Prospect Info: 2025 DRAFT Thread
- Thread starter tunnelvision
- Start date
Tough to say. If there are at least a couple reach/surprise picks at the top half of 1st round, then some prospects that I think are close with Martin value-wise are guaranteed to fall to our pick. In that scenario it might not be smart to move up. For example, if the top-8 was
Schaefer
Misa
Hagens
Martone
Mrtka
Frondell
Lakovic "reach"
Aitcheson "reach"
and we had a chance to trade up to #9 to secure Martin, I doubt it would be worth it, because then at least two of the following would be available at #14:
Smith
Hensler
McQueen
Bear
Desnoyers
Eklund
O'Brien
+ at least three of these at #20:
Carbonneau
Spence
Boumedienne
Ryabkin
Zonnon
Potter
3rd pair physical defense-first D is more reasonable projection for Aitcheson, 2LD being the ceiling. He would have to skate (accelerate and pivot) better or be a better handler and passer for me to say he looks like a future top-4 D.
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Elite Prospects' 2025 NHL Mock Draft - Top 32
Cam Robinson shares his first mock draft for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
www.eliteprospects.com
**14th Overall - Lynden Lakovic | LW/RW | Moose Jaw (WHL) | Columbus Blue Jackets**
Lynden Lakovic’s raw numbers don’t immediately scream top-15 pick. But his 58 points in 47 games take on greater significance when viewed in the context of a rebuilding Moose Jaw squad, fresh off a WHL championship run. With much of the offensive burden falling on his shoulders, the lanky winger had to manufacture chances on his own. He remains one of the highest-upside scorers in the 2025 draft class.
**20th Overall - Cole Reshny | LW | Victoria (WHL) | Columbus Blue Jackets (via Minnesota Wild)**
Cole Reschny exploded in the second half of the season, showcasing the elite vision and passing touch that make him one of the top playmakers in the class. His ability to create under pressure, spot developing lanes, and deliver precise feeds stood out as Victoria leaned on him completely down the stretch and through the playoffs. For Columbus, he brings high-end offensive instincts and creativity, adding a dynamic layer to their forward group with the potential to become a top-six piece. “He's very slick," an NHL executive described.
Reschny wouldn’t be a typical Don pick but that fit with Lindstrom might be a good choice.
Jovavic
Gaslight Object Project
Doggy
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New role-play mock between Wheels, Pronman and Bultman on The Athletic. With three pickers, we got the same guy selecting for us at #14 and #20.
Mrtka came off the board at #10...in reality I hope GMDW would find a way to go up and get him.
Bultman selected LHD Jackson Smith at #14
Notables available at #14 were Reschny, Bear, Lakovic, Cootes and Hensler
Bultman selected C Jack Nesbitt at #20
Notables available at #20 were Ravensbergen, Potter, Reid, Boumedienne, Spence and Fiddler
Mrtka came off the board at #10...in reality I hope GMDW would find a way to go up and get him.
Bultman selected LHD Jackson Smith at #14
Notables available at #14 were Reschny, Bear, Lakovic, Cootes and Hensler
Bultman selected C Jack Nesbitt at #20
Notables available at #20 were Ravensbergen, Potter, Reid, Boumedienne, Spence and Fiddler
EspenK
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- Sep 25, 2011
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I like Smith at 14 in this drat but I would take a D at 20 also.We have enough F prospects we need D.Probably take Foddler,
I have yet to hear a scout project Fiddler any higher than #5D. You can get that without using a 1st rounder.
alphafox
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- Jun 14, 2011
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To be fair if we don't draft the goalie we are going to have to wait until the 3rd round to even have chance for a flyer.
Which to be fair gives us an even chance of getting a starting goalie compared to drafting one sooner. Though FYI Ivankovic has a chance of going as early as late 1st.
As a general rule that may be true, but big right-shot defensemen are always in demand. Posters in the Fiddler thread say his skating has improved quite a bit over the last year (which suggests he's willing to put in the work). Reports also suggest he generally makes good decisions with the puck.
We keep reading that this draft class is short on high end talent, and that many guys projected for the back half of the first round project as middle six forwards or 4/5 defensemen. Even Kashawn Aitcheson, who is usually projected in the 10-15 range, has some who question whether he will be a top 4 guy at the NHL level.
I'm certainly not pounding the table for Fiddler. I'd rather trade picks for more immediate help. But if an advantageous trade doesn't materialize, I wouldn't be mad about Columbus selecting him at 20. He seems almost universally ranked in the 20-30 range.
To be clear, I'm not saying go for a safer bet, I'm saying take a swing.
Yeah it seems like the quality falls off this year before pick 20. Still at 20 I think there will be someone with more upside - I'm thinking maybe Boumedienne - who is an "all the tools but.." type, perhaps stylistically like Jake Walman. Or maybe there's more upside still in Ryabkin or a big forward like Nesbitt. I don't have a lot of viewings this year on that range of the draft. If our scouts think Fiddler has a significant chance (>40%) of becoming a top 4 D, then go for it.
cbjthrowaway
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new pronman mock has the jackets taking smith at 14 and nesbitt at 21
i’m hoping they trade both picks, but if they actually do make both, that’s about the best outcome that i could realistically expect.
i’m hoping they trade both picks, but if they actually do make both, that’s about the best outcome that i could realistically expect.
koteka
Registered User
I like Cole McKinney. My guess is he goes in the mid 20s or early 30s. I wouldn’t be too upset if we used our 2nd pick on him because he seems to be one of those guys that will help a good team. Kills penalties well. Decent size. Interestingly someone on the HF thread on McKinney compares him to Boone. If we do some sort of trade that is our 1st plus a prospect for another team’s good right D plus a pick in the late 20 range, McKinney would be my guy. And he is going to be a Wolverine so he would fit in with our team.
To me there’s a bit of a feeling that Jackets would like Jackson Smith. He’s the profile that Don typically goes for. He’s 6’3” and skates well with mobility.
Now I’m not saying take their word for it but EP published their draft guide. But it’s interesting.
About Jackson Smith
In the scouts poll Smith ranks: # indicates placing out of 5 players ranked.
1. Best Neutral Zone defender
2. Best Four Way Mobility
2. Best Offensive Defenseman
3. Best Puck Moving Defenseman
4. Best Shutdown Defenseman
4. Highest Floor
Elevator Pitch: A dynamic offensive creator, explosive four-way mover, physical shutdown presence, and more all in the same skill set. All roads lead to the NHL, but which pathway will he take?
Grades 1.0 to 9.0
Skating: 7.0
Shooting: 5.5
Passing: 6.5
Handling: 6.5
Sense: 6.5
Physical: 6.5
I think we would make at least one pick. Would be weird to host a draft party in arena and not make one. Obviously things can change but we will see.
Now I’m not saying take their word for it but EP published their draft guide. But it’s interesting.
About Jackson Smith
In the scouts poll Smith ranks: # indicates placing out of 5 players ranked.
1. Best Neutral Zone defender
2. Best Four Way Mobility
2. Best Offensive Defenseman
3. Best Puck Moving Defenseman
4. Best Shutdown Defenseman
4. Highest Floor
Elevator Pitch: A dynamic offensive creator, explosive four-way mover, physical shutdown presence, and more all in the same skill set. All roads lead to the NHL, but which pathway will he take?
Grades 1.0 to 9.0
Skating: 7.0
Shooting: 5.5
Passing: 6.5
Handling: 6.5
Sense: 6.5
Physical: 6.5
I think we would make at least one pick. Would be weird to host a draft party in arena and not make one. Obviously things can change but we will see.
cbjthrowaway
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- Jul 4, 2020
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a draft party turning into a blockbuster trade party would be sick, tbf
koteka
Registered User
We could have a player host it, and then, in true Blue Jackets fashion, trade the person who is hosting the draft party.
cbjthrowaway
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they did a cam atkinson appearance at the draft party in 2021, then traded him during the second round the next day lol
I would love a Jackson Smith pick. His poor U18s has me thinking there is a chance that he slips to #14, but with his skillset I also think it's unlikely. He's just got too many tools and attributes that can make a difference at both ends of the ice. The skating is incredible. He can't quite process the game at the speed he plays at but we've seen a lot of D like that still develop into something, once they refine and figure out what they can do. (examples: Broberg, Harley, Walman, etc...)
koteka
Registered User
That’s why I said “in true Blue Jackets fashion” - maybe they haven’t traded Boone yet because they need a great set up like a draft party.
Lakovic seems like a really good pick if you can get him at #14, where he's ranked on average. But I also have a hard time seeing him making it to #14 if this scouting report is how the NHL scouts will view him.
squashmaple
gudbranson apologist
I am currently playing Waddell in a mock draft over on the games board here. I haven’t been as active as I would’ve liked in hindsight but my picks so far have been Cole Reschny at 14, Lakovic at 20, and Quinn Beauchesne at 77.
ColumbusTrill
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- Mar 15, 2021
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What do we think of Mason West at 20? Measured 6’6 218 today. Also has d1 football offers but is going to commit fully to hockey after this fall. EP has him ranked at 46. Wouldn’t mind taking a swing on a huge upside guy
CBJWerenski8
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