Prospect Info: 2025 Draft: We are #1….1

[Empoleon8771]

Wheeler did his first mock draft and has Eklund going to the Pens at 11, but he says they'd likely value a center if one of the top ones is available.

2025 NHL Mock Draft 1.0: Scott Wheeler predicts the entire first round

With the first-round order taking shape following Monday night's lottery, Wheeler makes the first 32 picks of the draft.

www.nytimes.com

That top-11 makes a ton of sense to me, that seems like a very realistic way for this draft to go.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

That top-11 makes a ton of sense to me, that seems like a very realistic way for this draft to go.

Eh. Pretty insane to think the Sabres are the team that rolls the dice on McQueen.

Do the words “Jack Eichel” and “neck” mean anything to Scott Wheeler?

 

[Jared Grayden]

That top-11 makes a ton of sense to me, that seems like a very realistic way for this draft to go.

I know Scouching has said multiple times he expects PIT will have Lakovic higher than most team boards. He seems like a significant boom/bust prospect. Would hope they at least consider moving back to take him instead of staying at #11.

 

[Jacob]

sell me on Desnoyers. I’m really struggling with him being top 15, much less top 5-10.

He seems as close to a complete package as there is in this draft even if he doesn’t have any particularly elite attribute. Good size, good skater, nice skill set. OK defensively. Physical when needed. Mid-07 birth year. Led his team in scoring (by a lot).. Martin and O’Brien did not.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

He seems as close to a complete package as there is in this draft even if he doesn’t have any particularly elite attribute. Good size, good skater, nice skill set. OK defensively. Physical when needed. Mid-07 birth year. Led his team in scoring (by a lot).. Martin and O’Brien did not.

I guess the gap in where we are at is I don’t think the skills are nice. He’s not an advanced shooter or playmaker to me. Add no elite skating and I just can’t get on board.

Despite scoring gap I think Stumpf drove play when I watched. I find him really invisible during run of play. Definitely opportunistic though.

I guess my problem is I just don’t really value what I think his upside is- which is a Reilly Smith IMO. Responsible but reactive, passive. But maybe I’m completely wrong and he’s Hischier 2.0. Guess it doesn’t really matter. He won’t be there for us.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I know Scouching has said multiple times he expects PIT will have Lakovic higher than most team boards. He seems like a significant boom/bust prospect. Would hope they at least consider moving back to take him instead of staying at #11.

I like the video of Lakovic but the production doesn't match the eye test for me. I feel like he should be producing more based on the highlights but he just doesn't do that.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I usually can get on board with a tools gamble but you basically are asking Lakovic to completely change how he plays

If you go the tools gambler route I’d prefer to do it with McQueen or try to reign in Smith. I even like Spence more.

I have pretty much zero time/interest in Lakovic but maybe because of that I haven’t gotten a good grasp on him, and he’d be a good pick.

 

[SEALBound]

Wheeler did his first mock draft and has Eklund going to the Pens at 11, but he says they'd likely value a center if one of the top ones is available.

2025 NHL Mock Draft 1.0: Scott Wheeler predicts the entire first round

With the first-round order taking shape following Monday night's lottery, Wheeler makes the first 32 picks of the draft.

www.nytimes.com

I think he's got the top 10, I just debate order. Chicago taking Frondell isn't out of the question so we can stick with that but I do question Desnoyers over Hagens. I don't think that happens. I'm leaning:

Scheaffer
Misa
Frondell
Martone
Hagens
Desnoyers
Martin
Jack OBrien
McQueen
Mrkta
Eklund

I think the big shift there is Utah taking Martone. Looking at their lineup, adding Martone makes the most sense to me in terms of "what do we need to add to the current roster?" but that also assume they are happy with Hayton at 2C. I've created two line ups that has Martone in and another with Hagens. I like the Martone lineup better but there is something nagging at me saying a line of Hayton-Hagens-Keller/Guenther would be really fun to watch.

 

[The Old Master]

2025 NHL draft: Updated prospect rankings after U18s​

i would be very happy if this is right. we have our choice of two centers bear & martin

 

[Jacob]

I guess the gap in where we are at is I don’t think the skills are nice. He’s not an advanced shooter or playmaker to me. Add no elite skating and I just can’t get on board.

Despite scoring gap I think Stumpf drove play when I watched. I find him really invisible during run of play. Definitely opportunistic though.

I guess my problem is I just don’t really value what I think his upside is- which is a Reilly Smith IMO. Responsible but reactive, passive. But maybe I’m completely wrong and he’s Hischier 2.0. Guess it doesn’t really matter. He won’t be there for us.

Everyone else in that group after the top 5 or so has what I'd consider a larger flaw to work on, where-as I think Desnoyers just needs to make small improvements to everything. think getting a little bit better at everything is a lot more reasonable ask than asking a bad skater to become a good skater, or asking a 160 lb. kid to add 30 lbs. of muscle (and still maintain their agility).

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Everyone else in that group after the top 5 or so has what I'd consider a larger flaw to work on, where-as I think Desnoyers just needs to make small improvements to everything. think getting a little bit better at everything is a lot more reasonable ask than asking a bad skater to become a good skater, or asking a 160 lb. kid to add 30 lbs. of muscle (and still maintain their agility).

That’s pretty fair. If he got a little better at everything and was more assertive you’re looking at a really valuable player. Just eh on his style of play.

 

[Ugene Magic]

2025 NHL draft: Updated prospect rankings after U18s​

i would be very happy if this is right. we have our choice of two centers bear & martin

I'm guessing you mean this...MSN or this...Top prospects for the 2025 NHL draft: Updated rankings after U18s, draft lottery

Bear is a LW.

 

[SEALBound]

I'm guessing you mean this...MSN or this...Top prospects for the 2025 NHL draft: Updated rankings after U18s, draft lottery

Bear is a LW.

God I hope that ends up being the rankings!

 

[Empoleon8771]

I see Bear as the sleeper in the top 15 and could be a steal outside of the top 10. Younger people recover from injuries much easier and I would rather go for broke on this pick. We have a lot of middling talent waiting in the system, we don't have anybody that brings what Bear does.

Does Bear really project to be anything that special? I thought he was fairly similar to Eklund, just with the lacerated Achilles.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Does Bear really project to be anything that special? I thought he was fairly similar to Eklund, just with the lacerated Achilles.

I think he’s pretty talented. Like better skater, and way more skilled than the reports let on. And hes a dawg.

Would be in my top 10 if it wasn’t a guarantee he was gonna miss a lot of games next year + the word Achilles scares me.

 

[lokomotiv15]

I like the video of Lakovic but the production doesn't match the eye test for me. I feel like he should be producing more based on the highlights but he just doesn't do that.

I've been pretty high on Lakovic since I saw him at the Prospects Challenge back in November and remembered him as a good looking, younger depth player the year before for MJ. I agree that for a guy that has the highlight reel package he does + the size and skill set that you would expect his numbers to pop a bit more.

The numbers do pop a little more if you project a full season for him at;
68 GP 39 G 45 A 84 PTS

I've watched a handful of MJ games this year and I really think this kid, more than I've seen any draft year prospect in a while, is stuck on an absolute island out there with the Warriors.

He only had Yager and Kovacevic both for under 1/4 of the season this year. They traded away everything they had for their run last season to the Mem cup. He is playing on a team with 0 players drafted to the NHL. His line mates are all .5 PPG undrafted 19 and 20 year olds who are still seeing an up-tick in their production from last year. Their 2nd leading scorer is a Dman who got passed over in his draft year and put up 9 pts last season in 54 games and 0 pts in 20 playoff games. He also was heavily sheltered last year behind a stacked, deep Moose Jaw team and it's his first year being "The guy" in any way, and honestly, poor guy seems like "The Only Guy" on that team on most nights.

I agree if the perception of him around the league is that he's more a 15-20 range guy and that the Pens want him, that they should then explore trading down if their other guys are gone and they want Lakovic, but I wouldn't necessarily be upset if they took a reach on him at 11, unless there is a crazy faller still sitting there.

 

[DrDangles]

Does Bear really project to be anything that special? I thought he was fairly similar to Eklund, just with the lacerated Achilles.

Bear has tenacity to his game and a huge motor, one of those guys that's hard to play against AND he has great offensive tools/instincts.

We don't really have that all gas no brakes kind've player in our system. Those are the guys you want once the playoffs start.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Bear has tenacity to his game and a huge motor, one of those guys that's hard to play against AND he has great offensive tools/instincts.

We don't really have that all gas no brakes kind've player in our system. Those are the guys you want once the playoffs start.

I mean yeah, that's basically just Eklund no? Well, Eklund with the lacerated Achilles.

I've watched a handful of MJ games this year and I really think this kid, more than I've seen any draft year prospect in a while, is stuck on an absolute island out there with the Warriors.

He only had Yager and Kovacevic both for under 1/4 of the season this year. They traded away everything they had for their run last season to the Mem cup. He is playing on a team with 0 players drafted to the NHL. His line mates are all .5 PPG undrafted 19 and 20 year olds who are still seeing an up-tick in their production from last year. Their 2nd leading scorer is a Dman who got passed over in his draft year and put up 9 pts last season in 54 games and 0 pts in 20 playoff games. He also was heavily sheltered last year behind a stacked, deep Moose Jaw team and it's his first year being "The guy" in any way, and honestly, poor guy seems like "The Only Guy" on that team on most nights.

Yeah I noticed this with Lakovic as well, especially from watching the highlights. You can't judge him solely on production because the team is just atrocious around him.

I think Lakovic is a guy who could really pop off in the prospect rankings once moved to a good team, but that said, I share some concerns with @CheckingLineCenter regarding his play style and how effective he'd be in the NHL with it. I think he needs to play a more heavy style like his size suggests he can play.

 

[Ryder71]

I know Scouching has said multiple times he expects PIT will have Lakovic higher than most team boards. He seems like a significant boom/bust prospect. Would hope they at least consider moving back to take him instead of staying at #11.

I would hope we wouldn't take him period! Far better options even at 11. We shouldn't be moving down, we should if anything try to move up!

 

[Ryder71]

Bear has tenacity to his game and a huge motor, one of those guys that's hard to play against AND he has great offensive tools/instincts.

We don't really have that all gas no brakes kind've player in our system. Those are the guys you want once the playoffs start.

I'd take Bear over McQueen for sure! But hope for better options at 11. We should try to move up if it's not cost prohibited and IF we find a sucker willing to do so.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I think Lakovic is a guy who could really pop off in the prospect rankings once moved to a good team, but that said, I share some concerns with @CheckingLineCenter regarding his play style and how effective he'd be in the NHL with it. I think he needs to play a more heavy style like his size suggests he can play.

Tbh it’s not even physicality or “hit someone bro” as much as it is he seems content. Happy to Kapanen it up and circle back, shoot from the perimeter, make plays… it’s like bro you are 6’4-6’5 with all the talent one could ever need. Get to the middle every rush or 1 on 1. Put guys on your back and create below the hashes. Go to the net and take punishment and bang in greasy goals when you don’t have the puck. like go dominate shifts.

He’s like too happy to be “tactical” and make pretty or clean plays.

It wouldn’t shock me if a dude with his talent just flips a switch and dominates and becomes a stud though. Kind of the problem with this entire class outside the top 4. You can see how they’d hit it just takes so much projection. Hard to be confident in anyone’s upside or downside. I won’t be mad with literally anyone because of that. However Lakovic is more a gamble you make early 20s to me. Kind of a throwaway “if this guy figures out how good he can be we have a hit but if not who cares it’s pick 22” selection.

I would also say regardless of team strength the production is mediocre for a 3rd year player with as much talent as him. Plus basically only one more CHL season for him to find it and “flip the switch” rather than two.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Weirdly, that write up on Lakovic makes me more interested in the guy than I already was. That sounds like a coachable issue and with Sullivan gone, I'm more open to taking a guy who may need more guidance. Definitely more so than a guy with low(er) skill, or a guy with injury issues like McQueen or Bear.

-edit- Of the guys that are realistically gonna be available, my preference is either Martin or Eklund. Ideally someone ranked up high like Martone somehow drops like crazy due to teams wanting centers or blueliners, but I don't see him falling all the way to 11. Though if he's still available at like 8, I'd advocate trading up to snag him personally.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Tbh it’s not even physicality or “hit someone bro” as much as it is he seems content. Happy to Kapanen it up and circle back, shoot from the perimeter, make plays… it’s like bro you are 6’4-6’5 with all the talent one could ever need. Get to the middle every rush or 1 on 1. Put guys on your back and create below the hashes. Go to the net and take punishment and bang in greasy goals when you don’t have the puck. like go dominate shifts.

He’s like too happy to be “tactical” and make pretty or clean plays.

It wouldn’t shock me if a dude with his talent just flips a switch and dominates and becomes a stud though. Kind of the problem with this entire class outside the top 4. You can see how they’d hit it just takes so much projection. Hard to be confident in anyone’s upside or downside. I won’t be mad with literally anyone because of that. However Lakovic is more a gamble you make early 20s to me. Kind of a throwaway “if this guy figures out how good he can be we have a hit but if not who cares it’s pick 22” selection.

I would also say regardless of team strength the production is mediocre for a 3rd year player with as much talent as him. Plus basically only one more CHL season for him to find it and “flip the switch” rather than two.

Yeah that's exactly what I meant, that's why I said play "heavier" rather than play "more physical". The dude has the size of a powerforward but plays mostly a skill game, if he could play like his size with the speed and talent he has he'd be a monster. That's exactly why I can see him popping off and why I wouldn't be particularly upset if they drafted him.

Everyone in the 12-18 range has some sort of question marks or issues, but I think there's a very convincing argument that Lakovic is the highest upside guy in that group. It's just that size plus the speed/skill combo is rare, Lakovic just needs to learn how to use it better.

There's not really any guy in the 12-18 range I'd be "mad" about drafting, but there also isn't anyone in that range that I'd be banging on the table to draft either. If it's Kindel? Sure. If it's Reschny? Sure. If it's Lakovic? Sure.