2025 NHL Draft: Lose a ton for Porter Martone

[sampler]

I think they use the picks this year to draft guys. They may use next year's EDM 1st and avs 2nd to add guys. I also think who they draft with the dallas pick and their own 2nd (and ottawa's) depends on the lottery. If they get Schaefer, I expect they will look for another 1 or 2 hulking wingers. They have musty, cherny, haltunnen. Lund is respectable. But, I think he would want another 1 or 2 6'3, 6'4 power wingers to flank smith and celly, and then maybe one more larger, defense first D.

If they lose the lottery, they take Misa. If they lose twice, they take Martone or McQueen. if they end up with a forward on picks 2-4, then I expect two larger D with DAL and ours. Fiddler, Boumedienne... I don't think Hensler, Smith, Mrtka fall anywhere near that far.

I really think the draft strategy with picks 30, 33, and 49 (ish) depends on pick 1-4. The top priorities will be SIZE on D, then SIZE at wing. Then maybe a center or two, though with Smith and Celly at 1-2, and Ostapchuk and Bystedt set up for 3-4, I dont see alot of reason to focus up the middle unless a guy who can play C or W unexpectedly falls.

Three other interesting possibilities:
1. If they lose out on Schaefer and Misa, I could also see them trade down from 3/4 and grab Smith or Mrtka in the 6-8 range. I would very much doubt this as Martone fits the hulking power winger mold, so I would still expect that pick.

2. if they lose out on Schaefer or Misa, they pick martone/mcqueen. Then, watch the draft carefully. If any of Hensler, Smith, or Mrtka drops to 20, they package the ottawa second with the dallas pick to move up 8-10 slots and grab one. if no one falls, they might even package a 3rd to move up 5 or so slots to grab Fiddler/Boumedienne in that #20-25 range. Then, package the ottawa 2nd and our second to grab the other in the #25 range too. Martone, Fiddler, Boumedienne would be a nice haul from the first three rounds in the event we miss out on the bigger prizes. This would be a worst case situation.

 

[WSS11]

Boston is definitely tearing down. Which would maybe mean, target Hampus Lindholm? Could start with DAL 1st + Musty + something

He’s 31.

 

[NiWa]

We currently hold SJS #1, DAL#28, SJS #33, OTT #51.

In 2024, 23 Ds (12 LHD, 11 RHD) were drafted in the first two rounds. In 2023, it was 16 Ds (8 LHD, 8 RHD).
The below group of 15 is likely to follow their foot steps in 2025.

Given the ranges where they currently reside on public scouting lists, who do you believe are the highest value relative to acquisition cost? (let's exclude Schaefer given he's already been discussed in detail)

1-2 Schaefer (6'1, LHD)
6-12 Smith (6'3, LHD)
8-14 Mrtka (6'6, RHD)
8-22 Aitcheson (6'2, LHD)
10-24 Hensler (6'2, RHD)
10-26 Reid (5'12, LHD)
18-26 Fiddler (6'4, RHD)
19-42 Brzustewicz (6'2, RHD)
24-46 Boumedienne (6'1, LHD)
32-46 Tretheway (6'1, RHD)
29-58 Wang (6'6, LHD)
27-57 Amico (6'5, RHD)
36-69 Limatov (6'3, LHD)
29-64 Hamilton (6'0, LHD)
40-74 Huang (6'0, RHD)

There were a few more on McKenzie's list in the 2nd rounder range:

1. Kettles (6'5, RHD)
2. Vass (6'2, LHD)
3. Psenicka (6'4, RHD)
4. Bedkowski (6'5, RHD)
5. Rombach (6'6, LHD)

 

[Friday]

We currently hold SJS #1, DAL#28, SJS #33, OTT #51.

In 2024, 23 Ds (12 LHD, 11 RHD) were drafted in the first two rounds. In 2023, it was 16 Ds (8 LHD, 8 RHD).
The below group of 15 is likely to follow their foot steps in 2025.

Given the ranges where they currently reside on public scouting lists, who do you believe are the highest value relative to acquisition cost? (let's exclude Schaefer given he's already been discussed in detail)

1-2 Schaefer (6'1, LHD)
6-12 Smith (6'3, LHD)
8-14 Mrtka (6'6, RHD)
8-22 Aitcheson (6'2, LHD)
10-24 Hensler (6'2, RHD)
10-26 Reid (5'12, LHD)
18-26 Fiddler (6'4, RHD)
19-42 Brzustewicz (6'2, RHD)
24-46 Boumedienne (6'1, LHD)
32-46 Tretheway (6'1, RHD)
29-58 Wang (6'6, LHD)
27-57 Amico (6'5, RHD)
36-69 Limatov (6'3, LHD)
29-64 Hamilton (6'0, LHD)
40-74 Huang (6'0, RHD)

There were a few more on McKenzie's list in the 2nd rounder range:

1. Kettles (6'5, RHD)
2. Vass (6'2, LHD)
3. Psenicka (6'4, RHD)
4. Bedkowski (6'5, RHD)
5. Rombach (6'6, LHD)

Dickinson and Schaefer could Celebrini and Smith a baby blue line in 26/27. Sharks have enough fodder to feasibly move up for any of those RHD they target. Even more so if Hensler is going to fall into that 10-20 range

 

[Gecklund]

We currently hold SJS #1, DAL#28, SJS #33, OTT #51.

In 2024, 23 Ds (12 LHD, 11 RHD) were drafted in the first two rounds. In 2023, it was 16 Ds (8 LHD, 8 RHD).
The below group of 15 is likely to follow their foot steps in 2025.

Given the ranges where they currently reside on public scouting lists, who do you believe are the highest value relative to acquisition cost? (let's exclude Schaefer given he's already been discussed in detail)

1-2 Schaefer (6'1, LHD)
6-12 Smith (6'3, LHD)
8-14 Mrtka (6'6, RHD)
8-22 Aitcheson (6'2, LHD)
10-24 Hensler (6'2, RHD)
10-26 Reid (5'12, LHD)
18-26 Fiddler (6'4, RHD)
19-42 Brzustewicz (6'2, RHD)
24-46 Boumedienne (6'1, LHD)
32-46 Tretheway (6'1, RHD)
29-58 Wang (6'6, LHD)
27-57 Amico (6'5, RHD)
36-69 Limatov (6'3, LHD)
29-64 Hamilton (6'0, LHD)
40-74 Huang (6'0, RHD)

There were a few more on McKenzie's list in the 2nd rounder range:

1. Kettles (6'5, RHD)
2. Vass (6'2, LHD)
3. Psenicka (6'4, RHD)
4. Bedkowski (6'5, RHD)
5. Rombach (6'6, LHD)

I think it depends on if we get Schaefer or not. If we do then I’d love to see the sharks trade up for Hensler (who I think goes a lot closer to 10 than 24) but there’s plenty of other guys that I like their potential. I like Fiddler and I like Boumedienne (although I hope we don’t take him cause typing his name out is more annoying than Mukhammadulin)

 

[Jargon]

A Schaefer/Hensler 1st round feels like a massive success. You basically have your top 4 of the future done (Schaefer - Hensler / Dickinson- Muhk or whatever). Though I still love Jux’s pipe dream of somehow getting baby Eklund.

 

[Hodge]

A Schaefer/Hensler 1st round feels like a massive success. You basically have your top 4 of the future done (Schaefer - Hensler / Dickinson- Muhk or whatever). Though I still love Jux’s pipe dream of somehow getting baby Eklund.

Even Schaefer + Fiddler would be a great haul, seems more likely he'll be available with the Dallas pick than Hensler. Then we could grab a big forward like Nesbitt or Ihs-Wozniak with our 2nd.

 

[Jargon]

Even Schaefer + Fiddler would be a great haul, seems more likely he'll be available with the Dallas pick than Hensler. Then we could grab a big forward like Nesbitt or Ihs-Wozniak with our 2nd.

Makes me think that there are enough good options with that Dallas pick that Grier won’t trade it unless it’s for a big piece.

 

[Groo]

Schaefer/ Misa
Nesbitt
Brokowski

 

[Groo]

...

 

[sampler]

I think it depends on if we get Schaefer or not. If we do then I’d love to see the sharks trade up for Hensler (who I think goes a lot closer to 10 than 24) but there’s plenty of other guys that I like their potential. I like Fiddler and I like Boumedienne (although I hope we don’t take him cause typing his name out is more annoying than Mukhammadulin)

I think if we get schaefer, they will look to add big wingers with 30 and 33, unless one of the top D unexpectedly falls. I think the trade of zetterlund means that the forward ranks still need reinforcements. if they do pick schaefer, then I think the D is far more set with Mukh, Dick, Schaefer. Then, its a competition between cagnoni, pohlcamp, LSW etc for the depth spots or likely package one or more plus '26 picks for an external top 4D.

The long term Forwards, however, remain a bit unfilled, specifically on the wing. He clearly likes Cell-Smith-Ostapchuk-Bystedt as 1-2-3-4C. But the wings have Eklund, Graf, and then Musty, Haltunnen, Chernyshov, Cardwell, Lund. But its a tough play to bet too much on those prospects all paning out and becoming top 9 wingers. I could see maybe 3-4 of them becoming clear top 9 guys, but we need 6, so we could use one or two more higher end prospects with size just in case.

This is why I think:
1. win lottery: pick schaefer, then add forwards with size. Nesbitt, Zonnon...
2. Lose lottery: take Misa (2nd) or Martone (3rd). Then use 30,33,49 (trade up?) to add D with size: Fiddler, Boumedienne, Hensler
3. Also possible: Win lottery, pick schaefer, then trade ottawa 2nd rounder to move up to get another D (Fiddler, Boumedienne, Hensler), and still land a big forward at #33.

This way, whatever happens with the lottery, we come away with either a surefire top 4D and two good forward prospects, a surefire top 6F and two good D prospects, or a surefire top 4D, another good D prospect, and still another 1st round level forward who unexpectedly falls, ala cherny.

Either way, you fill in the remaining prospect holes for the core. Feels like the 2025 draft, if done well, should complete the deck for the future of the franchise. By the end of this draft, if we use the picks to draft, we should have 3 of the top 4D set. The top 4C, and three sets of wings, all aged 18-23.

Then, after the draft, start signing UFA's to way overpriced 1-2 year deals to buy time. Hope not to suck, but if you do, then trade said UFAs (use the retention slot) for more '26 picks. Then, use our top 10 pick to add another piece and trade other draft capital to fill in holes, like top 4D. I expect '25-26 will be rough again, but '26-27 might be interesting as smith, celly, and ek are in years 3/4. Cherny, musty, haltunnen, lund, dick, pohlcamp will all be pros. LSW and Landen may too. Askarov will be in his second full NHL year. the '25 1st pick (schaefer/misa/martone) will likely be going pro.

bascially, the cupboard stacking of the last 3 years will finally be pro. So, hopefully, just one more year to wait for respectability as '25-26 is the rookie development year for Shcaefer/Misa, dick, musty, cherny, haltunnen, lund, and cardwell. Of course Cagnoni remains a wild card as well....

 

[Star Platinum]

I think it depends on if we get Schaefer or not. If we do then I’d love to see the sharks trade up for Hensler (who I think goes a lot closer to 10 than 24) but there’s plenty of other guys that I like their potential. I like Fiddler and I like Boumedienne (although I hope we don’t take him cause typing his name out is more annoying than Mukhammadulin)

I think trading up is going to be very difficult in this draft. Everyone knows that the quality falls off fast. I think the picks are more likely to be used to acquire vets than to move up into the middle of the first round somewhere.

 

[Gecklund]

I think trading up is going to be very difficult in this draft. Everyone knows that the quality falls off fast. I think the picks are more likely to be used to acquire vets than to move up into the middle of the first round somewhere.

That’s why I’m thinking if we trade up it’s a packed of DAL 1 and EDM 1 next year

 

[Juxtaposer]

I have a strong desire to move into the 18-20 range. Someone like Spence, Hensler, Fiddler, Cootes, or even better will be available. The high-end skill drops off at like 5 or 6, but there are a lot of high-floor middle-six/middle-pairing grinder types with size that project as useful players. Past ~20 it's all small skill guys and long-shots.

Schaefer
Misa
Hagens
Martone
Eklund

Smith
Frondell
Bear
McQueen
Mrtka
Desnoyers

O'Brien
Hensler
Martin
Fiddler
Spence
Lakovic
Cootes
Reid