HF Habs: 2025 NHL Draft: Part II

[Kennerback]

Watch Carter Bear + Victor Eklund drop at 16 & 17 just to see the Habs draft large sized forwards like Prokhorov, Nesbitt and do a repeat of the Bruins in 2015 by passing on the BPA.

You won’t see me complain too much for Prokhorov. But I don’t see how they’d justify picking Bear and Eklund over Nesbitt. No way Eklund drops to 16 though.

 

[WeThreeKings]

They would not pass on Bear if he was there.

Eklund, I could definitely see them passing.

 

[sheed36]

Jason Bukala posted his final top 80 draft ranking on Sportsnet today.

Scout's Analysis: Ranking the top 80 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

With the scouting season complete, Jason Bukala shares his own personal ranking of the top 80 prospects for next week's NHL Draft after following the class all season.

www.sportsnet.ca

His top 20.

No. 1: Matthew Schaefer
No. 2: Caleb Desnoyers
No. 3: Michael Misa
No. 4: James Hagens
No. 5: Porter Martone
No. 6: Anton Frondell
No. 7: Roger McQueen
No. 8: Victor Eklund
No. 9: Brady Martin
No. 10: Radim Mrtka
No. 11: Carter Bear
No. 12: Jake O’Brien
No. 13: Jackson Smith
No. 14: Kashawn Aitcheson
No. 15: Braeden Cootes
No. 16: Ben Kindel
No. 17: Cole Reschny
No. 18: Justin Carbonneau
No. 19: Jack Nesbitt
No. 20: Bill Zonnon

 

[crosbyshow]

Watch Carter Bear + Victor Eklund drop at 16 & 17 just to see the Habs draft large sized forwards like Prokhorov, Nesbitt and do a repeat of the Bruins in 2015 by passing on the BPA.

I think you are right . They could go with big players but way less talented than dude like Bear Reschny, Kindel.

 

[AHShadow]

They would not pass on Bear if he was there.

Eklund, I could definitely see them passing.

Understand the need for size and grit, but at 17, Eklund clearly is BPA. He can easily come in a few years on an ELC and replace one of our smaller players if needed.

Would be livid if they do pass on him.

Going away with Bear + Eklund will look like Demidov + Hage type of robbery in a few years.

 

[Vachon23]

Only box he checks is size. He’s a 3C when we already have Beck and Kapanen in the system.

Are they 3C though ? Wouldn’t bet on that

 

[WeThreeKings]

Understand the need for size and grit, but at 17, Eklund clearly is BPA. He can easily come in a few years on an ELC and replace one of our smaller players if needed.

Would be livid if they do pass on him.

Going away with Bear + Eklund will look like Demidov + Hage type of robbery in a few years.

There's valid concerns about Eklund being able to play his game with how slight he is and more than a few scouts believe his offensive potential is being overrated. I like him a lot, but I can see them passing.

There's plenty of other guys in that range who would be amenable to take. But they won't pass on Bear if he is there, he is the apt description of everything they are looking for.

 

[le_sean]

Are they 3C though ? Wouldn’t bet on that

I think Beck is a sure-fire 3C in the NHL. Great AHL rookie season. The organization loves him.

 

[Vachon23]

I think Beck is a sure-fire 3C in the NHL. Great AHL rookie season. The organization loves him.

Beck maybe yes even though I see him more sad a luxury 4th line C. Don’t see it for Kapanen though

 

[AHShadow]

There's valid concerns about Eklund being able to play his game with how slight he is and more than a few scouts believe his offensive potential is being overrated. I like him a lot, but I can see them passing.

There's plenty of other guys in that range who would be amenable to take. But they won't pass on Bear if he is there, he is the apt description of everything they are looking for.

Agreed with the concerns and I'd be more weary of them if we were drafting at the top 10. But I'd def take my chances on Eklund at 17 if he ever falls to us.

Not at all the same player, but I'd feel similar if ever we passed on Caufield cause he was too small at 15.

We both agree that Bear is a 100% pick if he's there.

 

[Vachon23]

We both agree that Bear is a 100% pick if he's there.

I think everyone agree that we take Bear if he’s there.

 

[habsfan891]

Some things I've heard from the combine:

• Mrtka, Smith or Aitcheson 2nd D off the board.
• Eklund will go lower than lists.
• Lakovic will go lower than lists.
• Potter won't go round 1.
• Schmidt won't go first 2 rounds.
• Ryabkin may not even go round 2.
• Carbonneau will go higher than expected.
• Fiddler, McKinney and Nesbitt are being underrated by the public.
• Frolov considered 2nd best goalie in the class but some teams may shy away because he's Russian.

I can't imagine not taking a swing at Ryabkin in the 2nd round somewhere his attitude must be absolute dogshit.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I can't imagine not taking a swing at Ryabkin in the 2nd round somewhere his attitude must be absolute dogshit.

Apparently his interviews at the combine were horrible.

 

[overlords]

Apparently his interviews at the combine were horrible.

I bet he had the most gopnik response possible to the 'water bottle/baseball bat' question

 

[Nevins]

Top 5 Best Skaters | 2025 NHL Draft

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

A few people will, early next season, with whoever was picked after that is doing better.

And even if they turn into Mesar we will have posters proclaiming it was genius and one of our best draft moves of all time

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

Jason Bukala posted his final top 80 draft ranking on Sportsnet today.

Scout's Analysis: Ranking the top 80 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

With the scouting season complete, Jason Bukala shares his own personal ranking of the top 80 prospects for next week's NHL Draft after following the class all season.

www.sportsnet.ca

His top 20.

No. 1: Matthew Schaefer
No. 2: Caleb Desnoyers
No. 3: Michael Misa
No. 4: James Hagens
No. 5: Porter Martone
No. 6: Anton Frondell
No. 7: Roger McQueen
No. 8: Victor Eklund
No. 9: Brady Martin
No. 10: Radim Mrtka
No. 11: Carter Bear
No. 12: Jake O’Brien
No. 13: Jackson Smith
No. 14: Kashawn Aitcheson
No. 15: Braeden Cootes
No. 16: Ben Kindel
No. 17: Cole Reschny
No. 18: Justin Carbonneau
No. 19: Jack Nesbitt
No. 20: Bill Zonnon

Some interesting names around 16&17. Some wildcards in 40s also. West, Genborg

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Jason Bukala posted his final top 80 draft ranking on Sportsnet today.

Scout's Analysis: Ranking the top 80 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

With the scouting season complete, Jason Bukala shares his own personal ranking of the top 80 prospects for next week's NHL Draft after following the class all season.

www.sportsnet.ca

His top 20.

No. 1: Matthew Schaefer
No. 2: Caleb Desnoyers
No. 3: Michael Misa
No. 4: James Hagens
No. 5: Porter Martone
No. 6: Anton Frondell
No. 7: Roger McQueen
No. 8: Victor Eklund
No. 9: Brady Martin
No. 10: Radim Mrtka
No. 11: Carter Bear
No. 12: Jake O’Brien
No. 13: Jackson Smith
No. 14: Kashawn Aitcheson
No. 15: Braeden Cootes
No. 16: Ben Kindel
No. 17: Cole Reschny
No. 18: Justin Carbonneau
No. 19: Jack Nesbitt
No. 20: Bill Zonnon

That aligns with a few of my posts for 16 and 17. Those are near-optimal for me, assuming those first 15 fall that way. We can get a towering forward and a falling RD in round two.

 

[Kennerback]

I can't imagine not taking a swing at Ryabkin in the 2nd round somewhere his attitude must be absolute dogshit.

All I hear is he’s fat, lazy and has a bad attitude. Especially fat… He needs to have tons of untapped hidden talents to consider him.

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Understand the need for size and grit, but at 17, Eklund clearly is BPA. He can easily come in a few years on an ELC and replace one of our smaller players if needed.

Would be livid if they do pass on him.

Going away with Bear + Eklund will look like Demidov + Hage type of robbery in a few years.

I also would support that haul if HuGo pulled that off. It's true that the team needs size but it also needs talent. We can draft giant-sized forwards in round 2.

 

[BoneHutson]

Leaving the draft with Eklund and Bear would be almost as great as the Demidov Hage draft.

You probably have to move up to get Eklund but he’s worth it. If he’s there at 11-12, they better make a move (they’ve got the assets).

Give PIT back their 2nd and add a 3rd to move to 11 or 12 if NYR gives them the pick.

 

[Team_Spirit]

All I hear is he’s fat, lazy and has a bad attitude. Especially fat… He needs to have tons of untapped hidden talents to consider him.

This kid is fat?

Seems easily fixable.

 

[McGees]

This kid is fat?

Seems easily fixable.

View attachment 1050913

doesn't look fat....just looks like he wants to murder me and my dog.

 

[Walksss]

doesn't look fat....just looks like he wants to murder me and my dog.

Perfect, that's the type we want for the bottom 6. Hes a mean kid, exactly what we want in the playoffs if he can be straightened out.

If he actually falls to the 3rd round I would hope we use one of those picks on him. That's a great swing on potential.

 

[Lockin17]

Jason Bukala posted his final top 80 draft ranking on Sportsnet today.

Scout's Analysis: Ranking the top 80 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

With the scouting season complete, Jason Bukala shares his own personal ranking of the top 80 prospects for next week's NHL Draft after following the class all season.

www.sportsnet.ca

His top 20.

No. 1: Matthew Schaefer
No. 2: Caleb Desnoyers
No. 3: Michael Misa
No. 4: James Hagens
No. 5: Porter Martone
No. 6: Anton Frondell
No. 7: Roger McQueen
No. 8: Victor Eklund
No. 9: Brady Martin
No. 10: Radim Mrtka
No. 11: Carter Bear
No. 12: Jake O’Brien
No. 13: Jackson Smith
No. 14: Kashawn Aitcheson
No. 15: Braeden Cootes
No. 16: Ben Kindel
No. 17: Cole Reschny
No. 18: Justin Carbonneau
No. 19: Jack Nesbitt
No. 20: Bill Zonnon

there is always 2 or 3 guys droping out the top 10 every mock draft.
Wonder who it would be??
Eklund, Martin , Mrtka ?