2025 DRAFT Discussion

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

It would appear the same goes for message board posting.

I personally hired @RedHawkDown to be my slappy because we played on the same mini mite team.

 

[Frk It]

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Literal wet dream if he falls to us. Could end up being the best player from this draft.

 

[HisNoodliness]

Literal wet dream if he falls to us. Could end up being the best player from this draft.

I feel like I decided that I wanted Eklund forever ago and then sort of stopped paying attention. Familiarity sort of took the excitement out for me. This was great for hyping me up again.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I feel like I decided that I wanted Eklund forever ago and then sort of stopped paying attention. Familiarity sort of took the excitement out for me. This was great for hyping me up again.

I think he will certainly help us and is a rock solid option at 13. Exciting, however, isn't the word I would use to describe him though. I see him as a good, complimentary top six forward that you don't need to worry too much about.

 

[Frk It]

I think he will certainly help us and is a rock solid option at 13. Exciting, however, isn't the word I would use to describe him though. I see him as a good, complimentary top six forward that you don't need to worry too much about.

Hm, I feel like he has more upside than that. Definitely like the upside with him better than I liked it with MBN last year.

 

[lilidk]

I feel like I decided that I wanted Eklund forever ago and then sort of stopped paying attention. Familiarity sort of took the excitement out for me. This was great for hyping me up again.

Don't expect him be available at13

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Hm, I feel like he has more upside than that. Definitely like the upside with him better than I liked it with MBN last year.

Do you think he will be able to carry his own top-six line in the NHL? That is a bridge too far for me personally. I think his effectiveness has more to do about his industrious and intelligence than all out individual skill and that makes him more of a complimentary player in my eyes (albeit a really, really good one). Like I said, he certainly makes us better, but I don't think he radically alters our trajectory.

 

[Frk It]

Do you think he will be able to carry his own top-six line in the NHL? That is a bridge too far for me personally. I think his effectiveness has more to do about his industrious and intelligence than all out individual skill and that makes him more of a complimentary player in my eyes (albeit a really, really good one). Like I said, he certainly makes us better, but I don't think he radically alters our trajectory.

Carry a line? Maybe not. Contribute more than a complimentary guy? Yes.

I think he does a lot of things well that help with puck posession. Moreso than a guy I typically think of as a passenger.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Hm, I feel like he has more upside than that. Definitely like the upside with him better than I liked it with MBN last year.

I think both are terrific value based on where MBN was picked and where Eklund is expected to be picked.

MBN is a guy I thought should have been ranked top 10 (10 exactly) last year and I was super pumped about Detroit getting him. When paired with a playmaker and a solid puck transporter is when I think we're going to see him at his best.

Similarly, Eklund is a guy I have ranked way higher than where I think he's going. Eklund to me is top 6 in this draft but size may cause him to drop to 13. He's got exceptional compete paired with great skating and can transport the puck.

Statistically I think they'll be closer than the consensus. Both look like 40-60 point guys, 70 in a great year. Both look to be plus level defensive wingers. Both are physical (though MBN will put guys through the wall.) Both have a pitbull mentality.

Honestly? they might make for a terrific line with Kasper or Larkin. Winger isn't the top organizational need but I can't argue that Eklund wouldn't be the best player available by a mile if he's available at 13.

 

[Frk It]

I think both are terrific value based on where MBN was picked and where Eklund is expected to be picked.

MBN is a guy I thought should have been ranked top 10 (10 exactly) last year and I was super pumped about Detroit getting him. When paired with a playmaker and a solid puck transporter is when I think we're going to see him at his best.

Similarly, Eklund is a guy I have ranked way higher than where I think he's going. Eklund to me is top 6 in this draft but size may cause him to drop to 13. He's got exceptional compete paired with great skating and can transport the puck.

Statistically I think they'll be closer than the consensus. Both look like 40-60 point guys, 70 in a great year. Both look to be plus level defensive wingers. Both are physical (though MBN will put guys through the wall.) Both have a pitbull mentality.

Honestly? they might make for a terrific line with Kasper or Larkin. Winger isn't the top organizational need but I can't argue that Eklund wouldn't be the best player available by a mile if he's available at 13.

I think Eklund is a better puck possession player. Better passing/puck skills and sees the ice better.

I have always seen MBN as a true complimentary kind of guy. Good forechecker and shooter. But going to be more reliant on his linemates than Eklund.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I think Eklund is a better puck possession player. Better passing/puck skills and sees the ice better.

I have always seen MBN as a true complimentary kind of guy. Good forechecker and shooter. But going to be more reliant on his linemates than Eklund.

100% Eklund is a better passer and transporter and a more natural creator. MBN is a play connector as the corner guy and board battler. His passing game is solid but not very creative; he gets his skill guys the puck and makes their lives easy.

MBN will need a guy like Eklund to be a successful scorer. Conversely, Eklund will need a guy like MBN to keep the flies off and do the dirty work.

It could be a match made in heaven if we draft Eklund and our 2nd line is MBN-Kasper-Eklund.

 

[GarlicbreadTB]

A bonus with Eklund too is perhaps getting his brother to join in years to come as well...

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

100% Eklund is a better passer and transporter and a more natural creator. MBN is a play connector as the corner guy and board battler. His passing game is solid but not very creative; he gets his skill guys the puck and makes their lives easy.

MBN will need a guy like Eklund to be a successful scorer. Conversely, Eklund will need a guy like MBN to keep the flies off and do the dirty work.

It could be a match made in heaven if we draft Eklund and our 2nd line is MBN-Kasper-Eklund.

I feel like MBN and Kasper are similar enough that you'd want to split them up to be a pain in the ass and make room for their linemates.

MBN opening things up for Larkin and Raymond. Kasper opening things up for whoever. (Debrincat/Buchelnikov/Eklund)

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I feel like MBN and Kasper are similar enough that you'd want to split them up to be a pain in the ass and make room for their linemates.

MBN opening things up for Larkin and Raymond. Kasper opening things up for whoever. (Debrincat/Buchelnikov/Eklund)

Outside of physicality and compete I don't think they're similar. Kasper is a guy I expect to be a defensive rock of a center and is an excellent transporter of the puck and a breakout machine. MBN profiles as a scoring power winger with a strong defensive conscience.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Outside of physicality and compete I don't think they're similar. Kasper is a guy I expect to be a defensive rock of a center and is an excellent transporter of the puck and a breakout machine. MBN profiles as a scoring power winger with a strong defensive conscience.

At this point, if Kasper becomes a little more offensive, less physical version of Bennett, I'll be elated.

... Though "More offensive Bennett" is a much higher expectation come playoff time.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

At this point, if Kasper becomes a little more offensive, less physical version of Bennett, I'll be elated.

... Though "More offensive Bennett" is a much higher expectation come playoff time.

I always expected Kasper to be more Ryan Kesler than many people here did when we drafted him. I think he's got better playmaking potential than we're giving him credit for. If he nets 50 points next season I'll argue that 60-70 is within the realm of possibility.

Maybe a Kadri that's stronger defensively?

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

I always expected Kasper to be more Ryan Kesler than many people here did when we drafted him. I think he's got better playmaking potential than we're giving him credit for. If he nets 50 points next season I'll argue that 60-70 is within the realm of possibility.

Maybe a Kadri that's stronger defensively?

Yeah, I mean he was on a 57 point pace after getting promoted out of the 4th line. You would assume he wouldn't peak offensively at 20.

Though Sophomore Slumps are common and expected. He was also winger for half of that time, or centering Debrincat and Kane, which is a great situation to be in.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Yeah, I mean he was on a 57 point pace after getting promoted out of the 4th line. You would assume he wouldn't peak offensively at 20.

Though Sophomore Slumps are common and expected. He was also winger for half of that time, or centering Debrincat and Kane, which is a great situation to be in.

Which is better than Larkin at 20.

Sophomore slumps do happen but I think the way Kasper plays will allow him to be useful regardless of production.

Anyway, 2025 prospects!

Bear and Eklund are the most Yzerman wingers in my opinion. Eklund might have more perceived potential. Bear appears to have the safer floor as a mean two-way 50 point guy. I'm not mad at either.

 

[jkutswings]

Maybe a Kadri that's stronger defensively?

Dare to dream. Think of a Ryan Kesler / Brad Marchand hybrid.

With a much less punchable face.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Which is better than Larkin at 20.

Sophomore slumps do happen but I think the way Kasper plays will allow him to be useful regardless of production.

Anyway, 2025 prospects!

Bear and Eklund are the most Yzerman wingers in my opinion. Eklund might have more perceived potential. Bear appears to have the safer floor as a mean two-way 50 point guy. I'm not mad at either.

Yeah, problem with Larkin at 20 is leaguewide scoring was wayyyy lower then.

I think at this point I'm down to Eklund or Aitcheson... And realistically I'm not sure either will be there at 13. I'm still not opposed to trading the pick for a U25 LHD, but the only one I can really think of that may be available is Byram.

 

[wings95]

Things I have read about Eklund make me think Raymond but not as good of a shooter. What’s everyone else’s opinion of that?

 

[Winger98]

I always expected Kasper to be more Ryan Kesler than many people here did when we drafted him. I think he's got better playmaking potential than we're giving him credit for. If he nets 50 points next season I'll argue that 60-70 is within the realm of possibility.

Maybe a Kadri that's stronger defensively?

I think he' grittier than Kadri, and not nearly as stupid as to draw suspensions every other playoffs.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Yeah, problem with Larkin at 20 is leaguewide scoring was wayyyy lower then.

I think at this point I'm down to Eklund or Aitcheson... And realistically I'm not sure either will be there at 13. I'm still not opposed to trading the pick for a U25 LHD, but the only one I can really think of that may be available is Byram.

Romanov.

 

[deca guard]

Michael Misa, Malcolm Spence, Will Moore highlight Craig Button's final NHL Draft prospect ranking | TSN

The Mississauga Senators U16 AAA team that captured the OHL Cup in 2022 is set to make its mark on the 2025 NHL Draft. More in TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button's final Craig's List prospect ranking of the season.

www.tsn.ca