2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

If he scores 30+ goals for us, do we care? Because I think he has that kind of upside.

I just read like 5 scouting reports on him that say he excels at puck protection. So I would consider that “using his frame well” even if he is not fighting or landing big hits.

I would. If he was 6 foot, he wouldn't be ranked high.

 

[Frk It]

I would. If he was 6 foot, he wouldn't be ranked high.

So you just don’t like him then? Why?

I think it’s rare you can get a guy with the size/skating/skill of Lakovic in the 7-15 range. He is clearly more skilled than a guy like Rasmussen was at the same age, IMO.

I think Lakovic is intriguing even if he doesn’t play like a power forward. We need to stop being scared of a certain player type just because we had one before that didn’t work.

 

[Rolo Tomassi]

Looks like the boys want to ensure we dont sniff the top of the draft, with that gritty win over Florida today. We are going to do exactly what we all feared and win just enough to ensure the lowest possible draft pick and still miss the playoffs. I love watching them win these games, and the development of guys like Ed and Kasper, but the winning sure does feel bittersweet…

 

[deca guard]

FLUXCC SCOUTING VIDS :

 

[RedHawkDown]

So you just don’t like him then? Why?

I think it’s rare you can get a guy with the size/skating/skill of Lakovic in the 7-15 range. He is clearly more skilled than a guy like Rasmussen was at the same age, IMO.

I think Lakovic is intriguing even if he doesn’t play like a power forward. We need to stop being scared of a certain player type just because we had one before that didn’t work.

What exactly is the utility of size if they are soft and don’t use it?

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

So you just don’t like him then? Why?

I think it’s rare you can get a guy with the size/skating/skill of Lakovic in the 7-15 range. He is clearly more skilled than a guy like Rasmussen was at the same age, IMO.

I think Lakovic is intriguing even if he doesn’t play like a power forward. We need to stop being scared of a certain player type just because we had one before that didn’t work.

Nobody is arguing the skill. It is there, although I think you are overrating him. He is not some high-end player. He has 2nd line potential and to me his biggest knock is the play away from the puck. That is when he is coasting lots of times and does not compete hard enough. With his skill set the comparison should not be Rasmussen, but Mantha. And not wanting a player like that again is smart and prudent. And Lakovic does not have Mantha's skill set.

 

[Winger98]

So you just don’t like him then? Why?

I think it’s rare you can get a guy with the size/skating/skill of Lakovic in the 7-15 range. He is clearly more skilled than a guy like Rasmussen was at the same age, IMO.

I think Lakovic is intriguing even if he doesn’t play like a power forward. We need to stop being scared of a certain player type just because we had one before that didn’t work.

Eric Daze. Huge winger for the hawks in the 90s who got a lot of crap for being huge and not wrecking people...but he went out and just put the puck in the net. hell, he scored over 40 one year. I am fine with a finesse 6'6'' guy if he can produce like that.

 

[SantosHalper]

But does he have the mentality to play like a freight train or will he play like trolley as Moose and Mantha sill do? Size alone means absolutely nothing, if he does not know how to use it. I need to read up a bit more on Nesbitt.

Most of these reports say that he does use his size and is using it well. And since there is still room to grow, freight train potential is there.
OHL: Jack Nesbitt - Neutral Zone - Men's
Jack Nesbitt – Windsor Spitfires – Player Profile
Jack NESBITT

And this little backhand pass behind his back, offensive potential is there.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

Most of these reports say that he does use his size and is using it well. And since there is still room to grow, freight train potential is there.
OHL: Jack Nesbitt - Neutral Zone - Men's
Jack Nesbitt – Windsor Spitfires – Player Profile
Jack NESBITT
View attachment 1008080
And this little backhand pass behind his back, offensive potential is there.

So only his second yr in the OHL, gotta like that. Interesting. First question I have is: Why is he ranked so low by some ppl, his rankings are all over the place, despite him having even better stats than McQueen in his second yr. With those tools I would expect him being projected in the top12.

 

[Frk It]

delete - consolidated posts

 

[Frk It]

What exactly is the utility of size if they are soft and don’t use it?

Reach is a thing. Guys who are 6’4 and skate well with skill are hard to take the puck from.

Nobody is arguing the skill. It is there, although I think you are overrating him. He is not some high-end player. He has 2nd line potential and to me his biggest knock is the play away from the puck. That is when he is coasting lots of times and does not compete hard enough.

Maybe. I think he is interesting. I have not heard anyone else echo the “floating”, but if true then I might be fine passing on him.

With his skill set the comparison should not be Rasmussen, but Mantha. And not wanting a player like that again is smart and prudent. And Lakovic does not have Mantha's skill set.

Not every big forward playing in the CHL needs to be compared to 1 of these 2.

 

[SantosHalper]

So only his second yr in the OHL, gotta like that. Interesting. First question I have is: Why is he ranked so low by some ppl, his rankings are all over the place, despite him having even better stats than McQueen in his second yr. With those tools I would expect him being projected in the top12.

Exactly.

But no idea why, maybe he'll rise after the season.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Nobody is arguing the skill. It is there, although I think you are overrating him. He is not some high-end player. He has 2nd line potential and to me his biggest knock is the play away from the puck. That is when he is coasting lots of times and does not compete hard enough. With his skill set the comparison should not be Rasmussen, but Mantha. And not wanting a player like that again is smart and prudent. And Lakovic does not have Mantha's skill set.

If we are drafting in the 13-15 range, we are not getting a high-end, top line player. Please adjust your expectations. A good second line forward would absolutely be a win in that range.

 

[Frk It]

So only his second yr in the OHL, gotta like that. Interesting. First question I have is: Why is he ranked so low by some ppl, his rankings are all over the place, despite him having even better stats than McQueen in his second yr. With those tools I would expect him being projected in the top12.

Why are you comparing Nesbitt's draft season to McQueen's -1 season? They are all of 2 months apart in age.

McQueen has been a high profile guy for awhile now and played for Team Canada multiple times. Scouts that liked him before will probably chalk this season up to being de-railed by injuries.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Exactly.

But no idea why, maybe he'll rise after the season.

I don't think his play with the puck is quite as strong as you do. He isn't a bad player, but I prefer others in our range.

 

[SantosHalper]

I don't think his play with the puck is quite as strong as you do. He isn't a bad player, but I prefer others in our range.

He is still raw, clearly he is in the need for development time but the toolbox is vast for a player in our range.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

Why are you comparing Nesbitt's draft season to McQueen's -1 season? They are all of 2 months apart in age.

McQueen has been a high profile guy for awhile now and played for Team Canada multiple times. Scouts that liked him before will probably chalk this season up to being de-railed by injuries.

I am comparing their second yrs in the CHL. McQueen counts as a late birthday, Nesbitt does not, and that is something that can be a factor. And I am always weary of big boys with back issues. Especially when they occur even before the draft.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

So you just don’t like him then? Why?

I think it’s rare you can get a guy with the size/skating/skill of Lakovic in the 7-15 range. He is clearly more skilled than a guy like Rasmussen was at the same age, IMO.

I think Lakovic is intriguing even if he doesn’t play like a power forward. We need to stop being scared of a certain player type just because we had one before that didn’t work.

I just saw a YouTube mock where Lakovic goes to Detroit but none of the guys on the panel even liked the choice for them.

The more I read about Lakovic the less I like. Big guys with motor and engagement issues are a pass for me early in any draft. He looks like a guy that would go 20 or later in an average draft year.

 

[schuelma24]

I just saw a YouTube mock where Lakovic goes to Detroit but none of the guys on the panel even liked the choice for them.

The more I read about Lakovic the less I like. Big guys with motor and engagement issues are a pass for me early in any draft. He looks like a guy that would go 20 or later in an average draft year.

Yeah and seems like the opposite of an Yzerman type.

I'm going to predict Eklund - I can see him falling a bit being a slightly undersized window and screams Yzerman pick to me.

 

[Frk It]

I just saw a YouTube mock where Lakovic goes to Detroit but none of the guys on the panel even liked the choice for them.

The more I read about Lakovic the less I like. Big guys with motor and engagement issues are a pass for me early in any draft. He looks like a guy that would go 20 or later in an average draft year.

I have yet to see anyone I consider credible say he has motor or compete issues. If that is valid, I am fine with passing on him.

People on here were telling me like a month ago he is a riser and going top 10.

I don’t buy into the narrative that this is a bad/weak draft, and 6’4 guys with skill like Lakovic are always going to get drafted pretty high, unless there are serious flaws in their game.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I have yet to see anyone I consider credible say he has motor or compete issues. If that is valid, I am fine with passing on him.

People on here were telling me like a month ago he is a riser and going top 10.

I don’t buy into the narrative that this is a bad/weak draft, and 6’4 guys with skill like Lakovic are always going to get drafted pretty high, unless there are serious flaws in their game.

Brock Otten, Darren Boyce, Anthony Donati, Mark from NHL draft pros. The complaints are that he plays like a sub 6’0” player. The pros are that he might be this year’s Beckett sennecke.

I just hope the wings somehow win this lottery. 10 and later in this draft gives me 2012 and 2018 vibes.

 

[Frk It]

Brock Otten, Darren Boyce, Anthony Donati, Mark from NHL draft pros. The complaints are that he plays like a sub 6’0” player. The pros are that he might be this year’s Beckett sennecke.

I just hope the wings somehow win this lottery. 10 and later in this draft gives me 2012 and 2018 vibes.

Ok, I am a fan of Brock’s work, so that holds some water for me.

I mean to be honest though, I feel like you could say some similar things about O’Brien who people seem to like, but plays a pretty finesse game.

 

[RedWingzz]

why do we do this every year? when it seems like it's mathematically over, the team gets hot down the stretch and lowers the pick. It's so unbelievably frustrating. When we want wins in a playoff chase, they lose. Then when we want losses to solidify a better draft position, they win. I bet we go like 4-2 down the stretch, finish with 87 points, and draft 15th.

to me there are 9 "top of the lineup" players in the draft; Schaefer, Misa, Martone, Hagens, Frondell, Desnoyers, O'Brien, Eklund and McQueen. This late season hot streak will ensure we get none of them.

I'm ready to be disappointed with Brady Martin or Lynden Lakovic.

 

[schuelma24]

why do we do this every year? when it seems like it's mathematically over, the team gets hot down the stretch and lowers the pick. It's so unbelievably frustrating. When we want wins in a playoff chase, they lose. Then when we want losses to solidify a better draft position, they win. I bet we go like 4-2 down the stretch, finish with 87 points, and draft 15th.

to me there are 9 "top of the lineup" players in the draft; Schaefer, Misa, Martone, Hagens, Frondell, Desnoyers, O'Brien, Eklund and McQueen. This late season hot streak will ensure we get none of them.

I'm ready to be disappointed with Brady Martin or Lynden Lakovic.

If Wings pick 10-12 I bet there’s a decent chance they land one of them - there is no world where only 1 defenseman goes top 10 IMO

 

[GarlicbreadTB]

why do we do this every year? when it seems like it's mathematically over, the team gets hot down the stretch and lowers the pick. It's so unbelievably frustrating. When we want wins in a playoff chase, they lose. Then when we want losses to solidify a better draft position, they win. I bet we go like 4-2 down the stretch, finish with 87 points, and draft 15th.

to me there are 9 "top of the lineup" players in the draft; Schaefer, Misa, Martone, Hagens, Frondell, Desnoyers, O'Brien, Eklund and McQueen. This late season hot streak will ensure we get none of them.

I'm ready to be disappointed with Brady Martin or Lynden Lakovic.

Someone will probably slide down to us because someones gonna like a certain defenseman.