2025 NHL Draft: Lose a ton for Porter Martone

[Gecklund]

watch Eklund make us single-handedly go on a streak to get his brother

This years Noah gregor

 

[hohosaregood]

For the draft people, what's up with scoring in the WHL these days? It seems like the last 2-3 years, it's been very normal for the top chunk of players to have a 1.5-2 PPG rate. You'd think that these are elite prospects but they're not particularly special players doing it. Is it becoming a weaker league?

 

[Juxtaposer]

For the draft people, what's up with scoring in the WHL these days? It seems like the last 2-3 years, it's been very normal for the top chunk of players to have a 1.5-2 PPG rate. You'd think that these are elite prospects but they're not particularly special players doing it. Is it becoming a weaker league?

I think the parity of all three CHL leagues is getting worse. By which I mean that the best players are a lot better than the worst players. But BC has also been the best source of hockey talent for the last five or so years, for what it's worth.

 

[Hodge]

Jack Murtagh - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Jack Murtagh, 2007-08-22 East Greenbush, NY, USA USA. Most recently in the NTDP with U.S. National U18 Team. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Forgive me if there's already been a discussion about this kid but is he a good option with the Dallas pick? He meets the most important criteria.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Jack Murtagh - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Jack Murtagh, 2007-08-22 East Greenbush, NY, USA USA. Most recently in the NTDP with U.S. National U18 Team. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Forgive me if there's already been a discussion about this kid but is he a good option with the Dallas pick? He meets the most important criteria.

Without even checking, I just know he's going to BU.

I've mentioned a Murtagh as someone I'd be quite interested in at 33 if there isn't a good RD available. He's my favorite of the NTDP guys. Decent size, good shot.

 

[JotAlan]

Who has the biggest floor? and the biggest ceiling? Smith or Misa?
Supposing we only had Celebrini and we needed to choose Misa or Smith, who would you choose (Of course based on the information we have on both in their draft years)?

 

[gaucholoco3]

Who has the biggest floor? and the biggest ceiling? Smith or Misa?
Supposing we only had Celebrini and we needed to choose Misa or Smith, who would you choose (Of course based on the information we have on both in their draft years)?

I would choose Smith. Once we got Celebrini I felt that Smith is the perfect complement to him. Smith can feast in a sheltered scoring 2C role and I would want his offensive upside over Misa.

 

[coooldude]

Who has the biggest floor? and the biggest ceiling? Smith or Misa?
Supposing we only had Celebrini and we needed to choose Misa or Smith, who would you choose (Of course based on the information we have on both in their draft years)?

I'll be really curious to hear others' POVs.

Personally I think they're such different players that it's hard to evaluate just on floor/ceiling.

I've heard Misa comped now as: Seguin, Couture with + skating, other ceilings that are exciting. I personally see a bit of Marleau in the game - some size, speed, a bit of an all rounder game, leaves something to be desired at times in the "spikiness" although he has shown to be a pretty good finisher at his level. Maybe his ceiling is as a great versatile 2C or a very good scoring wing with a Celebrini/Smith. Maybe his floor is a less exciting 2C or middle 6 consistent guy who can do it all.

Smith, you've got all the insane comps (Kane, Kucherov), but maybe stylistically appropriate (makes bread on IQ and killer instincts and puck skills, but not on skating)... and the floor is, bounces around the league trying to find a home as a top 6 scoring forward and PP guy and doesn't bring a whole lot else consistently.

Luckily we don't have to choose between the two... I personally might lean Misa but it doesn't matter. I'm glad Smith is showing flashes this year, and despite his struggles, he still has all the upside he had at the draft as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I'd lean Misa over Smith, if I had a choice, but it would be really close.

 

[vortexy]

I would also lean Misa over Smith by the smallest of margins as I believe Misa is safer to project as a true Center and be our 2C behind Celebrini compared to Smith. However, I believe Smith has the higher ceiling while Misa has the higher floor.

 

[Great Makohead Shork]

Misa vs Smith is an fun one.

Obviously all of our young guys are far from finished products, which imo applies doubly for Smith. His vision and IQ are elite. It's his skating, strength and conditioning that need work. GMMG has mentioned many times that he loves Smith's compete. This is a player that will work on his deficiencies—some of which will naturally improve with age, like strength.

From the few games I've watched of him, Misa's IQ was impressive, as well. He knew when to make a pass, when to take a hit to make a play, and had limited boneheaded mistakes. Also love his skating. While his vision isn't as impressive as Smith's, his physical tools are more attractive. For that reason, I'd also give him a slight edge on floor. That said, Smith's floor is higher than many give him credit for.

Both players have 1st line potential but I'm a Smith homer so I'll give the edge to him. Also because I like his vision a touch more. But mostly because I'm a homer. I mean, comon' did you just see him run that PP against the Habs?

 

[JotAlan]

the Misa x Smith discussion is becoming interesting. Does anyone know how to create a voting thread? so we can have a better idea of who the majority prefers

 

[Chinaski89]

This years Noah gregor

Gregor did us a solid it turns out as Celebrini is better than Bedard… If we had Bedard last year no way we get Celly.

Thank you, Noah!

 

[Gecklund]

Gregor did us a solid it turns out as Celebrini is better than Bedard… If we had Bedard last year no way we get Celly.

Thank you, Noah!

We wouldn’t have won the lottery either but we would have had Fantilli over Smith which I can’t complain about either way. Both look great this year when playing with good linemates and not so great when playing with bad linemates.

 

[pspete]

For the draft people, what's up with scoring in the WHL these days? It seems like the last 2-3 years, it's been very normal for the top chunk of players to have a 1.5-2 PPG rate. You'd think that these are elite prospects but they're not particularly special players doing it. Is it becoming a weaker league?

The WHL has 22 teams vs the OHL at 20 teams so the league is more diluted.

For the 2026 draft, however, the WHL looks better than the OHL right now