HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[Naslund]

Cootes is a top agitator in the draft, while being 6 feet tall, will play above 200 pounds, and all his strengths offensively play perfectly for what is missing in our top 6.

Cootes is a legitimate bumper threat on the powerplay. Hes a willing F1. Hes physical. Hes a pest. Hes got the attitude and swagger on ice that is required to win in the playoffs.

Will Cootes be better than Beck? It seems like Beck's timeline is also a better fit for our window. As a trade chip, Cootes seems less valuable than other players that will be there at 16/17.

I don't see why we are are considering him.

 

[crosbyshow]

Will Cootes be better than Beck? It seems like Beck's timeline is also a better fit for our window. As a trade chip, Cootes seems less valuable than other players that will be there at 16/17.

I don't see why we are are considering him.

Exactly..we don't use a first pick to be a 3rd line player.

Cootes has no offensive upside..at least not enough.

He is barely a ́point per game player in Juniors

 

[WeThreeKings]

Exactly..we don't use a first pick to be a 3rd line player.

Cootes has no offensive upside..at least not enough.

He is barely a ́point per game player in Juniors

Seattle had nobody to play with. His offensive upside is more than just his final stats. His points are very projectible too seeing as they are scored in NHL areas and in NHL ways.

 

[Playmaker09]

Very likely scenario at this point, and barring a huge faller I’d be happy with that. There would probably still be a few players I’d prefer to Fiddler there but if we’re 100% going RHD he’d be my pick, above Hensler

The players themselves, in that range, are fine picks.

Hughes doing nothing and managing to walk away from this draft without adding a top 6 prospect would be a massive disappointment.
Any of us could show up on draft day and take the top 2 names off a list. His job is to navigate the board.

Either trade up for Bear/Martin/Eklund, trade down and take a shot on Reschny/Kindel/Carbonneau or find a top 6 trade target.

 

[Naslund]

The players themselves, in that range, are fine picks.

Hughes doing nothing and managing to walk away from this draft without adding a top 6 prospect would be a massive disappointment.
Any of us could show up on draft day and take the top 2 names off a list. His job is to navigate the board.

Either trade up for Bear/Martin/Eklund, trade down and take a shot on Reschny/Kindel/Carbonneau or find a top 6 trade target.

Im not sure why staying in place and picking at 16/17 is not an option, while anything else is ok.

 

[Playmaker09]

Im not sure why staying in place and picking at 16/17 is not an option, while anything else is ok.

It's an option if the right players fall to us.

If the top two names on our list when it's our turn to pick are Cootes and Fiddler, something was seriously missed/overlooked and a lack of opportunities were properly explored.

 

[Deus ex machina]

Since he's a topic of discussion...

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Since he's a topic of discussion...

From my standpoint, you are preaching to the choir.

 

[Deus ex machina]

From my standpoint, you are preaching to the choir.

Saw some highlights of him, so not enough to have an opinion.
I liked what i saw but it's just highlights.

 

[Nevins]

So Reschny is 5’10.75 ‘’…. So 5’11’’( combine NHL)

 

[Doublechin]

So Reschny is 5’10.75 ‘’…. So 5’11’’( combine NHL)

It's the fact that he's already 187

He's going to be a 200 pound pro, at 5'11 200, he'll be more than fine to not be a size concern, he's also a very high IQ player, a very good playmaker but also he plays a 200 foot game so the chances he sticks to center are quite good.

I like Cootes, I just like Reschny better

 

[le_sean]

Since he's a topic of discussion...

25th on their list, btw. From a scouting service that typically loves smaller, smart players. He just doesn’t have the skating to stand out.

I don’t see any reason to take Reschny ahead of Cootes, who projects as a better pro player, Potter who has the dynamic skating, or Kindel who has the elite work ethic.

 

[Riggins]

It's the fact that he's already 187

He's going to be a 200 pound pro, at 5'11 200, he'll be more than fine to not be a size concern, he's also a very high IQ player, a very good playmaker but also he plays a 200 foot game so the chances he sticks to center are quite good.

I like Cootes, I just like Reschny better

At the Combine, Reschny was 5 foot 10.75 and 180 lbs. Cootes 5 foot 11.5 and 186 lbs.

Ryabkin somehow 5 foot 11 and 210 lbs. Probably not in the best shape at that height, he must have some fat he needs to burn off.

 

[Doublechin]

At the Combine, Reschny was 5 foot 10.75 and 180 lbs. Cootes 5 foot 11.5 and 186 lbs.

Ryabkin somehow 5 foot 11 and 210 lbs. Probably not in the best shape at that height, he must have some fat he needs to burn off.

I thought I saw his weight as 187 and yes Ryabkin is 100% packing extra weight unless he's a genetic exception or basically juiced.

 

[crosbyshow]

25th on their list, btw. From a scouting service that typically loves smaller, smart players. He just doesn’t have the skating to stand out.

I don’t see any reason to take Reschny ahead of Cootes, who projects as a better pro player, Potter who has the dynamic skating, or Kindel who has the elite work ethic.

In fact my 2 picks at 16th and 17th would be Reschny and Kindel. One of those 2 will definitely play a major role in a top 6 in the NHL.

I like Kindel a lot.

Reschny was on fire in the playoffs..25 points in 11 games.. only Mckenna, Catton and Cristall had better numbers in the WHL

 

[le_sean]

In fact my 2 picks at 16th and 17th would be Reschny and Kindel. One of those 2 will definitely play a major role in a top 6 in the NHL.

I like Kindel a lot.

Reschny was on fire in the playoffs..25 points in 11 games.. only Mckenna, Catton and Cristall had better numbers in the WHL

Listen, if he hits, he can be another Suzuki. But you’re really banking on it to happen. I’m not sure that’s what the Habs will do. I think they believe they have their core offensive pieces and now they want to complimentary types like Hensler, Bear, Lakovic. I could be wrong.

 

[Nevins]

It's the fact that he's already 187

He's going to be a 200 pound pro, at 5'11 200, he'll be more than fine to not be a size concern, he's also a very high IQ player, a very good playmaker but also he plays a 200 foot game so the chances he sticks to center are quite good.

I like Cootes, I just like Reschny better

Agree with you. I watched Cootes and Reschny play and the latter shows a superior hockey IQ, he builds the play, slows it down....I see him as a potential #2 center while Cootes doesn't have the same offensive skills.

 

[Nevins]

In fact my 2 picks at 16th and 17th would be Reschny and Kindel. One of those 2 will definitely play a major role in a top 6 in the NHL.

I like Kindel a lot.

Reschny was on fire in the playoffs..25 points in 11 games.. only Mckenna, Catton and Cristall had better numbers in the WHL

Agree for Reschny but i prefer Carbonneau or Lankovic over Kindel.

 

[HabsMD97]

I like Joe Thornton but him being a role model is funny as hell, about as funny as the Leafs bringing him and Spezza to teach the core four how to be a winner.

This is one of those things that immediately puts you in my no draft list

 

[Naslund]

I like Reschny for us over Cootes, by a lot. Measured at 5.10.75 and 180lbs at the combine, and he looks strong. Very smart kid, on and off the ice. He will play at 5.11 and close to 200lbs. Physically and based on how he plays, he reminds me of Suzuki. Suzuki is a unicorn, so it's obviously a difficult model to follow, but I would still take a chance on Reschny. The payoff could be tremendous.

He's my top target at 16/17. I'm doubtful about players like Carbonneau and Lakovic. I like Bear, and I think one of our picks will be a D (Hensler, Smith, or Aitcheson, whoever is left). Don't think Reschny will make it pass the Canucks though. They badly need centers, now and for the future.

 

[bleuetbio]

Saw that Lakovic was listed at 200pd at the combine when he was at 185 the whole year. I wonder when the weight have been taken. Some people are shy to pick him because he's not a powerforward style but if he bulk up, that could change

 

[HabsMD97]

Reschny feels like a Cole Perfetti, Cootes feels like a Robert Thomas to me. I'm taking Cootes over Reschny all day

 

[Naslund]

Where can we find the complete list of measurements at the combine? I saw a list for top prospect only

2025 NHL Combine Heights & Weights - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

We reveal the heights and weights observed at the 2025 NHL Combine. See which prospects have made noticeable gains throughout the year.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Listen, if he hits, he can be another Suzuki. But you’re really banking on it to happen. I’m not sure that’s what the Habs will do. I think they believe they have their core offensive pieces and now they want to complimentary types like Hensler, Bear, Lakovic. I could be wrong.

How is this gamble different from any other gamble at 16/17? There is uncertainty inherent in drafting, especially after the top tier. I'd rather gamble on intellect and hockey sense above all. Plus Reschny plays a 200-foot game and seems to be clutch in playoffs. He will probably grow another inch and pick up another 10-15 lbs. He makes his teammates better as well.

Also probably smart enough to work on his weaknesses, and improve his skating.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

I'd just pick Cootes and Reschny at 16 and 17 unless someone great falls

Grab some D in the 2nd round