2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Frk It]

Not gonna lie nobody being on the kindel reschny train with me has me sad

I usually gravitate towards this kind of player. I’m just not too convinced these guys are nearly as dynamic as their point totals suggest they are.

I don’t think either one are nearly as good as someone like Gabe Perreault, for example.

But hey, I could be totally wrong here. If Detroit liked one of them enough to take them in the 10-15 range, I may be able to get behind it. I would probably prefer Reschny, of the two.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Two guys with talent that don't have the IQ and drive to go with the talent

His team wouldn't be that good without him. My opinion.

Maybe? Hoping for full potential.


McQueen is on a no draft for me. Don't want to waste a pick.

I don't understand the criticism of Carbonneau's drive. I think he plays a pretty immature game at the moment, but I wouldn't call him lazy. I also don't think you draft him because you think he will be a pass-first offensive player.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I think this is a hard draft to navigate. I could see with the issues of Carbonneau and Lakovic, it pushing you toward a “safer” guy like Martin, and I would understand that. I wouldn’t mind Martin, I just would prefer these guys I think are a little bit more of a home run swing.

When it comes to Desnoyers, it’s not a question of if he makes his team better. It’s what does he do that will translate well to the NHL level? What does he do at a plus level? And from everything I heard, people had a hard time coming up with an answer to that.

I do think with him they talked about him being a great leader and a great work ethic, so he will probably be one of these guys who squeezes every drop possible out of his development. That might be what redeems him.

I think Desnoyer is a super polished and super smart player. He is far better than the sum of his individual skills, which tells you he is smart. I also don't know why people are under the impression that he isn't skilled. There is no way he is there at 12, especially in this class.

I agree though that this is a draft of warts where we are picking and that everyone seems to come with some real risk without a ton of upside. I can live with the risk reward profile of Carbonneau, Martin and Aitcheson. I will let Lakovic prove me wrong.

 

[theVladiator]

Two guys with talent that don't have the IQ and drive to go with the talent

From my point of view, it's at least half-wrong on both players.

Lakovic I think processes the game at very high speed, can recognize and capitalize on opportunities that only open up for a split second. To me, that very valuable part of IQ. On the drive, I can at least see how he gets bad rep, even if I do not agree.

Carbonneau, I likewise do not get the drive critique. He is a very intense and physical player. His game is a bit immature in the sense that he doesn't seem to use his teammates enough. A bit of a caricature of MacKinnon's game. But he doesn't look like he is incapable of it, he just sort of chooses not to. Anyways, at least I get the IQ criticism.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Charlie Tretheway is a guy I’m hoping is around our 2nd pick.

He looks realgud n tuff.

Smooth skater, good motor, physical, solid defender by all accounts. Downside is lower offensive potential but could be a really good 4-5-6 guy. Maybe better. He definitely has steal potential.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Having given it more thought, I think the swing for the fences play is to take Carter Bear and hope that the injury doesn't hinder his development too much (even though it will obviously have some impact). Sans injury I think he is a bit better than Martin but cut from the same cloth. Like others have said, everyone around 12 has some serious warts that create some meaningful risk. Bear is probably no different than the others in this regard, it is just a different type of risk.

 

[Frk It]

Having given it more thought, I think the swing for the fences play is to take Carter Bear and hope that the injury doesn't hinder his development too much (even though it will obviously have some impact). Sans injury I think he is a bit better than Martin but cut from the same cloth. Like others have said, everyone around 12 has some serious warts that create some meaningful risk. Bear is probably no different than the others in this regard, it is just a different type of risk.

Yeah, he really just checks too many boxes. I am not sure he would be available for us without the injury, to be honest. He had a lot better puck skills than I was expecting based on reading scouting reports.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Yeah, he really just checks too many boxes. I am not sure he would be available for us without the injury, to be honest. He had a lot better puck skills than I was expecting based on reading scouting reports.

I agree, I think he is top 10 all day without the injury. Now is someone around here is a surgeon and thinks we would be nuts to take him at 12, I am certainly willing to defer to that authority.

 

[GoBoltz56]

I agree, I think he is top 10 all day without the injury. Now is someone around here is a surgeon and thinks we would be nuts to take him at 12, I am certainly willing to defer to that authority.

I remember Peyton Krebs had the same injury in his draft year. According to his "games played", it looks like he has been healthy since the injury and has played a majority of the games each year, which is a good sign for potential recovery. But......how much has the injury itself hampered him and his development, that's what I'd be concerned about with Bear.

 

[Winger98]

Having given it more thought, I think the swing for the fences play is to take Carter Bear and hope that the injury doesn't hinder his development too much (even though it will obviously have some impact). Sans injury I think he is a bit better than Martin but cut from the same cloth. Like others have said, everyone around 12 has some serious warts that create some meaningful risk. Bear is probably no different than the others in this regard, it is just a different type of risk.

we're in a position to take this sort of swing, too. If he doesn't work out it really sucks, but we have a strong enough pipeline to where it isn't crippling.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

we're in a position to take this sort of swing, too. If he doesn't work out it really sucks, but we have a strong enough pipeline to where it isn't crippling.

And you need to look at the draft in terms of opportunity cost. Who would we be passing on to take him? Some combination of Carbonneau, Smith, Martin, Nesbitt, Spence, Lakovic and probably some other defensemen???

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I remember Peyton Krebs had the same injury in his draft year. According to his "games played", it looks like he has been healthy since the injury and has played a majority of the games each year, which is a good sign for potential recovery. But......how much has the injury itself hampered him and his development, that's what I'd be concerned about with Bear.

Why hasn't Krebs been better exactly? I think that is the question to ask. I admittedly don't watch a lot of the Sabers and can't really answer it.

 

[GoBoltz56]

Why hasn't Krebs been better exactly? I think that is the question to ask. I admittedly don't watch a lot of the Sabers and can't really answer it.

That I'm not sure of. It's possible he was just a bad pick at that spot and would have never turned out anyways, or that the injury hampered his development or the way he plays.

 

[Rolo Tomassi]

I usually gravitate towards this kind of player. I’m just not too convinced these guys are nearly as dynamic as their point totals suggest they are.

I don’t think either one are nearly as good as someone like Gabe Perreault, for example.

But hey, I could be totally wrong here. If Detroit liked one of them enough to take them in the 10-15 range, I may be able to get behind it. I would probably prefer Reschny, of the two.

I am on the Reschny train. He is the kind of player Yzerman seems to like, and he brings a flavor we lack. I would love to have someone like him to put next to Kasper or Daniel Son.

My other preference is Carter Bear. He is a better talent than we should have available where we are picking. He, too, looks like just the kind of guy Yzerman loves. As long as there aren't any lingering complications, an Achilles tear is not the end of the world. Especially in a sport like hockey, where you don't need to do much jumping, etc...I tore mine playing soccer, and mine was fine in about 12 months (after surgery). I did it 2 months after my 40th bday. I'm guessing Bear's recovery will be faster, unless he's older than he looks, haha.

The good news is that we have decent prospects at every position, so Yzerman can truly take a BPA approach and no one can really bat an eye. Unless he takes a goalie in Round 1...

 

[Winger98]

And you need to look at the draft in terms of opportunity cost. Who would we be passing on to take him? Some combination of Carbonneau, Smith, Martin, Nesbitt, Spence, Lakovic and probably some other defensemen???

I'm not a huge draft guy, but none of these guys scream high upside to me outside of Lakovic. Aitcherson might be available there, and I have a hard time not really liking him.

With Bear...he seems a lot like Kasper when he was drafted, but maybe I'm off. I wouldn't mind another Kasper.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I'm not a huge draft guy, but none of these guys scream high upside to me outside of Lakovic. Aitcherson might be available there, and I have a hard time not really liking him.

With Bear...he seems a lot like Kasper when he was drafted, but maybe I'm off. I wouldn't mind another Kasper.

Much more individual skill than Kasper, but probably not the skater Kasper was at that stage.

 

[Holden Caufield]

What exactly was Bear’s injury ? Full Achilles tear ?

I know in football that injury has been proven to hinder a players performance forever.
Knee (MCL/ACL) tears are pretty routine and player can be back to 100% in under a year. Players return to play from Achilles, but rarely ever get back to full form.

I have no idea what major Achilles recoveries look like for hockey players.
Seems like not as common of an injury in hockey.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

What exactly was Bear’s injury ? Full Achilles tear ?

I know in football that injury has been proven to hinder a players performance forever.
Knee (MCL/ACL) tears are pretty routine and player can be back to 100% in under a year. Players return to play from Achilles, but rarely ever get back to full form.

I have no idea what major Achilles recoveries look like for hockey players.
Seems like not as common of an injury in hockey.

My understanding is it's an achilles tear, but not an achilles *rupture*, which is the really bad one. But obviously I'm only going on the reporting I've seen, which hasn't been very detailed.

 

[Frk It]

I remember Peyton Krebs had the same injury in his draft year. According to his "games played", it looks like he has been healthy since the injury and has played a majority of the games each year, which is a good sign for potential recovery. But......how much has the injury itself hampered him and his development, that's what I'd be concerned about with Bear.

Didn’t Karlsson have the same injury 12 years ago when that scumbag Matt Cooke sliced him with his skate? He seemed to make a full recovery.

From what I was listening to on the podcast discussing it, it depends on what % of the tendon was damaged and doctors will give an estimate on what % it can recover to.

 

[Frk It]

Charlie Tretheway is a guy I’m hoping is around our 2nd pick.

He looks realgud n tuff.

Smooth skater, good motor, physical, solid defender by all accounts. Downside is lower offensive potential but could be a really good 4-5-6 guy. Maybe better. He definitely has steal potential.

I think you would like this guy, for similar reasons. Also projected to go in round 2.

Malte Vass - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Malte Vass, 2007-03-28 Karlstad, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the J20 Nationell with Färjestad BK J20. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I think you would like this guy, for similar reasons. Also projected to go in round 2.

Malte Vass - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Malte Vass, 2007-03-28 Karlstad, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the J20 Nationell with Färjestad BK J20. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

I’ll do a deeper dive. I do think Farjestad is a good program, but I will say that I’m cautious of the low J20 scoring.

Malte Vass - NZ hockey

Dobber - underrated prospects in each region

Malte Vass – LHD

Malte Vass doesn’t always appear on the scoresheet, but he performs well reliably from shift to shift, which makes him an intriguing prospect.
Vass is a physical defenseman with good defensive awareness and can shut down plays. His high-intensity level allows him to work and engage in play consistently.

He doesn’t stand out on offense enough to warrant a top-64 pick, but he could be a valuable draft selection later. Although he is willing to play the puck down the ice, one big thing that could unlock his potential is creating more breakouts instead of just shooting the puck upwards.

I like the profile, but I’d use one of the 3rds on him. Maybe not a second.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Just checking in here in peace, very interested what happens if teams like Detroit draft a CHLer: do they sign him & send back to junior, keep developing him as the norm until eligible for the A, or do you steer him to the NCAA to face better, age-appropriate competition for at least a year if not two before turning pro.

There's a very possible chance that Yzerman/Draper draft a guy like Jack Nesbitt, Brady Martin, Ben Kindel, Lynden Lakovic, etc and then that player is in the NCAA for their D+1 or at least D+2 season, potentially close by at Michigan or Michigan State. Very interested to see what teams do with the new rules as there are a ton of uncommitted CHLers who would benefit from the NCAA before turning pro. Brad Schlossman has alluded to the fact that there are more silent commits that Michigan has from high end CHLers, and those will be announced over the summer most likely.

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

Just checking in here in peace, very interested what happens if teams like Detroit draft a CHLer: do they sign him & send back to junior, keep developing him as the norm until eligible for the A, or do you steer him to the NCAA to face better, age-appropriate competition for at least a year if not two before turning pro.

There's a very possible chance that Yzerman/Draper draft a guy like Jack Nesbitt, Brady Martin, Ben Kindel, Lynden Lakovic, etc and then that player is in the NCAA for their D+1 or at least D+2 season, potentially close by at Michigan or Michigan State. Very interested to see what teams do with the new rules as there are a ton of uncommitted CHLers who would benefit from the NCAA before turning pro. Brad Schlossman has alluded to the fact that there are more silent commits that Michigan has from high end CHLers, and those will be announced over the summer most likely.

I’d imagine Detroit would prefer players play in the NCAA. They don’t really seem to value the OHL and Quebec league very much. Most of their Canadian draft picks are from the WHL. If they go to Michigan, MSU or even another big 10 school it’s much easier for them to give them advice through the season and keep an eye on them.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Just checking in here in peace, very interested what happens if teams like Detroit draft a CHLer: do they sign him & send back to junior, keep developing him as the norm until eligible for the A, or do you steer him to the NCAA to face better, age-appropriate competition for at least a year if not two before turning pro.

There's a very possible chance that Yzerman/Draper draft a guy like Jack Nesbitt, Brady Martin, Ben Kindel, Lynden Lakovic, etc and then that player is in the NCAA for their D+1 or at least D+2 season, potentially close by at Michigan or Michigan State. Very interested to see what teams do with the new rules as there are a ton of uncommitted CHLers who would benefit from the NCAA before turning pro. Brad Schlossman has alluded to the fact that there are more silent commits that Michigan has from high end CHLers, and those will be announced over the summer most likely.

I think it will be situational, and I don't think any strong preference will be shown to MSU or UM. College coaches keep and get jobs by winning games, not developing players forwarded from NHL organizations. Whoever we draft would need to fit the roster needs of those two schools. You also want your picks in situations where they are playing as much as possible (be it near to or far away from Detroit). For a lot of kids that will be back in the CHL for a D+1 year.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I think it will be situational, and I don't think any strong preference will be shown to MSU or UM. College coaches keep and get jobs by winning games, not developing players forwarded from NHL organizations. Whoever we draft would need to fit the roster needs of those two schools. You also want your picks in situations where they are playing as much as possible (be it near to or far away from Detroit). For a lot of kids that will be back in the CHL for a D+1 year.

For sure. I could see Yzerman/Draper telling Ben Kindel or Cole Reschny "Hey you've dominated the Dub, but you're not ready &/or eligible for the A, go to the NCAA next season, we'll find the right fit for ya & let you choose." Whether those guys would prefer Michigan, Denver, North Dakota, or elsewhere who knows, but I think the elite of the elite CHLers don't gain much from playing their 19 year old seasons back in junior, and most of them could probably play and succeed in the NCAA in their 18 year old D+1 seasons.