2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Frk It]

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.

In an ideal world, my development path of choice for most NA prospects would be…

D-1: CHL, USHL or NTDP
DY: CHL, USHL, or NTDP
D+1: NCAA
D+2: NCAA
D+3: Go pro (AHL or NHL)

And yeah, if we drafted Kindel or Reschny I would be a big fan of trying to get them to play college hockey. I think a NCAA strength and conditioning program could do a world of wonders for them.

 

[Bob Probert Owns You]

So when the Wings win the lottery and move to #2, who do they take?

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

In an ideal world, my development path of choice for most NA prospects would be…

D-1: CHL, USHL or NTDP
DY: CHL, USHL, or NTDP
D+1: NCAA
D+2: NCAA
D+3: Go pro (AHL or NHL)

And yeah, if we drafted Kindel or Reschny I would be a big fan of trying to get them to play college hockey. I think a NCAA strength and conditioning program could do a world of wonders for them.

I agree with you, but think that we are going to see some push back at some point by college coaches. A lot of NCAA programs lean heavily on NTDP kids who turn out to be one and done. These programs frequently struggle against less blue-blood programs that lean on older players. I think there will be room for the really good CHL players, but it won't be an unlimited amount of slots. Like I said, I think it will be super situational.

 

[deca guard]

So when the Wings win the lottery and move to #2, who do they take?

 

[Frk It]

U18s start tomorrow, a bunch of these kids have a chance to boost their draft stock.

Some players to watch:

2025 IIHF U18 World Championships - Division A - Players to Watch

McKeen's Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, previews players to watch at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship.

www.mckeenshockey.com

2025 IIHF U18 World Championships - Division B - Team Preview - Players to Watch

McKeen's Chapin Landvogt previews Division B for the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship including players to watch.

www.mckeenshockey.com

 

[Austrianwing]

No need to use a pick. If I'm understanding the rules correctly, Tinker Bell has been eligible to sign as a free agent since 1926.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

No need to use a pick. If I'm understanding the rules correctly, Tinker Bell has been eligible to sign as a free agent since 1926.

Tinker Bell was drafted at 20 in 2013.

 

[Frk It]

Aitcheson with 2 goals last night. Brings him to 31 for the season.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

Aitcheson with 2 goals last night. Brings him to 31 for the season.

That's so many goals. Way more offense than you'd expect, given the scouting reports.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Aitcheson with 2 goals last night. Brings him to 31 for the season.

I trust him more than Smith, though I can see teams preferring Smith (and Mrtka) on the size/skating combo. I would be happy with him at 12. In fact, he is the only defensemen I really want at 12.

 

[Frk It]

I trust him more than Smith, though I can see teams preferring Smith (and Mrtka) on the size/skating combo. I would be happy with him at 12. In fact, he is the only defensemen I really want at 12.

I’m guessing Smith is going to have a pretty dominant showing at the U18s, and his stock will shoot up like we saw with Brandt Clarke.

But yeah, Smith and Aitcheson are the only defenseman I would want with our top pick. I think Aitcheson is more likely to be there, although I could also see neither being there.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

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.

The Krebs injury was bad and may have hindered him some. I still believe what limits him the most is having a permanent case of Joe Veleno brain. He had gaudy assist totals in junior, but you can look back at how he got those points and see those plays would have a much lower level of success against pros.

Bear’s game is less predicated on skating and perimeter playmaking and more on puck protection and getting the puck to high danger areas. Bear generates a lot of his offense close to the net.

Where I think the injury might hamper Bear is speed on the forecheck and backcheck. He was a terrific, relentless F1 and hustled hard to provide coverage in his zone.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

That's so many goals. Way more offense than you'd expect, given the scouting reports.

Watch how he scores. The dude plays closer to the opposing goalie than Kasper. I don’t think his goalscoring translates as well in the pros because he’s not going to be allowed to roam as much.

That said, I’d still draft him at 12.

 

[wingerdinger]

So when the Wings win the lottery and move to #2, who do they take?

Misa or O'Brien.

 

[wingerdinger]

No need to use a pick. If I'm understanding the rules correctly, Tinker Bell has been eligible to sign as a free agent since 1926.

According to chat GPT Disney's Tinker Bell becomes an unrestricted free agent (public domain) in 2048. So we got a while before we can make our move.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

According to chat GPT Disney's Tinker Bell becomes an unrestricted free agent (public domain) in 2048. So we got a while before we can make our move.

That should be right around Yzerman’s true contention window. We should have accumulated enough top 10 picks by then.

 

[HoweFan]

At number 2 I think Misa has to be taken. San Jose will take Schaffer at 1. He’s exactly who they need after taking Celibrini at 1 last year.

 

[Rolo Tomassi]

At number 2 I think Misa has to be taken. San Jose will take Schaffer at 1. He’s exactly who they need after taking Celibrini at 1 last year.

Yes. We are definitely getting pick 2. Lottery luck is something the Red Wings excel at.

 

[deca guard]

Yes. We are definitely getting pick 2. Lottery luck is something the Red Wings excel at.

 

[Henkka]

I didn't even know this, that Tappara Tampere has most players at U18 WJC. From 4 different countries.

IIHF - Mini-Tappara in Texas

Finnish club well represented at U18

www.iihf.com

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Desnoyer is going to be out of our range unless something crazy happens, but I think he’s now making a case for top 5 over Hagens.

 

[Frk It]

Desnoyer is going to be out of our range unless something crazy happens, but I think he’s now making a case for top 5 over Hagens.

We were doing so good with agreeing on this draft class…

But yeah, I strongly disagree with this.

I think Hagens has significantly more upside and would have him in a tier above Desnoyers.

 

[Fyodorov]

We were doing so good with agreeing on this draft class…

But yeah, I strongly disagree with this.

I think Hagens has significantly more upside and would have him in a tier above Desnoyers.

Yep. Hagens is a much more skilled player with a higher hockey IQ.

 

[theVladiator]

My current view on our options at 12 are three-tiered, sort of like Al Pacino's "Schlitz. No Schlitz? Blatz. No Blatz? Improvise"

Tier 1 (Schlitz). Gotta pick one of these if at all available, but highly unlikely to be available at 12. Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone, O'Brien, Frondell, Mrtka, Desnoyers.

Tier 2 (Blatz). Short list that I think have a meaningful chance to be at 12, that I think have clear top6 potential. Eklund, Lakovic.

Tier 3 (the grab bag). Unfortunately, the most likely scenario. Some solid options here, but these guys either have low-ish chance at top6, or have clear flaws making them bust risk. My current order of preference:

1. Smith - not really seeing top pair, but very high chance to be a top-4 two-way guy. Not exciting, but good value pick
2. Carbonneau - a bit chaotic, but a solid tool set and physical abilities. Some chance of turning into a top6 winger.
3. Aitcheson - some very valuable traits (physicality, aggression), but substantial risks to bust as well.

4. McQueen - Size/skating combo is appealing, but just not sure if his skills give much top6 hope. Injury concerns.
5. Martin. Prototypical 3C traits here so doesn't seem exciting. Then once in awhile there is a Robert Thomas, so who knows...

Nesbitt/Spence/Bear

Honestly, my preferences aren't very strong outside of top10, so if those tier1/2 guys are gone, I do not feel very strongly about who we pick.

 

[Frk It]

My current view on our options at 12 are three-tiered, sort of like Al Pacino's "Schlitz. No Schlitz? Blatz. No Blatz? Improvise"

Tier 1 (Schlitz). Gotta pick one of these if at all available, but highly unlikely to be available at 12. Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone, O'Brien, Frondell, Mrtka, Desnoyers.

Tier 2 (Blatz). Short list that I think have a meaningful chance to be at 12, that I think have clear top6 potential. Eklund, Lakovic.

Tier 3 (the grab bag). Unfortunately, the most likely scenario. Some solid options here, but these guys either have low-ish chance at top6, or have clear flaws making them bust risk. My current order of preference:

1. Smith - not really seeing top pair, but very high chance to be a top-4 two-way guy. Not exciting, but good value pick
2. Carbonneau - a bit chaotic, but a solid tool set and physical abilities. Some chance of turning into a top6 winger.
3. Aitcheson - some very valuable traits (physicality, aggression), but substantial risks to bust as well.

4. McQueen - Size/skating combo is appealing, but just not sure if his skills give much top6 hope. Injury concerns.
5. Martin. Prototypical 3C traits here so doesn't seem exciting. Then once in awhile there is a Robert Thomas, so who knows...

Nesbitt/Spence/Bear

Honestly, my preferences aren't very strong outside of top10, so if those tier1/2 guys are gone, I do not feel very strongly about who we pick.

Can I ask why you have Mrtka 2 tiers above Smith and why you don’t think Smith is exciting?