2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Rzombo4 prez]

Drafting in the 12-15 range is really going to suck. Just give me Carbonneau or Aitcheson already and be done with it.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

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.

O’Brien’s perceived skill and ceiling are waaaay higher. He also plays center and doesn’t appear to shy away from engagement. Also, O’Brien has been on fire since game 15 on the year. 12 points in his first 15 games. 86 in the next 51. That’s realgud.

I haven’t seem enough of Lakovic to give a staunch opinion one way or another. He’s being billed as a player that’s a rebuilding team’s best player, but the bits I’ve seen and read so far don’t pop to me the same way Danielson did in 2023. I don’t think he’s got that ability to will a play into existence that Quentin Musty did. I’m going to do a little more digging, but I’m leaning towards a no for Lakovic. If we’re in the 12-14 range because Detroit continues to win meaningless games then I’m leaning toward Martin or Aitcheson. Or just dealing the pick outright.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

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.

Yeah, that’s how I’m feeling right now. And I don’t think there’s any way any of these guys slide out of the top 10. I enjoy watching the wings win but this team dug itself a hole in December and March yet again. At least last year the wings drafted a guy I thought had top 10 talent at 15.

 

[USAHockey97]

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.

Agreed. It feels counterproductive. Another high IQ middle six player he we come! If only we could roll 5 lines!

 

[Frk It]

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.

Why do people act like you can just control where/how the team finishes like this is a video game and get mad about it? The reality is you are dealing with a whole bunch of individuals (players/coaches) that are going to understandably do whatever is best for them, and they gain more from winning/performing well than the alternative.

I also think this is a byproduct of this lottery system. You are going to get a lot more “let the chips fall where they may” approaches from GMs when you make the valuable picks this hard to attain.

Also we literally saw a team go out of their way to ensure they were as awful as possible with the Sabres. This 1) created a piss poor culture that they are still trying to rebound from and 2) didn’t even get them the #1 pick anyways.

 

[Frk It]

Yeah, that’s how I’m feeling right now. And I don’t think there’s any way any of these guys slide out of the top 10. I enjoy watching the wings win but this team dug itself a hole in December and March yet again. At least last year the wings drafted a guy I thought had top 10 talent at 15.

I think you guys are just really get at getting yourself worked up.

The draft never goes that chalk. You can come up with a list of whatever 9-10 guys you want and I’ll bet whatever you want at least 1 of those guys slide out of the top 10.

Now whether or not Detroit drafts that player is another thing, but it’s not as if there are only 8-9 good players in the draft and we will have no good options with our first pick, and the sky is falling. There are a ton of things that have yet to happen where things can work out in our favor.

 

[schuelma24]

I think you guys are just really get at getting yourself worked up.

The draft never goes that chalk. You can come up with a list of whatever 9-10 guys you want and I’ll bet whatever you want at least 1 of those guys slide out of the top 10.

Now whether or not Detroit drafts that player is another thing, but it’s not as if there are only 8-9 good players in the draft and we will have no good options with our first pick, and the sky is falling. There are a ton of things that have yet to happen where things can work out in our favor.

In fact I would about guarantee at least one falls. There’s no way Schaefer is the only D taken in the top 10.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

Its been said before, but it is worth repeating: The injury to Carter Bear f***in sucks, man. He has all the tools i want. Whole lotta nasty, skill, takes the puck to the net (YOU HEAR ME, TRASHMUSSEN?!?!). Since the late 1st and 2nd are basically a giant pulp of unknowns and mehs, maybe you can find somebody who is willing to trade down and then get Bear with the 2nd pick, cuz there is nobody in that pulp who is screaming at me.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

Its been said before, but it is worth repeating: The injury to Carter Bear f***in sucks, man. He has all the tools i want. Whole lotta nasty, skill, takes the puck to the net (YOU HEAR ME, TRASHMUSSEN?!?!). Since the late 1st and 2nd are basically a giant pulp of unknowns and mehs, maybe you can find somebody who is willing to trade down and then get Bear with the 2nd pick, cuz there is nobody in that pulp who is screaming at me.

He'll be fine. That injury is not a particularly big deal. He's going top 15. If the Wings want him, they'll have to take him with their first pick. Talent falls off very quickly in this draft.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

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.

As others have said, his compete when he doesn't have the puck is lacking.

 

[Frk It]

Its been said before, but it is worth repeating: The injury to Carter Bear f***in sucks, man. He has all the tools i want. Whole lotta nasty, skill, takes the puck to the net (YOU HEAR ME, TRASHMUSSEN?!?!). Since the late 1st and 2nd are basically a giant pulp of unknowns and mehs, maybe you can find somebody who is willing to trade down and then get Bear with the 2nd pick, cuz there is nobody in that pulp who is screaming at me.

We drafted a guy who pretty much checks all those same boxes last year in MBN.

As others have said, his compete when he doesn't have the puck is lacking.

Ok, I’m cool with sliding him down the board then. I don’t even know if I’ll make a list this year because I have barely been able to watch these guys.

The more people pick apart these forwards the more I like the idea of grabbing Mrtka or Aitcheson.

What’s everyone think about Carbonneau? I like him quite a bit personally.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

We drafted a guy who pretty much checks all those same boxes last year in MBN.

Ok, I’m cool with sliding him down the board then. I don’t even know if I’ll make a list this year because I have barely been able to watch these guys.

The more people pick apart these forwards the more I like the idea of grabbing Mrtka or Aitcheson.

What’s everyone think about Carbonneau? I like him quite a bit personally.

From what I've heard, he has some of the same problems as Lakovic. But I don't have much to go off of.

Either one of those D-man would be ok with me.

 

[Rolo Tomassi]

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.

Every. Dang. Year. Just rest Larkin, Kane, and anyone who is slightly banged up, for cryin out loud…

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

From what I've heard, he has some of the same problems as Lakovic. But I don't have much to go off of.

Either one of those D-man would be ok with me.

I think you probably want Martin or Bear FWIW

 

[Rolo Tomassi]

Yep. These both sound exactly like the kind of guys Yzerman is building with. I wouldnt be upset, as long as Yzerman believes they have top 6 potential.

Im excited for the day all these workhorse type players Yzerman is stockpiling are all on the ice and terrorizing opponents together.

 

[deca guard]

more vid i watch the more i like this draft :

MARTIN
HENSLER
JACKSON
CARBO
LAKOVIC

i dont know enough to try putting them in order .
but all 5 have excellent positive aspects plus sufficient size .
and most drafts im never high on this many
players after the top 10

 

[lilidk]

Scouch said Yzerman drafting boring prospects , witch is true. I believe he's trying to get NHL caliber guys 2-3 liners and hope some will improve. Still , he is trying get more talent in later rounds, Plante, Buchelnikov, Finnie ,Lombardi , Becher. Most of them are overagers.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

more vid i watch the more i like this draft :

MARTIN
HENSLER
JACKSON
CARBO
LAKOVIC

i dont know enough to try putting them in order .
but all 5 have excellent positive aspects plus sufficient size .
and most drafts im never high on this many
players after the top 10

I have very few strong opinions about this class, but I do know that I don't want Hensler. I don't have any issues with the others on your list in the 12-15 range.

 

[Frk It]

I have very few strong opinions about this class, but I do know that I don't want Hensler. I don't have any issues with the others on your list in the 12-15 range.

Same and same.

Two guys I could see Detroit being higher than the consensus on that I would be pretty disappointed in drafting would be Hensler and Fiddler.

Yep. These both sound exactly like the kind of guys Yzerman is building with. I wouldnt be upset, as long as Yzerman believes they have top 6 potential.

I think that is the point of contention with both Martin and Bear.

Some people think they have that upside, and some don’t. I really haven’t seen enough of either one to say.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Same and same.

Two guys I could see Detroit being higher than the consensus on that I would be pretty disappointed in drafting would be Hensler and Fiddler.


I think that is the point of contention with both Martin and Bear.

Some people think they have that upside, and some don’t. I really haven’t seen enough of either one to say.

Before this injury I had Bear and Eklund neck and neck. Both remind me a ton of Seth Jarvis in his draft year and I was a huge proponent for that kid in the top 10.

If the wings are confident Bear’s Achilles rehab will get him back to 85% of his skating then he’s still worth a pick in the 10-15 range. He’s the kind of winger that does all of the little things to make successful plays. Smart, hard working, talented enough to at least be a support piece, and physical when needed.

Edit: Add in a bit of Tij Iginla and Matt Coronato as a comparison.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Scouch said Yzerman drafting boring prospects , witch is true. I believe he's trying to get NHL caliber guys 2-3 liners and hope some will improve. Still , he is trying get more talent in later rounds, Plante, Buchelnikov, Finnie ,Lombardi , Becher. Most of them are overagers.

Before this injury I had Bear and Eklund neck and neck. Both remind me a ton of Seth Jarvis in his draft year and I was a huge proponent for that kid in the top 10.

If the wings are confident Bear’s Achilles rehab will get him back to 85% of his skating then he’s still worth a pick in the 10-15 range. He’s the kind of winger that does all of the little things to make successful plays. Smart, hard working, talented enough to at least be a support piece, and physical when needed.

Edit: Add in a bit of Tij Iginla and Matt Coronato as a comparison.

Rightly or wrongly the post-draft development of Peyton Krebs has me scared shitless of Bear's injury. Without that injury I would have taken him 8 days a week where we are drafting. I also think he is much harder than Jarvis ever was and ever will be. Great player, super unfortunate injury.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Rightly or wrongly the post-draft development of Peyton Krebs has me scared shitless of Bear's injury. Without that injury I would have taken him 8 days a week where we are drafting. I also think he is much harder than Jarvis ever was and ever will be. Great player, super unfortunate injury.

The Achilles injury limited Krebs for sure, but I think what’s even more limiting for Krebs is that he and Joe Veleno have about the same hockey IQ. I was never a fan and thought he’s got great junior offense but would have to lean on other skills in the NHL.

The thing that gives me comfort about Bear is that he’s a winger, not a center or defenseman. Diminished skating might limit his effectiveness but not outright destroy it. The other thing is just how smart Bear is. I’ve seen him make plays top of the lineup NHLers can successfully make.

His patience on the puck and ability to slow down or speed up play to manipulate offense is top notch. His puck retrievals and 50/50 battle win ratio were consistently high. I don’t think he’s going to play as physical in the NHL because his size but I’m glad to see the meanness there now.

Before the injury the only things keeping him out of top 5 draft discussion (in my opinion) was his position and size. If the wings are picking in the teens and Eklund, O’Brien and Desnoyers are no longer on the board then I gamble on Bear. He’s a home run swing, and this team needs that. I like Aitcheson and I’m becoming more comfortable with Martin, but Bear has real top line potential.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Same and same.

Two guys I could see Detroit being higher than the consensus on that I would be pretty disappointed in drafting would be Hensler and Fiddler.


I think that is the point of contention with both Martin and Bear.

Some people think they have that upside, and some don’t. I really haven’t seen enough of either one to say.

I could see them liking Fiddler on the combination of size and being a righty. Hensler is just a mid-sized, two-way righty. The only real basis I see for them taking him is being a righty with good mobility. Like I said, i would be disappointed if we took him because he is so vanilla with the puck.

 

[USAHockey97]

Scouch said Yzerman drafting boring prospects , witch is true. I believe he's trying to get NHL caliber guys 2-3 liners and hope some will improve. Still , he is trying get more talent in later rounds, Plante, Buchelnikov, Finnie ,Lombardi , Becher. Most of them are overagers.

I like Yzerman and thinks he’s the best fit for GM in Detroit, but if this is true, I don’t have high hopes. Banking on middle six potential as your top talent to win seems like further odds then winning the lottery.

 

[lilidk]

I like Yzerman and thinks he’s the best fit for GM in Detroit, but if this is true, I don’t have high hopes. Banking on middle six potential as your top talent to win seems like further odds then winning the lottery.

You don't know how 18 years old will progress.