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.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

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.

Kindel and Potter won't play center at the NHL level. If you are drafting them with the expectation that they play center you will be disappointed.

Physicality never goes out of style. Especially on the back end.

 

[Run the Jewels]

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.

We've drafted physical guys in the past. The problem comes when they are asked to play hockey at a relatively high level. None of them have been able to do that, which is kind of key.

Taking a look at Pronman's latest prospect rankings, Milton Gastrin continues be ranked in an area where we would likely be able to draft him, and he has the toolset that we've come to expect from Red Wings draft picks. So this feels like the safest pick.

But I am intrigued by Cullen Potter, who has the type of skill we could use in our middle six. The low compete level could be a non-starter, but he's got loads of skating and skill, and if you think the compete can be fixed he could be a steal given he was playing lots of NCAA hockey while still being 17 years old.

In the NCAA he's playing against 20 something try hards where their only ticket to continuing to play the game is to outwork the opposition, and a 5'10" 17 year old who has always gotten by on skill may not be quite ready to meet the physical demands. If you think that's fixable then being able to get someone with his toolbox where we're drafting would be a nice win.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

I'm leaning toward Gastrin for the meme potential. Milt the Stilt, Milt Chamberlain, some weird Aleister Crowley references like "Do What Thou Milt". There's just a lot of potential there.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

We've drafted physical guys in the past. The problem comes when they are asked to play hockey at a relatively high level. None of them have been able to do that, which is kind of key.

Taking a look at Pronman's latest prospect rankings, Milton Gastrin continues be ranked in an area where we would likely be able to draft him, and he has the toolset that we've come to expect from Red Wings draft picks. So this feels like the safest pick.

But I am intrigued by Cullen Potter, who has the type of skill we could use in our middle six. The low compete level could be a non-starter, but he's got loads of skating and skill, and if you think the compete can be fixed he could be a steal given he was playing lots of NCAA hockey while still being 17 years old.

In the NCAA he's playing against 20 something try hards where their only ticket to continuing to play the game is to outwork the opposition, and a 5'10" 17 year old who has always gotten by on skill may not be quite ready to meet the physical demands. If you think that's fixable then being able to get someone with his toolbox where we're drafting would be a nice win.

Agree. And i have a hard time believing the compete issues, as he is prob the youngest 1c in the NCAA. Coaches wouldnt put him in that position, if those issues were a real concern.

We've drafted physical guys in the past. The problem comes when they are asked to play hockey at a relatively high level. None of them have been able to do that, which is kind of key.

Taking a look at Pronman's latest prospect rankings, Milton Gastrin continues be ranked in an area where we would likely be able to draft him, and he has the toolset that we've come to expect from Red Wings draft picks. So this feels like the safest pick.

But I am intrigued by Cullen Potter, who has the type of skill we could use in our middle six. The low compete level could be a non-starter, but he's got loads of skating and skill, and if you think the compete can be fixed he could be a steal given he was playing lots of NCAA hockey while still being 17 years old.

In the NCAA he's playing against 20 something try hards where their only ticket to continuing to play the game is to outwork the opposition, and a 5'10" 17 year old who has always gotten by on skill may not be quite ready to meet the physical demands. If you think that's fixable then being able to get someone with his toolbox where we're drafting would be a nice win.

Agree. And i have a hard time believing the compete issues, as he is prob the youngest 1c in the NCAA. Coaches wouldnt put him in that position, if those issues were a massive concern.

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

We've drafted physical guys in the past. The problem comes when they are asked to play hockey at a relatively high level. None of them have been able to do that, which is kind of key.

Taking a look at Pronman's latest prospect rankings, Milton Gastrin continues be ranked in an area where we would likely be able to draft him, and he has the toolset that we've come to expect from Red Wings draft picks. So this feels like the safest pick.

But I am intrigued by Cullen Potter, who has the type of skill we could use in our middle six. The low compete level could be a non-starter, but he's got loads of skating and skill, and if you think the compete can be fixed he could be a steal given he was playing lots of NCAA hockey while still being 17 years old.

In the NCAA he's playing against 20 something try hards where their only ticket to continuing to play the game is to outwork the opposition, and a 5'10" 17 year old who has always gotten by on skill may not be quite ready to meet the physical demands. If you think that's fixable then being able to get someone with his toolbox where we're drafting would be a nice win.

Who? Every person they’ve drafted who is physical in the first round also is a talented offensive player and actually has skill. If you’re talking about late round guys then that doesn’t matter. Obviously you want to draft 2 way players, you don’t draft people for only one attribute.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Going off NHLe, there’s a guy I want to take a long look at; Kristian Epersson
Ranked anywhere from late 1st to late 2nd. If he’s around in the 3rd I definitely jump at him.

Overager that didn’t get much playing time with USNTDP last year and made the switch to the OHL. Average size, solid numbers, plays for Saginaw so I assume Detroit scouts know him well.
Kristian Epperson – Saginaw Spirit – Player Profile.

Also with where Detroit is currently drafting (10th, ugh.) I’m taking a good look at Carter Bear, Jake O’Brien, Brady Martin and Justin Carbonneau. Maybe add Benjamin Kindel to the list.

From what I’m reading in Carbonneau’s scouting reports he seems a bit like Michael Hage; speedy right shot C/W, good shot, high level of creativity and not afraid of contact.
QMJHL: Justin Carbonneau - Neutral Zone - Men's.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

More on Carbonneau.

Justin Carbonneau is a dynamic option for the 2025 draft

 

[schuelma24]

I think we're likely to pick 8th-10th and my preference is Eklund or O'Brien. I think one or both would be available in at that range.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

Also with where Detroit is currently drafting (10th, ugh.) I’m taking a good look at Carter Bear, Jake O’Brien, Brady Martin and Justin Carbonneau. Maybe add Benjamin Kindel to the list.

From everything I've heard so far this is the kinda draft where you wanna pick at least 12th or higher cuz the drop off in the teens after that seems pretty significant. Tho I am as frustrated as anybody about the situation: Getting shelled in rd1 and getting a meh player at #18 maybe ain't better than no playoffs, but getting a definite top6 player at #10. A blue chip that you maybe even package to get someone comin in via trade in the summer.

What a weird situation anyway: 3pts out of a playoff spot and 3pts out of pick #8.

 

[cvaicunas]

I'll try burning sage near my Wings jerseys, maybe that will give us some lottery luck this year.

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

A man can dream but if we somehow drafted Misa most of our long term problems would be solved…

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Want least #9.

If we can get a eklund frondell desyoners o’brien or kindel. I’ll be A OK with that

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Going off NHLe, there’s a guy I want to take a long look at; Kristian Epersson
Ranked anywhere from late 1st to late 2nd. If he’s around in the 3rd I definitely jump at him.

Overager that didn’t get much playing time with USNTDP last year and made the switch to the OHL. Average size, solid numbers, plays for Saginaw so I assume Detroit scouts know him well.
Kristian Epperson – Saginaw Spirit – Player Profile.

Also with where Detroit is currently drafting (10th, ugh.) I’m taking a good look at Carter Bear, Jake O’Brien, Brady Martin and Justin Carbonneau. Maybe add Benjamin Kindel to the list.

From what I’m reading in Carbonneau’s scouting reports he seems a bit like Michael Hage; speedy right shot C/W, good shot, high level of creativity and not afraid of contact.
QMJHL: Justin Carbonneau - Neutral Zone - Men's.

i would swing on epperson with our 2nd

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Want least #9.

If we can get a eklund frondell desyoners o’brien or kindel. I’ll be A OK with that

Is it just me or does Desnoyers seem like fools gold? Like…he shares a lot of Danielson and Kasper’s game. But isn’t as good a skater as either. In what I can watch of Desnoyers I’m not sure what his standout trait is.

 

[schuelma24]

Is it just me or does Desnoyers seem like fools gold? Like…he shares a lot of Danielson and Kasper’s game. But isn’t as good a skater as either. In what I can watch of Desnoyers I’m not sure what his standout trait is.

I think the thought is he’s producing major offense so he’s more skilled .. but he’s also doing it in the Q, so I’m kind of with you. I don’t see a standout trait necessarily.

I think he’ll be gone before the Wings anyways … lots of teams do need that 200 foot center.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Is it just me or does Desnoyers seem like fools gold? Like…he shares a lot of Danielson and Kasper’s game. But isn’t as good a skater as either. In what I can watch of Desnoyers I’m not sure what his standout trait is.

While i don’t think he’s as good of a skater as Nate and Kasper, he’s still a very good skater. He’s probably right up there with danielson defensively. And he has a higher hockey IQ than both. He’ll absolutely play C at the next level. To me his standout trait obviously besides being the best 200 ft C in the draft is his IQ.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I think we're likely to pick 8th-10th and my preference is Eklund or O'Brien. I think one or both would be available in at that range.

I am fine with O'brien but will be very disappointed in posters when they start bitching about him not being in the NHL in his D+2 year. He is good but has a lot of development ahead of him, more than most in that range.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

While i don’t think he’s as good of a skater as Nate and Kasper, he’s still a very good skater. He’s probably right up there with danielson defensively. And he has a higher hockey IQ than both. He’ll absolutely play C at the next level. To me his standout trait obviously besides being the best 200 ft C in the draft is his IQ.

I don’t buy the hockey IQ bit. I watched a lot of Kasper and Nate in their draft years and subequent seasons, and I don’t know if Desnoyers is as smart as either. Both Nate and Kasper played super mature games.

Desnoyers backchecks and I like his hustle, but he’s not reading plays 3 steps ahead and stopping an opponents cross crease pass then converting it to offense. Again, not saying he’s dumb, but I don’t think his IQ is standout level. I can see him becoming a 20-30 point bottom 6 guy as easily as I can see him becoming a top 6 two way guy. Or maybe I’m just biased against the Q? They haven’t really produced many top 6 forwards and top 4 defensemen in the last 6 years or so.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I am fine with O'brien but will be very disappointed in posters when they start bitching about him not being in the NHL in his D+2 year. He is good but has a lot of development ahead of him, more than most in that range.

What do you think the high end and low end outcomes are for O’Brien?