2025 NHL DRAFT Overagers to Watch

[neelynugs]

didn't see this thread for 2025, but curious to hear about some of your favorites so far.

i haven't had much time to watch yet, but daniel nieminen was a guy i liked last year and seems to be doing well.

 

[BKarchitect]

This always ends up being an awesome thread, thanks for starting it.

If teams can overlook his size a bit (and it's not like he's 5-8), gotta imagine Jamiro Reber has a chance? He's less than two weeks from being first-time eligible and he's over 0.50 PPG in the SHL. Granted early on and his team isn't good so maybe he doesn't get this chance elsewhere but he seems to be making the most of it.

Alex Zetterberg, who Central Scouting had at #30 for 2024 and was in basically everybody's top 100 has a great size problem but as a true 18 year-old freshman in Boston, adapting to North America - he's off to a solid start with 2 goals, 3 points and +1 in 5 games. Maybe continued strong adaption to North America boosts his chances? Or maybe being 5-8 just continues to make him DND...

Luke Mistelbacher seems an obvious mention out of the WHL at almost 2 PPG and ok size.

 

[Briser la glace]

I have not watched any overagers yet, but I have a few ones on my watchlist :


Kristian Epperson, LW, 5'11" (OHL, former USNTDP)
17 pts in 12 GP (with Saginaw..)
Epperson has a bunch of NHL skills linked together by an intelligent off-puck game. He instantly fires off the catch, finds teammates as they pop into the slot, drives inside from the cycle, and deceives opponents. Give-and-goes, changes of pace, and well-timed dashes into space combined with these skills give Epperson complete control over the game for shifts at a time.
-EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide

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Seth Fryer, RHD, 6'7" (WHL)
As soon as Fryer gets the puck, he’s looking to make a play. He makes some high-level reads, such as a fake shot into a pass across the slot or deceiving the forecheck to slip a pass straight up the middle. He activates when possible and moves through pass receptions to beat defenders into space. He even tries more advanced lateral stop-start and manipulation play.
-EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide
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Alex Zetterberg, Tomas Galvas, Daniil Ustinkov, Aidan Park and Topias Hynninen are probably the five "biggest names".

 

[Eye of Ra]

David Granberg

 

[landy92mack29]

Guys to watch in the WHL:
Shane Smith
Bryce Pickford
Alex Worthington
Ben Riche
Rowan Calvert
Dominik Petr
Quinn Mantei
Luke Mistelbacher
Grayson Burzynski
Mazden Leslie
Jesse Heslop
Jesse Sanche
Austin Zemlak

Pickford, Riche, Mistelbacher, Burzynski and Leslie main 5

 

[cole33]

Guys to watch in the WHL:
Shane Smith
Bryce Pickford
Miroslav Holinka
Alex Worthington
Ben Riche
Rowan Calvert
Dominik Petr
Quinn Mantei
Luke Mistelbacher
Grayson Burzynski
Mazden Leslie
Jesse Heslop
Jesse Sanche
Austin Zemlak

Pickford, Riche, Mistelbacher, Burzynski and Leslie main 5

Holinka was drafted by the leafs in the 5th round last year

 

[B17 Apricots]

Magomed Sharakanov is very high up the overage list for me. Last year of eligibility. Thought he easily should've been a pick last year. Really became a force in the VHL as he gained a larger role as the season progressed. Handling the KHL well this year. Team's love defenders that have that sort of size, hands and skating ability.

 

[kayhud]

In my opinion, Topias Hynninen is the overager to watch, with Luke Mistelbacher and Alex Zetterberg next up.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I'm curious if someone will take a flyer on G Kam Hendrickson.

 

[rt]

Arsen Taimazov

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I would consider the following players:

Alex Zetterberg (Boston Univ)
He may end up getting drafted late but I think he’ll likely be a free agent signing. I’m interested to see how we will advance in BU’s lineup. He’s currently on the 4th line.

Sam Laurila (Fargo Force)
Played on the USNTDP last year and I’ve really liked his game. He makes good decisions with the puck and is able to make a lot of heads up plays. He looks great for Fargo this year and would be a guy I would consider late in the draft.

Will Vote (Boston College)
I love this player. I have always loved Vote’s game despite his size. He plays smart, works hard, and is a good complimentary winger. I would’ve drafted Vote in his draft year and still feel the same. If you read through his thread, I must be one of his biggest supporters lol

Jamiro Reber (HV71)
Was barely eligible for the draft last year and was overlooked after two unproductive WCJs. Reber is playing in the SHL this year and is currently at half a point a game. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he gets drafted and I think he is the most likely to get drafted out of the players listed.

 

[JuJu Mobb]

Zetterberg was invited to Habs development camp this year.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montr...berg-showcases-skill-at-habs-development-camp

His size is obviously a problem, but the skills is there.

 

[emptyNedder]

Think Liam Danielson could get a look. Played with Zetterberg and Canucks 3rd rounder Melvin Fernstrom last season. In 23/24 led Swedish junior league in assists.

 

[Gazewithin]

Think Liam Danielson could get a look. Played with Zetterberg and Canucks 3rd rounder Melvin Fernstrom last season. In 23/24 led Swedish junior league in assists.

Really surprised both him and Zetterberg went undrafted. I know Fernström is bigger, but I have no clue how you can watch these three and come away with the conclusion that one is a third rounder and the others are not even worthy a late pick. Especially because while all three obviously are a long shot to make the NHL, Danielsson and Zetterberg have more to offer if they were to make it.

 

[frontsfan67]

Not sure if this guy has been mentioned but Anthony Christoforo (D) on Windsor should get drafted in the mid rounds

 

[Kshahdoo]

Magomed Sharakanov is very high up the overage list for me. Last year of eligibility. Thought he easily should've been a pick last year. Really became a force in the VHL as he gained a larger role as the season progressed. Handling the KHL well this year. Team's love defenders that have that sort of size, hands and skating ability.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Gavin Garland, Tri City Americans, WHL

 

[BKarchitect]

Is Tanner Adams a viable draft prospect as a double overager? A bit surprised he didn’t get selected last season after an impressive true 18 year-old season with Providence.

All he is doing this season is pacing at a PPG, and that’s with Trevor Connelly just coming back. He’s just barely 19 as well, he was young for his original 2023 draft class. Not tall but he’s now very sturdily built and seems to be a dual-threat on the offensive zone.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Is Tanner Adams a viable draft prospect as a double overager? A bit surprised he didn’t get selected last season after an impressive true 18 year-old season with Providence.

All he is doing this season is pacing at a PPG, and that’s with Trevor Connelly just coming back. He’s just barely 19 as well, he was young for his original 2023 draft class. Not tall but he’s now very sturdily built and seems to be a dual-threat on the offensive zone.

Considering Copponi was drafted as a D+2 after a successful season at Merrimack, it's possible, but we'll see with Adams.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Is Tanner Adams a viable draft prospect as a double overager? A bit surprised he didn’t get selected last season after an impressive true 18 year-old season with Providence.

All he is doing this season is pacing at a PPG, and that’s with Trevor Connelly just coming back. He’s just barely 19 as well, he was young for his original 2023 draft class. Not tall but he’s now very sturdily built and seems to be a dual-threat on the offensive zone.

I was expecting him to be drafted his first time around and he’s only helped himself since, so each time he doesn’t get picked surprises me.

 

[Briser la glace]

I'm adding a name to the conversation : Quinn Kennedy (Rimouski, QMJHL, 2006).

I've watched Rimouski live three times this season, and he was their best player behind Cataford every single game (he scored in every game, so I may be biased). He plays with high pace and has a very good shot. I could see him get a chance as a call-up energy player in the future. (EDIT: although his production is really not impressive)

Kennedy can attack downhill on the power play, firing the puck as he drags it around his opponents’ sticks. His shots beat goalies before they can get set. He can also fire directly off passes from the high slot or deflect them in with a soft touch of his stick. And he’s a master of the odd angles releases. -EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide

 

[Kshahdoo]

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/779983/mario-patalakha

 

[neelynugs]

bumping this one with midseason rankings about to pop from a bunch of spots.

players i've liked:

kristian epperson
david granberg
petteri rimpinen
sam laurila
anthony cristoforo
daniel nieminen
caeden herrington
kam hendrickson
topias hynninen
jamiro reber
francesco dell'elce

who else have people liked so far?

 

[Czechboy]

Galvas would be the highest top end Czech one but he's 150lbs and plays D. He is showing up on lots of lists though! Button has him in top 50 for instance. He's worth a 6th round pick dammit.

Dominik Petr, Marek Zidlicky are 2 more I'd add. Mastalarisky would also be worth considering as a bottom 6 PK specialist type.

 

[Hinterland]

bumping this one with midseason rankings about to pop from a bunch of spots.

players i've liked:

kristian epperson
david granberg
petteri rimpinen
sam laurila
anthony cristoforo
daniel nieminen
caeden herrington
kam hendrickson
topias hynninen
jamiro reber
francesco dell'elce

who else have people liked so far?

Ludvig Johnson has been dominant and by far Switzerland's best player at the WJC20. He outplayed Capitals prospect Leon Muggli with Zug as well, took his spot on the top pairing with Lukas Bengtsson and just scored his 2nd NL goal, a gamewinner late in the 3rd. Has three assists as well after dominating the U20 elite league. I wonder if he might sneak into draft.