2025 NHL Draft Thread

[ello]

You bring up an interesting point. We hawks fans have been getting dunked on for our “bare cupboard” but we are actually sitting on a great crop of D prospects. Any one of Levshunov, Korchinski, or Vlasic would be be the best young D in those other teams’ systems.

Dickinson? He’s probably better than any dman we currently have in our system. Mateychuk? Like Korchinski on steroids

 

[MHO]

Dickinson? He’s probably better than any dman we currently have in our system. Mateychuk? Like Korchinski on steroids

As of right now, I wouldn't trade any of Levshunov, Vlasic, or Korchisnki for Dickinson or Mateychuk straight up.

 

[BHFAN92]

Dickinson? He’s probably better than any dman we currently have in our system. Mateychuk? Like Korchinski on steroids

I would take Vlasic over either Dickinson or Mateychuk. Honestly I think Buium will be best Dman from 24 draft class. I am really jealous of what Minnesota is building with that defensive group.

 

[Muffinalt]

Which (as brought up early) could create an interesting possibility of a really rich package to move down a spot or 2 if we end up at #1OA. At this point I would lean into just taking Schaefer, but it would be awefully tempting if say Anheim offered #2 or 3OA w/ either MacTavish

I was actually thinking of any of the teams who would pick 1st, I think Anaheim is the most likely to select for 'fit', not in a positional sense, but more like their style of heavy, big players they always go for.

Martone fits that style to a tee.

Well to be fair they also like selecting offensive D so who knows how they would go truly.

 

[Praetorian Caps]

No chance in hell they move Vlasic. That's insane. What are you going to do, move Vlasic in the hopes that one of Del Mastro/Allan/whoever develops into Vlasic? You've got a 23-year-old top-pairing D signed through his prime. You don't move that.

 

[Chuck Testa]

Can Schaefer QB a powerplay?

 

[SimpleJack]

Can Schaefer QB a powerplay?

With the praise he's getting here you'd think so. If he's the best player available, you take him. I must agree. Even if we need forwards badly. IMO you should never break the rule of "take the best player available regardless of position".

 

[u2wojo]

Can Schaefer QB a powerplay?

Hockey Canada braintrust seems to think so as they invited Schaefer to WJC camp and not the 2 years older Yakemchuk or 1.5 years older Parekh who went in the top 9 of the draft.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Can Schaefer QB a powerplay?

Yes

 

[BHFAN92]

Can Schaefer QB a powerplay?

Absolutely

 

[Darkstar]

Can Schaefer QB a powerplay?

Oh yeah.

 

[x Tame Impala]

I think teams trading up/down in the top 5 is a pipe dream. It seems to never happen and it's one of those things, like offersheets, where the fans speculate about doing it way more than the reality of what GM's are comfortable with.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I would take Vlasic over either Dickinson or Mateychuk. Honestly I think Buium will be best Dman from 24 draft class. I am really jealous of what Minnesota is building with that defensive group.

I love Buium and hate that he fell to Minnesota.

 

[Darkstar]

I love Buium and hate that he fell to Minnesota.

I watch a lot of DU games. He's really good. Very high hockey IQ.

 

[Chuck Testa]

If the Hawks end up picking 1st then I'm all for them picking Schaefer. Can't pass on a player like that.

 

[kmwtrucks]

you can find Wings either via trade or UFA. jake guentzel is a point per game. True #1 D and True # 1 C are harder

 

[BHFAN92]

you can find Wings either via trade or UFA. jake guentzel is a point per game. True #1 D and True # 1 C are harder

100% this. Break the bank in FA or make a trade with future picks/prospects for a winger.. Land the #1 D man when one is truly available

 

[Pez68]

You can never have too many top pairing D. Especially ones that are strong on offense.

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

Other than Gajan, this team's goaltender pipeline is pretty shallow. Any netminders that you guys are keeping an eye on as the season progresses?

 

[MHO]

You can never have too many top pairing D. Especially ones that are strong on offense.

Jones, Vlasic, Korchinski, Levshunov, Del Mastro, and Rinzel all could conceivably be a top PP QB. Maybe not a great one but I don't think I've ever seen a team with 6 potential powerplay quarterback defensemen that have defensive chops as well.

 

[Putt Pirate]

I love Buium and hate that he fell to Minnesota.

I also really like him. But with their D n MN is they are all pretty avg sized or smaller. That doesn’t bode well for playoff success historically speaking for MN.

 

[kmwtrucks]

ep rinkside came out with rankings today (its pay wall) Jfresh mentioned that its a big fall off after 5 so being a bit bad right now is probably good. hard to believe NASH is that bad.

 

[CallMeShaft]

I don't have an EP Rinkside account right now, but here's the portion of the article that isn't behind paywall:

As the halfway point of the season nears, the Elite Prospects scouting staff have assembled our second draft ranking of the season: A top 50 plus 12 honourable mentions.

Despite being months into the season, the race for No. 1 overall has become even tighter. Our staff sees five potential No. 1 talents, but two have pulled ahead: James Hagens and Matthew Schaefer.

Hagens, the long-time favourite, is the most dynamic forward in the draft – and a high probability top-line centre. The production will take off shortly.

Schaefer is the most exciting defenceman in the draft, and a rare blueliner who has true No. 1 overall ability. With each passing week, he seems to get even more dynamic and detailed – despite missing the first month due to mono.

We don’t see Hagens and Schaefer as 1 and 2, but rather two equally valuable prospects separated by the thinnest of margins. There’s a chance the order is flipped in our next ranking, set to launch in about a month-and-a-half.

The fast-paced, elite details centre Michael Misa takes the No. 3 spot, while Porter Martone – perhaps the best passer in the draft – moves up to No. 4. Roger McQueen, our No. 2 prospect back in October, rounds out the top five. Once healthy, he could rise.

While this remains a lighter draft for Europe, Victor Eklund’s dynamic skills and infectious energy makes him the top prospect overseas and a top-10 talent in our eyes.

The two biggest risers are Carter Bear and Cameron Reid. Bear, an equally dynamic and physical winger, rises from No. 31 to 9 on the back of a continued hot start. Reid went from unranked to No. 11 after proving that he brings a high-end impact in all three zones.

So it sounds like their top 5 is the following:
1. Hagens
2. Schaefer
3. Misa
4. Martone
5. McQueen

With the top 2 being basically a coin flip right now, and anyone in their top 5 being arguably worthy of the top pick. Surprised it's McQueen in the top 5 instead of Frondell; both have been hit hard with injuries this season, but think most publications have had Frondell ranked higher than RM.

 

[BHFAN92]

Other than Gajan, this team's goaltender pipeline is pretty shallow. Any netminders that you guys are keeping an eye on as the season progresses?

Joshua Ravensbergen could probably be had around the Toronto 1st rd pick..seems to be consensus best goalie in draft

 

[kmwtrucks]

I don't have an EP Rinkside account right now, but here's the portion of the article that isn't behind paywall:



So it sounds like their top 5 is the following:
1. Hagens
2. Schaefer
3. Misa
4. Martone
5. McQueen

With the top 2 being basically a coin flip right now, and anyone in their top 5 being arguably worthy of the top pick. Surprised it's McQueen in the top 5 instead of Frondell; both have been hit hard with injuries this season, but think most publications have had Frondell ranked higher than RM.

frondell just had a hat trick the other day at some WJ A event.