For this draft I think we have 6 players all worthy of the top 5. I don’t think there is a player in the draft that will push those guys out of the top 5, and the Organization picking 6 takes BPA after that first 5 take the podium.
Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone, Desnoyers, Frondell.
- Isles – Schaefer Personally it Hagens in this spot for me. Hometown boy made good. No chance of a player not signing with them. PR move. Ticket sales. Lots to consider but maybe most importantly. Nobody in this Draft has Hagens creativity with the puck. Schaefer, Misa, and the rest of them are all very talented players but the only player in this top 6 that has exceptional ability at anything is Hagens. Isles GM seems involved and tweeting about Schaefer, so I think he is the pick and he likely is going to be a tremendous player for the team.
- Sharks – Misa Perfect 1-2 Punch down the middle for SJ with Celebrini and Misa.
- Hawks – Hagens Theres talk about Hagens falling if the Isles don’t take him. I don’t see him going past #3 though. Hagens and Bedard on the same club could have the making of Kane and Toews all over again.
- Mammoth – Desnoyers Utah has leaked some stuff about Brady Martin being the pick here, but new club here building it out I think they go with the most complete 2 way Center on the board.
- Preds – Frondell Preds in a tough spot here between Martone and Frondell but opt for the Swedish Center.
5 players then round out the top 10, but there’s so many players that can easily slide in here. Will be very interesting because I think we may see some go off the board a bit here. Some players maybe fall a bit but some other less talked about draft eligibles climb a little.
Martone, O’Brien, McQueen, Eklund, Martin, Mrtka, Lakovic, Aitcheson, Smith
6) Flyers –
Martone Flyers get their next Keith Primeau.
7) Bruins –
Mrtka Tempted to select McQueen, too much risk for a club that has only made like 1 first round pick since 2017. They selected a C in 2024 and opt for the big Dman in 2025.
8) Kracken –
Aicheson Finally breaking he Forward trend, Seattle selects its first 1st round Defenseman since inception. They go off the board slightly to take Aicheson.
9) Sabres –
Eklund Sabres need a change of pace. They can’t pass up on the pacesetting, two way pest of a winger.
10) Ducks -
Martin Fan favorite falls to the Ducks with the 10th OA pick. Goodrow Floor, Marchand Ceiling. This guy is going to be the next pain in the ass to play against and is one of the most fierce players in the draft.
Best of the rest.
McQueen, O’Brien, Smith, Lakovic, Carbonneau, Bear,
11) Penguins-
O’Brien Pushed out of the top ten Pens skip to the podium for the smooth skating Center.
12) Rangers-
McQueen Falling out of favor due to a tough injury McQueen who was in contention for 1OA at one point slides out of the top 10 and to the NY Rangers with 12.
13) Red Wings-
Lakovic Big winger with NHL bloodlines is headed to the Motor City
14) Jackets –
Smith Big smooth skating Dman goes 14th overall to the Jackets. Some scouts have Smith at #2 Dman in the draft ahead of Mrtka and Aicheson.
15) Canucks-
Carbonneau The shoot first winger, with size is headed to Western Canada.
For the Rangers, personally I really want to see one of Martin or Aicheson with this pick. I think these are both the types of players that took their natural ability which was good but not great, and overachieved due to tenacity, grit and compete level. Both players can be described as the type of players that the Rangers seem to covet. Also the type of players that you repeatedly hear, you have to draft these types because they never become available.
For Martin, everyone uses the Sam Bennett comparison. Seen it on multiple different scouting reports. Watching him you can see it. I used Goodrow as a floor with this player. Potentially could also use Berard as a comparable. I think the thing that Martin will be better at then both is the ability to use that sturdy, low center of gravity to fend off defenders. Not that hes a small payer but he seems to be able to use his body in that sense. I also think he has very underrated instincts. He pounces on loose pucks, and has underrated ability with the puck on his stick. This guy just doesn't shit disturb, he can create turnovers and make plays out of them. Adding that to his relentless forechecking, and his compete I think Brad Marchand is his ceiling. All of those attributes to me signal salivating GMs and Scouting staffs so I just don’t think he will be there when the Rangers take the podium. There is even talk that he goes in the top 5 specifically to Utah.
For Aicheson, I love this kids story. Players that figure it out on their own are very impressive to me. Odds stacked, they find a way to not only show they belong but become big parts of their organization. Shows a determination that many others fail at. Early on scouts were saying 2nd rounder maybe late 1st. Questioned Skating. Questioned his temper or lack thereof. He maybe lacked offense from the Blueline. He had a strong showing at the U18’s and then continuously got better. Scored 26 goals from the blueline this year in the OHL. Has a tremendous point shot. He has a knack for jumping int the play. His skating may still be suspect but he’s not slow, just akward. His physical game is top in the class. He has a real mean streak. The kind of mean streak you wish K’Andre developed. Penalties will be an issue for him. I can't help but think that when the team is down, and playing flat that the loose cannon type of players are the ones that can turn the tides. I see that in him. Super Physical defenseman, that can shoot the puck and join the rush always go higher then where they rank. Adding a player that has that compete level, and tenacity that Aicehson does is something I think the NY Rangers could use. I would be thrilled if he was the pick but I think he too will be off the board. Some say Dumba as a comparision. Some say Kaden Guhle. I think Nicky Hague. His Floor is likely a 5/6 Enforcer type which will likely keep him around for a while. His ceiling though, is maybe more of a Trouba, Zadorov, Luke Schenn.
Why McQueen? Prior to Drury the Rangers had tendencies to go off the board. Lias, Kravtsov, McIlrath, Chytil etc. Since Drury those players that fell seem to be the players that are selected. Othmann, Perreault. I think McQueen is the player that falls this year. I also think the Rangers will want the twoplayers mentioned above but when they go off the board they settle in on McQueen and look, theres a lot to like with this player. 6’5 winger with his hands, and hockey sense is quite a combination. Post Combine seems like there was some good insight. McQueen played through a misdiagnosed fracture, and managed just under PPG production in 23/24. Later after returning from rehabbing the injury he got hurt again in the WHL playoffs. Back injury again but this time it was tissue related. The whole thing reminds me a lot of Gabe Vilardi. Big forward with a back injury. Slide down in Rankings. Took a few seasons to really get going again. Now he was a key piece to the Jets incredible season. I think if McQueen is there at 12 he’s a NY Ranger.
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