Pre-Game Talk: 2025 NHL Draft Thread

[LetsGoBooze]

Who do you guys prefer between Desnoyers and O’Brien? I think I prefer O’Brien. He sees the ice at a really high level. Needs to get better at playing through contact, but you’d have to think that will come as he fills out. Desnoyers is a good all around player, but I don’t see a high end skill like O’Brien’s playmaking. I’m also a bit concerned with the level of competition Desnoyers is facing. The pace is noticeably slower in his games IMO.

A few of us gave our exact opinions on this a few days back, go back one page.

 

[LGB]

A few of us gave our exact opinions on this a few days back, go back one page.

Not many direct comparisons of the two against each other, which is what I’m interested in.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Not many direct comparisons of the two against each other, which is what I’m interested in.

My opinion, when I look at guys in the draft its what tools stand out as prolific and an NHL level? For O’Brien, I see a playmaking skill and IQ skill that are both prolific and the rest of his tools look like they could be in NHL level. With Denoyers, I see a compete skill that is very prolific. The rest of his tools look to be NHL level across the board. Across the board is very rare. I’m seeing a Steve Yzerman lite type which may be the most complete player I got to see in my lifetime. Even if both players don’t hit their ceilings, I don’t see where either of them would hurt you on your third line. Neither one of these players are flashy outside of O’Brien making a pass few others will see, but they both have the “it” factor that you look for in my opinion of an NHL player.
In the US vs Canada games earlier this year, who centered the number 1 line for Canada and proved why? Look forward to the juniors when the season is over. Things may sort themselves out more.

On a side note…locked on prospects picked Mrtka for the Blues over both of these players and Hensler for that matter…??? go back to building model planes in air tight room…

 

[Mike Liut]

If we lose out on the top centers, I’d look hard at LD Jackson Smith

 

[LetsGoBooze]

If we lose out on the top centers, I’d look hard at LD Jackson Smith

I personally prefer to add another scoring forward. With Broberg in place, and a decent amout of LHDs already in the system, i think we need to take a swing at adding another difference making forward, since seemingly there wont be any RHDs that make since with where our pick is.

 

[Mike Liut]

I personally prefer to add another scoring forward. With Broberg in place, and a decent amout of LHDs already in the system, i think we need to take a swing at adding another difference making forward, since seemingly there wont be any RHDs that make since with where our pick is.

I would too, but what if he’s the PBA?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

If we lose out on the top centers, I’d look hard at LD Jackson Smith

I like Smith, but no. Doesn’t fit organizational need and unless we are picking 12-16 it’s hard to see that he would clearly be best player.

 

[Mike Liut]

I like Smith, but no. Doesn’t fit organizational need and unless we are picking 12-16 it’s hard to see that he would clearly be best player.

I see him around #9 on boards

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I see him around #9 on boards

That is about right, but at that point I wouldn’t take him if I were Blues. At some point he is too good to pass up, but at 9 I take whomever is next on my list after him (if he’s bpa) bc it’s close so go for organizational need/positional value.

 

[kimzey59]

I personally prefer to add another scoring forward. With Broberg in place, and a decent amout of LHDs already in the system, i think we need to take a swing at adding another difference making forward, since seemingly there wont be any RHDs that make since with where our pick is.

At 4-8, I'd agree. Martone, Desnoyers, O'Brien and Eklund are too good to pass up.
IF we drop below #8, Hensler and Mrtka become a real option IMO.

I acknowledge the upside with McQueen and Frondell, but the injuries scare me.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

That is about right, but at that point I wouldn’t take him if I were Blues. At some point he is too good to pass up, but at 9 I take whomever is next on my list after him (if he’s bpa) bc it’s close so go for organizational need/positional value.

Same same. We need some more difference making forwards. Would love another high end RHD, but none in that range for this years draft.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

At 4-8, I'd agree. Martone, Desnoyers, O'Brien and Eklund are too good to pass up.
IF we drop below #8, Hensler and Mrtka become a real option IMO.

I acknowledge the upside with McQueen and Frondell, but the injuries scare me.

Ive moved Frondell up to #5, he leads all 2nd tier Cs for me. Ive willing to risk the injuries, time to start taking some shots on elite talent. Just my opinion.

 

[kimzey59]

Ive moved Frondell up to #5, he leads all 2nd tier Cs for me. Ive willing to risk the injuries, time to start taking some shots on elite talent. Just my opinion.

I can't agree with that for the simple reason that I'm looking at more than just raw offensive ability.
This team needs an infusion of heart and guts every bit as much as it needs raw offense.
I see FAR more heart out of Martone, Desnoyers, O'Brien, McQueen and even little Eklund than I do from Frondell.
Frondell has a very intriguing package of offensive skills; but I'm struggling to rate him any higher than 8 or 9 right now.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

I can't agree with that for the simple reason that I'm looking at more than just raw offensive ability.
This team needs an infusion of heart and guts every bit as much as it needs raw offense.
I see FAR more heart out of Martone, Desnoyers, O'Brien, McQueen and even little Eklund than I do from Frondell.
Frondell has a very intriguing package of offensive skills; but I'm struggling to rate him any higher than 8 or 9 right now.

I do have Martone at 4, but personally i just like Frondells offensive kit enough to move him above the others. But i definitely get the compete factor is important in a lot of others rankings. It is a pretty close next six for me after the top 3, i can definitely see an argument for a ton of the kids.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I do have Martone at 4, but personally i just like Frondells offensive kit enough to move him above the others. But i definitely get the compete factor is important in a lot of others rankings. It is a pretty close next six for me after the top 3, i can definitely see an argument for a ton of the kids.

Frondell has picked his game up now that the injuries are behind him. He put up 2 goals and an assist against the U18 US team at the 5 nations this past Wednesday. We just watch this US team play against the Canadien all star team in the prospects game tourney. No one dominated them to that effect. Sick podcast has him over Hagens right now. (Grant McCagg prospect talk #93) He's playing in a men's pro league and putting up a half point a game. Personally, I have Martone below Desnoyers, McQueen, Frondell, and O'Brien seeing equivalent skills at a premium position.

Honestly, I don't even have Smith in the same tier. I would pick Hensler over Smith as well being a right hand shot as I just don't see him as a better player. I saw plenty of Hensler in the USHL last year which forms that opinion. He's playing in a much more competitive and structured environment in college hockey. I prefer Aitcheson over Smith from games I've watched. There is a Scott Stevens element that I would be willing to gamble on, if I were to take a LHD. I think he is picked higher than he is ranked. Smith is good, but He would be trade bait, if he is BPA for me for a 1st in next year's draft.

 

[LGB]

Mrtka vs. Smith is an interesting debate. Hensler though… I’m not seeing what you guys are seeing.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Mrtka vs. Smith is an interesting debate. Hensler though… I’m not seeing what you guys are seeing.

Mrtka and Simon Wang are an interesting debate. Who do you take first on pure projection because they are tall and can skate? Is Bedkowski, Kettles or Rombach a better pick in the 2nd round? Smith can actually play pretty well. Just redundant when you have Fischer along with Ralph and Lindstein on the left side

 

[Mike Liut]

I hope somehow Martone falls to us. We’d probably have to finish around 5 or 6 and get lucky. Man, he’d look good in our top 6

 

[LGB]

Mrtka vs. Smith is an interesting debate. Hensler though… I’m not seeing what you guys are seeing.

Re-evaluating Hensler, and while I definitely like Smith and Mrtka more, maybe he can get back in that tier.

Mrtka and Simon Wang are an interesting debate. Who do you take first on pure projection because they are tall and can skate? Is Bedkowski, Kettles or Rombach a better pick in the 2nd round? Smith can actually play pretty well. Just redundant when you have Fischer along with Ralph and Lindstein on the left side

Can’t say I’ve watched any of Wang, but just looking at the production it doesn’t seem like he should be in the conversation with Mrtka. I’m of the opinion that we just need to take the best player and we can figure out how everything fits later. These high picks are too valuable to not take the guy you think will be the best player.