HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[Draft]

I think that Martin, Bear, Cootes and Spence fit the mould of the players I'd be looking for with our two 1sts. I want high compete/gritty players that play a pretty round game with some skill. Martin is probably my favorite of the bunch and I'd be looking to trade up a few spots from the 16th to be sure we get him.

I do have doubts that we use both the 16th and 17th though. I have a strong feeling that we will be trading one of these picks in a package for a 2C.

If we do use both picks, I won't be too surprised if we throw an offer sheet out on July 1.

I'm warming up to the idea of targeting specific role players to complement our existing core. Guys like Bear and Martin may not have the ceiling, but these two in the middle-6 is ideal for a playoff team. Can't fit anyone else on the PP anyway! In terms of unique skill sets, Martin's checking ability is rare even for guys without top-6 upside. Same goes for the combination of combativeness and IQ with Bear.

Not every draft has these types of players available, might be more of an opportunity than we think.

 

[NeptunesTrident]

As long as Boston doesn’t get Desnoyers or Martin.

 

[Scotianhab]

Quick mock draft.

NYI - Misa
SJ - Schaefer
CHI - Hagens
Uta - Frondell
Nsh - Desnoyers
Phi - Martone
Bos - O’Brien
Sea - Mrtka
Buf - Martin
Ana - McQueen
Pit - Eklund
NYR - Hensler
Det - J. Smith
CLB - Lakovic
Van - Bear
Mtl - Spence
Mtl - Aitcheson

Islanders need forward prospects, I could see them switching with a top 4 team so Schaefer can go 1st.

 

[WinterLion]

I'm warming up to the idea of targeting specific role players to complement our existing core. Guys like Bear and Martin may not have the ceiling, but these two in the middle-6 is ideal for a playoff team. Can't fit anyone else on the PP anyway! In terms of unique skill sets, Martin's checking ability is rare even for guys without top-6 upside. Same goes for the combination of combativeness and IQ with Bear.

Not every draft has these types of players available, might be more of an opportunity than we think.

I think this year is a great year for this and it's perfect timing considering our timeline. Also those guys sometimes develop into great players...

I would add Aitcheson to the list... if they like him, he brings some serious jam...

 

[WinterLion]

Quick mock draft.

NYI - Misa
SJ - Schaefer
CHI - Hagens
Uta - Frondell
Nsh - Desnoyers
Phi - Martone
Bos - O’Brien
Sea - Mrtka
Buf - Martin
Ana - McQueen
Pit - Eklund
NYR - Hensler
Det - J. Smith
CLB - Lakovic
Van - Bear
Mtl - Spence
Mtl - Aitcheson

Islanders need forward prospects, I could see them switching with a top 4 team so Schaefer can go 1st.

I know people here are down on him, but Carboneau is a great prospect and I think he will go ahead of Spence....

 

[Shutdown]

a few weeks ago i watched some shift by shift videos (good resource: Prospect Shifts ) of a few forwards who are above our range and in our range. my initial ranking:

Martin
O'Brien
Bear
Spence
Carbonneau
Kindel
Lakovic

loved the first three guys. i know that young athletes heal pretty well from achilles injuries but i'd rather give up an asset to trade up and get Martin than gamble on Bear. but i'd take Bear before the other Fs i have ranked after him, by quite a bit.

Spence was interesting but looked to lack the creativity of a top 6 F.

Carbonneau i think will be an NHLer. he has the size, the shot, and can put together some interesting shifts. if we keep both picks i'd take a shot at him.

Kindel, to me, looks like a junior hockey player. don't think his game translates. the announcers did say that the game i watched was the first one back from a long road trip, but i didn't love his game. skilled but disengaged.

again, just one game, but to me Lakovic doesn't seem interested in adding elements to his game that complement his size. he didn't engage with his body and often turned away from contact. his stick is good but he reminds me unfavourably of Kotkaniemi at the same age. a less talented Benoit Pouliot.

a few names have recently popped up on the radar that i haven't had the chance to check out: Cootes, Reschny and Murtagh.
probably going to check out some of the D at some point. seeing how far Buuium fell last year in a draft that was supposedly stacked at D, i'm sure some highly rated D will make their way to our pick.

watched a Cootes shift by shift. with no achilles injury to Bear i might struggle a bit between the two but i think he's my guy if he's available, ahead of Spence and Carbonneau.

seems to have good vision, a disruptive stick game, great pace. okay size, good physical game. always reading the play off the puck and looking to get into good position to create.

 

[Runner77]

I thought I’d reprise @Beendair Donedat ’s take on these two players (Jack Nesbitt and Justin Carbonneau) for greater feedback from posters who follow the draft closer than most:

“My two potential Habs first round picks:

Jack Nesbitt:

If Jack Nesbitt makes it to where we pick, and we still have one or both of our picks, I feel like he’s pretty much a lock to be taken.

Big center (6’4, 185 lbs) that obviously needs to fill out his frame with some more muscle, Nesbitt still plays a very physical game. Terrific hand eye coordination makes him an excellent net front presence. He muscles his way into the tough areas and can’t be muscled out and excels at tipping pucks… he’s a solid skater, good on draws and defensively responsible, while playing physical and not afraid to drop the gloves and stand up for his teammates (or play a little dirty himself). I’ll be surprised if someone doesn’t take him before he gets to Montreal, but I see a diamond in the rough player potential here.

Justin Carbonneau:

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the name Carbonneau on the back of a Habs jersey, but the potential to grab one of the best goal scorers in the draft could fall right to the Habs in their own back yard. Carbonneau is a solid right winger, standing 6’1 and weighing 192 lbs. A terrific skater, Carbonneau isn’t a wallflower who’s sitting waiting for an opportunity, he goes hard to the dirty areas and comes out with the puck. He plays a hard nosed game but also has a bullet of a shot with great accuracy. I’d say he’s the second best right winger in this draft after Martone, and I don’t think he’s that far behind him. He plays a solid all around game but will have to work on his defensive skills a bit (although I think he’s pretty solid in that department). With his skill set and ability to drive a line, I wouldn’t be surprised if Carbonneau emerges as one of the better scorers in this draft. I see a ton of potential in this young man. The fact that he’s a Quebecois is icing on the cake, I’d like him if he came from Antarctica. This is a character kid that has the potential to be a very good player if he keeps working hard and progressing. I think he’d complement our future lineup nicely.”

 

[WinterLion]

I thought I’d reprise @Beendair Donedat ’s take on these two players (Jack Nesbitt and Justin Carbonneau) for greater feedback from posters who follow the draft closer than most:

“My two potential Habs first round picks:

Jack Nesbitt:

If Jack Nesbitt makes it to where we pick, and we still have one or both of our picks, I feel like he’s pretty much a lock to be taken.

Big center (6’4, 185 lbs) that obviously needs to fill out his frame with some more muscle, Nesbitt still plays a very physical game. Terrific hand eye coordination makes him an excellent net front presence. He muscles his way into the tough areas and can’t be muscled out and excels at tipping pucks… he’s a solid skater, good on draws and defensively responsible, while playing physical and not afraid to drop the gloves and stand up for his teammates (or play a little dirty himself). I’ll be surprised if someone doesn’t take him before he gets to Montreal, but I see a diamond in the rough player potential here.

Justin Carbonneau:

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the name Carbonneau on the back of a Habs jersey, but the potential to grab one of the best goal scorers in the draft could fall right to the Habs in their own back yard. Carbonneau is a solid right winger, standing 6’1 and weighing 192 lbs. A terrific skater, Carbonneau isn’t a wallflower who’s sitting waiting for an opportunity, he goes hard to the dirty areas and comes out with the puck. He plays a hard nosed game but also has a bullet of a shot with great accuracy. I’d say he’s the second best right winger in this draft after Martone, and I don’t think he’s that far behind him. He plays a solid all around game but will have to work on his defensive skills a bit (although I think he’s pretty solid in that department). With his skill set and ability to drive a line, I wouldn’t be surprised if Carbonneau emerges as one of the better scorers in this draft. I see a ton of potential in this young man. The fact that he’s a Quebecois is icing on the cake, I’d like him if he came from Antarctica. This is a character kid that has the potential to be a very good player if he keeps working hard and progressing. I think he’d complement our future lineup nicely.”

I feel like Carboneau is a bit underrated at this point. Nesbitt would be very exciting if they like him. Definitely a lot to work with if you think he has the willingness to round out his game.