2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Run the Jewels]

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.

Righty too, but he's ranked around 20th, so not really in our wheelhouse. But yeah, Vernon Fiddler, what a blast from the past.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Vernon Fiddler

Possibly his only highlight?

 

[Run the Jewels]

View attachment 1046397
Possibly his only highlight?

I can remember him in Nashville.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

I can remember him in Nashville.

I bought his RC from my local shop when I was a sophomore in college...

 

[lilidk]

Righty too, but he's ranked around 20th, so not really in our wheelhouse. But yeah, Vernon Fiddler, what a blast from the past.

Kasper and Seider were also projected much later. Edvinsson and Seider both supposed to be defensive defenders

 

[newfy]

Kasper and Seider were also projected much later. Edvinsson and Seider both supposed to be defensive defenders

Kasper was ranked right around where he went in his draft

 

[bearball]

Cole McKinney is going to be a very good NHL centre, if there is a way to grab him as well as keeping our 13th I would do it in a heartbeat.

 

[lilidk]

Kasper was ranked right around where he went in his draft

Just check and you are correct my friend about final rankings , but he did moved up from mid first. Pronman had him at 8. Interesting he has Eklund for Detroit this time

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

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.

I plan on getting the EP guide. It’s gotten better year after year to where I’d say it’s maybe less than a notch below the black book.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

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.

I really like Fiddler and feel he’s going to be an every day NHL defender. 21+ minutes, pk1 and plays in the last minutes. I don’t think his offense is super high but I’m almost certain he’s going to be a plus level defender.

13 is a little too high for my liking, but if by some weird circumstance we trade 13 for the Habs 16 and 17 then I take him with one of the picks.

 

[Frk It]

I plan on getting the EP guide. It’s gotten better year after year to where I’d say it’s maybe less than a notch below the black book.

Got the guide and have gone through it a bit. I like it, my only gripe is I wish they would take those game reports and put them in a different section altogether. It creates a lot of text to scroll through between each profile.

They make this kid sound interesting if he is there in the 2nd round: Max Psenicka - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Cole McKinney is going to be a very good NHL centre, if there is a way to grab him as well as keeping our 13th I would do it in a heartbeat.

I think we see a run on some NDTP kids towards the end of the first round and into the early second. I think he and Murtagh are the first ones taken.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

I really like Fiddler and feel he’s going to be an every day NHL defender. 21+ minutes, pk1 and plays in the last minutes. I don’t think his offense is super high but I’m almost certain he’s going to be a plus level defender.

13 is a little too high for my liking, but if by some weird circumstance we trade 13 for the Habs 16 and 17 then I take him with one of the picks.

Holy crap, if that is your projection for Fiddler and you think 13th is too high, what is your projection for Aitcheson then??

Cuz 21min+ and PK1 is damn good #4.

 

[lilidk]

I really like Fiddler and feel he’s going to be an every day NHL defender. 21+ minutes, pk1 and plays in the last minutes. I don’t think his offense is super high but I’m almost certain he’s going to be a plus level defender.

13 is a little too high for my liking, but if by some weird circumstance we trade 13 for the Habs 16 and 17 then I take him with one of the picks.

You should add something for that trade.

 

[Realgud]

Fwiw, I'd pick Fiddler in the top 10. Really like that player.

 

[lilidk]

Fwiw, I'd pick Fiddler in the top 10. Really like that player.

Id trade down to 13 , he will be still there

 

[Realgud]

Id trade down to 13 , he will be still there

We are picking 13

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Holy crap, if that is your projection for Fiddler and you think 13th is too high, what is your projection for Aitcheson then??

Cuz 21min+ and PK1 is damn good #4.

It’s fair and not too big of a reach. I just have a few other guys ahead as favorites.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Righty too, but he's ranked around 20th, so not really in our wheelhouse. But yeah, Vernon Fiddler, what a blast from the past.

Does it matter where he is "ranked?" ( and who exactly is ranking him?). The draft is like any other market. It has its inefficiencies to exploit.

The question is not where is he "ranked"? The question is do you think he will be better than every other player available when we pick?

 

[lilidk]

My choice at 13 if available
1. Mrtka
2. Eklund
3. Bear
4. Lakovic
5. Reschny
6. Aitcheson
7. Martin
8 Carbonneau
9.Smith
10.Fidler

 

[Run the Jewels]

Does it matter where he is "ranked?" ( and who exactly is ranking him?). The draft is like any other market. It has its inefficiencies to exploit.

The question is not where is he "ranked"? The question is do you think he will be better than every other player available when we pick?

As I've mentioned previously, I am skeptical about our NA scouting. Most seem to think taking Brady Cleveland with the 47OA pick was crazy. So I do like to compare what others think about certain prospects. I hope this is OK with you.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

It's interesting how in the past we've really pounded the table for high upside players, and this year we're talking about Martin, Bear, Aitcheson, and Fiddler. Are we just being realistic given the pick, or has our outlook changed?

It looks like some high upside boom or bust players will still be on the board at #13. Potentially Jackson Smith, Justin Carbonneau, Lynden Lakovic, Cameron Schmidt

 

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[Frk It]

It's interesting how in the past we've really pounded the table for high upside players, and this year we're talking about Martin, Bear, Aitcheson, and Fiddler. Are we just being realistic given the pick, or has our outlook changed?

It looks like some high upside boom or bust players will still be on the board at #13. Potentially Jackson Smith, Justin Carbonneau, Lynden Lakovic, Cameron Schmidt

It’s hard because you are talking about guys with significant flaws.

Out of that group I like Carbonneau the best by a decent amount.

But I get not liking Smith because of the IQ, or not liking Lakovic because of the compete, or not liking Schmidt because he’s tiny.

I also don’t agree with your assessment that Bear, Martin, or Aitcheson don’t have upside.

 

[lilidk]

It’s hard because you are talking about guys with significant flaws.

Out of that group I like Carbonneau the best by a decent amount.

But I get not liking Smith because of the IQ, or not liking Lakovic because of the compete, or not liking Schmidt because he’s tiny.

I also don’t agree with your assessment that Bear, Martin, or Aitcheson don’t have upside.

Guys like Atchison and Martin kinda scares me . They bring physicality , but also bad penalties, they also not very big to fight bigger guys.