2025 DRAFT Discussion

[Run the Jewels]

Pronman Dropped a 7 round Mock

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6429388/2025/06/17/nhl-mock-draft-2025-seven-rounds-pronman/

13. Victor Eklund
44. Eddie Genborg - RW from Linkoping
75. Brady Peddle - D from Waterloo (actually an MSU 26-27 Commit)
76. Michal Pradel - G from Tri City

Eddie Genborg is a good call out, sounds a bit like MBN so I can see why Pronman would have him going to Detroit.

 

[Frk It]

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.

And the version of Matt Dumba prior to injuries the whole league wanted.

 

[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.

Also he was 6’1.5 and 199 lbs at the combine.

Probably will see him listed as 6’1 or 6’2 and 210-215 lbs in a few years.

 

[Holden Caufield]

And the version of Matt Dumba prior to injuries the whole league wanted.

Also he was 6’1.5 and 199 lbs at the combine.

Probably will see him listed as 6’1 or 6’2 and 210-215 lbs in a few years.

He could certainly turn out to be the good version of Dumba. A pretty fair overall comparison when you think about it more.

When you break down the individual aspects of his game it just doesn’t scream ‘use a high pick on him’ in my opinion. If the shot doesn’t work out, it could be curtains. I’m also admittedly a little more apprehensive about late birthdates and look at them more critically.

 

[Frk It]

He could certainly turn out to be the good version of Dumba. A pretty fair overall comparison when you think about it more.

When you break down the individual aspects of his game it just don’t scream ‘use a high pick on him’ in my opinion. If the shot doesn’t work out, it could be curtains. I’m also admittedly a little more apprehensive about late birthdates and look at them more critically.

He’s not normally the kind of guy I like this high in the draft, so I do understand where you’re coming from.

I just like this player and in our case I really love the fit as a LD that could potentially round out our top 4 and bring some passion and fire to a sometimes stale ass team to watch.

I do wish the puck moving ability was better and he definitely is erratic at times. But he has shown a ton of offensive growth over the last 2 seasons and I think Barrie is pretty good at developing defenseman.

So for me this is a unique case where I would be pretty excited to get him at #13. Seems like a guy that could be a fan favorite and provide us a spark when the games ramp up in intensity.

 

[Crunchy]

I'd say 13 is a pretty decent spot in the draft where the talent starts to drop off after the first 13-15 picks. Good place for a faller and could make our pick attractive to a team with it's eyes on someone.

It does seem like Eklund might be that faller and, while I do like the player and would be happy with the pick, I'm also OK banking on a Plante/Buchelnikov/Kiiskinen/Lombardi instead if there's a trade available.

 

[lilidk]

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

Also he has great personalities

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Yeah, I'm out on him.

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

I agree. He is fools gold.

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.

We are drafting 13OA. It isn't exactly a high pick nor a strong class. He needs to be measured against other available players (i..e. the real opportunity cost), not the kids drafted in 2024.

I am comfortable with him at 13 OA, but acknowledge he comes with some risk (especially if he does not make strides on the defensive side of the puck).

 

[stillwater]

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

The CHL is the Canadian Hockey League, comprising all of the 3 Major Junior leagues, the Ontario Hockey league (OHL), the Western Hockey league (WHL) and the Quebec Maritimes junior hockey league (QMJHL).

The CHL is not a specific league on it's own, it's all 3 leagues. So if someone refers to the CHL, it's any of the 3 leagues.

The most noted comparisons people use with the CHL are with the NCAA hockey leagues, which have some older players ... up to 24 or so, where in the CHL, the maximum age is 20. Not sure how many overagers the CHL leagues allow for now, but it's very few per team and only 1 year older than the maximum age.

For the last 60 years or so, thousands of young hockey 'superstars' and their parents have had to decide one route or the other (CHL or NCAA) ... but now the rules have changed and CHL players can move to the NCAA or vise versa ... which I'm quite certain every single CHL franchise is dreading.

I mean, you're talking the 'next one' Gavin McKenna leaving Medicine Hat to play in the NCAA in his draft year. Imagine what a loss in so many ways it is for that franchise.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Results of my drafting in Dahlicious's mock:

13: Kashawn Aitcheson
44: Eric Nilson
75: Mace'o Phillips
76: Linus Funck
119: David Granberg
140: Luke Vlooswyk
172: Caeden Herrington
204: Kaden Skahan
211: Teddy Spitznagel

Critiques welcome.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Results of my drafting in Dahlicious's mock:

13: Kashawn Aitcheson
44: Eric Nilson
75: Mace'o Phillips
76: Linus Funck
119: David Granberg
140: Luke Vlooswyk
172: Caeden Herrington
204: Kaden Skahan
211: Teddy Spitznagel

Critiques welcome.

i’d give it a solid B. hard to say cause can’t see who was available at the time you didn’t take

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

i’d give it a solid B. hard to say cause can’t see who was available at the time you didn’t take

Thread '2025 7-Round Mock Draft 3.0'

May 28, 2025

This is usually a three-week commitment that requires you to check the thread almost daily. Do not sign up if you cannot commit to this. Two auto's and you will be relieved of your duties as GM.

We will use the authentic draft order as of the conclusion of the Conference Finals.

PHASE ONE: 2025 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
We will have a 7-round 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

Picks: The draft clock will run from 8 a.m. to Midnight ET. Each pick will be 4-hours long. Once time is up on a pick, anyone can auto the pick. We auto 3 North Americans, then 1 European, from NHL Central...

• Dahlicious
• Replies: 470
• Forum: Mock Drafts

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[lilidk]

They hope Detroit doesn't take Bear