Prospect Info: 2024 25 Devils DRAFT Thread

[Brodeur]

I cracked and bought a Round 1 ticket yesterday. It's odd, every seat is the same price. Some seats close to the stage opened up, so I figured if I'm going to get gouged I might as well be up front. But now I'm tempted to wear something ostentatious.

 

[Guadana]

2025 Draft Profile:

C Eric Nilson, Djurgardens J20
Continuing the trend of do-all, versatile 3rd line center prospects, Eric Nilson checks the boxes while offering a little bit more optimism on the offensive side of things. He's a competitive two-way player with great positional sense and a knack for disrupting the opposition both defensively, by forcing turnovers, and offensively, by taking sticks out of lanes. He's a confident and shifty player on the puck with good judgment of when to challenge defenses. He flashes some pretty exceptional playmaking vision at times, even if the execution isn't always there right now. I particularly love his ability to spin off contact and get pucks from the boards to middle ice. He has excellent instincts and vision under pressure, and can even show off a little feistiness.

In the scouting world, calling lack of strength a weakness is usually a no-no, not because it isn't true, but because it's lazy and applicable to basically every prospect in any given class. In this case, I believe Nilson is the exception. Coming in at 6ft even and 166lb, Eric Nilson absolutely needs to bulk up if he's going to be able to scale his game to the NHL. He's simply too skinny and too weak right now to be able to play into contact and target puck carries the way he wants to. Thankfully, he'll be headed to college this upcoming season, MSU specifically, so that will be a great opportunity to hit the gym. A lot.

In spite of being a fan of Nilson's, I do have to acknowledge that his projection might fall within the scope of good but not quite good enough. The pace isn't always as high as it probably needs to be to project him to a checking line role, he sometimes has a tendency to get pushed to the perimeter, and he doesn't really have great size or hard skill to bet on. I'd like to believe a heavier frame will help alleviate some of these concerns, and it probably will to a degree, but we'll need to see him continue to drive middle ice more and clean up his intermittent overhandlings/inefficient puck movement. Still, I like him as a late 1st rounder, which might be a bit aggressive, and think he's an excellent option for pick 50.

Nilson is the player Devils should draft if Ryabkin isnt available. Or may be Zharovsky. I didnt decided yet. I will do it soon.

I like his motor, I like how he is covering the ice and how awesomely stupid he is in the forecheck. Because he is nowhere near to be the player he is trying to play. He needs a lot of weight.

Lets be clear. There were a lot of talks, especially on previous draft when people are saying "if this, if that".
Fans should be logical in their decisions. Teams should be even more logical.

Every player has potential. We are talking about ceilings and floors. Some player is very smart and has very great hands but doesnt have any wheels. He can learn how to skate better, but it isnt as easy as being more heavy. Some player could have great hands, good skating and great physicals. But in the same time he can make bad decisions, cant find his spot on the ice, floating in d zone etc. If player isnt smart - its harder to learn.
And sometimes player is already doing what he should actually do but just need polishing his game. Its easier to project.

And when Im watching players Im comparing what they already can do. And if they need more - how hard to for them to learn it. Because some players with low iq will learn hockey better but it is very rare. I guess less than 10%. But 50% or more of hockey players with the talent will be better physically. Of course it doesnt mean that 50 more % of players who is bad in forecheck will learn it. But if they are smart, especially positionally - they will do it.

So for Nilson he just need to gain more weight to make it better what he is already doing. Even if he will not upgrade his skills, most likely he will be productive on 30-40 points level and will play forechecking-defensive role of a two way center. I think for now he has some limitations in skills, I like his decision making but I would like to see more with the puck.

2025 Draft Profile:

C Gustav Hillstrom, Brynas J20
Calling a bit of an audible here because his consolidated ranking is nowhere near that of the other two, but I believe Gustav Hillstrom is a name worth knowing. This player is a relentless forechecker with great size, skating, and compete. It's not just that he has a quick and powerful stride, he's actually quite good on his edges and with crossovers. He's constantly pressuring puck carriers, giving next to no breathing from for them to stop and assess their surroundings, and on top of that, his reach takes away that much more space. He works very hard in puck battles, lobbing his entire 6'2" frame into the mix, and he knows how to combine both his stick and body to dig pucks out and create separation.

Hillstrom might even be a better defensive presence. He backchecks with the same intensity as he forechecks, perhaps more so with how relentlessly he'll stickcheck players, and his elite play anticipation shines away from the puck. Hillstrom proactively takes away passing lanes and showcases a mature sense of defensive position. He can be faulted for being overzealous in chasing higher skill players, but some of that is just a byproduct of his elite motor and desire to impact play.

The offensive upside isn't super high, but that's not to say there's none. Hillstrom is quite good at driving the net for tap-in opportunities, and he's also effective with posting up outside the crease for tips and rebounds. He's a capable passer, not likely a player who will rack up a lot of assists at the next level, but one who won't hold his line back either.

There has to be something I'm missing because he keeps being left off international teams, wasn't invited to the combine, isn't getting a whole lot of discussion in draft circles, etc. He's not a top offensive threat, no, but I don't see a whole lot to be concerned about, and an extended SHL stint this year should at least somewhat legitimize his projection. Who knows. I like the player, I really like the fit for our team, and I don't care what the consensus says, I'm fine targeting him in the 2nd round. This is the type of player contending teams need on a checking line.

I dont like Hillstrom as a second round draft pick. I dont see how he is working with his partners, yeah, he is good forechecker, he is trying to control the ice, not as good as Nilson, he is great in physical aspects for his age, but again - I dont see creativity mindset and I would like to pick a player with higher potential. Im all in to draft him in the third if he is available. Not saying i dont like a player, I like players who can play strong defensive game and very strong forechecking game, but Im absolutely all in for ceiling on this draft.

The problem with Nilson I dont see him available for 50th pick. And the problem with Hillstrom Im not even sure he will be available for 50th pick. More over in third round.

 

[Guadana]

I'm going to do a deeper dive on this later, but I'm short on time today because I'm doing an author event in Asbury Park and am heading down there in a few minutes.

I can say now I really like a couple US Development kids in Jack Murtagh and Cole McKinney. Both are under the radar and lack high end upside, but both have strong bottom 6 upside and the Devils need some center depth. They both are smart and competitive with strong skating, which to me are the three most vital tools I look for in draft prospects.

Between Murtagh and McKinney I will pick McKinney without a doubt. McKinney is very good playmaking mind and in the same time he is physical. I really like how he is working offensively.

He isnt covering as many ice as Nilson did. He isnt as good defensively as Nilson and Hillstrom. I cant say about a shot because I saw not enough. But what I clearly understand that McKinney is thinking the game really well, he is watching his partners, has always a thought about what he should actually do.

Murtagh is fast, aggressive, has nice puck skills, but he is absolutely complimentary breakaway forward who is very helpfull in forecheck. But he isnt the play to create chances for partners. Again - if Im comparing him with McKinney.
Whom I actually really like. Again - cant believe that he will be available in the late second.

Between all of the players I mentioned I see more chances for Murtagh and Hillstrom to be available. Would prefer to pick Hillstrom between this two. He is understand the game with the puck erally well, he is very good and active defensively, covering a lot of ice.
Again - I have a couple of players higher on my taste.

 

[Guadana]

Tell me about Mikkel Eriksen

For now Erikssen is sad example of what will never work in NHL. He has great hands, great mind. Absolutely great playmaking mind. He is understanding the game like a true top-20 player. But he is very slow and non-physical. Gusev's vibes for Devils fans. But he isnt as sharp as Gusev was.

If he will add more speed and physicality he will be dangerous on NHL level but for now he is soft and slow player who understands the game greatly but its hard to imagine how he can play 5 on 5 because he cant cover the ice on NHL speed because of his skating, he cant play wing because of his lack of physicallity.

Its a nice option for swing in later rounds but not an option for second round.

 

[Guadana]

lewandowski is an interesting player. first couple viewings havent been pop off the page great, but he brings good size/skill with a solid baseline game that im eager to see how it all comes together over the course of the season

one of the standout elements of his game is his proactive body play/physical instincts. its not so much that hes a bruiser (though he can hit hard), rather, hes excellent at creating space for himself and fending off pressure. he shows a great ability to generate chances from the boards thanks to his competitiveness, ability to dig pucks out under pressure, and vision/quick decision making to spot teammates

id describe lewandowski as a dual threat offensive option. i dont think hes a high end producer per se, but hes certainly capable as both a shooter, thanks to his hard shot, quick release, and strong positional ideas to set up for opportunities, as well as a passer, thanks to his surprisingly good playmaking vision, which he combines with some deceptive handling and really good timing to attack lanes. hes doesnt show off top end creativity or anything, but he can make small area plays, quick passes in transition, and as referenced earlier roll out from down low to find opportunities out front. sometimes he gets cute with trying to do too much on the puck, but for now i think its just experimentation

i wouldnt describe his skating as good, but i dont think its problematic either. pretty fluid all things considered, though not particularly fast or explosive. once he gets going, he does carry momentum well, and it helps that he typically has a good feel of where to be, too. i think the bigger gripe here is hes just not naturally a high pace player. he doesnt really coast, although you definitely can see it from time to time, but id like more consistency to his intensity

in that same breath, his defensive involvement can also fluctuate. at his best, hes using his frame and reach to trap forecheckers along the boards while keeping pucks moving. at his worst, hes passive, playing too high/not covering anything, and barely moving his feet

when hes on and everythings working together, he can look like a menace, its just not really there yet. something im hopeful we'll see come out more with the blades. to answer your question, i think his background involves playing down the middle, but from what ive seen thus far (hlinka, saskatoon), its mainly been wing

@evnted @StevenToddIves Do you know something about Lewandowski? Is he playing center or did he before?

Now I know by myself.

He is a big player with good skating for his size but he doesnt have separating speed. He is big and physical to create space for himself. Very good shot. And good hands for his size.

But on my taste - thats it. Didnt saw him in defensive zone, didnt saw him as making plays, controlling posession, drive or directoring offense. Quite passive game without the puck on my taste, there are more young players who is more active in adult leagues than Lewandovski in juniors.

Typical Fitzgerald's pick for the third - fifth round. At least he has some better tools. But I would prefer to draft some other players.

 

[Guadana]

2025 Draft Profile:

RW Daniil Prokhorov, Dynamo St. Petersburg MHL
There is no better example of what it means to be toolsy than Daniil Prokhorov. He's a 6'6" 220lb beast of a kid who will topple absolutely anyone in his path. He's a good skater, more for his size than in a vacuum, but his compete level and pace are quite good as he's constantly trying to crunch defenders and shovel pucks toward the net. He's a very effective presence down low and around the net, one which MHL defenders really stand no chance of stopping right now, especially when you factor in how strong he is on the puck and how shift his handling can be at times.

Prokhorov is a heavy volume shooter through and through; he wants pucks heading toward the net. Usually these types of kids have some sort of playmaking game that they just don't rely on, but in this case the player almost refuses to pass the puck altogether. He will fire from quite literally anywhere, merely for the sake of doing so, and if he gets an assist, chances are it came by accident off a rebound.

Prokhorov's hockey sense, spanning the scope of his vision, decision making, route selection, problem solving, ALL of it, is greatly concerning. The player looks and plays like he's completely reliant on his otherworldly toolkit and nothing more. Truthfully, if he wasn't this mobile, hyper physical behemouth of a player, we likely wouldn't even be writing about him right now given how horribly underdeveloped most of his game is. But, particularly with how the league is trending, the size, physicality, and skating is so special in combination that he remains a noteworthy prospect.

There are whispers that Prokhorov will go high, much higher than expected, so I have no expectation that he'll be available around our pick. There are elements of his game that I'd love to add to our roster in terms of being this intense, punishing, put-his-head-down N-S attacker who makes life miserable on the forecheck and peppers the net (and I'm sure Tom would be beside himself to add this player, too). But the severe lack of depth to his game will be a concern, even if he hits.

Another example of Fitzy's type of a player. I would like to not draft or draft later.
Prokhorov is better as a physical player as a active player as a skater than Lewandowski, but with self focusing hockey sense. For now I just dont see how this type of players can play in NHL because they dont exist in some situations and make the space for opponents to play.

yeah, Im asking for positional play, playmaking and IQ for our second round. Speed, skating and defensive game should exist, Eriksen.

 

[Guadana]

2025 Draft Profile:

C Hayden Paupanekis, Kelowna WHL
For a team seeking center depth in the middle rounds of the 2025 draft, Hayden Paupanekis is an extremely intriguing option. He's absolutely a raw work-in-progress and his offensive ceiling might be that of a 3rd liner, but the size and athleticism are very much there and if you can hone him into a north/south player and teach him to play with more consistent physicality, the possibilities are tantalizing.

Paupanekis is -- most obviously -- a 6'4-205 natural center with good skating and a decent-across-the-board offensive skill-set. This description alone gives a strong coaching and development team a great deal to work with. He also plays with a good work ethic and is generally a good defender. His problem areas are with his decision making -- he often turns over pucks thinking his offensive talents are more than they are, whether puck-handling or passing. He can be baited by high-IQ opponents through deception and misdirection.

I'd call Paupanekis an "average hockey IQ" guy, but because his work ethic is very good, I feel he can be honed into a very good role player if his role is defined and honed. If he can learn to use his obvious strength advantages and play more physically, we're talking about a kid who shoots well and has pretty good hands; a player who can skate with all but the speed-demons of the league.

This is certainly a player who would interest me in the 3rd to 5th rounds of the NHL draft, as he's a true center with palpable upside as a very effective NHL bottom 6er.

I like the combo of size and skating but average IQ is the thing that might stop the player from translating his game to the new level.
Steve isn't the man who will bullish young players, he is always more optimistic about mostly every player he described. Paupanekis has not a great production for his age and his league, and when a guy like me or Steve or Even would prefer to not betting hard on production, anyway it's a junior league where the big forward with good skating will find a way to create chances for himself and for partners if he has enough IQ for being future nhler. Production isn't everything but it should be used in the context.

Often players with lack of creativity but with skating and understanding of puckbattlening could be a future fourth liners. Future third liners are mostly going from "future top-6" busts but still good enough players to play in nhl and create something from time to time, who learned and polished the game.

It's hard to ask more from a player from second round of he has good tools to be role player in NHL, but I would prefer to find more "future top six busts". Someone will never face NHL, someone could become solid bottom six player, mst be someone would not even be a bust.

I don't have a final opinion about Paupakenis yet but from my little view of him I would prefer to target players with higher ceiling in the second round. For now.

About players I do like.

I was critical to Paupanekis. And from the time my thoughts are close to what I said before. But... he is sneaky good on my taste. May be he isnt very creative with the puck, as a driver. But without the puck he is always know where he should be, cover a lot of ice, skates really well. He is very accurate and involved defensively.

And may be his IQ is better than we thought. I would like how he will develop on a better team with the time. May be he needs to polish his offensive game for one more year.

He is big but you dont actually see it. But its not bad in his case. When you are watching the game of Lewandowski you see his size, how he is skating only on verticals mostly. Paupanekis is a big center who is moving like a 6'0, can start to make a fast step right in the second. And his hands are really good too. He is good positional two way center who is cover a lot of ice and his hands and stick helps him to prevent passes, shots and close gaps.

Player who is so good positionally who reads the game so well... I just dont believe that he doesnt have little more offensive gear. I think he has a chance to be available, unlike Ryabkin or Nilson or McKinney or Zharovsky. And I would like to see him as a pick in this case. At least he is on my "please pick him" list. He has all the tools to be NHLer already.

 

[evnted]

For now Erikssen is sad example of what will never work in NHL. He has great hands, great mind. Absolutely great playmaking mind. He is understanding the game like a true top-20 player. But he is very slow and non-physical. Gusev's vibes for Devils fans. But he isnt as sharp as Gusev was.

If he will add more speed and physicality he will be dangerous on NHL level but for now he is soft and slow player who understands the game greatly but its hard to imagine how he can play 5 on 5 because he cant cover the ice on NHL speed because of his skating, he cant play wing because of his lack of physicallity.

Its a nice option for swing in later rounds but not an option for second round.

unfortunately i have to agree. early season i thought he could be a big time sleeper option in the 2nd and while i do still like the player, im not sure he lived up to that. to me, the motor and physicality is definitely there somewhere in him, i know ive seen it before, but its just so inconsistent. now, hes very, VERY young for the class so im hoping that extra runway gives him more of a chance to live up to what i think he should be lol

About players I do like.

I was critical to Paupanekis. And from the time my thoughts are close to what I said before. But... he is sneaky good on my taste. May be he isnt very creative with the puck, as a driver. But without the puck he is always know where he should be, cover a lot of ice, skates really well. He is very accurate and involved defensively.

And may be his IQ is better than we thought. I would like how he will develop on a better team with the time. May be he needs to polish his offensive game for one more year.

He is big but you dont actually see it. But its not bad in his case. When you are watching the game of Lewandowski you see his size, how he is skating only on verticals mostly. Paupanekis is a big center who is moving like a 6'0, can start to make a fast step right in the second. And his hands are really good too. He is good positional two way center who is cover a lot of ice and his hands and stick helps him to prevent passes, shots and close gaps.

Player who is so good positionally who reads the game so well... I just dont believe that he doesnt have little more offensive gear. I think he has a chance to be available, unlike Ryabkin or Nilson or McKinney or Zharovsky. And I would like to see him as a pick in this case. At least he is on my "please pick him" list. He has all the tools to be NHLer already.

i agree i like paupanekis (big paupi lol) in our range. has that safer B mode that i think tom would prefer to base the pick on, but his toolkit definitely could lend itself to more of a middle 6 role. my biggest gripe is he just...doesnt always feel like hes going at 100%? idk its hard to describe. i dont think hes lazy, but ive had a number of viewings where it feels like he has more to give. kelowna was a disaster this year so im sure being in that environment didnt help. theyre actually hosting the 2026 memorial cup so i think hes a sneaky good bet to explode next season if/when they load up

 

[Guadana]

Tell me about Tomas Pobezal.

And absolutely different player from Paupanekis - small creative forward with high offensive IQ I really like. Pobezal isnt your defensive forward but his skating and how he is reading the game help him to be in the right place in the right time. His hands are above average that helps him to take the puck away and survive with against bigger competitors. But he isnt useless defensively - he is trying to take the puck away, control the space and absolutely steal the puck if it will go through or around him.

Of course he is a raw talent and Im not sure that he will adapt his game on NHL level, especially as a center. But as a winger he is fast and he has some audacity in his game. As a later round pick I would be very happy if Fitz would bet on his upside. As a second round pick? Does matter who will be available but I would not be angry or disappointed. Im bit more optimistic than realistic about him, he absolutely not a safe pick. But he deserves to at least make a focus on him and be intriguing if Devils will draft him in the middle of the draft or later.

 

[Guadana]

unfortunately i have to agree. early season i thought he could be a big time sleeper option in the 2nd and while i do still like the player, im not sure he lived up to that. to me, the motor and physicality is definitely there somewhere in him, i know ive seen it before, but its just so inconsistent. now, hes very, VERY young for the class so im hoping that extra runway gives him more of a chance to live up to what i think he should be lol

Yeah, its okay to bet on him in later rounds. At least if he will develop weak parts of his game he has a chance to be really good creative player. Not just like "well, he is big and whooa la - we have bottom line physical winger for a forecheck" type of a pick Fitz made tonns in past years.

i agree i like paupanekis (big paupi lol) in our range. has that safer B mode that i think tom would prefer to base the pick on, but his toolkit definitely could lend itself to more of a middle 6 role. my biggest gripe is he just...doesnt always feel like hes going at 100%? idk its hard to describe. i dont think hes lazy, but ive had a number of viewings where it feels like he has more to give. kelowna was a disaster this year so im sure being in that environment didnt help. theyre actually hosting the 2026 memorial cup so i think hes a sneaky good bet to explode next season if/when they load up

His team was bad from what I saw. Absolutely lazy effort, slow speed, lack of structure in offense. I have limited views but still. Of course Im betting here on positive sides of his game. And I think he was... more consistent and involved than his partners on my taste.
And I do really like how he can cover a lot of ice on his best.

 

[Guadana]

Can you guys try to name all the candidates you guys @evnted and @StevenToddIves like and think that will be available for our pick and compare them? Would be good to have discussion, to summarize, to draw conclusions, to summarize thoughts.

 

[evnted]

Can you guys try to name all the candidates you guys @evnted and @StevenToddIves like and think that will be available for our pick and compare them? Would be good to have discussion, to summarize, to draw conclusions, to summarize thoughts.

i have some dark horse picks i wanna save for a separate post but in terms of expected ranges i would say some of my top picks are...

• hillstrom: speedy, smart defensive thinker, pushes pace of play. maybe youd look for a bit more offense from your 3C but i think this the type of player who could flip momentum with a big shift and/or pry space open for top 2 lines to come out
• mckinney: super competitive, gritty, defensive leaning. think hes a little underrated due to how bad the ntdp is. not his fault, he just isnt the type of player to elevate his line. think theres enough skill that you dont really worry about foot speed or size. feels like a boone jenner type
• nestrasil: more of a swing than some other names but a natural fit for jack/nico. great playmaking vision, big and physical, causes trouble around the paint. like his two way growth too, think he could be a valuable all situations complement piece anywhere in our top 9
• nilson: smart, competitive, quite skilled as a playmaker, a little temperamental. i like the choice to go to msu since his single greatest weakness is lack of strength. a player i think ideally slots 3C but has enough talent to slot up if needed
• paupanekis: toolsy, has some swagger to his game. i think you run the risk of him being more of a 4th line/depth piece if he never quite takes advantage of his talent level but should it click then i think youre talking one of those players who instantly takes a step next season
• ryabkin: i dont know really know how much more needs to be said but elite, elite skill level and a very feisty/dirty player. higher risk than most due to immaturity, entitlement, conditioning, etc. but i mean...you dont get this talented of a player at 50 without something being seriously wrong
• stockselius: sneaky good playmaker, expert positional sense, has a frame he can grow into. more a bet on what he could be than what he is now but i dont know if theres much reason to doubt he can progress. there might even be play to flex him up in the top 6 as a support piece, i dont think hes necessarily just 3C
• zharovsky: pipeline has nowhere near this level of offensive skill and creativity in it. love our russian drafting and think we're a great landing spot if and when he slips. have my complaints about his game but its not like id expect him to be slotting in much before 2030 anyway

so essentially competitive two-way centers or high upside wingers with size. theres a group of kids like czata and gard and genborg who i dont really love at 50 but dont fundamentally hate either, i just think compared to the players i listed above theres less to work with. i like a number of defenders in the second round this year but not enough to pass on F help (except maybe limatov/amico, both with significant fall potential)