2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[Hattrick Kane]

He was hot garbage 95% of the year in 15.

Yeah but the playoffs came around he stepped up.

 

[Nazzz]

Happy Schaefer lottery day

 

[Northernhawk]

Final eight teams decided…

Hoping for an EDM-DAL and FLA-CAR final four, EDM winning the West…

This would result in the Hawks receiving thr 25th overall pick from Toronto and 62nd overall pick from Dallas

Best case scenario is Hawks win draft lottery and pick 1, 25, 34, 62, 66, 98, 107, 162, 194

Worst case scenario we fall to 4 after draft lottery, Leafs beat the Stars for the Stanley Cup…pick 4, 32, 34, 63, 66, 98, 107, 162, 194

 

[Castle8130]

Musto words it with hyperbole, the rest of us that I saw at least are arguing that he has less of runway for development, compared to someone that has yet to really fill out their frame. Not in the skills or IQ department, just in terms of handling physicality, shielding pucks, getting through bodies, scoring in front of the net, board battles, defensive capabilities, PK ability, shot strengths.

To me it's just biology - he probably can't pack on as much % muscle as someone who's not developed. It's a common notion of scouts and prof teams too, kind of like age.

I've seen every single scouting vid of Frondell mention he's pretty developed already, it's not a death sentence, just something to consider.

Frondell is a bit heavier, but I dont think that means he can’t gain as much muscle. Frondell’s frame is just so big. I haven’t seen him off the ice, but I’d bet his skeletal frame, his hands, arm length, etc is all pretty sizeable for a 6’1” guy. He looks like a genetic freak on the ice. These guys that have impressive genetics can add much more to their bodies than the average joe.

 

[TLEH]

Yeah but the playoffs came around he stepped up.

I seem to remember him in 14 being overplayed a little but 15 being a real issue until he got hurt.

 

[Castle8130]

If we do end up drafting Martone, a line of Lardis-Bedard-Martone would be sick. That combination didn't even cross my mind because Lardis and Martone both play RW. Maybe not a good combination now because Lardis is the only one responsible in his own end, but that is a line with juice. Martone and Lardis were both voted as the most dangerous players in the goal area by OHL coaches. Putting those guys along-side Bedard would be fun to watch

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

If we do end up drafting Martone, a line of Lardis-Bedard-Martone would be sick. That combination didn't even cross my mind because Lardis and Martone both play RW. Maybe not a good combination now because Lardis is the only one responsible in his own end, but that is a line with juice. Martone and Lardis were both voted as the most dangerous players in the goal area by OHL coaches. Putting those guys along-side Bedard would be fun to watch

Sounds like a disaster defensively with Lardis and Bedard on the same line.

I’d probably try Lardis with Nazar first. See if Nazar’s skating can open up shooting lanes for Lardis.

 

[Castle8130]

Sounds like a disaster defensively with Lardis and Bedard on the same line.

I’d probably try Lardis with Nazar first. See if Nazar’s skating can open up shooting lanes for Lardis.

Lardis a disaster defensively? What Nick Lardis are you thinking of? Dude was great in his own end. Lardis and Bedard had great chemistry in rookie camp. I like the way their games complement each other

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

Lardis a disaster defensively? What Nick Lardis are you thinking of? Dude was great in his own end. Lardis and Bedard had great chemistry in rookie camp. I like the way their games complement each other

Until Bedard improves his defensive play or at least his skating I just can’t see them doing well on the same line at the NHL level. Especially if Lardis is going to try and cheat and cherry pick a bit.

 

[bwanajamba]

Frondell is a bit heavier, but I dont think that means he can’t gain as much muscle. Frondell’s frame is just so big. I haven’t seen him off the ice, but I’d bet his skeletal frame, his hands, arm length, etc is all pretty sizeable for a 6’1” guy. He looks like a genetic freak on the ice. These guys that have impressive genetics can add much more to their bodies than the average joe.

Fully agreed- when you watch clips of him in international competition he looks like a man among boys as far as physical development goes, but watch him in Allsvenskan play and he is clearly not as filled out as the actual men he's playing against. I think it's fair to say he is further along than most players his age but I wouldn't feel comfortable at all saying he has maxed out. And if he can add a little more power to his stride I think it will open things up for him on the rush, which is the one area of his game I don't feel great about right now. Even if he can't manage that and you have to bump him to the wing I feel like you're looking at one of the most projectable top six forwards in the draft after Misa.

I feel like I'm down much less on this draft than most seem to be. Nobody I love as much as Celebrini or Demidov, but a lot of guys I like more than the forward options after those two last year. Any of Misa, Frondell, Desnoyers, Martone, or Hagens have the potential to be cornerstone guys, even if the ceiling on most of them isn't what you dream about in the top 4

 

[MicronMega]

After watching some of the playoffs and the way a guy like Rantanen can alter a series, I would lean towards a more powerful forward like Frondell over Misa.

If the comparable is Barkov or Kopitar...those are the kind of forwards who win when it gets physical in the playoffs

 

[Castle8130]

Until Bedard improves his defensive play or at least his skating I just can’t see them doing well on the same line at the NHL level. Especially if Lardis is going to try and cheat and cherry pick a bit.

Honestly, I don't think Bedard should be at center, but he will continue to get his chances. Lardis is not as much of a cherrypicker as you think. Do not let Will Scouches video fool you otherwise. That analysis was pretty poor. Lardis is not cherrypicking behind defenders. It is only when the defenders are out of the zone that Lardis will be out of his own zone to keep the defenders from stepping up in the offensive zone. Lardis is always back-checking and his skating can keep up with most players.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

Honestly, I don't think Bedard should be at center, but he will continue to get his chances. Lardis is not as much of a cherrypicker as you think. Do not let Will Scouches video fool you otherwise. That analysis was pretty poor. Lardis is not cherrypicking behind defenders. It is only when the defenders are out of the zone that Lardis will be out of his own zone to keep the defenders from stepping up in the offensive zone. Lardis is always back-checking and his skating can keep up with most players.

I think the only way he’ll stick at C is if his skating improves, which from what he’s said will he priority number 1. Fingers crossed the works pays off for him.

But even if he does shift to wing I think he can still be an elite offensive player in this league even if flawed in defense.

Either way with all this talent starting to be NHL ready we’ll have a million combos to try out. Exciting times.

 

[TLEH]

Have to disagree with that take on Lardis. Dude absolutely free wheeled it out there. I think he is willing to do it though, he just got away with not having to.

 

[Muffinalt]

If we do end up drafting Martone, a line of Lardis-Bedard-Martone would be sick. That combination didn't even cross my mind because Lardis and Martone both play RW. Maybe not a good combination now because Lardis is the only one responsible in his own end, but that is a line with juice. Martone and Lardis were both voted as the most dangerous players in the goal area by OHL coaches. Putting those guys along-side Bedard would be fun to watch

This would be nice, although one I like even more is a top 6 of Bedard with Misa (and a big body) and Lardis with Nazar (and a big body).

Both Lardis and Misa could be set up really nicely by the playmaking of Bedard and the speedy space creation of Nazar. Stable a big body next to them (Vanacker, Boisvert, Pridham, Dach) and then we have two really strong lines who are fast as hell as well (Bedard with Martone together could be a little slow).

 

[TLEH]

I've got real concerns with how Martone did at the U20s and his pace of play in general, but I think if he hits, his profile is way more unique and fun than someone like Frondell.

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Martone
4. Desnoyers
5. Frondell

This is my ranking of people who are realistic chances at our pick. I wasn't a fan of Desnoyers as much at the beginning of the year but I feel like he showed some higher end skill and IQ as the year went on and I like his frame and compete. Maybe he ends up as a 2/3C tweener but I see him as a true center and f*** we need those.

 

[MTU34]

I've got real concerns with how Martone did at the U20s and his pace of play in general, but I think if he hits, his profile is way more unique and fun than someone like Frondell.

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Martone
4. Desnoyers
5. Frondell

This is my ranking of people who are realistic chances at our pick. I wasn't a fan of Desnoyers as much at the beginning of the year but I feel like he showed some higher end skill and IQ as the year went on and I like his frame and compete. Maybe he ends up as a 2/3C tweener but I see him as a true center and f*** we need those.

I saw some interview clip where Martone was very open about pace being his biggest weakness and how it’ll be a major focus for him moving forward.

Don’t think he’s quite mean or physical enough to profile like a Tkachuk brother (who people love to compare him to) but he reminds me a lot of Matt Boldy. And I f***ing love Matt Boldy

 

[TLEH]

I saw some interview clip where Martone was very open about pace being his biggest weakness and how it’ll be a major focus for him moving forward.

Don’t think he’s quite mean or physical enough to profile like a Tkachuk brother (who people love to compare him to) but he reminds me a lot of Matt Boldy. And I f***ing love Matt Boldy

Yeah I f***ing love Boldy too. Boldy is a pretty good skater for a guy his size but he also plays fast. Martone just plays slow. I think he actually skates okay for a guy his size but his pace just bothers me.

Regardless though, I think he's so smart that he'll figure it out.

 

[giza]

If a team jumps Sharks and Hawks, I can see Martone going 2nd overall and still leaving the Hawks Misa at #3.

 

[TLEH]

Frondell should be absolutely dominating the U18s. Jet lag obviously, but like.. that is an excuse for one game. After that its not an excuse and he just wasn't that good.

 

[MTU34]

Yeah I f***ing love Boldy too. Boldy is a pretty good skater for a guy his size but he also plays fast. Martone just plays slow. I think he actually skates okay for a guy his size but his pace just bothers me.

Regardless though, I think he's so smart that he'll figure it out.

I love that college is Martone’s likely path at this point. Going to have to pick up the pace there compared to junior. I think it’ll do wonders for him

 

[TLEH]

I love that college is Martone’s likely path at this point. Going to have to pick up the pace there compared to junior. I think it’ll do wonders for him

You got any school fits you like?

 

[MTU34]

You got any school fits you like?

Michigan Tech in a perfect world (lmao)

In all seriousness it sounds like Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State are the heavy hitters for these top kids with the money they can throw around right now. Don’t like Narauto all that much after Nazar but I think he’d do fine there. I’d actually really like what Penn State would force him to do. They’re relentless

 

[TLEH]

Michigan Tech in a perfect world (lmao)

In all seriousness it sounds like Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State are the heavy hitters for these top kids with the money they can throw around right now. Don’t like Narauto all that much after Nazar but I think he’d do fine there. I’d actually really like what Penn State would force him to do. They’re relentless

Penn State would be fun. f*** Michigan. I'd rather him go to the east coast or Denver before Michigan.

 

[Larmer83]

I've got real concerns with how Martone did at the U20s and his pace of play in general, but I think if he hits, his profile is way more unique and fun than someone like Frondell.

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Martone
4. Desnoyers
5. Frondell

This is my ranking of people who are realistic chances at our pick. I wasn't a fan of Desnoyers as much at the beginning of the year but I feel like he showed some higher end skill and IQ as the year went on and I like his frame and compete. Maybe he ends up as a 2/3C tweener but I see him as a true center and f*** we need those.

Martone's short game around the net is impressive. He has the potential of being a PP beast, more so than Hagens, Frondell, and Desnoyers.