Prospect Info: 2025 Draft discussion

[SEALBound]

I can see Dubas flipping this 1st and one of the 3rds for 2 2nd rounders.

As annoying at that might be, I wouldn't necessarily hate that. I think the difference between late firsts and 2nd round players is fairly minimal and there are countless example of 2nd rounders outperforming late 1sts to extent that the better overall (statistical) option might be quantity over quality. That said, there are a couple guys I've been eyeing that are in that 25-50 range that I think would be good pick ups.

First would be Cole McKinney. He's a center with decent size in the USHL. Committed to Michigan next year but he was a very good 2-way game. I think if you can get Misa and another top center next year, you can look to develop McKinney into your future, long-term 3C.

Next is Nathan Behm. Again, he's got size, a very good shot, and skates well. I think he likely projects to be a third line wing but his defensive game needs work. So he could work if he was a third wheel on a top 6 line or he could improve his defensive play and be an offensive threat on a bottom 6 line.

 

[Freeptop]

The Rangers 1st rounder is a real wildcard in this situation IMO. We know it can't be a top-13 pick, but I could definitely see the Rangers going on a run in the playoffs if they manage to get into the playoffs. I can see them being anywhere between barely missing the playoffs to making a ECF run, which puts that pick anywhere between like 14 and 28.

If the Penguins are sitting at #8 or something like that, I'd entertain trying to trade up with that NYR 1st to get into the top-3. I really want to get either Misa or Hagens and I think you could move up by doing say #8 and #22 (assuming the Rangers 1st falls at #22) for #3 and #35 (early 2nd rounder of team picking at #3).

If the Rangers' pick is 20+, I would be surprised if Dubas uses that pick to select a player in the Draft. More likely is that he either trades it for prospects/players, or trades down to get more picks.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Getting into the top 4 of this year's draft without having to add the Rangers 1st would go a long way towards accelerating the "retool".

Any of Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, or Martone could realistically be impact additions to the team in short order.

 

[Ulf5]

it's still very early to be grading picks give it a month or two.

Good read for top 10, top 50 listed after. Video commentary accompanies on Schaefer, maybe a couple others I didn't watch.

Matthew Schaefer a unanimous No. 1 in Bob McKenzie's Mid-season NHL Draft Ranking | TSN

"As far as I’m concerned,” one NHL head scout said, “[Matthew Schaefer] is No. 1 and he’s staying there - even if he never plays another game this season."

www.tsn.ca

 

[McGroarty2]

Pens currently tied for 7th worst point % in league with Blues. Flyers close at 9th. Looks like Pens could finish 7-9, possibly 10 if Crosby keeps scoring. Can't see them getting lower than 6.

 

[Duffy13]

looking at the previous lotteries, the only spots outside the top 5 to win the lottery has been #7, #8 twice, and #14, if you're not last be 3rd.

#1- 11 times
#2- 4 times
#3- 6 times
#4- 1 times
#5- 2 times
#7- 1 time
#8- 2 times
#14- 1 time

Not relevant to anything other than chance and fancy, and late morning boredom

 

[Empoleon8771]

Good read for top 10, top 50 listed after. Video commentary accompanies on Schaefer, maybe a couple others I didn't watch.

Matthew Schaefer a unanimous No. 1 in Bob McKenzie's Mid-season NHL Draft Ranking | TSN

"As far as I’m concerned,” one NHL head scout said, “[Matthew Schaefer] is No. 1 and he’s staying there - even if he never plays another game this season."

www.tsn.ca

The good thing is that the top of the draft is very center heavy, with all of Hagens, Misa, Frondell, Desnoyers, McQueen and O'Brien projected to go in the top-10 and stick at center.

I've said it a bunch, but Misa (if they win either #2 or #3) and Desnoyers (no draft lottery win) are the 2 big names I want. If they win #1, they have to go Schaefer, he's the BPA in this draft.

 

[Ulf5]

The good thing is that the top of the draft is very center heavy, with all of Hagens, Misa, Frondell, Desnoyers, McQueen and O'Brien projected to go in the top-10 and stick at center.

I've said it a bunch, but Misa (if they win either #2 or #3) and Desnoyers (no draft lottery win) are the 2 big names I want. If they win #1, they have to go Schaefer, he's the BPA in this draft.

I don't know how high Ryabkin is going to go. But I'd be intrigued by moving up that Rags pick if it's this year and taking a swing.

 

[SEALBound]

I don't know how high Ryabkin is going to go. But I'd be intrigued by moving up that Rags pick if it's this year and taking a swing.

I think Ryabkin is who you take with that Rangers pick assuming its in that 15-20 range. I don't think you use any assets to move up to get him.

Bear, Spence, and Ryabkin would be great gets with that Rangers pick.

 

[The Old Master]

I think Ryabkin is who you take with that Rangers pick assuming its in that 15-20 range. I don't think you use any assets to move up to get him.

Bear, Spence, and Ryabkin would be great gets with that Rangers pick.

Rabkin is falling like a rock. seems he's the next (lazy Russian) or it could be he's just having a hard time adjusting to north American hockey. (home sick) it would be a homerun swing but one I might take

 

[SEALBound]

Rabkin is falling like a rock. seems he's the next (lazy Russian) or it could be he's just having a hard time adjusting to north American hockey. (home sick) it would be a homerun swing but one I might take

Yeah, I don't see him as a guy who is likely to drafted by Dubas, especially while employing Mike Sullivan. This isn't Demidov or Michkov that dropping out of the top 3-5. It's a mid to late 1st that you can take a chance on.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Latest Ryabkin scouting report (Jan 17):

Ryabkin hit the first hurdles of his North American hockey career in this game, playing two low-pace periods and conceding three even-strength goals — two of which he was directly involved — in that span. He was the first forward to exit the defensive zone and the last to enter on a regular basis. In transition, he crowded the puck side far too often, fixating on the puck rather than his rush patterns. Lincoln’s 4-0 goal featured a particularly unfortunate effort from Ryabkin, casually skating, stick half extended, toward a player at the point primed to shoot. The puck took an immediate deflection off the stick and knuckled its way through all the traffic. In the third period, however, with his team down 5-1, Ryabkin returned with some spark. Regardless of the scoreline, he supported low defensively, kept to his assignments, and brought some control to the breakout. He put more energy into his forechecking and finished his checks with cathartic physicality. He still struggled to create much offence against a stellar Lincoln defence but he was playing an important role for his team, not so much focused on getting puck touches and collecting points. That second version of Ryabkin has real potential, especially developing on North American ice; finding consistency will be key. Perhaps not a top-32 talent at this stage, but showing glimpses of pushing his way back into that mix. Early second round balances the risk and potential reward.

Might have posted that before.

 

[Malkinstheman]

 

[HandshakeLine]

I hope we get someone who can pk.

 

[chethejet]

Pens went in on RD last year and I like the moves, Brunicke is a potential RD with size shot and presence to be a top 4 or more RD. Maybe one of the others emerge. This year center and RW are needs in the rebuild. Pens can get a good one this year and with trades get things moving in the rebuild. Sleeper is the young Swede RW. He has the size and shot at 18 in the highest league in Sweden.

 

[eXile3]

Pronman had Schaefer ranked #1 in his mid season rankings.

Personally I'd be pretty happy if the Pens got into the top 5. That likely gets you one of Misa/Schaefer/Martone/Hagens/Desnoyers and based on what I've read those guys are all looking pretty good. Past that there's still good prospects and it wouldn't be the worst thing to pick 6th or 7th but I like what I've read about those 5

Hagens will go first because he’s a center even if Schaefer is the best player.

 

[Andy99]