2025 NHL DRAFT

[Armourboy]

The pattern is more like, whatever glimpses of competence Wood flashed at the end of last season will be the highlight of his Preds career. He'll be bounced down to Milwaukee because of his waiver exemption, yoyoed up and down with injuries and waiver wire claims, and then when he "gets his chance" he'll be stapled to a line of other kids and get maybe 8 to 10 shifts of 5v5 if he's lucky.

Then Trotz will waive him (the unlike button) and he'll become a steady, competent NHL player for some other organization.

At this point the only hope I have that he doesn't do this is that it was his pick and maybe he treats those guys different than the guys left over from the Poile era. It's honestly the only thing you can grasp on too really.

 

[wmupreds]

They have always brought guys to the lineup that should have played more games before throwing them in. I'm sure your referencing the young guys of the last say 4 years that you feel deserve a chance but when you look at there ages and their performance all they do is glut the bottom 6. Teams that build real powerhouses have guys they trade because there is no roster spot on the big club. Tampa will lose two of these guys this summer it would be smart if Trotz looked at guys like that. In the past Druion, Conner Ingram, Carter Verhaghe, and numerous others had no spot. Can you honestly say the Preds have done this ? The closest was Tolvannan. It's more about installing a system that develops the player and the GM creating a spot for them at the right time. I do not recall that ever happening here. It's always promote a player that you are unsure of in a NHL setting. Mistakes lijlke Tolvannan happen. it will not happen but i would like to see Trotz retain on Stammer send him back to Tampa for the guys they have roster ready now. Yzerman put that development system in place hr has yet to get it done in Detroit the biggest reason imo is the wings ownership and what Holland did there.

Right now the entire hockey operations staff here looks more inept than Poiles bunch. can andcwill Trotz be allowed to make the changes? Or will the same impatience force players up before there optimum time? playing every day in Milwaukee as a young player is much better than playing a game every few days getting sent down to get a few games in. in anyway how does that progress a player???? How can you hold a player responsible ????? What you get into in the end is firing coaches every couple years and changing GM's . Thats the direction the Preds are headed, Buffalo had been caught in that for a decade. They have drafted top talent each year but never hold on to a coach long enough to get them rowing in the same direction. So yes the Preds are guilty of undercooking they are also slipping into the rotating coach mess which may be why Trotz has refused to fire Burnette. The fanbase has been caught in the middle of watching a one line offense since the cup final year. This has left fans yearning for new blood no matter how unprepared they are. i have seen people here promoting that these guys have nothing left to learn in the AHL thats not a good thing for a team. Game experience is far better at a lower level than struggling in the NHL riding the pressbox express half the time or more. Evety poster here made comments about young guys riding the splinter express thru the last couple seasons. and there point is right when a guy is brought up its not to rotate with underperforming players. Things have to change top to bottom and some things indicate they are. The end goal is putting together a team to take that next step not just making the playoffs but being s true contender in a window. Otherwise it could be like the Toronto twam thst missed the playoffs 17 straight years.

Tolvanen played over 100 games in MIL. Vange played over 60 and was only brought up down the stretch of a lost season when he had an opportunity for higher ice time. Svech played 70+. Kemell is at like 130 and probably more to come. You could maybe argue Tomasino (30ish before becoming a full time NHLer the first time around) but he performed pretty well in his role in NSH in his rookie year so I don't really know how that supports a case of undercooking. The youngish defensemen we've brought up recently spent years in MIL like Stastney and Del Gaizo. I'm not seeing it. You're right that the guys that get brought up often don't get the opportunity to actually succeed, but I can't see how it has anything to do with not playing enough games in the AHL.

 

[Legionnaire11]

Yeah, I don't feel like we really overcook prospects the way some other teams do, but we definitely don't rush them either.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

So that’s it Predators draft picks are now set
5th
23rd
26th
35th
55th
67th
99th
131st
163rd
Of course trades up and down and out will happen but currently they own 7 picks in the top 100

I guess we get another bump with Ottawa forfeiting their #21 pick.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I guess we get another bump with Ottawa forfeiting their #21 pick.

Are they? I thought Staios said they were likely to not forfeit pick this year (although they should).

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Are they? I thought Staios said they were likely to not forfeit pick this year (although they should).

Oh, I didn't dig, just saw this on PuckPedia...

Says they needed to decide within 24hrs after the draft lottery, though, and this is a lot later than that. So maybe bogus from PuckPedia?

EDIT: And if I could read, I would note it says 2026.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

Oh, I didn't dig, just saw this on PuckPedia...

View attachment 1039639

Says they needed to decide within 24hrs after the draft lottery, though, and this is a lot later than that. So maybe bogus from PuckPedia?

EDIT: And if I could read, I would note it says 2026.

I would of did this year over next year if I was Ottawa though

 

[Kat Predator]

Yeah, I don't feel like we really overcook prospects the way some other teams do, but we definitely don't rush them either.

There are people that make a living scouting prospects and breaking down how effective every NHL team is at the process by compiling huge volumes of data on every player drafted, etc.

The Predators organization is right in the middle. Our drafting and developing is average. Which means we're like a hit on a couple of 2nd rounders or lower away from being one of the better teams in the NHL. The margins are, from the analysis I'm referring to, that small.

In a cap controlled league, teams are forced to either spread their peanut butter very evenly and have a roster with 0 superstars or to find a balance between high paid "stars" and cost controlled ELC contracts (or in Arizona's case no balance as they weren't trying to be competitive). The balancing act makes the argument that every prospect needs to overcook until their ELC is over both ridiculous and moot.

If you look at the Lightning's cap, which they spent right to the limit, they have 5 high-end contracts, 5 mid veteran contracts, 2 lower end vet contracts, and the rest are veteran minimum or ELCs. One could easily argue they should have more youth in their lineup to prevent a sudden downturn, but they've traded a lot of picks in recent years to extend their window. Honestly they are an aging team (much like us), but with a core group that can still win and above average coaching.

In our case, we have an aging core group that's never won anything together and a coach that over two seasons has shown he's completely outwitted by the opposition. We chewed through our younger veterans and home grown players and prospects and backfilled with waiver wire caliber Cracker Jacks box toy surprises. We're not headed anywhere with that sort of self-declared perfect direction setting.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I would of did this year over next year if I was Ottawa though

Maybe they feel that they still have time to convince the NHL to rescind or reduce the penalty if they work on it for another year? It was certainly an onerous penalty that many people feel was rather harsh given all the circumstances in the case.

 

[King Weber]

this Desnoyers may not be or become the best player in the draft, but to me he seems like a winner. 4 championships in 18 months + playoff MVP so it's not like he's been just a passenger.

 

[Scoresberg]

this Desnoyers may not be or become the best player in the draft, but to me he seems like a winner. 4 championships in 18 months + playoff MVP so it's not like he's been just a passenger.

This is actually a very good point. It would be a massive feather in his cap, should he lead Moncton to the Memorial Cup win as well.

 

[Gnashville]

Maybe they feel that they still have time to convince the NHL to rescind or reduce the penalty if they work on it for another year? It was certainly an onerous penalty that many people feel was rather harsh given all the circumstances in the case.

NHL GM’s are stubborn and teams in the past have won appeals and got a late 1st round pick back (ie NJ)
This time though they hurt Bettman’s Golden boy franchise and may have to eat the punishment. Crazy how they are punished for a trade they were not involved in and the team they played are the biggest cap circumventing/cheating team

 

[Gh24]

Here is some information, do with it as you please.

I looked back to see what Joe Thornton weighed when he was drafted. He was a man child at 220 lbs at 18.

What worries me with McQueen is he's 6'5" and not even 200 lbs. I get it, kids are going to put on weight as they mature and learn they need to add to their frame to handle an NHL schedule. Basically he's tall and lanky right now with previous back issues.

Does adding weight to his frame help or harm him long term? You could say, he's probably going to be more durable because he'll have a thicker frame. At the same time, he'd be carrying more weight than he currently does with a history of back trouble.

I'm not saying we should avoid him in the draft but if you look at only his back history and if he's recovered, I think you'd be missing another piece of the puzzle to see if he's got a future in the NHL, let alone one at a high level. Do with this as you will.

Weight training used to be a lot different back then. I'm no professional by any means, but I've indirectly come across the subject in my studies and I consume a lot of media - for this particular subject I highlight podcasts with professional trainer guests like conditioning and strength coaches etc.

What I've gathered - and this seems to be backed up by older athletes and trainers as well - is that the training has evolved to be more sports specific from being just weight lifting and straightforward strength training where bigger squat = better. There's been a major shift in weight training, focusing more on sports specific force production angles, being of course stronger, but at the same time trying to avoid putting too much extra weight to maintain explosiveness and efficiency etc.

I don't think this is exactly groundbreaking news to people here, but I'm just saying it would probably be more practical to compare deviations from average rather than raw numbers from two different eras.

Injury history is however a possible red flag. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger is pretty much bs when it comes to physical injuries. I'm pretty sure it's the opposite. Injuries leave you more vulnerable for another injury.

Interesting bit of information nonetheless, so thank you for sharing. This is the kind of stuff I enjoy learning reading these forums.

 

[King Weber]

this Desnoyers may not be or become the best player in the draft, but to me he seems like a winner. 4 championships in 18 months + playoff MVP so it's not like he's been just a passenger.

oh and forgot to mention that our scouts have likely seen him a lot since one of our other prospects in Dylan MacKinnon plays for the same team

 

[PredsV82]

I would of did this year over next year if I was Ottawa though

Just like they blew the decision on which 1st to give Colorado they are gonna blow this big time. They could really drop back down next year and give up a higher pick in a deeper draft

 

[GeauxPreds1]

Just like they blew the decision on which 1st to give Colorado they are gonna blow this big time. They could really drop back down next year and give up a higher pick in a deeper draft

That's what I'm thinking. They aren't guaranteed to have a playoff team next year.

 

[Kat Predator]

That's what I'm thinking. They aren't guaranteed to have a playoff team next year.

Yep. There are decision-making processes that perpetual bottom feeders make that enable them to stay that way.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

So I just drove to Chicago and back and I listened to alot of draft podcasts while my family slept and I came away with that I won't be upset with alot of players if we pick them at 5. While I would love hagens to be there at 5 because I still believe he's in a tier above the rest and slightly below Misa and Schaefer. I will not be upset at all if we pick Martone, Desnoyer, Frondell or even McQueen who I was really low on before trip because of his injury. All 3 of them are apparently line drivers something we desperately need in this draft. My hope is McQueen falls because of his injury and trotz uses his draft capital to move up to 10 and snag him. Imagine leaving the draft with hagens and McQueen. Even if McQueen isn't there if I'm trotz I'm still trying to move up to 10-14 to get Mrtka, Martin, Lakovic or Carbonneau.

 

[braindead]

Agree on 5th pick. I wouldn’t be in favor of moving up if it required giving up 2 of the next three picks we have, which I’d think is the case. Preds need depth and there are enough intriguing players at that range

 

[wmupreds]

I would only really be upset if Hagens is still there and we don’t take him (I have a feeling he won’t be there anyway). I don’t think he’s a slam dunk 1C but I think he’s one of very few in this draft that has the tools to get there.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

Agree on 5th pick. I wouldn’t be in favor of moving up if it required giving up 2 of the next three picks we have, which I’d think is the case. Preds need depth and there are enough intriguing players at that range

I disagree. I think we need quality over quantity now. Would you rather have hagens, fiddler and say Brzustewicz over hagens and McQueen. Don't get me wrong the first option is still good but I believe there is a pretty big drop off after 15 possibly lower.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

I would only really be upset if Hagens is still there and we don’t take him (I have a feeling he won’t be there anyway). I don’t think he’s a slam dunk 1C but I think he’s one of very few in this draft that has the tools to get there.

I don't think he'll be there either unless teams really value what desnoyer is doing in the playoffs or I can see Utah picking frondell because he's probably the most ready take the jump. Either or I'll be happy with anyone in the top 7 or 8

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I disagree. I think we need quality over quantity now. Would you rather have hagens, fiddler and say Brzustewicz over hagens and McQueen. Don't get me wrong the first option is still good but I believe there is a pretty big drop off after 15 possibly lower.

Nobody is trading us #10 for 23 and 26 so it’s a moot point.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

So I just drove to Chicago and back and I listened to alot of draft podcasts while my family slept and I came away with that I won't be upset with alot of players if we pick them at 5. While I would love hagens to be there at 5 because I still believe he's in a tier above the rest and slightly below Misa and Schaefer. I will not be upset at all if we pick Martone, Desnoyer, Frondell or even McQueen who I was really low on before trip because of his injury. All 3 of them are apparently line drivers something we desperately need in this draft. My hope is McQueen falls because of his injury and trotz uses his draft capital to move up to 10 and snag him. Imagine leaving the draft with hagens and McQueen. Even if McQueen isn't there if I'm trotz I'm still trying to move up to 10-14 to get Mrtka, Martin, Lakovic or Carbonneau.

What are we giving up to move to 10-14? Just 23 and 26? With this being such an iffy draft in terms of depth I don't see that being much of an incentive to trade down if I'm another GM.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

What are we giving up to move to 10-14? Just 23 and 26? With this being such an iffy draft in terms of depth I don't see that being much of an incentive to trade down if I'm another GM.

Just going off the point system alone. I would offer the 23rd, 26th and 55th which adds up to 422 points. The highest point value close to that is the 7th pick at 421 points. But as you mention with this draft it's unknown and weak after probably 8-10 so that's why I mention 10- 14. The 10th pick is valued at 354 points which is almost 70 points less than the 422 we would offer. Your probably righr with teams being hesitate to move down which is why if I would probably offer our 2nd rounder instead of tampas 2nd to teams like Buffalo or Seattle and possibly a prospect. That would be valued at 488 and the 8th and 9th pick 395 and 372. That's almost a 100 point gap. I just think trotz should look at quality over quantity and if it takes an over pay then he should do it.