2025 DRAFT Thread

[wetcoast]

The more I watch Reschny the more I feel like I'd be willing to bet on him. He's not a perfect player (could be bigger, faster, stronger), but he has the it factor. Shows up when it matters. Brilliant mind for the game. Has tremendous character from all reports and drive to improve.

Unless there is a big faller (including Martin now, as he is likely going top 10), Carbonneau, Bear or Reschny are the forwards I'm interested in.

Gave you a like for this part of your post.

I can't stand the idea of taking Cootes. People say he works hard, plays with pace, I don't know if I even see that. He's not able to assert himself into flow of the game for the most part in the WHL. Questionable hockey sense on top of that. Not a difference maker unless he makes big strides, and even if he makes it there isn't any boom factor.

Disagree on Cootes he is going to be a fine NHL player and a playoff guy.

 

[ephmrl]

He isn't ready for the NHL and his upside is higher than that, he just needs a little more strength and skating.

These guys aren't finished products and I've like his progression as a prospect but I think there might be better options at 15.

I just don’t see the high end skill or skating to project more than that. Really seems like he’ll be a high end 3C/low end 2C if he pans out.

I think he has the IQ and work rate to be able to play in the NHL, but his frame would likely limit him like it has Zach Benson so far.

 

[wetcoast]

I just don’t see the high end skill or skating to project more than that. Really seems like he’ll be a high end 3C/low end 2C if he pans out.

I think he has the IQ and work rate to be able to play in the NHL, but his frame would likely limit him like it has Zach Benson so far.

We will agree to disagree here, my bet is that Cole has some 70+ point seasons in the NHL when it's all said and done but I also don't think the Canucks will be drafting him at 15.

 

[LemonSauceD]

I like Cootes but I would not take him over McQueen, Martin, Bear, Reschny, Carbonneau, or even Kindel.

IMO, take the BPA in this order:

McQueen
Martin
Bear/Reschny (really don’t mind either or)
Reschny/Bear
Carbonneau
Kindel
Cootes
Aitcheson
Smith

Do not draft:
Eklund (only because we have a similar prospect in Lekkerimaki)
Hensler
Nesbitt
Lakovic
Spence
Reid

 

[docbenton]

My current top 15:

Schaefer

Misa
McQueen
Martin
O'Brien
Frondell

Desnoyer
Hagens
Martone
Carbonneau
Eklund
Aitcheson
Bear
Reschny

Mrtka
Smith

 

[VanJack]

Every NHL GM says they're going to draft the 'best player available' when it's their turn on the podium. But rarely does it happen for every team..

A number of GM's can't help themselves and draft for 'positional need'. And you can guarantee that with the selections likely to be all over the map--some GM's will do it again.

That's why I'm optimistic that somebody of significance will drop to the Canucks at #15. That's what happened in 2022. The Canucks were reportedly shopping the pick, but when Lekkerimaki was still on the board, they quickly decided to draft him.

 

[Hughes Clues]

If the centers are gone, how do you guys feel about Carbonneau?

 

[Jerry the great]

If the centers are gone, how do you guys feel about Carbonneau?

He's the kind of player that Benning would have loved.
"he can really rip the puck"

those guys either work great (Boeser)

or not really (Klimovich).

or somewhere in between!

Generally speaking, scoring wingers with no defensive game and questionable hockey sense from the Q are not super appealing IMO.

And there will still be centres available. Like Ben Kindel is a way better hockey player than Carbonneau, has much better numbers overall despite being somewhat underdeveloped physically and will almost certainly still be available at 15. If i had to pick a guy from this draft who could go full Pastrnak, Kindel would be my guy.

 

[beachcomber]

Lay off the Swedes for once and grab a Western League kid. They have passed on many of them over the years. Go local and elbows up.Lol.