2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[dj Mahoney]

If Kyle doesnt move up with the Leafs pick this guy sounds like a fit for our bottom 6 Shane Vansaghi . Described by Locked on Prospects as a very violent wrecking Ball , very hard working .Interviewer on 2nd link compares him to Tom Wilson !! He sounds like a guy who could fit in on any line for short periods "true"]Shane Vansaghi Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Shane Vansaghi - 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

One of the 2025 NHL Drafts underrated prospects, Shane Vansaghi has plenty of tools that NHL GMs look for in their young players.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[ColbyChaos]

Can we draft a new mod instead of @CallMeShaft ? He's like the Nail Yakupov of 1st round Mod choices

enjoy your ban lmao

 

[dj Mahoney]

Vaclav Nestrasil Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Vaclav Nestrasil, a hockey player from Praha, Czech Rep. born Apr 6 2007 who was active from 2023 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

This guy sounds like a consideration as well.

 

[ChicagoHockeyFan]

Kantserov is pretty fast, no?

Regardless, Martone wasn't even mentioned by Powers as a prospect they're interested in.

From what I have seen I like Kantserov in zone quickness but the straight line acceleration is more average. I think he has a weird stride and kicks out his legs a little too much

 

[ChicagoHockeyFan]

Martone is a worse skater than 98. Bedard is simply a mediocre skater for his size, and Martone is okay for his.

Management isn't afraid of going for some mid skaters, but they do want to build a team that plays with pace. It's questionable how that pace would be affected if Martone was our best winger and playing big minutes.

I think Davidson has said he wants to play with a team speed like the 2022 Colorado cup team. I think Martone can play a similar role to Rantanen from that team. Also I think he meant the forwards play like that team while the defense looks more like 2023 Vegas.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I think Davidson has said he wants to play with a team speed like the 2022 Colorado cup team. I think Martone can play a similar role to Rantanen from that team. Also I think he meant the forwards play like that team while the defense looks more like 2023 Vegas.

Rantanen is much faster than Martone

 

[ChicagoHockeyFan]

Rantanen is much faster than Martone

Definitely not a perfect comparison, but the odds of finding one for rantanen are slim. Skating will be his number one priority the next few off-season's. Not probable he gains a step to get to NHL average. But not completely out of the picture

 

[Mjul Qvist]

Rantanen is much faster than Martone

So you are comparing NHL player and prospect. Let´s look what scouts had to say about Rantanen in his draft year:

“A strong three-zone playmaker who is also defensively responsible…has an awkward upright skating stride, but gets from Point A to Point B just fine…not a big ”wow” factor to his game, but is a smooth, fluid, big-bodied forward who can be hard to handle…uses his strength and reach, along with his vision and hands, to protect the puck…has good instincts when to pass and when to hold…puck seems to follow him around the ice…good in his own zone and consistently makes himself available for a breakout pass…has impressive hockey sense and awareness…needs to work on his shot and add more muscle mass to his growing frame. (December 2014)”

It is all about how they see the development and upside. I don´t know how good Martone will or could become but I´m sure he can become better and faster skater. What I like about him is his hockey IQ and leadership qualities. That is something that shouldn´t be overlooked.

 

[Kevin Musto]

So you are comparing NHL player and prospect. Let´s look what scouts had to say about Rantanen in his draft year:

“A strong three-zone playmaker who is also defensively responsible…has an awkward upright skating stride, but gets from Point A to Point B just fine…not a big ”wow” factor to his game, but is a smooth, fluid, big-bodied forward who can be hard to handle…uses his strength and reach, along with his vision and hands, to protect the puck…has good instincts when to pass and when to hold…puck seems to follow him around the ice…good in his own zone and consistently makes himself available for a breakout pass…has impressive hockey sense and awareness…needs to work on his shot and add more muscle mass to his growing frame. (December 2014)”

It is all about how they see the development and upside. I don´t know how good Martone will or could become but I´m sure he can become better and faster skater. What I like about him is his hockey IQ and leadership qualities. That is something that shouldn´t be overlooked.

I like Martone. You don't need to convince me.

But the reality is Martone is going to be a below average skater in the NHL. Best case scenario he gets to average level.

Davidson doesn't see that as good enough.

 

[Mjul Qvist]

I like Martone. You don't need to convince me.

But the reality is Martone is going to be a below average skater in the NHL. Best case scenario he gets to average level.

Davidson doesn't see that as good enough.

I don´t know what Davidson thinks but Hawks have drafted enough speedy and good skaters to go with. There are a lot of high quality players in the NHL that are average skaters. I believe they should expand their views on players.

 

[TheFridge]

Martone is a worse skater than 98. Bedard is simply a mediocre skater for his size, and Martone is okay for his.

Management isn't afraid of going for some mid skaters, but they do want to build a team that plays with pace. It's questionable how that pace would be affected if Martone was our best winger and playing big minutes.

Bedard isn't a medicore skater. He's just not an elite skater in terms of straight line speed. His lack of speed is being overblown. He was literally in the 75th percentile of fastest skaters last year. Yeah he dipped to the 50th percentile this season but we'll see in the summer if that reverses.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Thats a massive dropoff for Bedard, wonder why it happened

 

[pvr]

I'm more like Bedard, losers call me a bust, but real ones know I'm generational.

Going full-on Musto isn’t going to help your case.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

Some of these skating speed trackers seem so silly and useless.

I don’t care what a guys top speed is and how many times he’s done it if it takes him forever to get to that speed and he’s already behind the play. Or if he can’t turn.

 

[kmwtrucks]

I'm not sure that Davidson is completely adverse to taking average or sub par skaters as some people have suggested. Starting in 2022 Hayes, Kantserov, Pharand, Marcel, are all guys that I've watched who have not shown much skating wise. I agree especially at the top of the draft it is something they prioritize but they're not completely opposed to drafting players that could use some skating work. Boisvert also had some issues skating but has gotten a lot better in the last year and Bedard as well isn't the most fleet of foot. Ruling out Martone as a possible pick just because of skating isn't smart, I think he is pretty on par with Boisvert but I could be wrong.

knatersov is strong skater

 

[Drumman44]

Thats a massive dropoff for Bedard, wonder why it happened

I’m telling you guys we need to launch that goofy barefoot strength and conditioning coach that ruined Strome into the sun

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

I’m telling you guys we need to launch that goofy barefoot strength and conditioning coach that ruined Strome into the sun

Barefoot strength and conditioning coach?

 

[ello]

Bedard isn't a medicore skater. He's just not an elite skater in terms of straight line speed. His lack of speed is being overblown. He was literally in the 75th percentile of fastest skaters last year. Yeah he dipped to the 50th percentile this season but we'll see in the summer if that reverses.

He just didn’t dip to the 50th percentile, the stat only says he’s below the 50th percentile and judging by the deviations I’d guess he’s around 25%.

For reference this season Bedard’s top speed AND speed bursts were both below a 36 year old Patrick Kane.

He looked sluggish all year and the stats and eye test back it up. Whatever happened this past offseason cannot happen again lol

 

[Toews2Bickell]

I’m telling you guys we need to launch that goofy barefoot strength and conditioning coach that ruined Strome into the sun

the guy in this video?

 

[Kevin Musto]

I don´t know what Davidson thinks but Hawks have drafted enough speedy and good skaters to go with. There are a lot of high quality players in the NHL that are average skaters. I believe they should expand their views on players.

Yeah I keep saying that.

He has passed on great talent because he's stuck on this vision.

With that said, I can at least respect that he has a vision. Nothing worse than a GM with no clear direction. At least I can see what he's trying to accomplish.

 

[Castle8130]

Kantserov is pretty fast, no?

Regardless, Martone wasn't even mentioned by Powers as a prospect they're interested in.

Are Misa and Frondell the only two Powers mentioned?

Kantserov has that Kaprizov skating, a great skater. Also Bedard was basically forced to us

While i do agree skating isn’t a must, it is definitely a trait they covet the most. A majority of our picks have that trait. I will say this though, the hawks are NOT prioritizing hockey IQ. There is not a single drafted player from KD thats best trait is Hockey IQ. Ill go a step further and say there isnt a single player that’s two best qualities are Hockey IQ and Skill. Martone would fit under that category.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Are Misa and Frondell the only two Powers mentioned?

Kantserov has that Kaprizov skating, a great skater. Also Bedard was basically forced to us

While i do agree skating isn’t a must, it is definitely a trait they covet the most. A majority of our picks have that trait. I will say this though, the hawks are NOT prioritizing hockey IQ. There is not a single drafted player from KD thats best trait is Hockey IQ. Ill go a step further and say there isnt a single player that’s two best qualities are Hockey IQ and Skill. Martone would fit under that category.

Misa, Frondell, and Desnoyers

I agree with your stance on IQ

 

[Castle8130]

Misa, Frondell, and Desnoyers

I agree with your stance on IQ

Okay good. Those are my 3 preferences as well. Were there any details on them or just name drops?

 

[Kevin Musto]

Okay good. Those are my 3 preferences as well. Were there any details on them or just name drops?

I don't think there was much else. Just Powers saying those are the forwards that are highest on their list.

I'm sure he'll have a bit more to offer closer to the draft.

Though if Chicago is 1 or 2, then we know for certain who they're taking.

 

[giza]

I have a hunch the Hawks will not be picking 2nd......this should be a really interesting draft.