HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[Nevins]

Jake O’Brien (C, R, 6’2″, 175, Brantford Bulldogs, 06/16/2007)

Jake O’Brien is a quick processing high-IQ, two-way center with a well-rounded skill set and leadership qualities. His ability to control the pace of play, make smart decisions with the puck, and maintain a defensive-first mentality positions him as a potential top-15 selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. O’Brien is effective in all zones, excelling in puck possession, forechecking, and creating offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates. However, improvements in faceoff consistency, skating mechanics, and physical strength will be critical to his transition to the NHL. With his combination of skill, composure, and work ethic, O’Brien projects as a middle-six NHL center with upside as a reliable, matchup player.




https://neutralzone.com/nhl-scouting-reports/ohl-jake-obrien/

 

[Jabba11]

I've said it for awhile. Brady Martin is the guy I want. I read this article back in November. This sold me on him. I like a good hardworking farm kid.

How Brady Martin’s farm upbringing helped him become a top 2025 NHL Draft prospect

From his character to physical training, Martin's time on his family farm has made for a unique and successful journey in hockey.

www.nytimes.com

All right, I'm sold. Let's move up and grab this farmer wunderkind. Larry Robinson was a northern ontario bull. This kid looks like perfect for our team. Energy player with good work ethic and skilled. Hits like a tractor. Love it

 

[Scotianhab]

All right, I'm sold. Let's move up and grab this farmer wunderkind. Larry Robinson was a northern ontario bull. This kid looks like perfect for our team. Energy player with good work ethic and skilled. Hits like a tractor. Love it

I think he plays himself up to the 10-12 area. Give a team a 2nd rd with the 16th pick we could prolly move up 4/5 spots if he’s still there.

 

[Jabba11]

I think he plays himself up to the 10-12 area. Give a team a 2nd rd with the 16th pick we could prolly move up 4/5 spots if he’s still there.

He reminds me of a Sam Bennett type of killer player. I think he's worth trading up for if we want to add a physical energy player.

 

[Habitant#1]

There's soo many centres at the top of this draft. It hurts me physically.

I can't believe the Habs somehow had a 1st and 2x5th picks and there was never a clear potential elite centre available.
It's somewhat of concern that the Habs are out of their tank years with two wingers and a D but no centre.

To be clear, I think they likely got the BPA with every pick, its just that the BPA was never the centre.

Not tanking harder in 2023 really hurt the Habs IMO, it was the year to do it. Nothing against Reinbacher but the Habs would be in a better position with any of Carlsson, Fantilli or Smith.

Unless the Habs have fluke tank season from injuries or something (like the Avs the year they got Makar), their high picking days are over.

 

[Scotianhab]

There's soo many centres at the top of this draft. It hurts me physically.

I can't believe the Habs somehow had a 1st and 2x5th picks and there was never a clear potential elite centre available.
It's somewhat of concern that the Habs are out of their tank years with two wingers and a D but no centre.

To be clear, I think they likely got the BPA with every pick, its just that the BPA was never the centre.

Not tanking harder in 2023 really hurt the Habs IMO, it was the year to do it. Nothing against Reinbacher but the Habs would be in a better position with any of Carlsson, Fantilli or Smith.

Unless the Habs have fluke tank season from injuries or something (like the Avs the year they got Makar), their high picking days are over.

Cooley wouldnt look too bad on the 2nd line.

 

[WeThreeKings]

There's soo many centres at the top of this draft. It hurts me physically.

I can't believe the Habs somehow had a 1st and 2x5th picks and there was never a clear potential elite centre available.
It's somewhat of concern that the Habs are out of their tank years with two wingers and a D but no centre.

To be clear, I think they likely got the BPA with every pick, its just that the BPA was never the centre.

Not tanking harder in 2023 really hurt the Habs IMO, it was the year to do it. Nothing against Reinbacher but the Habs would be in a better position with any of Carlsson, Fantilli or Smith.

Unless the Habs have fluke tank season from injuries or something (like the Avs the year they got Makar), their high picking days are over.

Then you'd be making those post about a RD. We have a 25 year old 1C on a sweetheart contract. Getting a 2C is not a monumental task. Getting a top pair RD would be.

 

[Kennerback]

There's soo many centres at the top of this draft. It hurts me physically.

I can't believe the Habs somehow had a 1st and 2x5th picks and there was never a clear potential elite centre available.
It's somewhat of concern that the Habs are out of their tank years with two wingers and a D but no centre.

To be clear, I think they likely got the BPA with every pick, its just that the BPA was never the centre.

Not tanking harder in 2023 really hurt the Habs IMO, it was the year to do it. Nothing against Reinbacher but the Habs would be in a better position with any of Carlsson, Fantilli or Smith.

Unless the Habs have fluke tank season from injuries or something (like the Avs the year they got Makar), their high picking days are over.

Caps have two 6’3 centers in their top 6, and they got their number 1 from the scrap heap.

 

[JadedRandom]

Florida drafted good Barkov, Lindell, Crouse, Huberdeau, Ekblad early. Trochek, Weegar, Hyman late rounds.

Bukala was head of scouting for the Panthers from 2016 to just before the 2020 draft.

He was there for 4 drafts, and had multiple picks close to the top-10, and didn't "hit" on a single one.

Unless you consider Owen Tippett to be some kind of great success.

Bukala's enthusiasm for scouting and insight into what being a full-time scout is all about can't be disdained so easily.

But that record is undeniably awful, and I would not take Bukala's word on prospects to be gospel given those blemishes on his resume.

Bukala may say that he would have drafted different players and that he had his hands tied, but as the head of scouting it is your responsibility to own-up if your team makes mistakes.

 

[Redux91]

Good
COL-DAL deserved to go 7

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

Caps have two 6’3 centers in their top 6, and they got their number 1 from the scrap heap.

Caps have a lot better GM than we have also.

 

[TomKosto]

I would try to grab Brady Martin and Malcom Spence with our picks. I dont think they will be stars but you need those kind of players on your top9 to win a cup.

 

[Zilo44]

There's soo many centres at the top of this draft. It hurts me physically.

I can't believe the Habs somehow had a 1st and 2x5th picks and there was never a clear potential elite centre available.
It's somewhat of concern that the Habs are out of their tank years with two wingers and a D but no centre.

To be clear, I think they likely got the BPA with every pick, its just that the BPA was never the centre.

Not tanking harder in 2023 really hurt the Habs IMO, it was the year to do it. Nothing against Reinbacher but the Habs would be in a better position with any of Carlsson, Fantilli or Smith.

Unless the Habs have fluke tank season from injuries or something (like the Avs the year they got Makar), their high picking days are over.

The draft hype is always very high. But a guy like Will Smith might not even be a centre long term in SJ.

 

[HabsForHire]

I have a feeling both our 1sts are moved

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I have a feeling both our 1sts are moved

Why would we move both?

 

[Doublechin]

Why would we move both?

I mean, everything is possible

If they really want the 2C they're targeting is one reason why, another one would be all their guys are gone and they're not in love with what's left

Everything is possible, it's a possiby IMO

 

[Theodore450]

How i hoped we tanked for 1 more year and picked up a top C to the core and added a real coach in the summer.
But Obviously Suzuki has to swing his big old wang around and force this team into the playoffs.
Hope we move up in the draft.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I think this year there are plenty of good center available. I don't even understand how people do not see it. If there is a year to get a top center prospect it's this year! There are no top end MacKinnon or McDavid type but for me at least this draft has plenty of top center talent and not that different than 2017.

I see Misa, Desnoyers, Frondell, Hagens, Martin, O'brien, Cootes, Kindel, Reschny, Gastrin as top notch talent with clear possibilities to become top 6 center. I find the last 4 names especially overlooked.

 

[McGees]

Why would we move both?

Dubas wants them for Crosby.

 

[Kennerback]

I think this year there are plenty of good center available. I don't even understand how people do not see it. If there is a year to get a top center prospect it's this year! There are no top end MacKinnon or McDavid type but for me at least this draft has plenty of top center talent and not that different than 2017.

I see Misa, Desnoyers, Frondell, Hagens, Martin, O'brien, Cootes, Kindel, Reschny as top notch talent with clear possibilities to become top 6 center. I find the last 3 names especially overlooked.

I agree with what you say about centers in the draft. My concern is we need a legit 2C in October already. We can’t wait 2,3,4 years for the drafted Center to get there. Our window has opened. We’re not rebuilding.

 

[De Montreal]

I wish we could trade up in the top 10 to grab Radim Mrtka.

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

Bukala was head of scouting for the Panthers from 2016 to just before the 2020 draft.

He was there for 4 drafts, and had multiple picks close to the top-10, and didn't "hit" on a single one.

Unless you consider Owen Tippett to be some kind of great success.

View attachment 1027843
View attachment 1027845

Bukala's enthusiasm for scouting and insight into what being a full-time scout is all about can't be disdained so easily.

But that record is undeniably awful, and I would not take Bukala's word on prospects to be gospel given those blemishes on his resume.

Bukala may say that he would have drafted different players and that he had his hands tied, but as the head of scouting it is your responsibility to own-up if your team makes mistakes.

Bukala was there long before 2016

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I agree with what you say about centers in the draft. My concern is we need a legit 2C in October already. We can’t wait 2,3,4 years for the drafted Center to get there. Our window has opened. We’re not rebuilding.

I think our window is not open yet and yes we are still adding block for the rebuild. People are way too enthusiastic for a team that barely made the playoff and got eliminated in 5 games. And yes can "wait" 2,3 or 4 years our core is all u25.

Next year we integrate Demidov, Reinbacher into the first team.

We also will probably see one of Beck or Kapanen full time.

We might even get some games of the like of Mailloux, Florian Xhekaj and Roy.

We will see how Hage, Fowler, (our 2025 1st round picks develop).

We also have some joker like Engstrom that might reach another level. We are in a very good position and it would be shame to stall the long term future of that team in the getting older players that will see their form dip as our younger players get stronger.

 

[HabsForHire]

Why would we move both?

because we shouldn't be too worried about drafting at this point, gotta add a legit 2c or RD

 

[Lockin17]

Allrighty ,, my hope for the draft
We've all seen player drop in the draft ,, look at Parekh and Buium last year

#16 : Brady Martin/O'Brien/McQueen
#24 : Ivan Ryabkin (might take a drop to #24 and still grab him and get a late 2nd)
#41 : Ryker Lee
#49 : Vaclav Nestrasil
#45 : Haoxi Wang (from PHI trade to drop to #24)

This would be my Draft
And whoever is saying Ryabkin is not worth a #24 ,, well fuuck yeah he is. just look at him since he came in USHL.