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

[Empoleon8771]

2003?

2003 is the established best class of all time, but I think 2015 has the players to end up even better than it. It’s not just McDavid, it’s a downright ludicrous class.

It’s also really funny that the Bruins had 3 mid 1sts in that draft and selected DeBrusk, Lauzon and Senyshyn. Barzal, Connor and Chabot were the 3 picks after their 1sts, just an all time whiff.

I'm just using the standard you set. 2026 draft is at least shaping up to be much stronger than average in the top half of the draft so no reason a team like Pittsburgh should be looking to move either 1st without protection at least.

I don’t disagree with protection at all. If I’m moving any pick for Rossi, it’s top-10 protected. I’d just pretty easily move any pick around #10-#14 overall for him because I think it’s worth it.

If the Rangers hand over #12 this year, I think the choice is even easier with the weakness of this class.

 

[canadianguy77]

The 2015 draft is also the best draft of all time most likely. Not exactly a reasonable standard to put on the 2026 draft, even though it is looking very strong.

You mean the most top-heavy. The best draft class of all time has to be ‘79. Hard to argue with 7 HOFers.

2003 will likely end up with 6-8 inducted. I see 3 Hofers from 2015.

Even ‘83 and ‘84 end up beating out 2015 imo.

 

[SEALBound]

I think I'd rather use our non-1st round picks to try to get a very early 2nd or late 1st for Rossi.

That might change based on who is available at 12 IF we get that pick.

 

[chethejet]

Well I do think Dubas has a couple players he wants and will make an attempt to move up. Me I want the Rangers pick to assure a center is taken and then the best player on the board next. Dubas added more to the scouting since he needs to make hay the next 3 years with all the picks. It is the later picks who can make the draft good to great.

 

[The Old Master]

I was impressed with Hagens at the wjc. He was the youngest and greenest on his line but to me it was obvious he had the best hockey sense and is going to end up the best of the three. Would be a huge stroke of luck if he fell to the penguins.

the only way that can happen is if we trade up. imo

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Well I do think Dubas has a couple players he wants and will make an attempt to move up. Me I want the Rangers pick to assure a center is taken and then the best player on the board next. Dubas added more to the scouting since he needs to make hay the next 3 years with all the picks. It is the later picks who can make the draft good to great.

Well, we have a Rangers pick guaranteed. We don't know if it's this year or next. If you want to assure a center maybe the 2026 assures us a center better? Because after the top 10 this year, we cannot be sure that there will be a center available to us.

I get what you are saying...if we draft Eklund and NYR keeps the pick, we still have no centers in the system that MAY become future top-six centers. But if next year's draft is better than this year's draft, they maybe doubling down on centers next year is the better approach.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

EP's draft guide will be released in just over 3 days. I'll be sure to post some snippets.

 

[plaidchuck]

Since NYR is a super optics conscious team Id say they take this years pick to show confidence that they’ll be better next year. Guess you could spin it as positive either way though.

 

[chethejet]

Do the Rangers want the prospect of a new coach and playing next season with a possibility of giving the Pens a lottery shot at a stud. They have to know that is a possibility and would hedge that with giving the pick this year.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

From Tuesday, not sure if posted in this thread yet:

Elite Prospects' 2025 NHL Mock Draft - Top 32

Cam Robinson shares his first mock draft for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

www.eliteprospects.com

"With all that in mind, here's a look at how the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft could play out based on current projections and team needs."

Misa
Schaefer
Martone
Frondell
Desnoyers
Hagens
Martin
Aitcheson
Mrtka
McQueen
Eklund (PIT)
O'Brien

 

[Malkinstheman]

Once the Rangers inform the Pens about their decision before the draft, is it set it stone? It would be interesting if two of Eklund/O'Brien/Martin dropped to 11 and Dubas was able to "bribe" the Rags into giving up #12 instead

 

[The Old Master]

. It is the later picks who can make the draft good to great.

right now, i would be very happy to start hitting with our firsts.

 

[Turin]

Once the Rangers inform the Pens about their decision before the draft, is it set it stone? It would be interesting if two of Eklund/O'Brien/Martin dropped to 11 and Dubas was able to "bribe" the Rags into giving up #12 instead

Yes, Rangers have to make a call one way or the other 48 hours prior.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

We have to assume that the NYR decision will be at least a little bit based off of the info they are gathering about how the top 10 is going to shake down.

Dubas and co. will probably be hearing similar things.

 

[Jacob]

They are keeping the pick.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

They are keeping the pick.

I think so too. Dolan and the Rangers are way too proud to basically say to the public "We can't risk losing an even better pick next year cuz this team's on rocky ground".

Which is fine. I think the Rangers are a fatally flawed team and are a Shesterkin or Panarin injury away from handing the Pens a top-10 unprotected pick. Even if the water level stabilizes with that team, they're still a group with a terrible blueline, horrendous depth, an aging core, and not a lot in the way of young talent or cap space to make strides imo.

 

[The Old Master]

Once the Rangers inform the Pens about their decision before the draft, is it set it stone? It would be interesting if two of Eklund/O'Brien/Martin dropped to 11 and Dubas was able to "bribe" the Rags into giving up #12 instead

we could always trade them for it, so it ensures we get their first next year too.

 

[Coastal Kev]

They are keeping the pick.

Then the goal is to go 4-0 vs Rags next year

 

[Ulf5]

we could always trade them for it, so it ensures we get their first next year too.

Just give em Rust for this year's 1st plus other stuff. Then we get both their 1sts.

 

[chethejet]

Rangers are making changes and just not sure what they will be after trades and moves. Krieder, rumor Schnieder for the Howard and Sullivan who knows what they tune out by January. Sid kept things focused for Sullivan. No one in NY is that. Next year Pens get a decent pick in a better draft or a really nice pick in a better draft. Plus Dubas with that pick make a RFA offer with the Pens picks.

 

[Jacob]

It’s kinda crazy how many of the top CHL prospects are committing to the NCAA for the upcoming season.

 

[plaidchuck]

It’s kinda crazy how many of the top CHL prospects are committing to the NCAA for the upcoming season.

Is this due to NCAA players being able to get paid endorsements now?

 

[eXile3]

Is this due to NCAA players being able to get paid endorsements now?

I believe because they considered CHL players “pro” players so they couldn’t come over to the NCAA previously. They changed it recently.

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[Ulf5]

I believe because they considered CHL players “pro” players so they couldn’t come over to the NCAA previously. They changed it recently.

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong.

Sorry you're wrong. It's the getting paid to live amongst drunk, easy, college hos.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Just give em Rust for this year's 1st plus other stuff. Then we get both their 1sts.

See, that is the thing. I don't view 12th overall this year as equal value to unprotected 2026 first next year.

Rust for 12th overall? I would need ++ to get it done. Sorry.
Rust for 2026 unprotected first? I might do it regardless of the team offering it.

I wonder if NYR is thinking along these lines. Instead of looking at the prospects who may or may not be available at 12, look at the value of each pick as things stand right now (or, more specifically, three weeks from now).

If Drury chooses to give up 12th overall and keep his 2026 first, I would offer him Rust for his 2026 first at that point and see if his coach forces him into it.