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2025 DRAFT Thread

Cootes is the kind of kid who you draft and fret about because his point totals aren't gaudy, and his work ethic isn't seen on stat sheets, and defensive players who are drafted for defense is riskier. Cootes is the kind of kid you draft, and then after 5 years of the aforementioned, you go "thank God we drafted this guy". He is a floor raiser, not just for himself but for those around him. He plays hockey to win the game, and if he is best served to fill water bottles then expect those water bottles to be perfect. If he needs to win a faceoff, he was put on earth to win that face off, if you need someone to lean on a superstar for every second they're out there, he's leaning. Add to it that I believe he has legit points getting talent in the NHL and I would be THRILLED if we selected him.
 
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lawrence said:

Player Overview​

  • Name: Braeden Cootes
  • Position: Center (C)
  • Shoots: Right (R)
  • Height/Weight: 6'0, 185 lbs
  • Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
  • DOB: February 9, 2007
  • Draft Eligibility: 2025 NHL Draft

Strengths​

  1. Relentless Compete Level
    • High-energy motor with second/third efforts in puck battles.
    • Fearless in high-traffic areas; battles larger opponents effectively.
  2. Speed & Agility
    • Explosive straight-line speed and quickness in transition.
    • Elite edgework for creating separation; maintains balance under pressure.
  3. Offensive Instincts
    • Quick release with a heavy, accurate shot (threat from mid-range and in tight).
    • Creative playmaker; delivers high-percentage passes for Grade-A chances.
    • Drives the net hard; uses agility/puck protection to generate opportunities.
  4. Defensive Awareness
    • Strong situational IQ; communicates well in the defensive zone.
    • Disrupts plays with active stick and backchecking speed.
  5. Versatility
    • Impacts games in all roles (top-six, middle-six, special teams).
    • Matches up against high-end opponents while contributing secondary offense.

Areas for Improvement​

  1. Puck Management
    • Forces plays through traffic, leading to turnovers.
  2. Faceoffs
    • 50% success rate; needs refined technique and strength.
  3. Physical Strength
    • Lacks power to consistently win battles against pros; needs added muscle (185 lbs frame).
  4. Defensive Positioning
    • Occasionally caught on the wrong side of the puck, especially net-front.

Key Development Goals​

  1. Faceoff Skills: Improve technique and strength to boost reliability.
  2. Strength Training: Add muscle for puck battles and durability.
  3. Defensive Consistency: Sharpen net-front coverage and positioning.
  4. Shift-to-Shift Engagement: Sustain intensity throughout games.

Projection​

  • NHL Role: Versatile middle-six forward (2nd/3rd line).
  • Ceiling: Two-way center with secondary scoring upside (15-20 goals, 40-50 points).
  • Playstyle: Relentless, high-IQ complementary player; thrives in all situations.

Draft Outlook​

  • Ranking: Mid-first round (2025 NHL Draft).
  • Value: Safe, high-floor pick with top-nine versatility.

Player Comparison​

  • Mikael Backlund: Defensively responsible center with offensive flashes and elite work ethic.

Final Assessment​

  • Upside: Impactful NHLer with fan-favorite potential due to tenacity.
  • Risk Factor: Low (motor and IQ mitigate size concerns).
  • X-Factor: Development of physicality and consistency.
Click to expand...


My original post for Cootes.

Link to original article WHL: Braeden Cootes - Neutral Zone - Men's

He shows offensive skills according too neutral zone.com. The areas for improvement are coachable and will respond well to practice. Strength gains will follow through summer training.

He can skate can shut down, could be a Cirelli type.
 
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I have faith that somebody will drop precipitously in this draft. That's what happened in 2022 when the Canucks nabbed Lekkerimaki at 15th overall.

Scouts were concerned about his size and skating, but a lot of mock drafts had him going higher. The 2025 list is full of players who are difficult to project, and a lot of GM's will probably be drafting 'by position' anyway.

Surely the Canucks are due for some draft luck eventually.
 
Anyone else recall the Kesler draft in 2003? An overage pick whose stats were underwhelming. Another defensive grinder type without much offensive upside, despite a decent shot, good wheels, and a physical edge. Fan reaction was anger, since we wanted tambelleni. History proved that pick had hidden value. Let's hope our scouts have uncovered something similar this time around. That said, I fully expect our pick to be traded. I'd be shocked if we actually hit the podium on June 27.
 
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Ryan Kesler was a poster-boy for the importance of post-draft player development. When he was drafted, he was a swift skating center but with hands of stone. He finished his draft year at Ohio State with 11 goals and 20 assists.

And there was nothing in his early Canuck career to indicate he'd ever be much more than depth center. His first pro season was split between Manitoba and Vancouver where he finished with five goals and 11 assists.

He finally broke out in his second pro season with the Moose, where he blossomed to 30 goals and 28 assists. If memory serves he might even have been rookie of the year in the AHL.

Then it was up to Vancouver for next two seasons: 10 goals and 13 assists in year one; and slumped to 6 goals 10 assists, where he hurt for the last 30 games. Finally, in his fifth year of pro hockey he scored 21 times and never looked back.

To me, that's what so encouraging about the way the Canucks are developing their draft picks right now in Abbotsford. It's a slow, but steady progression. And a number of kids who've been written off more than once in their careers, look to be on track to at least play in the NHL.
 
Two names with Canuck connections worth watching for mid-late round defensemen:
Artyom Gonchar (nephew of Sergei) Scouting Report
Jonas Woo (brother of Jett) article
Both are somewhat undersized offensive-minded defensemen who could provide some decent upside outside of the first 2-3 rounds. Gonchar could be a particularly astute late round pick. Good skater, good puck skills, good counting stats in the MHL, once he puts some weight on his 6' 160 lb frame he won't really be undersized for today's NHL. Plus there should be 0 worry about him staying in Russia given the connection with his uncle. If Jonas Woo was the same size as his brother, he would be in the conversation for a first round pick. He has the better puck skills and offensive instincts that his brother did at the same age, but lacks a standout trait that would allow him to succeed as a 5'9 defenseman in the NHL.
 
VanJack said:
Ryan Kesler was a poster-boy for the importance of post-draft player development. When he was drafted, he was a swift skating center but with hands of stone. He finished his draft year at Ohio State with 11 goals and 20 assists.

And there was nothing in his early Canuck career to indicate he'd ever be much more than depth center. His first pro season was split between Manitoba and Vancouver where he finished with five goals and 11 assists.

He finally broke out in his second pro season with the Moose, where he blossomed to 30 goals and 28 assists. If memory serves he might even have been rookie of the year in the AHL.

Then it was up to Vancouver for next two seasons: 10 goals and 13 assists in year one; and slumped to 6 goals 10 assists, where he hurt for the last 30 games. Finally, in his fifth year of pro hockey he scored 21 times and never looked back.

To me, that's what so encouraging about the way the Canucks are developing their draft picks right now in Abbotsford. It's a slow, but steady progression. And a number of kids who've been written off more than once in their careers, look to be on track to at least play in the NHL.
Click to expand...
Development requires patience. Team needs to show it. Personally, I don't like to call kids up multiple times in a season for a few games here and there if they are performing well in the A. Rather let them marinate down there and put in a full good season than interrupt it for a few games at a time. If they are needed for longer stretches, that's fine.

2023 draft class is eligible from the CHL to play in the A next season. Or anyone with a late birthday from 2024 class (but we only have rds 4-7 guys left). Willander, Mynio, Alriksson, should go pro. Hunter B. traded and Mueller already in the A last season. Perkins needs to find a new NCAA home to put up some stats. Cellibrini should return to BU. Romani from 2024 draft is 20, so can play in the A. Probably better to make the jump vs an overage age year in the O, unless NCAA is an option for him. But, probably time for him to stop playing against non adults.
 
AHLdepth said:
Cootes is the kind of kid who you draft and fret about because his point totals aren't gaudy, and his work ethic isn't seen on stat sheets, and defensive players who are drafted for defense is riskier. Cootes is the kind of kid you draft, and then after 5 years of the aforementioned, you go "thank God we drafted this guy". He is a floor raiser, not just for himself but for those around him. He plays hockey to win the game, and if he is best served to fill water bottles then expect those water bottles to be perfect. If he needs to win a faceoff, he was put on earth to win that face off, if you need someone to lean on a superstar for every second they're out there, he's leaning. Add to it that I believe he has legit points getting talent in the NHL and I would be THRILLED if we selected him.
Click to expand...
Agreed, he would be a completely reasonable (if lower upside) pick. There are a group of WHL forwards projected to go outside the top 10 picks in the first round (Cootes, Kindel, Lakovic, Schmidt, Reschny) who could all be reasonable options at 15. For me Kindel (son of former Whitecap Steve Kindel and former Canadian women's soccer team member Sara Maglio) is the best of that group, but you can certainly make an argument for Cootes if you want a center. Kindel will likely be familiar to Henrik Sedin because he is the same age as and had been playing in the same elite lower-mainland soccer circles as Henrik's son Valter up until Kindel chose to pursue hockey full time.
 
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