2025 DRAFT Discussion

[ShanahanMan]

Suffer.

Jeez, a bit much.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

The injury scares me and how do you know how much of him I've seen? I don't remember ever saying that?

You didn’t say how much you’ve seen him, but your take makes me believe you haven’t seen much.

I live in Everett and go to Tips games. I’ve seen a lot of him and can tell you this; he’s a pitbull but he’s got brains.

He drives the net like he’s 6’3” 220 when given the chance. He’s also hard in the corners the same way Mazur is. Not a big guy but pound for pound is very strong on the puck.

He manipulates defenders a lot like Jarvis did in Portland. Slow down the D before crossing the blue line then speeding up. Or speeding through the NZ into the offensive zone then curling back to the blue line to make a play to an incoming teammate.

His shot, passing and stick skills are plus level. And he shows these abilities at a high level at speed. And the way he generates his points is more often from the hash marks in. That’s usually an indicator of translatable offense.

The only forward I’ve watched closely this draft with a comparable motor is Eklund, who I think is slightly more skilled, but I have concerns about his size than Bear’s. The kid is a worker.

He’s not super advanced defensively like Benson and Danielson were, but he’s for sure better than what I’ve seen from Misa abd Hagans in that area. Again, see his motor. The kid hustles to get back and help.

The injury worries me, too. It’s a fair concern. I still think his floor is a plus level 3rd liner depending on how his recovery goes and the severity. If the recovery is ok I don’t see why he can’t develop into a very good top 6 or even true top of the lineup winger.

My Ogee sense is tingling when I watch this prospect for the ‘it’ factor. I’ve got a lot more hits than misses when I feel a certain way about a prospect. (Still waiting for @The Zetterberg Era to eat crow about Rossi)

TLDR; He’s realgud and reminds me of a few other prospects I thought were realgud and are now successful top 6 NHLers. Anything from a 20-25g guy to a 70+ point guy. Lots of others in the 10-20 range look to have much less potential than that, in my opinion.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

You didn’t say how much you’ve seen him, but your take makes me believe you haven’t seen much.

I live in Everett and go to Tips games. I’ve seen a lot of him and can tell you this; he’s a pitbull but he’s got brains.

He drives the net like he’s 6’3” 220 when given the chance. He’s also hard in the corners the same way Mazur is. Not a big guy but pound for pound is very strong on the puck.

He manipulates defenders a lot like Jarvis did in Portland. Slow down the D before crossing the blue line then speeding up. Or speeding through the NZ into the offensive zone then curling back to the blue line to make a play to an incoming teammate.

His shot, passing and stick skills are plus level. And he shows these abilities at a high level at speed. And the way he generates his points is more often from the hash marks in. That’s usually an indicator of translatable offense.

The only forward I’ve watched closely this draft with a comparable motor is Eklund, who I think is slightly more skilled, but I have concerns about his size than Bear’s. The kid is a worker.

He’s not super advanced defensively like Benson and Danielson were, but he’s for sure better than what I’ve seen from Misa abd Hagans in that area. Again, see his motor. The kid hustles to get back and help.

The injury worries me, too. It’s a fair concern. I still think his floor is a plus level 3rd liner depending on how his recovery goes and the severity. If the recovery is ok I don’t see why he can’t develop into a very good top 6 or even true top of the lineup winger.

My Ogee sense is tingling when I watch this prospect for the ‘it’ factor. I’ve got a lot more hits than misses when I feel a certain way about a prospect. (Still waiting for @The Zetterberg Era to eat crow about Rossi)

TLDR; He’s realgud and reminds me of a few other prospects I thought were realgud and are now successful top 6 NHLers. Anything from a 20-25g guy to a 70+ point guy. Lots of others in the 10-20 range look to have much less potential than that, in my opinion.

I have said the Rossi thing several times this year. Surprised his scoring has translated to the NHL, still see him as a winger. His draft top 5 are all better than him. Super happy we have Lucas Raymond.

Curious why Minnesota is seemingly shopping him. Isn’t a piece I would accept as a major piece in the thrown around Larkin trade. At least not on a Byfield or Knies level prospect.

Given all he overcame with his health issues it is remarkable where Rossi is. It looks like he is a top 6 player and I certainly had questions there.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I have said the Rossi thing several times this year. Surprised his scoring has translated to the NHL, still see him as a winger. His draft top 5 are all better than him. Super happy we have Lucas Raymond.

Curious why Minnesota is seemingly shopping him. Isn’t a piece I would accept as a major piece in the thrown around Larkin trade. At least not on a Byfield or Knies level prospect.

Given all he overcame with his health issues it is remarkable where Rossi is. It looks like he is a top 6 player and I certainly had questions there.

Bustield and Lafbustiere are not better than Rossi. He’s also better than Quinn, Holtz, Drysdale. He’s probably the 5th best player from that draft. That’s not too bad.

Why Minnesota is shopping him? Probably because Guerin is a moron. The kid is probably the best center they’ve ever had. (Says a lot about that franchise.).

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Bustield and Lafbustiere are not better than Rossi. He’s also better than Quinn, Holtz, Drysdale. He’s probably the 5th best player from that draft. That’s not too bad.

Why Minnesota is shopping him? Probably because Guerin is a moron. The kid is probably the best center they’ve ever had. (Says a lot about that franchise.).

Ogee, don't be like that.

They have names.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Bustield and Lafbustiere are not better than Rossi. He’s also better than Quinn, Holtz, Drysdale. He’s probably the 5th best player from that draft. That’s not too bad.

Why Minnesota is shopping him? Probably because Guerin is a moron. The kid is probably the best center they’ve ever had. (Says a lot about that franchise.).

Is he a top 6 center?

 

[Bob Probert Owns You]

This is the year we win the lottery!!

Right?

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

You didn’t say how much you’ve seen him, but your take makes me believe you haven’t seen much.

I live in Everett and go to Tips games. I’ve seen a lot of him and can tell you this; he’s a pitbull but he’s got brains.

He drives the net like he’s 6’3” 220 when given the chance. He’s also hard in the corners the same way Mazur is. Not a big guy but pound for pound is very strong on the puck.

He manipulates defenders a lot like Jarvis did in Portland. Slow down the D before crossing the blue line then speeding up. Or speeding through the NZ into the offensive zone then curling back to the blue line to make a play to an incoming teammate.

His shot, passing and stick skills are plus level. And he shows these abilities at a high level at speed. And the way he generates his points is more often from the hash marks in. That’s usually an indicator of translatable offense.

The only forward I’ve watched closely this draft with a comparable motor is Eklund, who I think is slightly more skilled, but I have concerns about his size than Bear’s. The kid is a worker.

He’s not super advanced defensively like Benson and Danielson were, but he’s for sure better than what I’ve seen from Misa abd Hagans in that area. Again, see his motor. The kid hustles to get back and help.

The injury worries me, too. It’s a fair concern. I still think his floor is a plus level 3rd liner depending on how his recovery goes and the severity. If the recovery is ok I don’t see why he can’t develop into a very good top 6 or even true top of the lineup winger.

My Ogee sense is tingling when I watch this prospect for the ‘it’ factor. I’ve got a lot more hits than misses when I feel a certain way about a prospect. (Still waiting for @The Zetterberg Era to eat crow about Rossi)

TLDR; He’s realgud and reminds me of a few other prospects I thought were realgud and are now successful top 6 NHLers. Anything from a 20-25g guy to a 70+ point guy. Lots of others in the 10-20 range look to have much less potential than that, in my opinion.

If we draft him I hope you're right.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

This is the year we win the lottery!!

Right?

Misa would be very nice.

 

[GarlicbreadTB]

11th now. With the team already on the golf course now we're gonna finish 9th is my guess when its ultimately done.

 

[Lampedampe]

Hope that Buffalo and Pittsburgh pass the Wings.

Some great players should be available at 7, decent lottery chance aswell.

Given the lottery odds since 2017, they've had roughly a 50% chance of winning 1st overall once. Which is probably the best odds anyone has ever had without winning it. Just give the Wings a win, like once... It's been so long.

Is Misa the consensus pick? And does he project to become a center in the NHL?

 

[wingerdinger]

Hope that Buffalo and Pittsburgh pass the Wings.

Some great players should be available at 7, decent lottery chance aswell.

Given the lottery odds since 2017, they've had roughly a 50% chance of winning 1st overall once. Which is probably the best odds anyone has ever had without winning it. Just give the Wings a win, like once... It's been so long.

Is Misa the consensus pick? And does he project to become a center in the NHL?

Misa is 100% a center at the NHL level. And I prefer him to Schaffer and Hagens. He'd be a solid John Tavares tier first overall. He'd give us ridiculous depth. I wouldnt mind having to settle for Jake O'Brien

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Ogee, don't be like that.

They have names.

Not if they’re busts!

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Misa would be very nice.

I’d prefer Schaeffer. The kid looked like a superstar before his injury. If the wings drafted Schaeffer I’d put Larkin on the market for 2026 picks (looks like an awesome draft) and look at building this team’s core out of the 2019 to 2026 draftees entirely. Schaeffer could be another Luke Hughes, or he could be up there with Makar and Hughes as a game breaker.

Misa might be a Matt Duchene or Tyler Seguin/Taylor hall level of talent. Top line guy but franchise cornerstone top line? Eh…

The kid didn’t show up well for his team’s postseason when the points weren’t easy. He’s undeniably talented but I get the feeling he’s going to be one of those guys you always want more from.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

Bustield and Lafbustiere are not better than Rossi. He’s also better than Quinn, Holtz, Drysdale. He’s probably the 5th best player from that draft. That’s not too bad.

Why Minnesota is shopping him? Probably because Guerin is a moron. The kid is probably the best center they’ve ever had. (Says a lot about that franchise.).

Heard that Billysaurus simply does not like Rossi's size at C.

Is Misa the consensus pick? And does he project to become a center in the NHL?

Schaefer is the consensus pick. And with good reason IMO. While I do not see him getting quite the totals of Makar or Hughes, I see him def as a better defender - significantly better than Hughes. Breakout passes? He excels. PP and PK? He is your man. IQ? Sharp as a razor. Defense prowess? He has it. The total package. I totally understand to be craving for Misa, who would be that C that could push Larkin to 2C within 2-3 yrs, but IMO Schaefer's floor and ceiling are higher. Cannot pass that up.

But you should focus your gaze on the picks 7-12 anyway

 

[Murmansk16A]

Hope that Buffalo and Pittsburgh pass the Wings.

Some great players should be available at 7, decent lottery chance aswell.

Given the lottery odds since 2017, they've had roughly a 50% chance of winning 1st overall once. Which is probably the best odds anyone has ever had without winning it. Just give the Wings a win, like once... It's been so long.

Is Misa the consensus pick? And does he project to become a center in the NHL?

Pittsburgh's been calling up rookies/minor leaguers left and right. They are in full tank mode.

 

[Holden Caufield]

Pittsburgh's been calling up rookies/minor leaguers left and right. They are in full tank mode.

Pittsburgh have fully embraced the tank. Doubt they catch us.

Anaheim only has 3 games left. Colorado, and then on the road to Minnesota and Winnipeg. I doubt they get a single point (even if they tried)

Maybe Buffalo passes us. They are as hot as they’ve been in years.

9th is Absolute best case scenario (Sabres and Isles both pass us).
Still Most likely 10th or 11th.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Not if they’re busts!

We are going to use the hot season to establish this. When you combine the last two years both of your busts have more points than him and contribute far more elements. But cool story.

He has become a solid NHL player. One I would happily put out on the wing of my second line.

Not a big Laf guy, but when we talk Larkin trades, Byfield if LA is willing to move on is one of my favorite targets league wide.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I’d prefer Schaeffer. The kid looked like a superstar before his injury. If the wings drafted Schaeffer I’d put Larkin on the market for 2026 picks (looks like an awesome draft) and look at building this team’s core out of the 2019 to 2026 draftees entirely. Schaeffer could be another Luke Hughes, or he could be up there with Makar and Hughes as a game breaker.

Misa might be a Matt Duchene or Tyler Seguin/Taylor hall level of talent. Top line guy but franchise cornerstone top line? Eh…

The kid didn’t show up well for his team’s postseason when the points weren’t easy. He’s undeniably talented but I get the feeling he’s going to be one of those guys you always want more from.

I just would like to have this problem of which guy to choose

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I just would like to have this problem of which guy to choose

No shit, talk about problems we don't have...

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I do lean Misa in terms of the debate. But I understand putting together the best top 4 in the league and playing them in front of Cossa/Augustine if the unthinkable lottery win happens.

Our problems with scoring for an entire decade are probably clouding this a bit. I know you draft talent not positional need. I think Misa helps slot our offense into better roles. We have two top pairing youngsters and a really great d prospect on the way.

 

[HisNoodliness]

I do lean Misa in terms of the debate. But I understand putting together the best top 4 in the league and playing them in front of Cossa/Augustine if the unthinkable lottery win happens.

Our problems with scoring for an entire decade are probably clouding this a bit. I know you draft talent not positional need. I think Misa helps slot our offense into better roles. We have two top pairing youngsters and a really great d prospect on the way.

Yeah this is pretty much where I am as well. I would love to get Schaefer because that would make our defense an absolutely incredible group. We could have 4 guys that you could argue are the number one guy.

But that's a luxury and our future forward core is pretty likely to be fundamentally lacking. If Larkin doesn't age gracefully and/or Kasper/Danielson can't play as 1/2Cs- a fairly likely outcome- we'll have a huge hole down the middle. Misa just slots everyone in the right spot. He takes over as the 1C for Larkin as he ages. Then you only need one of Larkin, Kasper and Danielson to handle 2C minutes (which Kasper has shown he can do and we can assume an aging Larkin could do at least at first). To go along with Raymond, that's likely all of the most important forward spots filled right there.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Yeah this is pretty much where I am as well. I would love to get Schaefer because that would make our defense an absolutely incredible group. We could have 4 guys that you could argue are the number one guy.

But that's a luxury and our future forward core is pretty likely to be fundamentally lacking. If Larkin doesn't age gracefully and/or Kasper/Danielson can't play as 1/2Cs- a fairly likely outcome- we'll have a huge hole down the middle. Misa just slots everyone in the right spot. He takes over as the 1C for Larkin as he ages. Then you only need one of Larkin, Kasper and Danielson to handle 2C minutes (which Kasper has shown he can do and we can assume an aging Larkin could do at least at first). To go along with Raymond, that's likely all of the most important forward spots filled right there.

The team’s scoring would take a big jump in general if we had defensemen that could actually play the puck.

Look at the top 4 defense of the top 10 scoring teams in the NHL. The only team with a weak top 4 is Toronto.

If by some stroke of luck we get Schaeffer that’s a real needle mover. More goals for, fewer goals against.

 

[newfy]

I’d prefer Schaeffer. The kid looked like a superstar before his injury. If the wings drafted Schaeffer I’d put Larkin on the market for 2026 picks (looks like an awesome draft) and look at building this team’s core out of the 2019 to 2026 draftees entirely. Schaeffer could be another Luke Hughes, or he could be up there with Makar and Hughes as a game breaker.

Misa might be a Matt Duchene or Tyler Seguin/Taylor hall level of talent. Top line guy but franchise cornerstone top line? Eh…

The kid didn’t show up well for his team’s postseason when the points weren’t easy. He’s undeniably talented but I get the feeling he’s going to be one of those guys you always want more from.

I would go Schaeffer as well but I would be really happy landing Misa. I definitely wouldn't be using 4 playoff games to judge anything about him as a player. He lit up the Hlinka as a younger guy. But those 4 games don't mean anything when you're looking at his 62 goals in 65 games as a draft eligible. Its not even worth discussing.

And while Misa is definitely a better prospect than Duchene, even if that's what he ended up being... prime Duchene was a bonafide first line center. Seguin was a top 10 scorer in the league in his prime, finished top 5 in goals more than once and Taylor Hall has a hart trophy.... any of those turnouts at 2nd overall are great and wouldx put the wings in the playoffs

I do lean Misa in terms of the debate. But I understand putting together the best top 4 in the league and playing them in front of Cossa/Augustine if the unthinkable lottery win happens.

Our problems with scoring for an entire decade are probably clouding this a bit. I know you draft talent not positional need. I think Misa helps slot our offense into better roles. We have two top pairing youngsters and a really great d prospect on the way.

I think the wings scoring would be helped a tonne by a guy like Schaeffer though. Having Petry and Chiarot types out of the top 4 completely makes the breakout and offensive play on the blue line look a lot different. A guy like Schaeffer helps that while also making the team better defensively.

No point in even talking about it really though, the wings don't win lotteries lol

 

[HisNoodliness]

The team’s scoring would take a big jump in general if we had defensemen that could actually play the puck.

Look at the top 4 defense of the top 10 scoring teams in the NHL. The only team with a weak top 4 is Toronto.

If by some stroke of luck we get Schaeffer that’s a real needle mover. More goals for, fewer goals against.

I get it. Schaeffer is going 1st overall for a reason. I'd be thrilled to have him. I just think that Misa is equally talented and at a position where we really need the help.

Seider and Edvinsson give you two two-way, all situations, 25 minute defenseman. I think ASP can be a third first line caliber defenseman (and a more pure offense type). AlJo showed top 4 potential this year. Along with the rest of our prospects and a possible addition or two along the way, I find it easy to believe in our defense measuring up to the D of those top ten teams.

If I do the same exercise with forwards, I really don't believe in what we have. We need another big contributor.

And all of that is only relevant because I can't decide if I like Misa or Schaeffer more to begin with. If they weren't very close for me, I would just take the better one. I'll happily take either. If we somehow end up with second OA, I'll just be happy