Craig Button Final 2025 Draft Ranking

[AlternateSideParking]

Button has been consistently obsessed with Ivankovic. There’s probably at least a half dozen goalies with more interesting profiles as far as NHL projection but he started the year with a high profile and outside of relatively mediocre OHL results, he did well at the U18’s and then continued to be in the news with his high profile commitment to Michigan. Feels like he’s being floated more by buzz than resume in some sectors but I’m no goalie evaluator so maybe I’ll be dead wrong.

Agree. The WHL and QMJHL goalies are far better prospects from a CHL standpoint. Wolf in 2019 was brilliant for Everett and 10 times the prospect Ivankovic was, yet Central Scouting was bearish on him because of size. Wolf barely survived his first look. Ivankovic owes Wolf for this ranking more than for his own merits.

Recent NHL drafts and analytics have spoken. Scouts now love Russian goalies no matter the size. They view them as superior options. I’d say I’d bet a pinky that all 32 teams do not have Ivankovic as a 1G, but some scouts can be really tapped.

 

[viceroy]

I like Craig more than most people on here and appreciate his bold rankings, but McQueen at 5 and Hagens at 8 is dumb IMHO.

I'm not crazy about either one.

Button has been consistently obsessed with Ivankovic.

Didn't he also have a hard on for Zach Fucale back in the day?

If Habs come out of the draft with Bear and Lankovic/Charbonneau, that would be a win!

I'd love Bear, I'm okay with Carbonneau but don't like Lakovic, at all.

 

[LeProspector]

I was just thinking that it’s been a while since I’ve seen a post of his

There was an account created somewhat recently that was posting a good amount in the prospect section that sounded quite similar to how he writes. Perhaps he got too many strikes and got a 6 month ban so resorted to creating a new account?

 

[Fatass]

I like Craig more than most people on here and appreciate his bold rankings, but McQueen at 5 and Hagens at 8 is dumb IMHO. I'm not the only one who thinks Hagens is going to absolutely pop off next year at Boston College, while McQueen still hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy and produce at an elite rate at the junior level. Both are late birthdays and Hagens was objectively better as a 17 and 18 year old. Unless Craig has access to McQueen's medicals, I just see this type of projection to be a bit foolish

Aren’t these guys trying to project the draft? And wouldn’t that include what the clubs do, which is project these top picks’ ceilings when fully developed? I’m thinking Button predicts draft position based on projected ceilings of players. If a guy “pops off” at 19 in college or junior that doesn’t show what he will be when fully developed.

 

[BigRangy]

This list is pretty boring, basically a consensus list apart from a couple things:

Really high on Ivankovic. Personally I’m not on board, if he was gonna be a solid starter he’d stop more pucks in league play. He’s been money internationally though and will be the face of the WJC teams for a couple years though.

Hagens at 8 is wrong to me but who the heck knows why everyone is dropping him, I don’t think it’s on talent because he’s not an 8OA sort of talent haha

Potter deep in the 2nd will rile people, haven’t watched him enough to know

Other than that it’s basically a consensus list, no usual Button takes here. Boring!

 

[Michoulicious]

People will laugh at him he has McQueen at #5.

I have him at #4 lol.

 

[bert]

I like Craig more than most people on here and appreciate his bold rankings, but McQueen at 5 and Hagens at 8 is dumb IMHO. I'm not the only one who thinks Hagens is going to absolutely pop off next year at Boston College, while McQueen still hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy and produce at an elite rate at the junior level. Both are late birthdays and Hagens was objectively better as a 17 and 18 year old. Unless Craig has access to McQueen's medicals, I just see this type of projection to be a bit foolish

They are on opposite development curves. Hagens is a very skilled player but he isnt overly fast he isnt big and there are tons of hope plays and turnovers. I am not suprised to see him drop. What is he gonna be in the league? Small skill that doesnt play with an edge and isnt a speedster doesnt have a ton of success when it matters most.

 

[bert]

Nothing screams 12th overall pick like an inconsistent 5’11 OHL goalie with spotty rebound control and a horrible playoff resume.

Its a wild choice. Easily the worst part about the list. The rest is fine for me for the most part.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

I would be pretty happy if Ihs-Wozniak and Nestrasil fell to where the Bruins are picking.

 

[Devonator]

Hagens at 8 seems a little low, no?

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I assume this is purely how he would rank the prospects now, or is it how they are going to turn out?

 

[Zarzh]

Hagens at 8 is wrong to me but who the heck knows why everyone is dropping him, I don’t think it’s on talent because he’s not an 8OA sort of talent haha

Because he's tiny and didn't have a very good season. The thing with Hagens is unless he becomes a superstar you don't feel happy about taking him in the top 5, and he doesn't project as a superstar. The bar for him to be a difference maker with his skillset is so absurdly high.

 

[KaprizovSaveUs]

I respect some of the takes, though I don’t agree with them. This draft feels like there’s 10 or so prospects I’d love to add, and then after that I really don’t see many guys being consistent top of the lineup contributors. Of course, players will emerge over time, but if I’m not leaving with one of Schaefer, Martone, Misa, Hagens, Desnoyers, Frondell, O’Brein, Eklund, McQueen, Smith or Mrtka I’m a little upset as an org.

 

[bringbacktheskate604]

People will laugh at him he has McQueen at #5.

I have him at #4 lol.

He's gonna be the EP40 of this draft.
Obviously nothing in common in regards to the player but when EP was drafted a small group here in Vancouver were over the moon but majority of people laughed at Benning but our scouts and apparently the rangers clearly saw what he could be and McQueens situation reminds me of his with a few people really high on him but many doubters.

 

[carjackmalone]

Where’s Idzan?

 

[Fyodorov]

Because he's tiny and didn't have a very good season. The thing with Hagens is unless he becomes a superstar you don't feel happy about taking him in the top 5, and he doesn't project as a superstar. The bar for him to be a difference maker with his skillset is so absurdly high.

You're not even trying now.

 

[saintunspecified]

There's a very real chance that McQueen goes ahead of Hagens in the draft. Not suprised rly.

I see people making bad decisions all the time, so I agree.

Seeing Desnoyers ranked above Hagens (and Eklund for that matter) reminds me that people do choose to drink Diet Coke. On the one hand I know that everyone's experience is different. And yet, there is reason to prefer some experiences over others.

This junk is reminiscent of 2014, when Nylander & Ehlers were drafted after 3 busts. (That is, completely knowable before the draft.)

 

[hockey20000]

no way in hell i touching queen with a top 5 pick. wouldn't take him tell 25-32 range tbh to risky. i hope ottawa gets spence or carboneau lol.

 

[Zarzh]

You're not even trying now.

Half you guys don't even try to understand the game.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I like Craig more than most people on here and appreciate his bold rankings, but McQueen at 5 and Hagens at 8 is dumb IMHO. I'm not the only one who thinks Hagens is going to absolutely pop off next year at Boston College, while McQueen still hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy and produce at an elite rate at the junior level. Both are late birthdays and Hagens was objectively better as a 17 and 18 year old. Unless Craig has access to McQueen's medicals, I just see this type of projection to be a bit foolish

Most of those people are on HFBoards though. Also, being better than a player at the same age a year ago doesn't mean anything; at these ages players growth trajectories are all over the map.

IMO the real insane ranking is Ivankovic at 12. I like him a lot and would probably use an early 2nd on him but even that is high for some scouts.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

There was an account created somewhat recently that was posting a good amount in the prospect section that sounded quite similar to how he writes. Perhaps he got too many strikes and got a 6 month ban so resorted to creating a new account?

That would be too funny.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Most of those people are on HFBoards though. Also, being better than a player at the same age a year ago doesn't mean anything; at these ages players growth trajectories are all over the map.

IMO the real insane ranking is Ivankovic at 12. I like him a lot and would probably use an early 2nd on him but even that is high for some scouts.

The problem is McQueen hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy and/or produce at an elite level, which is what I said and why I'm very skeptical

 

[Siludin]

Nothing screams 12th overall pick like an inconsistent 5’11 OHL goalie with spotty rebound control and a horrible playoff resume.

I think with Ivankovic is there is an anticipated growth spurt, because his father is so tall. Eliteprospects has Jack at 6'0 now - not sure if he is growing still, but I think he will be maybe slightly above 6'0 when it's said and done.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

This has to be one of Craig's best lists to date. Only minor quibbles here and there

Was going to say the same thing. I've never been on the same page as him this much!

The McQueen thing, I just ignore him on everyone's list since who the f*** knows.