NHL Entry Draft: 2025 Draft Pick Watch

[eco's bones]

Mrtka is a guy I wouldn't have in my top 11 who I think could move into the top 10 thereby dropping someone else. Mrtka is a 6'6 RD and I can see some teams being very attracted by him.

1. Schaefer-LD
2. Misa-C/LW
3. Martone-RW
4. Hagens-C
5. Desnoyers-C
6. Frondell-C
7. Eklund-LW
8. McQueen-C
9. O'Brien-C
10. Smith-LD

That leaves Martin-C, Bear-C/LW, Spence-LW, Mrtka-RD, Hensler-RD, Lakovic-LW. I like Aitcheson an LD. I just think 11 would be too early. Move the pick for mid 1st round--then fine. He's big, strong, moves the puck pretty well and is an asshole to play against. There's a lot to like. Martin and Bear are good players. Spence is a power forward with some edge. Nesbitt is another power forward with some edge. I like combative players. It's not something you can really teach. A player has it or he doesn't. Taking Emery last year I just don't see the Rangers taking RD's in the 1st round two years in a row.

Of the top 10 Schaefer and McQueen have missed a lot of time with injuries.

If you keep the pick that also could mean moving up a little or moving down.

 

[TGWL]

Draft a defenseman. Fox needs support, whether that's now or a few years from now. This team is not going to properly develop a forward because they're always going to find a vet to give those minutes too. Just draft all d men for a few years and hope you hit and then at least you have a legit first pair in front of Igor. That solves a lot of problems IMO.

I'm a little late here, but no it doesn't. When the season starts we won't have 1 real center under age 32. I'm not counting Parssinen. We need to draft more than just defensemen. Defensemen drafted in 2026 and 2027 that aren't top of the draft will see the end of Igor's career. I'm not saying don't draft a defensemen, but we can't just put all our eggs in that basket and expect to be in a better position.

 

[TGWL]

See, I think this would be nuts. Gabe is two years closer and may be better than the 1OA will turn out to be. Even when there is a consensus you can end up with Laf, and this draft has no one projected as a sure fire star. And addding the 11th pick? I would certainly not.

There’s a reason the 1OA might be available… and that’s because there’s no sure fire difference maker available in it.

Every GM will say that. If you're not listening to offers you're not doing your job. That doesn't mean it's going to be actually available. Mostly because nobody is going to pay the complete overpayment. 11th pick and Gabe for an LD with the hype of being a first pair D? I probably do that, but I could understand why some wouldn't.

 

[bhamill]

Every GM will say that. If you're not listening to offers you're not doing your job. That doesn't mean it's going to be actually available. Mostly because nobody is going to pay the complete overpayment. 11th pick and Gabe for an LD with the hype of being a first pair D? I probably do that, but I could understand why some wouldn't.

Yeah, I get that. The key here for me being “overpayment.”

 

[GAGLine]

For me, there's a big drop off after pick 11 or 12 based on my board. 11th overall vs. 13th overall is a big difference in this draft.

This assumes that:

1) Your board is accurate
2) The first 11 or 12 off your board will be picked in the first 11 or 12 picks

When has the consensus top 12 picks ever gone in the top 12? We got Perreault at 23. Was that draft 23 players deep?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

This assumes that:

1) Your board is accurate
2) The first 11 or 12 off your board will be picked in the first 11 or 12 picks

When has the consensus top 12 picks ever gone in the top 12? We got Perreault at 23. Was that draft 23 players deep?

A player or two always drops. Someone will drop for us at 11. Just like Gabe did. The question is will we draft that player who drops.

 

[CTRanger]

Win the lottery keep the pick, if not send it to Pitt. Right now I don’t trust that this team is better than a borderline playoff team next year.

Schaefer D, is the absolute no brainer #1. He showed the potential to be a 1D who could legit control the game from the back end when he’s on the ice. The injury unfortunately cut that real short thus there are still a lot of questions. His skating is elite.

Martone RW and Misa C/LW are the only choices at 2 IMO. Take Misa and hope he can play C at the next lvl. Otherwise he’s a LW which is crowded going forward positionally, but you figure it out. Or take Martone who is the type of player every team covets and like Schaefer plays a position of organizational weakness.

 

[CTRanger]

If SJ wins the lottery to stay at 1, and really is shopping the pick, then keep 11 and try to put a package together to get Schaefer.

 

[Roo Returns]

Why does 11 or 13 matter?

After around the first ten is when the talent starts to drop. 11 may get someone who falls or is closer to a top 5.

 

[surlysailor]

Where do people think the nhl ready cut off is? I could see it being around 2-3 players making it. Hell I could see a team send Schaefer back after his injury plagued season.

 

[bobbop]

Draft a forward, preferably one who is a goal scorer. You can always find and develop defense in later rounds of the draft. Scoring is much tougher once you get past the top of the draft.