One thing noticeable is the NTDP isn’t represented very well here, again. Outside of Hagens, Hensler and Tretheway, two of them have graduated from the program already, this isn’t a good indication for the program going forward. Last year was a bad draft for them as well. I know Mooney, Fondrk, Potter are all solid players and could go first round, but what’s going on the USA hockey? Only 4 first rounders last year.
Craig’s List: James "Anze Kopitar 2" Hagens the early favourite for No. 1 in 2025
- Thread starter Bubbles
- Start date
Maybe a more skilled Hischier? Or a left handed, better skating Wyatt Johnston?
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Moore is also NTDP from that list. Personally, I wouldn't put stock in a Craig Button list to make a point. It looks pretty shoddily made.
But overall, the 2006's weren't a strong year for the NTDP. The 2007's are probably a little better, but probably not when it comes to extremely high picks. Hurts that Potter left a year early, but if we're counting players like Hagens and Hensler that are NTDP products that are going to be drafted out of college, he should count too.
Someone mentioned it, and I know every small center gets compared to him, but Brayden Point seems the closest comparison.
Not that those two comparisons are bad. I think Point is a little more accurate.
Yeah fair enough, I missed Moore there. He’s a good player, remember watching him a lot with the Miss Senators with Misa and Spence. Where did Potter go? I never realized he left the program.
Quoting this just to say this so hopefully people who don't follow swedish hockey outside of stats and international events get it, but I don't think there is any reason to spend a 1st rounder on him. Sure, he has and is going to be productive at the junior level, but he does not have the playdriving, the skillset or motor, and maybe surprisingly to some considering his size, any signs of powerful boardplay or physicality. He is competent when it comes to finishing, both scoring and assistwise, but not more than that. Not a very projectable player at this point, and it's very noticeable when comparing the steps his peers have taken. He is baaarely a top10 swedish 07 forward for me.
Honestly reading through the entire Ihs Wozniak thread on this forum is pretty enlightening. He got very early notice because he fills up the stats sheet (or at least usually has up until this season so far)…but it seems more than a few Swedish prospect watchers had reservations about his game and style and ability to play at pace from the get go.
Clearly skilled and great size but has lots of the red flags of a draft year dropper, including a “vanilla” statistical start in J20 and not eye popping stats with the U18 team like a few of his peers. His status on EP as a “Top 2025 prospect” is feeling a bit dated and I think his status on Bob’s first blush list at #18 may feel generous in a few months.
I’m not expert on him, clearly…but that’s my read digesting all the info at the moment. I suspect Button’s list will not be the last to drop him from that first round type grade.
Clearly skilled and great size but has lots of the red flags of a draft year dropper, including a “vanilla” statistical start in J20 and not eye popping stats with the U18 team like a few of his peers. His status on EP as a “Top 2025 prospect” is feeling a bit dated and I think his status on Bob’s first blush list at #18 may feel generous in a few months.
I’m not expert on him, clearly…but that’s my read digesting all the info at the moment. I suspect Button’s list will not be the last to drop him from that first round type grade.
Maybe hischier he was touted as a dynamic playmaking 1c with two way ability and now is a selke caliber player
I like the Hischier comparison myself good skater, playmaking/vision, high iq, and defensive ability. Hagens might be more skilled but nico if I recall was also touted as a dynamic offensive force but didn't quote live up to that as much as he exceeded his defensive expectations and is a 70-80 point selke caliber matchup type center who I believe is a 1c player
Breakers
Make Mirrored Visors Legal Again
Gretzky was talking about Kopitar and him being one of the best players in the league at having a player on his hip regardless of speed. Essentially a player can be draped over him and he doesn’t care
Does Hagens do that?
Does Hagens do that?
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
He left in the summer to Arizona State. He wanted a bigger challenge in his draft year.
Worth noting this is another list that pretty much sticks with the consensus top 5/7. He’s got McQueen ahead of Ryabkin which doesn’t look impossible given McQueen’s start and Ryabkin being over in Russia. But I think almost everybody…Bob, Button, etc is starting with:
Tier 1
- Hagens
Tier 2A
- Frondell
- Martone
- Schaefer
Tier 2B
- Ryabkin
- McQueen
- Misa
With a bit of free for all after that. Hensler, Spence, Eklund and the Q boys (Guite and Desnoyers) perhaps starting at the head of that next tier.
Button is definitely showing love to the “little guys” with Schmidt and Benak but I gotta think if you are gonna downplay size at forward, Mooney has to be right up there with them too.
Tier 1
- Hagens
Tier 2A
- Frondell
- Martone
- Schaefer
Tier 2B
- Ryabkin
- McQueen
- Misa
With a bit of free for all after that. Hensler, Spence, Eklund and the Q boys (Guite and Desnoyers) perhaps starting at the head of that next tier.
Button is definitely showing love to the “little guys” with Schmidt and Benak but I gotta think if you are gonna downplay size at forward, Mooney has to be right up there with them too.
Hagens = Kopitar??? Button, what is you doin' hun? There could not be a sillier comp out there; I'd buy that Hagens plays like Shoresy before I would that doozy.
Point is the best one I've seen so far. I can't believe Craig gets paid for this stuff.
Point is the best one I've seen so far. I can't believe Craig gets paid for this stuff.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I think it's a fair question. The USNTDP is showing some warts. That said, talent is talent so if it isn't pooling there where is it?
Mathieukferland
Registered User
You say that but in the spring his comparison for James Hagens was….. Nazem Kadri….. (audible confusion)
Yeah I remember watching Nico live in Toronto at the WJC in his draft year and he was lights out. So fast and slippery, great hands and was able to beat guys 1 on 1 with skill or speed. Still a very good player and not knocking his skill level at all, but yeah more of a two-way skilled C these days, good for 70-80 points, but I did think then he had the potential to be a 90-100 point guy. Who knows, he’s still relatively young and plays with good players, so he could continue to develop his offensive game. But others have made the Brayden Point comparison, it’s a good one IMO. I watched a YouTube video of Hagens that showed his off ice routine and his time in the gym, he’s a strong looking kid and his legs and core are quite built. Going to be a hard player to move off the puck once he gets to the NHL.
Not too sure tbh. It’s probably just cyclical and it’s just a down period for a couple of birth years. USA hockey is still a top notch overall program. I think more guys are opting for the ushl if they know they’re not going to be a top line guy at the NTDP and likely not going to get a ton of PP time. I’m sure we’ll see another year like the 01 class, and I’m sure Canada will have a down year too. It happens. Two really good 08 Americans in the OHL this year in Ethan Garden and Carson Andrews. I’m surprised garden didn’t make the NTDP team, he looked very good in pre season and the first regular season game playing with Belchetz.
Ah okay fair enough. So he fast tracked his schooling? Be interesting to see how he handles the college game as a DY player. I wonder if he’s grown at all. Do you know who they replaced him with? Off topic sort of, but where would you have a good like Mooney right now?
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