2025 NHL DRAFT

[Bringer of Jollity]

I think every single person on this board would LOVE if we could get that elusive 1C especially after a disaster of a season like this one.

But the harsh reality is that there might not be a true, elite 1C available in this draft. Misa went completely MIA in the OHL playoffs which is not a good sign. Frondell's not lighting it up in Allsvenskan, either. Hagens has his limitations.

I sincerely hope that Trotz and co. make their decision based on facts and not feelings of fans. Schaefer could be the only game-breaking talent in this draft and looking at our current D-core he would do wonders for it.

Wait...a few weeks ago people are saying that hoping we lose is the only rational choice because of how "franchise altering" this draft could be for us. Now it's there may not even be a 1C in this group and the only game-breaker is a draftvslot we never would have fell to on merit? f***ing super...

 

[Scoresberg]

Wait...a few weeks ago people are saying that hoping we lose is the only rational choice because of how "franchise altering" this draft could be for us. Now it's there may not even be a 1C in this group and the only game-breaker is a draftvslot we never would have fell to on merit? f***ing super...

The key word there is "could". The player we will draft in June will probably be the best player we have ever drafted based on draft pedigree (maybe excluding Jones) - that's why the phrase "franchise-altering" has been used. But the sad part is that this draft is not filled with elite forward talent, there are question marks even among the best players.

 

[Predation]

Shaefer is listed as an LD. Hardly a positional need on our team.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

1St OA should be the best player in the draft. If it's not a C then that's just how the cookie crumbles.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

Shaefer is listed as an LD. Hardly a positional need on our team.

Draft logic suggests you always take best player available, as organizational needs can fluctuate by the time players develop and while you can fill positional gaps with other methods you can't turn lesser talent into higher talent.

That said, even if you put the best d-man in the league on this roster (and I'll assume Schaefer doesn't hit Makar levels), it basically changes nothing for us organizationally. It is the exact same dynamic we've had, and always had, just now changing out Josi for Schaefer.

It may kind of be like the Seth Jones draft decision. Was it a better move to draft the BPA in Jones or to take a lesser talent in a higher position of need like.a Lindholm or Monahan?

 

[herzausstein]

Start of next season
Josi is 35
Skjei is 31

Sure we have Molendyk, Wilsby, and Stastney at LD. Chystyakov as well if he comes over. Either way, I see plenty of room for Schaefer for the future team.

Is LD the biggest position of need? Nope but with this cores age... we need every position

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

Edit: I butt replied

 

[Weber to Josi]

To me, a win in this draft is leaving with one of Schaefer, Misa or Hagens. I think those 3 along with Martone are the clear cut top 4, then the next tier is Frondell, McQueen, Desnoyers..

There is no way we can be upset least leaving this draft with Schafer if that happens, no matter how bad we need a centre.

 

[herzausstein]

To me, a win in this draft is leaving with one of Schaefer, Misa or Hagens. I think those 3 along with Martone are the clear cut top 4, then the next tier is Frondell, McQueen, Desnoyers..

There is no way we can be upset least leaving this draft with Schafer if that happens, no matter how bad we need a centre.

The heart wants what the heart wants. I want my unicorn.

I'll make a snide Nashville typical joke if we end up with Schaefer but I'll be fine with it

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

To me, a win in this draft is leaving with one of Schaefer, Misa or Hagens. I think those 3 along with Martone are the clear cut top 4, then the next tier is Frondell, McQueen, Desnoyers..

There is no way we can be upset least leaving this draft with Schafer if that happens, no matter how bad we need a centre.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

I think every single person on this board would LOVE if we could get that elusive 1C especially after a disaster of a season like this one.

But the harsh reality is that there might not be a true, elite 1C available in this draft. Misa went completely MIA in the OHL playoffs which is not a good sign. Frondell's not lighting it up in Allsvenskan, either. Hagens has his limitations.

I sincerely hope that Trotz and co. make their decision based on facts and not feelings of fans. Schaefer could be the only game-breaking talent in this draft and looking at our current D-core he would do wonders for it.

all the guys who are paid to analyze prospects have said the top end of this draft class is on par with most average drafts of the past …. The drop off at the end of the 1st round is more precipitous which relates to the depth issue everyone misconstrues

It will be a disaster if a #1 center isn’t selected

 

[101st_fan]

all the guys who are paid to analyze prospects have said the top end of this draft class is on par with most average drafts of the past …. The drop off at the end of the 1st round is more precipitous which relates to the depth issue everyone misconstrues

It will be a disaster if a #1 center isn’t selected

The question is if any of the players are truly #1 centers at the NHL level. Being among the highest rated in a draft class doesn't equate to success at the NHL level. How's your #1 Center Novak doing with his superstar breakout?

 

[braindead]

Emphasis on “true #1”. I’ve seen Hagens described in some articles as developing into a high end second line center. If we get that and play him as our #1 someday, won’t be great. A true #1 would be optimal, recognizing that unless someone massively exceeds expectations, it seems we aren’t getting world a class center in this draft.

 

[PredsV82]

1St OA should be the best player in the draft. If it's not a C then that's just how the cookie crumbles.

Sorry but this is not smart. If the difference between the best player and the second best is small then you fill you biggest 27 year organizational need. Now if the "best player" is guaranteed to be the second coming of Shea Weber and the second best is not going to be any better than say Lafreniere, then fine, but if it's close then take the center.