2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[Bye Bye Blueston]

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. He probably jumped up there in the top 15 now. He may give Jackson Smith and Kashawn a run for their money even though both are playing very well. Hopefully push Hensler down...

I'm afraid Cootes may jump out of our range too. I wasn't overly high on him during the season as I didn't think he was a skilled enough passer, but his team did royally stink. It is getting cloudy who might be there at 19.

I also like Eric Nilsson a jack of all trades center for Sweden as he has played really well and ALOT in the tournament. Seems every highlight he is in he steals the puck and sets somebody up. His faceoff numbers are high as well. Scouch just did a long scouting report on him too that is very insightful. 19 may be a bit high, but he has a very projectable game. I like him better than Gastrin.

I’ve liked McKinney too. Seems to make lots of smart plays.

Sweden-US rematch should be interesting. I think Swedes win this one now that Frondell has settled in.

 

[STL fan in MN]

As an American, is it bad I sort of want the Swedes to win tomorrow? I think the Swedes and Canadians have the two best rosters here and I’d like to see them match up in the gold medal game.

The Americans roster is just meh this year. Fiddler will go in the 1st but I’m not sure I’d give a 1st round grade to a single NTDP player this year. But a few will likely slip into the late 1st and quite a few will go in the 2nd. Not that McKinney, Murtagh, Mooney etc aren’t good players but just not the elite talent the NTDP usually has most years.

But the US always has a huge advantage in this tourney. They bring an actual team (with a couple “ringers” added) that have been playing together the whole year while all the other teams are more collections of players put together a week or two ago trying to form chemistry on the fly. It’s a big advantage.

 

[STL fan in MN]

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. He probably jumped up there in the top 15 now. He may give Jackson Smith and Kashawn a run for their money even though both are playing very well. Hopefully push Hensler down...

I'm afraid Cootes may jump out of our range too. I wasn't overly high on him during the season as I didn't think he was a skilled enough passer, but his team did royally stink. It is getting cloudy who might be there at 19.

I also like Eric Nilsson a jack of all trades center for Sweden as he has played really well and ALOT in the tournament. Seems every highlight he is in he steals the puck and sets somebody up. His faceoff numbers are high as well. Scouch just did a long scouting report on him too that is very insightful. 19 may be a bit high, but he has a very projectable game. I like him better than Gastrin.

I noticed Nilsson a bit too. Seems like someone worth a pick in the 2nd. Maybe Army makes a deal(s) to add a pick or two this summer but as of now, it’s looking like it’s going to be a boring Day 2 of the draft for us Blues draftnicks with no picks until Round 5 and 6.

Agree on Boumedienne and Cootes. I expect both to go before Pick 19 now but if not, I’d be happy with either. I like Boum more but Cootes fits more of a need.

I have a pretty solid top-9 in this draft but the 10-20 range is just so murky IMO. I think this year in particular, it’s going to be pretty hard to guess what players might even still be available at 19 as with it being so murky, the draft could go a ton of different ways.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

As an American, is it bad I sort of want the Swedes to win tomorrow? I think the Swedes and Canadians have the two best rosters here and I’d like to see them match up in the gold medal game.

The Americans roster is just meh this year. Fiddler will go in the 1st but I’m not sure I’d give a 1st round grade to a single NTDP player this year. But a few will likely slip into the late 1st and quite a few will go in the 2nd. Not that McKinney, Murtagh, Mooney etc aren’t good players but just not the elite talent the NTDP usually has most years.

But the US always has a huge advantage in this tourney. They bring an actual team (with a couple “ringers” added) that have been playing together the whole year while all the other teams are more collections of players put together a week or two ago trying to form chemistry on the fly. It’s a big advantage.

I think both McKinney and Murtagh are safe bets if you want NHL players. I don’t think they’re going to set the world on fire, but they both seem like dudes who will grow a lot in college, and they’re starting with solid 200-ft foundations to build on. They won’t be flashy picks, but they’ll be good bets.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I think both McKinney and Murtagh are safe bets if you want NHL players. I don’t think they’re going to set the world on fire, but they both seem like dudes who will grow a lot in college, and they’re starting with solid 200-ft foundations to build on. They won’t be flashy picks, but they’ll be good bets.

I’d agree with this. I prefer others at 19 but they’re the type that start getting taken before a lot of high risk/high reward guys typically start going off the board.

Mooney has 1st round talent but at 5’7” he’s basically on my DND list unfortunately.

 

[tfriede2]

I’d agree with this. I prefer others at 19 but they’re the type that start getting taken before a lot of high risk/high reward guys typically start going off the board.

Mooney has 1st round talent but at 5’7” he’s basically on my DND list unfortunately.

What’s your take on Brady Martin? Possible that he could be available at 19

 

[STL fan in MN]

What’s your take on Brady Martin? Possible that he could be available at 19

I like Martin quite a bit. Skilled but also hits like a truck. I’d definitely be happy with him at 19. I suspect he’ll go higher though…but again, it’s hard to see as this draft really opens up around Pick 10.

Basically, I see around 10-15 guys I’d be pretty happy with at 19 and a handful of them are bound to still be there at 19 so as long as the Blues pick one of them, I’ll probably be happy.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I like Martin quite a bit. Skilled but also hits like a truck. I’d definitely be happy with him at 19. I suspect he’ll go higher though…but again, it’s hard to see as this draft really opens up around Pick 10.

Basically, I see around 10-15 guys I’d be pretty happy with at 19 and a handful of them are bound to still be there at 19 so as long as the Blues pick one of them, I’ll probably be happy.

Whomever was calling Canada-Finland game (Button) said he thought Martin could go top 5. I'm not quite there, but I could definitely see him in top 10. EDIT: I think I'm there now; I can see Martin top 5.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Whomever was calling Canada-Finland game (Button?) said he thought Martin could go top 5. I'm not quite there, but I could definitely see him in top 10.

He’s between 10-15 for me but with this wide open of a draft I could see it. He absolutely has qualities NHL teams will covet.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

What’s your take on Brady Martin? Possible that he could be available at 19

At 19, Brady Martin is about as close to "best case scenario" as we'll get.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

At 19, Brady Martin is about as close to "best case scenario" as we'll get.

Too bad he is gonna be gone inside top 10.

 

[kimzey59]

Too bad he is gonna be gone inside top 10.

I seriously doubt that.
The top 9 is pretty well set IMO(exact order TBD but the names are pretty well set) and I don't think Martin is the top of the next group(I'd wager one of the defensemen(Smith, Mrtka, Hensler, Aitcheson) rounds out the top 10).

I'd agree that he probably goes before 19, but IMO Martin is solidly in the 10-15 range. IMO it'd be a dream scenario if he did somehow fall to 19 and it would make our pick extremely easy. Heck, if he falls past 12 I could see Army going a bit crazy to move up for him(talk about an ideal replacement for Schenn down the road).

 

[Stealth JD]

Cole Reschny could be an option at #19. 5’10” center who would be top-10 if he were 2-3” taller. I grew 4” after 18, so he could still get over 6’.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

At 19, Brady Martin is about as close to "best case scenario" as we'll get.

Do you think he’ll ever be more than a third line player? I guess that is many writer’s question and watching him in juniors. I’m okay with that. His game will play. Especially now in the playoffs.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I seriously doubt that.
The top 9 is pretty well set IMO(exact order TBD but the names are pretty well set) and I don't think Martin is the top of the next group(I'd wager one of the defensemen(Smith, Mrtka, Hensler, Aitcheson) rounds out the top 10).

I'd agree that he probably goes before 19, but IMO Martin is solidly in the 10-15 range. IMO it'd be a dream scenario if he did somehow fall to 19 and it would make our pick extremely easy. Heck, if he falls past 12 I could see Army going a bit crazy to move up for him(talk about an ideal replacement for Schenn down the road).

Who do you have locked into top 9?

 

[kimzey59]

Who do you have locked into top 9?

Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone, Desnoyers, Frondell, Eklund, McQueen and O’Brien. The only one I even see a remote possibility of slipping is McQueen with his injury history.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone, Desnoyers, Frondell, Eklund, McQueen and O’Brien. The only one I even see a remote possibility of slipping is McQueen with his injury history.

I don’t think it’s a given that McQueen and O’Brien go top 10. The others I expect will.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Who do you have locked into top 9?

I want to hear kimzey’s answer too but I also have a pretty solidified top-9 so am curious if it’s the same 9 as kimzey.

Schaefer
Misa

Frondell
Desnoyers
O’Brien
Hagens

Martone
Eklund
McQueen

I wouldn’t say those 9 are “locked in”, at least not for me, as I could see my view changing and others joining this group but as of today, I see a decent drop off after these 9.

EDIT: and kimzey replied before me as I had to delay my post to respond to a work IM. Interesting it’s the same top-9 though…just in a bit different order.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Do you think he’ll ever be more than a third line player? I guess that is many writer’s question and watching him in juniors. I’m okay with that. His game will play. Especially now in the playoffs.

I think because he plays a hard game some analysts have kind of unfairly characterized him as a bottom-6 grinder. I think that's kind of ridiculous. He scored 1.26 PPG in his draft year, that is phenomenal production even adjusting for team strength. Year and team adjustments aside, Kyrou scored 0.78 PPG in his draft year. IMO Martin is a more offensively skilled Jake Neighbours. I see Brendan Morrow in both of their games. There's a weird perception about those kinds of guys, but as we've seen with Jake they're super valuable. He also plays Center, which we need more of.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Average consolidated positions as of April 1 according to my spreadsheet
Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone, Frondell, Eklund, Desnoyers, O'Brien, Smith, Lakovic, Mrtka, McQueen, Bear, Martin, Carbonneau, Reid, Aitcheson, Hensler, Cootes, Spence, Potter, Kindel, Zonnon, Reschny, Schmidt, Fiddler, Vansaghi, Gastrin, Ihs-Wozniak, Murtagh, McKinney, Nilson...then Boumedienne

I'm thinking it goes
Schaefer, Misa

Hagens, Martone Frondell Eklund, Desnoyers, O'Brien, Smith, Mrtka

McQueen, Lakovic, Boumedienne, Hensler, Cootes, Aitcheson, Spence, Martin

Crapshoot from there
Bear (bad injury), Carbonneau (wing), Reid (smallish), Zonnon (skate?), Reschny (small skate translates?) Fiddler (raw), Gastrin (translates?), Nilsson (translates slight?) McKinney (translates?) Nesbitt (translates, skate?) Brzustewicz (bottom pair?) Potter (small?) Zharovsky (translates wing?) Kindel (small translates?)

 

[STL fan in MN]

Not sure what thread to put this but I was talking to a friend yesterday that’s pretty connected to the Gophers and he was saying how there’s about to be a huge influx into college hockey because of NIL dollars. He didn’t want to talk about specific players but said it’s coming.

This convo reminded me of this tweet I saw a couple days ago.


I think it’s possible we see a seismic event in junior/college hockey occur within the next month or so. I’ve been hearing names like McKenna, Misa, Spence, McQueen, Desnoyers etc. Word is they’re all being pursued and offered 6-figure NIL deals and that a lot of the announcements will come once the CHL playoffs are over. Guys like Henry Mews and Cayden Lindstrom have already been announced. This could be devastating for the CHL if true.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I want to hear kimzey’s answer too but I also have a pretty solidified top-9 so am curious if it’s the same 9 as kimzey.

Schaefer
Misa

Frondell
Desnoyers
O’Brien
Hagens

Martone
Eklund
McQueen

I wouldn’t say those 9 are “locked in”, at least not for me, as I could see my view changing and others joining this group but as of today, I see a decent drop off after these 9.

EDIT: and kimzey replied before me as I had to delay my post to respond to a work IM. Interesting it’s the same top-9 though…just in a bit different order.

I am not sold on O’Brien. I watch the playoffs and I question whether his game is built for that. Love the skill, but..

After u18 I will post my updated list.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I think because he plays a hard game some analysts have kind of unfairly characterized him as a bottom-6 grinder. I think that's kind of ridiculous. He scored 1.26 PPG in his draft year, that is phenomenal production even adjusting for team strength. Year and team adjustments aside, Kyrou scored 0.78 PPG in his draft year. IMO Martin is a more offensively skilled Jake Neighbours. I see Brendan Morrow in both of their games. There's a weird perception about those kinds of guys, but as we've seen with Jake they're super valuable. He also plays Center, which we need more of.

I don't think it is ridiculous. There have been many a 3rd and 4th line player put up as many points as him in juniors. If he plays up 1st or 2nd line that's awesome. Probably as a winger as he is probably average as a skater at best, but relentless as hell. I'd love to have him, but I'm not drafting him to put up 25 goals and 30 assists. I don't see it, but maybe a career year. Maybe a great 3rd line center or 2nd line disruptive winger. Just my opinion. I've seen him plenty. He is very Jake Neighborsish. I'm good with that, but he will be gone.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I am not sold on O’Brien. I watch the playoffs and I question whether his game is built for that. Love the skill, but..

After u18 I will post my updated list.

I could see that. Definitely more of a finesse player. And he’s a little hard to evaluate with Lardis, Vanacker and Thomas also on his team.

I’ll post a list after the U18s too.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I don't think it is ridiculous. There have been many a 3rd and 4th line player put up as many points as him in juniors. If he plays up 1st or 2nd line that's awesome. Probably as a winger as he is probably average as a skater at best, but relentless as hell. I'd love to have him, but I'm not drafting him to put up 25 goals and 30 assists. I don't see it, but maybe a career year. Maybe a great 3rd line center or 2nd line disruptive winger. Just my opinion. I've seen him plenty. He is very Jake Neighborsish. I'm good with that, but he will be gone.

I’m not sold he is 30/30 guy either, but he is built for playoff hockey. Looks like top 6 wing or middle 6 center. He is type of guy every team wants. Physical, relentless, and I think his offense is still pretty raw. Not sure how much he scores- maybe he is just Scott Laughton type. There will be guys taken later that outproduce him, but he sure seems like guy that gets picked top 10.