2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[Deputy McRizzy]

I think I've decided I'm hoping it's Martone based on the fact he seems like the only guy at 3 with legit top line upside and that's what this team needs more than anything.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Not everyone has to skate like the wind to be effective. A comparison for Martone was Mark Stone.....give me some physicality, high hockey IQ, net presence.....need to balance it all out. I think I would take Desnoyers over Frondell by an eyelash.

Well Stone was a 6th round long shot but point taken

 

[WarriorofTime]

Funny because Kane's stats are probably in a similar ballpark with Sam Gagner being involved in so many. I recall something like Mr. 8 pts had joked he was the reason Kane went 1st overall.

Kostistyn-Gagner-Kane is an all time junior line.

 

[BHawks77]

what I'm watching is multiple games throughout the season

his passing isn't a strength and neither is his IQ

he's a physically mature big kid that can win board battles and has a good shot that requires others to set him up for

that's all he is

I have watched his games too and he isnt as bad as you make it out to be. Sure his passing needs to develop but dont think his IQ is that bad. He is good at finding soft spots for his shots and he is shoot first player, not a bad trait in a player, Hawks definitely need that. He has good reads where to be and is defensively responsible, physical, dog on a bone. Supports linemates well and always looking to be open for a pass or a shot.

You are comparing him to Martone who is pass first player, not that good compete, slow skater, slow pace, not physical, bad on boards for such big player. Sure he has excellent hands and can make fancy passes and IQ is really good. Sure reminds me of a player, no wonder you like him. Want to guess who I'm referring to

Spoiler: Spoiler

Dylan Strome

 

[crazyhawk]

Im back to coming around on Hagens. If hes the best player take the best player. Sell Lardis sell Kantserov if you need too.

That's the thing though .. there's no certainty at this point what with their being prospects as to who's the best player. In 5 years with a redraft for 2025 things could look quite different.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I have watched his games too and he isnt as bad as you make it out to be!! Sure his passing needs to develop but dont think his IQ is that bad. He is good at finding soft spots for his shots and he is shoot first player, not a bad trait in a player, Hawks definitely need that. He has good reads where to be and is defensively responsible, physical, dog on a bone. Supports linemates well and always looking to be open for a pass or a shot.

You are comparing him to Martone who is pass first player, not that good compete, slow skater, slow pace, not physical, bad on boards for such big player. Sure he has excellent hands and can make fancy passes and IQ is really good!! Sure reminds me of a player, no wonder you like him!! Want to guess who I'm referring to

Spoiler: Spoiler

Dylan Strome

I've been clear that I don't think Frondell's IQ is bad, or his playmaking for that matter.

But they're clearly not strengths.

He's very lukewarm in those departments.

Also should be noted that a lot of Frondell's production comes from the man advantage. He hasn't produced much at 5v5. Eklund, who's on the same team, produced far more 5v5. And he did that as a smurf. Frondell is so physically mature and yet he's still behind Eklund.

 

[BHawks77]

I've been clear that I don't think Frondell's IQ is bad, or his playmaking for that matter.

But they're clearly not strengths.

He's very lukewarm in those departments.

Also should be noted that a lot of Frondell's production comes from the man advantage. He hasn't produced much at 5v5. Eklund, who's on the same team, produced far more 5v5. And he did that as a smurf. Frondell is so physically mature and yet he's still behind Eklund.

Being good on powerplay isnt bad thing in it self and he has really good shot so why not use that. Goal is goal no matter how you get it. What comes Eklund being "smurf" didnt you keep harping Hawks for having too many "smurfs" on their roster and needed to get bigger. Well Frondell is definitely that. Prospect development isnt linear so Frondell can definitely catch up if he keeps fine tuning his skill set. None of the prospect at pick 3 are a sure thing. And I'm definitely team Misa if he falls to Hawks pick.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

You don't see anything wrong with drafting a 3rd line winger 3rd overall?

In your opinion. Nobody who writes about or who evaluates prospects is calling him a third line winger.

 

[Drumman44]

Forget the doom and gloom. We will get a good player of some kind.

My current top 5
1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Martone
4. Hagens
5. Desnoyers (growing on me big time)

These two comments pair well together.

 

[Kevin Musto]

In your opinion. Nobody who writes about or who evaluates prospects is calling him a third line winger.

Almost everyone is projecting him as a middle sixer, which is what that is.

Being a second liner is optimism.

Being a third liner is realistic.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Being good on powerplay isnt bad thing in it self and he has really good shot so why not use that. Goal is goal no matter how you get it. What comes Eklund being "smurf" didnt you keep harping Hawks for having too many "smurfs" on their roster and needed to get bigger. Well Frondell is definitely that. Prospect development isnt linear so Frondell can definitely catch up if he keeps fine tuning his skill set. None of the prospect at pick 3 are a sure thing. And I'm definitely team Misa if he falls to Hawks pick.

Being good on the powerplay is good. Being mediocre 5v5 is bad.

I don't want the Blackhawks to draft Eklund 3rd overall. The point is that Eklund, as a physically immature prospects, shouldn't be outclassing Frondell, a physically mature prospect, at every facet of the game. That's a bad look for Frondell.

On the other, I do want the Hawks to draft Martone 3rd overall, and he's anything but a smurf. If he didn't have the injury problems, I'd probably be advocating for McQueen as well.

And yes of course Misa is the guy if he falls. Pretty sure everyone can agree on that.

 

[Putt Pirate]

Things I have read on Martone seem like they can easily be developed or coached. Desnoyers they say has a bit of Toews in him. Frondell seems a bit of the more 'completed' prospect for where he is at but may be because of his play against men and how he was utilized.

I am thinking any one of the Martone or Desnoyers for me as we need more of the high end than the 3rd line stuff. again, just the info I have read, watched.

 

[eklund2chicago]

Watch a full game from Frondell... he struggles with completing passes. They're not even passes with high degree of difficulty. They just get picked off all the time.

Im not saying he's dumb, but he's definitely not a high IQ player.

Cmon dude, ”struggles with completing passes”? Frondell has produced historically well two years in a row, with more assists then goals. How does that equal up to struggling to completing passes?

 

[RememberTheRoar]

Almost everyone is projecting him as a middle sixer, which is what that is.

Being a second liner is optimism.

Being a third liner is realistic.

If by middle six you mean top six, sure.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Cmon dude, ”struggles with completing passes”? Frondell has produced historically well two years in a row, with more assists then goals. How does that equal up to struggling to completing passes?

power play points

 

[BHawk21]

That's the thing though .. there's no certainty at this point what with their being prospects as to who's the best player. In 5 years with a redraft for 2025 things could look quite different.

yea theres never certainty but if hes viewed as the best, even by a small margin at the draft, take him even with the size.

 

[BHawks77]

Being good on the powerplay is good. Being mediocre 5v5 is bad.

I don't want the Blackhawks to draft Eklund 3rd overall. The point is that Eklund, as a physically immature prospects, shouldn't be outclassing Frondell, a physically mature prospect, at every facet of the game. That's a bad look for Frondell.

On the other, I do want the Hawks to draft Martone 3rd overall, and he's anything but a smurf. If he didn't have the injury problems, I'd probably be advocating for McQueen as well.

And yes of course Misa is the guy if he falls. Pretty sure everyone can agree on that.

Eklund better than Frondell in every facet of the game, give me a break and no way is Frondell mediocre. There is a lot that Frondell is better and will continue to get better as he is 17 year old kid.

Also Martone is big but plays small and not that much compete (either you are born with it or you are not) like Dylan Strome. How often on GDT have you read people saying Hawks are too soft. Do we want more of that...

 

[Mjul Qvist]

Watch a full game from Frondell... he struggles with completing passes. They're not even passes with high degree of difficulty. They just get picked off all the time.

Im not saying he's dumb, but he's definitely not a high IQ player.

I´m really starting to doubt that you have seen him playing. But whatever you say. I´m finished with this topic. But one more scouting report on him:

https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2025/04/14/anton-frondell-scouting-report-2025-nhl-draft/

 

[statswatcher]

Also should be noted that a lot of Frondell's production comes from the man advantage. He hasn't produced much at 5v5. Eklund, who's on the same team, produced far more 5v5.

who told you this? eklund played about 504 minutes scoring 24 points at even strength in 42 games last season. frondell played ~290 minutes with 17 points in 29 games. that means eklund scored ~4.28 points per 90 even strength minutes (they play 90 minute games over there) whereas frondell scored ~5.27.

eklund did have one power play point less than frondell (in 13 fewer games averaging 3 fewer pp minutes a night). seems like an odd stat to base this entire "eklund>frondell" argument on to me, particularly when the evidence shows that frondell had superior production efficiency at both 5v5 and on the powerplay, but what do i know?

 

[Kevin Musto]

I´m really starting to doubt that you have seen him playing. But whatever you say. I´m finished with this topic. But one more scouting report on him:

https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2025/04/14/anton-frondell-scouting-report-2025-nhl-draft/

typical prospect glazing

these outlets act like all these guys are superstars

happens every year

 

[statswatcher]

typical prospect glazing

these outlets act like all these guys are superstars

happens every year

it's very funny that consensus matters when you claim "almost everyone is projecting him as a middle sixer", but when someone pulls a report praising the same player's IQ all of a sudden we're "glazing" and the scouting outlets "act like all these guys are superstars". like always, you are arguing to win not to get at any kind of better understanding.

 

[Mjul Qvist]

typical prospect glazing

these outlets act like all these guys are superstars

happens every year

Pot meets the kettle. Ian Mitchell, Marat Khusnutdinov, Kirill Kirsanov and what have you?

 

[Kevin Musto]

if Kyle was based, he'd draft Cullen Potter 3rd overall

 

[Kevin Musto]

it is too bad about McQueen because he is what the team is looking for

Massive center, fast skater, plays physical, lots of upside

 

[eklund2chicago]

power play points

That’s just not true. Frondell had eight power play points of 25 totalt points this season.