2025 DRAFT Discussion

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Lol I like how the team to emulate changes every year based on who wins.

If we are going to win I think it is going to be a la 2023 Vegas or the 2019 Blues.

A team led by a big, mobile blue line with good two way forwards.

I don't think we can replicate Florida, because Matthew Tkachuk is 1 of 1 in my eyes. But it probably would be a wise idea to try to incorporate more toughness in the lineup regardless.

St. Louis and Vegas were both pretty tough teams as well. Then there's perennial contender Boston to consider. Won the cup in 2011. Finalists in 2013 and 2019. Stayed pretty competitive from 2009-10 to 2024.

We obviously want to build a dynasty but in the cap era that seems more and more of an impossibility. These 3 teams are good models of sustainability in the league.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

All depends who’s there but ya I can see us taking him at 13 easily. I’d also be tempted to switch with Seattle who have drafted 0 dmen of late if they think they can get smith at 13 and if McQueen is there at 8 let’s say and if we just want to take a gamble. Could pay off huge if he pans out and we have 6’5 McQueen 1c and Kasper 2 c down the road

Just to change the subject I’m still pissed we never targeted Monaghan like I wanted cause we’d have the 16th pick this draft. Yzerman only getting a 2nd for staal during the rebuild was a major fail

McQueen is 99% a winger at the next level. He just doesn't command center ice or the defensive zone like a real center.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

McQueen is 99% a winger at the next level. He just doesn't command center ice or the defensive zone like a real center.

Still be worth a shot and if not him a hagens might be there at 8... not the biggest guy but if Seattle wants a Dman it’s another guy to look at

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

Those are power forwards?? If anything I think we have too many small forwards who like to hang around the perimeter.

Sounds like maybe you don't know a lot about MBN in particular. I think you're going to enjoy his style of play.

 

[stillwater]

Those are power forwards?? If anything I think we have too many small forwards who like to hang around the perimeter.

Precisely none of these players are perimeter players.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

All depends who’s there but ya I can see us taking him at 13 easily. I’d also be tempted to switch with Seattle who have drafted 0 dmen of late if they think they can get smith at 13 and if McQueen is there at 8 let’s say and if we just want to take a gamble. Could pay off huge if he pans out and we have 6’5 McQueen 1c and Kasper 2 c down the road

Just to change the subject I’m still pissed we never targeted Monaghan like I wanted cause we’d have the 16th pick this draft. Yzerman only getting a 2nd for staal during the rebuild was a major fail

You think McQueen will be a C AND a 1C in the NHL? I thought he was a RW?

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

You think McQueen will be a C AND a 1C in the NHL? I thought he was a RW?

Listed as a C and all the podcasts I listened to kept referring to him as a Center. Even if he makes it as a rw we can have McQueen nygard 1 and 2 rw ... Raymond to left

Either way if we can move up to 8 and he’s there he could be worth a shot

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Listed as a C and all the podcasts I listened to kept referring to him as a Center. Even if he makes it as a rw we can have McQueen nygard 1 and 2 rw ... Raymond to left

Either way if we can move up to 8 and he’s there he could be worth a shot

TBH I don't much about his game other than he is a power forward. But I swore I heard he was exclusively a RW

 

[HoweFan]

At one point a couple of months ago I had Brady Martin as my pick. That won’t happen now at 13. Then I had Kashawn Aitcheson as my choice. Most mocks I see have him gone before our pick now.
Maybe someone like Eklund will drop. He’s my choice now if he’s there

 

[Winger98]

At one point a couple of months ago I had Brady Martin as my pick. That won’t happen now at 13. Then I had Kashawn Aitcheson as my choice. Most mocks I see have him gone before our pick now.
Maybe someone like Eklund will drop. He’s my choice now if he’s there

just quit picking guys and maybe we'll get someone we like

 

[Snuggs]

Wings are getting Brady Martin.

 

[Frk It]

McQueen is 99% a winger at the next level. He just doesn't command center ice or the defensive zone like a real center.

If I was being pessimistic I would say it’s 50/50.

But at his size and where he’s going to get picked, teams are going to give him every opportunity to play down the middle.

We have plenty of guys get better defensively or at the finer details of the game after draft night.

My bigger concern might be I don’t know about the playmaking for a guy who plays in the middle of the ice. The hands and shot are great though.

 

[better Red than Dead]

Precisely none of these players are perimeter players.

I’m not speaking of the ones mentioned, I’m talking about our current top 9

 

[Holden Caufield]

I’m open to taking Smith. He is not one of my top choices for the pick… but you see the talent.

There is certainly enough there to get excited about and warrant a high pick.

 

[Frk It]

Read about these guys in the hockeyprospect.com draft guide, and they sound pretty interesting. Might be an option for round 2-3.

Gustav Hillström - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Gustav Hillström, 2007-01-20 Gävle, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the SHL with Brynäs IF. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Bogdan Pestretsov - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Bogdan Pestretsov, 2007-04-15 Voronezh, RUS Russia. Most recently in the MHL with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[Frk It]

More importantly, there are a number of these types outside of the first round. Guys like Barnhill, Kettles, Amico, Vass, Psenicka, Rombach, Bedkowski, Hallquisth, etc. Again, I am not about to act like they are sexy, but they can certainly be useful.

Yeah people probably should get ready for another Brady Cleveland-esque pick in round 2.

I could see Detroit really liking Bedkowski or Phillips or Barnhill.

And I was half-kidding about Rombach in round 1, but I would not be surprised if the Wings were really high on him either.

 

[lilidk]

I don't like Smith at 13 . I don't know just more physical Wallinder

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

I don't like Smith at 13 . I don't know just more physical Wallinder

And more raw skill and offensive upside. And 5 years younger.

 

[Frk It]

I don't like Smith at 13 . I don't know just more physical Wallinder

I wonder if maybe @stillwater was thinking of Wallinder as opposed to Edvinsson, because to your point I do think there are some similarities between Smith and Wallinder.

That said, there are multiple outcomes for big guys who can skate like this and handle the puck. Sometimes you can get a Thomas Harley as well.

 

[lilidk]

I wonder if maybe @stillwater was thinking of Wallinder as opposed to Edvinsson, because to your point I do think there are some similarities between Smith and Wallinder.

That said, there are multiple outcomes for big guys who can skate like this and handle the puck. Sometimes you can get a Thomas Harley as well.

I Prefer Mrtka or Hensler over Smith, but yes I have no idea how things will change for all of them

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

I wonder if maybe @stillwater was thinking of Wallinder as opposed to Edvinsson, because to your point I do think there are some similarities between Smith and Wallinder.

That said, there are multiple outcomes for big guys who can skate like this and handle the puck. Sometimes you can get a Thomas Harley as well.

Harley can play defense.

____

Jackson Smith, to me, is Jakub Kindl.

 

[Frk It]

Harley can play defense.

Wasn’t great at it at 17 years old, hence why he didn’t go top 15.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Wasn’t great at it at 17 years old, hence why he didn’t go top 15.

I agree.

But, IMO, Smith doesn't have the IQ to become a top 4 D-man.

 

[deca guard]

I’m open to taking Smith. He is not one of my top choices for the pick… but you see the talent.

There is certainly enough there to get excited about and warrant a high pick.

size / athleticism / wheels are major league top 4 level , the guy seems competitive / confident af too . and can rush the heck out of a puck , and thats the important factor of him = big , athletic dman that can bang bodies in own end plus rush the puck up taking pressure off your centers . and you hope that with an nhl development staff he can develop better thinking . but from reading lots of scouting opinions i dont think he will be there at 13 in a draft so weak on defense

cootes has become my safety valve pick after reading lots of controversial opinions about lakovic and noticing he didnt register anything on the combine test , mean while cootes did real good ands said by many to have high iq and solid all around game as a center . also have seen many rate carbo's shot and ruggedness upper level and the guys still growing at 205lb

1- SMITH
2- COOTES / CARBO

ALSO ZAC (redwingprospects) posted this sleeper :

18. Václav Nestrašil - RW 6' 5" - Muskegon (USHL)​

I am much higher on this player than most. Nestrašil is a presence on the ice. Besides his stature he plays big, something I think other big guys in this class don't do. Nestrašil has a bit of an edge to him. He is mean and capable of a huge hit while also not passing up opportunities to finish a check. He's got a deceptive release and the puck comes off heavy and hard. Nestrasil has a good shot but he does need to work on accuracy. He has got really effective hands paired with protecting the puck well with his size and length. This allows him to beat a man and attack the net. His skating is good for his size and once he is up to speed he can really move. However, I'm sure coaches have to remind him to be moving his feet especially defensively. Nestrašil can improve his decision making in terms of his passing options and when to use them. I think he has the potential to be a real top six power forward.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I agree.

But, IMO, Smith doesn't have the IQ to become a top 4 D-man.

What specifically don't you like about his IQ or what would you like to see him do differently on the defensive side of the puck?