The league definitely made sure the sharks got the #1 pick in 2024 and are also DEFINITELY going to make sure they don't get the #1 pick in 2025 no matter how bad the team isWe are going to debate what to do with the #1 pick 300 times before actually getting the #3 pick in the draft. And I'm honestly here for it.
The cool thing is that there are three players whom I like almost equally as much in Hagens, Martone, and Schaefer. So long as we finish last, and we are going to, I'm happy however the ping pong balls fall. There are no bad options in the top-3 this year, unlike last year where it truly was Celebrini or bust.We are going to debate what to do with the #1 pick 300 times before actually getting the #3 pick in the draft. And I'm honestly here for it.
I'm not convinced we will finish last again. Montreal, Columbus, Chicago, Calgary, even Anaheim are all within striking distance.The cool thing is that there are three players whom I like almost equally as much in Hagens, Martone, and Schaefer. So long as we finish last, and we are going to, I'm happy however the ping pong balls fall. There are no bad options in the top-3 this year, unlike last year where it truly was Celebrini or bust.
I guess if guys like Bedard/Vlasic, Carlsson/McTavish/Mintyukov, or Fantilli/Werenski have major injuries like they'd did last year and we stay healthy, it's possible. I think Columbus is the most likely other than us to finish last.I'm not convinced we will finish last again. Montreal, Columbus, Chicago, Calgary, even Anaheim are all within striking distance.
Habs have a similarly weak roster to ours. Suzuki and Caufield probably won't be that much better than Granlund and Toffoli in 2024-25 but we should get more out of our young core of Celebrini, Eklund and Smith than they do out of Slaf, Dach and Newhook. Neither team has a legit top pair defenseman or starting goalie.I guess if guys like Bedard/Vlasic, Carlsson/McTavish/Mintyukov, or Fantilli/Werenski have major injuries like they'd did last year and we stay healthy, it's possible. I think Columbus is the most likely other than us to finish last.
It also depends on how good Celebrini and Smith are out of the gate. If Celebrini scores 70 and Smith scores 50, then this team has legs. Or if Blackwood wins a Vezina, I suppose. I don't think any of that is likely, but it's not impossible.
It's just hard to look at a team with average goaltending, an average top-9 forward age of like 22, and a top pairing of Jake Walman and Jan Rutta and see anything but the worst team in the league. I'd put money on it if I were a betting person.
The cool thing is that there are three players whom I like almost equally as much in Hagens, Martone, and Schaefer. So long as we finish last, and we are going to, I'm happy however the ping pong balls fall. There are no bad options in the top-3 this year, unlike last year where it truly was Celebrini or bust.
I'll give you Toffoli over Caufield but I don't agree with the rest. Suzuki is a legit low-end 1C whom I like a lot and would comfortably take over two Granlunds. I like Celebrini/Smith/Eklund over Slafkovsky/Dach/Newhook long-term, obviously, but I don't think they're better next season. And even if they don't have a legit top pairing, they at least have several top-4 guys between Matheson, Guhle, and maybe even Hutson. We have maaaybe one top-4 guy in Walman and that's not for sure.Habs have a similarly weak roster to ours. Suzuki and Caufield probably won't be that much better than Granlund and Toffoli in 2024-25 but we should get more out of our young core of Celebrini, Eklund and Smith than they do out of Slaf, Dach and Newhook. Neither team has a legit top pair defenseman or starting goalie.
We have respectable forward depth and 6 NHL defensemen. If Blackwood or Askarov has a good season, or Warsofsky's system helps limit chances against, we could finish 29th or 30th. I'm not expecting much higher than that.
A smurf who just set the record for most points ever in the U18sI'd pass on the smurf when there's a big power winger and potential #1D available.
Why?2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Preseason top 40
James Hagens, Porter Martone and Matthew Schaefer are among the top names hoping to get selected next June.www.dailyfaceoff.com
Nothing earth shattering. I do disagree that Hagens would have had a chance to go #1 if he was born a few months earlier. I think Celebrini is better...
Suzuki and Cole are miles ahead of Granlund and Toffoli not to mention they're JUST entering their primes now. Tyler has only had one season greater than the seasons Nick and Cole had last year and Granlund only two. Slaf will out produce Eklund and Celebrini while Newhook may very well double what Smith does. They have a core of players already in their early twenties while the guys mentioned are either in their teens or in their thirties (With the exception of Eklund). I expect those Montreal players to outperform but that's not a talent thing, but an age and experience thing.Habs have a similarly weak roster to ours. Suzuki and Caufield probably won't be that much better than Granlund and Toffoli in 2024-25 but we should get more out of our young core of Celebrini, Eklund and Smith than they do out of Slaf, Dach and Newhook. Neither team has a legit top pair defenseman or starting goalie.
We have respectable forward depth and 6 NHL defensemen. If Blackwood or Askarov has a good season, or Warsofsky's system helps limit chances against, we could finish 29th or 30th. I'm not expecting much higher than that.