2025 NHL Draft Discussion

57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
49,907
21,732
MN
I don't think Zegras has had a single strong game against the Wild in his career, and he also looked really bad at the WCs under Guerin last summer. Not fast, low compete, loses puck battles, and bad through the neutral zone are all things I have seen in his game that I bet Billy has noticed too. They tried the Boldy - Zegras combo a bit to get Zegras going during the WCs and it did not look effective.
great observation. Forgot about that those games. I would guess that BG would be more interested in McTavish than Zegras.
 
Last edited:

AKL

Danila Yurov Fan Club President
Sponsor
Dec 10, 2012
40,608
18,926
Oof.

I'm not sure Heidt+1st is really buying low in this case.

For what he could be and what he was two years ago before the injuries?

It's a high risk high reward move, Heidt and what should be a mid-late 1st wouldn't be that much to give up.

I understand not wanting him, and I said at the start that Guerin wouldn't be interested in him, but if you were interested in him, 1st and Heidt isn't that bad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thestonedkoala

Digitalbooya

By order of the Peaky Blinders
Sponsor
Jul 10, 2010
28,015
7,965
Wisconsin
For what he could be and what he was two years ago before the injuries?

It's a high risk high reward move, Heidt and what should be a mid-late 1st wouldn't be that much to give up.

I understand not wanting him, and I said at the start that Guerin wouldn't be interested in him, but if you were interested in him, 1st and Heidt isn't that bad.
Late teen, early 20s first and Heidt is pretty low for a young talented forward. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush...
Probably the issue for me. His playstyle screams unserious to me (if the goal is to contend) and his injuries last year are concerning.
 

Digitalbooya

By order of the Peaky Blinders
Sponsor
Jul 10, 2010
28,015
7,965
Wisconsin
I'm not a big fan of Zegras myself but if all that took it might not be a bad deal.
His production has not been great and that is his best asset. If you gave Heidt 17 minutes a night with 3 minutes of PP time, would you expect him to have more or less than 4 points in 17 games?
 

thestonedkoala

Going Dark
Aug 27, 2004
28,639
1,712
His production has not been great and that is his best asset. If you gave Heidt 17 minutes a night with 3 minutes of PP time, would you expect him to have more or less than 4 points in 17 games?
Depends on his linemates and his coach. I'd expect Heidt to be around where Ohgren or Khus is currently.

I think the better question is will Heidt hit 20+ goals and 60+ points in the NHL

Zegras did that. The extent of his injury is a concern if this is how he is rebounding. But Zegras did hit 60+ points and you have to think about that and if Heidt could as well.
 

Digitalbooya

By order of the Peaky Blinders
Sponsor
Jul 10, 2010
28,015
7,965
Wisconsin
Depends on his linemates and his coach. I'd expect Heidt to be around where Ohgren or Khus is currently.

I think the better question is will Heidt hit 20+ goals and 60+ points in the NHL

Zegras did that. The extent of his injury is a concern if this is how he is rebounding. But Zegras did hit 60+ points and you have to think about that and if Heidt could as well.
You would expect Heidt, with 14 minutes ES TOI/GP + 3 minutes/GP on top PP unit, to produce the same as Khusnutdinov and Ohgren? Really? Strong disagree on that.

Let's try another route here. People get on Johansson here for not producing. He has the same production as Zegras while playing almost 2 minutes less per game and less power play time.

Just don't view Zegras as an answer. Especially with a faceoff percentage number that starts with a 3.
 

57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
49,907
21,732
MN
You would expect Heidt, with 14 minutes ES TOI/GP + 3 minutes/GP on top PP unit, to produce the same as Khusnutdinov and Ohgren? Really? Strong disagree on that.

Let's try another route here. People get on Johansson here for not producing. He has the same production as Zegras while playing almost 2 minutes less per game and less power play time.

Just don't view Zegras as an answer. Especially with a faceoff percentage number that starts with a 3.
The hope with Zegras would be that he could return to the form he had when he was 20-21 yo, when he had 60+ points. There are cases of very young players who had instant success, then disappointing careers afterwards, but the usual trajectory is that a player improves into his mid 20's, then levels off a bit before a decline.

I kind of share your opinion of Zegras, but I can see the appeal.
 

BagHead

Registered User
Dec 23, 2010
7,143
4,000
Minneapolis, MN
I think a smart GM would ask themselves how much they'd be willing to pay for a 40 point, (allegedly) one dimensional player. 40 points because I'm splitting the difference between the 60 he may never obtain again, and the 20 point pace he should do better than (he has a team-worst PDO). I will say, before his injury last year, he was only on a 30 point pace so not all of his offensive woes are due to injury.
Like, Mike Comrie. How much would you give up for a Mike Comrie?

Personally, I think a price of Heidt and the Wild's 1st is a little too rich for my blood, but not WAY too rich, and I'm sure it would take that and a little more to get a deal done, or else Anaheim will be content to just hope he works through it.
 

MNRube

Registered User
Oct 20, 2013
6,663
3,777
Heidt screams NHL tweener to me. Sam Steel, Khovanov etc.

Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Stramel ends up the better pro
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wild925

57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
49,907
21,732
MN
Heidt screams NHL tweener to me. Sam Steel, Khovanov etc.

Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Stramel ends up the better pro
Heidt's vision and passing are special. The rest of his game is above average, at the WHL level.

Khovanov had one vg year, but his skating was never up to par. Steel had one great scoring year in the WHL. The rest were nice, but nothing special. You could add Beckman to the list. Heidt has already had two excellent scoring years, and is well on his way to a 3rd.

He seems to be clearly more consistent than the other two in terms of scoring. While it's no guarantee that he will be a NHL'er of note, I'll take anyone's money on a bet that he will top Stramel. It's hard to predict what any prospect will do, and when/where they will top out, but any player who shows consistency is ahead of one who hasn't.
 

BuiumSaveUs

Danila Yurov Fan Club Executive Assistant
May 2, 2018
19,162
12,077
I see them trying to bring in Brock Nelson and maybe another guy. Claude Giroux could make sense. It’s full court press tow in a couple rounds this year, imo.
 

DANOZ28

Registered User
May 22, 2012
7,104
474
nearest bar MN
Heidt screams NHL tweener to me. Sam Steel, Khovanov etc.

Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Stramel ends up the better pro
i don't see that. heidt seems to be an exceptional passer , stramel is still mcbain 2.0 at best. if i were gm given this is the last year of cap h3ll i'd keep our draft pick and next year "go 4 it"
 

MNRube

Registered User
Oct 20, 2013
6,663
3,777
Heidt's vision and passing are special. The rest of his game is above average, at the WHL level.

Khovanov had one vg year, but his skating was never up to par. Steel had one great scoring year in the WHL. The rest were nice, but nothing special. You could add Beckman to the list. Heidt has already had two excellent scoring years, and is well on his way to a 3rd.

He seems to be clearly more consistent than the other two in terms of scoring. While it's no guarantee that he will be a NHL'er of note, I'll take anyone's money on a bet that he will top Stramel. It's hard to predict what any prospect will do, and when/where they will top out, but any player who shows consistency is ahead of one who hasn't.
Stramel has the look of a late blooming PWF. Those guys take forever to develop.

Heidt definitely has more upside, but he is basically only playable on a scoring line which limits his utility. He could be a Zucc replacement down the line but he’s going to need to score a ton to make up for the other obvious holes in game. I also am just not super high on his game and am not alone - he was basically a 3rd rd pick and has been spurned by Team Canada for a reason.
 

57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
49,907
21,732
MN
Stramel has the look of a late blooming PWF. Those guys take forever to develop.

Heidt definitely has more upside, but he is basically only playable on a scoring line which limits his utility. He could be a Zucc replacement down the line but he’s going to need to score a ton to make up for the other obvious holes in game. I also am just not super high on his game and am not alone - he was basically a 3rd rd pick and has been spurned by Team Canada for a reason.
After watching a fair bit of Heidt, I'd have to disagree with the bolded. He is a two way C who plays on the PK as well as the PP. A willing backchecker, and goes deep in the defensive zone if necessary. He's not big, but is 2" taller than Rossi, and has a bit of edge to his game.

I don't see any big holes in his game, at least at the junior level. Right now he is an above average WHL skater, and dishes out physicality more than he takes it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MNRube

MNRube

Registered User
Oct 20, 2013
6,663
3,777
After watching a fair bit of Heidt, I'd have to disagree with the bolded. He is a two way C who plays on the PK as well as the PP. A willing backchecker, and goes deep in the defensive zone if necessary. He's not big, but is 2" taller than Rossi, and has a bit of edge to his game.

I don't see any big holes in his game, at least at the junior level. Right now he is an above average WHL skater, and dishes out physicality more than he takes it.
I haven’t watched him in the CHL at all so I hope you are right. I am just firing from the hip here so I won’t pretend like I am an expert on either player. More of a gut feeling
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad