2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[pman25]

Nestrasil seems way more projectable to me than Ryabkin watching Muskegon. Love the way he plays. Hes gonna be a riser. He’s like 40-50 most places but think he ends up 20-30.

Production has been nothing to write home about but Playoff teams will love to add his game to their pool. I think once you get to pick 20 or so, why not

 

[wickedwitch]

Nestrasil seems way more projectable to me than Ryabkin watching Muskegon. Love the way he plays. Hes gonna be a riser. He’s like 40-50 most places but think he ends up 20-30.

Production has been nothing to write home about but Playoff teams will love to add his game to their pool. I think once you get to pick 20 or so, why not

I like the trajectory in his production.

 

[pman25]

Yes he’s definitely picked it up more looking at the trends. Seems like it was a slow start for him. But coming over, finding his way in the USHL…he’s might be on the Ilya Protas track. I say add another 6’5” baller. Even if he doesn’t explode offensively, i see the path for him

 

[Cush]

Craig's List: Lots of prospects down the middle ahead of NHL Draft | TSN

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button has 13 centres in the top 32 of his latest Craig's List draft prospect ranking and shines the spotlight on Brady Martin, Cole Reschny and Braeden Cootes.

www.tsn.ca

Ryabkin @ 20
Kindel @ 27
Ravensbergen @ 29
Zharovsky @ 36
Nesbitt @ 38
McKinney @ 56
Nestrasil @ 65

 

[usiel]

Theo Stockselius at 31?

Needless to say quite different that The Athletic. Prokhorov at 79.

 

[wickedwitch]

 

[twabby]

Pronman and Wheeler have Cameron Schmidt all the way at #60. The numbers have Schmidt as the ~7th best prospect in the draft.

Any chance he really falls to #27? That should be the guy DC looks at if available.

 

[Langway]

I'd be wary of reaching critical winger mass. Numbers are great but Schmidt is small and not a play driver. If he's not on an NHL PP his all-around skill set is thin. (And the playoff are still very much big boy hockey...) Button cannot quit the kid but I don't think there's much doubt he'll be available at 27 and I don't doubt he's available at 37 either. At some point in a thin draft it'll be worth it but if Eiserman can fall as far as he did Schmidt can slide much more. I don't think his U18s did much to raise his stock. He was better at the Hlinka...

I sort of casually watched Game 5 of the Clark Cup and didn't notice #24 at all really. It takes a pretty special winger to opt for another at 27 or else they'll be prone to getting lost in the shuffle. Zharovsky is perhaps that but most aren't. The D group doesn't justify it either so...it's mostly about the centers for me barring a slider. I think center is the biggest need both currently in controlling/driving play and complimenting what's coming up and then also the system's biggest need (more complete, fluid two-way players). Leonard offers a high degree of defensive polish and upside but they need more capable of driving play thanks to their motor, work ethic and defense. If they can't trade up for Reschny then Gastrin is probably the best option as-is. At this stage I tend to gravitate to the more naturally mature, pro-ready options. Admittedly it's not all about sprinting to the league and raw players can in time be developed into more pro style players. But the more naturally advanced and instinctual do offer some distinct advantages. (We've also seen it be much easier said than done polishing up some talents all-around...)