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NHL 2025 DRAFT - Bruins pick 7th II

I like Caufield & DeBrincat and Eklund is bigger and nastier and should be more skilled than both

RW top 6: Pastrnak & Eklund would be there with anyone
Yes, Eklund rightly or wrongly doesn’t make me think of Caufield. And Eklund might be my pick at 7 depending on how things go.

Later in the draft I wouldn’t mind if they took a Caufield type in Dmitri Isayev, just from reading a bit about him. They are trending smurf with forwards though. Aside from Letourneau, Zellers, Poitras, Lysell, Locmelis, all below average sizewise.

Also liking what I read about 6’6” F Daniil Prokhorov - if they can get him in the right spot. Guess he’s raw and needs to improve core strength, skating, passing, and his shot, but I imagine he could become a hammer in the O zone if he puts things together.
 
Yes, Eklund rightly or wrongly doesn’t make me think of Caufield. And Eklund might be my pick at 7 depending on how things go.

Later in the draft I wouldn’t mind if they took a Caufield type in Dmitri Isayev, just from reading a bit about him. They are trending smurf with forwards though. Aside from Letourneau, Zellers, Poitras, Lysell, Locmelis, all below average sizewise.

Also liking what I read about 6’6” F Daniil Prokhorov - if they can get him in the right spot. Guess he’s raw and needs to improve core strength, skating, passing, and his shot, but I imagine he could become a hammer in the O zone if he puts things together.
Hey if a prospect only needs to improve strength, skating, passing, and shooting, seems like a high floor guy.
 
your wildcats had a good run, of topic I know but, hope you enjoyed the run
Yes I did enjoy their playoff run and was there for every home game. I am not surprised they lost out in the mem cup, they had a team with some depth and some guys in the 30 goal range, but most of their scoring came from hard work and second chances, but they lacked that true game breaker, a 50 goal guy.
 
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I haven't really looked to much into these guys outside of what I can find in quick searches. For me it falls something like:

Pipe dream
Michael Misa - I don't see Boston making a deal to move up & he's not making it to #7OA
Porter Martone - Similar to Misa. He seems like the exact guy Chicago needs. It'd likely take #7OA + #51OA + TOR 2025 1st just to get CHI attention

Excited with at #7OA
Jake O'Brien - 6'2 center with a high hockey-IQ and a 200ft player.
Victor Eklund - Undersized at 5'11, but a dynamic player
Anton Frondell - 6'1 center, but has an NHL frame. 200ft player like O'Brien, but Frondell plays with an edge
Caleb Desnoyers - Excellent playmaker center with a projection of a high end #1 play driver

Don't hate it, but don't love it
Brady Martin - Projects as a middle six forward. If he hits the high side and is a 2nd liner, its a great pick. If he ends up a 3rd line, that a kick in the nuts at #7OA
Roger McQueen - Feels like a boom or bust kind of kind. Has the size and tools, but some question his hockey IQ
Jackson Smith - Project's a top 4 d-men, but some scouts believe he has everything to be a stud #1 d-man. Defense isn't as much of a need for Boston (especially on the left side) though
Carter Bear - Similar thoughts as I had on Martin
 
I haven't really looked to much into these guys outside of what I can find in quick searches. For me it falls something like:

Pipe dream
Michael Misa - I don't see Boston making a deal to move up & he's not making it to #7OA
Porter Martone - Similar to Misa. He seems like the exact guy Chicago needs. It'd likely take #7OA + #51OA + TOR 2025 1st just to get CHI attention

Excited with at #7OA
Jake O'Brien - 6'2 center with a high hockey-IQ and a 200ft player.
Victor Eklund - Undersized at 5'11, but a dynamic player
Anton Frondell - 6'1 center, but has an NHL frame. 200ft player like O'Brien, but Frondell plays with an edge
Caleb Desnoyers - Excellent playmaker center with a projection of a high end #1 play driver

Don't hate it, but don't love it
Brady Martin - Projects as a middle six forward. If he hits the high side and is a 2nd liner, its a great pick. If he ends up a 3rd line, that a kick in the nuts at #7OA
Roger McQueen - Feels like a boom or bust kind of kind. Has the size and tools, but some question his hockey IQ
Jackson Smith - Project's a top 4 d-men, but some scouts believe he has everything to be a stud #1 d-man. Defense isn't as much of a need for Boston (especially on the left side) though
Carter Bear - Similar thoughts as I had on Martin
Hagens?
 
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I read something here a while back that McQueen had inflamed vertebrae, aka spondylitis. If that is the case stay far away.
So I’m kind of confused about McQueen’s back problem. This Brandon Sun article (link) states that the injury is not an inflammation, but rather a “pars fracture,” or fractures perhaps, between vertebrae, known as spondylolysis. One cause for this condition can be a growth spurt. Other causes can be overuse and genetics. I believe McQueen has said that he thinks his growth spurt had something to do with it. My confusion is whether once it heals, it’s over with, or whether it’s a problem that will plague him unpredictably going forward. In any case he’s not really my pick for 7.
 
So I’m kind of confused about McQueen’s back problem. This Brandon Sun article (link) states that the injury is not an inflammation, but rather a “pars fracture,” or fractures perhaps, between vertebrae, known as spondylolysis. One cause for this condition can be a growth spurt. Other causes can be overuse and genetics. I believe McQueen has said that he thinks his growth spurt had something to do with it. My confusion is whether once it heals, it’s over with, or whether it’s a problem that will plague him unpredictably going forward. In any case he’s not really my pick for 7.
Good post,and,I stand corrected: "spondylolysis." Have to leave it to the medical people here, but I would still stay away.
 
So I’m kind of confused about McQueen’s back problem. This Brandon Sun article (link) states that the injury is not an inflammation, but rather a “pars fracture,” or fractures perhaps, between vertebrae, known as spondylolysis. One cause for this condition can be a growth spurt. Other causes can be overuse and genetics. I believe McQueen has said that he thinks his growth spurt had something to do with it. My confusion is whether once it heals, it’s over with, or whether it’s a problem that will plague him unpredictably going forward. In any case he’s not really my pick for 7.

I get the medical is a huge concern.

Honestly, my biggest problem with McQueen at 7 is he just hasn't ever played like the 7th best player in this draft. Sure maybe he has potential someday to be a first line player, and maybe some of the problem is he just hasn't been on the ice enough, but at the end of the day Eklund, Frondell, O'Brien, Desnoyers, Hagen, and maybe Bear, and a few other people outside the top 10 have simply been better players when they are on the ice. Again maybe the injury has limited him, but he hasn't shown nearly enough on the ice to be worth the 7th pick in this draft
 
I’d be ok with any of them at 7 other than McQueen, but my first choice would be Frondell
When you say youd be fine with any of them do you mean that it seems as though the potential upside for any of those players might make them the best of the lot long term? Frondell is the one you think but you wouldnt be shocked if it was eklund or martin etc?
 
I want to make the case for Roger McQueen.

I come in with two statements.

1. The ultimate goal is to win the Cup
2. The Bruins likely won’t be picking this low again when fully healthy without blowing it up harder.

With that in mind, assuming no unexpected drops, which is very possible, you are looking at McQueen, Martin, O’Brien or Eklund.

Martin I think you are hoping for Ryan Callahan but has a nice floor.

Eklund you are looking at something in a range of Nylander to Zuccarello.

O’Brien maybe a taller Savard is what you are hoping for.

These are all good players!

But are any of them the second best forward on a Cup winner?

McQueen, on the other hand, I think has a ceiling of that kind of player. Yes. There is a lot more risk.

But is the goal to get a top six guy to help you stay in the mushy middle, or take your shot?

There is so much complaining about the Bruins winning all these regular season games the last 15 years but only one Cup. I’d rather take the big swing on a guy that could, potentially, lead a 2nd first line before Pasta can’t lead the other one.
 
I want to make the case for Roger McQueen.

I come in with two statements.

1. The ultimate goal is to win the Cup
2. The Bruins likely won’t be picking this low again when fully healthy without blowing it up harder.

With that in mind, assuming no unexpected drops, which is very possible, you are looking at McQueen, Martin, O’Brien or Eklund.

Martin I think you are hoping for Ryan Callahan but has a nice floor.

Eklund you are looking at something in a range of Nylander to Zuccarello.

O’Brien maybe a taller Savard is what you are hoping for.

These are all good players!

But are any of them the second best forward on a Cup winner?

McQueen, on the other hand, I think has a ceiling of that kind of player. Yes. There is a lot more risk.

But is the goal to get a top six guy to help you stay in the mushy middle, or take your shot?

There is so much complaining about the Bruins winning all these regular season games the last 15 years but only one Cup. I’d rather take the big swing on a guy that could, potentially, lead a 2nd first line before Pasta can’t lead the other one.
Want no part of McQueen
 
Thing is, any one of these guys can end up being terrific or a bust and anywhere in between. IMO why take (with a high draft pick) a guy with a huge health question mark even if he "may" outgrow it.
There is enough talent up and down the list to pick wisely and well. Of the names that we've seen proposed here, only picking McQueen by the Bruins would leave me feeling very concerned and I don't think that concern (for me) would subside unless and until he's been in their system or playing for them without back issues for a few years.
That is too long to hold your breath that he isn't going to self destruct. BIG pass!
 
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I want to make the case for Roger McQueen.

I come in with two statements.

1. The ultimate goal is to win the Cup
2. The Bruins likely won’t be picking this low again when fully healthy without blowing it up harder.

With that in mind, assuming no unexpected drops, which is very possible, you are looking at McQueen, Martin, O’Brien or Eklund.

Martin I think you are hoping for Ryan Callahan but has a nice floor.

Eklund you are looking at something in a range of Nylander to Zuccarello.

O’Brien maybe a taller Savard is what you are hoping for.

These are all good players!

But are any of them the second best forward on a Cup winner?

McQueen, on the other hand, I think has a ceiling of that kind of player. Yes. There is a lot more risk.

But is the goal to get a top six guy to help you stay in the mushy middle, or take your shot?

There is so much complaining about the Bruins winning all these regular season games the last 15 years but only one Cup. I’d rather take the big swing on a guy that could, potentially, lead a 2nd first line before Pasta can’t lead the other one.

But based on what are you saying McQueen can be a #2 on a Championship team? simply because he is big?
 
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When you say youd be fine with any of them do you mean that it seems as though the potential upside for any of those players might make them the best of the lot long term? Frondell is the one you think but you wouldnt be shocked if it was eklund or martin etc?
No expert by any means, but all of those players are expected to go around 7 and Frondell even higher on some list. So I’d be happy with any of them.

The draft is still a crap shoot at times, so if Sweeney doesn’t go off the consensus and grab a player who’s expected by most to go late first or 2nd round, I’ll be ok with it,
 
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I think the real question with McQueen is what is the true nature of his back report, we dont (for good reason) have much information on it, and only doctors that specialize in spinal columns and growth would understand the outlook

I believe the Bruins were due a strong due diligence in this department to sus out whether he is worth the risk.

If you found out it's something that will never be a problem again and he's going to become a physical beast with a rocket shot and soft hands he's not out of the conversation at all
 
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I think the real question with McQueen is what is the true nature of his back report, we dont (for good reason) have much information on it, and only doctors that specialize in spinal columns and growth would understand the outlook

I believe the Bruins were due a strong due diligence in this department to sus out whether he is worth the risk.

If you found out it's something that will never be a problem again and he's going to become a physical beast with a rocket shot and soft hands he's not out of the conversation at all
I think he should be at 7. Even if a Doc clears him. You always find an opinion you like as long as you look hard enough. Lol

I’d just stay away at 7. If the Bruins were picking in the teens, then I could see it, but not this early. Sweeney needs to hit here.

Is his upside at 7 really that much greater than a Frondell, Eklund, or an O’Brein?This isn’t Mario or Lindros we’re talking about here, not even close. So why go out on the limb when they’ll be equal value there at 7 without the potential of drafting a player who could have an injury that could hamper his ability to play at a top level.
 
I think he should be at 7.
Is his upside at 7 really that much greater than a Frondell, Eklund, or an O’Brein?This isn’t Mario or Lindros we’re talking about here, not even close. So why go out on the limb when they’ll be equal value there at 7 without the potential of drafting a player who could have an injury that could hamper his ability to play at a top level.

I think it'll be a question of who's also there

Frondell's ceiling is lower than McQueen's

McQueen has a game breaking potential that OBrien doesn't have

McQueen has the position and physical toolset that Eklund doesn't have

gonna be a tough choice for sure, I hope medical info on McQueen makes it an easy choice for the Bruins
 

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