NHL Entry Draft: 2025 Draft Pick Watch

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I strongly disagree there, and I think people are falling in love with the idea of the size/skill combo rather than the actual outcomes from it. He’s already older for this class, and we don’t need to rehash his injury history, but I’m glad that it appears to be a misdiagnosis of a more severe injury. Back injuries for a kid that age still scare me. Even with Vilardi, he only just had his first full-ish season in his D+8.

By all accounts, he comes across as a super likable kid that works hard off the ice. I just honestly am not that impressed with the on-ice product. I obviously haven’t watched all of his games, but I saw that Steve K pointed out somewhere that a huge chunk of his offense came in bunches against really bad competition and the rest dried up against stiffer comp. He’s obviously watched more than me, so I’ll go with his observation there.

If we had more leeway with our farm system, I’d be totally on board with taking the massive swing there. I don’t want to deal with another project that you hope hits his ceiling. I’m going to keep banging the drum for a kid like Cootes because the agility and acceleration are higher-end, he’s an absolute puck hound and super smart defensively, and he has a seriously underrated wrist shot. The playmaking stands out with better comp as you’ve seen when he’s with Team Canada. It makes way too much sense with what the Rangers need in the system and how they want to play.

you definitely have me on the cootes train. he sounds like cirelli

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Am I the only one who doesn't see it with O'Brien?

He's really Ryan Strome-y to me and I don't mean that in a good way. What am I missing?

 

[Draft Guru]

Am I the only one who doesn't see it with O'Brien?

He's really Ryan Strome-y to me and I don't mean that in a good way. What am I missing?

I'm hoping (and assuming) he's taken before our pick. Means someone else could fall to us.

From Brock Otten who I've known through this site for 25 years:

"6. Jake O'Brien - Center - Brantford Bulldogs
Let me present you with some statistical rankings. O’Brien finished first in the OHL in powerplay points, powerplay assists, and primary assists with the man advantage. But, at even strength? He was outside the top 50 in both total assists and primary assists. Is this a concern for scouts? It really depends on your perspective. On one hand, you have to be impressed with his vision and playmaking ability with the extra time and space afforded to him; he truly is one of this draft’s premier distributors and creators. On the other hand, you have to be concerned with the consistency of his production at five on five; he struggles to find the space necessary to utilize his creative gifts. That’s why O’Brien is more of a mid first round prospect for me. I just struggle with how certain elements of his game could translate to the NHL at even strength. The pace. The strength on the puck. The physicality."

My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft - Part 2: 20-1

 

[Draft Guru]

If we had more leeway with our farm system, I’d be totally on board with taking the massive swing there. I don’t want to deal with another project that you hope hits his ceiling. I’m going to keep banging the drum for a kid like Cootes because the agility and acceleration are higher-end, he’s an absolute puck hound and super smart defensively, and he has a seriously underrated wrist shot. The playmaking stands out with better comp as you’ve seen when he’s with Team Canada. It makes way too much sense with what the Rangers need in the system and how they want to play.

I'd take Bear, Kindel and Reschny before Cootes

 

[Mac n Gs]

I'd take Bear, Kindel and Reschny before Cootes

I'd also be ok with any of those picks, especially Reschny. My only concerns for all of those guys are that I think they're all Ws at the next level. I'd be absolutely shocked if Cootes gets shifted to the W moving forward in his career.