2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Kevin Musto]

Misa got 50 in 50 with a hat trick last night. Those are Nick Lardis numbers

He's really been elevating his stock

Nobody else in the draft is scoring like that

 

[Mjul Qvist]

My not so serious draft rankings atm:

1. Misa
2. Schaefer
3. Frondell
4. Martone
5. Hagens
6. Desnoyers
7. Eklund
8. Bear

 

[Hull2Roenick2Kane]

Good reading.

Preliminary Media Top 10 for 2025

Time for the first media/scout poll for the 2025 NHL Draft! For those unfamiliar with how this works, I poll many of the OHL's brightest min...

ohlprospects.blogspot.com

Jake Obrien at 4... i kinda had a feeling he was going to rise.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Really feels like Misa would be the perfect Blackhawk.

Jake Obrien at 4... i kinda had a feeling he was going to rise.

It’s OHL only in that article

 

[BHFAN92]

My not so serious draft rankings atm:

1. Misa
2. Schaefer
3. Frondell
4. Martone
5. Hagens
6. Desnoyers
7. Eklund
8. Bear

not bad.. Here is mine:

Tier 1 Elite:
1.) Schaefer-c
Tier 2 All Star:
2.) Misa-C/LW
Tier 3 Potential All-Star
3.) Hagens-C
4.) Frondell-C
Tiew 4 Potential top 6 players
5.) Martone-RW
6.) Desnoyers-C
7.) McQueen-C/RW
8.) Eklund-LW
9.) Bear-C/LW
10.) J.Smith-D

 

[eklund2chicago]

So when Toronto loses in the first round and we get pick nr 22 ish, who would you guys like?

Feels like there is a pretty steep fall off at around 15. I would love to use a couple of seconds to move up and grab someone like Bear or Lakovic. Or maybe Eklund if he falls out of the top 12 but I doubt that will happen.

 

[Mrfenn92]

So when Toronto loses in the first round and we get pick nr 22 ish, who would you guys like?

Feels like there is a pretty steep fall off at around 15. I would love to use a couple of seconds to move up and grab someone like Bear or Lakovic. Or maybe Eklund if he falls out of the top 12 but I doubt that will happen.

I like Blake fiddler. Jack Nesbit.

 

[giza]

Do the Hawks go goaltender with the 2nd 1st round pick? This Russan Rybakin should be considered if still around. Misa isn't the physical presence like Martone or McQueen, but he checks pretty much all of the other boxes.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Do the Hawks go goaltender with the 2nd 1st round pick? This Russan Rybakin should be considered if still around. Misa isn't the physical presence like Martone or McQueen, but he checks pretty much all of the other boxes.

They absolutely shouldn't, but they might.

We know for certain they will draft a goalie this year.

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

Do the Hawks go goaltender with the 2nd 1st round pick? This Russan Rybakin should be considered if still around. Misa isn't the physical presence like Martone or McQueen, but he checks pretty much all of the other boxes.

I think they will certainly consider it. Ravensbergen is probably the only one worthy of a potential 1st round pick at this point, but there will be definitely be options in rounds 2 and 3.

They frankly need to draft one at some point this year. I'm really not sure Gajan or Commesso currently project as NHL starters at this point in time. Taking Gajan over Fowler, Augustine, Hrabal, or Slukynsky looks pretty bleak right now.

 

[TLEH]

Do the Hawks go goaltender with the 2nd 1st round pick? This Russan Rybakin should be considered if still around. Misa isn't the physical presence like Martone or McQueen, but he checks pretty much all of the other boxes.

I think Misa can play physical. He has a sneaky edge in there somewhere, I've seen it.

No thanks to a goalie. Just take a Russian in 5-7 or something if you really want one. I mean they probably need one.

 

[ColbyChaos]

So when Toronto loses in the first round and we get pick nr 22 ish, who would you guys like?

Feels like there is a pretty steep fall off at around 15. I would love to use a couple of seconds to move up and grab someone like Bear or Lakovic. Or maybe Eklund if he falls out of the top 12 but I doubt that will happen.

They don’t have Sheldon “respect in the handshake line” Keefe anymore.

The leafs being guaranteed a round 1 exit doesn’t seem as certain now with Berube. They were already supposed to fall in the standings when Matthews was out

 

[TheFridge]

They don’t have Sheldon “respect in the handshake line” Keefe anymore.

The leafs being guaranteed a round 1 exit doesn’t seem as certain now with Berube. They were already supposed to fall in the standings when Matthews was out

It's still Toronto. It's still a top-heavy team and their best players are almost never their best players in the playoffs. They have no one that scores outside of their top-6, same as Tampa.

 

[ColbyChaos]

It's still Toronto. It's still a top-heavy team and their best players are almost never their best players in the playoffs. They have no one that scores outside of their top-6, same as Tampa.

Different coach could do wonders for them and Berube is a well known hard ass which is honestly what that soft super trio needs to maybe show up in the playoffs.

Berube also got the Blues to be difficult to play against in 2019 as well. As someone who wants Toronto to lose in round 1 again I feel like this year could be different for them as they could even end up playing a team like Detroit or Ottawa in round 1 depending how the Atlantic division shakes out.

 

[Ajex12x]

Isn't there supposed to be a big drop in talent after around 15? Take a shot at the goalie with the later first and grab a bucket of popcorn to watch all the anti KD armchair gm's here lose it lol.

 

[kmwtrucks]

he looks like he is going to be somewhere between good and great in the NHL. he has a very mature game that looks like it would translate. has patience, goes to the net front. feels like its becoming a top 2 and then a 2nd tier of 3-4 hagens, martone, frondell and ecklund.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Isn't there supposed to be a big drop in talent after around 15? Take a shot at the goalie with the later first and grab a bucket of popcorn to watch all the anti KD armchair gm's here lose it lol.

Cataclysmic drop in talent, yes.

Doesn't make picking a goalie a smart bet.

 

[hawksfan50]

If MIsa played on Bedard's line therevis no way Bedard plays the Center position...Misa far better 2 ways and on draws..

However if it were me,I put Lardis with Misa on one of tge top 2 lines as a duo and try other wi g options for Brdard if Bedard is going to remaina center in this re-build to contender process.

Bedard will always have some flaws...size,lack of elite speed,defensive effectiveness and faceoffs .

Maybe he can get better on draws bit realky the hope would be geys up to high 40s at least ..probably expecting too much to get him morevthan50%..butcat least he has sone control over that..

He has no control on :height/,ealistic strength improvement ,realistic speed improvement.
But...with better talent to co.plimemtcanf help hom maybe he can realistically improve his scoring such that at evens he can outscorecany defensive issues..
This means he has improve to 110-120 point producer at least to get above water i +/- OR the team around him gets mich better preventing goals or outscori g what they givevup with him only Evens.

Realistixalky probably a combo of both...maybe109+poimts and better defense helping him when he is on at evens.

If Misa centered theother top 2 line with Lardis as a winger tge the ideal other winger for that libe should be a 2 way winger with some physicality forecheck excellence and complimentary passing skill.

Do Hawks have such a winger in the system or will they have to go get one via trade or ufa signing?

Lardis Misa Rantanen woukd be great..

What does this do to help Bedard? NOthibgvfircsolvibg his "help" except that it takes the burden of the "Bedardvkine" to carry the team and it creates a pick your poison scenario for the opps..ifvtgeyvthrow their best checkers vs. A Bedard line then the Misa line gets it easier.. If they trycstopoingvtgecMisavkine then the Brdardvline gets it easier.

One question recently raised in a recent Sun Tines article asked if Brdard had akreadybkist his transcendental value level?

Too early,IMO since his help has not arrived.

1xeay to help him is to have a potent dominating 2nd line to take tge focus ofvBrdard and hisvown line.

Inf Hawks get Misa ..then it does not matter which livnes designated as line#1orline #2...the main point is to get 2 Top lines that give the opps problems.


I think Misa also pkays in the NHL in 205/26 season...Plug and Play.

Hevis too good for any more developing at thecOHL level and too good even if hevhas able to pkay in tgexAHL(too young to do tgat nextcsesdon(..
Pointvis. He helps the Hawks immediately next season ...

If Hawks got lucky and winger lottery for#1 then if theytook Schaefer as the final piece in the re-build of the d-corps,Schaefer given his late birthday/ young age,and because dmen always take longer and need to fill out frames to co.pete vs.NHL pros, is goibg to need at minimum next season back in Juniors...
And since you do motcwant to rish dmen,maybe hecwoll reqyire 2 more seasobsxbefore beibg fully ready for the Show despite all his talentcandcability.

In contrast Misa can help immediately next seasonin structuring a 2nd "top line" ...making the Hawks a whole different proposition for the opps ..

So KD woukd consider all of this in any Schaefer or Misa choice if Hawkscdraftecxat #1..

HOWEVER if Hawks get to onlyvdraftat #2, the I woukd expect Schaefer goes off tge boardxat #1 ...BUT:

You coukd make a case that certain teams ifvtheyblabd #1may prefer takibg a Center over a Dman..

SJ= 100% wouldtake Schaefer at #1..If Hawks #2 a no braiber tgey draft Misa in that spot.

But if Buffalo got #1,I think they take Misa over Schaefer given they have Dakin and Power on D and never even replaced Eichel.

If Nashville got #1,they tried a rebuild on the fly with big ticket ufa forward signings,but Josi gettibg old and so probably they take Schaefer unless they do not want to wait 1-2 more seasons before Schaefer hits the Show.
So maybecthey choose immediately help next sesson with Misa?

So of Hawks getting #2 depending on which other team drafts at #1,Hawks choice is made for them.. Either Schaefer or Misa solves a need ..but how quickly will be determined by which prosoect left on the board after tge first selection goes off the board.
So pretty clear who goes # 2 and #2 in this draft.

What follows at #3 and#4 are NOT in my opinion in tge same top tier(1A) as Schaefer and Misa.

I think Hagens has dropped into the 2nd tier (1B) and their is a big gap now between 1A and 1B tiers..

If Hawks pick at#3 or#4...rankimgs would suggest Hagens,Martone,Frondell,Desnoyers and even Jake O'Brien could be in the mix..
Hagens always has been been considered as a top 2 candidate...however hisclack of goal scoring despite playing much of the season with Leonard and Perrault on his line IS a concern to me ...his good assist number would be expected anyway playing with those 2 top NCAA wibger talents on his kine (till recently games where B.U. changed up its lines ...in any case more was expected from Hages..especialky goal scoring ..but he has not gotten better so far in the 2nd half as he produced intge first half ..So in my view his star has slipped him down into tgat 1B tier now.

In any case anoter 5'10.5 undersized Center is
NOT a good fit for the Hawks...IF he had hadca Celebrini level freshman campaign maybe I would look at him differently..but I just think he has not produced as much as exoevted...especially tge low level of goals scored and so I woukd look to draft other better fits for the Hawks at #3 or#4 if one of these ends up our draft slot.
Martone or O"brien or Desnoyers would be better fits for the Hawks ..

Alk have size...Martone at 6'3 ..physical and skilked ...but his scoring pace slowed in 2nd half so far compared to first half dropped him from consideration from#1or#2 earlier to now a #3-#5 area..
O'Brien has in cobtrastctrebded up so far with a higher scoring oace intyec2nd half so far...Also he only pkays ontge 2nd line onBreabtfird (Vaacker on his line( though theyvise hom on their PP...At 6'2 he has physicality and skill ...a Premier set-up guy off a strong foreckeck and dominant on the boards type,great pssder and playmaker..Goal scoring seems to be improving ...needs to improve in the defensive side of the game and notsure his skating passes the KD test ...

Frondell has a greater difference of opinion amongst the rankers...some love his game and think hecis too 4-6 others have him mich lower..

One criticism of his gameis a lack of transition aspect...but others loje his forecheck and paysto the net off that once in the o-zone.


Maybe Desnoyers is best fit for the Hawks.. you can check off t e defensive side ...maybetge best 2 way forward i n the draft ..sone edge to his game.. great on faceoffs ... has great hockeycsense and vision...6'2 size but will need to fill out his frame..a master in transition and 2 on1s ...highly skilled...good passer..has a good 1 timer...his writer was considered just average but he seems to be picking corners better this season...very goiodxshot accuracy ..speed of shot should improve as he fills out gets stronger ...Has goid pace to his game..He seemscto be a good skater but notcekite..Lacks the explosion factor...but looks to me like a smooth stride and has thecl ability/intelligence to seem able to get free of his checks ro more open space. Can conevo swooping off the wing taking it to the net then good slotbpass to tean-matedsat the crease ..

There is just so much to like bout his overall game ,and all the little details in his game he does so well..

If he could add more explosive skating it would take him to an even higher ceiling..

He could be a 2C solution for the Hawks but not the offebsive ceiling Misa wouod bring to that role ...or he could be used as a winger to compliment Bedard on line 1 but adding both a faceoff option and a 2 eay y help on the defending aspect..

So if Hawks draftat #3or#4 I think KD shoukd choose 1 of Drsnoyers,Martonevor O'Brien..

But rest of season needs to playout ..I want to see if O'Brien keeps on improving ...If so he might re-sort himself upto#3...

Desnoyers and Martinexarevin more featured top line go to guy roles forvtheirvteams...You meet to realize that OBrien coukd have even higher numbers if he was put in that rolevibof just a 2C for Brantford..

He might have that higher ceiling to what he could becone than hecwas thought of in the rankings so far..

He seems to be working well with Vanacker now ..So there may be value in taking a bet on his continued improvement.
He is 50% on draws..so needs to work on that aspect to getting that higher..
Needs to work on improving defensively...but that seems to be happening...still under water in plus/minus but has decreased the esrly season negatives down closer towards even ...and could get above even by season end of he keeps up this improvement..

I wish Hawks get #1orx#2...cannot go wrong with either Schaefer or Misa ...
They solve positional needs with definite answers.

At #3or#4 ...less certainty for a "star"...but some guys that can help a top 2 line at center or wing.

Only Misa can play in the Show as early as
25/26 season..
All the other candidates are at least 1-2more seasons of development out.

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

I think Misa can play physical. He has a sneaky edge in there somewhere, I've seen it.

No thanks to a goalie. Just take a Russian in 5-7 or something if you really want one. I mean they probably need one.

I certainly wouldn’t oppose the Hawks taking a swing on a Russian goalie every year or two, especially in rounds 5-7. A decent amount of those guys end up being analytical darlings, so it’s worth a shot. Let them play in the KHL for a couple of years and see what happens. If it works out, great. If not, you don’t have to sign them. It’s a late round pick. It’s worth a shot.

 

[pvr]

My two hopeful scenarios:

Draft Schaefer, trade Korchinski and Leafs 1st (add later pick if necessary)for chance to draft Desnoyers if available (pipe dream Lundell..is he playing center?).

Or…
Draft Misa.

 

[EddieTheEagle]

Finish second last, draft second. All we need to do. Let Schaefer go at #1 and draft Misa at #2.

Not a lottery win, and we get a blue chip offensive prospect to help out Bedard.

Make it so, @Rooh.

 

[GIADF]

If the Hawks do draft Misa where do you guys think he plays next year?

I was looking at the last handful of drafts and it looks like most OHL guys do not see many NHL games the first year after being drafted.

It's possible I missed someone but the only guy I saw that did play significant NHL games his rookie year after being drafted out of the OHL was Svechnikov back from the 2018 draft.

I'm still all for drafting Misa, just wonder what that means for the rest of the roster next year if that's how it plays out.

 

[BHFAN92]

My two hopeful scenarios:

Draft Schaefer, trade Korchinski and Leafs 1st (add later pick if necessary)for chance to draft Desnoyers if available (pipe dream Lundell..is he playing center?).

Or…
Draft Misa.

I would be willing to trade Korchinski, Moore, and Toronto 2025 1st and 2nds to move back up to land Desnoyers or Hagens if we snag Schaefer at #1

 

[pvr]

If the Hawks do draft Misa where do you guys think he plays next year?

I was looking at the last handful of drafts and it looks like most OHL guys do not see many NHL games the first year after being drafted.

It's possible I missed someone but the only guy I saw that did play significant NHL games his rookie year after being drafted out of the OHL was Svechnikov back from the 2018 draft.

I'm still all for drafting Misa, just wonder what that means for the rest of the roster next year if that's how it plays out.

Would like one year of college hockey at a premier program.

Then in ‘26 we get another top 5-10, and we’re off to the races.

 

[pvr]

I would be willing to trade Korchinski, Moore, and Toronto 2025 1st and 2nds to move back up to land Desnoyers or Hagens if we snag Schaefer at #1

That’s probably more than it would take.