HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[NotProkofievian]

Maybe I am underrating this year draft class but it seems that outside the top 4, most top prospects are projected to become middle of the lineup players or bottom 6. I do not say that as bad thing, it just seem like some important players will be drafted but not in the higher end of potential or talent. Is this accurate?

Seems to me like a year where NHLe will do well.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I've been keeping an eye on him for a while. Still super raw at this point and he needs a lot of work on some aspects, but he has Protas type potential. He'll need time though, like Protas did. The CHL then NCAA route could be a solid option.

I wonder if you draft someone out of CHL, they play one more year in CHL then go to NCAA does that mean we still only have one more year of their rights?

For CHL drafted players rights are only for 2 years, but NCAA & Euro is 4 years.

I don't think NHL has made any kind of statement on that.

If Misa gets drafted then goes NCAA next year rights are still only for 2 years....

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Maybe I am underrating this year draft class but it seems that outside the top 4, most top prospects are projected to become middle of the lineup players or bottom 6. I do not say that as bad thing, it just seem like some important players will be drafted but not in the higher end of potential or talent. Is this accurate?

Yes.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

I wonder if you draft someone out of CHL, they play one more year in CHL then go to NCAA does that mean we still only have one more year of their rights?

For CHL drafted players rights are only for 2 years, but NCAA & Euro is 4 years.

I don't think NHL has made any kind of statement on that.

If Misa gets drafted then goes NCAA next year rights are still only for 2 years....

Good question! I have absolutely no idea

 

[Leto]

I wonder if you draft someone out of CHL, they play one more year in CHL then go to NCAA does that mean we still only have one more year of their rights?

For CHL drafted players rights are only for 2 years, but NCAA & Euro is 4 years.

I don't think NHL has made any kind of statement on that.

If Misa gets drafted then goes NCAA next year rights are still only for 2 years....

I believe article 8.6 of the CBA answers that question:

If a Player drafted at age 18 or 19 is a bona fide college student at the time of his selection in the Entry Draft, or becomes a bona fide college student prior to the first June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft, and remains a bona fide college student through the graduation of his college class, his drafting Club shall retain the exclusive right of negotiation for his services through and including the August 15 following the graduation of his college class. The Club need not make a Bona Fide Offer to such Player to retain such rights.​

I.e it hinges on if the player has committed to play college hockey. If the player commits prior to the deadline of his draft year (June 1), he is considered a college player. The rest of the article details the various scenarios, but I am not a lawyer .

Perhaps the PA and the NHL will include a clarification in the new CBA or issue a new MOI.​

 

[montreal]

I wonder if you draft someone out of CHL, they play one more year in CHL then go to NCAA does that mean we still only have one more year of their rights?

For CHL drafted players rights are only for 2 years, but NCAA & Euro is 4 years.

I don't think NHL has made any kind of statement on that.

If Misa gets drafted then goes NCAA next year rights are still only for 2 years....

the rumors are the CHL will be changed from 2 years to 4 years, and the NCAA since it's the last year for the covid 5th year rule, they are going to change it to 5 years anyway.

The Misa rumors seem odd to me as I haven't seen him yet this year but have heard such good things that I had assumed he would be in the NHL next year.

 

[Goldenhands]

Maybe I am underrating this year draft class but it seems that outside the top 4, most top prospects are projected to become middle of the lineup players or bottom 6. I do not say that as bad thing, it just seem like some important players will be drafted but not in the higher end of potential or talent. Is this accurate?

Yep there is a top 7-8, then a drop. McQueen's health issue makes him a risky prospect and GMs are risk averse. so thats a top 7 at that point. Within that top 7, you have of course Schaefer at the top who projects as a superstar, he is in a tier of his own since there are question marks regarding both Hagens and Martone. Misa, Hagens Matone are the 2nd tier so the top 4 is pretty set at this point, unless Frondell or Eklund have a push in the 2nd half and make their way in that 2nd tier. I like Desnoyers alot and wish the Habs draft him, but his upside is tad more limited than the other top guys, kid projects as a solid 2C, very solid in all areas of the game.

After that top 7-8, there is a signifiant drop as far as the fowards are concerned, you are looking at quality middle 6 or top 6 talents with more question marks. The Ds are fine, but nothing that exciting either, Mrtka could be the most attractive of the bunch since he flashes some upside some nights, but there is no guerantee either since he is pretty raw at that point. Hensler has been a huge disappointment and Im not too familiar with the others, but I dont feel like Im missing much.

Then after the top 15-20, you are looking at 2nd/3rd rounders in a normal year, the depth is that bad, the USNDTP is pretty weak this year, so is the Euro pool. Overall, thats not a good year to get a late 1st at the deadline, better ask for a 2026 1st.