2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[Cush]

Chicago sports oriented site:

2025 NHL Draft: BN's Top 75 Prospect Rankings - Bleacher Nation

How do I rank the top prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft? Here's our top 75!

www.bleachernation.com

With all of that reading and watching of my own, we’re going to try something new this year at Bleacher Nation. What follows is my top 75 prospects ranked for the 2025 NHL Draft. I’ve included some comments from a few of the analysts I have valued most over the years, a list that includes Wheeler and Corey Pronman at The Athletic, Steven Ellis at Daily Faceoff, Craig Button at TSN and Sam Cosentino at SportsNet.

EDIT/ADD: Sportsnet's Final Rankings

Scout's Analysis: Ranking the top 80 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

With the scouting season complete, Jason Bukala shares his own personal ranking of the top 80 prospects for next week's NHL Draft after following the class all season.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Ridley Simon]

Chicago sports oriented site:

2025 NHL Draft: BN's Top 75 Prospect Rankings - Bleacher Nation

How do I rank the top prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft? Here's our top 75!

www.bleachernation.com

EDIT/ADD: Sportsnet's Final Rankings

Scout's Analysis: Ranking the top 80 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

With the scouting season complete, Jason Bukala shares his own personal ranking of the top 80 prospects for next week's NHL Draft after following the class all season.

www.sportsnet.ca

Caps will get 2 good prospects at 27 & 37. There’s a lot out there to pick thru.

Just hold and take the 2 best BPA’s. In GMBM (I know, it’s now PBM, but whatever) I trust.

My appeal to authority is complete — before someone calls me on it.

 

[CapsJunkie]

I hope we get someone awesome like the movie draft day

 

[Langway]

EDIT/ADD: Sportsnet's Final Rankings

Scout's Analysis: Ranking the top 80 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

With the scouting season complete, Jason Bukala shares his own personal ranking of the top 80 prospects for next week's NHL Draft after following the class all season.

www.sportsnet.ca

Pretty solid rankings from Bukala. Nesbitt & Zonnon are a little high but I can see it given their frames and position. Fiddler, Lakovic and esp. Boumedienne a bit low.

If someone they really like slides to ~19 they probably should try to move up. Say for Reschny if teams sleep on him for lack of height or amazing speed. I do think at 27 they're in some slight jeopardy of falling in a tier separation area. I tend to break down the top ~16 into two tiers and then another one of about eight (give or take). After that I'd probably earmark Nesbitt & Gastrin for positional value, defensive pedigree and more all-around upside/reliability. Or maybe Ravensbergen if they want a longer-term investment but it starts getting muddy in a hurry. Much more difficult to isolate clear remaining standouts I think.

 

[Roshi]

Give me Ryker Lee or Kindel from the 1st and Benak or one of the goalies (Ravensbergen, Ivankovic, Rimpinen, Medvedev or Andreyanov) from the 2nd and im happy little camper.

 

[Holtbyisms]

New full mock dropped at the Athletic. Wouldn't mind the first rounder even though their are some guys I like better still there. Second rounder I don't much like, especially with guys like Ivan Ryabkin, Ryker Lee and Will Moore going right after our pick. Don't hate the player, just passing on others at that spot. I love the third rounder, he's one of the more physical hitters on the blue line in this class. Plays the game like you don't want to play against him. Not going to add a ton offensively but we don't currently have anyone like him in our pipeline any could use a big strong physical guy who will out compete everyone.

 

[MW6]

New full mock dropped at the Athletic. Wouldn't mind the first rounder even though their are some guys I like better still there. Second rounder I don't much like, especially with guys like Ivan Ryabkin, Ryker Lee and Will Moore going right after our pick. Don't hate the player, just passing on others at that spot. I love the third rounder, he's one of the more physical hitters on the blue line in this class. Plays the game like you don't want to play against him. Not going to add a ton offensively but we don't currently have anyone like him in our pipeline any could use a big strong physical guy who will out compete everyone.

View attachment 1051075

I know it’s always BPA. But with Leonard, Mirosnichenko and Parascak as RW-prospect, getting 3 more with their first 4 picks would be a little frustrating to me.

 

[Holtbyisms]

I know it’s always BPA. But with Leonard, Mirosnichenko and Parascak as RW-prospect, getting 3 more with their first 4 picks would be a little frustrating to me.

Understandable. I can't see passing on somebody you really like because of their position either but IF this mock was legit it might warm you heart to know Vansaghi could probably play center. He's done it in the past and is actually pretty good at the dot when he takes draws. His high motor, strong forechecking and willingness to do whatever it takes to win puck battles projects well to take on additional responsibilities. Maybe he's a little more dynamic as a winger but he's definitely got the makeup of a legit 3rd line center who plays the game the right way and can chip in on the score sheet on a regular basis.

 

[Cush]

 

[pman25]

Prokhorov in the 1st seems a little rich for my liking. I don’t think he’s a 1st round talent

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

The Hutson trade last draft was magic Im hoping for another move like this again. I'm excited to see what we can pull off with the 2 high picks.
In general the most important positions in the hockey draft are Centers and Defense. So I would target those if a Wing we target doesn't fall. For goalies I would look for a later pick and developing them in Hershey.

 

[pman25]

I know it’s always BPA. But with Leonard, Mirosnichenko and Parascak as RW-prospect, getting 3 more with their first 4 picks would be a little frustrating to me.

I’m okay with another RW there will be a lot available where we are picking so I wouldn’t pass just cuz it’s a little crowded. Leonard can probably play any forward position and Miro can play either wing. So there’s room on the depth chart

 

[ClevelandCapsfan]

Trade idea: 2025 1st round and 2026 2nd round pick for Bruins center Pavel Zacha. Speculation has the rebuilding Bruins possibly looking to move Zacha for draft capital. He would be an excellent 3C for a reasonable cost/term.

 

[qcal1427]

Trade idea: 2025 1st round and 2026 2nd round pick for Bruins center Pavel Zacha. Speculation has the rebuilding Bruins possibly looking to move Zacha for draft capital. He would be an excellent 3C for a reasonable cost/term.

It could be just for the 2nd and I'd still be kind of iffy on Zacha ... been pretty much stapled to Pastrnak his entire time in Boston and still can't drive play at all

 

[Cush]

Mock Draft Generator:

FC Hockey

nhlentrydraft.com

 

[Langway]

MCKEEN'S 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE FEATURE: CHL TO NCAA - The Turning Point

Kyle Watson looks at the possible implications of the recent rule changes regarding allowing junior players in the CHL to retain NCAA eligibility

www.mckeenshockey.com

Why go Reschny & Kindel when you can go with a lesser Chesley and long-term goaltender project? I can see them taking a goalie at 37 ibut it may leave some upside on the board. I have faith they're properly focused on adding star potential. Hard to imagine the needle being moved any other way...

NHL Mock Draft 2025: The Athletic Hockey Show predicts (and debates) Round 1 picks

On Friday's episode of The Athletic Hockey Show, the Prospect Series crew did a live mock draft of next week's first 32 picks.

www.nytimes.com

Gastrin over Fiddler/Zonnon.

Gastrin blends skill, leadership ahead of 2025 NHL Draft | NHL.com

MoDo center lauded for decision-making, compete level, patterns game after Avalanche captain Landeskog

www.nhl.com

 

[pman25]

I’d be okay with a goalie at 37, Pradel in particular is one I was looking at yesterday. Intriguing

But yeah I’d want Reschny or Zonnon or any other forward with some upside if we take a goalie

 

[Kazer]

MCKEEN'S 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE FEATURE: CHL TO NCAA - The Turning Point

Kyle Watson looks at the possible implications of the recent rule changes regarding allowing junior players in the CHL to retain NCAA eligibility

www.mckeenshockey.com

Why go Reschny & Kindel when you can go with a lesser Chesley and long-term goaltender project? I can see them taking a goalie at 37 ibut it may leave some upside on the board. I have faith they're properly focused on adding star potential. Hard to imagine the needle being moved any other way...

NHL Mock Draft 2025: The Athletic Hockey Show predicts (and debates) Round 1 picks

On Friday's episode of The Athletic Hockey Show, the Prospect Series crew did a live mock draft of next week's first 32 picks.

www.nytimes.com

Gastrin over Fiddler/Zonnon.

Gastrin blends skill, leadership ahead of 2025 NHL Draft | NHL.com

MoDo center lauded for decision-making, compete level, patterns game after Avalanche captain Landeskog

www.nhl.com

I'll give the McKeen's mock credit for one thing - it's the first time I've seen Pradel as the 2nd goalie off the board. Most seem to mock Ivankovic or one of the Russians (most often Frolov) second.

I wonder if that's an insight into NHL thinking vs the public models. I have a feeling given the relative weakness of this draft that some very interesting names are going to slide both up and down the board moreso than a typical draft.

 

[The Instigator]

MCKEEN'S 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE FEATURE: CHL TO NCAA - The Turning Point

Kyle Watson looks at the possible implications of the recent rule changes regarding allowing junior players in the CHL to retain NCAA eligibility

www.mckeenshockey.com

Why go Reschny & Kindel when you can go with a lesser Chesley and long-term goaltender project? I can see them taking a goalie at 37 ibut it may leave some upside on the board. I have faith they're properly focused on adding star potential. Hard to imagine the needle being moved any other way...

NHL Mock Draft 2025: The Athletic Hockey Show predicts (and debates) Round 1 picks

On Friday's episode of The Athletic Hockey Show, the Prospect Series crew did a live mock draft of next week's first 32 picks.

www.nytimes.com

Gastrin over Fiddler/Zonnon.

Gastrin blends skill, leadership ahead of 2025 NHL Draft | NHL.com

MoDo center lauded for decision-making, compete level, patterns game after Avalanche captain Landeskog

www.nhl.com

That McKeen's outcome would be gross. Please no. Do not want.

 

[The Instigator]

Also as a Canadian of course I would like Ivankovic to be the goalie selection if there is one, but Canadian prodigy goalies aren't what they used to be.

I'd like to see a goalie with the 2nd or 3rd though. I think we can afford to take one a little higher than we have recently.

 

[Random schmoe]

The FloHockey draft sim @Cush linked to had Carter Bear available to us at 27 (using the FloHockey ranking).

I've seen a lot of mostly Canadian (the country not just the team) fans want him in the teens. Don't know if that's because Canada, or if he's actually a teen best prospect for the draft.

So I guess that would be a good/fortuitous selection?

 

[Holtbyisms]

The FloHockey draft sim @Cush linked to had Carter Bear available to us at 27 (using the FloHockey ranking).

I've seen a lot of mostly Canadian (the country not just the team) fans want him in the teens. Don't know if that's because Canada, or if he's actually a teen best prospect for the draft.

So I guess that would be a good/fortuitous selection?

Carter Bear has Capitals selection written all over him if he falls that far. Uber talented, could have been top 10 without a devastating injury, from the WHL... I've been eyeing him up as a potential candidate for us for awhile. You get him there then you're free to take a wild boom or bust swing at a Ryabkin or Ryker Lee at 37. Next pick in the 90s but if they love a goalie they can trade up. Hell I wouldn't be broken hearted if Lappy went for a high second.

 

[usiel]

MCKEEN'S 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE FEATURE: CHL TO NCAA - The Turning Point

Kyle Watson looks at the possible implications of the recent rule changes regarding allowing junior players in the CHL to retain NCAA eligibility

www.mckeenshockey.com

Why go Reschny & Kindel when you can go with a lesser Chesley and long-term goaltender project? I can see them taking a goalie at 37 ibut it may leave some upside on the board. I have faith they're properly focused on adding star potential. Hard to imagine the needle being moved any other way...

NHL Mock Draft 2025: The Athletic Hockey Show predicts (and debates) Round 1 picks

On Friday's episode of The Athletic Hockey Show, the Prospect Series crew did a live mock draft of next week's first 32 picks.

www.nytimes.com

Gastrin over Fiddler/Zonnon.

Gastrin blends skill, leadership ahead of 2025 NHL Draft | NHL.com

MoDo center lauded for decision-making, compete level, patterns game after Avalanche captain Landeskog

www.nhl.com

I despise that McKeen mock. A high second for a goalie ugh!

And yes I'd take Gastrin over Zonnon watched a bunch of video last week and was like no as a first rounder.

 

[Roshi]

Normally id hate a goalie from high second too, but i think this could actually be the year to do it.

Not much upside on the table, likely, at that point and somewhat not so exciting draft at overall. Having a very strong pool as it is, im fine picking up a goalie as a ”top5 of position” for the upside.

But def not sure id go with the goalie McKeen has for us, and dont like the 1st either.

Rimpinen from 3rd round would be great goalie pick though, maybe need to trade up in the round for that though.

 

[wickedwitch]

This is absolutely the year to go goalie early, IMO. The skaters in that range are below par but the goalies are typical if not better than average. Obviously someone could fall, but goalies should be a good value.