2025 NHL Draft grades - 1st round

[spfan]

I will only only be rating teams based on the 1st round and only if they had a pick. This will not be rating trades.
And yes this is immediate thoughts and I'm sure I'll end up wrong on some. But these are how I rated the class and the picks.

Anaheim - Roger McQueen B+ I like the player, I just don't see it fitting a need really. They have these players. And I worry if they just overvalue size. I would've liked Eklund here more.

Boston - James Hagens A+ I think he got overscouted and as per norm, NHL GM's overvalue size. Hagens is the #3 player in this class. High upside is very high.

Buffalo - Radim Mrtka A+ He's huge, skates really and projects as more of a shut down guy, with some offense too. He's exactly who they need. RHD that can play with Dahlin.

Calgary - Cole Reschny and Cullen Potter A+ while they're not walking away with superstars, but with not picking super high, that's not gonna happen. These are hits on both picks considering where they were picking.

Chicago - Anton Frondell, Vaclav Nestrasil, Mason West C+ Frondell of course is good, but hard to mess the pick up too. I view the other two as 2nd rounders. There's upside there, but both kind of gambles. They could've got a lot more value in my opinion.

CBJ - Jackson Smith and Pyotr Andreyanov C+ Odd mix of BPA and fitting need. While I'm high on Smith, they are loaded at LHD. And they did need a goalie, but it's not the goalie I'd take, not even 2nd goalie and this was quite high and quite the gamble. They could've used a RHD and Hensler was available.

Detroit - Carter Bear A- wasn't quite my BPA, but I do quite like Bear. Eklund or Smith would've been my preferred picks here.

L.A. - Henry Brzustewicz C Not terrible value, but definitely higher on other players. wasn't even the best RHD on my board.

Nashville - Brady Martin, Cameron Reid, Ryker Lee C+ Wasn't BPA on any of the picks. Nashville needed a top Center and I like Martin, but he just doesn't have that huge upside like a Hagens or O'Brien in my opinion. Lee is a 2nd rounder to me. Reid is fine, but wasn't the best D-man available. Quite higher on Hensler. They kind of squandered the value they could've got.

NYI - Matthew Schaefer, Victor Eklund, Kashawn Aitcheson A+ Now of course getting the #1 pick is gonna automatically put you near the top, but they really got a steal in Eklund. Aitcheson as well was good value. Only small critique would be is I'm not sure if Aitcheson is as valuable to them with Schaefer and they could've grabbed a RHD this time in Hensler.. Or swing on a potential top 6 Center in someone like Cole Reschny.

Ottawa - Logan Hensler A+ High value here. Not sure why Hensler slipped. They probably could've used a forward more, but still high value here.

Philly - Porter Martone and Jack Nesbitt B- While I do really like Martone, I'm not sure why you pass on getting a potential 1C in Hagens or even O'Brien. Then you decide to grab a Center at 12th, but I'm not very high on Nesbitt. Lower upside player. Maybe a low end 2C, but you kind of have that covered with Luchanko already. And Nesbitt is more likely a 3C. They needed to solve the issue of getting a 1C.

Penguins - Ben Kindel, Bill Zonnon, Will Horcoff B- Pretty shockingly they took Kindel and while not my BPA, I do really like him and I think he's probably been the most underrated player in the class. Zonnon, again not my BPA and I would've certainly went Hensler or Lakovic here, I do also quite like Zonnon. Horcoff I view as a 2nd rounder and see lower upside. Less of a a fan of that pick. They did decently, but could've gotten more value. When you could've walked away with Eklund, Hensler, Lakovic.

SJ - Michael Misa and Joshua Ravensbergen A You walked away with the 2nd best player and you added potentially the top goalie. You definitely got upside. Just a bit strange adding a goalie when you have Askarov. Fiddler would've been a solid addition with their second 1st rounder, but you ultimately do walk away with a lot of upside. Can't really hate on it.

Seattle - Jake O'Brien B+ While I really like the player, I'm just not sure what they're doing. Catton is a Center in the WHL, but of course with what they have, he'll be a winger at the NHL level. But they still have Beniers and Wright. I'm not sure what the plan is. I think all 3 play very Center stylistic games and while it's easier for Centers to move to wing than the opposite, it's still questionable. I think Seattle should've taken a D-man here. Smith or Mrtka would've been good fits and still have good upside. Eklund would've made sense too. I like the player, just confused about what they're trying to build. Their defense definitely needs help.

St. Louis - Justin Carbonneau A- While I was a little lower on him, this was good value. I'd have leaned Lakovic or Hensler here, but again, good value. At least arguable BPA.

Utah - Caleb Desnoyers A- I was higher on Hagens and even O'Brien, but addressed a need and still good upside

Vancouver - Braedon Cootes B+ They addressed a need and I like Cootes, but he wasn't my BPA. Still a pretty good pick.

Washington - Lynden Lakvoic A+ Not sure why Lakovic fell this far. He's got good upside and this looks like it could be a steal. BPA. Couldn't have done any better.

Winnipeg - Sascha Boumedienne B+ Not quite my BPA, but not bad value. Totally fine pick.

 

[tomd]

Not trying to be a homer but anytime a team can get a top 3-5 player at 10 then it has to be a higher grade than B+. The Ducks got a potential 1C who is 6'5". That is maybe the most difficult position to find. IMO McQueen was the obvious pick at 10...especially so since he looks to be fully healthy. I'm pretty sure that every team drafting after 10 was hoping the Ducks would not take him. Grade: A or even A+

 

[Turin]

I think turning what should have been Eklund into Zonnon and Horcoff was probably overthinking it

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

Pens should be a F. Dubas completely galaxy-brained himself like the nerd he is.

Going from Ek, Smith/Aitch and 59 to the garbage he picked has 2015 Bruins written all over it.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Penguins - Ben Kindel, Bill Zonnon, Will Horcoff B-

Not sure if srs

 

[Kevin Musto]

Such an overwhelmingly large W for the Islanders

 

[Nfumass]

Penguins completely bombed. Dubas continues to be a a bottom 5 gm.

 

[brrt]

I think turning what should have been Eklund into Zonnon and Horcoff was probably overthinking it

They must've had an insane draft list. Having Eklund/Bear/Smith/Aitheson/etc. low enough that none of them was worth picking at 12 while having Kindel high enough that he was worth picking at 11 by the same standard. Like did they have Kindel in their top 3 or something?

 

[Hinterland]

Post in thread 'Post your 2025 draft list' Post your 2025 draft list

Not usually the greatest fan of Dubas myself but I disagree with those bashing him for this 1st round.

Time will tell whether I'm right or not but I think that with Kindel, Zonnon and Horcoff he actually landed 3 of 5 high upside C's available in this draft. It's clear that all three of them are projects. Zonnon and Horcoff are just very green while Kindel may be mature beyond his ears but completely underdeveloped physically. I had them listed 5, 6 and 20 so until proven otherwise I think that Dubas has trolled the league and has been too good to be true in round 1. I'm beyond excited to watch that Pens prospect pool going forward.

Other potential winners for me include the Ducks for landing the most complete forward prospect at 10, the Isles for getting good value with the Eklund and Aitcheson picks, the Flames for getting good value with Reschny and especially highly skilled, lightning fast Potter with that last pick and Winnipeg for landing a quality defenseman this late in the 1st.

Clear cut losers in my book are the Bluejackets who tried to outsmart everybody else by picking two complete punts in round 1. I sorta understood where they were coming from with the Smith pick but Andreyanov is nothing but a lottery ticket. If you're to pick a goalie in round 1 I think you have to make sure it's a bluechip prospect and the only bluechip goalie prospect available was Josh Ravensbergen. I also agree with OP that Nashville is likely among the losers as well. I don't dislike their picks but I agree nome of them were BPA so I think that getting better value would have been possibe for them.

All other teams either picked guys about where I expected them to go or they made both good and bad selections.

 

[Waltuh]

i will say, i really like what the Flames did. Everyone else is reaching for size because of Panthers Derangement Syndrome and the Flames decide to be smart and pick actual good players with big upside who fell through the cracks because they’re smaller. Even if Potter and Reschny bust I respect the philosophy, compared to all these other pathetic franchises overdrafting 6’5 dudes who probably won’t even be ready until the Panthers are reminiscing about their glory days

 

[Turin]

Post in thread 'Post your 2025 draft list' Post your 2025 draft list

Not usually the greatest fan of Dubas myself but I disagree with those bashing him for this 1st round.

Time will tell whether I'm right or not but I think that with Kindel, Zonnon and Horcoff he actually landed 3 of 5 high upside C's available in this draft. It's clear that all three of them are projects. Zonnon and Horcoff are just very green while Kindel may be mature beyond his ears but completely underdeveloped physically. I had them listed 5, 6 and 20 so until proven otherwise I think that Dubas has trolled the league and has been too good to be true in round 1. I'm beyond excited to watch that Pens prospect pool going forward.

Hope you are right man. You’re definitely right that they are all projects and extremely raw, so should be fun to follow how they develop.

 

[The don godfather]

Bruins got unreal value at 7 unreal.

 

[spfan]

Not trying to be a homer but anytime a team can get a top 3-5 player at 10 then it has to be a higher grade than B+. The Ducks got a potential 1C who is 6'5". That is maybe the most difficult position to find. IMO McQueen was the obvious pick at 10...especially so since he looks to be fully healthy. I'm pretty sure that every team drafting after 10 was hoping the Ducks would not take him. Grade: A or even A+

With Carlsson and McTavish, just feels like they didn't need him. And there is still some risk to him. I do rank Eklund higher.

 

[spfan]

Pens should be a F. Dubas completely galaxy-brained himself like the nerd he is.

Going from Ek, Smith/Aitch and 59 to the garbage he picked has 2015 Bruins written all over it.

Could've been better. Honestly, I wasn't really interested in Aitcheson. I would've certainly taken Smith though. And well Eklund before anyone else. However, Kindel is really underrated. His size and the less liklihood of him being a Center is what ranked him low for most. He's supremely intelligent. Zonnon solid. But liked less than Kindel pick. Horcoff is where I have the problem. I rank him quite a bit lower. I do think a bunch of teams would taken him pretty close to that range though too.

 

[Hinterland]

With Carlsson and McTavish, just feels like they didn't need him. And there is still some risk to him. I do rank Eklund higher.

You can never have too many quality Centers.
I like Eklund and I think that the Isles got fantastic value with that pick but based on potential, McQueen is on another level. Towering Center vs small Winger and McQueen has much better vision, too. As long as his health details aren't too devastating I think McQueen is totally a risk worth taking at 10. If we're talking upside alone I probably rank him 2nd behind only Schaefer.

 

[spfan]

i will say, i really like what the Flames did. Everyone else is reaching for size because of Panthers Derangement Syndrome and the Flames decide to be smart and pick actual good players with big upside who fell through the cracks because they’re smaller. Even if Potter and Reschny bust I respect the philosophy, compared to all these other pathetic franchises overdrafting 6’5 dudes who probably won’t even be ready until the Panthers are reminiscing about their glory days

Yeah, year after year NHL GM's overvalue size. Panthers winning magnifies that I guess, but it really isn't anything new either. But yeah, Florida won 2 cups, but most other cup winners weren't really that physical. Let's not forget 1 of the best playoff performers is 1 of the smallest players. Patrick Kane.

 

[spfan]

You can never have too many quality Centers.
I like Eklund and I think that the Isles got fantastic value with that pick but based on potential, McQueen is on another level. Towering Center vs small Winger and McQueen has much better vision, too. As long as his health details aren't too devastating I think McQueen is totally a risk worth taking at 10. If we're talking upside alone I probably rank him 2nd behind only Schaefer.

Well it's kind of like Ducks previously. They took Carlsson. I'd have taken Michkov. The story is far from over of course, but Michkov is looking like the better pick so far.

Size gets overvalued and with who they have already, Eklund would not be risky. He doesn't play small at all either.

 

[AngelDuck]

Well it's kind of like Ducks previously. They took Carlsson. I'd have taken Michkov. The story is far from over of course, but Michkov is looking like the better pick so far.

Size gets overvalued and with who they have already, Eklund would not be risky. He doesn't play small at all either.

Could not disagree more honestly

 

[Waltuh]

Yeah, year after year NHL GM's overvalue size. Panthers winning magnifies that I guess, but it really isn't anything new either. But yeah, Florida won 2 cups, but most other cup winners weren't really that physical. Let's not forget 1 of the best playoff performers is 1 of the smallest players. Patrick Kane.

It was definitely amplified this year. Almost felt like I was watching an NBA draft by the end of the round when every f***ing player getting drafted is 6’5. Never seen a draft like this in my life

 

[Anaheim4ever]

You can never have too many quality Centers.
I like Eklund and I think that the Isles got fantastic value with that pick but based on potential, McQueen is on another level. Towering Center vs small Winger and McQueen has much better vision, too. As long as his health details aren't too devastating I think McQueen is totally a risk worth taking at 10. If we're talking upside alone I probably rank him 2nd behind only Schaefer.

McTavish game would work on the wing or McQueen power forward at RW if they wanted all 3 of the top centers in the top6.

Also seems teams are planning for a future where you run 3 scoring lines that have 2way ability. Arizona is doing that too by picking Desnoyers.

 

[Hinterland]

Well it's kind of like Ducks previously. They took Carlsson. I'd have taken Michkov. The story is far from over of course, but Michkov is looking like the better pick so far.

Size gets overvalued and with who they have already, Eklund would not be risky. He doesn't play small at all either.

You're correct, Eklund wouldn't have been a risk and doesn't play small either. Still, size helps and you can't teach it. The Ducks had the most complete forward still available at 10 and you can't blame them for not turning down this opportunity.

As for Michkov, we all know that he's been on most no draft lists for not cooperating with teams re interviews etc. If you're unable to talk to a player all season long until just ahead of the draft then you're not gonna draft him. Michkov now has to live with the consequences of his lack of availability...or maybe he wanted to become a Flyer all along and got what he wanted. Who knows. Much like most NHL teams, the Ducks were never gonna draft Michkov though.

 

[spfan]

Could not disagree more honestly

It's probably stemming from the fact that you value Centers more period. Arguably Fantilli should've been the pick over Carlsson too though. I certainly like Carlsson. He's a 1C, but I think Michkov is special. Or size based. I'm finding the Ducks overvalue size too. With Sennecke last year too. Good player, but 3rd was too high to me. Taking on Trouba too. I think he clearly just covets size and physicality. Not to see some aren't skilled too, but it seems clear that size is too high of a priority.

McQueen is good, but risky. Eklund would compliment them better in my opinion and I view him as a better player still.

 

[spfan]

You're correct, Eklund wouldn't have been a risk and doesn't play small either. Still, size helps and you can't teach it. The Ducks had the most complete forward still available at 10 and you can't blame them for not turning down this opportunity.

As for Michkov, we all know that he's been on most no draft lists for not cooperating with teams re interviews etc. If you're unable to talk to a player all season long until just ahead of the draft then you're not gonna draft him. Michkov now has to live with the consequences of his lack of availability...or maybe he wanted to become a Flyer all along and got what he wanted. Who knows. Much like most NHL teams, the Ducks were never gonna draft Michkov though.

I suppose Michkov was a whole other can of worms, but I'd have also went Fantilli over Carlsson too.
Carlsson is good and in a strong class, but he was the #4 guy to me.

Don't need all big players. And I'm pointing towards their Trouba acquisition as um maybe Verbeek is a bit biased to size.

McQueen isn't some horrible mistake, but I just don't view it as the perfect draft by them.

 

[Hinterland]

It's probably stemming from the fact that you value Centers more period. Arguably Fantilli should've been the pick over Carlsson too though. I certainly like Carlsson. He's a 1C, but I think Michkov is special. Or size based. I'm finding the Ducks overvalue size too. With Sennecke last year too. Good player, but 3rd was too high to me. Taking on Trouba too. I think he clearly just covets size and physicality. Not to see some aren't skilled too, but it seems clear that size is too high of a priority.

McQueen is good, but risky. Eklund would compliment them better in my opinion and I view him as a better player still.

I agree that McQueen is risky but the Ducks took BPA and you can't fault them for it. Also, whether Eklund would completement them better is debatable at best. You can never have too many quality Centers and while McTavish is very good at Center he's also highly effective on the Wing. He's a beast in the slot and on the wing he'd get to hang around there more often. He'd get more shots, too and shots are important for goal scorers like him. I've always compared McTavish to Pavelski who used to play a bit of both, too depending on where his coaches saw fit. So I don't really see the problem with the Ducks still trying to add to their Center depth.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I will only only be rating teams based on the 1st round and only if they had a pick. This will not be rating trades.
And yes this is immediate thoughts and I'm sure I'll end up wrong on some. But these are how I rated the class and the picks.

Anaheim - Roger McQueen B+ I like the player, I just don't see it fitting a need really. They have these players. And I worry if they just overvalue size. I would've liked Eklund here more.

Boston - James Hagens A+ I think he got overscouted and as per norm, NHL GM's overvalue size. Hagens is the #3 player in this class. High upside is very high.

Buffalo - Radim Mrtka A+ He's huge, skates really and projects as more of a shut down guy, with some offense too. He's exactly who they need. RHD that can play with Dahlin.

Calgary - Cole Reschny and Cullen Potter A+ while they're not walking away with superstars, but with not picking super high, that's not gonna happen. These are hits on both picks considering where they were picking.

Chicago - Anton Frondell, Vaclav Nestrasil, Mason West C+ Frondell of course is good, but hard to mess the pick up too. I view the other two as 2nd rounders. There's upside there, but both kind of gambles. They could've got a lot more value in my opinion.

CBJ - Jackson Smith and Pyotr Andreyanov C+ Odd mix of BPA and fitting need. While I'm high on Smith, they are loaded at LHD. And they did need a goalie, but it's not the goalie I'd take, not even 2nd goalie and this was quite high and quite the gamble. They could've used a RHD and Hensler was available.

Detroit - Carter Bear A- wasn't quite my BPA, but I do quite like Bear. Eklund or Smith would've been my preferred picks here.

L.A. - Henry Brzustewicz C Not terrible value, but definitely higher on other players. wasn't even the best RHD on my board.

Nashville - Brady Martin, Cameron Reid, Ryker Lee C+ Wasn't BPA on any of the picks. Nashville needed a top Center and I like Martin, but he just doesn't have that huge upside like a Hagens or O'Brien in my opinion. Lee is a 2nd rounder to me. Reid is fine, but wasn't the best D-man available. Quite higher on Hensler. They kind of squandered the value they could've got.

NYI - Matthew Schaefer, Victor Eklund, Kashawn Aitcheson A+ Now of course getting the #1 pick is gonna automatically put you near the top, but they really got a steal in Eklund. Aitcheson as well was good value. Only small critique would be is I'm not sure if Aitcheson is as valuable to them with Schaefer and they could've grabbed a RHD this time in Hensler.. Or swing on a potential top 6 Center in someone like Cole Reschny.

Ottawa - Logan Hensler A+ High value here. Not sure why Hensler slipped. They probably could've used a forward more, but still high value here.

Philly - Porter Martone and Jack Nesbitt B- While I do really like Martone, I'm not sure why you pass on getting a potential 1C in Hagens or even O'Brien. Then you decide to grab a Center at 12th, but I'm not very high on Nesbitt. Lower upside player. Maybe a low end 2C, but you kind of have that covered with Luchanko already. And Nesbitt is more likely a 3C. They needed to solve the issue of getting a 1C.

Penguins - Ben Kindel, Bill Zonnon, Will Horcoff B- Pretty shockingly they took Kindel and while not my BPA, I do really like him and I think he's probably been the most underrated player in the class. Zonnon, again not my BPA and I would've certainly went Hensler or Lakovic here, I do also quite like Zonnon. Horcoff I view as a 2nd rounder and see lower upside. Less of a a fan of that pick. They did decently, but could've gotten more value. When you could've walked away with Eklund, Hensler, Lakovic.

SJ - Michael Misa and Joshua Ravensbergen A You walked away with the 2nd best player and you added potentially the top goalie. You definitely got upside. Just a bit strange adding a goalie when you have Askarov. Fiddler would've been a solid addition with their second 1st rounder, but you ultimately do walk away with a lot of upside. Can't really hate on it.

Seattle - Jake O'Brien B+ While I really like the player, I'm just not sure what they're doing. Catton is a Center in the WHL, but of course with what they have, he'll be a winger at the NHL level. But they still have Beniers and Wright. I'm not sure what the plan is. I think all 3 play very Center stylistic games and while it's easier for Centers to move to wing than the opposite, it's still questionable. I think Seattle should've taken a D-man here. Smith or Mrtka would've been good fits and still have good upside. Eklund would've made sense too. I like the player, just confused about what they're trying to build. Their defense definitely needs help.

St. Louis - Justin Carbonneau A- While I was a little lower on him, this was good value. I'd have leaned Lakovic or Hensler here, but again, good value. At least arguable BPA.

Utah - Caleb Desnoyers A- I was higher on Hagens and even O'Brien, but addressed a need and still good upside

Vancouver - Braedon Cootes B+ They addressed a need and I like Cootes, but he wasn't my BPA. Still a pretty good pick.

Washington - Lynden Lakvoic A+ Not sure why Lakovic fell this far. He's got good upside and this looks like it could be a steal. BPA. Couldn't have done any better.

Winnipeg - Sascha Boumedienne B+ Not quite my BPA, but not bad value. Totally fine pick.

This reads like a draft review from a publication who is afraid to be honest.