Prospect Info: 2025 DRAFT Thread

[CannonFire1]

Personally I’m avoiding any Wisconsin guys. If Hensler is the last remaining of the “top” D there then I’d rather just take a forward. That all being said, I know nothing about him. I just know that I don’t trust Wisconsin to develop players.

This is kind of where I am (based only on what I've read). Would rather take a forward than reach for a D-man. Carbonneau, Bear, and Brady Martin all sound like better options than Hensler. Based on his strong 2nd half of the season at BU, I would probably put Boumedienne above Hensler as well.

 

[koteka]

We have 87 left D in the system and maybe 2 right D. So I am hesitant to draft a left D. A wing with some size makes more sense to me. Have people spent much time looking at Lankovic? He is big, but more of a skill guy than a bruiser. People say he uses his size well and skates well. And, something I care about, he can bring the puck into the offensive zone. For years we have drafted the guys that we hope will be centers, but we haven’t really used high picks on guys that are pure wings (Marchenko being an exception). I think we finally have enough center depth that we can look at some intriguing wing prospects.

 

[tunnelvision]

no love in here for aitcheson? there's a chance he's still on the board at 13 (albeit a small one).

he's the kind of defenseman this board has been clamoring for since the rebuild started – a physical force who defends well, skates well and has enough skill to chip in offensively.

pretty easy to see a path to the NHL, too. give him a couple years to develop and then let him get his bearings as the #3 LD.

Do you see any concern in acceleration, meaning can he skate pucks out of the zone and not get beat while defending rush vs NHLers, things like that? That's a big question mark for me. He's got kind of unique physical style and goal-scoring ability for a dman, and I can imagine him improving his first strides enough to be a solid 3LD, but even in a weaker draft year wouldn't you want your 13OA to be someone with a little bit of more upside (or more certainty in hitting the ceiling)?

Have people spent much time looking at Lankovic? He is big, but more of a skill guy than a bruiser. People say he uses his size well and skates well. And, something I care about, he can bring the puck into the offensive zone.

Another description could say that's a guy who doesn't want to use his size. People watching him get frustrated because of the lack of engagement at times and the ultra exterior style of play on offense.

He moves effortlessly up the ice with puck and can reach open space so easily but once he's there he starts thinking like a lightly built playmaker. He can retrieve pucks from the corner and battle there but he doesn't want to go to other dirty areas. He doesn't drive straight to the net after first shot attempt.

And as a playmaker he sees ice well and creates chances, and they're mostly a result of him using his great feet and hands to utilize open space. But in stationary playmaking he's clearly weaker, he can't execute more difficult passes like a lot of forwards projected to go higher than him.

I must say the toolset is tantalizing. But likely he wouldn't be my choice at 13 if the impression at the combine is he's not willing to change his way of playing significantly. Maybe he's had "better" games this year where he's decided to play like a traditional 6'4 powerforward, but I haven't seen them.

 

[koteka]

Another description could say that's a guy who doesn't want to use his size. People watching him get frustrated because of the lack of engagement at times

Sounds like you are describing Marchenko a couple of years ago.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

Do you see any concern in acceleration, meaning can he skate pucks out of the zone and not get beat while defending rush vs NHLers, things like that?

a couple thoughts here from an admitted non-expert:

1. based on everything i've seen and read, the mechanics are on an upward trajectory, the athleticism is high-end, and he's been praised for his work ethic. so, in short, no.
   
   
2. they have other defensemen already who are built to carry the puck out, having a guy like aitcheson who brings other elements but skew towards passing exits vs carry isn't really a concern for me.

That's a big question mark for me. He's got kind of unique physical style and goal-scoring ability for a dman, and I can imagine him improving his first strides enough to be a solid 3LD, but even in a weaker draft year wouldn't you want your 13OA to be someone with a little bit of more upside (or more certainty in hitting the ceiling)?

his long-term projection to me is as a high-end #3 defenseman with rare physicality. similar to what trouba was in his prime, or if the mobility improves, shades of what dylan samberg is now.

i was more saying that his initial NHL role could be as a third pair guy (after another year of junior at least). that way he's still playing his game, and you're not throwing him into huge minutes or tough matchups and having him develop bad habits.

most of those "hard to play against" defensemen tend to give a lot back in the offensive zone + struggle with mobility, but he has enough skill and burst to not have those concerns. at his peak i think he plays big matchup minutes, gets under the other team's skin, and is a key cog on the penalty kill. i'm fine with spending a top-15 pick to get that.

 

[stevo61]

6 points and 26 minutes TOI for Boumedienne against Switzerland in the U18's today

 

[tunnelvision]

6 points and 26 minutes TOI for Boumedienne against Switzerland in the U18's today

How did he look?

I didn't consider this earlier but I wonder if the relationship between CBJ and Boumediennes was damaged when his dad got fired from the org. He could be in their DND list.

 

[stevo61]

How did he look?

I didn't consider this earlier but I wonder if the relationship between CBJ and Boumediennes was damaged when his dad got fired from the org. He could be in their DND list.

I didn't watch, just saw his name in the prospect forum and then went over to the IIHF site to look up some stats

I am confused though because anywhere that tracks stats, even IHF themselves had him at a 6 point night but the game writeup has him at 4.

I didn't even realize the U18s had started, may try to catch some when I have time. Obviously can't make a comment on how he looked without actually seeing the game but if I stole anything from the boxscore and post-game interview its that he's a lot more comfortable against his peers vs older college kids for now. He had 7 shots in those 26 minutes aswell.

His dad was around hockey long enough I'd think. Probably frustrated he lost a longtime job but his playing days should be a good reminder nothing is a given in the sport. Well that paired with the pretty strange route he took to get behind the bench, scout to coach doesn't feel like natural progression.

 

[tunnelvision]

Marrelli vs Aitcheson tonight

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

I didn't consider this earlier but I wonder if the relationship between CBJ and Boumediennes was damaged when his dad got fired from the org. He could be in their DND list.

His dad was around hockey long enough I'd think. Probably frustrated he lost a longtime job but his playing days should be a good reminder nothing is a given in the sport. Well that paired with the pretty strange route he took to get behind the bench, scout to coach doesn't feel like natural progression.

We probably won't ever know, but (dad) Boumedienne's hockey career was full of firings and short term contracts (like, actual firings / parting of ways midway through a season in Switzerland, Sweden and the KHL, maybe Liiga as well). So he must've reconciled with those feelings way early in his career, and this stint of 2013-2024 with the Jackets is probably a positive experience for him and maybe launched a new career path that might not have been open otherwise (i.e. Jarmo having known him and giving a chance). His firing was part of the whole coaching re-organization and he wasn't singled out, so I would imagine he could view it in a fairly neutral way.

He probably still knows many people in the org, so I doubt there's much ill will. It was a huge shake up, things happen...

Now that I wrote that I realized you meant it the other way, that the org would not draft the kid because of this... dunno. But I'd guess not, I kinda lean on the "hockey is a big family" bit here and unless something went drastically wrong in the relationship, I doubt there's any bad blood.

 

[Ice9]

“I forbid you to play in Columbus because they hurt my feelings”!

Sounds rather silly…

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

“I forbid you to play in Columbus because they hurt my feelings”!

Sounds rather silly…

Are you saying Mike Sillinger, sent packing by the CBJ, said this?

 

[tunnelvision]

Any thoughts on Fiddler if he is there for the Minnesota pick and we still have that pick? He seems to be generally ranked in the 20s.

I saw two games earlier in the season. Not good viewings. Puck management was bit of a mess and defending didn't impress me much given his frame. I will have to study more. Hopefully he'll see ice time on Team USA at U18s.

I watched USA-SWE from last night. I don't think I'd want to draft him at early 20s. Mistake-prone with the puck and too many questionable defensive reads, whether it's defending rush or cycle.

Boumedienne is generally ranked lower (late 1st - early 2nd) but after this viewing it's hard for me to imagine Fiddler going before him. Boumedienne can be pretty chaotic and is also inconsistent defensively, but he has a clear advantage in skating, puck skills and offensive instincts. More versatile and higher upside LD should be worth more than a heavier low-upside RD, even if they're both "projects".

 

[majormajor]

I watched USA-SWE from last night. I don't think I'd want to draft him at early 20s. Mistake-prone with the puck and too many questionable defensive reads, whether it's defending rush or cycle.

Boumedienne is generally ranked lower (late 1st - early 2nd) but after this viewing it's hard for me to imagine Fiddler going before him. Boumedienne can be pretty chaotic and is also inconsistent defensively, but he has a clear advantage in skating, puck skills and offensive instincts. More versatile and higher upside LD should be worth more than a heavier low-upside RD, even if they're both "projects".

I caught part of the game and Boumedienne looks to have good upside, he moves like Jake Sanderson. Seems like he'll be picked closer to 15 than 25?

 

[Doggy]

I watched USA-SWE from last night. I don't think I'd want to draft him at early 20s. Mistake-prone with the puck and too many questionable defensive reads, whether it's defending rush or cycle.

Boumedienne is generally ranked lower (late 1st - early 2nd) but after this viewing it's hard for me to imagine Fiddler going before him. Boumedienne can be pretty chaotic and is also inconsistent defensively, but he has a clear advantage in skating, puck skills and offensive instincts. More versatile and higher upside LD should be worth more than a heavier low-upside RD, even if they're both "projects".

Admittedly my viewings of Boumedienne have been limited but reading articles by Scott Wheeler in The Athletic and another in The College Hockey News about him, he sounds like he has worked his way back into the first round and could be a GMDW type of player. In addition to his good size, excellent skating, and NHL shot, the articles talk about the strides he has taken as a defensive player (particularly as the youngest player in college hockey this past season) and his tremendous work ethic which I am sure comes from his dad and being around a hockey culture his whole life.

Not only does the kid have a high ceiling (not necessarily elite but he's also not a top five pick) but a high degree of probability to reach that ceiling. He doesn't sound like someone I'd bet against. I'd take that in the pipeline with a pick in mid-late 20s if GMDW doesn't trade the Wild pick. Would not be surprised if he kills his interviews and combine workouts.