2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[Putt Pirate]

Hawks have a more difficult schedule the rest of the season than SJ. It will be a race to the bottom.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Hawks have a more difficult schedule the rest of the season than SJ. It will be a race to the bottom.

We’ve also played two more games than them now. This is going to come down to the wire.

 

[Bubba88]

Schaefer
Misa
Frondell
Hagens

That should be the order as of now. Lots can happen until the Draft.
Can't have too many good D in your system, can't have enough good C in your System and if you have you handle that later.

 

[Rolo]

XXX Misa Bedard
XXX Boisvert Nazar
Dach Moore Kantserov
Vanacker Greene XXX
Slaggert

Vlasic Levshunov
EDM Rinzel
Korchinski Crevier
Kaiser
Allan

Knight
Commesso

LW is notoriously weak (unless Lardis hits.. he's top 6 or bust).. I think signing Ehlers might be a good move as a stop-gap. Also a big body in the top 6 is needed...

Might have to explore moving Korchinski for a legit top 6 prospect as well if EDM takes the next step, and is a mainstay top 4 LD. Kaiser/Allan are perfectly suitable as a 3LD...

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

If SJ and Chicago tie in points who ends up as the team dead last tiebreaker wise?

 

[pvr]

If SJ and Chicago tie in points who ends up as the team dead last tiebreaker wise?

It’s either regulation wins or regulation plus overtime wins. Hawks aren’t likely to catch SJS.

 

[unbridledid]

I do agree with taking the BPA, but I figure two forwards and one D man with
our top three picks in 2025 ? I don't include the Stars 2nd as it will be close to
our third round pick.

 

[hawksfan50]

In the latest Craig Button list of draft prospect rankings he has Hagens dropped to#6..he has itas: Schaefer Misa Martone Frondell McQueen Hagens Denoyers in thevtop 7...and only has Jake OBrien at #10..

But this is a draft that after the consensus #1and#2 (Schaefer and Misa) you can make a case that any other the others except Hagens but including O'Brien could turn out as the best of the rest..

So in my ranking I an thing go with Schaefer or Misa as tge #1or#2 depending on team priority need (some teams lije SJ desperatecfor a top dman..Hawks hard to overlook the franchise ability of Schaefer but the need for a 2 way too scoring Cebter with 6'1or more size is very difficult to pass on ...the need is great for a non-smurf elite speed and skill decent size 2 way impact center...

But at #3 or#4 there are choices...3 more centers stand out ..McQueen Dessnoyers and O'Brien...Frondelk may be a wing notcas Cebter projectedcto the NHL ..onlyv6'0 and lacks transporting speed ...no transition game..butca force on the bostfsxand taking it to the skitcand net in thebo-zibe and solid d-zobe game..the issue is transportation relies on others to do the job from d-zobe through neutral zone so I mark him down lower than Button has him..

On thebotgerchand a case can be made forcO'Brien given both his later birthdate incinerated when he will turn 18 and the projection of filling out his lanky 6'2+ frame ..more weight /mass will help him gain more explosion i his smooth long stride skating..Heviscthe brst passr /playmaker i the draft ...has a goidxshot but isxa low vokunecshoiter at least in hiscrokevinBrantfordvthis season as just thec2C not thec1C (as DesnoyersxandxMCQuuen are forvtheirvteams(...

Hagens has correctly dropped givenhe did not produce as mich as exoected ..esoecialky goals despite hisvprivileged 1C roke (until mid January) with Leonard and Oerrauktcat #1BostonColkege..Plusvhevisxac5'19.5 shrimp and I the Hawksccase we do not needcanothercsmalk center...So I drop hom way lower than 6th.

Tge discussion for #3or#4 is between the 3 sizer Cebters with MCQuuen as the Big 6"5 guy NHL teams drool to project on...Desnoyers at 6'2 who needs to fill out his frame.. and youbgvO'Brien who needs aksi to fill out but has elittecekutevpkaymajibgvsjilk and a goidcsotvwhich you hope he uses more next season as the 1C rolevibBrabtford..Obroen does pjayvwith Lardidvon theorcPo1 and they use him akso on their Pk.. He just need development in sone areas and he may really jump from being in only a slightly higher production level than Martone or Desnoyers to being up in Misa level production or greater..he has a high ceiling projection if he improves in some areas he needs working.

With Ddsnoyers maybe notcasvhighva ceiling offensively but the bestc2 wayvcenter and defensively reliable center to go along with good skills and effective transitioning rush scoring ,a great pace and work ethic plus great at faceoffs..Just a lot to like "all round"..

Hardcto know which of McQueen Desnoyers or Obrien to bet on emerging as a big star and helping the Hawks tge most doen the line...none will be intge NHL bextcsesdon..Hawjs shoukd not rush them ...McQueen already has a pro body but missing 50 games this season has cut needed development tine .

Martonebis a winger nitca Center and tge pressure to find a winger to bring out the bestvinBedard is great...So maybevKD does that..butvitvisxa risky best because Martone's effort level is inconsistent...Whwn hevisc"on" he can doninatev..when he slacks off you wonder how he shoukd be i tgevtopbten even

I think I preferctge consistency of Desnoyers and work ethic or the projectable improvenent path fo O'Brien getting even more productive as he matures given his longer runway (8 months younger than Martone..
I do not know how KD has all tgese #3or#4 candidates raked..I just hope he does not go shrimp woth Hahes or the non'transotion game of Frindelk and size (height) issuecthere..

Good players but not what Hawks need.
I woukd be satisfied with any of McQueen Drsnoyers or O'brien if we do not get Misa at #2.

IFwe get #1I do not know id KD continues loading the Dcorps with SCHAEFER or solves tge accite ekite rop C soit with Misa.

It still us to be determined if Brdard is a NHL Center or should be a RW .
Eitfer way his 5x5 game mist improve both offensively and defensively..
I also do notcseexaxfuturexwith Nazar as 1C and Bedard 1RW...Too tiny..Too unablecto get pucks back whole attempting to defend I the d-zone vs. Forecheck and retrieval and board dominant opposition attackers ..

I leave it to our vaunted scouts to figure out the optimum pick at #3or#4 if it ends up in one of those scenarios.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

landing Schaefer this year and McKenna next year seems like it would be the dream from a team balance perspective but also not possible unless SJ went Misa 1st overall or whatever the rules need to be to make this happen

 

[Toews2Bickell]

XXX Misa Bedard
XXX Boisvert Nazar
Dach Moore Kantserov
Vanacker Greene XXX
Slaggert

Vlasic Levshunov
EDM Rinzel
Korchinski Crevier
Kaiser
Allan

Knight
Commesso

LW is notoriously weak (unless Lardis hits.. he's top 6 or bust).. I think signing Ehlers might be a good move as a stop-gap. Also a big body in the top 6 is needed...

Might have to explore moving Korchinski for a legit top 6 prospect as well if EDM takes the next step, and is a mainstay top 4 LD. Kaiser/Allan are perfectly suitable as a 3LD...

looking at this group...we have a bit to go still, which is fine as long as FO/ownership don't try to fast forward the rebuild too early

 

[ColbyChaos]

landing Schaefer this year and McKenna next year seems like it would be the dream from a team balance perspective but also not possible unless SJ went Misa 1st overall or whatever the rules need to be to make this happen

Any draft scenario for balance not involving Misa is unbalanced. Hawks have enough high ceiling Dmen already in Lev Vlasic and KK. There are too many questions on Bedards future as a center to make picking Schaefer the “team balance option”

Also have to make peace that this is likely the last year we pick at the top 2 odds are next year we are stuck picking 5th. Team still needs a real top line center while Bedard can free up his game on the wing. There is not a single team that has won the cup without a top center present it is the most important position in hockey and one we have to address

 

[Ajex12x]

Let's hope the lottery goes well. A lot of penciling in Misa, let's hope that's true.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Side note part of me can’t wait for the season to end already and for the lottery to take place just so we can finally know where we pick this year (and potentially next year)

 

[x Tame Impala]

Side note part of me can’t wait for the season to end already and for the lottery to take place just so we can finally know where we pick this year (and potentially next year)

Full on "Sim to Draft" mentality for me too. This rebuild is very little fun.

 

[pvr]

XXX Misa Bedard
XXX Boisvert Nazar
Dach Moore Kantserov
Vanacker Greene XXX
Slaggert

Vlasic Levshunov
EDM Rinzel
Korchinski Crevier
Kaiser
Allan

Knight
Commesso

LW is notoriously weak (unless Lardis hits.. he's top 6 or bust).. I think signing Ehlers might be a good move as a stop-gap. Also a big body in the top 6 is needed...

Might have to explore moving Korchinski for a legit top 6 prospect as well if EDM takes the next step, and is a mainstay top 4 LD. Kaiser/Allan are perfectly suitable as a 3LD...

That would be by far the youngest team in the league. Most any AHL team also would be older. They would be abused for the most part.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Full on "Sim to Draft" mentality for me too. This rebuild is very little fun.

Going to the game tomorrow with the wife for what is likely our last game for the season but still mentally just hoping the draft lottery comes soon.

Hoping it’s before playoffs begin like it was several years in the past having to wait until near the end of the second round like it was last season was pure torture. I still remember watching the lottery and then parts of the Rangers Canes at Kalahari in the dells last year

 

[ColbyChaos]

That would be by far the youngest team in the league. Most any AHL team also would be older. They would be abused for the most part.

Average age would be like 22-23 depending on the free agents would be something I’m unique for sure

 

[Muffinalt]

Full on "Sim to Draft" mentality for me too. This rebuild is very little fun.

I'm quite enjoying the young D influx. It's fun to think about where those guys are going to be in a year or two and showing the signs now.

But yeah, we need an elite forward prospect in the worst way. I think after next year is when most of the Kantserov, Lardis, Moore etc F will come up, so a Misa next year would be really good to bridge from an entertainment point of view.

 

[clydesdale line]

Any draft scenario for balance not involving Misa is unbalanced. Hawks have enough high ceiling Dmen already in Lev Vlasic and KK. There are too many questions on Bedards future as a center to make picking Schaefer the “team balance option”

I love Vlasic, but calling him a "high ceiling" player and then saying Bedard has questions at center is a stretch. I can agree with the latter but not the formal. Vlasic will never have the offensive upside as Levshunov or Korchinski (or even Rinzel).

With that said, I agree with the unbalance argument. Hawks have enough defensive prospects. Now Schaefer is a talent you can not pass on and if that means trade a defenseman currently in the organization for forward help, you do that 10 times out of 10 but if you're picking 1, just pick Misa or if it's 2 and San Jose (or whoever jumps) picks Schaefer, then you pick Misa and can still can hope the lotto balls fall our way in 2026 for more forward help in McKenna.

 

[u2wojo]

I love Vlasic, but calling him a "high ceiling" player and then saying Bedard has questions at center is a stretch. I can agree with the latter but not the formal. Vlasic will never have the offensive upside as Levshunov or Korchinski (or even Rinzel).

With that said, I agree with the unbalance argument. Hawks have enough defensive prospects. Now Schaefer is a talent you can not pass on and if that means trade a defenseman currently in the organization for forward help, you do that 10 times out of 10 but if you're picking 1, just pick Misa or if it's 2 and San Jose (or whoever jumps) picks Schaefer, then you pick Misa and can still can hope the lotto balls fall our way in 2026 for more forward help in McKenna.

If my choice is no Misa or Schaefer but a chance for McKenna or coming away with one of MIsa/Schaefer and no chance for McKenna, I'll take the bird in hand of Misa or Schaefer and settle for a shot at Roobroeck or Belechetz in what at the moment appears to be a deeper draft at the top in '26.

Maybe I don't understand the lotto rules, but don't we have a chance for McKenna/#1OA regardless of anything? If we finish dead last next season we can still "win" the lotto as we technically would not be moving up as we would be the worst team simply staying in our prelotto position of 1OA?

 

[ColbyChaos]

If my choice is no Misa or Schaefer but a chance for McKenna or coming away with one of MIsa/Schaefer and no chance for McKenna, I'll take the bird in hand of Misa or Schaefer and settle for a shot at Roobroeck or Belechetz in what at the moment appears to be a deeper draft at the top in '26.

Maybe I don't understand the lotto rules, but don't we have a chance for McKenna/#1OA regardless of anything? If we finish dead last next season we can still "win" the lotto as we technically would not be moving up as we would be the worst team simply staying in our prelotto position of 1OA?

It would take a really bad season for us to out tank the Sharks Pens and Bruins next year. Also runs into the question if we get Misa or Schaefer why are we still picking 1st the following year. It would have to be a catastrophic season injury wise to not make picking 1st in 2026 a failure as it means Knight, Bedard, Lev, Nazar, plus anyone else relevant did not take a step forward at all in development

 

[ello]

say we draft first and the sharks second and hypothetically it’s set in stone that we get Schaefer and Sharks get Misa and the Sharks come calling for the chance to draft their franchise cornerstone dman, you consider a trade like 1st overall for Smith + Chernyshov?

 

[u2wojo]

It would take a really bad season for us to out tank the Sharks Pens and Bruins next year. Also runs into the question if we get Misa or Schaefer why are we still picking 1st the following year. It would have to be a catastrophic season injury wise to not make picking 1st in 2026 a failure as it means Knight, Bedard, Lev, Nazar, plus anyone else relevant did not take a step forward at all in development

Misa or Schaefer likely do not play in the NHL next year. Schaefer will have just turned 18 at the start of the NHL, plays D, and missed most of this season any of which indivdually should be disqualifying but all 3 combined would be malpractice to rush him to the NHL. Misa even if he made a shitty Hawk roster is not moving the needle that young....a 40-50 point season would be "success". I don't see the Bruins or Pens going into a full on rebuild and way more likely they try a retool on the fly (Dubas isn't telling Sid, Malkin & Letang we are going for the McKenna draft pick boys). As bad as San Jose is...we are probably going into the last week of this season with a chance of them catching us and they have prospects/young players that are likely to improve year over year too.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Misa or Schaefer likely do not play in the NHL next year. Schaefer will have just turned 18 at the start of the NHL, plays D, and missed most of this season any of which indivdually should be disqualifying but all 3 combined would be malpractice to rush him to the NHL. Misa even if he made a shitty Hawk roster is not moving the needle that young....a 40-50 point season would be "success". I don't see the Bruins or Pens going into a full on rebuild and way more likely they try a retool on the fly (Dubas isn't telling Sid, Malkin & Letang we are going for the McKenna draft pick boys). As bad as San Jose is...we are probably going into the last week of this season with a chance of them catching us and they have prospects/young players that are likely to improve year over year too.

Boston just imploded their entire team besides Pasta Mac and Swayman this past deadline they are already bottom 7 despite originally being in a playoff spot for most of the season.

Over a full season with their roster now they sink even lower.

Pens are old as hell with Crosby being the only one of their core 3 that is even playing well. Malkin and Letang fell off a cliff and they are both old while the team has no depth or young talent that will make an impact next year. Also EK65 likely gets moved while the team still has been unable to find stability in net since MAF went to Vegas.

Pens and bruins will both be fighting for the bottom 5 next year I would bank my non existent reputation on it.

Meanwhile the hawks we likely do or at least we probably should hope to see growth from Vlasic Bedard, Nazar, Lev, KK, Knight and or anyone else who is expected to play a significant amount of games on the team next year.

I’m not saying we are even a bubble team but the Pens bruins and even the sharks (Askarov has not progressed as planned so far) could and likely will be below us in the standings next year and we likely pick closer to 5th instead of the top 3

 

[Northernhawk]

2025 Blackhawks are sitting in 31st place…

2024 Blackhawks finished 31st and remained picking 2nd

2023 Blackhawks finished 30th and ended up picking 1st, winning the Connor Bedard sweepstakes!

2022 Blackhawks finished 26th and traded their 6th, acquired picks 7th, 13th and 25th overall