2025 NHL DRAFT

[Bringer of Jollity]

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.

In a vacuum it's maybe an interesting comparison gauge, but I don't really find those value systems/pick calculators to be realistic. Like the Montreal fans who are wanting to trade 16 and 17 to move up to the top 10. I think that's like a #6 value, but who ever is going to actually trade down from a 6 to a 16 and 17, especially in this draft? Us at #5, there is almost no feasible combination of 2025 picks that would get us to move down from 5, unless we liked nobody that was available.

I don't see it happening outside of adding prospects/young players (with actual value) or 2026 picks (and I don't think that's a great move).

 

[Kat Predator]

In a vacuum it's maybe an interesting comparison gauge, but I don't really find those value systems/pick calculators to be realistic. Like the Montreal fans who are wanting to trade 16 and 17 to move up to the top 10. I think that's like a #6 value, but who ever is going to actually trade down from a 6 to a 16 and 17, especially in this draft? Us at #5, there is almost no feasible combination of 2025 picks that would get us to move down from 5, unless we liked nobody that was available.

I don't see it happening outside of adding prospects/young players (with actual value) or 2026 picks (and I don't think that's a great move).

Other GMs might bite for picks in 2026. (The depth in that draft is why they are willing to toss Trotz picks in 2025 or 2027.)

 

[Armourboy]

If anything I think I'd be trying to figure out ways to convert 2025 picks into 2026 picks. Quality over quantity is great in concept except for when there is no real quality to get

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

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.

I doubt there are many NHL GMs who subscribe to the points system. Or if they do have a copy on hand, they only use it as a quick on-the-floor reference for minor moves. Nobody is using it irl to pre-plan trading down their #10 pick a month before the draft.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

In a vacuum it's maybe an interesting comparison gauge, but I don't really find those value systems/pick calculators to be realistic. Like the Montreal fans who are wanting to trade 16 and 17 to move up to the top 10. I think that's like a #6 value, but who ever is going to actually trade down from a 6 to a 16 and 17, especially in this draft? Us at #5, there is almost no feasible combination of 2025 picks that would get us to move down from 5, unless we liked nobody that was available.

I don't see it happening outside of adding prospects/young players (with actual value) or 2026 picks (and I don't think that's a great move).

You're right teams don't usually trade out of the top 10 because no matter what picks you trade them it's never enough for them. There has to be a player they want involved in the trade for teams to want to trade a top 10 pick. And draft picks trades don't happen that offered. Last one I seen was 2021 between Dallas and Detroit. Dallas gave up the 14th for the 22nd, 47th and 137th. That's why I mention and over pay and not necessarily moving into the top 10. I'm just really spitballing here on options. If they don't happen then at least we tried. I just want trotz to try and overpay to move up because I believe quality is better than quantity at this point. If it doesn't happen then OK.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

I doubt there are many NHL GMs who subscribe to the points system. Or if they do have a copy on hand, they only use it as a quick on-the-floor reference for minor moves. Nobody is using it irl to pre-plan trading down their #10 pick a month before the draft.

So you think the front office doesn't have an analytics guy to tell them the value of draft picks. I believe every sport teams have those guys. I don't think they make draft trades on instinct anymore. I'm not sure how they do pre draft trades so I won't comment that I do

 

[Kat Predator]

Listening to the draft show on the radio (between other things), the concluding point that they made was that this draft lacks both the quality at the top end and is missing a player or two in every grouping down the line.

So that means drafting really high (top 5?) may not be all it would normally be. Also this draft will fall into "long shots" rather quickly. Given the lack of quality then, quantity is a reasonable approach. Maybe one of the picks from the 2nd through 7th rounds will turn out to be an NHL caliber player with more dips of the bucket.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I think we still would have needed to. If we had kept Askarov, then he'd basically be in the NHL. And we would have either lost him to Expansion in a couple years, or not signed Saros to the same contract and eventually lost Saros instead. Either way, it wouldn't have addressed the overall organizational depth situation.

So instead now we have Annunen, and he doesn't really look like a long-term successor. And Chrona, who looks like an AHLer? None of our other prospects seem all that promising? Haider may be decent in the minors, but nobody is predicting an NHL future for him. Looks like Jatkola has bombed out and won't be signed. Milota is coming along... next year will be a big one for him, he seems to have temporarily lost the crease to an overager down the stretch in the Q this year, only to re-gain it in the playoffs. Hrabal understandably had the net in the WJC for the Czechs, so Milota was 3rd string. But Milota should be in a good position to challenge for WJC starter next year? Anyway, he's not a big guy, but at least the jury is still out on him, whereas things seem to be about closed on the rest of our guys. This means looking ahead 3,4,5 years, yes, we need to keep the goalie pipeline stocked.

Generally speaking, I would have been in favor of picking goalies where you retain rights longer, like guys heading to NCAA. I wonder how that will play out now with NCAA taking in ex-junior players? Goalie picks are the most voodoo of all the draft crapshoots, so the longer you can stretch out the evaluation/development cycle the better. I wouldn't be against taking one of the higher-rated goalie prospects earlier in the draft, but it also depends on who you have a hunch on later. Definitely don't spend those early picks on a goalie if you have any late round steal candidates on your scouting radar! (Rinne/Saros)

Has it been confirmed anywhere that Preds aren't signing Jatkola? Although he was a backup to former UVM and ECHL goalie Stefanos Lekkas in Liiga, his team did win a championship and he played over 50 games in the Finnish men's league the past two seasons.

Wouldn't consider that "bombing out" for a 22-year-old goalie.

 

[glenngineer]

If anything I think I'd be trying to figure out ways to convert 2025 picks into 2026 picks. Quality over quantity is great in concept except for when there is no real quality to get

Was coming here to say the same thing.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

So you think the front office doesn't have an analytics guy to tell them the value of draft picks. I believe every sport teams have those guys. I don't think they make draft trades on instinct anymore. I'm not sure how they do pre draft trades so I won't comment that I do

I’m sure everybody has a chart at the table in draft day. Whether they end up using it or not just depends on what comes up, who calls them on the floor, who on their list is falling, etc. As well as on the team group’s personal preference... they don’t have a lot of time on the floor to decide especially in later rounds … some will go by instinct/experience, some may consult their chart.

I can guess which way Trotz would go, I don’t have a clue about Kealty.

But mostly I’m just saying on May 25th they aren’t making offers for a #10 pick based on chart conversions.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Has it been confirmed anywhere that Preds aren't signing Jatkola? Although he was a backup to former UVM and ECHL goalie Stefanos Lekkas in Liiga, his team did win a championship and he played over 50 games in the Finnish men's league the past two seasons.

Wouldn't consider that "bombing out" for a 22-year-old goalie.

I don’t think we ever hear until after June 1.

Anyway, Jatkola has had better showings before, but not great this season. For sure he could bounce back at 23, 24, 25 and get signed by somebody some day. I only mean bombed out as a Preds prospect (assuming he doesn’t get signed)

 

[crazynaiman]

Pretty clear at this point that Schaefer, Misa and Hagens are going top four. No shot they drop to us - I'm sure of that. So we're basically guaranteed a shot at either Martone or Frondell. Martone probably gets taken before our pick. That’s why I’m begging Trotz not to overthink it and go with someone like Desnoyers or McQueen instead of the obvious pick Frondell. Just pick one of the five and don’t get cute

 

[BigFatCat999]

I think of the RHD group as a collection of Cracker Jacks box toy surprises.

So they’re disappointing and made of paper

 

[Scoresberg]

Pretty clear at this point that Schaefer, Misa and Hagens are going top four. No shot they drop to us - I'm sure of that. So we're basically guaranteed a shot at either Martone or Frondell. Martone probably gets taken before our pick. That’s why I’m begging Trotz not to overthink it and go with someone like Desnoyers or McQueen instead of the obvious pick Frondell. Just pick one of the five and don’t get cute

I'd say that's pretty far from being "pretty clear". I'm sensing some surprises even at the top of this draft as I think only the top-two is set in stone - Schaefer and Misa.

Chicago's going to go for someone with size - be it Martone, Desnoyers or Frondell. I'm leaning towards the latter two.

Utah - ditto. I don't think they "need" a Hagens in there as they already have a bunch of smaller top-of-the-lineup forwards. Utah is the true Wild Card of the top-four as I believe they could ultimately also trade the pick. I think, ultimately, they would go for a center with size - again Frondell, Desnoyers or even McQueen. Martone's a possibility here as well.

Gun to my head, right now I would say the top-four will go like this:

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Frondell
4. Desnoyers

 

[Gnashville]

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.

Which podcasts do you recommend?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Reminder that Moncton and Medicine Hat are playing now at Memorial Cup. Live on Victory+, but NHL Neteotk showing on bit of delay. Good chance to see Molendyk, Dylan McKinnon, potential top 5 pick Desnoyers, and 2026 projected #1 McKenna.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

For those watching, I believe desnoyers is playing hurt. He generally hasn’t been taking faceoffs and has little oomph on shot and passes. You can see his intelligence out there. Seems to know where to be. Looks like he still hasn’t got his man strength yet either, although he just dumped Flames pick Basha into bench. He is on my short list of who I want at 5.

 

[Scoresberg]

FWIW, I don't think NHL GM's are wrong to prefer size with the higher picks in the draft. I mean, take a look at the last Cup winners and tell me that size DOESN'T matter. Florida is a great example - they're an absolutely brutal team that's only purpose in a playoff series is to destroy the opponent.

Vegas - a big, physical and heavy team.

Colorado - bit of an exception, but they had guys like Rantanen, Kadri, Landeskog and Manson in there. Kadri took out Binnington in Round 2 which completely turned the series around which showed their mean streak.

Tampa - they had their (smaller-sized) superstars in front but other than that, it was all size and physicality. Getting their Coleman-Goodrow-Gourde 3rd line put them over the top.

St. Louis - I think every one of us here know what their MO was and is.

Now, I understand there are no Tkachucks in this draft (or in most drafts for that matter) but if we end up going with a guy like McQueen or even Martin over a guy like Hagens, I can understand the decision. Also, while I'm at it, take a look at a guy like Jason Robertson in these playoffs. He's completely worthless because he just can't get there fast enough. Big players who can skate are the present AND the future in the NHL, book it.

 

[Scoresberg]

For those watching, I believe desnoyers is playing hurt. He generally hasn’t been taking faceoffs and has little oomph on shot and passes. You can see his intelligence out there. Seems to know where to be. Looks like he still hasn’t got his man strength yet either, although he just dumped Flames pick Basha into bench. He is on my short list of who I want at 5.

I think the worst case is playing out for Desnoyers right now. After winning the Q as the 1C, he needed to show that it wasn't just the weak competition. He's gone MIA at the worst possible time, going pointless in five straight dating back to the Q finals.

If you're playing, you're healthy enough to produce.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

FWIW, I don't think NHL GM's are wrong to prefer size with the higher picks in the draft. I mean, take a look at the last Cup winners and tell me that size DOESN'T matter. Florida is a great example - they're an absolutely brutal team that's only purpose in a playoff series is to destroy the opponent.

Vegas - a big, physical and heavy team.

Colorado - bit of an exception, but they had guys like Rantanen, Kadri, Landeskog and Manson in there. Kadri took out Binnington in Round 2 which completely turned the series around which showed their mean streak.

Tampa - they had their (smaller-sized) superstars in front but other than that, it was all size and physicality. Getting their Coleman-Goodrow-Gourde 3rd line put them over the top.

St. Louis - I think every one of us here know what their MO was and is.

Now, I understand there are no Tkachucks in this draft (or in most drafts for that matter) but if we end up going with a guy like McQueen or even Martin over a guy like Hagens, I can understand the decision. Also, while I'm at it, take a look at a guy like Jason Robertson in these playoffs. He's completely worthless because he just can't get there fast enough. Big players who can skate are the present AND the future in the NHL, book it.

I can see the argument for going McQueen over hagens because of size and the fact that McQueen has a very high ceiling but I disagree on Martin. He's the same size as hagens but he does play a heavier game but we need skills on this team more than grit and hagens has way more than Martin, I would take frondell, martrone and even Jake Obrien over Martin if your looking for size. Only reason I'm hesitate on McQueen is his injury history but he does have the highest ceiling so he's the only guy I wouldn't be messed up with taking over hagens. Hagens had a so so year but it was still good. He was the top prospect for a couple years because of the skills he had and if he returns to that guy his sophomore year were gonna regret passing on him if he's there at 5

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I can see the argument for going McQueen over hagens because of size and the fact that McQueen has a very high ceiling but I disagree on Martin. He's the same size as hagens but he does play a heavier game but we need skills on this team more than grit and hagens has way more than Martin, I would take frondell, martrone and even Jake Obrien over Martin if your looking for size. Only reason I'm hesitate on McQueen is his injury history but he does have the highest ceiling so he's the only guy I wouldn't be messed up with taking over hagens. Hagens had a so so year but it was still good. He was the top prospect for a couple years because of the skills he had and if he returns to that guy his sophomore year were gonna regret passing on him if he's there at 5

Hard disagree. First, not sure why you think Hagens annd Martin are same size. Hagens is closer to 5’10” than 6’ to my eye. He looks roughly same size as Stiga, maybe smaller. And he is slight. Martin is at least 6’ with broad shoulders.

Second, Martin looks to be better skater and more skilled than Frondell. Downside is he is Ryan Leonard or Sam Bennett, but upside is he power center who snipes. He is a bit raw, but his trajectory is quite impressive.

And McQueen may have some nice size and skill, but his middling production belies high end upside, even aside from injury history.

 

[GeauxPreds1]

Hard disagree. First, not sure why you think Hagens annd Martin are same size. Hagens is closer to 5’10” than 6’ to my eye. He looks roughly same size as Stiga, maybe smaller. And he is slight. Martin is at least 6’ with broad shoulders.

Second, Martin looks to be better skater and more skilled than Frondell. Downside is he is Ryan Leonard or Sam Bennett, but upside is he power center who snipes. He is a bit raw, but his trajectory is quite impressive.

And McQuern may have some nice size and skill, but his middling production belies high end upside, even aside from injury history.

Hagens 5'11 177lb
Martin 6ft 178lb
Looks close to the same size to me. Martin does have more muscle but hagens had way more skill. Im sick of just being hard to play against that hasn't gotten us anywhere. Martin needs to go to someone needs a middle six center not to a team looking for a number 1 center like us

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Hagens 5'11 177lb
Martin 6ft 178lb
Looks close to the same size to me. Martin does have more muscle but hagens had way more skill. Im sick of just being hard to play against that hasn't gotten us anywhere. Martin needs to go to someone needs a middle six center not to a team looking for a number 1 center like us

I don’t believe those numbers, particularly Hagens. It would be shocking if they measure that at combine.

How do you define skill? Martin has better shot. He is great in transition, excellent at zone entries. Gets to dirty areas. Hagens is probably better playmaker. Martins is Messier type (not saying he is in that level).

 

[GeauxPreds1]

I don’t believe those numbers, particularly Hagens. It would be shocking if they measure that at combine.

How do you define skill? Martin has better shot. He is great in transition, excellent at zone entries. Gets to dirty areas. Hagens is probably better playmaker. Martins is Messier type (not saying he is in that level).

So you don't believe all the outlets I've seen that has hagens listed at 5'11. Hagens is faster, his vision is better, he has a higher hockey iq, his potential is higher, he has better stick handling and his shot it under rated. Not to mention almost every analysis has hagens rated way above martin. If we pick martin at 5 it is a big reach. If we pick hagens at 5 we get a steal

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

So you don't believe all the outlets I've seen that has hagens listed at 5'11. Hagens is faster, his vision is better, he has a higher hockey iq, his potential is higher, he has better stick handling and his shot it under rated.

I believe he is listed at 5’11. I don’t think he is that tall in actuality. Hagens is likely faster, better vision, higher hockey in, and maybe better stick handler. He is also perimeter player while Martin asserts his presence routinely. Hagens may well score more, but I’d rather have Brayden Schenn than Mikael Granlund, which is what you are looking at as nhl projections.