2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Winger98]

To sketch it out:

Top six forwards are Larkin, Raymond, Debrincat, Kasper, Kane (for one more year), and X via trade / RFA.

Bottom six forwards are Copp, Tank, Danielson, Compher, Mazur, and likely Soderblom.

I let Berggren walk and I use Rasmussen in a trade package.

Top four defensemen are Seider, Edvinsson, Johansson, and X via RFA / UFA.

Bottom pairing are Chiarot and X via UFA.

I let Petry walk, waive Holl, and use Gus as my 7th defenseman.

The only question mark from a youth standpoint is playing time for ASP, but the above also assumes zero injuries, which isn't realistic, so I'm not worried that I wouldn't be able to get the kid into the lineup if he's ready.

If either Nate or Mazur play well enough to move them up the lineup, then just bump a veteran down.

EDIT: At forward, after 2025-26 Kane and Tank are gone. One or both of MBN and Buchelnikov can join. After 2026-27, Copp (contract) and Compher (waive) are gone. Some combination of Plante / Lombardi / Kiiskanen are added, or tack on a free agent if enough kids aren't panning out. Debrincat is a wild card, but I likely don't bring him back and may even trade him at the deadline, depending on the return and how all the kids are doing.

At defense, after 2025-26 Chiarot and Gus are gone. ASP is added; the other slot depends on who they add this summer, for what term, and how the rest of their defensive prospects are doing.

My question mark is penciling Danielson into the bottom6. You're looking for a guy to slide into the top6 and you're not willing to bite the bullet and just use a kid there. Forward is one of the few areas we still have a bunch of kids who are knocking on the door right now. But the most we are willing to open for any of them is the third line. I'd add Tralmaks to your bottom6 grouping, though. I think we signed him with every intention of giving him every opportunity to make the team in the fall.

If we can get a Robertson or even a Petterson, I could see the argument. But if we're going after guys who pot 20ish goals...I just don't expect them to be worth the acquisition cost.

The blueline, I totally get being more aggressive there. We don't have the kids looking ready for a look at that position. Go after some UFA, look to make a deal, I'm all for getting Holl out of here.

 

[chipbiscuit]

I feel like this draft and the 26 draft is are cut off to fit guys into our current rebuild. We need to hit and hopefully find a gem that can play sooner then later

 

[jkutswings]

My question mark is penciling Danielson into the bottom6. You're looking for a guy to slide into the top6 and you're not willing to bite the bullet and just use a kid there. Forward is one of the few areas we still have a bunch of kids who are knocking on the door right now. But the most we are willing to open for any of them is the third line. I'd add Tralmaks to your bottom6 grouping, though. I think we signed him with every intention of giving him every opportunity to make the team in the fall.

If we can get a Robertson or even a Petterson, I could see the argument. But if we're going after guys who pot 20ish goals...I just don't expect them to be worth the acquisition cost.

The blueline, I totally get being more aggressive there. We don't have the kids looking ready for a look at that position. Go after some UFA, look to make a deal, I'm all for getting Holl out of here.

Valid points. I'd prefer to go after somebody with roughly the production of a Peterka - if Detroit lands a guy of that tier, there's no way to start the season that Nate is one of the six best forwards.

And that's ok. Let the kid ease his way in and do his thing against easier defensive matchups, and maybe he's pushing for a better role by the trade deadline. Worst case scenario, this is the last season I want to bring Kane back, so Nate can take his spot next year, with MBN and Buch joining via a similar approach as Tank and possibly others are shuffled out.

If a kid outplays somebody, then by all means, move him up. Kasper did that over the course of this season. But I'm not going to give a kid a better roster spot than his production warrants just to get younger. I want to win hockey games and make the playoffs, so wherever guys help the team the most is where they play.

 

[deca guard]

=================================================================
#1
- SMITH : 6'4'' 200lb
- LAKOVIC : 6'4'' 200lb
- CARBONEAU : 6'1.25'' 205lb
* all 3 have size / skates . the forwards also score goals . all 3 still growing and over 200lb / 6'1''+
=================================================================
#2
- COOTES : 5'11.5'' 186lb
* jack of all trades center , though not high powered offensively .
but maybe wrister improves with physical development . big motor !
=================================================================
* love bear n mcqueen but fear injury issues
* more video i watch the higher i get on smith , the skating and athleticism at the size is elite .
plus very confident ! seiden / edvinsson / pellikka / smith could be best d in nhl
=================================================================

 

[deca guard]

Carbonneau brings football mentality to ice ahead of 2025 NHL Draft | NHL.com

18-year-old QMJHL forward blends physical nature, high-end skill set

www.nhl.com

 

[deca guard]

2025 NHL Draft: Top 10 right wings | NHL.com

Martone, Eklund, Carbonneau among best prospects at position

www.nhl.com

 

[newfy]

Someone gets bumped to the third line.

I'd still lean towards getting Danielson/Lombardi into the lineup than spending resources on a guy like Rossi (or Ehlers), though. Add MBN to that. Add Buch. We have a lot of fowards who project out as top9 guys. Which, really, is what Rossi, Ehlers, etc. are. They aren't bad, but they aren't great. We have plenty of vets right now to insulate kids with, get them into the lineup if we can't land a Marner level guy.

I look at Rossi and Ehlers as, very different players. Ehlers is 3 or 4 inches bigger, adds some speed to the lineup and could be had for money. Rossi you're giving up assets for, smaller, not a great skater etc.

Ehlers the last 5 seasons has produced at a ~30 goal, 71 point pace, plays fast and is 6 feet tall. Getting him for nothing but cap space is definitely worth it. You worry about moving other bodies out to give the young guys space when you have the chance to add a guy like that

Do you think they are what they are from a lack of effort? I think they are just limited players, or old players, or both. Regardless of whether or not those guys are here, I think I'd still lean towards the kids than dumping assets into players of the Rossi/Ehlers tier.

Now that the Tarasenko rumours are going again, I read yesterday online there's talk that he wasn't happy with his "fit" in Detroit. Maybe he was pouting about his usage and the effort was actually an issue

Attitude is what matters. Not size. Marchand is still kicking ass in the Stanley cup finals at 5’9”.

Marchand is a complete anomaly though and one of the hardest competitors in hockey history. But even him... He's currently playing on the third line and the average height of is two linemates is 6'2.

Florida's first line average height is 6'2. Their second line has two of the meanest players in the league both ~6'2 in Bennett and Tkachuk.

I would sign Marchand this off-season if I was Detroit, but that's different than building a team of guys close to his height in the top 6, without close to the same competitiveness

 

[Winger98]

I look at Rossi and Ehlers as, very different players. Ehlers is 3 or 4 inches bigger, adds some speed to the lineup and could be had for money. Rossi you're giving up assets for, smaller, not a great skater etc.

Ehlers the last 5 seasons has produced at a ~30 goal, 71 point pace, plays fast and is 6 feet tall. Getting him for nothing but cap space is definitely worth it. You worry about moving other bodies out to give the young guys space when you have the chance to add a guy like that

Now that the Tarasenko rumours are going again, I read yesterday online there's talk that he wasn't happy with his "fit" in Detroit. Maybe he was pouting about his usage and the effort was actually an issue

Now what are Ehler's actual numbers and how many games does he actually play? Over those same 5 years he's averaged 61 games and 22 goals. How much do you want to pay for 20-ish goals? I'm not saying Ehlers and Rossi are the same player, but you're going to getting 20ish goals from either of them and I'm not a fan of spending a premium for that.

And Tank should have been unhappy. I didn't see a lack of effort, though. Kane dogged it under Lalonde. That was 100% lousy effort for 36 games. Tank reminded me of Robitaille when he was here. Crazy snake bit, not a great fit anywhere, a frustrating year.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

While this draft doesn't seem to have a lot of offensive juice, it does seam to have some big rangy defensemen with an opportunity to develop into solid defensive defensemen. I appreciate that may not be sexy but it would be playing to the strength of the class.

 

[RedHawkDown]

I look at Rossi and Ehlers as, very different players. Ehlers is 3 or 4 inches bigger, adds some speed to the lineup and could be had for money. Rossi you're giving up assets for, smaller, not a great skater etc.

Ehlers the last 5 seasons has produced at a ~30 goal, 71 point pace, plays fast and is 6 feet tall. Getting him for nothing but cap space is definitely worth it. You worry about moving other bodies out to give the young guys space when you have the chance to add a guy like that

Now that the Tarasenko rumours are going again, I read yesterday online there's talk that he wasn't happy with his "fit" in Detroit. Maybe he was pouting about his usage and the effort was actually an issue

Marchand is a complete anomaly though and one of the hardest competitors in hockey history. But even him... He's currently playing on the third line and the average height of is two linemates is 6'2.

Florida's first line average height is 6'2. Their second line has two of the meanest players in the league both ~6'2 in Bennett and Tkachuk.

I would sign Marchand this off-season if I was Detroit, but that's different than building a team of guys close to his height in the top 6, without close to the same competitiveness

Rossi is a fierce competitor. Watch him play. I have zero concerns about his size. His issue is not so great defensive play but nothing to do with his size.

Guerin is an idiot.

 

[better Red than Dead]

I don’t get the Lakovic love he reminds me of Anthony Mantha, someone you wish was a power forward but will never be and will just disappoint in that role. I like Bear or Carbonneau

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

I don’t get the Lakovic love he reminds me of Anthony Mantha, someone you wish was a power forward but will never be and will just disappoint in that role. I like Bear or Carbonneau

Mantha would have been pretty good playing with Kasper and MBN, though. As much as I love the idea, we probably don't need every guy to be a power forward.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

While this draft doesn't seem to have a lot of offensive juice, it does seam to have some big rangy defensemen with an opportunity to develop into solid defensive defensemen. I appreciate that may not be sexy but it would be playing to the strength of the class.

I'm warming up to the idea of taking Smith. Every single scouting report talks about how high his upside is. It's just a gamble.

 

[SantosHalper]

I'm warming up to the idea of taking Smith. Every single scouting report talks about how high his upside is. It's just a gamble.

Reminds me of Esa Lindell. Similar more of a offensive D-man in the junior leagues but Lindell developed in to a top notch rock solid defensive d-man.

 

[lilidk]

I don’t get the Lakovic love he reminds me of Anthony Mantha, someone you wish was a power forward but will never be and will just disappoint in that role. I like Bear or Carbonneau

Everytime Mantra get in fight he got hurt and that probably had effect on his game. Lakovic is one of the smartest guys there, who is not as strong as Mantha was. All this prospects 18 and we don't know yet how they will progress. I believe Goys like Martin is overrated and Lakovic is underrated

 

[lilidk]

Reminds me of Esa Lindell. Similar more of a offensive D-man in the junior leagues but Lindell developed in to a top notch rock solid defensive d-man.

And that would be great consider the Smith has a size

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I don’t get the Lakovic love he reminds me of Anthony Mantha, someone you wish was a power forward but will never be and will just disappoint in that role. I like Bear or Carbonneau

I trust Bear. I am not sure I trust Carbonneau (but can live with the risk), I definitely don't trust Lakovic

 

[stillwater]

If Jackson Smith is still there at #13, I can't see Yzerman passing on him. Great skater, like really great, big body. Prototypical NHL defenseman. Left shot. Good offensive instincts. This draft's version of Zach Werenski.

Kashawn Aitcheson - he scores, he hits, he fights and he celebrates! ... a lot! Too much of an entertainer for me. Squawking at opposing benches, inciting opposing crowds. Seems like a guy to me that would have to tame down his antics and stick to hockey. I don't know the kid at all ... just what I see. Nowhere near as good as Smith for me.

Justin Carbonneau - great shot, great offensive instincts overall ... big body, kinda reminds me of Owen Nolan. He could fall to the 2nd round because of his passive defensive play. But, it is the QMJHL and half the time you're up by 4 goals and can float. Does he have another gear?

Brady Martin - the wrecking ball center. Don't know that he has the top offensive skills as guys like Carter Bear maybe, but has the look of a force in all areas on the ice. Wouldn't expect him to be around at #13, but I think there's going to be some early surprises in this draft.

It ultimately come down to skill and compete ... but never underestimate all the background work. The meetings, the dinners ... what kind of kid he is can sometimes trump all the things you see on highlight videos.

 

[newfy]

Rossi is a fierce competitor. Watch him play. I have zero concerns about his size. His issue is not so great defensive play but nothing to do with his size.

Guerin is an idiot.

I have watched Rossi play, he definitely is a competitor. You don't make the league at 5'8 without being one. But he's playing in a league where guys are 6'2 and just as competitive. He's a solid hockey player for sure, and for the right price, whatever bring him in. But a top 6 that already has Debrincat, Raymond, and Kane in it does not need to be looking at bringing in another tiny player that will cost good assets to land. You're not winning come playoff time when the whistles go away with all those guys playing big minutes.

His personal "issue" might not be size, but its a very blatant one for the wings forward group, especially if you add him. In a vacuum, he's a very solid player. Team building, when your team already isn't going to out skill some of the better teams in the league? Its an issue

 

[Frk It]

If Jackson Smith is still there at #13, I can't see Yzerman passing on him. Great skater, like really great, big body. Prototypical NHL defenseman. Left shot. Good offensive instincts. This draft's version of Zach Werenski.

You should be asking yourself why he’s not ranked higher. There’s a reason.

His combo of frame and skating and skills should be a top 5 player for this draft.

When I first looked at his highlights, I was like wtf is wrong with people, this guy should be way higher.

But the IQ concerns are real, and the reason he is outside the top 10 for most people even with his skill set and in a weak class.

And I have a hard time seeing Yzerman take a defenseman with significant IQ concerns. I could very easily see Yzerman passing on him.

 

[stillwater]

But the IQ concerns are real, and the reason he is outside the top 10 for most people even with his skill set and in a weak class.

And I have a hard time seeing Yzerman take a defenseman with significant IQ concerns. I could very easily see Yzerman passing on him.

This kind of sounds eerily similar to the reservations scouts had when talking about Simon Edvinsson.

I don't have any concern about his hockey IQ at all.

 

[Frk It]

This kind of sounds eerily similar to the reservations scouts had when talking about Simon Edvinsson.

I don’t really remember significant IQ concerns with Edvinsson, they are much more serious with Smith.

Edvinsson was 3rd on Bob Mac’s list and we took him 6th.

Smith is #10 in a weak class and we are talking about him being there at #13.

 

[newfy]

I don’t really remember significant IQ concerns with Edvinsson, they are much more serious with Smith.

Edvinsson was 3rd on Bob Mac’s list and we took him 6th.

Smith is #10 in a weak class and we are talking about him being there at #13.

Yeah I dont see the comparison at all either. Edvinssons IQ "concerns" were like.... if this guy had slightly better IQ he would be a 1st overall pick, instead he's a consensus top 5 in a good draft class (especially great for dmen). At least one team had him ranked first overall.

Smith being an option at 13 is drastically different than Edvinsson. From what I have read though, the role he's been asked to play with Canada vs in the WHL is drastically different and has probably led to some of those concerns. When he settles in and can just play his own game he might flourish.

At 13, the athletic package is worth the risk for the IQ in this draft and I would not be against that pick at all.... he's just not comparable to Edvinsson

 

[Frk It]

Yeah I dont see the comparison at all either. Edvinssons IQ "concerns" were like.... if this guy had slightly better IQ he would be a 1st overall pick, instead he's a consensus top 5 in a good draft class (especially great for dmen). At least one team had him ranked first overall.

Smith being an option at 13 is drastically different than Edvinsson. From what I have read though, the role he's been asked to play with Canada vs in the WHL is drastically different and has probably led to some of those concerns. When he settles in and can just play his own game he might flourish.

At 13, the athletic package is worth the risk for the IQ in this draft and I would not be against that pick at all.... he's just not comparable to Edvinsson

For the record I like Smith, and would be happy to get him at #13.

I could see Detroit passing on him though for not thinking the game at a high enough level.

I think he will be divisive for scouts for some of the same reasons Broberg was.

 

[stillwater]

Of course, I can't now find a single article questioning reservations about Edvinsson's hockey IQ, LOL.

I know I read them.