2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Steve Yzerlland]

Can someone convince me on Mrtka? I have some Czech family and they seem to really like him. When I watch highlights, I'm just not that impressed.

If we draft him he will suck. If we pass he will be great.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Can someone convince me on Mrtka? I have some Czech family and they seem to really like him. When I watch highlights, I'm just not that impressed.

From what I understand, Seattle improved immediately once he arrived. I haven't looked at him as he's almost certainly going to be gone by the time we pick, but if you are looking for impact, Mrtka's role in turning the Thunderbirds around would seem to qualify.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Man, I don't watch these leagues and only dive into highlights around this time of year, but man I'm kind of baffled here. Cootes is one of my favorite players in the draft* and its because I love his skill. I see great hands and edgework, nice vision and passing, a good wrist shot with a deceptive release, an effective one timer.

Any mean streak, competitiveness, 200 ft play is just icing on the cake

(* I only look at guys the wings might draft so I just ignore the top 5 or so)

And you aren't concerned about his production this year??? I personally see him as a good 3rd line center or wing.

 

[izlez]

And you aren't concerned about his production this year??? I personally see him as a good 3rd line center or wing.

Nope.

Led his team in scoring
1.25 ppg over the last 12 regular season games
1.33 ppg in the playoffs
Led Canada in scoring at the U18’s

 

[Fyodorov]

Nope.

Led his team in scoring
1.25 ppg over the last 12 regular season games
1.33 ppg in the playoffs
Led Canada in scoring at the U18’s

That level of production in the CHL in 2025 screams third liner to me tbh.

 

[USAHockey97]

That level of production in the CHL in 2025 screams third liner to me tbh.

Just wondering, how does that compare to Nate Danielson? I am not keen on the differences between CHL, OHL and WHL.

 

[Fyodorov]

Just wondering, how does that compare to Nate Danielson? I am not keen on the differences between CHL, OHL and WHL.

Cootes: 63 pts in 60 regular season games. 8 pts in 6 playoff games.
Danielson: 78 pts in 68 regular season games.

Both in WHL.

 

[Frk It]

Why are we just talking about production without adding in other context?

 

[Run the Jewels]

Cootes: 63 pts in 60 regular season games. 8 pts in 6 playoff games.
Danielson: 78 pts in 68 regular season games.

Both in WHL.

I've never seen Cootes play, but when I hear about him Joe Veleno comes to mind. Good all around player who never developed any offense as a professional.

 

[Frk It]

I’m curious to see where Lakovic gets picked. I have read teams asked about him his compete when he was interviewed at the combine and he acknowledged it as something he needs to worked at and teams like how he interviewed.

 

[lilidk]

Why are we just talking about production without adding in other context?

Cootes: 63 pts in 60 regular season games. 8 pts in 6 playoff games.
Danielson: 78 pts in 68 regular season games.

Both in WHL.

If Danielson was the team most important player , Cootes was not. Skating is the biggest difference between both of them

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Detroit:
---
13. Viktor Eklund, RW/LW
44. Eric Nilson, C/LW
75. Vojtech Cihar, LW
76. Brady Peddle, LD
127. Tommy Lafreniere, RW
172. Valteri Lindberg, C/LW
204. Carl Otto Magnusson, LD
211. Cullen McCrate, LD

Detroit results from @newdimension

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

I’m curious to see where Lakovic gets picked. I have read teams asked about him his compete when he was interviewed at the combine and he acknowledged it as something he needs to worked at and teams like how he interviewed.

Yeah, I'm out on him.

If you have to work on compete....I'm good.

 

[Rolo Tomassi]

Yeah, I'm out on him.

If you have to work on compete....I'm good.

Good news for you then, Yzerman doesnt have much time for players like that, either.

 

[Christien]

It seems like Cam Robinson thinks that Detroit is big on Aitcheson. On The Pipeline Show, he said he'd be surprised if he makes it past 13, and on the Called Up Podcast, he said there's a team that is hoping he makes it to the early teens.

 

[DangerMouse]

Yeah, I'm out on him.

If you have to work on compete....I'm good.

This. When Aaron Glenn talked about his cornerbacks he said something like he doesn’t want to try to teach a dog how to bite. They need to be wired that way.

Feel the same about these prospects. You are either wired like that or you’re not.

 

[schuelma24]

It seems like Cam Robinson thinks that Detroit is big on Aitcheson. On The Pipeline Show, he said he'd be surprised if he makes it past 13, and on the Called Up Podcast, he said there's a team that is hoping he makes it to the early teens.

I would be that's true ... but I don't think he makes it to Detroit. I think Smith is the likeliest D to be there at 13.

 

[lilidk]

I would be that's true ... but I don't think he makes it to Detroit. I think Smith is the likeliest D to be there at 13.

Probably, but I don't know if I want him

 

[lilidk]

I doubt Martin, Mrtka and Eklund will be available at 13. Justin Carbonneau playing Q and has more goals than Assists, don't like him. Lakovic, not physical at all, not going to fit our needs
One of Atchison or Bear would be the best choice for me.
If not maybe Reschny or Hensler

​

 

[Holden Caufield]

I would not be interested in Aitcheson.

His playmaking, vision and first pass is satisfactory. But it’s not a glaring strength. Not a reason you are going to draft him high.

His defensive play can be a little erratic and over aggressive at times. It could use some refining and might wind up decent in time. But Probably not drafting him high for his defensive play.

His physical play is great. He can line up the highlight hits. Is very scrappy and even willing to fight. But he measured just 6’1” and 190lbs. He is not an imposing physical barrier in the corners and in front of the net and probably never will be. More of a Matt Dumba type physical presence. Again probably not taking him high based on his physicality/size.


So it comes down to that shot and his ability to aggressively funnel the puck to the net. No doubt he can do that. But will he be a featured power play cannon on the point at the NHL level? He could, but that is basically the bet you are taking.

Also he is the oldest player in the draft. Missed the 2024 draft cutoff by one day. He is almost a full year older than guys like Mrtak and Fiddler. In a thought exercise… I think he probably would have went mid to late 2nd round in last years draft if he was one day older.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

I doubt Martin, Mrtka and Eklund will be available at 13. Justin Carbonneau playing Q and has more goals than Assists, don't like him. Lakovic, not physical at all, not going to fit our needs
One of Atchison or Bear would be the best choice for me.
If not maybe Reschny or Hensler

​

I don’t know why but whl players scare me, outside bedard how many forwards came out of the last drafts in the 1st rd and became stars? I’d still trade that pick if we can land peterka,Miller etc.. if we’re drafting I’d say smith had some upside and has size or aitcheson cause he plays a style we need, too many wimps on this team

If we’re drafting I’d be agressive for once and make a move to trade up with Seattle or Anaheim. Take a big swing at mcqueen if he drops could pay off huge for us, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. Seattle needs dmen it sucks but I’d consider moving Albert johansson to move up 5 spots , obviously try and move a buium/wallinder/Cleveland or a 2nd first

 

[Frk It]

I would not be interested in Aitcheson.

His playmaking, vision and first pass is satisfactory. But it’s not a glaring strength. Not a reason you are going to draft him high.

His defensive play can be a little erratic and over aggressive at times. It could use some refining and might wind up decent in time. But Probably not drafting him high for his defensive play.

His physical play is great. He can line up the highlight hits. Is very scrappy and even willing to fight. But he measured just 6’1” and 190lbs. He is not an imposing physical barrier in the corners and in front of the net and probably never will be. More of a Matt Dumba type physical presence. Again probably not taking him high based on his physicality/size.


So it comes down to that shot and his ability to aggressively funnel the puck to the net. No doubt he can do that. But will he be a featured power play cannon on the point at the NHL level? He could, but that is basically the bet you are taking.

Also he is the oldest player in the draft. Missed the 2024 draft cutoff by one day. He is almost a full year older than guys like Mrtak and Fiddler. In a thought exercise… I think he probably would have went mid to late 2nd round in last years draft if he was one day older.

You are 100% drafting him for his physicality.

He is a guy where the opposition has to be worried about where he is at all times. Do we have anyone like that?

He is a guy who will answer the bell for his teammates even if it for a hit he just delivered. Do we have anyone like that?

Do I think he has some flaws? Sure.

But he brings a lot of things to the table Yzerman has talked about this team needing - physicality, compete, passion

 

[SantosHalper]

Detroit:
---
13. Viktor Eklund, RW/LW
44. Eric Nilson, C/LW
75. Vojtech Cihar, LW
76. Brady Peddle, LD
127. Tommy Lafreniere, RW
172. Valteri Lindberg, C/LW
204. Carl Otto Magnusson, LD
211. Cullen McCrate, LD

Detroit results from @newdimension

Max Schafer was forgotten from that list. But anyways that last pick Cullen McCrate, he was coached by Horcoff in Little Caesars program. Kevin Hatcher was the other asst coach. Charlie Tretheway also played 1 year there with McCrate and Will Horcoff.

 

[Holden Caufield]

You are 100% drafting him for his physicality.

He is a guy where the opposition has to be worried about where he is at all times. Do we have anyone like that?

He is a guy who will answer the bell for his teammates even if it for a hit he just delivered. Do we have anyone like that?

Do I think he has some flaws? Sure.

But he brings a lot of things to the table Yzerman has talked about this team needing - physicality, compete, passion

I agree, I said he is great physically for his size.

But Matt Dumba gives you all those things at the NHL level right now. And nobody wants him for 3.5M.

So in my opinion the bet is still that Aitcheson’s ability to force offense and his shot translating is the bet you are making for the pick to pan out.

 

[Run the Jewels]

You are 100% drafting him for his physicality.

He is a guy where the opposition has to be worried about where he is at all times. Do we have anyone like that?

He is a guy who will answer the bell for his teammates even if it for a hit he just delivered. Do we have anyone like that?

Do I think he has some flaws? Sure.

But he brings a lot of things to the table Yzerman has talked about this team needing - physicality, compete, passion

He also PKs a ton and is on the ice late to protect leads. I think he's a defensive defenseman for sure, I'm not sure his current reliance on shooting from the right circle won't get scouted and taken away, but the release is high quality. So the question becomes how strong is his IQ in the o-zone? He seems to get stuck there on transitions, which may limit how much PP time he gets, but if you give him time to get that sorted he may be a 40ish point guy.

I still like the Brad Stuart comp, who was expected to be an offensive d-man but turned out to be a good, physical shut down defender. Aitcheson scraps which I don't recall being in Stuart's locker, but if you get a Brad Stuart quality defender with a bit more physicality it's tough not to call that a win at 13OA IMO.

Truth be told, I think this is moot as he's likely to be gone. I think once Mrtka goes someone is going to take KA as the next defenseman as he's more of a sure thing compared to Jackson Smith who has size but also lots of question marks.