2025 NHL Draft: We got #2!

[Juxtaposer]

Excellent article, polled 10 NHL execs and scouts on the top prospects in the draft. They did an article like this last year that was very insightful.

Here’s a couple of interesting notes:
- Schaefer seems to be locked in at #1, unfortunately. Only one out of ten chose Misa at #1 and that person said they were about even and chose based on positional need and sample size rather than liking Misa more (similar to the one in ten from Bob McKenzie’s scout poll last month that said the same).
- Misa got eight of ten votes as the best forward in the class.
- The group polled were not as high on Frondell as the public sphere is right now, saying that “the OHL guys (Schaefer, Misa, Martone) are a cut above” and “he’s going to go too high” and “if you’re expecting a 1C, you’ll be disappointed, if you expect a 2W you’ll be fine”. No one chose Frondell as the best forward.
- One scout really doesn’t think Young Ekky will be able to play his style of game long-term with his frame. Can’t lie, I get that point of view.
- Nesbitt (heavy boots, stiff hands) and the rest of the D class behind Schaefer, and McQueen were listed as “steep development curve will be needed to hit their upside/justify their draft position” types.
- Reschny, Aitcheson, Ekberg as guys who are underrated

I love draft season. This shit is so fun.

 

[Jargon]

Excellent article, polled 10 NHL execs and scouts on the top prospects in the draft. They did an article like this last year that was very insightful.

Here’s a couple of interesting notes:
- Schaefer seems to be locked in at #1, unfortunately. Only one out of ten chose Misa at #1 and that person said they were about even and chose based on positional need and sample size rather than liking Misa more (similar to the one in ten from Bob McKenzie’s scout poll last month that said the same).
- Misa got eight of ten votes as the best forward in the class.
- The group polled were not as high on Frondell as the public sphere is right now, saying that “the OHL guys (Schaefer, Misa, Martone) are a cut above” and “he’s going to go too high” and “if you’re expecting a 1C, you’ll be disappointed, if you expect a 2W you’ll be fine”. No one chose Frondell as the best forward.
- One scout really doesn’t think Young Ekky will be able to play his style of game long-term with his frame. Can’t lie, I get that point of view.
- Nesbitt (heavy boots, stiff hands) and the rest of the D class behind Schaefer, and McQueen were listed as “steep development curve will be needed to hit their upside/justify their draft position” types.
- Reschny, Aitcheson, Ekberg as guys who are underrated

I love draft season. This shit is so fun.

Let’s hope that one Misa-over-Schaefer guy works with the Islanders…

 

[coooldude]

Let’s hope that one Misa-over-Schaefer guy works with the Islanders…

The fact that it's a chance at all is amazing/ horrible.

For most clubs it wouldn't be a question, you pick Schaefer and don't look back. For Nashville or NYI there's actually a chance they look to retool with a more bankable center, IF they also see the gap as small, which many scouts seemingly do. Can't wait to see the NYI hire. I think if it's Shanahan they might be more on board with a long term rebuild, and go with Schaefer, but maybe with Bergevin it's not? Hard to read the tea leaves.

 

[Juxtaposer]

The fact that it's a chance at all is amazing/ horrible.

For most clubs it wouldn't be a question, you pick Schaefer and don't look back. For Nashville or NYI there's actually a chance they look to retool with a more bankable center, IF they also see the gap as small, which many scouts seemingly do. Can't wait to see the NYI hire. I think if it's Shanahan they might be more on board with a long term rebuild, and go with Schaefer, but maybe with Bergevin it's not? Hard to read the tea leaves.

I think the only reason anyone would take Misa over Schaefer would be because of the opportunity cost of lottery selections. You can get legit #1D outside of the top-5 of the NHL draft, it happens somewhat frequently. You absolutely cannot get legit #1Cs outside the top-5 of the NHL draft with very, very few exceptions. So if you’re the Isles, and you aren’t fully committing to a full re-build, then this may be your only opportunity to get a franchise center.

I don’t think it’s a great argument, but it is a legitimate one.

 

[dmcccdmn]

Excellent article, polled 10 NHL execs and scouts on the top prospects in the draft. They did an article like this last year that was very insightful.

Here’s a couple of interesting notes:
- Schaefer seems to be locked in at #1, unfortunately. Only one out of ten chose Misa at #1 and that person said they were about even and chose based on positional need and sample size rather than liking Misa more (similar to the one in ten from Bob McKenzie’s scout poll last month that said the same).
- Misa got eight of ten votes as the best forward in the class.
- The group polled were not as high on Frondell as the public sphere is right now, saying that “the OHL guys (Schaefer, Misa, Martone) are a cut above” and “he’s going to go too high” and “if you’re expecting a 1C, you’ll be disappointed, if you expect a 2W you’ll be fine”. No one chose Frondell as the best forward.
- One scout really doesn’t think Young Ekky will be able to play his style of game long-term with his frame. Can’t lie, I get that point of view.
- Nesbitt (heavy boots, stiff hands) and the rest of the D class behind Schaefer, and McQueen were listed as “steep development curve will be needed to hit their upside/justify their draft position” types.
- Reschny, Aitcheson, Ekberg as guys who are underrated

I love draft season. This shit is so fun.

I'm not sure how honest these execs and scouts were with their opinions. They could very well not speaking highly of the prospects that they hope to drop and fall on their laps. They kind of have an interest in the draft.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I'm not sure how honest these execs and scouts were with their opinions. They could very well not speaking highly of the prospects that they hope to drop and fall on their laps. They kind of have an interest in the draft.

So your conspiracy theory is that anonymous NHL execs and scouts believe that execs and scouts from other teams are going to pour over a brief EP Premium article and change their opinion based on that article?

 

[gaucholoco3]

I take size and skill over speed on D 10 times out of 10, especially if that size is physical not just tall (mukh is tall, but lacks strength and physicality, so he doesnt totally fit). I think the benefits of a brendon dillon-type are underrated, especially when talking about players likely to go in the 20's OA like Fiddler. Don't ge me wrong, the complete packages like Schaefer appears to be (and maybe dick too) are ideal, but given the choice, I sacrifice speed for physical dominance and the ability to shake a shot blocker and get shots through.

I think Ceci and Walman last year showed the importance of size and skill over skating. Neither was burning past anyone like EK65 could, but Ceci played a very good defensive game (hence why he is playing nearly 22 mins/gm on a top team), and walman had skill in the O-zone to get shots through, makes moves at the blue to shake opposition checkers and be physical all over the ice. I realllllly wanted grier to keep him long term, so I was super sad when they flipped him for a 1st. I get it, but he fits the size, skill, and physicality that leads to winning. You can see all that on display with edmonton right now, with his by far team leading +11, even though the points havent come.

The sharks really evaporated after those two were moved and you could easily see thompson, liljgren, Ferraro, etc getting overmatched physically, and lacking skill in the O zone. All three actually skate reasonably well, and cagnoni does too, but on D, physicality and size to control the front of the net and the corners is paramount to end opposition cycles, block shots, clear rebounds, and get possession of the puck. Furthermore, the ability to walk the line, create shooting lanes, and be physical enough to keep pucks in during battles along the offensive blueline are also essential. the sharks D sorely lacks all of these attributes...

Skating for D is about a lot more than speed. The most important aspect of skating for D is true 4 way mobility. Skating is the most important skill for D. Their job is to track opposing forwards and then get the puck to the forwards. It is not the 90’s where big D can clutch and grab to shut down the opposing team. They need to skate to stay in lanes and keep up with forwards. Stick skills and the ability to get the puck through traffic are secondary to skating. While getting a shot through traffic is a nice skill if a mobile D can take a few strides to find a better shooting lane or passing lane it is much higher percentage than shooting through traffic.

I am glad that Grier has put a premium on skating for D.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Tankathon's mock draft after the Conference Finals were set has the Dallas pick at 32 since they have the most points so we get consecutive picks and they have us picking Shane Vansaghi and Ivan Ryabkin. I can see us taking Vansaghi. I don't see a world where Grier takes Ryabkin with Moore still on the board. Personally, I'd take Brzustewicz over either of them if we're picking a forward with the other pick. It also has Mrtka at 11 to Pittsburgh. I think that's our max move-up potential. It still looks like a viable option but keeping picks or only moving up to the low 20's are also viable options. Still, I'd be very happy with Misa and basically anything else happening at the draft.

 

[dmcccdmn]

Tankathon's mock draft after the Conference Finals were set has the Dallas pick at 32 since they have the most points so we get consecutive picks and they have us picking Shane Vansaghi and Ivan Ryabkin. I can see us taking Vansaghi. I don't see a world where Grier takes Ryabkin with Moore still on the board. Personally, I'd take Brzustewicz over either of them if we're picking a forward with the other pick. It also has Mrtka at 11 to Pittsburgh. I think that's our max move-up potential. It still looks like a viable option but keeping picks or only moving up to the low 20's are also viable options. Still, I'd be very happy with Misa and basically anything else happening at the draft.

Thanks for throwing some names out there. I'm clueless on these lesser known prospects, so posts like yours help. The DAL's 1st has really been disappointing. It really dashed any hope of us moving up to the teens where I believe the drop off in talent occurs. Let's hope Grier can get a steal like the Musty pick with our #32 and #33. Lane Hutson was picked 62nd overall, so there are gems out there. Just hope that our scouting department is better than other team's.

 

[NiWa]

Tankathon's mock draft after the Conference Finals were set has the Dallas pick at 32 since they have the most points so we get consecutive picks and they have us picking Shane Vansaghi and Ivan Ryabkin. I can see us taking Vansaghi. I don't see a world where Grier takes Ryabkin with Moore still on the board. Personally, I'd take Brzustewicz over either of them if we're picking a forward with the other pick. It also has Mrtka at 11 to Pittsburgh. I think that's our max move-up potential. It still looks like a viable option but keeping picks or only moving up to the low 20's are also viable options. Still, I'd be very happy with Misa and basically anything else happening at the draft.

Yeah, if you are the Sharks and don't trade up... Based on who's still on the board, you would take Brzustewicz and one of the forwards with size:

Player	Position	Size	Elite Prospects Rank
Vansaghi	C	6'1	#24
Nestrasil	RW	6'5	#26
Moore	C	6'2	#30
Lee	RW	6'0	#37

That said, on draft day we will probably see a few more reaches so there might be some interesting fallers again, like with Chernyshov last year. I do wish there was a Badinka or Elick still on the board on day 2 though...

Anyway, with the Ott pick you could go for another RHD - Psenicka (EP #34), Bedkowski (EP #40), Kettles (EP #55) if you aren't convinced the BPA forward is a tier above.

 

[Zarzh]

Thanks for throwing some names out there. I'm clueless on these lesser known prospects, so posts like yours help. The DAL's 1st has really been disappointing. It really dashed any hope of us moving up to the teens where I believe the drop off in talent occurs. Let's hope Grier can get a steal like the Musty pick with our #32 and #33. Lane Hutson was picked 62nd overall, so there are gems out there. Just hope that our scouting department is better than other team's.

Most steals are extremely obvious, Lane Hutson was an extremely obvious pick. Outside of Ryabkin there's no real potential gems but a handful of guys who could still end up being good picks like Hensler, Boumedienne, or Zonnon. Otherwise you're hoping for an undersized forward.

 

[SJS1991]

So your conspiracy theory is that anonymous NHL execs and scouts believe that execs and scouts from other teams are going to pour over a brief EP Premium article and change their opinion based on that article?

The New York jets took into consideration Madden ratings…. Stupid-er things have happen in Professional sports. Just saying.

 

[Friday]

The New York jets took into consideration Madden ratings…. Stupid-er things have happen in Professional sports. Just saying.

Everyones had a job where their direct report knew way less than you haha

 

[OrrNumber4]

You can get legit #1D outside of the top-5 of the NHL draft, it happens somewhat frequently.

I get the overall thrust of your argument, but somewhat frequently is doing a lot of work here!

So your conspiracy theory is that anonymous NHL execs and scouts believe that execs and scouts from other teams are going to pour over a brief EP Premium article and change their opinion based on that article?

To be fair...it is the exactly kind of thing Tim Burke would do...

 

[tiburon12]

I get the overall thrust of your argument, but somewhat frequently is doing a lot of work here!


To be fair...it is the exactly kind of thing Tim Burke would do...

Teams with a legit #1D, who the player is, and draft position. Bolding those outside the top 5 in a draft

• Tampa - Hedman - 2OA
• Florida - Ekblad - 1OA or Jones 4OA
• Ottawa - Sanderson - 5OA or Chabot - 15th
• Detroit - Seider - 6th
• Buffalo - Dahlin - 1OA
• Boston - McAvoy - 14th
• Washington - Carlson - 27th or Chycrun - 16th
• Carolina - Slavin - 120th
• NJ - Hamilton - 9th or Hughes - 4OA
• CBJ - Werenski - 8th
• NYR - Fox - 66th
• NYI - Dobson - 12th
• PIT - Karlsson - 15th or Letang 62nd
• PHI - Sanheim (?) - 17th
• WPG - Morrisey - 13th
• Dallas - Heiskanen - 3OA
• Colorado - Makar - 4OA
• Minnesota - Faber - 45th or Spurgeon - 146th
• Utah - Sergachev (?) - 9th
• Nashville - Josi - 38th
• Vegas - Pietrangelo - 4OA
• LA - Doughty - 2OA
• EDM - Bouchard - 10th
• Vancouver - Hughes - 7th
• Seattle - Dunn (?) - 55th or Mountour (?) 56th

Teams without a legit #1D - Toronto, St Louis, Chicago, Calgary, Anaheim, San Jose
? = barely a legit #1D
leniency for those who were once legit but are older, like Carlson and Karlsson

 

[timorous me]

Teams with a legit #1D, who the player is, and draft position. Bolding those outside the top 5 in a draft

• Tampa - Hedman - 2OA
• Florida - Ekblad - 1OA or Jones 4OA
• Ottawa - Sanderson - 5OA or Chabot - 15th
• Detroit - Seider - 6th
• Buffalo - Dahlin - 1OA
• Boston - McAvoy - 14th
• Washington - Carlson - 27th or Chycrun - 16th
• Carolina - Slavin - 120th
• NJ - Hamilton - 9th or Hughes - 4OA
• CBJ - Werenski - 8th
• NYR - Fox - 66th
• NYI - Dobson - 12th
• PIT - Karlsson - 15th or Letang 62nd
• PHI - Sanheim (?) - 17th
• WPG - Morrisey - 13th
• Dallas - Heiskanen - 3OA
• Colorado - Makar - 4OA
• Minnesota - Faber - 45th or Spurgeon - 146th
• Utah - Sergachev (?) - 9th
• Nashville - Josi - 38th
• Vegas - Pietrangelo - 4OA
• LA - Doughty - 2OA
• EDM - Bouchard - 10th
• Vancouver - Hughes - 7th
• Seattle - Dunn (?) - 55th or Mountour (?) 56th

Teams without a legit #1D - Toronto, St Louis, Chicago, Calgary, Anaheim, San Jose
? = barely a legit #1D (leniency for those who were once legit but are older, like Carlson and Karlsson)

I'd be inclined to remove a number of those teams/players, but I might just personally have a higher bar for what a #1 d-man actually is.

Like, okay, Bouchard puts up the points of a #1 D, but does he have the overall game to be deserving of that title? I don't think so. And some of those guys who are aged out of being at that level can be removed—no disrespect to who they were; they just aren't that player anymore (Hamilton, Karlsson/Letang, Doughty, etc.).

That leaves a pretty short list, but to me that's okay. I don't think a team needs a #1 d-man to go all the way these days as long as they have the elements that make up a strong defense. So someone like Bouchard wouldn't qualify by my standards, but having a d-man with that offensive game is still VERY important in terms of putting together an overall successful team. (I'd say the bigger question/issue for Edmonton is not having enough of the other important side of defense, the shut-down guy, especially with Ekholm out right now.)

 

[Crewouse]

Most steals are extremely obvious, Lane Hutson was an extremely obvious pick. Outside of Ryabkin there's no real potential gems but a handful of guys who could still end up being good picks like Hensler, Boumedienne, or Zonnon. Otherwise you're hoping for an undersized forward.

Am I just stupid and misunderstanding your point? Why would most steals be extremely obvious lol.

If you look at drafts with hindsight and ignore the flawed high-scoring players that bust, sure

 

[Le Rosbeef]

The continued fawning over Schaefer is a little disappointing, imo. He's going number 1.

We should be counting our blessings that Misa is inbound. One glance across most of these boards here show how desperate teams are for a passable 2C. Celebrini-Misa has the potential to be amongst the most mouthwatering 1-2C combinations in the NHL for years to come.

 

[Hodge]

The continued fawning over Schaefer is a little disappointing, imo. He's going number 1.

We should be counting our blessings that Misa is inbound. One glance across most of these boards here show how desperate teams are for a passable 2C. Celebrini-Misa has the potential to be amongst the most mouthwatering 1-2C combinations in the NHL for years to come.

2C is a relatively easy position to fill. Florida acquired theirs for a 2nd round pick. Dallas and Carolina signed theirs in free agency for 3M or less. Going through past champions you have guys like Stephenson, Kadri, Cirelli and Schenn who were later round picks or acquired for next to nothing. Not to mention we already have a better 2C candidate than Misa in Will Smith. Ending up with Misa (or anyone else) instead of Schaefer is an extremely disappointing outcome.

 

[OversKy]

Trading next year's first round for picks in this draft is pants on head. We won't be good for a good while yet and next year's draft is vastly superior in the top half. McKenna isn't going to fall off the face of the earth the way Hagens did and it's not just McKenna that looks like a potential star. Some of you folks are either getting way too antsy or just having too much fun with the offseason.

 

[Roasted Nuts]

The best possible outcome would be for the Oilers to make it to the finals, proceed to get half their roster injured by Bennett, miss the playoffs next year, yielding us a lottery pick.

 

[Friday]

Let’s hope that one Misa-over-Schaefer guy works with the Islanders…

Worst case getting the best forward prospect in the draft haha we’re lucky

 

[Saskatoon]

The best possible outcome would be for the Oilers to make it to the finals, proceed to get half their roster injured by Bennett, miss the playoffs next year, yielding us a lottery pick.

Yea I feel like I am cheering for Edmonton so they have the most amount of complacency and highest contract demands from their free agents I think?

 

[SJS1991]

2C is a relatively easy position to fill. Florida acquired theirs for a 2nd round pick. Dallas and Carolina signed theirs in free agency for 3M or less. Going through past champions you have guys like Stephenson, Kadri, Cirelli and Schenn who were later round picks or acquired for next to nothing. Not to mention we already have a better 2C candidate than Misa in Will Smith. Ending up with Misa (or anyone else) instead of Schaefer is an extremely disappointing outcome.

Most of those 2C you mentioned were high picks though… I get the idea that for their current team/cup winning team to acquire them the cost was low, but it looks like cup winning 2C requires some pedigree.

FLA, Bennett: 4OA
DAL, Duchene: 3OA
CAR, if Staal: 2OA if Roslovic: 25OA

Stevenson: 77OA
Kadri: 7OA
Cirelli: 72OA
Schenn: 5OA (also you said he was acquired for like nothing? Didn’t it take 2 1st for the blues to get him?)

6 of the 8 are former first rounders. 5 of the 8 are former top 10. 4 of 8 are former top 5. Point being… getting someone like Misa tracks if you are thinking about playoffs/cups. Most 2C on good/great teams have draft pedigree.

 

[one2gamble]

Misa will be awesome, im not even worried about it