NHL Entry Draft: 2025 Draft Pick Watch

[HockeyBasedNYC]

An injury to Igor in November and it can happen. This draft is smelly, i’d still rather hold onto next years pick, even if it ends up in the 20s. If the team actually is good, they can use that pick to make a swing a la Rantanen

That is sound thinking and I don't dispute it.

Also, if the scouts believe that there will be similar value in the 17-22 range as there is this year 11-14, then I'd be fine moving the pick this year and keeping the 26. But they are the ones who get paid to know that.

Im really just making a point that while I don't believe in 100 years that this will be a Cup team next year, under the circumstances barring some crazy bad shit happening (as you suggest) I doubt theyll be a lottery team again.

But hey, crazier shit has happened. The Isles won the lotto with a 3.5% chance. Thats the other crazy bad shit that could happen if they let it slide.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I would be fine with it honestly. He’s got more skill than he gets credit for and he absolutely blows people up.

I’ve had the feeling someone in the top 10 reaches for him though. Prefer him to Mrtka.

Would not be happy if they took him over Smith like they would in Button’s mock though.

Just found this:


Adam Kimelman - NHL.com - February 21st: "Aitcheson (6-2, 196) brings an entertaining mix of offensive skill and brute strength that makes him a nightmare to play against, similar to Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba."



I'm out.

/s

 

[Miz]

Sounds like a Phaneuf clone

 

[CsideEr]

I don’t think they make the pick this year or next year. They either keep this years 12OA to trade at the draft or they give PIT the pick this year to have next years pick available for offer sheets this summer or trades next season. It comes down to what the org deems to be a more valuable asset. I suppose they could make the pick at 12 this year and trade the rights to that player next year, but I think some NHL GMs prefer the mystery box to the boat, and the kid could get hurt or have a bad year and tank their value.

Unless they can use the 12th pick on a known quantity to improve their chances for next year, say a 2/3C or top 4 LD, I see them giving the pick to Pittsburgh and keeping the ‘26 pick in their holster. It gives them more options down the line.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Just found this:


Adam Kimelman - NHL.com - February 21st: "Aitcheson (6-2, 196) brings an entertaining mix of offensive skill and brute strength that makes him a nightmare to play against, similar to Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba."



I'm out.

/s

I think the Cam Robinson comp of Bieksa is more accurate but I get why people would try to equate him to Trouba.

This dude is as about that life as you’re going to find though. He’ll blow someone up and bascially dare someone else to try him.

Throw in a growing offensive game and this is why I think someone reaches before we pick.

 

[bobbop]

Different from the one that just got extension and green light to bring in a new coach on the highest ever contract?

Yup. No guarantees around here.

 

[n8]

I would be fine with it honestly. He’s got more skill than he gets credit for and he absolutely blows people up.

I’ve had the feeling someone in the top 10 reaches for him though. Prefer him to Mrtka.

Would not be happy if they took him over Smith like they would in Button’s mock though.

What's the delta between Aitchenson and Smith? Of course I can see Smith is bigger. Does one hit more? Who is the better skater and transition passer? I appreciate any reports you go.

I was also curious about Simon Haoxi Wang. You don't see a highly ranked China born player in the draft like... ever. 6'6" committed to BU. The hockey news says he can skate and hit hard. Poor man's Hedman in terms of style. Could be available at 43 but based on his rank, size, etc. He'll probably be gone before then.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

What's the delta between Aitchenson and Smith? Of course I can see Smith is bigger. Does one hit more? Who is the better skater and transition passer? I appreciate any reports you go.

I was also curious about Simon Haoxi Wang. You don't see a highly ranked China born player in the draft like... ever. 6'6" committed to BU. The hockey news says he can skate and hit hard. Poor man's Hedman in terms of style. Could be available at 43 but based on his rank, size, etc. He'll probably be gone before then.

Smith is taller but a bean pole. Really, really skinny.

Aitchenson is the bigger hitter, smith is the better skater and transition player. Smith reminds me a bit of Thomas Harley.

 

[Kendo]

I wonder if they are over indexing his height. The first guy has Nesbitt at #10 OA (???). He isn't even considered a late riser.

Nesbitt would be terrible value. Some are calling to punt the 12th because next year's 20th will be better. Picking this year's 20th (and that's generous) at 12 would be beyond dumb.

I would be fine with it honestly. He’s got more skill than he gets credit for and he absolutely blows people up.

I’ve had the feeling someone in the top 10 reaches for him though. Prefer him to Mrtka.

Would not be happy if they took him over Smith like they would in Button’s mock though.

I'd be pretty okay with Aitcheson. But you nailed it. Jackson Smith would be a grand slam to the upper deck. I would be FUMING if we passed on him.

Brady Martin has been climbing ranks, so I think we'll miss out on him. 6th seems high, but along with McQueen should go around 10. If either fell, oh boy that'd be fun!

Those are the 4 that I've targeted in that range. Aitch would be my 4th choice there, but I'm cool with it if he's the only one left at 12.

If none of them are available, maybe Carbonneau? Maybe a C we didn't expect to fall does?

Mrtka and/or Hensler would be decent picks at 12, but for a different team that lacks RD depth.

Carter Bear is a name I keep hearing, and while he's a fun all-motor kid, the last thing we need is another LW.

 

[Kendo]

Smith is taller but a bean pole. Really, really skinny.

Aitchenson is the bigger hitter, smith is the better skater and transition player. Smith reminds me a bit of Thomas Harley.

Aitcheson is going to need to adapt to being a medium fish in a larger pond. Not just size, but talent level.

Smith just needs to fill out his larger frame a little bit. His game is already a touch more complete and polished. One season (plus two off-seasons) of a focus on strength and conditioning, and I can see him threatening an NHL roster spot in 26/27.

They are both pains to play against. I'm not sure who will be the better 25yo, but Smith should start that path sooner and have a better chance. I'd guess he goes 10 to ANA. Aitcheson brings similar upside with maybe a longer path and would be fine at 12.

I would bet DET/CBJ are hoping one of the two fall to 13/14.

 

[Overcast]

What is it that you find so hard to understand? He already "answered" all "your" questions by playing the way he did in the 2nd half. He proved he can play. That is all Sullivan needs to know.

The whatever is between him and Drury wont matter and honestly probably already hashed out.

And then what happens if/when another friend in Kreider gets traded? Or anyone else on the team that is considered a friend? Will Mika curl back up into fetal position and sleepwalk through another 4 months of next season? It does have to be addressed, and it has to be addressed directly between Mika and the FO.

Mika proved that he could play in the 2nd half of the season. He also equally proved in the 1st half of the season that he can and will roll over and die when something is tougher than he wants it to be. As a supposed leader of this team, to me, the 1st half of the season was unacceptable and that was not negated by a decent 2nd half.

One of the biggest gripes that players/fans have with this org is the apparent lack of communication from management. Then when it is suggested that management sit down and communicate with a player to see exactly what was going on, why their play took such a disastrous nosedive/what changed to spur on the 2nd half recovery, and what can be done to mitigate the valleys in the future, it gets handwaved away as if it's useless or unnecessary.

If I'm Drury, I'm not twiddling my thumbs and hoping for the best. I'm making as sure as possible that Mika has his head screwed on straight and that it remains screwed on straight.

Maybe all of this has already been straightened out during breakup day. Next season will be important for a lot of players here.

 

[eco's bones]

Just found this:


Adam Kimelman - NHL.com - February 21st: "Aitcheson (6-2, 196) brings an entertaining mix of offensive skill and brute strength that makes him a nightmare to play against, similar to Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba."



I'm out.

/s

Yeah.....I don't know if I like that comp. Aitcheson is a very aggressive physical player. His offensive game took a real leap this past season. He's showing better puck skills than Trouba really did at a similar age. On the physical side......I don't think he's going to throw as many monster hits but almost all Trouba's fights were reacting to someone going after him. Aitcheson is more pro-active. He looks for it. You don't have to worry about having a physical player here. You might want to work at him toning it down at some point and if I were his coach I'd rather have to do that than have a player who has those kinds of tools but not the will or desire to use them of which there are a lot of NHL players. The team that's drafting him will very much like that part of his game.

Personally I'd probably rank Aitcheson around the 13-15 mark which is alright if we keep the pick and move down with it a couple spots. It wouldn't be a huge complaint from me if we took him at 12 but I think we could probably do a little better. But LD is a position that we could probably bolster. That said Fortescue and Dorrington are both interesting prospects and I think Robertson even looked decent the last two games.

To add I just checked his Hockeydb page. He tied for his teams lead in points with 59. It was a very good Barrie team and a team with a lot of already drafted older players including at least two first rounders Beaudoin and Hemming. There also seemed to me to be a lot of in season improvement this year. From a 17/18 year old that's something you really like to see.

 

[TGWL]

Aitcheson is going to need to adapt to being a medium fish in a larger pond. Not just size, but talent level.

Smith just needs to fill out his larger frame a little bit. His game is already a touch more complete and polished. One season (plus two off-seasons) of a focus on strength and conditioning, and I can see him threatening an NHL roster spot in 26/27.

They are both pains to play against. I'm not sure who will be the better 25yo, but Smith should start that path sooner and have a better chance. I'd guess he goes 10 to ANA. Aitcheson brings similar upside with maybe a longer path and would be fine at 12.

I would bet DET/CBJ are hoping one of the two fall to 13/14.

Smith is also younger, so it's possible that he's still going to grow more than Aitcheson. I wouldn't be shocked to see Smith at 6'4 post draft. We talk about players filling their larger frame often and for some players it just never happens. But if he can get his lower body bigger, it should really help his transition. Based on being a better skating, retrieving pucks, outlet passes, and still being defensively responsible, I would agree that Smith is the less risky choice.

Aitcheson seems to have a more balanced, bigger lower body, so I think even in a larger pond, he'll be find holding his own in a few years should everything go right in his development, but he's going to be closer to the Ryan Lindgren sacrificing his body for his teammates and shots coming towards the nets, then the menace that just manhandles players, at least in my opinion. He barely missed being eligible for the 2024 draft so he's a bit older. (This didn't mean he's comparable to Lindgren in game-play style)

Right now it's tough to predict our roster 4-5 years down the road. Currently we need an LD, but I don't know if taking an LD here is what we should be doing based on what our roster looks like that far down the road, especially if there's a C that potentially drops to us.

 

[duhmetreE]

they're keeping the pick guys. At the very least they'll move it for a now player.

Teams NEVER give up the pick when they're in this situation.

I’m pretty confident he packages it for a now player they identify.

He has a 2 year extension. Year 1 with his new coaches have been good. Year 2, not so much.

Futures don’t really help his job security.

 

[bhamill]

His moping is not a fix Drury and Sully can control so that is not an easy fix. If you feel Zibs was moping for a significant part of our season that is a problem for a team that only missed the playoffs by 6 points. How are Drury and Sully supposed to be sure Zibs will not be moping again? I'm not against Zibs but that is a very serious important question.

Since when is the “easy fix” “just play better”? If that was the easy fix no one would ever underachieve.

 

[Lion Hound]

Posted about Aicheson in the early parts of this years draft thread. At the time he was ranking somewhere between 20-45. I like the player. He's got a screw loose. He competes. Rangers dont have a player like him on the D currently.

He's also moved up the rankings a bit.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Since when is the “easy fix” “just play better”? If that was the easy fix no one would ever underachieve.

LOL Ill just be taller as well.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Posted about Aicheson in the early parts of this years draft thread. At the time he was ranking somewhere between 20-45. I like the player. He's got a screw loose. He competes. Rangers dont have a player like him on the D currently.

He's also moved up the rankings a bit.

I think he crushes the combine and takes himself out of the conversation for the NYR.

More mistakes are made on players like him at the draft than any other type of player but there’s a reason why teams keep on doing it. How many teams have a guy like that in their top 4 who actually belong in a top 4?

 

[2014nyr]

It's because a lot of them are really shining and outshining draft eligible players in their d -1 seasons, where many think they're going to absolutely crush it in their draft seasons. Obviously like all years you're going to see players drop and rise and the 2026 "stacked" draft will be all over the place. If some of them don't increase their size we'll hear about how they're a size risk.

And the draft has the better Roobroeck. Maybe we'll draft him and put them together.

I think that’s the perception of next years group just about every year though. It’s a function of the expectations and spotlight placed on the kids in their draft year, which are often set at unrealistic levels coming off impressive d-1 years…ie people will look at a “breakout” d-1 and project that years progression to repeat itself the following year. In most cases, that isn’t how things play out, and they spend their entire draft year having people weigh in on which of the million different variables that can impact how an individual season goes are most involved.

Besides, i’m not saying the rangers should/shouldn’t move the pick this year. I’m just saying they aren’t going to, and that there’s a very rational case to go that route. Personally, i lean towards agreement with them on it. That said, im not a scout nor do i follow prospects to where i’d consider myself informed enough to take a strong stance. What is clear is that most drafts are marginally better or worse than those before/after, and the loaded years don’t take anyone by surprise nor are they common. I’ve seen nothing to suggest next year is one of those.

 

[n8]

I don’t think they make the pick this year or next year. They either keep this years 12OA to trade at the draft or they give PIT the pick this year to have next years pick available for offer sheets this summer or trades next season. It comes down to what the org deems to be a more valuable asset. I suppose they could make the pick at 12 this year and trade the rights to that player next year, but I think some NHL GMs prefer the mystery box to the boat, and the kid could get hurt or have a bad year and tank their value.

Unless they can use the 12th pick on a known quantity to improve their chances for next year, say a 2/3C or top 4 LD, I see them giving the pick to Pittsburgh and keeping the ‘26 pick in their holster. It gives them more options down the line.

Let's be honest. If Drury defers to the 2026 pick, he's just going to trade it anyways.
In a perfect world, he takes 2026, keeps the pick to draft an impact player, but given the personnel we have, I can't imagine that reality would ever dawn.

I'm sure Drury is on the phones already talking to other GMs to see what sort of options exist.
There's using the #12OA to trade up. There's using it to trade down to create more draft capital. There are many teams with multiple picks in the first two rounds this year. PHI at 24, 25, 36, 40, 45, 48 (7 picks in the first two rounds?!? All before 50), MTL at 16, 17, 41, 49. CAL at 18, 22, 57, CLB at 14, 20. SJ at 28, 33, 53. Grabbing a 2026 2nd in a trade down would be sweet.

 

[Kendo]

Right now it's tough to predict our roster 4-5 years down the road. Currently we need an LD, but I don't know if taking an LD here is what we should be doing based on what our roster looks like that far down the road, especially if there's a C that potentially drops to us.

We have ONE real NHL LD in the organization, and the fanbase is split on him. Drew Forty is an intriguing kid, but he's not on the level of who we're talking about at 12. Getting a Smith or Aitcheson would fill a CHASM, not a hole.

C is a position of need, but it's interesting that we have 2 or 3 plus a 4C that we trust while missing a 21 year old that we can hope jumps Carrick. That hole is less gaping than the LD hole, imo.

I think he crushes the combine and takes himself out of the conversation for the NYR.

More mistakes are made on players like him at the draft than any other type of player but there’s a reason why teams keep on doing it. How many teams have a guy like that in their top 4 who actually belong in a top 4?

I bet you're right. He's on the older side of the draft, and I would expect him to KILL at the combine. I like the kid a lot, but he'll probably leapfrog what I think is the slightly better prospect.

Both of them have some of the general pluses that both Miller and Schneider have as 1st rounders. But they're both meaner.

That's honestly a good rhetorical question at the end there.

K'andre has a unicorn upside, but he's frustrating. Both of these kids have unicorn upside, but will have different question marks and frustrations. One of the two will have their offense translate better than the other, and better than Schneider. Both will be bigger pricks than Key. If either develops Key's offense as well, they will be a truly special piece.

 

[n8]

I feel like Drury will keep the pick. Hypothetically, say there is a player on the Ranger's list and they are taken. Curious how many of you would take any of these trade down deals?
12OA for CLB 14OA + 77OA
12OA for MTL 16OA + 41OA (doubtful we'd get 16+17)
12OA for CAL 18OA + 2026 2nd (doubtful we'd get 18+22)
12OA for PHI 24OA + 25OA
12OA for NSH 26OA + 30OA + 58OA

In a perfect world, you trade to CLB, then to MTL, then to CAL, then PHI, then NSH
12OA becomes 25OA, 26OA, 30OA, 41OA, 58OA, 77OA, and a 2026 2nd from CAL. (I realize we won't get the same deals at the bottom of the list since it's no longer for 12OA so make those all +assets into 2026 2nds please!)
REALISTIC SCENARIO, RIGHT?!?
I would love Drury to absolutely hoard up on 2026 2nd picks. That'd be our best bet to land a 2nd gem a la Brayden Point, Bergeron, Aho, Kucherov, Jason Robertson, Hintz, Kyrou, Josi..

 

[I Eat Crow]

Next year might be a better class, but I can see this team having a more successful year and finishing in the later teens, or even 20's.

Jackson Smith. 6'3. Good size. LHD. Can skate. Moves the puck well. I'd take him at 12 if he's there.

I know I'm late on this, but this year's defensive class is so buns behind Schaefer that he's going to get overdrafted. Considering where we are, if they keep the pick, I'd much rather go with a center.