2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I don’t have any concerns with Reschny’s skating. Were Schwartz’s or Granlund’s skating any better?

Fair point on the U18s being a far cry from NHL playoff hockey. Ekberg is 5’10” though. That’s undersized. Mooney is 5’7”. That’s tiny. Pretty much an unworkable level of tiny. My guess is Ekberg goes in the giant hole we currently have between picks 19 and 147 (19th pick of round 5) so likely a moot point on him.

Seems a little harsh on Sascha. Not making Petro comparisons for him anymore, huh? I see him as a definite 1st rounder. But closer to 20. He’ll be someone I try to watch more tape on though. Just no other 17 yr old d-men in the NCAA to compare him to.

Frondell was healthy scratched a lot of the Allsvenskan finals. But maybe he was tired or dinged up or something. Idk. But also not going to put much thought into it as he’s going to be long gone before 19.

In this draft, Sasha goes anywhere between 15 and 40. I see him later top 8 or so of the D. He is an excellent first pass and skating guy. Little smallish to average. Leddy ish?

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Way too small for a modern goalie.

6’ is too small? He’s only 17 and will grow a little bit more.

 

[ToastedRavioli]

I'd be happy if any of Smith, Mrtka, Aitcheson, or Hensler fall to us. Hensler seems most likely. I'd also be okay with moving the pick if the right trade comes around. It's not a super strong draft, especially for D.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Way too small for a modern goalie.

That sentiment is why Dustin Wolf almost went undrafted and now he’s a Calder finalist.

Ivankovic is only 6’0” but he’s very skilled. I wouldn’t take him high but he’s the actual best goalie in this class from what I’ve seen. Also hear he’s going to leave Jrs and be the Wolverines starter next season.

 

[STL fan in MN]

In this draft, Sasha goes anywhere between 15 and 40. I see him later top 8 or so of the D. He is an excellent first pass and skating guy. Little smallish to average. Leddy ish?

Unless his measurements are way generous he’s 2 inches taller than Leddy.

 

[LogosBlue]

That sentiment is why Dustin Wolf almost went undrafted and now he’s a Calder finalist.

Ivankovic is only 6’0” but he’s very skilled. I wouldn’t take him high but he’s the actual best goalie in this class from what I’ve seen. Also hear he’s going to leave Jrs and be the Wolverines starter next season.

Coulda swore i read he was under 6' but i guess he does have some growing to do still at his age.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Coulda swore i read he was under 6' but i guess he does have some growing to do still at his age.

I’ve seen a couple sites that have him at 5’11” but that was the height he was at when he entered Jrs.

 

[Spektre]

I’m hoping Aitcheson falls to the Blues.

 

[Beauterham]

I just don’t see it with Ravensbergen.

He’s…big. As for actual talent, I much prefer Ivankovic. I see both as 2nd rounders though. I’d be quite disappointed if we chose Ravensbergen at 19. I think we should try to add a goalie this year…but not in the 1st.

How do you feel about Alex Medvedev? Russian Goalie playing for the London Knights, one of the younger players in this draft.

 

[Beauterham]

I’m hoping Aitcheson falls to the Blues.

I'm very much for drafting the BPA, however if we're in a 'tier' of players, just grab the C or RD you like most. I prefer not to draft a LD, unless that player is clearly the BPA. We're already stacked with LD's and, as Aitcheson is one of the older first time eligible draftees, he will have just one more season in the OHL left, meaning he will be in the AHL in 26/27. We will be drowning in young LD's in the AHL by then and will be forced to move a couple of them.

I'm hoping for someone like Hensler, Martin. Maybe teams are weary of drafting McQueen or Bear.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Unless his measurements are way generous he’s 2 inches taller than Leddy.

He is very slight if you look at him. Yes he is taller, but he is built very thin. I question whether he will be resourceful enough around bigger faster players as he was a bit exposed against Canada. Leddy has found ways to make do being undersized.

 

[STL fan in MN]

How do you feel about Alex Medvedev? Russian Goalie playing for the London Knights, one of the younger players in this draft.

Barely seen him play. Anytime I’ve watched London it’s almost always been Elliott in net.

 

[STL fan in MN]

He is very slight if you look at him. Yes he is taller, but he is built very thin. I question whether he will be resourceful enough around bigger faster players as he was a bit exposed against Canada. Leddy has found ways to make do being undersized.

Yeah, definitely tall and skinny. But a lot of teenagers are. I usually don’t pay as much attention to the weight of teenage prospects as their height but with Jiricek struggling to move away from his bean pole physique, maybe I should. Still though, I bet Sascha will end up similar to Broberg in terms of body type. Usually these kids just need time. He’s definitely more of a finesse d-man though. Don’t see him ever being the type to be landing thunderous bodychecks or anything really.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Yeah, definitely tall and skinny. But a lot of teenagers are. I usually don’t pay as much attention to the weight of teenage prospects as their height but with Jiricek struggling to move away from his bean pole physique, maybe I should. Still though, I bet Sascha will end up similar to Broberg in terms of body type. Usually these kids just need time. He’s definitely more of a finesse d-man though. Don’t see him ever being the type to be landing thunderous bodychecks or anything really.

My concern is that Martin hit him early and really took him out of his game. Hopefully next time he responds better.

 

[Spektre]

I'm very much for drafting the BPA, however if we're in a 'tier' of players, just grab the C or RD you like most. I prefer not to draft a LD, unless that player is clearly the BPA. We're already stacked with LD's and, as Aitcheson is one of the older first time eligible draftees, he will have just one more season in the OHL left, meaning he will be in the AHL in 26/27. We will be drowning in young LD's in the AHL by then and will be forced to move a couple of them.

I'm hoping for someone like Hensler, Martin. Maybe teams are weary of drafting McQueen or Bear.

I understand the depth of prospects in the Blues' org. Just my opinion that Aitcheson has unique qualities that will separate him in the NHL from other prospects in his tier. I'm higher on him than most and would put him #6th overall.

 

[STL fan in MN]

My concern is that Martin hit him early and really took him out of his game. Hopefully next time he responds better.

That’s definitely fair. He was one of many Swedes that were overwhelmed physically that day. Sascha is good but that’s certainly something to consider. I mean, if you were to take him and Aitcheson and run them through all sorts of skills drills, somehow measure their hockey sense etc, I bet Sascha would win that quite easily. But which one would I want out there in the playoff game, today? Aitcheson.

That said, I doubt we’re drafting either of those guys but it’s an interesting thought experiment.

For now, I’m hoping Cootes can stay a little underrated and last to 19.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

This is probably nothing, but here's a Charlie-Kelly-Pepe-Silvia-style dot connection:

I was listening to the Alex Steen "Last Minute Blues Podcast" episode, and when he was talking about being traded to the Blues back in 08, he mentioned that Dan Hinote was a guy he knew on the team. And I thought wait a minute, Dan Hinote never played for the Leafs. So I pulled up his HockeyDB page, and it turns out he played with Steen on MoDo during the 04 lockout. Cool, fine, whatever.

There was also a 24 year old forward on that team, who Steen should know pretty well. Three years later, that forward had a son, and that son is draft eligible this year. That forward was a guy named Magnus Gastrin. Father of Milton.

Milton has been praised by the draft folks for having the leadership qualities that we covet and value highly in prospects. He's a center, which we have a high need for. He seems like he will be available at 19. I wonder if Steen pounds the table for him on draft day.

 

[execwrite1]

This is probably nothing, but here's a Charlie-Kelly-Pepe-Silvia-style dot connection:

I was listening to the Alex Steen "Last Minute Blues Podcast" episode, and when he was talking about being traded to the Blues back in 08, he mentioned that Dan Hinote was a guy he knew on the team. And I thought wait a minute, Dan Hinote never played for the Leafs. So I pulled up his HockeyDB page, and it turns out he played with Steen on MoDo during the 04 lockout. Cool, fine, whatever.

There was also a 24 year old forward on that team, who Steen should know pretty well. Three years later, that forward had a son, and that son is draft eligible this year. That forward was a guy named Magnus Gastrin. Father of Milton.

Milton has been praised by the draft folks for having the leadership qualities that we covet and value highly in prospects. He's a center, which we have a high need for. He seems like he will be available at 19. I wonder if Steen pounds the table for him on draft day.

Good call. Milton Gastrin looks very interesting. I'm looking for a RHD but if Gastrin is BPA have to consider.

Skating and Work Ethic:
Gastrin has a powerful stride with good acceleration, allowing him to keep pace with elite competition and transition effectively between offense and defense.
His relentless motor and ability to recover loose pucks (1.31 per game) are standout aspects of his game.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Good call. Milton Gastrin looks very interesting. I'm looking for a RHD but if Gastrin is BPA have to consider.

Skating and Work Ethic:
Gastrin has a powerful stride with good acceleration, allowing him to keep pace with elite competition and transition effectively between offense and defense.
His relentless motor and ability to recover loose pucks (1.31 per game) are standout aspects of his game.

Yep. That article comps him to Phil Danault, Pronman comps him to Ross Colton. Here’s what Wheeler has to say about him:

Gastrin has been the captain of this Swedish age group and has centered Sweden’s very successful top line with fellow 2025 prospect Viktor Klingsell and top 2026 talent Ivar Stenberg across multiple events (though he missed the Five Nations due to injury), making waves with an eight-point game against Switzerland at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer. He has played well in my viewings with MoDo’s J20 team this year as well, driving his line and contributing in different areas. He’s got size, he’s a natural center, he’s a strong enough skater and he plays well off his linemates, offering a responsible and heady game. His habits and details are there at an early age. He’s not a dynamic offensive player but he handles it well, makes plays around the net and seems to really understand timing and spacing. He’s also got a natural shot and release that I expect him to show more of as he learns to attack for himself more. I do wonder a little about his upside but he looks like a projectable middle-sixer and I think a late-first/early second rating is earned at the moment. He’s also a June birthday.

That last sentence is the kicker: we love our late-birthday players. Even without a tangential family connection, the kid has “Blue” written all over him.

 

[Cool Papa Con]

Yep. That article comps him to Phil Danault, Pronman comps him to Ross Colton. Here’s what Wheeler has to say about him:

That last sentence is the kicker: we love our late-birthday players. Even without a tangential family connection, the kid has “Blue” written all over him.

You had me at Captain & late-Birthday.

 

[Beauterham]

For the people that watched the U18's, what did you think of Theo Stockselius? Really liked what I saw from the small snippets I was able to see. Probably projects more as a winger in the NHL as he's apparently not that good at faceoffs, but he's a good skater at 6'3", got playmaking skills, good shot... If we somehow gain a 2nd round pick I hope he's on Steens radar.