2025 NHL Draft: Lose a ton for Porter Martone

[tiburon12]

Sports books all have us at an 8 win improvement for 63 points and dead last. Feels fair. Could be better, could be worse. Even if we're 8 more wins better again, nearly doubling our wins from last year, we would still finish bottom 5.

View attachment 900527

https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/s/q1KkJh1ymB

Do MTL and ANA ever plan to get better?

 

[coooldude]

Do MTL and ANA ever plan to get better?

I feel like ANA has higher end skill at the top of their roster, but are still lacking on the backend and for some reason the whole thing just didn't come together last year and it feels like a bit of a tire fire.

Meanwhile, it seems like MTL is building steadily toward a regular playoff team, but unless their top of lineup hits their ceiling, don't have the juice to be a true perennial contender.

Both seem like they're moving in the right direction, but ANA in particular feels like it could become Buffalo West. That said... even BUF could be much better this coming year. Stranger things have happened.

 

[DG93]

I feel like ANA has higher end skill at the top of their roster, but are still lacking on the backend and for some reason the whole thing just didn't come together last year and it feels like a bit of a tire fire.

Meanwhile, it seems like MTL is building steadily toward a regular playoff team, but unless their top of lineup hits their ceiling, don't have the juice to be a true perennial contender.

Both seem like they're moving in the right direction, but ANA in particular feels like it could become Buffalo West. That said... even BUF could be much better this coming year. Stranger things have happened.

Agreed with a lot of this. I mean a lot of Anaheim's staggered progress has to do with some drafting decisions that were made as well as bad luck (not that I'm complaining ). If Chicago didn't jump and snag Bedard, I think everyone would be saying Anaheim is on track. The Drysdale and Zegras picks haven't really worked out either although Gauthier could be a big piece. They also reached for Sennecke 3rd overall, and we'll see how that pans out. A forward group of Carlsson, McTavish, Gauthier, Sennecke with Mintyukov as the #1D is pretty nasty though.

Montreal is different imo since they haven't been rebuilding for nearly as long. They picked mid-first in 2019 and 2020 (and got good value with Caufield and Guhle) and then fluked their way into the SCF in 2021. They chose to draft Slafkovsky instead of Cooley and Reinbacher instead of Michkov, which indirectly led to the Demidov pick. While they would be better off with Cooley, Michkov, and Parekh imo, they're not exactly that far off from where the Sharks are in their process timeline wise at least. The big L is limited upside when they could have had Cooley and Parekh instead of Slaf and Reinbacher.

 

[TheBeard]

I feel like ANA has higher end skill at the top of their roster, but are still lacking on the backend and for some reason the whole thing just didn't come together last year and it feels like a bit of a tire fire.

Meanwhile, it seems like MTL is building steadily toward a regular playoff team, but unless their top of lineup hits their ceiling, don't have the juice to be a true perennial contender.

Both seem like they're moving in the right direction, but ANA in particular feels like it could become Buffalo West. That said... even BUF could be much better this coming year. Stranger things have happened.

Considering how focused Montreal was in building up the blue line, nabbing Demidov sped up their rebuild faster than Macklin sped up ours.

 

[sampler]

I reallly think our rebuild is complete by next summer. By netx summer:

1. The sharks should get 4 picks in the top 40, including like a top 5, another in the 10-20 range (VGK), and another in the 20-30 range (return for UFAs at trade deadline), and another in the 33-40 range (our 2nd rounder). This should give the sharks the chance to draft 2 top 4 D, top more likely top 6 O (or one top O and a top goalie). After this, the shelf should be stacked for a decade.

2. The Eklund will be entering his third year and smith, Celly, and Mukh will have a likely full season under their belts. This should put them in a much better position to take the reigns of the top 6 F, top 4 D positions.

3. We will know what we have with the rest of the kids. Most likely, at least 2-3 of them will emerge as legit top 6O, top 4 D prospects, ready to step into the NHL at the start of the '25-'26 season. We'll see what we have especially in Mukh, Dick, Pohlcamp, Thompson, and Cagnoni. If those guys have strong years, then they should be good for 2-3 NHL players in 2025-6.

4. We will have approximately 40M in cap space to add dramatically. That should allow grier to add at least 1 or 2 top 4 D, and 1 or 2 top line O.

The roster should, therefore, feature Eklund, Zetterlund, Toffoli, Smith and Celebrini all ready and established for top 6 roles (plus a solid UFA add) It will also feature Wennberg plus 2 or 3 rookie forwards who should be effective in middle 6 roles (Musty, Haltunnen, Bystedt, etc). It will also feature a few solid vet UFA D (Larsson and Petterson, for example) as well as Walman, and then a mix of thrun, emberson ,Mukh, etc to round out the D.

It's not a top 10 roster, but it should be a competitive one. Furthermore, the rest of the '24 picks (chernyshov, dick, etc) will be ready to step in in '26 or '27, and the Four top picks in '25 should be ready by '27 or '28. As such, the roster should be competitive in 25-26, and then continue to add good young players for another 2-4 years as '24 and '25 draftees mature.

I honestly see the sharks as having the best farm in the NHL, only to get even better next summer. I think how soon they become truly competitive depends almost exclusively on adding vet D. The farm is just not that deep there (dick is the only projected top pair, and hes a few years away). If Grier can land two 23+ min quality vet D to fill the gap and mentor the kids, the sharks should be good in '25-'26.

p.s.: Id take over 63 in the heartbeat for this coming season. I expect closer to 70 (30-42-10).

 

[The Nemesis]

Wheeler's pre-season top 32 for the draft (*PAYWALL*):

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5691406/2024/08/12/nhl-draft-2025-ranking-preseason-hagens/

Tier 1
1) James Hagens (C - NTDP/USHL)

Tier 2
2) Anton Frondell (C - Djurgarden /Swe J20)
3) Porter Martone (RW - Brampton/OHL)
4) Ivan Ryabkin (C - Dynamo Moscow/MHL)
5) Matthew Schaefer (LHD - Erie/OHL)
6) Michael Misa (C - Saginaw/OHL)
7) Roger McQueen (C - Brandon/WHL)
8) Logan Hensler (RHD - Wisconsin/NCAA)

Tier 3
9) Malcom Spence (LW - Erie/OHL)
10) Charlie Trethewey (RHD - NTDP/USHL)
11) William Moore (C - NTDP/USHL)
12) Cole Reschny (C - Victoria/WHL)

I wish I could remember exactly what Wheeler's tier definitions were. He doesn't include them in the article.

I think it's like:

Tier 1 = top shelf, franchise cornerstone
Tier 2 = Has a chance to be a star
Tier 3 = Should be an NHL player
Tier 4 = Has a chance to be an NHL player

but I can't be certain. It might be 5 tiers where the 5th is "has a chance to play games" and 4 is more like "can be an NHLer in some capacity" but I honestly don't know and trying to skim back through previous articles of his let me to find that he hasn't posted tier meanings in a little while.

Other interesting players (beyond what I listed they're all tier 4 or honorable mentions), with me paraphrasing what Wheeler wrote:

14) Radim Mrtka (RHD - Trinec/Extraliga) - towering 6'6 d-man who moves welland plays on both sides of the puck, but is quite raw.

18) Alex Huang (RHD - Chicoutimi/QMJHL) - dynamic offensive d-man who's considered a strong skater and smart player and a solid kid off the ice. Has defensive skills but hasn't put it together yet. Is a late birthday. This is one that Wheeler is bullish on, rating him higher than the general consensus.

23) Viktor Klingsell (LW - Skelleftea/Swe J20) - SKELLEFTEA! a bit undersized, but a slick playmaker and NHL caliber shooter. I also just think his name is fun.

26) Viktor Eklund (LW - Djurgarden/Allsvenskan) - William's younger brother. Should end up on the Swedish WJC squad this winter, he seems similar to his brother in that he's a slick skating and creative winger who cana handle the puck and move with agility and deftness. May not have William's upside but could be a solid bet to be a contributing NHLer in some capacity

27) Luka Radivojevic (RHD - Orebro/Swe J20) - Don't be thrown by the name/league combo, it's normal for talented Slovak prospects find developmental opportunities outside of their home country where the junior and pro level infrastructure isn't as developed and competitive as it is in one of the top tier hockey countries. The son of former NHLer (and all-time great hockey name) Branko Radivojevic. A gamble as an undersized offensive d-man who lacks explosive skating, but he just seems to be a smart, heady player who's always in the center of the action.

31) LJ Mooney (C - NTDP/USHL) - Possibly the most talented and complete player in the 2007 at the NTDP, he has a good shot, quick hands, agility and speed as a skater, and natural playmaking. So why is he down ranked at the end of the 1st round? Because he's 5'6 and 150 lbs. That's not a typo. You're gambling that he maybe grows a couple more inches (which still wouldn't make him a sure thing against men) and that his skill is elite enough to translate to the NHL and overcome the height deficiency

32) Cameron Schmidt (RW - Vancouver/WHL) - Yes, I've banged this drum for a while. At 5'8 and 157 he has some of the same questions that Mooney has. But he's also strong on his skates and while he wouldn't be able to initiate physical play the way he does in the NHL, the fact that he does and routinely holds his own against larger WHL opponents is a possible sign that he can handle himself in spite of his zie. A fantastic skater and dynamic with the puck, he broke Vancouver's record for goals by a 16-year-old (he had 31 in 59 games) and was on pace to possibly lead the team in scoring had he not missed games because of injury and the U18 championships. If nothing else he's just a super fun player to watch, usually good for at least one highlight reel offensive opportunity per game.

HM) Josh Ravensbergen (G - Prince George/WHL) - No Wheeler scouting report but he was a solid goalie as a 16-year old for the Cougars, which is rare in the WHL. He had even stolen the starting job by the time the playoffs began. I've seen his name mentioned as a possible 1st rounder if he continues to play well. Plus his name is fun and I think you've probably noticed by now that's an important criteria for me to anoint an interesting prospect

 

[DG93]

Wheeler's pre-season top 32 for the draft (*PAYWALL*):

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5691406/2024/08/12/nhl-draft-2025-ranking-preseason-hagens/

Tier 1
1) James Hagens (C - NTDP/USHL)

Tier 2
2) Anton Frondell (C - Djurgarden /Swe J20)
3) Porter Martone (RW - Brampton/OHL)
4) Ivan Ryabkin (C - Dynamo Moscow/MHL)
5) Matthew Schaefer (LHD - Erie/OHL)
6) Michael Misa (C - Saginaw/OHL)
7) Roger McQueen (C - Brandon/WHL)
8) Logan Hensler (RHD - Wisconsin/NCAA)

Tier 3
9) Malcom Spence (LW - Erie/OHL)
10) Charlie Trethewey (RHD - NTDP/USHL)
11) William Moore (C - NTDP/USHL)
12) Cole Reschny (C - Victoria/WHL)

I wish I could remember exactly what Wheeler's tier definitions were. He doesn't include them in the article.

I think it's like:

Tier 1 = top shelf, franchise cornerstone
Tier 2 = Has a chance to be a star
Tier 3 = Should be an NHL player
Tier 4 = Has a chance to be an NHL player

but I can't be certain. It might be 5 tiers where the 5th is "has a chance to play games" and 4 is more like "can be an NHLer in some capacity" but I honestly don't know and trying to skim back through previous articles of his let me to find that he hasn't posted tier meanings in a little while.

Other interesting players (beyond what I listed they're all tier 4 or honorable mentions), with me paraphrasing what Wheeler wrote:

14) Radim Mrtka (RHD - Trinec/Extraliga) - towering 6'6 d-man who moves welland plays on both sides of the puck, but is quite raw.

18) Alex Huang (RHD - Chicoutimi/QMJHL) - dynamic offensive d-man who's considered a strong skater and smart player and a solid kid off the ice. Has defensive skills but hasn't put it together yet. Is a late birthday. This is one that Wheeler is bullish on, rating him higher than the general consensus.

23) Viktor Klingsell (LW - Skelleftea/Swe J20) - SKELLEFTEA! a bit undersized, but a slick playmaker and NHL caliber shooter. I also just think his name is fun.

26) Viktor Eklund (LW - Djurgarden/Allsvenskan) - William's younger brother. Should end up on the Swedish WJC squad this winter, he seems similar to his brother in that he's a slick skating and creative winger who cana handle the puck and move with agility and deftness. May not have William's upside but could be a solid bet to be a contributing NHLer in some capacity

27) Luka Radivojevic (RHD - Orebro/Swe J20) - Don't be thrown by the name/league combo, it's normal for talented Slovak prospects find developmental opportunities outside of their home country where the junior and pro level infrastructure isn't as developed and competitive as it is in one of the top tier hockey countries. The son of former NHLer (and all-time great hockey name) Branko Radivojevic. A gamble as an undersized offensive d-man who lacks explosive skating, but he just seems to be a smart, heady player who's always in the center of the action.

31) LJ Mooney (C - NTDP/USHL) - Possibly the most talented and complete player in the 2007 at the NTDP, he has a good shot, quick hands, agility and speed as a skater, and natural playmaking. So why is he down ranked at the end of the 1st round? Because he's 5'6 and 150 lbs. That's not a typo. You're gambling that he maybe grows a couple more inches (which still wouldn't make him a sure thing against men) and that his skill is elite enough to translate to the NHL and overcome the height deficiency

32) Cameron Schmidt (RW - Vancouver/WHL) - Yes, I've banged this drum for a while. At 5'8 and 157 he has some of the same questions that Mooney has. But he's also strong on his skates and while he wouldn't be able to initiate physical play the way he does in the NHL, the fact that he does and routinely holds his own against larger WHL opponents is a possible sign that he can handle himself in spite of his zie. A fantastic skater and dynamic with the puck, he broke Vancouver's record for goals by a 16-year-old (he had 31 in 59 games) and was on pace to possibly lead the team in scoring had he not missed games because of injury and the U18 championships. If nothing else he's just a super fun player to watch, usually good for at least one highlight reel offensive opportunity per game.

HM) Josh Ravensbergen (G - Prince George/WHL) - No Wheeler scouting report but he was a solid goalie as a 16-year old for the Cougars, which is rare in the WHL. He had even stolen the starting job by the time the playoffs began. I've seen his name mentioned as a possible 1st rounder if he continues to play well. Plus his name is fun and I think you've probably noticed by now that's an important criteria for me to anoint an interesting prospect

So what you're saying is Schaefer at #2, Hensler #8 after Vegas implodes, and Victor Eklund falls to 34 like Chernyshov did?

 

[one2gamble]

So what you're saying is Schaefer at #2, Hensler #8 after Vegas implodes, and Victor Eklund falls to 34 like Chernyshov did?

Done and done

 

[The Nemesis]

So what you're saying is Schaefer at #2, Hensler #8 after Vegas implodes, and Victor Eklund falls to 34 like Chernyshov did?

Only if they can also get another late 1st or early second to also take Schmidt. He was my favorite player on the Giants last season and was generally worth the price of admission every night. Colton Roberts being a Shark now changes things a little, but I don't think he gets to take that crown away because he's interesting, but not necessarily exciting.

I'd also love Ravensbergen too because we need a goalie with strong upside and a solid name.

 

[mogambomoroo]

Schaefer,
Hensler/Trethewey
Ravensbergen
+
A decent Free Agency

= Sharks are really starting to cook for 25/26 season and beyond.

 

[matt trick]

Schaefer continuing to take a jump would be really ideal. Having a potential top pairing d-man (perhaps even a #1) to join Hagens (#1 center), Martone (elite winger), and Frondell (potential #1 center) would be sweet.

Unlike '24, the '25 draft is not must win, could even be a case to trade down for Schaefer or Martone. I think the sportsbooks have it right that San Jose will be bottom 3, and are the favorite for last. After an elite center, #1 d-men and premier power forwards are the two most difficult to acquire assets. PWFs are so rare that you don't build them into a rebuild plan like a #1 C and D.

Happy to see they gave Vegas as two points into the playoffs. Sportsbooks will be counting on an average injury year for Vegas, but if it is worse than average they could be in trouble. Would love to be in a position to trade up again.

If you believe Schaefer can be a number one guy, and Muk/Dickinson can be at least your 4/5 (ideally 2/3 or 3/4), you can spend assets/cap to grab two RHD to play with your young LHD. The Marino trade is a good example of this. A mid 1st in 2024 won't be solving a RHD problem until 2028/2029. Unfortunately, the RHD crop next UFA also aren't great. Ekblad, Theodore (LHS, plays RHD), and Fabbro are the only top 4 guys (potential in Fabbro's case). Ekblad and Theodore for different reasons would both be excellent fits, but will cost 7 years. They'll be good for 4 of those, and maybe serviceable but overpaid for one or two more.

Might be worth seeing if Ferraro can move to RHD. I'm in favour of moving him if a 1st is on the table at the deadline, but if he could successfully play RHD alongside Muk that would help the balance of the D.

 

[Celly4Celebrini]

are there any other teams with 2 1sts? IF Hagens is a Hughes level guy, id love to win the lotto and jump around to grab Schaefer AND Hensler using the Vegas pick and our 2nd (or deadline acquired 2nd).

I think the prospect polls show we have substantional depth now, and should be focused on trading quantity picks for quality picks when possible to upgrade the top level of the pool.

Dickinson-Hensler
Schaefer-xxx
Muk-Thompson

Looks like an elite D-core

 

[Juxtaposer]

Only if they can also get another late 1st or early second to also take Schmidt. He was my favorite player on the Giants last season and was generally worth the price of admission every night. Colton Roberts being a Shark now changes things a little, but I don't think he gets to take that crown away because he's interesting, but not necessarily exciting.

I'd also love Ravensbergen too because we need a goalie with strong upside and a solid name.

I wasn't hugely impressed with Schmidt at the Hlinka in terms of execution, but he's definitely talented and his skating is what you want to see from a 5'8" kid. I'll be curious how high he can go.

In terms of Wheeler's rankings, I think Frondell is a little high. He hasn't played in a while and from every report I've read it doesn't seem like he has elite offensive potential.

 

[Juxtaposer]

are there any other teams with 2 1sts? IF Hagens is a Hughes level guy, id love to win the lotto and jump around to grab Schaefer AND Hensler using the Vegas pick and our 2nd (or deadline acquired 2nd).

I think the prospect polls show we have substantional depth now, and should be focused on trading quantity picks for quality picks when possible to upgrade the top level of the pool.

Dickinson-Hensler
Schaefer-xxx
Muk-Thompson

Looks like an elite D-core

Several teams have multiple 1sts, but the ones that jump out are Chicago (theirs plus Toronto's), Philadelphia (theirs, Edmonton's, and Colorado's), Montreal (theirs and Florida's), and Calgary (theirs and NJ's). All those teams need a 1C like Hagens and could be interesting trade-down candidates if we land at 1 and they land at 2/3. I think it would take more than a late 1st to get it done, but there's at least a start.

 

[tiburon12]

Several teams have multiple 1sts, but the ones that jump out are Chicago (theirs plus Toronto's), Philadelphia (theirs, Edmonton's, and Colorado's), Montreal (theirs and Florida's), and Calgary (theirs and NJ's). All those teams need a 1C like Hagens and could be interesting trade-down candidates if we land at 1 and they land at 2/3. I think it would take more than a late 1st to get it done, but there's at least a start.

in this case, wouldn't it be better to trade Smith (assuming he's set on C) and keep Hagens? Trading away 1OA already bit this team before....

 

[Cas]

in this case, wouldn't it be better to trade Smith (assuming he's set on C) and keep Hagens? Trading away 1OA already bit this team before....

Or we keep Hagens (assuming he's BPA and we pick 1st, of course) and have three top-notch forwards on cheap/cheapish deals for a good time.

I can't see any reason to ever trade down from #1 unless you can get something like #2 and #3-5.

 

[sampler]

Or we keep Hagens (assuming he's BPA and we pick 1st, of course) and have three top-notch forwards on cheap/cheapish deals for a good time.

I can't see any reason to ever trade down from #1 unless you can get something like #2 and #3-5.

It all depends on the year. Most drafts, there is a clear consensus #1. But also usually a clear #2 (Eichel after Mcdavid for example). This year, there was a clear number one, but the #2-12 could go in almost any order. If Dick had gone second overall, it would have been a big surprise, but not a total shock. Many had picked silayev in the top 3, he went #10. Senneke in the early/mid teens, he goes 3. Yak as the lowest ranked of the 6 D and he goes 2nd behind Levshunov, ahead of Buium/dick/silayev/perekh)

Though hagens sure looks like the clear #1, by years end, who knows? and if #1 vs. #2 is not a big difference, trading it is just fine, particularly if your org needs are different and the payoff for trading down is very big. In 2022, many mock drafts had Shane Wright going first, but he ends up 4th. Perhaps, MTL coulda traded back to #2 or #3 (or 4) and still gotten Slafkosky and a nice pick package.

Using the trade value chart, dropping from #1 to #3 (say that's where the top D might be) is going down from 1000 to 602pts. That ~400 pts points is worth a 1st around #20 overall, an early 2nd (like 35th ish), and a later second like #50. In hindsight, you dont think MTL should have taken a package of 20th, 35th, and 50th overall to move from #1 to #3? Possibly, they get the same guy, and even if not, the difference between slaf and cooley/nemec/wright is not very big, so they get 3 added quality picks and lose little to nothing in terms of talent.

If the 2025 draft turns out similarly ambiguous as 2022, then absolutely be open to trade down to fill org needs. I would love a nice 5 to 6 top 2 round picks (#3/4 (US for a top D), #15 (VGK), #20 (for trading down), #34 (for trading down), #35 (our own), and #50 (trading down).

Or... even better.... the sharks could trade down to get a high quality NHL Dman.

Example: Say CHI sucks right with the sharks. Both finish bottom 3. Sharks win the lottery and CHI is 3rd.

You know Hagens is very likely gone 1 or 2 with martone. Top D likely goes #3 or 4. CHI has gotta prefer a top C to pair with Bedard. They already have levshunov #2 this year and Korchinsko 7th overall in 2022. They will want the forward.

They might be willing to move Seth Jones and toronto's 1st rounder (assuming its around #20), retaining 50% of jones. This would give the sharks the Best D in the draft, a 30 year old top pairing vet D for 3 years 4.75M per and an extra 1st rounder.

This would be the exact WIn-win I would want:

1. chicago gets their franchise C to play with Bedard. They also drop 4.75M in salary for three years for a player they are unlikely to need as they will not be ready to compete. Yes, they lose the #20ish pick, but they have a good farm already, and its a small price to pay for their #1 C, and they already have many high level young D in Vlasic, Korchinsky, and Levshunov (and possibly Kaiser)

2. Sharks get the best Dman in the draft to compliment Dickinson and co.. They get another 1st rounder along with VGK, and they get a top pairing vet D for a bargain price.

Obviously all of this is just fantasy land, but I could see something like this happening depending on how the year goes.

 

[Eklund72]

It all depends on the year. Most drafts, there is a clear consensus #1. But also usually a clear #2 (Eichel after Mcdavid for example). This year, there was a clear number one, but the #2-12 could go in almost any order. If Dick had gone second overall, it would have been a big surprise, but not a total shock. Many had picked silayev in the top 3, he went #10. Senneke in the early/mid teens, he goes 3. Yak as the lowest ranked of the 6 D and he goes 2nd behind Levshunov, ahead of Buium/dick/silayev/perekh)

Though hagens sure looks like the clear #1, by years end, who knows? and if #1 vs. #2 is not a big difference, trading it is just fine, particularly if your org needs are different and the payoff for trading down is very big. In 2022, many mock drafts had Shane Wright going first, but he ends up 4th. Perhaps, MTL coulda traded back to #2 or #3 (or 4) and still gotten Slafkosky and a nice pick package.

Using the trade value chart, dropping from #1 to #3 (say that's where the top D might be) is going down from 1000 to 602pts. That ~400 pts points is worth a 1st around #20 overall, an early 2nd (like 35th ish), and a later second like #50. In hindsight, you dont think MTL should have taken a package of 20th, 35th, and 50th overall to move from #1 to #3? Possibly, they get the same guy, and even if not, the difference between slaf and cooley/nemec/wright is not very big, so they get 3 added quality picks and lose little to nothing in terms of talent.

If the 2025 draft turns out similarly ambiguous as 2022, then absolutely be open to trade down to fill org needs. I would love a nice 5 to 6 top 2 round picks (#3/4 (US for a top D), #15 (VGK), #20 (for trading down), #34 (for trading down), #35 (our own), and #50 (trading down).

Or... even better.... the sharks could trade down to get a high quality NHL Dman.

Example: Say CHI sucks right with the sharks. Both finish bottom 3. Sharks win the lottery and CHI is 3rd.

You know Hagens is very likely gone 1 or 2 with martone. Top D likely goes #3 or 4. CHI has gotta prefer a top C to pair with Bedard. They already have levshunov #2 this year and Korchinsko 7th overall in 2022. They will want the forward.

They might be willing to move Seth Jones and toronto's 1st rounder (assuming its around #20), retaining 50% of jones. This would give the sharks the Best D in the draft, a 30 year old top pairing vet D for 3 years 4.75M per and an extra 1st rounder.

This would be the exact WIn-win I would want:

1. chicago gets their franchise C to play with Bedard. They also drop 4.75M in salary for three years for a player they are unlikely to need as they will not be ready to compete. Yes, they lose the #20ish pick, but they have a good farm already, and its a small price to pay for their #1 C, and they already have many high level young D in Vlasic, Korchinsky, and Levshunov (and possibly Kaiser)

2. Sharks get the best Dman in the draft to compliment Dickinson and co.. They get another 1st rounder along with VGK, and they get a top pairing vet D for a bargain price.

Obviously all of this is just fantasy land, but I could see something like this happening depending on how the year goes.

Not to nitpick but Bedard is a center. He is their franchise C

 

[tiburon12]

Not to nitpick but Bedard is a center. He is their franchise C

i assumed they were implying that Bedard is a generational C and CHI would get a franchise-caliber C as well

 

[sampler]

Not to nitpick but Bedard is a center. He is their franchise C

Nope, Im an idiot. Brain fart... I had him as a wing in my brain, until I remembered how poignantly he lined up with Sid the Kid to start the season (and lost the draw).

My bad!

I take it all back, let's take hagens if we can!

Celebrini- Smith- Hagens-Bystedt down the middle for 15 years. That sounds kinda fun!! Reminds me of Crosby-Malkin-Staal or Mcdavid-Draisaitle-RNH. I could get behind that

The wings dont look too shabby either with Eklund, zetterlund, Musty, Haltunnen, and Chernyshov.

And thats with ZERO UFA signings or trades for veteran talent.

(I will be watching the D development so closely this year. Obviously, Im anxious to see if any of emberson, thrun, or mukh step into a solid top 4 role. But I am also anxious to see how Pohlcamp does in denver, Cags,Thompson, Laraque, and Furlong with the cuda. Even how LSW and Havelid do in Sweden.... Add in Dickinson, and there are at least 12 potential NHL D in the system. We only need 2 to become clear top 4 guys, and maybe one more to play a bottom pair role... This is te obvious one weakness, so I will be very curious to see how things play out this year)

 

[gaucholoco3]

Not to nitpick but Bedard is a center. He is their franchise C

I’m sorry but Bedard should not be a C. If he is your 1C you will never win a championship. He should be playing on the wing.

I would rather have Celebrini over Bedard any day.

 

[Juxtaposer]

in this case, wouldn't it be better to trade Smith (assuming he's set on C) and keep Hagens? Trading away 1OA already bit this team before....

Sure, if someone is trading the 2nd or 3rd overall pick for Will Smith. But unless someone is doing that then it doesn't really help us with our "not having a 1D issue".

 

[Gecklund]

I’m sorry but Bedard should not be a C. If he is your 1C you will never win a championship. He should be playing on the wing.

I would rather have Celebrini over Bedard any day.

Bedard is absolutely a C. Laughable you think otherwise. If guys like Jack Hughes are Cs then so is Bedard

 

[Hodge]

Bedard is absolutely a C. Laughable you think otherwise. If guys like Jack Hughes are Cs then so is Bedard

Jack Hughes is also not a center. Hagens probably won't be either. How many legit 5'10 centers have there ever been?

 

[Gecklund]

Jack Hughes is also not a center. Hagens probably won't be either. How many legit 5'10 centers have there ever been?

Welp Id suggest you watch a devils games then. Not gonna argue with someone that’s clearly never seen Jack Hughes play apart from maybe his rookie year.