2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[Konk]

for those posters - @Konk or @Chapin Landvogt - or any others who may have possibly watched him -
How do you rate Jackson Smith?
What is a good comparable if he breaks? And one if he doesn't?

Worth it at 10? Or do you go with O'Brien or Martin?

I see Smith as a 2nd pairing defenseman in the NHL. He is a fantastic skater and that's what is going to carry him at the NHL level, because unfortunately, I don't see the IQ to be much more than that. He isn't very creative offensively and he makes some questionable decisions in his own zone. I prefer Mrtka, who is far more cerebral and I think has much higher upside.

Personally, I would take one of the forwards over him as well, but O'Brien is likely going to be gone by our pick.

So I would look at Mrtka or Martin.

 

[seafoam]

Smith reminds me of Mike Matheson.

 

[Sparksrus3]

I see Smith as a 2nd pairing defenseman in the NHL. He is a fantastic skater and that's what is going to carry him at the NHL level, because unfortunately, I don't see the IQ to be much more than that. He isn't very creative offensively and he makes some questionable decisions in his own zone. I prefer Mrtka, who is far more cerebral and I think has much higher upside.

Personally, I would take one of the forwards over him as well, but O'Brien is likely going to be gone by our pick.

So I would look at Mrtka or Martin.

Sounds like Calvin DeHaan who we picked 12th.. I thought for sure when we traded up to 12 it was to select Kreider to play with TR91TOR

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Lou doesn’t walk silly, he gets wheeled around

Let’s just hold onto our kids and our picks and take best available players in the draft based on our board. What a concept

It's what they did last year (on draft weekend), so there's hope.

***

Interestingly, it's widely felt that Carolina has one of the strongest prospect systems in the league. And they do it despite being a regular playoff team with SC ambitions. And no matter where they are in the standings and what big trades they make at the deadline, they've still managed to draft an average of 10 times per summer for the past 4 or 5 summers.

One of their philosophies is that if you can drop back in a draft to gain extra picks, you do it. Basically always.

In addition, the team takes lots of Europeans, predominantly Russians, in the middle rounds.

Last spring, Lou made the deal with Chicago that saw us drop back in the 1st round and gain an extra 2nd rounder. It was a move that was widely greeted by this fanbase.

As I understand it, it was the first time in Lou's tenure here that this was done.

 

[YearlyLottery]

It's what they did last year (on draft weekend), so there's hope.

***

Interestingly, it's widely felt that Carolina has one of the strongest prospect systems in the league. And they do it despite being a regular playoff team with SC ambitions. And no matter where they are in the standings and what big trades they make at the deadline, they've still managed to draft an average of 10 times per summer for the past 4 or 5 summers.

One of their philosophies is that if you can drop back in a draft to gain extra picks, you do it. Basically always.

In addition, the team takes lots of Europeans, predominantly Russians, in the middle rounds.

Last spring, Lou made the deal with Chicago that saw us drop back in the 1st round and gain an extra 2nd rounder. It was a move that was widely greeted by this fanbase.

As I understand it, it was the first time in Lou's tenure here that this was done.

This should keep being done as well. The draft is such a crapshoot that the more swings you have the better it should be.

 

[boredmale]

One of their philosophies is that if you can drop back in a draft to gain extra picks, you do it. Basically always.

I do think there is a certain amount of picks at the top of the draft you don't do that but for the most part yeah you probably better off with a later first round pick and a second over a pick that is 5-6 spots higher. I do think our #10 might be that that point best not to drop down

 

[GM4Hire]

I get shades of Brock Nelson.



Love this kid's shot and the way he moves for how big he is.

Good comparable in Brock Nelson, certainly if none of the top 9 fall to 10, he would be my choice. Would not need the 3 minutes

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I do think there is a certain amount of picks at the top of the draft you don't do that but for the most part yeah you probably better off with a later first round pick and a second over a pick that is 5-6 spots higher. I do think our #10 might be that that point best not to drop down

What I've noticed over time is that Carolina has no qualms with i.e. making little moves on the draft floor like trading a 3rd to get a 4th and 6th.

That kind of thing.

They clearly trust their scouting staff when it has more darts.

And management doesn't just sit on picks and prospects - hardly a team out there has made the kind of trade deadline moves that Carolina does, whether one likes the results or not (see Guentzel and Rantanen and well, Rantanen again).

Sadly, our current staff's record between 2018-2023 doesn't indicate that it'd be able to make anything of the extra picks that could theoretically be acquired here or there.

 

[leeroggy]

Tankathon Today

Anyone know anything about the 2nd and 3rd rounders?

 

[SI90]

With Lou out, there’s more of a chance we draft with our pick now I’d assume.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

With Lou out, there’s more of a chance we draft with our pick now I’d assume.

Agreed!

Well, I can't see any new GM coming in and moving that first without it being a spectacular move.

In fact, we're gonna have to think that one of the prerequisites for the new job is that much more emphasis is placed on building the prospect bin and getting BPort back on track.

Tankathon Today

Anyone know anything about the 2nd and 3rd rounders?

View attachment 1020045

Yes! To be honest, this would be a pretty dreamy scenario for my liking.

Limatov is an absolute beast. He skates like the wind and has an iron lung. He's incredibly creative with the puck as well. He'd be a fantastic and unique addition to the system.

Morin shouldn't be judged on his numbers just now. He had a late growth spurt and jumped from the USHL to the Q once news got out that CHL players could still go to college. His game is that of a producer.

For all intents and purposes, he exploded on the scene there and then levelled out a bit, showing some burnout at the end of the season. He's not going to BU until 2026-27, so he'll profit from another year in the Q.

Still, MacKenzie sees him as an early 3rd rounder and Button has him top 40.

 

[scott99]

There’s a couple of guys I really like who may be around when it’s our turn to draft (1st round). I really like C Jake O’Brien & C Carter Bear. Also like C Brady Martin. I guess I’m liking the center position. Barzal has been injured and missed 52 games last year and 24 games 2 years earlier. Looking at centers.

 

[SI90]

Sounds like Calvin DeHaan who we picked 12th.. I thought for sure when we traded up to 12 it was to select Kreider to play with TR91TOR

If we go defense I’m taking Aichenson over Smith.

 

[scott99]

If we go defense I’m taking Aichenson over Smith.

I hear Aitcheson is a shit stirrer (in a good way), but also extremely talented, excellent skater. Scored 26 goals as a defenseman. A little older, almost 19, but will be ready sooner.

 

[SI90]

I hear Aitcheson is a shit stirrer (in a good way), but also extremely talented, excellent skater. Scored 26 goals as a defenseman. A little older, almost 19, but will be ready dinner.

I love him!!! Reminds me of Romanov with way more offense and an attitude.

 

[scott99]

I love him!!! Reminds me of Romanov with way more offense and an attitude.

He actually led his team in scoring with 59 points. And he’s a defenseman. Scored 26 goals. He’s more like a 4th forward out there, most of his goals were from the slot. Had 11 points in 12 playoff games. He’s also a mean SOB. Powerful hitter. Led the team in PIMs 2 years in a row. Like you said, a sturdy, tough Romanov type, but with a lot of offense.

If they end up trading Dobson, he’d be an excellent replacement running the power play (eventually). He’s my new favorite prospect for the Isles 2025 draft.