2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[ezcreepin]

I always just reference elite prospects cause its great for stats as well. TSN, McKeen, and Central all had him at some mix of 23,26,31. I think Neighbours was always going to go at some point in the 1st, glad we grabbed him. For sure a great culture guy.

I think the main concerns about Neighbours was his foot speed and translatable offense. There was quite a bit of positive criticisms of Neighbours before and after he was drafted, but it was mainly a "can he translate this to the NHL" type concerns, which I think were fair. At worst, he was always going to be a 4th line floor guy, but he has worked hard and his character shows that he is willing to put the work in. To agree with your statement, I generally look to McKenzie's rankings and he had him around 31. I think that is a fair ranking for Jake at the time.

 

[Mike Liut]

I’d love to see where Neighbors would go in a re-draft.

 

[kimzey59]

I’d love to see where Neighbors would go in a re-draft.

Probably moves up a little but not nearly as much as some might think. He’s currently 13th from that year in scoring, although I think there’s a fairly strong argument for putting Faber, Guhle, Schneider and Holloway above him.
17-20 would seem to be about right for him.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Some interesting names on RD that weren’t signed of yet available in draft again Carter Sotheran, Kaden Hammell, and Dylan MacKinnon

 

[STL fan in MN]

Some interesting names on RD that weren’t signed of yet available in draft again Carter Sotheran, Kaden Hammell, and Dylan MacKinnon

I’m familiar with MacKinnon a bit from watching Moncton but not really the other 2. Any of these 3 worth our 5th or 6th round pick? Or worth signing as free agents assuming they go undrafted?

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I’m familiar with MacKinnon a bit from watching Moncton but not really the other 2. Any of these 3 worth our 5th or 6th round pick? Or worth signing as free agents assuming they go undrafted?

Sotheran was Luca Cagnoni’s insulator as he ran all over the ice. I wouldn’t be afraid to draft him. I liked him and MacKinnon in their draft years. They are what they are and would be valuable for a playoff run.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

These black Moncton uniforms look great, but sure hard to read the numbers!

 

[LGB]

Rumor is that Carbonneau will be going to BC next year. I like that move a lot for him. He reminds me of Ryan Leonard in a lot of ways.

 

[AyeBah]

The Blues should definitely take Ivan Ryabkin if he's there at 19. He was a top 5 pick preseason. Who knows what really happened in Russia this year but I do know that Russia gets very punitive with players who don't show interest in staying for at least a few years post draft. I think that maybe the case with Ryabkin.

He is an enigma. The Kyrou haters will run him out of here so fast

 

[STL fan in MN]

Rumor is that Carbonneau will be going to BC next year. I like that move a lot for him. He reminds me of Ryan Leonard in a lot of ways.

I think the floodgates are about to open. Might be here in a few days after the Memorial Cup is over. Might be closer to the draft or even after the draft if kids want to wait to get their NHL teams’ blessing. But I’m hearing Michigan, Michigan State and the bigger Hockey East schools have got commitments from a number of big CHL stars. I’ve heard absolutely nothing coming for the Gophers oddly enough though. Crickets for them.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

So just for fun, 5 questions
Surprise player drafted in top 5
Top 10
First round
Surprise faller top 10
Out of 1st round

Mrtka
Aitcheson
Rombach
Ecklund
Kindel

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

So just for fun, 5 questions
Surprise player drafted in top 5
Top 10
First round
Surprise faller top 10
Out of 1st round

Mrtka
Aitcheson
Rombach
Ecklund
Kindel

That last one is spicy. What’s the take?

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

That last one is spicy. What’s the take?

My take is is similar to Mrsic. How many of his points are points at the next level? Can’t stat watch that much. He needs one buyer and I don’t think he is a better commodity than Reschny or Potter. They will go first.

 

[STL fan in MN]

So just for fun, 5 questions
Surprise player drafted in top 5
Top 10
First round
Surprise faller top 10
Out of 1st round

Mrtka
Aitcheson
Rombach
Ecklund
Kindel

Martin (but Mrtka would be such a Bill Armstrong pick so can’t disagree with you there)
Aitcheson but maybe Bear too
Gastrin, Nestrasil, West or Ryker Lee
Eklund or O’Brien but honestly half expecting Eklund to fall out of the top 10 (he shouldn’t though)
Zonnon

 

[STL fan in MN]

I think the floodgates are about to open. Might be here in a few days after the Memorial Cup is over. Might be closer to the draft or even after the draft if kids want to wait to get their NHL teams’ blessing. But I’m hearing Michigan, Michigan State and the bigger Hockey East schools have got commitments from a number of big CHL stars. I’ve heard absolutely nothing coming for the Gophers oddly enough though. Crickets for them.

Reschny and his Victoria teammate Verhoeff (likely top 10 pick next year) announced they’re both going to NoDak today.
University of North Dakota lands two top NHL prospects from WHL's Victoria Royals

The big ones will be McKenna and Martone. Hearing both will end up at Michigan.

 

[Stealth JD]

Man…the CHL is about to get raided.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

So just for fun, 5 questions
Surprise player drafted in top 5
Top 10
First round
Surprise faller top 10
Out of 1st round

Mrtka
Aitcheson
Rombach
Ecklund
Kindel

Martin
Nesbitt
West
Eklund
Kindel

 

[kimzey59]

So just for fun, 5 questions
Surprise player drafted in top 5
Top 10
First round
Surprise faller top 10
Out of 1st round

Mrtka
Aitcheson
Rombach
Ecklund
Kindel

Surprise player drafted in top 5 Mrtka
Top 10 Mrtka(he's the only real "shocker" I see at the top end of the draft)
First round Carter Amico
Surprise faller top 10 McQueen
Out of 1st round Ryabkin

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Martin
Nesbitt
West
Eklund
Kindel

West could be a rather interesting pick. I can see that. Same with Nesbitt. Someone well could've fallen in love with Martin. The kid seems built for the playoffs.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Surprise player drafted in top 5 Mrtka
Top 10 Mrtka(he's the only real "shocker" I see at the top end of the draft)
First round Carter Amico
Surprise faller top 10 McQueen
Out of 1st round Ryabkin

That's a solid list. I'm not sure what to do with Amico or where he is at in his recovery. Big kid. RHS. He seemed to be a step up on some of the others early on, but has crept down any list that are made right or wrong.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Here are my June 1st rankings. I will update again after combine. These are in tiers., and the players below are basically only ones with a 1st round grade:

1. Schaefer
2. Misa

3. Desnoyers
4. Martin
5. Martone
6. Frondell
7. Hagens
8. O’Brien
9. Mrtka

10. Nesbitt
11. Smith
12. Eklund
13. McQueen
14. Carbonneau

15. Reschny
16. Reid
17. Gastrin
18. Fiddler
19. Bear
20. Hensler
21. Brzustewicz
22. McKinney
23. Aitcheson
24. Spence

 

[STL fan in MN]

That's a solid list. I'm not sure what to do with Amico or where he is at in his recovery. Big kid. RHS. He seemed to be a step up on some of the others early on, but has crept down any list that are made right or wrong.

I haven’t been mentioning Amico as I figured I’d get lambasted suggesting a RD that missed most of the season with a knee injury (nightmares of another Jiricek) but he is an interesting prospect. I’ll flat out admit I didn’t see any of his 17 games this season. But he’s 6’5” 230ish lbs and a very physical defensive d-man. There’s just a little tape of him out there and he seems good with his reads and gaps. Good skater. Or at least was before the injury. As for his recovery, I recall reading somewhere that he should be fully recovered by spring (so now) and is looking forward to proving himself at the NHL combine (which starts tomorrow btw).

So he could one day be a more physical Parayko. Or he could be a big guy that never really makes it or has injury issues. Will play for BU next season. I can’t say I’d be comfortable taking him at pick 19 but he’s a very enticing boom or bust pick. My guess is he goes in the 2nd. But there’s absolutely a scenario where he ends up one of the best d-men of this draft but he drops because people just didn’t get enough of a read on him (4 USHL games, 13 college exhibitions/international friendlies) and injury concerns.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Here are my June 1st rankings. I will update again after combine. These are in tiers., and the players below are basically only ones with a 1st round grade:

1. Schaefer
2. Misa

3. Desnoyers
4. Martin
5. Martone
6. Frondell
7. Hagens
8. O’Brien
9. Mrtka

10. Nesbitt
11. Smith
12. Eklund
13. McQueen
14. Carbonneau

15. Reschny
16. Reid
17. Gastrin
18. Fiddler
19. Bear
20. Hensler
21. Brzustewicz
22. McKinney
23. Aitcheson
24. Spence

Very nice. What is it you see in Nesbitt and Gastrin though? Your list isn’t too dissimilar from mine other than I have those 2 lower. And I have Aitcheson a good amount higher.

I’ll probably put something out after the combine.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Very nice. What is it you see in Nesbitt and Gastrin though? Your list isn’t too dissimilar from mine other than I have those 2 lower. And I have Aitcheson a good amount higher.

I’ll probably put something out after the combine.

I really don’t like this class. We drop to bottom 6 centers and middle 6 wingers way too early compared to typical. D are even worse. I don’t love some of these guys as high as I have them, but someone had to be there.

Nesbitt is huge center with good hands. Still growing into body. He has wide range of outcomes, from more physical Tage to McCarron with better hands. Most likely a 3c but enough chance that he is top 6 guy I place him 10 in weak class.

Gastrin I see as good 3c with chance at being Backlund or even JEE but more likely a Faksa type. Centers are at such a premium and if he can be a good 3c I think that is worth mid 1st this year.

As for Aitcheson, love his compete and physicality but not much else. He won’t be able to play the way he does in juniors so I don’t see much offense from him. He is decent skater, but I don’t think he is particularly strong in transition. I also don’t love his defensive awareness. Smith has some of same issues but is bigger and better skater, so if he figures it out has much better upside. Reid I actually love his game but not his size. Boumedienne is great skater but I have hard time getting on board with 1st round D who shies away from contact. If Fischer were like 2 days older he would be around 15 on this list and he was mid-late 2nd a year ago.

 

[Spektre]

Here are my June 1st rankings. I will update again after combine. These are in tiers., and the players below are basically only ones with a 1st round grade:

1. Schaefer
2. Misa

3. Desnoyers
4. Martin
5. Martone
6. Frondell
7. Hagens
8. O’Brien
9. Mrtka

10. Nesbitt
11. Smith
12. Eklund
13. McQueen
14. Carbonneau

15. Reschny
16. Reid
17. Gastrin
18. Fiddler
19. Bear
20. Hensler
21. Brzustewicz
22. McKinney
23. Aitcheson
24. Spence

Bultman, Wheeler, Pronman, and Chris Peters did a collaboration on the top 12 picks.

The final collaborative list​

After all the debating, the final top 12 — separated into four tiers — came out like this:

Tier 1​

Matthew Schaefer
Michael Misa

Tier 2​

Porter Martone
James Hagens
Caleb Desnoyers
Anton Frondell

Tier 3​

Jake O’Brien
Victor Eklund
Brady Martin
Kashawn Aitcheson

Tier 4​

Roger McQueen
Radim Mrtka


You can listen to it on Spotify

I think Aitcheson goes top 10 but I really hope he’s available at 19.