Prospect Info: 2025 NHL Entry Draft

[WhatTheDuck]

Midseason Top 50 for the 2025 NHL Draft

It's time to update my draft board for the 2025 NHL draft now that we're past the halfway point of the OHL season. Back in early November ( ...

ohlprospects.blogspot.com

 

[Anaheim4ever]

The more I read about him, the more Desnoyers might be a good compliment to our system. A complimentary forward who could be elite defensively. Not a guy who needs the puck to be good, could be a PK1 guy plays with someone like Terry who will do most of the offensive heavy lifting. Could eventually take Strome's spot on that line. Assuming no big FA or trade, you have (in no specific order):
RW: Sennecke, Terry, Colangelo
C: Carlsson, Desnoyers, Zegras/McTavish
LW: Gauthier, Zegras/McTavish

Hopefully one of Pastujov or Sidorov can be that other wing. Get a 4th line that can play physical and good defense with some guys that can PK. Ideally Carlsson can play PK2. This is Assuming we pick in the 5-7 range.

I think he's a perfect fit and that would allow them to just let Zegras focus on offense which is what is he great at and not trying to be a elite 2way shutdown forward that Cronin is trying to turn him into.
Caleb The Destroyer is what he should be called if the Ducks draft him.

 

[Rasp]

I like what I see from Jake O'Brien so far and would be tempted to take him before Desnoyers. He is on a similar scoring rate to Desnoyers but is doing it in the OHL compared to QMJHL.

He is 6'2 right shot C with an excellent offensive game. His playmaking is dangerous and he plays in all situations.

Another guys who looks good is Lynden Lakovic. 6'4 LW who skates well for his size. Smart, skilled and creative offensively with a good shot. He is raw and would take a bit more time to develop but if he can add some more physicality to his game he would be a great pick.

 

[Gliff]

Typically, I would prefer to take the guy from the OHL or WHL over a guy from the Q. But, just to be clear, this isn't Gaucher or a guy with limited upside. He is 4th in points and 2 of the guys ahead of him are 3+ years older then him.

He is clearly behind the top 4 for me, but if our scouts went with him at 5 I wouldn't riot.
EP is my go to scouts, because I find that their opinions line up with the Ducks scouts most of all. They have him at 12.

 

[tomd]

A top 5 pick looks like a pipe dream at this point (barring a lottery win). In terms of team development that's not a bad thing though. But it's probably best to start looking at who is going to be available in the 8-12 range.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

A top 5 pick looks like a pipe dream at this point (barring a lottery win). In terms of team development that's not a bad thing though. But it's probably best to start looking at who is going to be available in the 8-12 range.

In the 8-12 range, there are a few defensemen to look at:

LD Jackson Smith (6'3/190lbs... WHL)
RD Logan Hensler (6'2/192lbs... NCAA)
RD Radim Mrtka (6'6/200lbs... WHL)

Mrtka adapting to NA ice so quickly is beginning to turn heads. And he's still 17 years old until June 9th! Central Scouting has him rank as the 2nd best NA defenseman in their mid-term report.

 

[Gliff]

A top 5 pick looks like a pipe dream at this point (barring a lottery win). In terms of team development that's not a bad thing though. But it's probably best to start looking at who is going to be available in the 8-12 range.

They are 3 points outside of #5...

 

[tomd]

They are 3 points outside of #5...

True but they are also only around 3 points out of 13th. They are also playing way better (in general) than most of the teams around them.

 

[Gliff]

True but they are also only around 3 points out of 13th. They are also playing way better (in general) than most of the teams around them.

They are 5-4-1 in their last 10. Which is pretty much right in line with everyone around them:

They are 6-6-2 in their last 14 and only 2 wins were versus playoff teams. Not saying it forsure will happen, but I think calling it a pipedream is kinda crazy.

 

[tomd]

They are 5-4-1 in their last 10. Which is pretty much right in line with everyone around them:
View attachment 973066

They are 6-6-2 in their last 14 and only 2 wins were versus playoff teams. Not saying it forsure will happen, but I think calling it a pipedream is kinda crazy.

Call me crazy now and we’ll see who’s right at the end of the year.

 

[JAHV]

They are 5-4-1 in their last 10. Which is pretty much right in line with everyone around them:
View attachment 973066

They are 6-6-2 in their last 14 and only 2 wins were versus playoff teams. Not saying it forsure will happen, but I think calling it a pipedream is kinda crazy.

Also their goal differential (-29, 6th worst in the NHL) is closer to 2nd worst than 11th worst.

I hope that improves as the season goes on, but just another point that 5th overall is a very reasonable outcome for the season.

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

Also their goal differential (-29, 6th worst in the NHL) is closer to 2nd worst than 11th worst.

I hope that improves as the season goes on, but just another point that 5th overall is a very reasonable outcome for the season.

You are kinda forgetting some key points. We are not going to be sellers this year. Unless the rails fall off very quickly. (Possible for sure). We will almost certainly trade Dumo and Fabbri, but unlikely anyone else. Unless someone throws a stupid trade at us, Brady for Z straight up, Semec + picks + salary dump for Gibson.

Pitt / Philly / SJ have already started selling off a little bit, Nashville should sell some non key assets and start resting their older players down the stretch.

5th overall is not out of question, I just see us as one of the few teams not selling off any key assets, who will also be trying to win every game down the stretch as we aren’t really in tank mode anymore, and some team may flip to tank. Montreal / Seattle / Utah (with a half tank), NYI ? Basically I see a scenario where 5 of more other teams try to get worse than us, with Nashville / SJ / Sabres / Chicago kinda already past the point of no return.

I agree with Tomd , it isn’t very likely we are bottom 5 team when it’s all said and done. Although not impossible.

 

[tomd]

You are kinda forgetting some key points. We are not going to be sellers this year. Unless the rails fall off very quickly. (Possible for sure). We will almost certainly trade Dumo and Fabbri, but unlikely anyone else. Unless someone throws a stupid trade at us, Brady for Z straight up, Semec + picks + salary dump for Gibson.

Pitt / Philly / SJ have already started selling off a little bit, Nashville should sell some non key assets and start resting their older players down the stretch.

5th overall is not out of question, I just see us as one of the few teams not selling off any key assets, who will also be trying to win every game down the stretch as we aren’t really in tank mode anymore, and some team may flip to tank. Montreal / Seattle / Utah (with a half tank), NYI ? Basically I see a scenario where 5 of more other teams try to get worse than us, with Nashville / SJ / Sabres / Chicago kinda already past the point of no return.

I agree with Tomd , it isn’t very likely we are bottom 5 team when it’s all said and done. Although not impossible.

Agree with all your points and would add that Dostal/Gibson are giving the Ducks playoff caliber goaltending almost every night. Hard to tank when that is happening. And if Carlsson and Zegras turn up the volume then the team will be tough to beat. As a group they are obviously starting to play with a ton of confidence. We'll see if they can play a competitive game against LA on Saturday.