2025 NHL Draft Thread

[GIADF]

I've never watched the OHL...

But how impressed should I be right now by Martone being a 2 point per game player with 22 goals and 40 assists in 31 games?

NHL Tankathon site has Martone at 1 OA whereas the consensus here is clearly Schaefer, and injured Schaefer at that.

 

[unbridledid]

I've never watched the OHL...

But how impressed should I be right now by Martone being a 2 point per game player with 22 goals and 40 assists in 31 games?

NHL Tankathon site has Martone at 1 OA whereas the consensus here is clearly Schaefer, and injured Schaefer at that.

You folks know more than I ...but wouldn't Misa being a center, and apparently a very well
rounded one at that offer "more" ???

 

[giza]

Misa would be my pick at this point in time.

 

[ploppsdman]

I love how I talk about there being a log jam upcoming (and one impacting Isaak) and THEN Phillips is dealt AND hawk beat reporters express a similar concern afterward AND I'm out of touch?

 

[Crow]

I love how I talk about there being a log jam upcoming (and one impacting Isaak) and THEN Phillips is dealt AND hawk beat reporters express a similar concern afterward AND I'm out of touch?

What?

 

[hawksfan50]

Looking at Forwatd targets IF we do not get the #1 and so miss on getting Schaefer...I leave Hagensvout forca host of reasons among them lanotgerxsmurf...Not great on draws...advantagevof pkaying with Leonard and Perrauktvthat no other forwardcprospect geys..And Hiscgoal production to assists is low..

So: if we go to plan B(not getting Schaefer a certain franchise dman) then at #2 or#3 ,or #4(if we finish 2nd last but get knocked down 2 slots ) we should have a shot at one of:

Micael Misa or Porter Martone ,or Caleb Denoyers or Roger McQueen(who is injured and so a gamble on not getting up to date viewing unless he gets back into even play this season)..

Misa,Denoyers and McQueen all shoukd bec2C solutions...Martone could be a top line or 2nd line Big Power Winger solution.

Misa to date:

37 GP 35g 37a 72 pts + 29
1.94 ppg

Last 10GP 8g 9a = 1.7ppg =slightly down pace +7

Martone to date:

31GP 22g 40a 62pts +16
2.0 ppg
Last 10GP trended down to just 1.3ppg
(3g 10a +3)

Caleb Denoyers to date :

35GP 25g 33a= 58 pts +42
1.657ppg

Last 10GP: 9g 11a = 20 pts =2ppg so trending up(actually has trended up in Decenber and January from a slowr start earlier .

Note some things:

Martone seemscto be skewing mich more assists than goals scoring =not what you want in a power wi inger.. Also his + isa lit less than either Misa or the sensational Denoyers indicating theycare better bets 5x5 for 2 wayv play=they are better defebsuveky aside from scoring..

As for closing Cebters...though Misa is ranked hogher (usually #3or#4 on the majority of lots,and Denoyers is 7-19on most lists, you have to look at 2 way lkay where thatc + is far better than just +29f or Misa to date...then compare faceoff prowess.. Misa is good at 54.5% faceoff win% but Denoyers is outstanding at above 63%..

So will want to see howcrestofcsrason plays out ..but sone concerns more on Martone,I think if we cannotvget Schaefer then Pman B should prioritize that 2C target ..since it looks like Bedard is the Hawks 1C as they hope he can improve with the right linemates and improve on draws..

I do notvthink they want to go with 2 smalk centers on thevtop 2vlines..so it seensctheycarevok with Nazar as tge RW for Bedard as long as Bertuzzi orca pkayervkijevhim can do the dirty work along the biardscand at netvfrint to create some chaos so that Bedardxand Nazar can work together to create in more space.

Therexarexstull defensivecisdues with that line but ifvthey continue to click maybevthey can outscore these isdues).

So it seems we Need ax2C good 2 ways but akso a very good goal scorer andvpjaymaker who also is goidcatcdraws..

Right mowxI have Misa still aheadvofcDenouyers ..but I might recersevthatbif Denoyers keepsctrendingbupward..Ifvhe can jeeo up hisc2ppg restofvthecseason then with his greT defense and ekitecfaceoff % it woukd be hard not to takevhomcobsibderibgvtgecdetaiks. SUREMisxhas elitexsoeed..but if Denoyerscisceven better in the defensive details and with that fantastic ability to windows I think you fill in that 2C with the best alk riubdvoackage...butbibeitger case we cannotblose.. we solve the 2C position for our core..

Moore and Boisvert can compete for3C or be used on the wing..
McQueen Is the wild card..checks the size box at overv6'5and checkscthecskating box...off zhortcsMple thiscseason,skews to better goal scorer that assists guy
.but have got to see hom play this season or you are betting only on potential or padtcsrsson younger viewing reports.. NOt sure about hiscfaceoifs or what hecwoukdcdo 5x5 in+/' 2 way play...

I am less sold on Frindell as an option that high at #2#3or#4..

OF course I IF a team drafting 3rd or4th Hagens as their top target and hexwas therexat #2,I would trade down to #3or#4 if Hawks at#2 for a steep price sweetener whether that be a prospectcwe like we like and a 2nd rounder or 2 second rounders (2025 and 2026 if they have them in stock)..WE COULD drive the price for both teans drafting 3rd or 4th by playing them against each other in a bidding war to make a "splash"...so Hagens could still be a chip for us to play ..butvthey have be nuts to think he coukd be the right fit for our future corps given we
need more size I thev top 6 and the concernI have that Hagens shoukd not be considered a lock to ve more helpful to our team structure vs. what the other options bring...but ifvteams #3or#4 think he is so greater a choice for their situation...then let's make a deal.

After Schaefer at#1,I think needcand preference at forward will take over vs. Sone one fits all BPA rating that reakkyvis not that clear to my eyes anyway.

Hagebsvis not the right fit for the Hawks but still coukd bevused for greater advantage and we still get solutions at either 2C or a top six wi get with size....all withabukities that can help us .

 

[x Tame Impala]

I love how I talk about there being a log jam upcoming (and one impacting Isaak) and THEN Phillips is dealt AND hawk beat reporters express a similar concern afterward AND I'm out of touch?

Phillips isn't even the #7 on an awful Hawks team. How does his trade have anything to do with a logjam?

 

[TLEH]

I've never watched the OHL...

But how impressed should I be right now by Martone being a 2 point per game player with 22 goals and 40 assists in 31 games?

NHL Tankathon site has Martone at 1 OA whereas the consensus here is clearly Schaefer, and injured Schaefer at that.

OHL is weaker than the past but it’s still a good league. Martone is a good player. Schaefer is the #1 on HF for sure but post WJC I’ve seen people move Martone down a spot or two. Maybe unfairly considering how awful that Canada team was ran.

Martone didn’t play a ton but I thought he struggled with the pace a little. Not that he couldn’t skate and keep up just that his game lacked pace of play.

 

[Dead Meat]

I love how I talk about there being a log jam upcoming (and one impacting Isaak) and THEN Phillips is dealt AND hawk beat reporters express a similar concern afterward AND I'm out of touch?

The guy cleared waivers. What beat writers?

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I have it Schaefer then Misa. I'd be fine with a couple guys at three but I really want one of those two.

 

[TheFridge]

I love how I talk about there being a log jam upcoming (and one impacting Isaak) and THEN Phillips is dealt AND hawk beat reporters express a similar concern afterward AND I'm out of touch?

The Hawks moved a minor league player on an NHL deal in Phillips for another minor league player on an NHL deal in Kuzmin. Phillips' contract was set to expire at the end of the year while Kuzmin's runs through next year. The move, if anything, would've added to a logjam, though no actual logjam exists.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

One thing I've seen mentioned a few times with Misa is his play in terms of stick checking, positioning, and anticipation without the puck is elite. Ergo he does a lot with a few short touches. I can't corroborate that but in terms of having an NHL career that's a good place to start.

 

[MicronMega]

Schafer seems like the clear number one pick and I think Chicago or any other team would take him at #1. In that case I kind of hope Chicago gets the 2nd pick so they don't have the choice to pick him and are forced to pick a forward instead.

Schafer is elite, but I like the d-core already and would love to see an elite forward join the group.

Misa, Martone, Hagens, Frondell or Desnoyers

 

[Taze em]

One thing I've seen mentioned a few times with Misa is his play in terms of stick checking, positioning, and anticipation without the puck is elite. Ergo he does a lot with a few short touches. I can't corroborate that but in terms of having an NHL career that's a good place to start.

Fit wise I would love Misa, he does the little things Bedard doesn't. You can't go wrong really between Martone, Misa, and Schaeffer.

 

[ploppsdman]

The Hawks moved a minor league player on an NHL deal in Phillips for another minor league player on an NHL deal in Kuzmin. Phillips' contract was set to expire at the end of the year while Kuzmin's runs through next year. The move, if anything, would've added to a logjam, though no actual logjam exists.

Kuzmin isnt taking ice time from anybody and his development isn't of the slightest concern. He will likely be scratched half the time. It didn't add to the ice time issue in Rockford. He was acquired to be Levs teddy bear.

 

[ploppsdman]

If I were Taige Harding and Chicago offers me a contract, I've got a difficult choice to make.

Chicago is showing it can develop D like Taige - Vlasic & Crevier - but I'll be facing a potential AHL depth chart of Lev, Korch, EDM, Rinzel, etc.

In the NHL, I've got to beat Crevier, Allan, Kaiser, and Vlasic.

There's probably more ice time elsewhere: something to keep an eye on.

 

[WarriorofTime]

If I were Taige Harding and Chicago offers me a contract, I've got a difficult choice to make.

Chicago is showing it can develop D like Taige - Vlasic & Crevier - but I'll be facing a potential AHL depth chart of Lev, Korch, EDM, Rinzel, etc.

In the NHL, I've got to beat Crevier, Allan, Kaiser, and Vlasic.

There's probably more ice time elsewhere: something to keep an eye on.

At same time, Chicago has exactly one (1) established young Defenseman that can be said to be proven at the NHL spot with a long-term commitment locked up. They are still in the evaluation/see what you have phase with everyone else. Harding will have a secure spot in the AHL (unless he's bad), and if he ends up being very good, has an opportunity like everyone else to secure an NHL spot. If you're worried that much about Wyatt Kaiser and Ethan Del Mastro if you're him, then I doubt it's necessarily any easier on teams that are in a playoff window.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Pick needs to be either Schaefer or Misa. You either end up with a stupidly loaded D core or you have your 1-2 punch at center for the next 15 years. 75 points in 38 games is stupid production for a draft eligible player.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Misa gang where you at

 

[CapitalistInfidel]

After passing on Demidov at #2 and then passing on Eiserman at #18, and without that trade the Hawks could have gotten Stiga how do you think Bedard would feel if they passed on Misa, Hagens or Martone? Would anyone blame him for requesting a trade? If that were to happen I sure wouldn’t. That would add another year without a running mate. It would be another 3 years at least before he has another stud on his wing. There may not be another elite forward next year where they draft

 

[Mjul Qvist]

After passing on Demidov at #2 and then passing on Eiserman at #18, and without that trade the Hawks could have gotten Stiga how do you think Bedard would feel if they passed on Misa, Hagens or Martone?

I have no clue how Bedard feels? Just that he doesn´t seem to be guy who thinks that way. He could´ve gone from Regina Pats to a better team in WHL but he chose to stay there. I believe he respects his teammates whoever they are.

 

[Kevin Musto]

After passing on Demidov at #2 and then passing on Eiserman at #18, and without that trade the Hawks could have gotten Stiga how do you think Bedard would feel if they passed on Misa, Hagens or Martone? Would anyone blame him for requesting a trade? If that were to happen I sure wouldn’t. That would add another year without a running mate. It would be another 3 years at least before he has another stud on his wing. There may not be another elite forward next year where they draft

He gets to play with the GOAT Frank Nazar

Bedard will be fine

 

[pvr]

After passing on Demidov at #2 and then passing on Eiserman at #18, and without that trade the Hawks could have gotten Stiga how do you think Bedard would feel if they passed on Misa, Hagens or Martone? Would anyone blame him for requesting a trade? If that were to happen I sure wouldn’t. That would add another year without a running mate. It would be another 3 years at least before he has another stud on his wing. There may not be another elite forward next year where they draft

None of them are in the NHL, and aren’t guaranteed to do anything in the future. I do know this though, that teams win with defense. Leafs and Oilers haven’t won a Cup. Hawks with Keith, Seabrook, Hjarlmarsson, et al. did. It’s easier to sign a free agent forward or trade for on from our position of strength on defense, rather than a difference-making dman. Our defenseman pool looks very promising, top tier already, and would be exceptional if Schaefer is added.

We have a plethora of offensive prospects, and will add this draft. Just a few need to hit, but more likely will. Hawks will be alright.

Go back to the Caps forum. We don’t need your baseless conjecture here.

 

[ColbyChaos]

None of them are in the NHL, and aren’t guaranteed to do anything in the future. I do know this though, that teams win with defense. Leafs and Oilers haven’t won a Cup. Hawks with Keith, Seabrook, Hjarlmarsson, et al. did. It’s easier to sign a free agent forward or trade for on from our position of strength on defense, rather than a difference-making dman. Our defenseman pool looks very promising, top tier already, and would be exceptional if Schaefer is added.

We have a plethora of offensive prospects, and will add this draft. Just a few need to hit, but more likely will. Hawks will be alright.

Go back to the Caps forum. We don’t need your baseless conjecture here.

Leafs never won because their forwards are overrated and Matthews is more concerned about squeezing the last dollar of his team's cap every 3 years than actually winning. It is honestly amazing he doesnt get more heat for his contract shenangins.

Oilers went to game 7 of the finals last year any sane person would argue a starting goalie was 1000% a bigger issue than their defense.

Should we talk about all the success Nashville had with their 4 top pairing Dmen the last 20 years? Afterall how could a team that at one point had Timonen, Weber, Suter, Josi, Ellis, Ekholm, Jones, Subban, among others not win? Must have been one big problem front and center with those teams... How about that they lost to a Pittsburgh team who didnt even have a top pairing D in 2017?

Elite center depth > everything else.

Crosby-Malkin, Kopitar-Carter, Bergeron-Krejci (could have been Savard too if Matt Cooke wasnt a prick), Stamkos-Point, ROR-Schenn, Backstrom-Kuznetsov, MacKinnon-Kadri, Datsyuk-Zetterberg, Staal-BrindAmour,

You pretty much have to go back to our Hawks to find a cup winner without at least 2 great centers down the middle and that is the exception if anything, also considering Kane basically was the center for his own line.

 

[pvr]

Leafs never won because their forwards are overrated and Matthews is more concerned about squeezing the last dollar of his team's cap every 3 years than actually winning. It is honestly amazing he doesnt get more heat for his contract shenangins.

Oilers went to game 7 of the finals last year any sane person would argue a starting goalie was 1000% a bigger issue than their defense.

Should we talk about all the success Nashville had with their 4 top pairing Dmen the last 20 years? Afterall how could a team that at one point had Timonen, Weber, Suter, Josi, Ellis, Ekholm, Jones, Subban, among others not win? Must have been one big problem front and center with those teams... How about that they lost to a Pittsburgh team who didnt even have a top pairing D in 2017?

Elite center depth > everything else.

Crosby-Malkin, Kopitar-Carter, Bergeron-Krejci (could have been Savard too if Matt Cooke wasnt a prick), Stamkos-Point, ROR-Schenn, Backstrom-Kuznetsov, MacKinnon-Kadri, Datsyuk-Zetterberg, Staal-BrindAmour,

You pretty much have to go back to our Hawks to find a cup winner without at least 2 great centers down the middle and that is the exception if anything, also considering Kane basically was the center for his own line.

Only Pens, TBL, and Wings (and maybe the Kings) had two great centers, combined not-so-surprisingly with Letang (arguably the weakest d-corps of the multiple Cup winners because of Crosby), Hedman, Lindstrom, and Doughty. All won multiple Cups. The Bruins underachieved, even with Chara. The others lacked great defense.

Leafs still don’t have a good defense, and Matthews underperforms in the playoffs.

Nashville was an outlier, because, you know, the Hawks were in their way when they were at their peak.

Edit: forgot about Vancouver, with Sedin and Kesler, but sub-optimal defense.