Prospect Info: 2024 25 Devils DRAFT Thread
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evnted
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- Apr 14, 2016
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wouldnt be the best pick management but truthfully i wouldnt complain about any of them in the 2nd. realistically though, amico might be the only one youd have to go top 64 on. the rest would have a decent shot to go later being a mix of overagers, undervalued profiles, or russians
Guadana
Registered User
We targeted him all the season, because big part of our Russian Devils community are from Minsk. He was good all the season. Yes he is overages but he is showing as good or better results you would like to see from a player of his age. It’s just a skip with evidence. When you are drafting player you have to hope he will develop on the same path as Borikov already did.
For now I don’t see real high potential of driving player but all the complimentary staff is already there, at least he has a real potential to be solid role player because he is good in puck battles, puck protection, quite good net driver, already good two way positional forward with good skating. I don’t think he will stay available for our third pick. So for me I would prefer him over Murtagh, Hillstrom, over Lewandowski etc. some of this players will develop better I guess but I don’t know who, because all of them should learn what Borikov is already doing.
Will they? From what I learned from the draft - no. At least bigger part of them. I’m not a fan of wishful thinking. Especially for players who doesn’t have good iq and positional vision. So I would understand Hillstrom over Borikov, even if I saw how Borikov understands the game in o zone with the puck better and without the puck too, made faster better decisions, but Hillstrom is little bit more tunnel visioned (in offensive decision process). At least he is covering and controlling a lot of ice without the puck which is great for centerman.
Paupanekis is not a player I would draft with the Devils 2nd round picks, I'd prefer to go more dynamic there with a guy like Zharovsky or Murtagh. However Paupanekis is exactly the type of player I'd be looking for in Rounds 3/4.
My dream trade-up scenario is that one of two players who could possibly fall to the 2nd round -- Cole Reschny and/or Bill Zonnon -- make their way into the 30s and Fitzgerald moves up to grab them.
Unfortunately, I don't see that happening, as it's more likely we stay where we are and draft a 6'11 over-ager who doesn't skate well haha.
2025 Draft Profile:
C Will Horcoff, Michigan NCAA
Will Horcoff is an extremely intriguing prospect in that he is a 6'4 true center with NHL bloodlines (father Shawn was a longtime Oiler) who plays a strong defensive style with an exceptional amount of physicality. What transcends him over the traditional "big, physical, d-first center" role is that he actually possesses some intriguing offensive tools which probably only haven't resulted in gaudy point totals because the lion's share of his coaches have used him where he thrives the most, in a shut-down role.
Examining Horcoff in greater detail, we see a kid who occasionally flashes some high end skills, just without any reasonable consistency. Horcoff can pull some flashy moves and seems to have a soft set of mitts, capable of high-skill deflections, as well. He's generally a conservative passer, but given time and space, there have been some eye-opening high-vision passes which lead one to believe he could develop into a 2PP type of player with some middle 6 upside. And there's no questioning Horcoff's shot -- this is a player who can really let 'em fly.
Horcoff's major drawback is he's the "One Flaw Player" with a major flaw, as his skating and mobility and acceleration are all a tick below average. He's a fearsome hitter, but often opposing puck-carriers find themselves with ample time to avoid the hit and continue the play simply because Horcoff takes awhile getting there.
Ultimately, Will Horcoff is certainly worth a pick in the mid-to-late 2nd and a steal anywhere from the 3rd round down simply because he has a very good floor as a physical 4th line, defense-first center at the NHL level. His individual skills have not meshed, but they certainly hint at the possibility of something more. An NHL team picking Horcoff may not be exactly shooting for the moon, but there is certainly the possibility of something more here, especially if he can improve his skating to a reasonable degree.
C Will Horcoff, Michigan NCAA
Will Horcoff is an extremely intriguing prospect in that he is a 6'4 true center with NHL bloodlines (father Shawn was a longtime Oiler) who plays a strong defensive style with an exceptional amount of physicality. What transcends him over the traditional "big, physical, d-first center" role is that he actually possesses some intriguing offensive tools which probably only haven't resulted in gaudy point totals because the lion's share of his coaches have used him where he thrives the most, in a shut-down role.
Examining Horcoff in greater detail, we see a kid who occasionally flashes some high end skills, just without any reasonable consistency. Horcoff can pull some flashy moves and seems to have a soft set of mitts, capable of high-skill deflections, as well. He's generally a conservative passer, but given time and space, there have been some eye-opening high-vision passes which lead one to believe he could develop into a 2PP type of player with some middle 6 upside. And there's no questioning Horcoff's shot -- this is a player who can really let 'em fly.
Horcoff's major drawback is he's the "One Flaw Player" with a major flaw, as his skating and mobility and acceleration are all a tick below average. He's a fearsome hitter, but often opposing puck-carriers find themselves with ample time to avoid the hit and continue the play simply because Horcoff takes awhile getting there.
Ultimately, Will Horcoff is certainly worth a pick in the mid-to-late 2nd and a steal anywhere from the 3rd round down simply because he has a very good floor as a physical 4th line, defense-first center at the NHL level. His individual skills have not meshed, but they certainly hint at the possibility of something more. An NHL team picking Horcoff may not be exactly shooting for the moon, but there is certainly the possibility of something more here, especially if he can improve his skating to a reasonable degree.
2025 Draft Profile:
LD Sasha Boumedienne, Boston University NCAA
A likely pick in the back half of the 1st round, Boumedienne might be the most inherently contradictory player in the 2025 NHL Draft class. Born in Finland and raised mostly in the USA but a Swedish national, Boumedienne frustrates any attempt to pin him down. With an NHL-ready 6'2-185 frame, excellent skating ability and one of the best offensive tool-kits in the class among blueliners, Boumedienne's proponents rave about the obvious possibilities. But with a penchant for maddening blunders which lead to goals against and coaches and fans scratching their heads, he has also created a bit of dichotomy in his consensus rankings. Boumedienne has been ranked in the top 15 and at the very end of Round 2, and both of these arguments have legitimate points.
When Boumedienne is on, boy is he on. He has the strength to win battles in his own zone, and the skill to quickly transition to offense, whether with high-end passes or using some nimble feet and deft hands to carry the puck himself. Once in the offensive zone, Boumedienne's absolute bomb of a shot is a constant concern for the opposition -- and Boumedienne gets it off quickly and accurately with an economical, fast-twitch release. A good shift by Boumedienne immediately gives one glimpses of an extremely strong and athletic, all-situations two-way middle-pairing defender at the highest levels.
Unfortunately, sometimes that good shift is immediately followed by a distastrous one. Boumedienne is prone to losing his gaps against speedy opposing forwards and can get spun around by a good set of hands. Consistent pressure in his defensive zone can completely break down his positioning and when he is under great pressure, he can be forced into some brain-lock plays with the puck.
Though we see good-Boumedienne far more than bad-Boumedienne, you'd really like more consistency, especially from a defenseman. If you feel these are problems which can be ironed out, this kid is certainly worth a top 25 pick. His frame, skating and skills are all high-end, and his hockey IQ is quite good until the adversity bar deflates things. It's not a character issue either, Boumedienne is a hard worker. This is a player who clearly has the ability to mature and emerge into a terrific NHL defender, but how high a team drafts him is dependent on how scared they are about the appreciable risk associated with a penchant for mistakes.
LD Sasha Boumedienne, Boston University NCAA
A likely pick in the back half of the 1st round, Boumedienne might be the most inherently contradictory player in the 2025 NHL Draft class. Born in Finland and raised mostly in the USA but a Swedish national, Boumedienne frustrates any attempt to pin him down. With an NHL-ready 6'2-185 frame, excellent skating ability and one of the best offensive tool-kits in the class among blueliners, Boumedienne's proponents rave about the obvious possibilities. But with a penchant for maddening blunders which lead to goals against and coaches and fans scratching their heads, he has also created a bit of dichotomy in his consensus rankings. Boumedienne has been ranked in the top 15 and at the very end of Round 2, and both of these arguments have legitimate points.
When Boumedienne is on, boy is he on. He has the strength to win battles in his own zone, and the skill to quickly transition to offense, whether with high-end passes or using some nimble feet and deft hands to carry the puck himself. Once in the offensive zone, Boumedienne's absolute bomb of a shot is a constant concern for the opposition -- and Boumedienne gets it off quickly and accurately with an economical, fast-twitch release. A good shift by Boumedienne immediately gives one glimpses of an extremely strong and athletic, all-situations two-way middle-pairing defender at the highest levels.
Unfortunately, sometimes that good shift is immediately followed by a distastrous one. Boumedienne is prone to losing his gaps against speedy opposing forwards and can get spun around by a good set of hands. Consistent pressure in his defensive zone can completely break down his positioning and when he is under great pressure, he can be forced into some brain-lock plays with the puck.
Though we see good-Boumedienne far more than bad-Boumedienne, you'd really like more consistency, especially from a defenseman. If you feel these are problems which can be ironed out, this kid is certainly worth a top 25 pick. His frame, skating and skills are all high-end, and his hockey IQ is quite good until the adversity bar deflates things. It's not a character issue either, Boumedienne is a hard worker. This is a player who clearly has the ability to mature and emerge into a terrific NHL defender, but how high a team drafts him is dependent on how scared they are about the appreciable risk associated with a penchant for mistakes.
Severson replacement for NJ.
Quick question for @Guadana -- what are your feelings on RW Alexander Pershakov out of Novosibirsk? I think he's gone a bit under the radar because he's a do-everything but be-dynamic-at-nothing kind of player, but I feel he has a very solid floor as a bottom 6 guy and he's also got a bit of a nice scoring touch.
The Wumpus
bottomless pit supervisor
His pop scored our first goal of the season in 2001 in the only game he ever played for NJ. I only remember him because it was so random.
PizzaAndPucks
New Jersey Angels diehard
- Nov 29, 2018
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Haven't focused too much on thr Draft this year but I'm going to lock in and read up/watch some stuff. Our scouts will have their work cut out for themselves like any other draft year.
Here's to hoping they can find us some magic on the later rounds
Here's to hoping they can find us some magic on the later rounds
Orrrrr some 6'4 20 year olds to fill depth roles in the AHL haha.Haven't focused too much on thr Draft this year but I'm going to lock in and read up/watch some stuff. Our scouts will have their work cut out for themselves like any other draft year.
Here's to hoping they can find us some magic on the later rounds
2025 Draft Profile:
LW Cullen Potter, Arizona State NCAA
Of all the home run swings a team could take after the top 10 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, none could be bigger than Cullen Potter. This is a player with two absolutely elite and rivetingly dynamic skills in that he is the very best skater in the entire draft class and in the conversation for best stickhandler. His entire offensive arsenal is electrifying and complete except that, at 5'10-170, he lacks a formidable interior game. His flaws are few and all things which could be alleviated, and as such I do not buy into any of the white noise among detractors that Potter is a "boom or bust" prospect.
Let's start with the obvious -- this kid can absolutely fly. He's quick, nimble and agile with an explosive first step and the ability to change direction at breakneck speeds. What plays this elite trait up to a monumental level is that, unlike many amateur speedsters, his hands can keep up with his feet. What this means is that when Potter gets the puck in any type of open ice, he can push an entire opposing defense back in fear of him exploding past them -- thus creating more open ice for his entire team. He's as good at zone entries at any player in the draft save perhaps Matt Schaefer or James Hagens. Defensemen lose their gaps on Potter routinely and often lose their heads -- Potter can change direction twice and make three slick dekes in the time it takes most NCAA d-men to make a poke check.
Potter's offensive game is quite complete. Though not an eyes-behind-his-head elite vision guy or a sniper, he has a very quick, hard and accurate shot and can lace passes around the ice with intelligence and precision. He benefits from more time than most players because the fear of his blowing past them often backs defenders up, and Potter is very accomplished at using that time to create high-danger chances.
Potter is not without flaws. He seriously needs to build up his strength. He's one of the youngest regulars in the entire NCAA and, in small spaces, his effectiveness obviously decreases. If a defender can pin him down he's not too difficult to knock off the puck. Similarly, he can often be swatted away while defending and lose his positioning and composure. Hit him a few times and he can get a bit panicky with the puck and cough up turnovers. However, these are all problems which could be alleviated through experience and coaching, especially since Potter is a pretty smart player with a very good level of compete.
Ultimately, there are not many players in the 2025 draft which have the potential to be top-line scoring stars at the NHL level, and Cullen Potter certainly belongs in this conversation. His entire offensive game is tantalizing, and the moment he enters the pros he will be one of the fastest players in the league. As such, his upside is tremendous and he should be considered by any team after the very top players in the draft go off the board.
LW Cullen Potter, Arizona State NCAA
Of all the home run swings a team could take after the top 10 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, none could be bigger than Cullen Potter. This is a player with two absolutely elite and rivetingly dynamic skills in that he is the very best skater in the entire draft class and in the conversation for best stickhandler. His entire offensive arsenal is electrifying and complete except that, at 5'10-170, he lacks a formidable interior game. His flaws are few and all things which could be alleviated, and as such I do not buy into any of the white noise among detractors that Potter is a "boom or bust" prospect.
Let's start with the obvious -- this kid can absolutely fly. He's quick, nimble and agile with an explosive first step and the ability to change direction at breakneck speeds. What plays this elite trait up to a monumental level is that, unlike many amateur speedsters, his hands can keep up with his feet. What this means is that when Potter gets the puck in any type of open ice, he can push an entire opposing defense back in fear of him exploding past them -- thus creating more open ice for his entire team. He's as good at zone entries at any player in the draft save perhaps Matt Schaefer or James Hagens. Defensemen lose their gaps on Potter routinely and often lose their heads -- Potter can change direction twice and make three slick dekes in the time it takes most NCAA d-men to make a poke check.
Potter's offensive game is quite complete. Though not an eyes-behind-his-head elite vision guy or a sniper, he has a very quick, hard and accurate shot and can lace passes around the ice with intelligence and precision. He benefits from more time than most players because the fear of his blowing past them often backs defenders up, and Potter is very accomplished at using that time to create high-danger chances.
Potter is not without flaws. He seriously needs to build up his strength. He's one of the youngest regulars in the entire NCAA and, in small spaces, his effectiveness obviously decreases. If a defender can pin him down he's not too difficult to knock off the puck. Similarly, he can often be swatted away while defending and lose his positioning and composure. Hit him a few times and he can get a bit panicky with the puck and cough up turnovers. However, these are all problems which could be alleviated through experience and coaching, especially since Potter is a pretty smart player with a very good level of compete.
Ultimately, there are not many players in the 2025 draft which have the potential to be top-line scoring stars at the NHL level, and Cullen Potter certainly belongs in this conversation. His entire offensive game is tantalizing, and the moment he enters the pros he will be one of the fastest players in the league. As such, his upside is tremendous and he should be considered by any team after the very top players in the draft go off the board.
evnted
Registered User
- Apr 14, 2016
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not to overstep guadana but thats a player ill have toward the end of my board, very much agree with your projection. its funny, theres nothing overtly impressive about his profile, but at the risk of sounding cliche, he really does play the right way lol sometimes looks like a defender dropping back to defend against the rush. really like his commitment to playing through contact to get in on the forecheck. strong physical instincts
Haven’t paid much attention to the draft, but just hoping these guys do a 180 from their approach last year. They need to target upside, especially at center.
2025 Draft Profile:
LW/RW Vojtech Cihar, HC Karlovy Vary CZE
It's tough to imagine that, in a relatively tame draft year, players can still be completely overlooked. A terrific example of this is Vojtech Cihar, who is a terrific and complete hockey player with an extremely high floor... but also a player who often finds himself outside of the top 3 rounds in several consensus rankings for 2025.
Cihar has every element a middle six winger could possibly need, but lacks the elite physical tool to elevate his projection to any sort of star level. Regardless, there's no way he should be outside any draft analysts's rankings for the top two rounds because, quite simply, he has no appreciable weakness and does literally everything on a hockey rink quite well.
Cihar can play both wings and has even seen some time up the middle. He is a strong skater without being explosive in that respect, and is remarkably strong for his *average* size of 6'0-180. His finest attributes are things which don't hit the stat sheet -- Cihar plays with an elite compete level and high levels of intelligence, he's a terrific two-way force, a fierce forechecker, and one of the more physical forwards in the draft. Playing against men in Czechia, Cihar had no problem throwing big hits all over the ice against bigger and older competition. Every shift Cihar plays like he has something to prove.
Though none of Cihar's offensive tools pop with remarkable dynamism, they are good across the board. Cihar has good hands and excels at corralling bouncing pucks quickly and efficiently. He's a strong shooter, especially a very sneaky backhander which he's not afraid to employ from anywhere inside the circles. He's a smart passer without being a high vision guy. Cihar loves crashing creases and he's certainly more of an old-school north/south player, and as such is used mostly in a middle-line role -- but it's also tough to deny the flashes of skill which hint at the possibility of something more.
Vojtech Cihar shows clear elements of being one of the higher floor players available after Round One. At the very least, the mix of physicality, responsibility and high motor combined with the lack of any weakness should see him become a fun and effective element for an NHL bottom 6. When the versatility and skill are factored in, it's tough to believe that, even in a relatively tepid draft, there's a good chance he'll be available into the 3rd or even 4th round. Taking Cihar in that range has draft steal written all over it.
LW/RW Vojtech Cihar, HC Karlovy Vary CZE
It's tough to imagine that, in a relatively tame draft year, players can still be completely overlooked. A terrific example of this is Vojtech Cihar, who is a terrific and complete hockey player with an extremely high floor... but also a player who often finds himself outside of the top 3 rounds in several consensus rankings for 2025.
Cihar has every element a middle six winger could possibly need, but lacks the elite physical tool to elevate his projection to any sort of star level. Regardless, there's no way he should be outside any draft analysts's rankings for the top two rounds because, quite simply, he has no appreciable weakness and does literally everything on a hockey rink quite well.
Cihar can play both wings and has even seen some time up the middle. He is a strong skater without being explosive in that respect, and is remarkably strong for his *average* size of 6'0-180. His finest attributes are things which don't hit the stat sheet -- Cihar plays with an elite compete level and high levels of intelligence, he's a terrific two-way force, a fierce forechecker, and one of the more physical forwards in the draft. Playing against men in Czechia, Cihar had no problem throwing big hits all over the ice against bigger and older competition. Every shift Cihar plays like he has something to prove.
Though none of Cihar's offensive tools pop with remarkable dynamism, they are good across the board. Cihar has good hands and excels at corralling bouncing pucks quickly and efficiently. He's a strong shooter, especially a very sneaky backhander which he's not afraid to employ from anywhere inside the circles. He's a smart passer without being a high vision guy. Cihar loves crashing creases and he's certainly more of an old-school north/south player, and as such is used mostly in a middle-line role -- but it's also tough to deny the flashes of skill which hint at the possibility of something more.
Vojtech Cihar shows clear elements of being one of the higher floor players available after Round One. At the very least, the mix of physicality, responsibility and high motor combined with the lack of any weakness should see him become a fun and effective element for an NHL bottom 6. When the versatility and skill are factored in, it's tough to believe that, even in a relatively tepid draft, there's a good chance he'll be available into the 3rd or even 4th round. Taking Cihar in that range has draft steal written all over it.
Last edited:
Monsieur Verdoux
Registered User
Bob's final rankings:
www.tsn.ca
With 'prodigious talent and boundless potential,' Matthew Schaefer tops McKenzie's NHL Draft Ranking | TSN
If, as expected, Matthew Schaefer is taken No. 1 overall by the Islanders, it will be unprecedented. That is, no No. 1 pick will have ever played so few games in his draft year as Schaefer.
www.tsn.ca
nugg
NJ Hammerhead Bats!
Still digesting Bob's ranking, some knee jerk thoughts:
- Matthew Gard (#50) - Cam Robinson doesn't think there's a big gap between Gard and Jack Nesbitt (#17) as he's seen on other lists. He thinks both guys project to be bottom six centers.
- Three Russian goalies ranked 57-59. I know we're all optimistic about Big Mike, but maybe another goalie as a value play wouldn't be the worst idea. I forget which podcast it was, but somebody noted that the expectation would be that the goalies might go earlier in the 2nd just because the skaters have limited upside. Robinson noted that he'd heard a couple teams who gave Semyon Frolov a first round grade.
- Mason West (#46) - Committed to Michigan State for 2026, but I wonder if NHL teams are still worried about football being a viable option. West (like Anders Lee) is a high school QB who was getting some scholarship offers from some lower end D1 programs. Him going to Michigan State might rule out football for now. But West is going back for his senior year of high school, so things could change over the next six months. Lee seemingly dropped in his draft year because of football.
- Matthew Gard (#50) - Cam Robinson doesn't think there's a big gap between Gard and Jack Nesbitt (#17) as he's seen on other lists. He thinks both guys project to be bottom six centers.
- Three Russian goalies ranked 57-59. I know we're all optimistic about Big Mike, but maybe another goalie as a value play wouldn't be the worst idea. I forget which podcast it was, but somebody noted that the expectation would be that the goalies might go earlier in the 2nd just because the skaters have limited upside. Robinson noted that he'd heard a couple teams who gave Semyon Frolov a first round grade.
- Mason West (#46) - Committed to Michigan State for 2026, but I wonder if NHL teams are still worried about football being a viable option. West (like Anders Lee) is a high school QB who was getting some scholarship offers from some lower end D1 programs. Him going to Michigan State might rule out football for now. But West is going back for his senior year of high school, so things could change over the next six months. Lee seemingly dropped in his draft year because of football.
2025 Draft Profile:
RW Bruno Osmanis, Bjorkloven SWE JR.
The best Latvian in the 2025 draft class flies under the radar as a very good pick anywhere after the first 50 or so selections are off the board. A 5'11-170 playmaker, Osmanis does a lot of things very well in both the skill game and as a 200-foot player. Osmanis has two high-end talents in that he's an excellent set-up man with a preternatural skill in puck reception.
Osmanis shines at finding soft space on the ice and quickly assessing situations, and he can create and manipulate passing lanes with sharp precision. He's also a strong skater with a quick, accurate laser-like shot -- all of which should be considered plus skills. When we factor in that Osmanis is also a responsible two-way player with a high motor, he becomes very intriguing in his potential.
The caveat with Osmanis is that a lack of size and physicality combined with a game tailored to a top 6 role might cast some doubt over his ability to crack the big show as a bottom 6 forward. So yes, there is a chance he is one of those players good enough to shine in the AHL but never really carve a role in the pros.
As such, Osmanis is probably a player you hope slips into the mid-rounds or later because there is certainly skill here and the intangibles are also likely to play up. The upside is tangible and there's no glaring weakness to be concerned about.
RW Bruno Osmanis, Bjorkloven SWE JR.
The best Latvian in the 2025 draft class flies under the radar as a very good pick anywhere after the first 50 or so selections are off the board. A 5'11-170 playmaker, Osmanis does a lot of things very well in both the skill game and as a 200-foot player. Osmanis has two high-end talents in that he's an excellent set-up man with a preternatural skill in puck reception.
Osmanis shines at finding soft space on the ice and quickly assessing situations, and he can create and manipulate passing lanes with sharp precision. He's also a strong skater with a quick, accurate laser-like shot -- all of which should be considered plus skills. When we factor in that Osmanis is also a responsible two-way player with a high motor, he becomes very intriguing in his potential.
The caveat with Osmanis is that a lack of size and physicality combined with a game tailored to a top 6 role might cast some doubt over his ability to crack the big show as a bottom 6 forward. So yes, there is a chance he is one of those players good enough to shine in the AHL but never really carve a role in the pros.
As such, Osmanis is probably a player you hope slips into the mid-rounds or later because there is certainly skill here and the intangibles are also likely to play up. The upside is tangible and there's no glaring weakness to be concerned about.
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