Pre-Game Talk: 2025 NHL Draft Thread

[PerryTurnbullfan]

How did McIsaac look? He's an interesting prospect to me, albeit one with a long development period ahead of him probably.

Kind of reminds me of Burns trajectory. He is one of the top guys on Defense. Keeps it simple. Doesn’t handle the puck like a grenade. He will make a move or two to get a shot. Right hand shot. 6’3” and plays his size. I think he has bottom six potential and maybe the defensive partner for a top 4 as a minutes eater.

 

[LGB]

Speaking of BPA regardless of position the one winger I really have my eye on is Carter Bear. High motor, physical, good defensively and in transition, and has star level production. Skating seems fairly average which may hold him back, but he has to be considered IMO.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Speaking of BPA regardless of position the one winger I really have my eye on is Carter Bear. High motor, physical, good defensively and in transition, and has star level production. Skating seems fairly average which may hold him back, but he has to be considered IMO.

I think we need to recognize postional value. It's not just that our system is lacking in C and RD depth, but pretty much everyone's is. Teams pay a premium to deal for them. When we look to BPA, we need to factor that in to a greater extent that we tend to acknowledge.

 

[LGB]

I think we need to recognize postional value. It's not just that our system is lacking in C and RD depth, but pretty much everyone's is. Teams pay a premium to deal for them. When we look to BPA, we need to factor that in to a greater extent that we tend to acknowledge.

I think it’s being factored in. We’ve almost exclusively been discussing centers and defensemen. Bear is a guy with the profile to be a star forward and maybe the best player on our team in the future.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I think it’s being factored in. We’ve almost exclusively been discussing centers and defensemen. Bear is a guy with the profile to be a star forward and maybe the best player on our team in the future.

If he is that good then it would be smart pick. I just haven't seen enough from him to rank him that high., but obviously others have. I like him as more a potentially good middle 6 player. If we pick in top 10, I'd rather grab Frondell, O'Brien, Eklund, or Martin over Bear.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

I think it’s being factored in. We’ve almost exclusively been discussing centers and defensemen. Bear is a guy with the profile to be a star forward and maybe the best player on our team in the future.

Bear is finally getting noticed. Eliteprospects had a YouTube special detailing their most recent rankings. They were heavily considering Bear in that same category of Desnoyers and O’Brian. They’ve put him well ahead of Frondell if that means anything, although EP has never liked Frondell much.

I do think Bear should be getting more consideration if the Blues are in the 7 - 12 range. In my mind, if Hensler is then Bear should be as well.

 

[kimzey59]

I think it’s being factored in. We’ve almost exclusively been discussing centers and defensemen. Bear is a guy with the profile to be a star forward and maybe the best player on our team in the future.

IF Bear is the best player on your team; your team is in serious trouble.
Don't get me wrong, the kids has a non-stop motor which puts him fairly high on my list; but the offensive upside is admittedly pretty limited IMO.
I'll be a little surprised if he even tops TJ Oshie levels of production. Granted, Oshie put a very solid career together for himself(over 1000 games, averaged 55 points per 82 gp); but that isn't a guy who should be looked at as your best player.

I wouldn't have zero problems drafting Bear in the 10-15 range, but he's a supplemental guy more than he is a "core piece" IMO.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

IF Bear is the best player on your team; your team is in serious trouble.
Don't get me wrong, the kids has a non-stop motor which puts him fairly high on my list; but the offensive upside is admittedly pretty limited IMO.
I'll be a little surprised if he even tops TJ Oshie levels of production. Granted, Oshie put a very solid career together for himself(over 1000 games, averaged 55 points per 82 gp); but that isn't a guy who should be looked at as your best player.

I wouldn't have zero problems drafting Bear in the 10-15 range, but he's a supplemental guy more than he is a "core piece" IMO.

Pretty dead on. Maybe a great third liner. Or a Nygard lite.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Schaefer, Matthew

Misa, Michaeel

Desnoyers, Caleb

Frondell, Anton

O'Brien, Jake

Hagens, James

McQueen, Roger

Martone, Porter

Hensler, Logan

Bear, Carter

Aitcheson, Kashawn

Spence, Malcolm

Zonnon, Bill

Smith, Jackson

Carbonneau, Justin

Martin, Brady

Lakovic, Lynden

Eklund, Victor

Right or wrong. This is kind of how I like the draft, if I'm drafting for the Blues.

 

[LGB]

I think Bear will be a top 6 player. One of the grinder types like a Hagel or Bennett but he has the hockey IQ, soft hands, and scoring touch to go along with it.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Not sure he’s been mentioned here yet, but Nathan Behm is an interesting winger if we go that route. I wouldn’t love the “positional value” of taking a winger in the top 10, but he’s got a strong stats profile.

Also I watched one of those “shift-by-shift” profiles on Ryabkin the other day. There’s no denying he’s talented but man is he a floater. He spends most of his shifts with one hand on his stick, just kind of drifting around and waiting for the puck to end up around him.

 

[ezcreepin]

Over-ager for this year, but he wasn't selected in his draft year or the year after, I think the Blues should really consider having Oliver Tulk come on a try-out or something. Draft year had 24 goals and 60 points being second fiddle, D+1 he had 40 goals and 80 points in 66 games being the top guy, and this year he has 31 goals and 83 points in 51 games. He's absolutely not a big guy at 5'8, 174 lbs which might speak to his ability offensively. He has disgusting shot selection and seems to score from anywhere - in close, breakaway, Ovi's spot, down right wing, off the boards in the left wing spot, he scores up high in the corners, just above the pad, down low, has good enough hands to get the goalie out of position, he seems like he has a good grasp of scoring (I can't speak to his defense or playmaking). He feels like a Caufield type player but not as deadly of a shot. I don't think he could ever play center in the NHL just based on his stature, but I think he could be a great scoring 3rd liner if what I see in him translates to the pros. Curious if anyone else has seen him or felt the same?

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Over-ager for this year, but he wasn't selected in his draft year or the year after, I think the Blues should really consider having Oliver Tulk come on a try-out or something. Draft year had 24 goals and 60 points being second fiddle, D+1 he had 40 goals and 80 points in 66 games being the top guy, and this year he has 31 goals and 83 points in 51 games. He's absolutely not a big guy at 5'8, 174 lbs which might speak to his ability offensively. He has disgusting shot selection and seems to score from anywhere - in close, breakaway, Ovi's spot, down right wing, off the boards in the left wing spot, he scores up high in the corners, just above the pad, down low, has good enough hands to get the goalie out of position, he seems like he has a good grasp of scoring (I can't speak to his defense or playmaking). He feels like a Caufield type player but not as deadly of a shot. I don't think he could ever play center in the NHL just based on his stature, but I think he could be a great scoring 3rd liner if what I see in him translates to the pros. Curious if anyone else has seen him or felt the same?

I don’t see why not bring him to camp. Same with Oasiz Wiesblatt of Medicine Hat. He has been a good 1st line performer for Medicine Hat. He is tough too. He whipped Carter Yakemchuks ass last year. Switched hands halfway through the fight.

 

[BleedBlue14]

Schaefer, Matthew

Misa, Michaeel

Desnoyers, Caleb

Frondell, Anton

O'Brien, Jake

Hagens, James

McQueen, Roger

Martone, Porter

Hensler, Logan

Bear, Carter

Aitcheson, Kashawn

Spence, Malcolm

Zonnon, Bill

Smith, Jackson

Carbonneau, Justin

Martin, Brady

Lakovic, Lynden

Eklund, Victor

Right or wrong. This is kind of how I like the draft, if I'm drafting for the Blues.

Couple of questions asking purely out of being ignorant.

Why Eklund so low and why Aitcheson so high?

 

[LGB]

What do you guys think of Brady Martin? Like his game a lot overall, if the handling skill gets better I think he can be a good NHL center.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Couple of questions asking purely out of being ignorant.

Why Eklund so low and why Aitcheson so high?

I see a modern Scott Stevens in Atchesons game. He has decent size and can provide offense along with physical play. One of those guys that make you think twice about keeping your head down at any point. Is he the best player at this point? It’s debatable, but he will have good trade value should we use him in that manner in the future.

Eklund is a smallish in size though 5’10” 5-11”. He is scrappy enough at the junior level and a puck hound with some skill. I don’t see a translation apart from being a passenger to a much more gifted player (plays with Frondell). That makes me personally hesitant to put him higher than what I would want the Blues to draft him. We need to leave this draft with a 1-2 center, a right d that’s a top 4 or players that could be top 4 d or top 6 forwards or potentially bring that player in a trade. For me, his size and position do not seem to bring a value over the players I have above him, but at this point he is the best player for both categories.

 

[LGB]

I see a modern Scott Stevens in Atchesons game. He has decent size and can provide offense along with physical play. One of those guys that make you think twice about keeping your head down at any point.

Eklund is a smallish in size though 5’10” 5-11”. He is scrappy enough at the junior level and a puck hound with some skill. I don’t see a translation apart from being a passenger to a much more gifted player (plays with Frondell). That makes me personally hesitant to put him higher than what I would want the Blues to draft him. We need to leave this draft with a 1-2 center, a right d that’s a top 4 or players that could be top 4 d or top 6 forwards or potentially bring that player in a trade. For me, his size and position do not seem to bring a value over the players I have above him, but at this point he is the best player for both categories.

In the games I've seen of Frondell and Eklund the passenger is definitely not Eklund.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

What do you guys think of Brady Martin? Like his game a lot overall, if the handling skill gets better I think he can be a good NHL center.

I like him and see a very good third line center. He does a lot of things well. Relentless forechecker. Don’t know if his offense will translate. May be a good player to stick on the wing with two finesse players to get the puck and force turnovers for them.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

In the games I've seen of Frondell and Eklund the passenger is definitely not Eklund.

Put him on a third line and see if he can create his own offense. I’m not gambling that with my first pick. Especially in the top 10.

 

[LGB]

I like him and see a very good third line center. He does a lot of things well. Relentless forechecker. Don’t know if his offense will translate. May be a good player to stick on the wing with two finesse players to get the puck and force turnovers for them.

I agree there's a good chance he's more of a third line player. I think he's a very natural center though, skates well and is very effective rushing the puck through the NZ and positions himself well all over the ice.

Put him on a third line and see if he can create his own offense. I’m not gambling that with my first pick. Especially in the top 10.

I'm not totally sure if I'd take him top 10 but I think he is the catalyst for his line. Much more effective rush attacker than Frondell at this point and creates advantages on the cycle as well. Frondell is the one I'm not sure can create his own offense. He is about half a year younger though and has good size.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I agree there's a good chance he's more of a third line player. I think he's a very natural center though, skates well and is very effective rushing the puck through the NZ and positions himself well all over the ice.



I'm not totally sure if I'd take him top 10 but I think he is the catalyst for his line. Much more effective rush attacker than Frondell at this point and creates advantages on the cycle as well. Frondell is the one I'm not sure can create his own offense. He is about half a year younger though and has good size.

Frondell reminds me of Dvo but is a better skater and more of a 200 ft player. He can really shoot too. Not sure it wouldn’t be too redundant for the Blues.

 

[LGB]

Frondell reminds me of Dvo but is a better skater and more of a 200 ft player. He can really shoot too. Not sure it wouldn’t be too redundant for the Blues.

I agree there are a lot of parallels between him and Dvorsky.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

What do you guys think of Brady Martin? Like his game a lot overall, if the handling skill gets better I think he can be a good NHL center.

I like him a lot. Think he will be good 3rd line center. Plays direct game, great energy. If the higher rated centers are gone, I’d be happy if we took him.

That said, I don’t see a guy who has enough offensive sense to center top 6 line like an O’Brien or Desnoyers or Misa or Hagens does.

Note: I have a hard enough time remembering how to spell these names; really don’t appreciate iPhone messing them up when I do spell
them right!