2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Frk It]

GM's drafting him will hope they get Tom Wilson out of him but they won't. If they want to go F, at least pick a skilled F. We have plenty of big guys that can play middle six minutes.

I don’t think any GM would be naive enough to think Lakovic is going to turn into Tom Wilson.

Just very, very different players.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

He has higher potential than Danielson, also good helping D . At this draft at 13 he is excellent pick. Personality , that is very important for me , I trust Draper and Yzerman

I don't see how Danielson is relevant in terms of evaluating Lakovic. They don't even play the same position.

 

[USAHockey97]

He's dangerous offensively. Whenever he has the puck, he makes things happen. He produced more points than Kasper did his rookie AHL season, but looks way more dangerous when he has the puck.

Don't sleep on Danielson, he has the mojo. He still needs to get stronger and make adjustments. His floor at this point is Valtteri Filppula. Filppula was always leaving me with wanting more. Danielson could be the same.

As for hoping he becomes Larkin's replacement.... then yeah you are setting yourself up for disappointment. That's a big ask.

That’s good to hear. I really hope he pans out. If not Danielson, we will need someone to eventually replace Larkin.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I was listening to the grind line podcast last night and Tony Ferrari was very high on forward Lynden Lakovic if he’s available at 13. He had him ranked #8 on his board. Any thoughts?

Tony Ferrari is not a great assessor of prospect talent, IMO. I listened to the same podcast and heard someone compare Lakovic to PLD. What the hell?

Big guys that have motor issues and don’t bully their way around the ice leave me disappointed.

 

[Frk It]

I decided to make my first foray into trying to review a prospect, so I did a write up on Kashawn Aitcheson. Here's the link, no paywall, free to read.

Prospect Overview: Kashawn Aitcheson

A series on prospects in the 2025 NHL draft

open.substack.com

Thought this was a good read and would agree with like 90% of your overall assessments.

The one thing I’ll add though is I don’t think the only way he can score is from shooting one-timers from the right circle.

He scores a lot from joining the rush and finishing off odd-man scenarios. I think he picks his spots really well and has a knack for doing this, and may be able to continue doing it at the next level.

.

 

[lilidk]

I don't see how Danielson is relevant in terms of evaluating Lakovic. They don't even play the same position.

Center jobs carry puck , create offense and help defense, Lakovic does all of that .

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Center jobs carry puck , create offense and help defense, Lakovic does all of that .

He does not play center. He is a winger. Again, he has nothing to do with Danielson who actually plays center.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Thought this was a good read and would agree with like 90% of your overall assessments.

The one thing I’ll add though is I don’t think the only way he can score is from shooting one-timers from the right circle.

He scores a lot from joining the rush and finishing off odd-man scenarios. I think he picks his spots really well and has a knack for doing this, and may be able to continue doing it at the next level.

.

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Center jobs carry puck , create offense and help defense, Lakovic does all of that .

I don’t think Lakovic has what I would consider an above average defensive game for junior.

Like Frk It said, it’s better to draft the guy you have to tell them to slow down than the guy you’re telling to speed up.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Lakovic seems much more like a Tage Thompson type. More playmaking than shot but a big talented guy that isn’t really physically imposing other than how he wields his tools offensively.

A lot of these types are more physical in the playoffs even if more silent in season we haven’t really got to see Thompson in that setting because of Buffalo.

I think he is a swing for the fences kind of pick for those that have championed that in the past. We also have a few plus transition players that should mesh with his game if he puts it all together. I won’t cry in my beer on draft night, but probably won’t be my favorite on the board when we pick.

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

Lakovic isn’t the type of player our FO drafts whatsoever so the point on him is moot in my opinion. They just don’t take swings on guys In The 1st who don’t have high compete. Questions about his pace and intensity is pretty much a DND under Draper.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Lakovic isn’t the type of player our FO drafts whatsoever so the point on him is moot in my opinion. They just don’t take swings on guys In The 1st who don’t have high compete. Questions about his pace and intensity is pretty much a DND under Draper.

I heard the Winged Wheel guys compare him to Mantha. That would be supremely underwhelming.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Lakovic seems much more like a Tage Thompson type. More playmaking than shot but a big talented guy that isn’t really physically imposing other than how he wields his tools offensively.

A lot of these types are more physical in the playoffs even if more silent in season we haven’t really got to see Thompson in that setting because of Buffalo.

I think he is a swing for the fences kind of pick for those that have championed that in the past. We also have a few plus transition players that should mesh with his game if he puts it all together. I won’t cry in my beer on draft night, but probably won’t be my favorite on the board when we pick.

I do think Thompson is probably the best stylistic comparable in the game currently. All of the other "skilled" big forwards are far more intense than Lakovic. I would even say the same if you went back a couple of years and added Carter, Thornton and Nash to the list (who I admittedly have zero recollection of in juniors).

I am also with you on the swing for the fences description. Most reserve that label for really small forwards, but Lakovic is really no different. He just has a different flaw (which is perhaps just as difficult to overcome as a physical limitation).

 

[HisNoodliness]

I heard the Winged Wheel guys compare him to Mantha. That would be supremely underwhelming.

If they had compared him to Franzen instead would that make you feel better? I think it's an equally valid comparable and sort of demonstrates that comparables are meant to give a stylistic but not talent projection. If Mantha managed to pot another ten goals a year and looked just a bit more engaged most of the time, he'd be very well liked. There's no reason to think that Lankovic has to fail to capitalize on his potential like Mantha

 

[Frk It]

I do think Thompson is probably the best stylistic comparable in the game currently. All of the other "skilled" big forwards are far more intense than Lakovic. I would even say the same if you went back a couple of years and added Carter, Thornton and Nash to the list (who I admittedly have zero recollection of in juniors).

I am also with you on the swing for the fences description. Most reserve that label for really small forwards, but Lakovic is really no different. He just has a different flaw (which is perhaps just as difficult to overcome as a physical limitation).

Can see some similarities between Tage and McQueen as well.

I heard the Winged Wheel guys compare him to Mantha. That would be supremely underwhelming.

Can't be scared to draft a player just because a similarish player didn't work out in the past. There are multiple potential outcomes for Lakovic, and there were multiple potential outcomes with Mantha.

I ultimately don't think Detroit will be that into Lakovic. But this is why you interview the player and do your due diligence. If they get a sense he has a genuine commitment to playing with more urgency (whereas maybe Mantha didn't) they would have to at least give him some consideration in a draft like this.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

If they had compared him to Franzen instead would that make you feel better? I think it's an equally valid comparable and sort of demonstrates that comparables are meant to give a stylistic but not talent projection. If Mantha managed to pot another ten goals a year and looked just a bit more engaged most of the time, he'd be very well liked. There's no reason to think that Lankovic has to fail to capitalize on his potential like Mantha

That is fair. I don't think he is a dumb player at all from what I have seen which could also help further distinguish him from Mantha. I can't fault people for coveting consistency though regardless of style of play.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

I heard the Winged Wheel guys compare him to Mantha. That would be supremely underwhelming.

I heard they’re basement guys who pretend to know these kids and throw out prospect profiles as if anyone should listen to they’re opinions

 

[Run the Jewels]

If they had compared him to Franzen instead would that make you feel better? I think it's an equally valid comparable and sort of demonstrates that comparables are meant to give a stylistic but not talent projection. If Mantha managed to pot another ten goals a year and looked just a bit more engaged most of the time, he'd be very well liked. There's no reason to think that Lankovic has to fail to capitalize on his potential like Mantha

Truly bizarre to bring Franzen into the convo, who was very good at using his size.

Their point was when Mantha put it all together for a few shifts he was really good. Otherwise, he was totally frustrating. At least with a guy like Cole Reschny, he put up 35 more points and just turned 18, while Lakovic will turn 19 this calendar year.

Reschny: 1.48 PPG as a 17yo for most of the season (April birthday)
Lakovic 1.23 PPG as an 18yo who doesn't use his enormous size advantage n juniors

Also Lakovic isn't described has having much hockey IQ. I get that everyone is hoping he turns into Tage Thompson, but Thompson is the exception, not the most likely outcome.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I heard the Winged Wheel guys compare him to Mantha. That would be supremely underwhelming.

I don’t know if it’s a perfect 1 to 1 comparison, but there are definitely some similarities:

High skill level
Lethal shot
Good skating for a tall winger
Not physically engaged in games
Disappears for many shifts to entire games

I don’t know if Thompson is the guy I’d use for a Lakovic comparison. There’s more similarities between Thompson and Roger McQueen or Cayden Lindstrom.

When I think of big guys in the NHL with motor AND physicality issues I can really only think of Mantha.

If the wings were picking 18 or later I’d consider it but I think there’s going to be other players that are a better fit on the team Yzerman is trying to build.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I heard they’re basement guys who pretend to know these kids and throw out prospect profiles as if anyone should listen to they’re opinions

Winged wheel pod is a great show. They interview guys from THN, the athletic, Ken Daniel’s, and sometimes griffins players.

They’re one of the best team specific podcasts out there.

 

[Frk It]

Truly bizarre to bring Franzen into the convo, who was very good at using his size.

Their point was when Mantha put it all together for a few shifts he was really good. Otherwise, he was totally frustrating. At least with a guy like Cole Reschny, he put up 35 more points and just turned 18, while Lakovic will turn 19 this calendar year.

Reschny: 1.48 PPG as a 17yo for most of the season (April birthday)
Lakovic 1.23 PPG as an 18yo who doesn't use his enormous size advantage n juniors

Also Lakovic isn't described has having much hockey IQ. I get that everyone is hoping he turns into Tage Thompson, but Thompson is the exception, not the most likely outcome.

You should do a deep dive on your substack for both

In all seriousness, if you watch some of Lakovic I think you will see the skill level at his size is very apparent and appealing.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

Winged wheel pod is a great show. They interview guys from THN, the athletic, Ken Daniel’s, and sometimes griffins players.

They’re one of the best team specific podcasts out there.

Ya cool, I’m not listening to they’re opinions on draft prospects. 0% chance they spend the season reviewing games on these kids

 

[izlez]

Just took my first run at watching some of the guys that might be available when the wings pick at 13. Started with forwards in the CHL. And man, Cootes blew the rest of them out of the water in my eyes. Not sure what's not to like about that kid that has him ranked in the 20s

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Just took my first run at watching some of the guys that might be available when the wings pick at 13. Started with forwards in the CHL. And man, Cootes blew the rest of them out of the water in my eyes. Not sure what's not to like about that kid that has him ranked in the 20s

The kid’s motor is top 3 in the draft, and his skating is probably top 5-10. I liked what I saw about Cootes.

That said, I worry about his overall skill level. He’s got a safe floor as a Charlie Hustle 3rd liner who might get you 30 points a year, kill some penalties and agitate the other team. I question if he could ever develop more than that.



EDIT: I really do like Cootes and could see him rise a bit like Luchenko on draft day. I’d just like to see more offense from the kid to we what he’s got. Barely above a PPG in the W but blowing up the U18. He might be a dark horse for 13.

 

[Frk It]

The kid’s motor is top 3 in the draft, and his skating is probably top 5-10. I liked what I saw about Cootes.

That said, I worry about his overall skill level. He’s got a safe floor as a Charlie Hustle 3rd liner who might get you 30 points a year, kill some penalties and agitate the other team. I question if he could ever develop more than that.



EDIT: I really do like Cootes and could see him rise a bit like Luchenko on draft day. I’d just like to see more offense from the kid to we what he’s got. Barely above a PPG in the W but blowing up the U18. He might be a dark horse for 13.

Is the skill level between him and Brady Martin that different?