Prospect Info: 2025 NHL Entry Draft

[Sendhelp2Anaheim]

I don't disagree...but I think Martin will be taken by Philly or Boston. I have no idea what Seattle will do; they could go in any direction. But in the unlikely event that Philly, Boston, and Seattle all pass on Martin I think Buffalo would jump all over him. It is just impossible to watch what Bennett is doing in Florida and not want to draft Martin to do the same in a few years. And Buffalo has memories of Mike Peca who is another comparable to Martin. I'm sold that Martin is one of the top 6-7 most impactful players in this year's draft. Might even go top 5.

ya I think it’s pretty wide open after top 2 picks… could see any 1 of
Mrtka, Martin, eklund, McQueen, o Brian, frondell being there at 10

 

[Rasp]

I find it hard to see a small framed player excelling at NHL level when their only elite trait is physicality. It will be very hard to keep being physical when everyone is bigger, stronger and faster with more skill at their disposal

 

[Sendhelp2Anaheim]

I find it hard to see a small framed player excelling at NHL level when their only elite trait is physicality. It will be very hard to keep being physical when everyone is bigger, stronger and faster with more skill at their disposal

it’s not like he’s 5’9, he’s 6’0. He might not have a ton of elite level aspects, but he also doesn’t have any overly glaring flaws either.

I mean he’s got a nhl shot or close to it… to me assuming we sign a top 6 forward and sennecke is up within next 2 years…. Our biggest need is going to be a 3c…. Martin might be ideal choice to fill that in the future.

But it all really just depends who is available…. There are a lot of names that might be there at 10

 

[Rasp]

it’s not like he’s 5’9, he’s 6’0. He might not have a ton of elite level aspects, but he also doesn’t have any overly glaring flaws either.

I mean he’s got a nhl shot or close to it… to me assuming we sign a top 6 forward and sennecke is up within next 2 years…. Our biggest need is going to be a 3c…. Martin might be ideal choice to fill that in the future.

But it all really just depends who is available…. There are a lot of names that might be there at 10

Its the frame that is more important than the height. McTavish isnt tall but he was 207lbs when drafted and has been able to handle the physical aspect of NHL.

Martin is 174lbs. Frondell is the same height but 196lbs. If you dont have the frame you wont be able to put on as much muscle.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Its the frame that is more important than the height. McTavish isnt tall but he was 207lbs when drafted and has been able to handle the physical aspect of NHL.

Martin is 174lbs. Frondell is the same height but 196lbs. If you dont have the frame you wont be able to put on as much muscle.

Plus wasn't McTavish a lot more physical when he played in the WJC/NL/OHL and then suddenly becomes much less physical in the NHL ? Then you have Max Jones who's 6'3 and played physical in the OHL and sometimes was very dirty, yet in the NHL he toned down the physicality and eliminated the dirty hits.
Even Bob Murray was hyping McTavish up as a guy who he said plays with more sandpaper to his game as though.

 

[JAHV]

Not meant to be critical because most of you prospect hounds know way more about the draft than I do, but I do think it's interesting that people are talking about draft projections as if these teams are going to draft for need instead of best player available. I know that's what we always talk about in the first round as it pertains to the Ducks - take the BPA and worry about the rest later.

People seem to mention Seattle wanting a d-man, for example, because they've drafted forward heavy to this point; if they think a forward is BPA, won't they just take that forward? Same with Utah wanting size or Chicago wanting a center. Won't all these teams just draft the guy who's highest on their board? Maybe need is a tie-breaker, but if Seattle loves Eklund, they would just take him, right?

Anyway, just a thought that may or may not have validity. It would be nice if things shook out that way because the Ducks could definitely use a high level forward rather than a d-man, but if the teams above us all love the top ranked forwards, the Ducks might be looking at Mrtka or Smith at the top of their board when it gets to 10.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Not meant to be critical because most of you prospect hounds know way more about the draft than I do, but I do think it's interesting that people are talking about draft projections as if these teams are going to draft for need instead of best player available. I know that's what we always talk about in the first round as it pertains to the Ducks - take the BPA and worry about the rest later.

People seem to mention Seattle wanting a d-man, for example, because they've drafted forward heavy to this point; if they think a forward is BPA, won't they just take that forward? Same with Utah wanting size or Chicago wanting a center. Won't all these teams just draft the guy who's highest on their board? Maybe need is a tie-breaker, but if Seattle loves Eklund, they would just take him, right?

Anyway, just a thought that may or may not have validity. It would be nice if things shook out that way because the Ducks could definitely use a high level forward rather than a d-man, but if the teams above us all love the top ranked forwards, the Ducks might be looking at Mrtka or Smith at the top of their board when it gets to 10.

Part of it is because a lot of those guys are seen as the same tier and people thinking the teams will pick based on which player of equal BPA fits them the best ? I think Desnoyers/Martone/Hagens are same tier.

If the Ducks end up with Smith, well Zellweger is probably trade bait for sure eventually. Mintyukov gets only 42% of offensive zone starts while Zellweger gets 56% of offensive zone starts.

 

[JAHV]

Part of it is because a lot of those guys are seen as the same tier and people thinking the teams will pick based on which player of equal BPA fits them the best ? I think Desnoyers/Martone/Hagens are same tier.

If the Ducks end up with Smith, well Zellweger is probably trade bait for sure eventually. Mintyukov gets only 42% of offensive zone starts while Zellweger gets 56% of offensive zone starts.

Fair, although tier is basically our way of sorting them out, but we don't know if teams have a preference within that tier, or if they even have these guys in the same tiers that we do.

Personally, I don't have any real wishes or desires other than wanting a forward. I'd love a guy with speed since the Ducks have remarkably little of that in their lineup. But I'll be happy with whomever, even a defenseman.

 

[tomd]

I find it hard to see a small framed player excelling at NHL level when their only elite trait is physicality. It will be very hard to keep being physical when everyone is bigger, stronger and faster with more skill at their disposal

I’m far more concerned about how Eklund is going to be able to handle the NHL than I am about Martin.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Fair, although tier is basically our way of sorting them out, but we don't know if teams have a preference within that tier, or if they even have these guys in the same tiers that we do.

Personally, I don't have any real wishes or desires other than wanting a forward. I'd love a guy with speed since the Ducks have remarkably little of that in their lineup. But I'll be happy with whomever, even a defenseman.

Agreed. We don't know what the teams have as their tiers or BPA all we can do is guess.
This is starting to remind me of the 2021 draft except the #1/#2 are already set in stone.
More like how picks #3 to #9 went in 2021. Many were saying Eklund is the #3 or Hughes, Johnson or Edvinsson. There was even chatter that Buffalo liked Eklund the most and could go #1. The smaller Eklund fell to #7.

4 years later I still don't understand why Ottawa pulled a Mcillrath at #10 with Boucher pick.

 

[Sendhelp2Anaheim]

Not meant to be critical because most of you prospect hounds know way more about the draft than I do, but I do think it's interesting that people are talking about draft projections as if these teams are going to draft for need instead of best player available. I know that's what we always talk about in the first round as it pertains to the Ducks - take the BPA and worry about the rest later.

People seem to mention Seattle wanting a d-man, for example, because they've drafted forward heavy to this point; if they think a forward is BPA, won't they just take that forward? Same with Utah wanting size or Chicago wanting a center. Won't all these teams just draft the guy who's highest on their board? Maybe need is a tie-breaker, but if Seattle loves Eklund, they would just take him, right?

Anyway, just a thought that may or may not have validity. It would be nice if things shook out that way because the Ducks could definitely use a high level forward rather than a d-man, but if the teams above us all love the top ranked forwards, the Ducks might be looking at Mrtka or Smith at the top of their board when it gets to 10.

Well couple things

Dmen generally rise by draft time on teams bpa charts.

We don’t know what teams lists looks like, so we’re all just assuming… there isn’t like a consensus list teams look at when they make picks.

I could see Mrtka, aitchenson and Jackson all being in teams top 10s… some teams might have more than 1 of them in their top 10.

And then you’re looking at tiers, after misa Schaefer Martin des and hagens(maybe McQueen)…. Its pretty wide open and I’d think at least those 3 dmen I listed above are in the same tier as guys like eklund, o Brian, Martin frondell etc

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I’m far more concerned about how Eklund is going to be able to handle the NHL than I am about Martin.

Wouldn't his older brother, William with the SJ Sharks, serve as a probable path for success? Also, Victor has played in the Swedish men's league for the past two seasons, 15 games in 2nd tier last year and 42 in top tier SHL this past season. Whoever drafts him will probably let him to continue to develop in Sweden and add more mass to that frame. If Djurgardens keeps him, then Victor will be playing in the SHL next season.

William: 5'10 and 176 lbs (CSB 2021 final rankings numbers)
Victor: 5'11 and 161 lbs (Elite Prospects numbers)

 

[tomd]

Wouldn't his older brother, William with the SJ Sharks, serve as a probable path for success? Also, Victor has played in the Swedish men's league for the past two seasons, 15 games in 2nd tier last year and 42 in top tier SHL this past season. Whoever drafts him will probably let him to continue to develop in Sweden and add more mass to that frame. If Djurgardens keeps him, then Victor will be playing in the SHL next season.

William: 5'10 and 176 lbs (CSB 2021 final rankings numbers)
Victor: 5'11 and 161 lbs (Elite Prospects numbers)

Victor plays a much more physical and gritty game which his body may not handle well playing 100 games a year (including playoffs obviously). Madden and verbeek will have to make that determination.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Victor plays a much more physical and gritty game which his body may not handle well playing 100 games a year (including playoffs obviously). Madden and verbeek will have to make that determination.

I thought your discussion was an open one and not closed only to the Ducks.

Anyhow, maybe Victor's game may change a bit from being more physical to being more tenacious on the puck, which is keeping in line with his high motor and puck hounding abilities. What does help Victor in those situations is his skating. Don't forget that you will be getting a higher offensive RW with Victor.

Teams have already seen what his older brother can do at the NHL level. The pedigree is there.

 

[Gliff]

I’m far more concerned about how Eklund is going to be able to handle the NHL than I am about Martin.

I think they both are high risk guys. To me it's all about the upside and I think Eklund's ceiling is a top line player and I don't think Martin's is.

I know Martin is the new hotness because he had a good 7 games at the U18, but when your best quality is your physical play and you are 6'0 174 lbs 18 year old that is a little concerning.
Eklund also has size concerns, but he is already playing in a mens league and showing he can succeed.

 

[Rasp]

Victor plays a much more physical and gritty game which his body may not handle well playing 100 games a year (including playoffs obviously). Madden and verbeek will have to make that determination.

Couldn't that also be said for Martin?

 

[JAHV]

I think they both are high risk guys. To me it's all about the upside and I think Eklund's ceiling is a top line player and I don't think Martin's is.

I know Martin is the new hotness because he had a good 7 games at the U18, but when your best quality is your physical play and you are 6'0 174 lbs 18 year old that is a little concerning.
Eklund also has size concerns, but he is already playing in a mens league and showing he can succeed.

I actually see it potentially the opposite way. If you're 6'0 and 174, hopefully you have the frame for 25 more pounds. Some guys do, some guys don't. If Martin does, though, it's a huge bonus that he's already playing physically because that will only become more effective when he puts on muscle mass. It's the huge guys who don't play physically that worry me - I think by 18 most guys either have that aggression or they don't (with some wiggle room both ways).

If he's deficient in other parts of his game, that's definitely a concern. But the fact that he's doing this without all the muscle bodes well for him to continue doing it.

 

[tomd]

You all make good points. Right now my position is that Eklund drops to one of the teams drafting in the 11-14 range. I just don’t see him as someone verbeek would take but I won’t lose any sleep if he did. He’ll be an NHL player but I see better options at 10. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

You all make good points. Right now my position is that Eklund drops to one of the teams drafting in the 11-14 range. I just don’t see him as someone verbeek would take but I won’t lose any sleep if he did. He’ll be an NHL player but I see better options at 10. Your mileage may vary.

Either one of Martin or Eklund will be good for the Ducks, I think both will play a lot less physical in the NHL like we saw how McTavish wasn't exactly throwing a lot of hits around once he hit the NHL. Comtois at 6'2 was crushing players at the WJC that one year and then in the NHL he's not that physical.

 

[Static]

 

[shach1]

I think if they aren't comfortable with McQueen or Eklund, this is who they take

 

[anezthes]

I hope they do their due diligence on Lankovic. Something something process.

 

[Gliff]

Either one of Martin or Eklund will be good for the Ducks, I think both will play a lot less physical in the NHL like we saw how McTavish wasn't exactly throwing a lot of hits around once he hit the NHL. Comtois at 6'2 was crushing players at the WJC that one year and then in the NHL he's not that physical.

Agreed. Players generally do not play as physical at the NHL level. By that conclusion though, a players physicality in juniors shouldn't matter nearly as much as a lot of other things.

Martin's #1 trait is his physicality. I don't love that.

 

[tomd]

Assuming no surprises in the top 9, it's Lakovic or McQueen for me at 10.

 

[Sendhelp2Anaheim]

Assuming no surprises in the top 9, it's Lakovic or McQueen for me at 10.

Lakovic does read a lot like without the edginess …. Lot of potential there.

I also feel like McQueen being there at 10 is kinda a “surprise”