2025 NHL Draft Thread
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A couple guys in the 7-12 range which I think we probably fall in
Caleb Desnoyers (C)
Victor Eklund (RW)
Jackson Smith (D)
Logan Hensler (D) Quinn Finleys teammate at Wisconsin. Which has usually mattered with our scouts
A little down the line but another guy who I’m interested in is Ivan Ryabkin. He’s really fallen off but finally came over to North America and now plays for Muskegon in the USHL. Where another one of our prospects Xavier Veilleux plays. This could be someone we go for with the probable 1st we’d get from a Nelson trade since it’s looking like he’s a late first round pick now
Caleb Desnoyers (C)
Victor Eklund (RW)
Jackson Smith (D)
Logan Hensler (D) Quinn Finleys teammate at Wisconsin. Which has usually mattered with our scouts
A little down the line but another guy who I’m interested in is Ivan Ryabkin. He’s really fallen off but finally came over to North America and now plays for Muskegon in the USHL. Where another one of our prospects Xavier Veilleux plays. This could be someone we go for with the probable 1st we’d get from a Nelson trade since it’s looking like he’s a late first round pick now
Always a little hesitant with QMJHL though. Feel like quality has gone down a lot
Konk
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I really like Desnoyers, but I don't think they'll have a shot at him if they pick 9-12.
Jackson Smith or Jake O'Brien are two good options in that range.
Stay away from Ryabkin at all costs. He seems like a headache of a player and isn't worth the risk.
Kids in the 2nd round and beyond that I think would be interesting picks: Eric Nilson, Henry Brzustewicz, Will Horcoff, Zeb Lindgren, and Bruno Osmanis. Some overagers that could be an option in the later rounds: Bryce Pickford, Alexandre Carbonneau, Benjamin Rautiainen, and Mitja Jokinen. We always seem to grab at least one, so those are some possible names I've been following.
Jackson Smith or Jake O'Brien are two good options in that range.
Stay away from Ryabkin at all costs. He seems like a headache of a player and isn't worth the risk.
Kids in the 2nd round and beyond that I think would be interesting picks: Eric Nilson, Henry Brzustewicz, Will Horcoff, Zeb Lindgren, and Bruno Osmanis. Some overagers that could be an option in the later rounds: Bryce Pickford, Alexandre Carbonneau, Benjamin Rautiainen, and Mitja Jokinen. We always seem to grab at least one, so those are some possible names I've been following.
crashthenet
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Lynden Lankovic another monster out on the wing too. McQueen at center would be great though
that's likely true. of course, there's only a few points between 5th worst and 15th worst record. so who knows.
as for people doubting the Q - while it's true that there haven't been any really high end draft picks from the q lately, that doesn't mean there there aren't any (duh). given his trajectory, he ought to be a top 6 C for the U18s. the small sample of his intl play supporting Canada shows that he plays well with other top players. if he were the kind of player who tried to do it all himself, I would worry about number inflation more. but every report is that his numbers are, if anything, deflated by his facilitating/pro-style habits. but, yeah, being in the Q makes his U18 performance important.
Konk
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I'm waiting to see how he looks when he comes back next month and I'm sure a lot of NHL teams are doing the same. I wouldn't touch him unless I was 100% certain he doesn't have long term injury risk.
Another guy I forgot to mention - Brady Martin. He's one of my favorite players in the draft and if the aforementioned guys above are off the board and we're around 12-15, he would be my pick. He's a pitbull of a two-way center. A Sam Bennett type of player, with more skill than his numbers suggest. He's smart, leads by example, and I would love to have him on the Islanders.
It is difficult to project roughly where they'll be at this point, so they better be scouting everyone.
Radim Mrtka 6’6” right handed defenseman from Czech Republic another one in our range. Not crazy numbers in WHL with Seattle but that size and right shot is sure to entice many teams
Agree.
Benjamin Rautiainen is one of several top dogs from FIN on that overager list. Been a big year for a guy who wasn't on the map much the past two seasons. He'll be 20 by the time the draft arrives.
Jokinen looked pretty good at the WJC and has stuck in Liiga play all season. He belonged to those undrafted last summer that came as a bit of a surprise. Strong junior season followed by a strong U18 Worlds.
Of all the overagers available, gotta think Kristian Epperson is shining the brightest thus far. Wouldn't be surprised if he's a top 65 pick.
Konk
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Epperson is benefitting greatly from playing with Misa. I wouldn't waste that high of a pick on an overager who is shining so bright due to his proximity to top 5 talent.
I would, however, give one of the other two guys you singled out a shot in the later rounds due to the reasons you provided.
Message received haha. I just thought he was a really fascinating story so far and because our scouts are in Muskegon watching Veilleux (where we always see that matters with our drafting ie teammates of our prospects) there could be something there.
I’d never want it to be with our own first since we’ll be much lower than his projections. But maybe with one that say Brock can get using it there in the 20’s
Konk
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leeroggy
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