Prospect Info: 2024-25 Prospect Thread

[periferal]

The Athletic

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6037690/2025/01/14/nhl-prospects-rankings-under-23-2025/?source=freedailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=5520309

139-player-long list of the top NHL players and prospects under 23.

Isles:
86) C Danny Nelson
102) RW Cole Eiserman
137) G Markus Gidlöf

Chap-

As I'm sure you know, Pronman is a certain type of jounalist/analyst and so his lists are far from gospel. He's usually grading a player on what he believes his upside is (based on raw skill & his feeling about the player), as opposed to breaking down the player with a more nuanced take. With respect to Pronman he seems to really put in the time to research almost every prospect out there and since basically no other journalists do that (even scouts are regional/league based and don't see everyone), that's what's led him to pretty much be the #1 name in terms of prospect analysis.

Alas that doesn't mean he's good what projection. As mentioned above, Pronman is the type of writer who grades on a curve leaning towards high-end skill - Regardless if the player is likely to have a long career. Thus when you look back 5+ years later he often misses on the "average-skilled" prospects in terms of his rankings.

So always interesting to see his lists, but when I read them I am always taking them with a massive grain of salt.

FWIW, the owners seem to have upped the investment in staffing, including scouts. Compared with the Wang years it's night and day. Go to the team website and look under "business directory". I count 18 total scouts (pro and amateur), 4 analytics people, 5 player development guys, etc..

Does anyone know how the scouting department today compares with it when wang (or any previous owner) was the owner. Would be very interesting to see as to me the most important things any owner can spend on are GM and the scouting department. If you are great in those to fields then you have the backbone of a championship level franchise.

 

[xECK29x]

Chap-

As I'm sure you know, Pronman is a certain type of jounalist/analyst and so his lists are far from gospel. He's usually grading a player on what he believes his upside is (based on raw skill & his feeling about the player), as opposed to breaking down the player with a more nuanced take. With respect to Pronman he seems to really put in the time to research almost evrey prospect out there and since basically no other journalists do that (even scouts are regaional/league based and don't see everyone), that's what's led him to pretty much be the #1 name in terms of prospect analysis.

Alas that doesn't mean he's good what projection. As mentioned above, Pronman is the type of writer who grades on a cruve leaning towards high-end skill - Regardless if the player is likely to have a long career. Thus when you look back 5+ years later he often misses on the "average-skilled" prospects in terms of his rankings.

So always interesting to see his lists, but when I read them I am always taking them with a massive grain of salt.




Does anyone know how the scouting department today compares with it when wang (or any previous owner) was the owner. Would be very interesting to see as to me the most important things any owner can spend on are GM and the scouting department. If you are great in those to fields then you have the backbone of a championship level franchise.

I've long had issues with Pronmon, this last piece just seems really sloppily put together and barely edited for consistency, he took a lot of what he wrote about these players on draft day and recycled it. I don't think Pronmon actually "scouts" he just watches games and provides his opinions. Scott Wheeler on the other hand has a history of working with independent scouting services, goes to games and has connections with front offices across all levels of hockey. I trust his prospect rankings and analysis over anything else at the Athletic but both are garbage compared to actual independent scouting services such as McKeen's and Future Considerations.

- not claiming to be a source or anything but I strongly agree with this analysis.

 

[doublechili]

In 2021, Pronman had Kakko ahead of Makar, Quinn Hughes and Heiskanen on the list. He had Erik "I Just Cleared Waivers" Brannstrom at #59 that year, a couple of spots behind #57, Arthur "Hey, At Least Someone Picked Me Up When I Was on Waivers" Kaliyev. So yeah....