2025 NHL DRAFT

[Gnashville]

David Legwand never put up this stat line

View attachment 1030436

David Legwand never had any teammates like Hughes either

 

[herzausstein]

McQueen will be the pick.

Probably best skill set of anyone left at 5th OVA.
Swing for the fences pick
If he bust, it can be blamed on injuries

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

lol… that sucks

Doesn’t matter. Trotz is just gonna trade the pick to the KHL for Jagr’s rights anyway

 

[Kat Predator]

lol… that sucks

Doesn’t matter. Trotz is just gonna trade the pick to the KHL for Jagr’s rights anyway

I prefer sticking to the plan.

Draft someone no one expects. Swing for the fences. Someone who's got a 10:90 boom to bust percentage. Sign him eventually. Put him in the AHL to overcook until his ELC is just about done. Get him up to the big club for a handful of games. Give him 6 or 7 minutes a game max.

And then waive him.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

This is our media and sports writers. Do they not do any research

 

[Viqsi]

Columbus has a good young team that is only gonna get better. Nashville has a bad old team that is only gonna get worse. I'd take Columbus's future over nashvilles easily

At the immediate moment, sure. Mostly a combination of 1) been there and it can get worse, and 2) kvetching because both my teams got screwed and I'm depressed over it.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

At the immediate moment, sure. Mostly a combination of 1) been there and it can get worse, and 2) kvetching because both my teams got screwed and I'm depressed over it.

I get it but I just wanted to encourage you that columbus is only gonna get better and better so it's not all doom and gloom for both of your teams...

 

[Armourboy]

I get it but I just wanted to encourage you that columbus is only gonna get better and better so it's not all doom and gloom for both of your teams...

It does appear that both teams being good at the same time is out of the question.

 

[beardawg]

Who was the last elite forward out of the QMJHL? Mackinnon? Couple that with concerns about how dynamic a player he is...

Alexis Lafreniere? He's panned out.

Jonathan Drouin had 40 more points than Mackinnon in their draft year. What does the league they play in have anything to do with it? Comparing a guy who might be a top 10 pick in a weak draft to one of the best players in the world is a little silly

 

[Scoresberg]

Nico Hischier actually had quite similar production in the Q in his draft year as Desnoyers.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

I also think it’s important to note that Desnoyers has 24 pts in 13 games in the postseason

He’s found another gear despite being (as some have said) playing through an injury

I think Desnoyers is a better transition player than Frondell which is why he’s now my top pick at 5

I think the draft goes down like this

1. New York Islanders: Schaeffer
2. Sharks: Misa
3. Blackhawks: Martone
4. Utah: Frondell

So at 5 it will be a toss up between Hagens and Desnoyers

I have come around more on Hagens recently so either pick should be an impact fwd who will probably be wearing a preds jersey within 2 years

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

The Quebec League isn't quite the wild offensive league it used to be. Desnoyers was the #1 scorer on the #1 team, as a 17-year old, which is pretty impressive. Although the quality of the league overall is possibly at an all-time low, that hasn't necessarily translated into it becoming the home of gaudy offensive numbers, instead the lack of talent has translated into somewhat lower scoring totals around the league?

Anyway, I think Desnoyers remains a realistic candidate. He'll be playing for another month likely into the Memorial Cup as well, so plenty of time to get more eyes on him.

I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the way the lottery has turned out kind of shakes some of the consensus selections up. I know the Arizona/Phoenix group were previously somewhat notorious for unconventional draft choices at the top. I don't know if Utah would carry on that tradition. It still won't shock me if there are some rearrangements at the top now that the two surprise teams have landed on the top-5 scene. Maybe a door opens for another D like Mrtka to jump up into the mix. We will probably still have a chance at either Hagens or Frondell also.

As for the McQueen wildcard, I just don't think you can even talk about him seriously until the physicals at the Combine. What injury did he sustain in the playoffs? The type of back injury he had previously was not believed to be one that should be chronic, but they talked about it still limiting him when he came back, then he got shut down with ?something else? in the playoffs again. I mean, you can't risk the #5 pick if there isn't a clear medical picture, which we don't have atm, not when "safe" picks like Frondell and Desnoyers are likely to be available as alternatives. I'd rather a decent #2C than a Nolan Patrick injury washout. Or even a wing if that's more what these guys pan out to as NHLers.

 

[Weber to Josi]

This draft is just like the 2013 draft. 2 very good centres, a winger and a defenseman as the top 4 tier 1 of prospects.
We ended up with jones that year.

This year:
MacKinnon is Misa
Barkov is Hagens
Drouin is Martone
Schaefer is jones

Who knows which ones work out and which ones don’t in the nhl, but it’s very similar to 2013 top 4 of tier 1 guys. Except that year we got one of them lol

Then your next tier is guys like:
Frondell is Lindholm
Desnoyers is Monahan

I’m not saying exact but very similar. Not saying Misa will be as good as Mack or that Drouin is as tall as Martone. Just pointing out similarities in the tip of the draft.

Again, swing for the fences here or trade it off. I want McQueen after the big 4 go. 6’5” monster centre ranked this high and barely even played? Let’s make it happen Barry.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

This draft is just like the 2013 draft. 2 very good centres, a winger and a defenseman as the top 4 tier 1 of prospects.
We ended up with jones that year.

This year:
MacKinnon is Misa
Barkov is Hagens
Drouin is Martone
Schaefer is jones

Who knows which ones work out and which ones don’t in the nhl, but it’s very similar to 2013 top 4 of tier 1 guys. Except that year we got one of them lol

Then your next tier is guys like:
Frondell is Lindholm
Desnoyers is Monahan

I’m not saying exact but very similar. Not saying Misa will be as good as Mack or that Drouin is as tall as Martone. Just pointing out similarities in the tip of the draft.

Again, swing for the fences here or trade it off. I want McQueen after the big 4 go. 6’5” monster centre ranked this high and barely even played? Let’s make it happen Barry.

We’ve already seen that movie: it’s called Nolan Patrick and it didn’t end well.

McQueen is a great pick at 20. It would be an awful pick at 5

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

We’ve already seen that movie: it’s called Nolan Patrick and it didn’t end well.

McQueen is a great pick at 20. It would be an awful pick at 5

Although still caveated with the medical reports.

I think if the medical situation was 100% rosy, though, you'd hear something about it. The fact that the Cone Of Silence has descended over his situation ever since the playoff exit tells me things probably aren't 100% rosy on that front.

Still, who knows. If he passes all his medicals at the Combine with flying colors and there are ZERO long-term concerns, then sure, he's worth thinking about. I'll believe that happens when I see it. And even then, he hasn't been putting up stellar numbers in junior even when healthy. So it only gets him into the conversation, it doesn't make him a slam dunk at #5.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

Alexis Lafreniere? He's panned out.

Jonathan Drouin had 40 more points than Mackinnon in their draft year. What does the league they play in have anything to do with it? Comparing a guy who might be a top 10 pick in a weak draft to one of the best players in the world is a little silly

I meant at the NHL level. It's a weaker development league and it's recent high forward picks haven't really lived up to their billing. Hischier has been the best since Mackinnon, but stats were also a bit underwhelming until the last few seasons (and playing with other elite players).

 

[herzausstein]

We’ve already seen that movie: it’s called Nolan Patrick and it didn’t end well.

McQueen is a great pick at 20. It would be an awful pick at 5

I dont disagree but it gives trotz an out when we inevitably waive whoever we pick several years from now.

"Some of the medical issues were hidden from us." Or something to that effect. Gives him an easy out when we fail to develop him into a NHL talent.

 

[Weber to Josi]

We’ve already seen that movie: it’s called Nolan Patrick and it didn’t end well.

McQueen is a great pick at 20. It would be an awful pick at 5

I don’t think Nolan Patrick and McQueen are the same by any means. Don’t really get where that comparison comes from really.., because they both missed some games their last junior season? Is that why?
Anyways,
I know you’re sold on the b level guys like Desnoyers and frondell, to each their own. Maybe one of them takes us to the cup on our second or third line centre gig. Personally I want to swing for the fences after getting bumped out of top 4 elite guys.
You sound a lot like Trotz here, get the guy that ends up being a middle six nhl centre. Safe pick. And that’s fine if you want to continue achieving mediocrity but I want a stud. I don’t see Frondell or Desnoyers being a guy that leads us to a cup on our first line.

Anyways, I’ve lost a lot of interest in this now that we won’t get one of the big four elites. Not even bothering with paying attention anymore so chat away and debate. I said my peace. I want McQueen, as long as his medical check out.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

The McQueen argument is valid. You want to make a splash and feel like you drafted an elite player with the top 5 pick that we have rarely gotten, but if he doesn't develop and turns into an injury plagued career that fizzles out you're going to feel pretty stupid for wasting the limited chance of utilizing a top 5 pick. I have a hard time drafting him ahead of guys where we currently sit, but Trotz mentioned trading back as an option, or even trading up, so it sounds like there is potential we move around. I just have a hard time taking the small sample size and saying this guy is going to be Joe Thornton if he's healthy. His health is not the only part that is questionable. He has to develop AND be healthy after an injury that seems to have scared a lot of teams based on the reports. If we are looking at 1 of Hagens/Martone vs. McQeen then I have a hard time passing on either of the former options. I know Martone isn't the center we all want, but I am a big fan and think he's an impact winger like a Tkachuk or Stone.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

I don’t think Nolan Patrick and McQueen are the same by any means. Don’t really get where that comparison comes from really.., because they both missed some games their last junior season? Is that why?
Anyways,
I know you’re sold on the b level guys like Desnoyers and frondell, to each their own. Maybe one of them takes us to the cup on our second or third line centre gig. Personally I want to swing for the fences after getting bumped out of top 4 elite guys.
You sound a lot like Trotz here, get the guy that ends up being a middle six nhl centre. Safe pick. And that’s fine if you want to continue achieving mediocrity but I want a stud. I don’t see Frondell or Desnoyers being a guy that leads us to a cup on our first line.

Anyways, I’ve lost a lot of interest in this now that we won’t get one of the big four elites. Not even bothering with paying attention anymore so chat away and debate. I said my peace. I want McQueen, as long as his medical check out.

You’re the only dude who thinks they are B level guys

Every legit pundit that gets paid to dish hot takes has both of them in a higher tier than McQueen who has put up very mediocre numbers in his draft year regardless of injury history

 

[AintLifeGrand]

I meant at the NHL level. It's a weaker development league and its recent high forward picks haven't really lived up to their billing. Hischier has been the best since Mackinnon, but stats were also a bit underwhelming t last few seasons (and playing with other elite players).

Its still better than the USHL

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

The McQueen argument is valid. You want to make a splash and feel like you drafted an elite player with the top 5 pick that we have rarely gotten, but if he doesn't develop and turns into an injury plagued career that fizzles out you're going to feel pretty stupid for wasting the limited chance of utilizing a top 5 pick. I have a hard time drafting him ahead of guys where we currently sit, but Trotz mentioned trading back as an option, or even trading up, so it sounds like there is potential we move around. I just have a hard time taking the small sample size and saying this guy is going to be Joe Thornton if he's healthy. His health is not the only part that is questionable. He has to develop AND be healthy after an injury that seems to have scared a lot of teams based on the reports. If we are looking at 1 of Hagens/Martone vs. McQeen then I have a hard time passing on either of the former options. I know Martone isn't the center we all want, but I am a big fan and think he's an impact winger like a Tkachuk or Stone.

Yeah, that's the thing I don't get with McQueen. People talk like he's some superstar talent when healthy. But he sure hasn't shown that so far. So you're projecting he's going to blossom into that? Plus he's a year older, plus he has missed development time with injury and may miss more... so how does that impact this prediction that he's suddenly going to see his production blossom to a star level? Seems risky to me. Kindel, Reschny, Bear, O'Brien... lots of guys in this draft are dramatically out-producing McQueen, without garnering the same superstar accolades? It still feels like a lot of this hype for McQueen is related to that 6'5" measurement more than anything else.

And yes, I agree that looking at Martone is worthwhile. If we're not getting a unicorn #1C, then having more depth in terms of 2C options isn't necessarily a hard requirement of the pick. We already have Svechkov, maybe Surin. And some of the guys like Hagens, Desnoyers, Frondell, heck even Misa might ultimately be switched to wing as NHLers anyway, I'm not sure any of them have been anointed as "can't miss" eternal centers? In which case, if Martone is best on the board, it's ok to pick him. I still think we'll be a little surprised to find a couple of Hagens, Desnoyers, and Frondell will still be available at our pick anyway, though.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Yeah, that's the thing I don't get with McQueen. People talk like he's some superstar talent when healthy. But he sure hasn't shown that so far. So you're projecting he's going to blossom into that? Plus he's a year older, plus he has missed development time with injury and may miss more... so how does that impact this prediction that he's suddenly going to see his production blossom to a star level? Seems risky to me. Kindel, Reschny, Bear, O'Brien... lots of guys in this draft are dramatically out-producing McQueen, without garnering the same superstar accolades? It still feels like a lot of this hype for McQueen is related to that 6'5" measurement more than anything else.

And yes, I agree that looking at Martone is worthwhile. If we're not getting a unicorn #1C, then having more depth in terms of 2C options isn't necessarily a hard requirement of the pick. We already have Svechkov, maybe Surin. And some of the guys like Hagens, Desnoyers, Frondell, heck even Misa might ultimately be switched to wing as NHLers anyway, I'm not sure any of them have been anointed as "can't miss" eternal centers? In which case, if Martone is best on the board, it's ok to pick him. I still think we'll be a little surprised to find a couple of Hagens, Desnoyers, and Frondell will still be available at our pick anyway, though.

For sure, we might have a good C available to us, but Martone is absolutely not some sloppy seconds, that was my main point. The kid could end up being the best of the class, it wouldn't surprise me at all. I also will say I have a bias towards that style of skilled power forward. Tkachuk boys, Stone, Jamie Benn...they all tilt or tilted the ice in their primes. It's a fun player to have on your team.

 

[Weber to Josi]

You’re the only dude who thinks they are B level guys

Every legit pundit that gets paid to dish hot takes has both of them in a higher tier than McQueen who has put up very mediocre numbers in his draft year regardless of injury history

we are all entitled to our opinions my friend. I feel like you are always trying to persuade others to see it your way. At the end of the day we are all just fans who want the best for our team. While I don’t agree with your views about certain players, that’s your opinion and I respect that.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

For sure, we might have a good C available to us, but Martone is absolutely not some sloppy seconds, that was my main point. The kid could end up being the best of the class, it wouldn't surprise me at all. I also will say I have a bias towards that style of skilled power forward. Tkachuk boys, Stone, Jamie Benn...they all tilt or tilted the ice in their primes. It's a fun player to have on your team.

Yep, that's a great player to line up beside McKenna...

Better than picking Kirby Dach / Logan Brown / Dylan Cozens / Cody Glass / Michael Rasmussen type of "tall center". Most players who are stars in the NHL were producing star numbers in junior. Not all. But if you're playing the odds...