2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

For some reason I totally missed HP put out an updated ranking: 2025 NHL Draft Ranking - HockeyProspect.com

I think I would be fine with taking anyone they have ranked between 8 and 14, although not entirely sold on Brady Martin yet.

But I found it interesting how high they had Bear, Martin, and Mrtka ranked. I could see Detroit also being high on those guys.

Not a Smith fan really. Lacks hockey sense, can see him getting picked apart at higher levels.

 

[HoweFan]

We have an extra 3rd from Maata and an extra 7th from Vrana. We traded our 4th with Fabbri and got a 4th retaining Gourde

Thanks

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

Draft someone physical please, I can’t keep watching this nonsense in front of our net. I almost guarantee Kashawn Aitcheson will be a red wing.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

I spent some time yesterday listening to several draft pods. It seems like more of a clusterf*** than usual at this time. Rankings - even in the top 10 to a degree - are all over the place. In some cases there are differences of 20 spots in the 1st round. Ivan Ryabkin is prob the most controversial.
I think the "best" we can do is to drop to #9. "Worst" prob #17. In that range there should be several interesting kids. I got my eyes on the centers: Martin, O'Brien and McQueen, Desnoyers, Kindel and Potter, who I think fit Stevie's blueprint. McQueen ad Desnoyers are pretty unlikely to fall to us tho. Kindel and Potter are both on the smaller side. But both highly-skilled, very cerebral with great motors and top6 potential. Think Marco Rossi with better skating. I think the tier with significant flaws starts already around #10 and as far as I've heard I am not too enthralled with the defensemen after Schaefer like Reid, Smith or Hensler.

One ranking had a very interesting dark horse at #11 who looks like a beast and is as low as 5th rounder in several other rankings, so flying under the radar: Daniil Prokhorov - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

No int. play for Russia could distort things somewhat and make for nice surprises.

Draft someone physical please, I can’t keep watching this nonsense in front of our net. I almost guarantee Kashawn Aitcheson will be a red wing.

Don't think that is the way to go. Selecting someone who improves a now-problem in roughly 4yrs.

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

I spent some time yesterday listening to several draft pods. It seems like more of a clusterf*** than usual at this time. Rankings - even in the top 10 to a degree - are all over the place. In some cases there are differences of 20 spots in the 1st round. Ivan Ryabkin is prob the most controversial.
I think the "best" we can do is to drop to #9. "Worst" prob #17. In that range there should be several interesting kids. I got my eyes on the centers: Martin, O'Brien and McQueen, Desnoyers, Kindel and Potter, who I think fit Stevie's blueprint. McQueen ad Desnoyers are pretty unlikely to fall to us tho. Kindel and Potter are both on the smaller side. But both highly-skilled, very cerebral with great motors and top6 potential. Think Marco Rossi with better skating. I think the tier with significant flaws starts already around #10 and as far as I've heard I am not too enthralled with the defensemen after Schaefer like Reid, Smith or Hensler.

One ranking had a very interesting dark horse at #11 who looks like a beast and is as low as 5th rounder in several other rankings, so flying under the radar: Daniil Prokhorov - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

No int. play for Russia could distort things somewhat and make for nice surprises.


Don't think that is the way to go. Selecting someone who improves a now-problem in roughly 4yrs.

Most 1st rounders are 2-3 years away, not 4. They definitely are looking at people who are physical, it falls in line with what they’ve drafted the past 3 years and also matches Steve’s comments at the presser “whether you like it or not fighting is back after the four nations” - yzerman.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

Most 1st rounders are 2-3 years away, not 4. They definitely are looking at people who are physical, it falls in line with what they’ve drafted the past 3 years and also matches Steve’s comments at the presser “whether you like it or not fighting is back after the four nations” - yzerman.

Physicality is something you should be able to address fairly quickly. Defensemen usually take longer and most ppl were fairly certain that Atcheson's upside is a #4, but most likely a 5/6. I think there is more value to be had where we pick. Didn't hear that quote from Stevie.