2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[featherhawk]

The people talking Schaefer up to be a Makar level prospect are going to suffer whiplash from the disappointment. A lot closer to an ekblad tier defender vs a heiskanen hughes makar

True and that is why some think that Misa is the best player available... I figure he has a bit more offensive upside than ekblad to be fair...

 

[Crow]

They may have rushed him but the signs were there that he had limited offensive ability in juniors. And whenever he was healthy, he showed limited offensive ability. Don’t know what to tell you.

Honestly Martone seems like the much better prospect to me despite Kirby’s skating advantage.

The Hawks picking 3rd ahead of two division rivals Utah at #4 and Nashville at #5 is a bit scary…whoever they pass on will be playing against them for years to come…similar to passing on Byram in favour of Dach…but the Avs did trade BB

neither one turned out to be a huge difference maker in that case

 

[Kevin Musto]

I doubt it. Jackson Smith has that kind of upside but he’s wayyyyyy too raw to do that at 3

Smith has the elite, or at least near elite skating that Kyle covets.

But I think Aitcheson could actually be the best defenseman after Schaefer. High enough to take 3? There's ways to justify it, though it would be extremely unpopular in the moment.

 

[MTU34]

Smith has the elite, or at least near elite skating that Kyle covets.

But I think Aitcheson could actually be the best defenseman after Schaefer. High enough to take 3? There's ways to justify it, though it would be extremely unpopular in the moment.

I do like Kash but no chance I’m doing that at 3. I think it’s a moot point anyways

 

[ClydeLee]

When Kyle was talking about positional tiebreakers and what not... we assumed he meant valuing center over wing.

But what if he meant defenseman? Does he dare take a defenseman at 3?

The only reason we're not talking about it is because Powers hasn't mentioned one yet. But I wonder if that changes.

Did he even say "position?" To me, it felt he was talking about what they have as prospects in the system as tiebreakers

 

[Kevin Musto]

Did he even say "position?" To me, it felt he was talking about what they have as prospects in the system as tiebreakers

 

[ColbyChaos]

When Kyle was talking about positional tiebreakers and what not... we assumed he meant valuing center over wing.

But what if he meant defenseman? Does he dare take a defenseman at 3?

The only reason we're not talking about it is because Powers hasn't mentioned one yet. But I wonder if that changes.

I feel like it’s more likely he tries to draft Cristall or Dylan Strome at 3 before he drafts a non Schaefer defender at 3 lol

 

[Kevin Musto]

I feel like it’s more likely he tries to draft Cristall or Dylan Strome at 3 before he drafts a non Schaefer defender at 3 lol

We'll see.

Rewatching that press conference, Kyle says they don't have a ranking right now. It's only something they're going to start to do as a group in the coming weeks and once the combine happens.

Makes me think that even if Powers has heard some names so far, others could emerge as the discussions ramp up and the tiers are solidified.

He also mentions in the press conference that media boards are very different from their own and people watching getting shocked by "surprise picks" but they're only seen as surprises because media boards are different than what teams are actually looking for.

An interesting thing for him to say. Could be alluding to them being high on someone that the media isn't dialed in on... or it could mean nothing at all.

 

[Mjul Qvist]

The people talking Schaefer up to be a Makar level prospect are going to suffer whiplash from the disappointment. A lot closer to an ekblad tier defender vs a heiskanen hughes makar

He might be Makar level prospect or even better. But he probably won´t ever be Makar level player in the NHL. Makar wasn´t that highly touted player in his draft glass or else he would´ve gone first. I guess a lot of it had to be the level he was playing and he wasn´t regular in Canada´s junior squads either. Schaefer´s skating alone makes him better prospect than Ekblad ever was.

He also mentions in the press conference that media boards are very different from their own and people watching getting shocked by "surprise picks" but they're only seen as surprises because media boards are different than what teams are actually looking for.

An interesting thing for him to say. Could be alluding to them being high on someone that the media isn't dialed in on... or it could mean nothing at all.

I think he is pointing out the obvious. It is just the way it is.

 

[Muffinalt]

I agree with most of this, I’d just add also potentially moving the pick for someone established who can actually help allow Bedard to play his game.

Falling to 3 and having Carle say no really suck.

That's what I meant by trading out .

I'm sure he has to be searching and calling. It would be two birds with one stone if he can find the right trade - not be disappointed with the draft prospect and getting help for Bedard.

I maintain that Kyle shouldn't be looking for fit.

You draft BPA, and get the best asset. For me that's Martone.

If you don't like his fit, you can always trade him.

But the important thing is to pick the guy that can give you the biggest return in the future.

As @RememberTheRoar points out, you can circumvent that future scenario altogether by making that trade at the draft for an established player that fits now. I'm more than fine with letting someone else make the pick at 3 if they can give us what we're looking for.

I don't mean fit as in what the roster is lacking in position, I mean fit as in what the FO values in prospects. Their own BPA basically. I would be really, really surprised if they have Martone high because he doesn't have the qualities they clearly have prioritized so far - skating and compete. It's not that Misa would be best because he fills a roster hole (although he does), he's the best fit for what the current Blackhawks regime wants out of players.

But I agree in general, pick the biggest ceiling at 3OA for sure.

He also mentions in the press conference that media boards are very different from their own and people watching getting shocked by "surprise picks" but they're only seen as surprises because media boards are different than what teams are actually looking for.

An interesting thing for him to say. Could be alluding to them being high on someone that the media isn't dialed in on... or it could mean nothing at all.

Exactly what I mean. Media now has Martone at the 3, they're hyping up Frondell and Desnoyers into top 5 consideration, but if I wanted to guess a Hawks board based on the guys they selected so far, I'd bet Eklund is high for them for example. Hagens should be. Could Martin even surprise? Bear and McQueen I'm sure are guys they really like, just the medical baggage is unfortunate.

We'll see.

Rewatching that press conference, Kyle says they don't have a ranking right now. It's only something they're going to start to do as a group in the coming weeks and once the combine happens.

Makes me think that even if Powers has heard some names so far, others could emerge as the discussions ramp up and the tiers are solidified.

Yeah the way Powers worded those two first articles where he said who the Hawks could be looking at, i interpreted that as him just saying the names coz those are the ones in circulation, in the talks, but nothing inside info. Leaving out Hagens was interesting, could always be a personal pref (like no more smurfs!) or something too.

We will see in the coming weeks how it's turning out. KD truly has all the options. I'm hoping for a trade (or Eklund).

 

[Muffinalt]

The more I think about it, the more I want Hagens. He was the guy going into the draft. He didn't light the world on fire at BC but he was still a PpG. He was very good at the WJC. He's going to go back next year and be the guy for that team. He's got a chance to be a dynamic playmaker to pair with Bedard, or a guy that can carry his own line if you want to keep them separated. If he was 5'9" I'd be concerned about the size going forward but at 5'11" I think that's overblown.

Plus, with Hagens going back to college next year (you'd assume), it leaves us with a better shot at McKenna.

Few really interesting things I read in his prospects thread:

- BU had a really shit powerplay for some reason, and he barely scored there. A poster made the comparisons, and at even strength, he actually produced the same numbers as Celebrini and Smith before. This was in mid February, I'm not sure how it changed after.

- he also made the jump to NCAA as an 18 year old, and the physicality was noticable harder for him to deal with. He really needs to develop physically to unlock his game that he showed with the UNTDP. Typical situation where the prospect has tons of runway to develop because of his physical development. I don't know if he ever will develop enough to be super effective in the NHL, but he always looked good against his own piers at international tournaments, so that's very promising.

- he also improved as the season went along at playing in the dirty areas, so that's shows willingness to work on the weaknesses.

I think because of the skating and IQ and handles, he has a really, really high ceiling which is dependent on his physical development. But once he gets his man strength, it could unlock big time. Plenty guys never struggled though at the next level, so that's the risk with him - will he ever get there. But it's certainly the easiest weakness to develop naturally, compared to rewiring your brain to be more competitive, or your natural core abilities like skating and skill.

I don't think Hawks are disregarding him at all coz of the size and similarity to our players. He should have a lot going for him with the FO.

 

[TheFridge]

Few really interesting things I read in his prospects thread:

- BU had a really shit powerplay for some reason, and he barely scored there. A poster made the comparisons, and at even strength, he actually produced the same numbers as Celebrini and Smith before. This was in mid February, I'm not sure how it changed after.

- he also made the jump to NCAA as an 18 year old, and the physicality was noticable harder for him to deal with. He really needs to develop physically to unlock his game that he showed with the UNTDP. Typical situation where the prospect has tons of runway to develop because of his physical development. I don't know if he ever will develop enough to be super effective in the NHL, but he always looked good against his own piers at international tournaments, so that's very promising.

- he also improved as the season went along at playing in the dirty areas, so that's shows willingness to work on the weaknesses.

I think because of the skating and IQ and handles, he has a really, really high ceiling which is dependent on his physical development. But once he gets his man strength, it could unlock big time. Plenty guys never struggled though at the next level, so that's the risk with him - will he ever get there. But it's certainly the easiest weakness to develop naturally, compared to rewiring your brain to be more competitive, or your natural core abilities like skating and skill.

I don't think Hawks are disregarding him at all coz of the size and similarity to our players. He should have a lot going for him with the FO.

I don't think Hagen's success in the NHL will be dependant on him getting stronger. Most of the elite, smaller players in the league don't matchup well physically with most of the league. He has the skating, hands and brain to produce at a high level and not be limited by his size.

The Hawks will obviously need some size in their lineup, but at 3rd overall and *if* Hagens is there, I think it'd be tough to look back and think the Hawks passed on him.

 

[Grinner]

Eklund definiteky not. San Jose is in no position to trade away established young players.

Byfield I don’t think the Kings can. Kopitar is a million years old and they need Byfield to be the 1C when he’s gone. They have nothing behind him and Byfield is lacklustre. So he’s only available if they full on rebuild.

Svechnikov is underwhelming, but as long as Carolina is competing, he’s going nowhere. Their offense is already iffy, they can’t wait on a prospect.

The 3rd oa for Eklund?
As a Shark fan, I'd certainly give it a good long look at it
I'm sure if you ran it by the Sharks board. I wouldn't be alone

 

[Cold Steel on Ice]

If the Hawks are looking for a potential elite scorer Hagens is the guy. If you want a solid 2 way with some size either Desnoyers or Frondell fits the bill.Hagens is built very strong and would be a good fit with Bedard on the powerplay.There are some bigger wingers that will be options with the Leafs pick and our second rounders.Martone is big but by no means is he a power forward.

 

[Muffinalt]

I don't think Hagen's success in the NHL will be dependant on him getting stronger. Most of the elite, smaller players in the league don't matchup well physically with most of the league. He has the skating, hands and brain to produce at a high level and not be limited by his size.

The Hawks will obviously need some size in their lineup, but at 3rd overall and *if* Hagens is there, I think it'd be tough to look back and think the Hawks passed on him.

Sure he will get by to some extent on smarts and IQ, but if he's pushed off pucks easily, if he's a non factor in the slot etc. because guys clear him out, god forbid he shies away from contact - those things will limit his ceiling. Not saying he will have to change from the cerebral style into a big man game, just to handle the higher level enough.

I'm not worried for the record, I think he will be fine and add some man strengths and adjust because he's smart for sure and has nice anticipation.

I'd like him with Bedard, they would need a big net front guy though.

 

[Sinbad]

We'll see.

Rewatching that press conference, Kyle says they don't have a ranking right now. It's only something they're going to start to do as a group in the coming weeks and once the combine happens.

Makes me think that even if Powers has heard some names so far, others could emerge as the discussions ramp up and the tiers are solidified.

He also mentions in the press conference that media boards are very different from their own and people watching getting shocked by "surprise picks" but they're only seen as surprises because media boards are different than what teams are actually looking for.

An interesting thing for him to say. Could be alluding to them being high on someone that the media isn't dialed in on... or it could mean nothing at all.

So since you have now started bringing d-men other than Schaefer into the conversation I will say again, in my opinion people seem to be sleeping on O’Brien for the reasons I previously mentioned.

 

[x Tame Impala]

I've been watching these scouting reports on the guys available to us at #3. I don't know much but Desnoyers seems like a great add to our roster. What's not to like about him? What's to love?

 

[eklund2chicago]

I've been watching these scouting reports on the guys available to us at #3. I don't know much but Desnoyers seems like a great add to our roster. What's not to like about him? What's to love?

To love: High IQ, compete and two way game
To not like (or to question): Plays for a great team in a weak league which makes him hard to compare to the other top guys, doesn’t look super dynamic

Feels like a high floor, low ceiling type of pick

 

[Drumman44]

To love: High IQ, compete and two way game
To not like (or to question): Plays for a great team in a weak league which makes him hard to compare to the other top guys, doesn’t look super dynamic

Feels like a high floor, low ceiling type of pick

3C floor? Low end second line winger ceiling?

 

[RememberTheRoar]

Martone is big but by no means is he a power forward.

That’s probably why the Hawks won’t pick him. They could probably overlook the skating if he actually played like a monster power forward

 

[MTU34]

3C floor? Low end second line winger ceiling?

He has real 2C upside

 

[eklund2chicago]

All 70% of you who voted to take Martone, say he’s not the pick, who would you want then?

 

[bwanajamba]

All 70% of you who voted to take Martone, say he’s not the pick, who would you want then?

Desnoyers.

3C floor? Low end second line winger ceiling?

High end 3C floor, low end 1C ceiling. Very good 2C median outcome. Don't @ me Musto

 

[Mjul Qvist]

All 70% of you who voted to take Martone, say he’s not the pick, who would you want then?

Frondell or Desnoyers.

 

[hawksfan50]

Hagens=out...bad fit for Hawks...too smalk..not physical enough..and oorcperformance productionas a freshman...he is Npt Jack Hughes....he is NOT Logan Cooley....

COOLEY ID 6'0 190 AND HAD A 1.5ppg in his only 1 yr.as a freshman I colkege..

HAGENS couldvONLY mister a pint a game andvonly 9 goals..despite getting prime time with the #1collegecteam most ofvthe seasonand privileged situationwith wingers Leonardxand Perrault and Pp1 time..

So Hagebs pkateued and disappointed =did Not match his hype.. Plus he is so whispered voice and non-confident when I terviewed..too Timod.

He started in privikedgrdcall-star assembled team with NTDP bit faltered once agaibst older bigger colkege guys..
There us Now way he deserves Ny top 5 list let alone any consideration by the Hawks as a too 3 pick...Oeriod.
THE hom off your kits!!@

Martone does have top line skill..but not consistent with effort ..not particularly fast..Wpukd ordinarily not pass KD skating criteria.Also can lose focus and lack effort in defending in his own zone.. He has work to do to get to certainty as a top 6 winger you can rely to rely on in 5x5..
We do not benefit from a wibger who might not be able to "help" Bedatdccitvdown on the big minus number in5x5..

OUR PpP was not a problem.wre we not I think 8yh best in the leaguevonPp conversions to goals?

Our problem is net differentials at Evens..

We need pkayersxwho excell in that most prevalent of shifts in a game.

So maybecwextakexa chance Martone can improvevonxutrebtbisdurs..The talent/skills part is Hogh with home..Thevother details next work. ..And he really is not beastly physical..just ok physical.. More skilled Big than dominating physical intimidating power forward.

If we want a 2C candidate that leaves Drsnoyer or Brady Martin.

Drsnoyerscisctge best defebsive forward in tgecdraft ..itvis the instinct for correctvpisition and the cerebral reads to help anticipate and use clisibgcNgles..hevisxjust the reliable defensive help Hawks can use pn a top 2 line C...because he also has offebsive scoring...notvto the level of Misa scoring. Of course..but lijeca Toews was at his best ,to shut down the opps And to score enough to help yourcteM win.
Thec63% + faceoff win statsxalso is attractive..though he did not have as many draws as Misacir Martin did..This may mean Moncton only uses himfor his strong side draws and not all draws when he is on shift.

He also needs to bulk up a 6'2 172 lb. frame andcso probably Not NHL ready yet.. beedszanitger season i Jr.to bulk up over next season.


So tat leaves Brady Martin...I have seen 2 different weight listing for hom...Mostcstill show 6'0 178lbs..but I saw 1 listingvatc186 lbs.

But it probably does not matter asvhevpkays bigger than hiscsize ..Under physical..Best /hardest hitter in the drFt..high hardchitvrate. High conpete and work rate Not mich Po prodiction ..but that could be because the Soo was a 14th /20 OHL team the Keague standibgs and he was tgeir best player With little other talent to help him..Highboace..high co Pete bigh energy but 72 liibts with 3e goalscona bad teMwith not much to help onthe Po is very good in the circumstances..72% of his scoribg came in non-PP situations.

He has risen alk season i the rankings.. I wonder if "fibal rankings" that cane out beforecthevu18s,woukd re-rank him up from11 orc12th to not only top 10 ..but top 3-6 area..He shoukd be inthat conversation.


Tge Hockey Writers just came out with an article that Fkyers may want homat #6..

He fits Hawks better than Hagens.Bi gger and O pays Bigger.

Though hevpjayed wibgercatvu18s..he pkayed Center all season I the Soo inthe OHL..

You putvthat guy with Bedard or Nazar on his wibger and you add physical threat tobthebiposcandvthey will not the liberties on our little shrimps "stars"..

Can he reach higher ppg ceiling to be at least a goodc2C in the NHL? I think so ..Just nerdscto pkaycwith more skilkex guys to either set hom up or convert thexHogh scoribg chances he createscoff his forecheck or attack stymyingvBikuty on backchecks andcsteals to transition back onattacks.

Does he have any weak areas that need improving..
Well faceoffs only above 46%..and whikecalk svoutingvrdlirtscsY hos shot is NHL level(he can pick corners) and has a hard 1vtiner too...hos shotvscoroningvefficiemcy is notcas high as Misa or Martonevir Densoyers...but his shotsvongoal oer gamevis 2nd only to Misa..Hos shoitibg% is silly oknat above 16% ..butcahain he had no Pareyk or Chernyshov to givevhom easier tap in goals or drawing goalies out of position goalscorvreboundvgoals from threats at the net they created..

Putvhom woth BedardvircNazarxand maybe he scores like a top 6 and not like only ac3rd orc4th linevguy.

The mistake the "lists" have made on hom is OnLyvto comoarec72 pintscto Martones' 98 or Desnoyers' 84 points in sinilar amount of games for all of them..

Tge muss tge context of tge help or no help and caliber o f the team they play with..
Martin had little help..so you expect lesservlijntvproduction...Anyway!

But cobsidralk thevitger Great attributes he brings..

Hawks do not have any pkayer with his great level of conoeteand work ethic..and nobody with his level of physicality with plus speed
..
He us notvekite Musa speed.. but he has plus soeed and is strong on his skates.. Tge ipos hot hom...he bounces off on his sites to finish his attack or his pursuit of tge puck..
He brings good bet front too. He is detailed.. He is a wrecking bLl..He fiktsctge ice and creates lots of scoring chances off his hard work..wining biard battles and races to pucks.
We do nkt know if his passing is better than you think..because he had so little help getting to tfeirviwn better sxorkngboisifions and theirvown finishing.

But eve mire than k of this.. He oases the eye test..He "looks" like an impact "pro" already.. You know this kidvis not goibgvto fail.He will help any line in our top 2 lines.. Or he will turn line 3 into slnetbi g dlrciL.


Yes..I do think thus RISEr has got to be right i the mix for#3..Yu watch hom..You want this guy on Your Team.

So if we cannot land Misa..I skukd love to Dd Brady Martin...and cone out of the drFt smiling..Not Doom and Gloom because Misa went off the board ahead of our pick ...ratherr happy we took Martin before teams plucked hom at #4,#5or #6 as I think his u18 showvopenened eyes of scouts to what he can bring to tgectable.


Again...Misa finished-16 his last 10GP ...Martin finished ++4 in hisvkastc10GP..

MYbe Misa pkayex those games injured and that hurtvhusvusual 5x5 positive differential and turned it negative.

But my point is...Martin fished great and lokex great doing it.

He out goaled Misa also i the OHL Top Prosoects Chalkenge) (he had 2g1a...Misa had 1g 2a)..

He was voted best pkayerxatvthevu18s despite mosdibgvalmkstcalk the smi-fibal game (got a gMe ejection due to a late hitcwhich refs thought gave a serious injury.. butvthatvplayercreturned fine later in the game..so Martin probably deserved 2 minutes not 5 and game ejection..itvwas a hard late hot bit not dirty..notbin the back..no leaving of feet and launching...no head hit..itcwasxa clean hit butvlate..tgebpuck had akready been moved)


ANYWAY. I have made a case for Brady Martin at #3.

Ivan change my mind and maybe put Drsboyers at #3...I will view Desnoyers today Gaibst Rimousku and in other ganes in their series and likely inthe Memorisl Cup tournament ...
Since Romouski is hosting the Memorial Cup they will be I ekn or lose. BUT tge QMJHL geys 2 teamsvin because tge Q is hosting...so win or lose the Q ChMpionship,Noncton wilbebi too.

So will take a long deep view on Desnoyers...Let you know my opinion on whether he too line Martin is #3worthy.