to spend a #6 overall pick on. He's scary to pass on because of the immense talent, but scary to draft because of the huge improvements needed. I'm certainly rooting for the kid, because when he's on his game he's incredibly fun to watch.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

LD Cameron Reid, Kitchener OHL
Cameron Reid is the easiest draft pick an NHL team will ever make. His floor is as high as you'll see for a D pick outside the top 15 -- there's virtually no doubt this kid will be a two-way, minute-munching, all-situations middle-pair defenseman at any level. His ceiling -- though maybe not superstar-caliber -- is also quite impressive. He's simply a flawless player who is very, very good at every aspect of hockey without possessing a singular "elite" talent and maybe a tick below the size NHL front offices like in their blueliners at 6'0-190.

Reid's best attributes, however, fall barely shy of elite. His skating and hockey IQ -- on either side of the puck -- are both extremely high end. The kid can fly, his top speeds blow past OHLers with stunning regularity, and his edges and 4-way mobility are nothing short of beautiful to watch. He's incredibly smart, and his positioning, gaps, misdirection and anticipation are so good he seems clairvoyant on the ice.

It's almost boring to describe Reid because he simply checks every box imaginable. He's an excellent defender, he's an excellent offensive producer, he's excellent in transition. He's an excellent shooter, passer and puck-handler. His work ethic and team ethic are excellent. If he has one weakness it's that his physical strength is good but not excellent, so he can be out-muscled by the most physical opponents.

Ultimately, Cameron Reid is an excellent pick anywhere after the top 10 because he's a no-doubt NHLer who is essentially plug-and-play in any blueline role or game situation. Is he a Matt Schaefer-type future Norris candidate? No, so he's not the sexiest pick in the world. Personally, I can't see anything wrong with taking an always-in-the-right-place, always-doing-the-right-thing-and-doing-it-well player, especially one who skates so phenomenally. He's absolutely a very smart pick for any and every NHL team.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Quick question for my fellow draft-folk here, because I'm really uncomfortable with ranking Jake O'Brien too high or too low.

You're GM of Philly drafting #6 or Boston drafting #7 -- both of which desperately need a scoring center. Jake O'Brien is available and Misa, Hagens, Frondell and Desnoyers are all off the board. Do you take a chance on O'Brien's immense offensive upside?

Honestly -- though I normally assert myself by this point in the draft year -- I have no idea if I would or not. He's scary to pass on but scary to draft.

 

[NiWa]

Quick question for my fellow draft-folk here, because I'm really uncomfortable with ranking Jake O'Brien too high or too low.

You're GM of Philly drafting #6 or Boston drafting #7 -- both of which desperately need a scoring center. Jake O'Brien is available and Misa, Hagens, Frondell and Desnoyers are all off the board. Do you take a chance on O'Brien's immense offensive upside?

Honestly -- though I normally assert myself by this point in the draft year -- I have no idea if I would or not. He's scary to pass on but scary to draft.

If you need a C, you'd pick between O'Brien, Martin and McQueen.
Winger-wise, you have Eklund and Bear to consider.

My gut would say yes, Philly could consider O'Brien the frontrunner. He's the most offensively gifted among those Centers.
If they were already set at C, you'd think they would take Eklund there.

Boston it's more open, they could also pick one of the Ds: Aitcheson, Smith or Mrtka.

 

[evnted]

Quick question for my fellow draft-folk here, because I'm really uncomfortable with ranking Jake O'Brien too high or too low.

You're GM of Philly drafting #6 or Boston drafting #7 -- both of which desperately need a scoring center. Jake O'Brien is available and Misa, Hagens, Frondell and Desnoyers are all off the board. Do you take a chance on O'Brien's immense offensive upside?

Honestly -- though I normally assert myself by this point in the draft year -- I have no idea if I would or not. He's scary to pass on but scary to draft.

in another class id probably be more critical of obrien, but this year i would be comfortable taking him in that range (even if i personally have him ranked a smidge back of it). like you discussed, the playmaking sense is almost not of this planet, thats a tool id be willing to singularly bet on

i think for a team like philly, there are only so many players who could mentally keep up with michkov, and hed be one. i imagine the team taking him would envision him potentially being the elias pettersson of this class (right or wrong lol maybe more of a krejci type upside realistically speaking)

i also like brady martin in that range and expect he could go there, too. all the comparisons are being made to sam bennett because of this postseason run (and sure, hes in the mold) but i see some mike richards there and think hed be solid for both teams

 

[NiWa]

If you need a C, you'd pick between O'Brien, Martin and McQueen.
Winger-wise, you have Eklund and Bear to consider.

My gut would say yes, Philly could consider O'Brien the frontrunner. He's the most offensively gifted among those Centers.
If they were already set at C, you'd think they would take Eklund there.

Boston it's more open, they could also pick one of the Ds: Aitcheson, Smith or Mrtka.

Wait - I assume Schaefer is also off the board, so that means Martone is still available?
Guess you'd have to pick him then.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Wait - I assume Schaefer is also off the board, so that means Martone is still available?
Guess you'd have to pick him then.

Not sure Martone is a no-brainer over some of the other players available there. This draft has few players with scary upside but a lot of risk and along with O'Brien I would say Martone and McQueen and Lakovic really stand out in that respect. I'm not sure I'd draft any of that quartet over a Martin or Bear.

 

[Goldenhands]

RW/C Benjamin Kindel, Calgary WHL
The 2025 draft is shaping up to be one of the weirdest classes I've ever seen, both in its make-up and general public assessment. Often criticized for both a lack of elite talent outside of the top handful of picks and a lack of depth afterwards, one would think any player with potential top-line, scoring-star talent at the NHL level would get even greater attention than in most years. For some reason which is impossible to define, multiple players who fit this description have been unduly been given lukewarm hype by the hockey draft community. Headlining this list is Benjamin Kindel.

The more I watch Kindel, the more I realize he is absolutely worth a pick as high as the top 7 overall. He's just a brilliant hockey player and lacks any discernible flaw. His finest attributes are his hockey IQ, which is elite for this or any draft, and his compete level, which is undeniable in a player who elevates his entire team every time he steps on the ice in any situation. Now, with many players for whom "character and smarts" are their standout attributes, there's usually some flaw which causes the draft community to overlook them -- whether it be subpar stats, or subpar skating, or subpar 200-foot play, or diminutive size.

Kindel scored the lights out, with a 35g-64a-99p line in the WHL. He's an excellent skater who combines more excellent marks across the board in passing vision, shooting and puck handling. He's a two-way forward who shines in virtually any situation. Though a wiry 5'10-175, he's not tiny by any degree of the imagination. So, why is his consensus ranking generally in the #20-#25 range?

The answer is: I have no answer. Kindel might just be the best outlet passer in the draft -- he's a courageous and smart puck-distributor who immediately sees passes and lanes and routes several players ranked top 10 in the 2025 class can only dream of. His intangibles and ability to defend give him a high floor of at least an NHL 3rd liner. Though he's a pass-first mentality guy, he'll take it to the net himself and beat goalies with a litany of moves and release angles. This kid is a stud. We're talking steal of the draft kind of stuff if he falls anywhere near his consensus ranking.

I think of one play I saw him make where he was fighting two much larger defenders in the crease to deflect a shot. The rebound ricocheted into the air, and his stick was being tied up by a defender. So, Kindel simply kneed the puck up into the air in front of him soccer-style, then freed his stick and swatted it out of the air top shelf. That's an elite move, being unable to score in the fraction of the moment he needed to score, but instead having the presence of mind to delay the moment. That's elite hockey IQ and creativity.

Benjamin Kindel is a name to keep your eye on for the 2025 draft, and then a player to keep your eye on for many, many years afterwards. It's a complicated draft, but these facts are simple.

Kindel is for me a poor man Helenius and I loved Helenius alot last draft. The hockey IQ stands out while you watch him, he is also very competitive, but the lack of size is a real issue as he gets pushed around rather easily and has a tendency to be too fency at times, turning the puck over.

By comparison, Helenius was built much stronger, was winning puck battles against growth men, often initiating contacts and his game was obviously much more pro leveled. I would add that Helenius was a better overall skater as well.

Kindel's talent level and IQ are pretty high, but physically, kid is hard to project and certainly wont make your team tougher to play against so the reason why he will likely drop in the 2nd half of the first round.

Personally, as a Habs fan, I would not considere him in the 1st round at all, I would rather target size and grit for bottom 6 roles. But I understand the love for the player as he is exciting and fun to watch.

Edit: Have you dressed your list yet or is it upcoming? Love your work BTW.

 

[Billdo]

Outstanding write-ups of Zharovsky and Ryabkin -- we're all lucky to have you, Evan!

I think both of these players slip into the 2nd round because, quite frankly, it's a huge gamble taking either one in the 1st round. GMs and scouts, in my experience, are truly phobic about taking potential "busts" in the 1st round because it's something the media will make sure follows them around for the rest of their careers. In today's draft landscape, the mix of the words "red flags" and "Russian" sends most NHL front offices running for the hills.

As such, the Devils would be wise to snatch up either Ryabkin or Zharovsky (or both) if they are available with their 2nd round picks. Of course this is contingent on no other potential high-end forward dropping because, needless to say, in the miraculous alternate dimension where Kindel or Reschny is still available in the 50s, you take them no matter what.

But Reschny and Kindel will not be around that late. Ryabkin or Zharovsky, quite conceivably, could. And if they are, I might jump off a cliff if we pass on them for a 6'5 Scandinavian RW with minimal hockey sense and a big shot.

If anything it will be taking a 6'5 Western Canadian Neanderthal who posted a season of 7 goals, 11 assists, and 142 PIMs because we "nEeD tO bE tOuGhEr To PlAy AgAiNsT."

 

[Goldenhands]

Quick question for my fellow draft-folk here, because I'm really uncomfortable with ranking Jake O'Brien too high or too low.

You're GM of Philly drafting #6 or Boston drafting #7 -- both of which desperately need a scoring center. Jake O'Brien is available and Misa, Hagens, Frondell and Desnoyers are all off the board. Do you take a chance on O'Brien's immense offensive upside?

Honestly -- though I normally assert myself by this point in the draft year -- I have no idea if I would or not. He's scary to pass on but scary to draft.

I would go BPA and draft Eklund or Lakovic, especially if Im a rebuilding team like Philly since they still could go for a more projectable center in the upcoming years. Personally Im not a big fan of O'Brien, think he is overrated for the same question marks you mentionned, average skater and pretty thinny frame, bust potential is too high for my liking, especially at the top of the draft.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Kindel is for me a poor man Helenius and I loved Helenius alot last draft. The hockey IQ stands out while you watch him, he is also very competitive, but the lack of size is a real issue as he gets pushed around rather easily and has a tendency to be too fency at times, turning the puck over.

By comparison, Helenius was built much stronger, was winning puck battles against growth men, often initiating contacts and his game was obviously much more pro leveled. I would add that Helenius was a better overall skater as well.

Kindel's talent level and IQ are pretty high, but physically, kid is hard to project and certainly wont make your team tougher to play against so the reason why he will likely drop in the 2nd half of the first round.

Personally, as a Habs fan, I would not considere him in the 1st round at all, I would rather target size and grit for bottom 6 roles. But I understand the love for the player as he is exciting and fun to watch.

Edit: Have you dressed your list yet or is it upcoming? Love your work BTW.

1. Thanks for the kind words. I haven't had time to do preliminary mock drafts or rankings like in recent years because I've been incredibly busy -- like a fool I picked the same year to publish a novel and open a bar. But I'll try to scrap something together by draft day.

2. As for Benjamin Kindel: when I elevate prospects above their consensus ranking, I'm looking at a few areas. Of note: do they have an elite skill or ability which can see them greatly outperform draft expectation? Do they have high intangibles (hockey IQ & compete) which will elevate their overall physical skill set? Are their flaws correctable, or at least feasibly mitigated? With Kindel the answer to all three questions are a resounding YES. He's possessing of a sublime offensive skill set which, in a vacuum, suggests the possibility of playing a top 6 NHL forward role. He's a competitive kid with an extraordinarily high hockey IQ, especially when his team has the puck. And his physical limitation is size/strength -- but he's not tiny, and the natural addition of core strength with age, plus NHL physical training, will greatly elevate his entire tool kit. Does he sometimes overthink and get too fancy leading to turnovers and mistakes? Also yes, but this habit can be coached out of a player, especially when the player shows the general intelligence and team ethic of Kindel. To me, Benjamin Kindel is certainly worthy of a pick in the top 10, as he is potentially a PPG scoring wing at the highest levels, something this draft is short in, and his floor is higher than similar offensive talents like Lakovic, Carbonneau and Schmidt.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

C/RW Brady Martin, Soo OHL
Somehow, Brady Martin has become a polarizing player for the 2025 NHL Draft. For people in the analytics set and people who resent old-school physicality in the game, an ultra-competitive two-way hitting machine with a limited scoring upside like Martin is something not to even be considered in the top 15 of a draft. For Martin's backers, he is a player worthy of consideration just outside the top 5 -- a hybrid of Sam Bennett and Mike Richards which every Stanley Cup contender longs for and wins with.

Let's not overthink the obvious -- alongside Carter Bear, Brady Martin is the most competitive and ferocious player in the entire class of 2025, and would be so for any draft in any year. His compete level is an 11 on the 10 scale, there's not a shift or a loose puck or moment on the ice Brady Martin does not seem willing to die for. Despite average size at 6'0-174 he is perhaps the hardest hitter in the entire draft, able to lay out much bigger players with an almost terrifying level of intensity. He is not a dirty player, just a freakishly physical one. His team ethic always comes first however, as he is willing to stand up for teammates and has the ability to dial up and down his raw physicality depending on the game situation. This is a very smart kid with an extraordinarily high hockey IQ for this type of player.

Brady Martin's offensive skills, while not normally what one would expect from a forward likely to go top 10, are quite good. He's a decent skater with a good shot who puck handles well. While not a high-vision guy, he's a very smart passer who will find and hit the open man. As can be assumed, most of his points are from the greasy areas -- Martin's finest offensive skills are his ability to deflect pucks and out battle opponents for rebounds. This is actually quite a valuable attribute which is underrated with draft prospects -- we often forget with our emphasis on highlight reel plays that well over half the goals in the NHL are actually ugly, net-front plays.

Personally, once we get past the top 5 picks I don't think it's too early to draft Brady Martin. Though he might not crack my personal top 10 rankings, I think he is a good pick anywhere after the very elite players in the 2025 class. He's a winner with no downside, which is to say that his floor and ceiling are as a physical and versatile, blood-and-guts middle-6 F with scoring pop whom every fan, coach and teammate will absolutely love for years. You just can't go wrong with Brady Martin because this is a kid who will not allow himself to fail.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

LD Simon (Haoxi) Wang, Oshawa OHL
There may be no player as far from their ceiling in the 2025 draft class as Simon Wang, but we also rarely see a defenseman with as high of a ceiling as Simon Wang.

Starting with the obvious, he's 6'6-215 and skates better than most 5'9 scoring forwards. Wang is an extremely athletic kid who can fly, and in two strides he can absolutely leave most OHLers in his dust. In addition, Wang is incredibly strong and not afraid to mix it up. When Wang dials up the physicality, it's like a speeding tower of power sending opponents bodies effortlessly flying all over the ice. When you factor in that he's quite possibly still growing and, with a July birthday, one of the youngest players available in the 2025 draft... well, it's not easy to ignore the possibilities.

What needs to be impressed upon, however, is that Wang is extremely raw in almost all facets of the game. He started playing competitive hockey later than most and this season was his first playing at any reasonably challenging level. Wang has a huge ceiling, but it will take him a great deal of time and hard work to even approach it. His fundamentals all need work -- and this is not an insult at all, I really like this player. He just needs to learn a lot about positioning, gaps, decision making, all of it. He's enrolled at Boston University -- a tremendous program -- in the autumn and he will likely spend all 4 years developing. After that, Wang might need two or three seasons in the AHL. So the team which drafts Wang will need patience and a lot of it, which could conceivably drop Wang into Round 2.

What's important to note of course is that the potential payoff is incredible. He's an elite athlete with elite size and a good head for the game. He plays with great desire and when he dials up the intensity he wins every puck battle, breaks up any opposing cycle and intimidates like others can only dream of. There is strong reason to believe that -- although the wait will be long -- Simon Wang will one day prove worth it.

 

[My3Sons]

2025 Draft Profile:

LD Simon (Haoxi) Wang, Oshawa OHL
There may be no player as far from their ceiling in the 2025 draft class as Simon Wang, but we also rarely see a defenseman with as high of a ceiling as Simon Wang.

Starting with the obvious, he's 6'6-215 and skates better than most 5'9 scoring forwards. Wang is an extremely athletic kid who can fly, and in two strides he can absolutely leave most OHLers in his dust. In addition, Wang is incredibly strong and not afraid to mix it up. When Wang dials up the physicality, it's like a speeding tower of power sending opponents bodies effortlessly flying all over the ice. When you factor in that he's quite possibly still growing and, with a July birthday, one of the youngest players available in the 2025 draft... well, it's not easy to ignore the possibilities.

What needs to be impressed upon, however, is that Wang is extremely raw in almost all facets of the game. He started playing competitive hockey later than most and this season was his first playing at any reasonably challenging level. Wang has a huge ceiling, but it will take him a great deal of time and hard work to even approach it. His fundamentals all need work -- and this is not an insult at all, I really like this player. He just needs to learn a lot about positioning, gaps, decision making, all of it. He's enrolled at Boston University -- a tremendous program -- in the autumn and he will likely spend all 4 years developing. After that, Wang might need two or three seasons in the AHL. So the team which drafts Wang will need patience and a lot of it, which could conceivably drop Wang into Round 2.

What's important to note of course is that the potential payoff is incredible. He's an elite athlete with elite size and a good head for the game. He plays with great desire and when he dials up the intensity he wins every puck battle, breaks up any opposing cycle and intimidates like others can only dream of. There is strong reason to believe that -- although the wait will be long -- Simon Wang will one day prove worth it.

It would be tasteless and immature for someone to make the obvious jokes. Made worse by you using terms like huge and long when discussing the future of Wang. Thankfully as a parent and civilized adult who does not stoop to lowest common denominator humor I would never do that.

 

[Brodeur]

I almost cracked and bought tickets a couple nights ago, but I guess I'll wait. If they had to move, Anaheim's arena is unavailable since they have a boxing event on the Saturday.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

LW Malcolm Spence, Erie OHL
There is a misconception among many in the draft community that every pick must be used on the available player with the highest possible ceiling, but for a smart NHL team that's simply not the case. A perfect example of this would be Malcolm Spence, who possibly lacks the pure offensive upside to ever make it as an NHL 1st line scoring star but is certainly worth a late first-round pick nevertheless for his potential as a hell-raising, two-way, physical middle six forward with some pretty good scoring pop.

Spence doesn't have soft hands, won't make dazzling moves and does not possess the high-end vision to anticipate the play or stretch the game east/west. But what Spence does have is every element of the traditional, north/south banger game, and he has them all in spades.

Spence combines very good size (6'2-205) and speed with a huge heart and bulldog mentality. He's a two-way beast, relentless on the forecheck and backcheck. He wins puck battles and crashes creases with regularity and ferocity. He stands up for his teammates and wins puck battles. Though most of his goals are scored just around the crease off rebounds and greasy plays, Spence has the offensive tools to perhaps develop into a 30-goal pro. His shot is terrific and, again, his skating is terrific. Though his hands need work and sometimes his feet slow down when he attempts to do any intensive stick handling, in open ice this is definitively a kid with a separation gear. If he gets behind the D with the puck, you're not catching him.

Malcolm Spence is one heck of a hockey player, and he deserves a first round selection, though probably a bit later in the round. He has an appreciably high floor; I can't imagine any way he wouldn't become at least a terrific bottom 6 winger at the NHL level. But his shot and speed and power game give him upside as a really terrific 2nd line banger/finisher and really, that's a great player to have on your team.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

RD Henry Brzustewicz, London OHL
Let's start by apologizing ahead of time for referring to him on a first name basis so I never have to spell that last name again. That being said, Henry is a very likely pick early in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft because he has all the tools needed to succeed and he's a 6'1-195 RD. But though he has some reasonable offensive upside, he's a work in progress defensively and the team which drafts him will need to be patient.

Henry is an okay skater, probably about average. Where he's garnered a lot of scout interest is that he's very good across the board in all the primary offensive skills. Henry is a very good passer and puck distributor who, without calling him a high-end vision player, sees the ice extremely well. He's very good at puck handling and has an excellent shot which he's become quite good at getting through traffic. There's certainly offensive potential here -- maybe not exceptional, but he can certainly develop into a mid-pairing, 2PP type.

The defense is, as stated, a work in progress. Though Henry plays with heart, is pretty smart and solid in puck battles, his rush defense and gaps often lag. His positioning is variable -- it's solid to start but extended opponent cycles can really break him down. When things are going well for his team, Henry looks good on defense and in transition; but under adversity he can look lost.

This is certainly a player who will go in the 2nd round, because the offensive chops are real and the defensive game should improve. I'm not sure I'll have him in my top 50, but he will certainly be in consideration.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

C Jack Nesbitt, Windsor OHL
There are a lot of things to like about a big (6'4-185), rangy, two-way true center like Jack Nesbitt and one big item to be concerned about. Generally considered by the consensus in the late 1st/early 2nd round range, Nesbitt's size, great understanding of the game and ability on both sides of the puck could see him as a surprise pick as early as the top 20. However, his skating is extremely problematic and needs a lot of work, which might scare off a few teams who highly value the speed game.

Nesbitt is an extremely intelligent player and probably a top 5 defensive center in the entire OHL. His positioning is phenomenal; he plays with a clear head and rarely makes mistakes with the puck, even under pressure. He's very physical without crossing the line to inhibit his team, a rare combination for a teenager. He's competitive, mature and plays to game situation.

Though Nesbitt's game checks all the boxes of excellence for a third-line center prospect, he's actually got some intriguing offensive tools to work with. He's good with the puck and distributes the puck to teammates very well without being a definitive "high-vision" guy. His best offensive tools are his intelligence and shooting. This is a player who can out-think and manipulate opposing defenders, and he's an ace at finding the soft spaces to get open and shoot the puck. And boy, can this kid shoot -- his one-timer and snapshots are rockets now, and just imagine when he adds 20+ pounds of core strength to his adolescent and projectable frame.

The problem is simply his skating. Though Nesbitt can reach decent speeds in open ice, his acceleration is well below average and his ability to change direction and use edge work to maneuver are both in need of work. Sometimes when a play changes trajectory he can look like he's skating in quicksand a bit before he gets going. However, in the "one flaw player" like Nesbitt, there can also be a lot of hope that, if the flaw is mitigated to some degree, you can have a really good player on your hands.

Personally, I really like Jack Nesbitt and consider him a steal anywhere after the first round. At the very least, I think he'll be an excellent 4th line center at the professional level, while the reasonable expectation is to have him be a "Staal-lite" as an NHL 3C. With some skating improvements, this is a very intelligent and very big kid who can blast the puck -- potentially a player who could wind up being comparable to Roger McQueen but taken 30-40 picks later.

 

[evnted]

2025 Draft Profile:

LW Malcolm Spence, Erie OHL
There is a misconception among many in the draft community that every pick must be used on the available player with the highest possible ceiling, but for a smart NHL team that's simply not the case. A perfect example of this would be Malcolm Spence, who possibly lacks the pure offensive upside to ever make it as an NHL 1st line scoring star but is certainly worth a late first-round pick nevertheless for his potential as a hell-raising, two-way, physical middle six forward with some pretty good scoring pop.

Spence doesn't have soft hands, won't make dazzling moves and does not possess the high-end vision to anticipate the play or stretch the game east/west. But what Spence does have is every element of the traditional, north/south banger game, and he has them all in spades.

Spence combines very good size (6'2-205) and speed with a huge heart and bulldog mentality. He's a two-way beast, relentless on the forecheck and backcheck. He wins puck battles and crashes creases with regularity and ferocity. He stands up for his teammates and wins puck battles. Though most of his goals are scored just around the crease off rebounds and greasy plays, Spence has the offensive tools to perhaps develop into a 30-goal pro. His shot is terrific and, again, his skating is terrific. Though his hands need work and sometimes his feet slow down when he attempts to do any intensive stick handling, in open ice this is definitively a kid with a separation gear. If he gets behind the D with the puck, you're not catching him.

Malcolm Spence is one heck of a hockey player, and he deserves a first round selection, though probably a bit later in the round. He has an appreciably high floor; I can't imagine any way he wouldn't become at least a terrific bottom 6 winger at the NHL level. But his shot and speed and power game give him upside as a really terrific 2nd line banger/finisher and really, that's a great player to have on your team.

great write ups. one quick note on spence, his combine measurement came in shockingly lower than his posted size: 6'0.75" and 190lb. i dont think it fundamentally changes much, hes still the same player, but he looks to be more average sized at this point

 

[StevenToddIves]

great write ups. one quick note on spence, his combine measurement came in shockingly lower than his posted size: 6'0.75" and 190lb. i dont think it fundamentally changes much, hes still the same player, but he looks to be more average sized at this point

Thanks for the correction, Evan.

I really like Spence, especially if he falls past the #25-#30 range.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2025 Draft Profile:

C/RW Luca Romano, Kitchener OHL
Luca Romano is an interesting case of a player who has a lot of individual tools which it takes to succeed in the NHL, but has not necessarily put them together quite yet. With players like this, often the buzz around them is related to size/speed combinations -- which NHL front offices usually measure before anything else. With Romano, the speed is certainly there -- he's a terrific skater -- but the size is not, as at 5'11-170, many scouts will project him to the wing instead of center.

Romano combines explosive skating with an excellent shot, excellent puck skills and great competitive desire to become a very fun player to watch. He buzzes around the ice, scared of nothing and chasing everything. Unfortunately, this is also due to a good-but-not-great level of anticipation which also limits his passing vision -- Romano is a very good reactionary player, but he's still far more reactionary than anticipatory.

I really like Romano's upside as a future bottom 6 C/W who can inject speed, energy and a bit of offensive pop into an NHL roster. This is not a player you look for in the first round, but if you're looking for a kid with speed and heart who has a bit more upside than he's given credit for, he's a terrific pick if he falls anywhere past the top 50 picks. Throw in the fact his two-way game might allow him to stay at center and you have a legit sleeper.

 

[My3Sons]

2025 Draft Profile:

C/RW Luca Romano, Kitchener OHL
Luca Romano is an interesting case of a player who has a lot of individual tools which it takes to succeed in the NHL, but has not necessarily put them together quite yet. With players like this, often the buzz around them is related to size/speed combinations -- which NHL front offices usually measure before anything else. With Romano, the speed is certainly there -- he's a terrific skater -- but the size is not, as at 5'11-170, many scouts will project him to the wing instead of center.

Romano combines explosive skating with an excellent shot, excellent puck skills and great competitive desire to become a very fun player to watch. He buzzes around the ice, scared of nothing and chasing everything. Unfortunately, this is also due to a good-but-not-great level of anticipation which also limits his passing vision -- Romano is a very good reactionary player, but he's still far more reactionary than anticipatory.

I really like Romano's upside as a future bottom 6 C/W who can inject speed, energy and a bit of offensive pop into an NHL roster. This is not a player you look for in the first round, but if you're looking for a kid with speed and heart who has a bit more upside than he's given credit for, he's a terrific pick if he falls anywhere past the top 50 picks. Throw in the fact his two-way game might allow him to stay at center and you have a legit sleeper.

On some level he sounds a bit like Boquist sort of project player?