2025 DRAFT Discussion

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I feel like with this draft class it might not be a bad idea to draft an overage player who is doing well in a men’s league. Could be like adding another Kiiskinen to our system.

Some options:

Topias Hynninen - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Topias Hynninen, 2005-12-19 Vihti, FIN Finland. Most recently in the Liiga with Jukurit. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

David Granberg - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of David Granberg, 2005-05-14 Piteå, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the SHL with Luleå HF. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Santeri Huovila - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Santeri Huovila, 2004-07-16 Nurmijärvi, FIN Finland. Most recently in the Liiga with JYP. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Parallel thought.

I was looking up Granberg a day ago. He had a decent year in Lulea for a still junior aged player.

 

[SantosHalper]

Combine stuff:
https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_document/prd/xc2pvbmt39en1tbylitj.pdf

Schaefer, Frondell, Hagens set for NHL Scouting Combine spotlight | NHL.com

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

scouching had a mock draft so was curious to see who he picked for the redwings ... Eric Nilsson at 13 and he passed on roger McQueen and the next pick the other guy passed on McQueen again cause CBj already took lindstrom and took Jackson smith

So ya said it was time for a surprise pick with big upside and apparently made it sound like if he can add weight he can be a star ... rather trade the pick at that point

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

scouching had a mock draft so was curious to see who he picked for the redwings ... Eric Nilsson at 13 and he passed on roger McQueen and the next pick the other guy passed on McQueen again cause CBj already took lindstrom and took Jackson smith

So ya said it was time for a surprise pick with big upside and apparently made it sound like if he can add weight he can be a star ... rather trade the pick at that point

stupid is as stupid does

 

[Frk It]

Anyone plan on buying the EP draft guide? Curious to get feedback from anyone if they have. I know they put Frondell outside their top 10, which is interesting.

I believe the Black Book (I think they are calling is something new this year) drops between Mon-Wed next week. Will probably pick up a physical copy of that. Curious to see if there are any other guides out there worth looking into.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

Anyone plan on buying the EP draft guide? Curious to get feedback from anyone if they have. I know they put Frondell outside their top 10, which is interesting.

I believe the Black Book (I think they are calling is something new this year) drops between Mon-Wed next week. Will probably pick up a physical copy of that. Curious to see if there are any other guides out there worth looking into.

Yeah, their top 15 is:

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Martone
4. Hagens
5. McQueen
6. Smith
7. Desnoyers
8. Bear
9. Eklund
10. O'Brien
11. Carbonneau
12. Martin
13. Frondell
14. Lakovic
15. Mrtka

It's definitely a different spin on things. Smith at #6 is a lot to take in. To their credit, they do put some detail into explaining why. Here's the summary part at the end:

Smith’s second-half growth, high-end tools, and proven adaptability has us convinced he’s most likely to achieve the better outcome: A top-pair defenceman with multidimensional impact."

But even then, they include anonymous NHL scout quotes, and those seem to contradict having him at #6.

"He’s big and athletic, good pedigree, moves well, can make plays. I get the appeal, but I think he’s going to disappoint someone. He’s more style than substance. Prone to frequent mistakes on both sides of the puck. I wouldn’t touch him in the top 10." - NHL Scout, May 2025

“Smith could go No. 1 if he could think. Instead you hope he becomes (Philip) Broberg.” - NHL Scout, May 2025

“I like him. Right away, you think, ‘That’s what an NHL defence prospect looks like.’ Reminds me of a young Travis Sanheim– tall, great skater, solid two-way play. Helps off the rush, has offensive upside, defends well. He’s in that safe, dependable group with Hensler. I’d expect him to go between 9 and 15.” - NHL Scout, May 2025

 

[Frk It]

Yeah, their top 15 is:

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Martone
4. Hagens
5. McQueen
6. Smith
7. Desnoyers
8. Bear
9. Eklund
10. O'Brien
11. Carbonneau
12. Martin
13. Frondell
14. Lakovic
15. Mrtka

It's definitely a different spin on things. Smith at #6 is a lot to take in. To their credit, they do put some detail into explaining why. Here's the summary part at the end:

But even then, they include anonymous NHL scout quotes, and those seem to contradict having him at #6.

I keep seeing people with Nestrasil in the late 1st. That's too bad, I was hoping he might be there for us in round 2.

 

[lilidk]

Scouch think that Atchison will have more success in NHL as wing .
I know they're some success transfers from forward to defansman, but don't know about other way around. I prefer others at 13 , but will not be complaining

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

If aitcheson is there at 13, he will be a Detroit red wing. I can almost guarantee that.

 

[lilidk]

It's crazy Philadelphia has 7 picks in top 50

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

It's crazy Philadelphia has 7 picks in top 50

They are a great trade back candidate. #22 and #36 for #13. (If we don't like whats there)

 

[deca guard]

DATES	WHAT'S HAPPENING
June 2-6	Teams can interview players one-on-one.
June 4	Medical assessments are to run concurrently with interviews. Players cannot participate in physical testing until they clear their medical screening.
June 6	Prospects will participate in the Maximal VO2 test.
June 7	Seven of the 11 fitness tests will take place at LECOM Harborcenter: standing height/wingspan, horizontal jump, force plate vertical jumps, bench press, pro agility test, pull-ups, and the Wingate Cycle Ergometer test.

 

[deca guard]

so many washed up people running nhl that they have this big prospect combine and they wait til end of week to do anything reportable , when if they new what they were doing first day is medical testing so they could one day at a time do a few physical tests and weigh ins to start an interesting flow of news for fans . hit the road bettman

 

[stillwater]

If aitcheson is there at 13, he will be a Detroit red wing. I can almost guarantee that.

Really ... how so?

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

They are a great trade back candidate. #22 and #36 for #13. (If we don't like whats there)

I’d ask for 32 over 36, never know with those 4 extra picks. I’d try and be agressive this year though and moving up if we can get someone they’re really high on

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

I’d ask for 32 over 36, never know with those 4 extra picks. I’d try and be agressive this year though and moving up if we can get someone they’re really high on

I would too but I think Philly says no.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

I would too but I think Philly says no.

Well maybe Yzerman does that deal if he uses pick 44 for Hague in a deal? I think all depends who’s there at 13 and if we can move up

With 22&36 I think we can find decent guys , if still prefer being agressive to move up if possible or just trade the pick for miller/Romanov

 

[Run the Jewels]

Elite Prospects has Anton Frondell as their 13th ranked prospect. I can't imagine he'll still be available when we pick, if he is it will be interesting to see if he gets Hakan's seal of approval. FWIW EP has Eklund at 9.

 

[Frk It]

Elite Prospects has Anton Frondell as their 13th ranked prospect. I can't imagine he'll still be available when we pick, if he is it will be interesting to see if he gets Hakan's seal of approval. FWIW EP has Eklund at 9.

Everything I have heard is that NHL teams like Frondell a lot and have for awhile now.

So I would bet decent money Frondell gets picked somewhere between 3 and 7.

I think Eklund has a shot to be available close to our pick.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

They are a great trade back candidate. #22 and #36 for #13. (If we don't like whats there)

Talent pool falls off between 13 and 22, so hard pass on dropping 9 spots just to add a 2nd.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Everything I have heard is that NHL teams like Frondell a lot and have for awhile now.

So I would bet decent money Frondell gets picked somewhere between 3 and 7.

I think Eklund has a shot to be available close to our pick.

Yeah I expect him to be long gone by the time the Red Wings pick.

 

[deca guard]

official sleeper . maybe trade 2nd + 3rd to move up into late 1st

 

[Run the Jewels]

official sleeper . maybe trade 2nd + 3rd to move up into late 1st

According to EP, good skater and physicality. Great size, hopefully he's not another Rasmussen. Here's a recent quote from an NHL scout:

Doesn't play a power game. Doesn't use his size well enough.

 

[Holden Caufield]

looking into Blake Fiddler more. Very interesting prospect

Excellent skater for his size. Defensively he is already very strong, physical and has high IQ.

Has the pedigree you like to see. Was drafted 1st overall in the WHL draft as a 15 year old.
Was the captain for team USA and one of their leading scorers at the Hlinka.


Also realized that his father is Vernon Fiddler… man makes you feel old.

 

[newfy]

looking into Blake Fiddler more. Very interesting prospect

Excellent skater for his size. Defensively he is already very strong, physical and has high IQ.

Has the pedigree you like to see. Was drafted 1st overall in the WHL draft as a 15 year old.
Was the captain for team USA and one of their leading scorers at the Hlinka.


I just realized that his father is Vernon Fiddler… man makes you feel old.

I think hes gonna awkwardly fall between detroit picks, but I do like him