NHL 2025 DRAFT - Bruins pick 7 OA

[Bruin4]

This draft is extremely mid, trade the #7 for Ike Howard

Maybe Toronto 2026

 

[BMC]

dont worry, Im sure well grab one of them with the 7th OA.

This scares the absolute shit out of me because this is exactly something Sweeney would do.

 

[bobber]

I think so too, but I feel that its more inclined that the teams themselves put their last couple of years into play and not just the last tournament, but the press/fans is a different story.

Perfect example this year with Frondell and Martin.

Frondell was hyped as being a Barkov clone, playing in the mens league and putting up stats better than Pasta and Nylander at the same age,and a few bad games at the U18, its been all quiet on the Frondell front.

Martin with a dominant U18 is rising I myslef would be happy if the bruins got either, but I'm far from a scout and have only seen them in Tournaments and You-tube clips.lol

Watching the NHL playoffs and comparing it to the OHL playoffs you can see why only 2% of eligible players make the NHL. Skating and speed is so dominating in the NHL. Some juniors score 50-60 goals and never get a sniff of NHL hockey. It's a massive jump up and most players are bigger stronger and faster.

 

[Number8]

By the way going back to the last thread -- @EverettMike I think you need to go easy on the generational talent issue. It's very complicated and not something to have kneejerk reactions to. But there is rationale to the system.

Use Bedard as an example.

Leading up to his draft year, he was The generational talent. Like Alpha generational talent. That's McDavid territory and also Crosby territory.

Then he had a great rookie season during which the NHL marketed the ever living shit out of him. That put him in Uber Alpha generational talent category. Very lofty stuff. Like God strapping on the blades. Omnipresent, able to predict the future, and basically the free reign to do whatever he f***ing wanted whenever he f***ing wanted.

Obviously during those two years, there was no room at the inn for the other generational talents. We had a two year vacuum of generational talents which nobody likes. As a result, a bunch of guys who were Maybe generational talents (another. lesser level category) who had to sit on the sidelines while God and Connor planned to dethrone the other Connor and, I believe, Jesus. Note: I think the reason God himself matched up with Connor B was that the whole McJesus thing was considered unfair and too much of an advantage.

Well now Connor (Bedard -- got to stay with me here) kind of sucks which puts God in a bad mood but gives hope to the other generational talents waiting in the wings -- those guys who have been patiently waiting to take a shot at Connor (McDavid this time) and HIS wingman (Jesus).

I predict no fewer than three generational talents coming soon -- starting with McKenna next year. Thank God, his name is Gavin and not Connor. Speaking of God, I'm not sure who Gavin's otherworldly sponsor will be yet. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if the big man ditches Connor (Bedard) and sidles up to Gavin. Still too early to say. Some think the Dalai Llama is an outside candidate. He doesn't have the breadth and power of, say, a God or a Jesus. But he's considered very hip and cool and the kids like him. He can also skate like the f***ing wind. Think it's all that training in the high altitude climate.

Anyway, I told you it was complicated -- and I know this has been a lot. Still, I hope this helps.

 

[yazmybaby]

Not quite. But he is a talented skilled defenseman. Coffey played in Kitchener. First time I saw him I couldn't believe no one could check him. Never realized how fast he was skating because he was so smooth.

On a side note....I met Coffey many times, he was a jerk, my old girlfriend from the early 1980's cousin went out with him, so I saw him a lot.
I used to joke with him, telling him Bourque was WAY better than he was and it would bother him.
I hated the Oilers.
He was a heck of hockey player though.

 

[yazmybaby]

Watching the NHL playoffs and comparing it to the OHL playoffs you can see why only 2% of eligible players make the NHL. Skating and speed is so dominating in the NHL. Some juniors score 50-60 goals and never get a sniff of NHL hockey. It's a massive jump up and most players are bigger stronger and faster.

15 skaters ( on average) from each draft year actually play 350 games or more in the NHL....when you think of this stat, it confirms how hard it is to make the "show".
With 224 players picked, and 32 teams picking that means if you can get one player from each draft year to hit this mark you are doing good.
2 players would be great.

 

[LJReborn]

Top prospects for the 2025 NHL draft: Updated rankings after U18s, draft lottery

There's a consensus on the top four -- after that, all bets are off. Who will your team select in June?

www.espn.com

 

[neelynugs]

This draft is extremely mid, trade the #7 for Ike Howard

i like howard and like the idea of trading for him. but not for the 7OA.
tampa is guaranteed a 2nd rounder for him - i'd say his value is probably
a late 1st, maybe a throw-in asset along with it.

 

[BlackFrancis]

i like howard and like the idea of trading for him. but not for the 7OA.
tampa is guaranteed a 2nd rounder for him - i'd say his value is probably
a late 1st, maybe a throw-in asset along with it.

Howard kind of scares me. He's never been much of a goal scorer at all and suddenly Tampa wants to cash in when he experences a sudden bumper crop?

 

[neelynugs]

Howard kind of scares me. He's never been much of a goal scorer at all and suddenly Tampa wants to cash in when he experences a sudden bumper crop?

i don't see him ending up here anyway. a team with a ton of picks/prospects will probably
try to get it done. maybe utah.

 

[vjcsmoke]

i agree with your top 6. I think those 6 are clearly the top of this draft and are fairly interchangeable. The second group are next tier, could pan out but much more uncertainty.
I think Desnoyers may end up being one of the best players in the draft so praying he drops to 7th but cant see it.

I think the reason Desnoyers is highly ranked is because his defensive game is ready. He projects as a 2 way player, kind of like a Bergeron-lite. But he still needs to polish his offensive game. And the idea is that side will develop in the minors so he'll be a well rounded player by the time he comes up.

So if Desnoyers is scooped before #7 does that make O'Brien the best choice? I hear he's considered one of the best passers in this draft. However the criticism is he does not push the counter attack with speed, preferring to take his time to set up plays and passing lanes, also his skating is only average rather than showing any elite qualities.

Here's my question, how important is skating for a center. If it's only average but if he shows top quality vision and passing ability, does that make O'Brien a worthy pick? He sounds more like in the Krejci or Craig Janney mold, offensive minded pass first rather than a 2-way guy like Bergeron was for us.

I guess I worry that he doesn't display outstanding physical traits, skating, or strong defense. Am I wrong? What's his pro comp because I keep hearing Barzal who is a nice enough player, but maybe you're hoping for more from #7 or am I off base here.

I guess we are missing out on Tier 1 talent because of the ping pong balls or does someone great drop to us and we should pass on the position of need, center, and take the great winger instead if an Eklund or Martone somehow drops to us?

 

[PlayMakers]

I know some folks are down on this draft, but looking at the point totals of some of these guys made me look back at former 1st overalls. Misa's production is similar to Lafreniere. Caleb Desnoyers' season is very similar to Nico Hischer. Jake O'Brien's season is similar to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. These are guys who are NOT going 1st overall having season's similar to other years' top selections.

 

[wintersej]

This Martin kid making noise lately has me really intrigued, anxiously awaiting Dom to cover each prospect he feels the B`s might be considering, I know he said he likes Martin but prefers O`Brien more, can`t wait to read what it is he likes more about one over the other

Would you rather have Ryan Callahan or David Krejci?

Obviously not 100% perfect comparisons.

I do worry about the longitivtiy of a guy that plays like Martin.

I do worry that O'Brien will take some time to cook.

 

[wintersej]

I know some folks are down on this draft, but looking at the point totals of some of these guys made me look back at former 1st overalls. Misa's production is similar to Lafreniere. Caleb Desnoyers' season is very similar to Nico Hischer. Jake O'Brien's season is similar to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. These are guys who are NOT going 1st overall having season's similar to other years' top selections.

Curious how league scoring in the CHL has changed over the years.

 

[PlayMakers]

With regard to O'Brien vs Martin. I wonder what their junior seasons next year will look like? And if/how that sets them up for the NHL the year after.

O'Brien put up 64 points as a 16 year old, 98 points as a 17 year old. What's next? 140 points as an 18 year old? Is he Canada's 1C at the WJC next year?

Martin put up 28 points as a 16 year old, 72 points as a 17 year old. I think he has to crack 100 next year to remain a forward with top6 NHL upside. Would he play wing for Canada? Regardless I expect him to be their emotional leader.

With all Sweeney's talk of compete level and finding the most competitive players, guys like Martin and Bear jump out at me. But with the Bruins lack of skill, and their focus on everything but skill in the past, it makes me want to just put blinders on and take talent.

 

[BlackFrancis]

I know some folks are down on this draft, but looking at the point totals of some of these guys made me look back at former 1st overalls. Misa's production is similar to Lafreniere. Caleb Desnoyers' season is very similar to Nico Hischer. Jake O'Brien's season is similar to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. These are guys who are NOT going 1st overall having season's similar to other years' top selections.

Curious how league scoring in the CHL has changed over the years.

I wanted to make wintersej's argument/comparison but when I looked it up, Hischer was top-10 in Q scoring during his draft season while Desnoyers' was 5th in Q scoring this current/past season.

The major difference is Hischer was a major badass in the u20 tournament and Desnoyers didn't participate.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

With regard to O'Brien vs Martin. I wonder what their junior seasons next year will look like? And if/how that sets them up for the NHL the year after.

O'Brien put up 64 points as a 16 year old, 98 points as a 17 year old. What's next? 140 points as an 18 year old? Is he Canada's 1C at the WJC next year?

Martin put up 28 points as a 16 year old, 72 points as a 17 year old. I think he has to crack 100 next year to remain a forward with top6 NHL upside. Would he play wing for Canada? Regardless I expect him to be their emotional leader.

With all Sweeney's talk of compete level and finding the most competitive players, guys like Martin and Bear jump out at me. But with the Bruins lack of skill, and their focus on everything but skill in the past, it makes me want to just put blinders on and take talent.

That sounds like Eklund to me, no?

He’s as competitive as any of these guys and high-end skill as well. He’s just small.

 

[BlackFrancis]

That sounds like Eklund to me, no?

He’s as competitive as any of these guys and high-end skill as well. He’s just small.

He's only an inch shorter than Brady "Destroyer of Worlds" Martin.

Total stick figure though. His friggin' head even looks skinny.

 

[wintersej]

I think the reason Desnoyers is highly ranked is because his defensive game is ready. He projects as a 2 way player, kind of like a Bergeron-lite. But he still needs to polish his offensive game. And the idea is that side will develop in the minors so he'll be a well rounded player by the time he comes up.

So if Desnoyers is scooped before #7 does that make O'Brien the best choice? I hear he's considered one of the best passers in this draft. However the criticism is he does not push the counter attack with speed, preferring to take his time to set up plays and passing lanes, also his skating is only average rather than showing any elite qualities.

Here's my question, how important is skating for a center. If it's only average but if he shows top quality vision and passing ability, does that make O'Brien a worthy pick? He sounds more like in the Krejci or Craig Janney mold, offensive minded pass first rather than a 2-way guy like Bergeron was for us.

I guess I worry that he doesn't display outstanding physical traits, skating, or strong defense. Am I wrong? What's his pro comp because I keep hearing Barzal who is a nice enough player, but maybe you're hoping for more from #7 or am I off base here.

I guess we are missing out on Tier 1 talent because of the ping pong balls or does someone great drop to us and we should pass on the position of need, center, and take the great winger instead if an Eklund or Martone somehow drops to us?

For me, better skating (or having McQueen like size) just means it's going to be easier for him to create time and space to be a playmaker. The guys you mentioned were great at creating space for themselves without being quick, but as the game gets faster and faster being able to do that seems harder and harder. We all talk about how Poitras needs to get bigger/faster because he doesn't seem to be able to create space for himself on a constant basis. Barzal seems like a much stronger skater to me.

 

[bobber]

I know some folks are down on this draft, but looking at the point totals of some of these guys made me look back at former 1st overalls. Misa's production is similar to Lafreniere. Caleb Desnoyers' season is very similar to Nico Hischer. Jake O'Brien's season is similar to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. These are guys who are NOT going 1st overall having season's similar to other years' top selections.138

Misa's production is quite a bit better than LaFreniere. LaFreniere had about 108 points his last season. Misa had 138 points and will likely play another year of junior. I think he was around 1.68 ppg this year. Most Major A players aren't physically ready for the rigors of the NHL. Poitras is an example of this. I eat a lot of crow pies so one never knows.