2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Muffinalt]

Yeah me too but at 4?
I could imagine him digging out pucks for Bedard for 15 years though

I have him as at 4 actually, just because I think Martone play is slow (not skating).

Its not consensus obviously, but I think he also has much higher upside than Desnoyers or Frondell.

So if it's between Eklund and Martone, Eklund is definitely the KD type.

Like you said in the other post, Eklund plays so much bigger than his listed size. I wouldnt worry about that fact at all. His feistiness would be great in our top 6.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Martone seems like an easy pick at 4. Hawks have a massive need for a big forward that has a good scoring touch.

I think McDavid has broken nhl fans brain on the idea that all the best players need to also be the league’s fastest skaters. It’s not remotely true across the board. You obviously don’t want someone that skates like Maroon in junior but the Hawks have a lot of fast skaters already. They can draft someone else no problem.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Martone's not a strong skater, but I don't know that he'll be a below average one in the NHL. If Hawks pick 4th, you definitely get some of the staff to analyze his skating stride and see if it can be improved upon. For all most of us here knows, he just needs a good summer or two and he'll have significant improvements there.

I don't think we need to draft for speed with this pick, though. There is a lot of speed already in the system; there aren't a lot of power forwards. If Martone hits and becomes a Perry or Stone or (B.) Tkachuk like winger, that would really fill a hole for us.

 

[Muffinalt]

Martone seems like an easy pick at 4. Hawks have a massive need for a big forward that has a good scoring touch.

I think McDavid has broken nhl fans brain on the idea that all the best players need to also be the league’s fastest skaters. It’s not remotely true across the board. You obviously don’t want someone that skates like Maroon in junior but the Hawks have a lot of fast skaters already. They can draft someone else no problem.

I don't know if this is a reply to me because you often don't quote, but I specifically said it's not the skating for me.

And I agree, plenty of slower players are good. I don't think you would find a single person that holds the opinion you generalized in the second paragraph.

But it's true that our GM tends to very openly prefer strong skaters. Doesn't mean he won't pick other players, but it's a trend.