Prospect Info: Draft 2025 - Everyone is trading up, but no one seems to be trading down edition

[Jared Grayden]

I like Lakovic’s talent but I hate his work ethic and play style. I’ve grown super weary of him despite his skill level.

Feels like Anthony Mantha 2.0.

Comparing to some other large 1st round projected prospects, I'd prefer Lakovic and Mrtka for their upside. I don't see the effort level I would like, I just trust that to be an easier component to add. McQueen I don't think has near the skills or IQ most think he has. Nesbit looks like a major project. Smith's decision making is lacking. I don't find Martone's effort level to be consistent either, but I trust he has the ability to get there and be a top line winger.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Mantha could've been a monster with the right coach though. I dunno if Muse is the right guy, but all the stuff about Muse seems to be about his development aspects and the fact that the kids he's coached love him. Pretty much the first decade of Mantha's career was spent under Blashill and Laviolette. Not exactly stellar hockey minds or known for their ability to work with young guys.

Not saying I want Lakovic, but if his issues are coachable as opposed to mechanical (skating, injuries, size, etc) then it's a bit more intriguing to me.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Mantha could've been a monster with the right coach though

Nah I don’t agree

Guys who get limited chances early- maybe

Mantha had every opportunity and probably heard the same thing from every coach. At some point it’s on him.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Nah I don’t agree

Guys who get limited chances early- maybe

Mantha had every opportunity and probably heard the same thing from every coach. At some point it’s on him.

Sure, but opportunity isn't the same as being coached. Some guys need genuine guidance.

 

[SEALBound]

I haven't done a deep dive on Zannon but people keep bringing him up. All lists have him as a late 1st. Unless we get a 30-40ov pick, I'm passing.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Sure, but opportunity isn't the same as being coached. Some guys need genuine guidance.

Lower leagues and very early in your career - definitely

Much like most careers. You get some training and guidance at first but after a grace period all you can really ask for is exposure and opportunity.

the onus is on you to improve. While bosses point out what you’re good and bad at- you can’t sit around and expect your superiors to bring you the answers.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Comparing to some other large 1st round projected prospects, I'd prefer Lakovic and Mrtka for their upside. I don't see the effort level I would like, I just trust that to be an easier component to add. McQueen I don't think has near the skills or IQ most think he has. Nesbit looks like a major project. Smith's decision making is lacking. I don't find Martone's effort level to be consistent either, but I trust he has the ability to get there and be a top line winger.

See my concern with Lakovic is that you could have said the same exact thing about Mantha, who absolutely demolished juniors before turning pro but never put together that effort level/physicality that you wanted out of him. In theory I agree with you entirely, but we pretty recently saw an extremely similar player who was never able to add that effort level/physicality.

I'm not going to be mad if they draft Lakovic, but effort level problems are as big of a red flag as skating problems to me. If they take Lakovic and Smith at #11 and #12 as upside swings, I wouldn't be mad but both guys have major red flags that scare me pretty badly.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Lower leagues and very early in your career - definitely

Much like most careers. You get some training and guidance at first but after a grace period all you can really ask for is exposure and opportunity.

the onus is on you to improve. While bosses point out what you’re good and bad at- you can’t sit around and expect your superiors to bring you the answers.

Yeah, but a good coach will see a player struggling with something or another and do their job to help them improve.

Look at the trail of dead (not literally) prospects left in the wake of guys like Torts, Laviolette, Gallant, Ruff, etc. A lot of 'em were probably busts, but a lot of 'em probably needed a genuine coach instead of some guy to tell 'em to get pucks deep and skate through checks.

Either way, I'm only mildly interested in Lakovic if the team trades back. Don't think he's worth spending a mid-or-earlier pick on.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Wrong thread

 

[Jared Grayden]

See my concern with Lakovic is that you could have said the same exact thing about Mantha, who absolutely demolished juniors before turning pro but never put together that effort level/physicality that you wanted out of him. In theory I agree with you entirely, but we pretty recently saw an extremely similar player who was never able to add that effort level/physicality.

I'm not going to be mad if they draft Lakovic, but effort level problems are as big of a red flag as skating problems to me. If they take Lakovic and Smith at #11 and #12 as upside swings, I wouldn't be mad but both guys have major red flags that scare me pretty badly.

I think Mantha is a relatively positive outcome for a draftee at #11. 507 NHL games and 303 points are both above the average #11 pick. Obviously I want a better outcome, but a bust outcome is equally as likely as a relatively ordinary player like Mantha.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think Mantha is a relatively positive outcome for a draftee at #11. 507 NHL games and 303 points are both above the average #11 pick. Obviously I want a better outcome, but a bust outcome is equally as likely as a relatively ordinary player like Mantha.

Tbh the only positive thing Mantha ever did for his team was bring back a big return in a trade. I don’t think an offense only, 25-25 player with effort issues is all that great of a piece.

It’s a similar situation to Sprong, like sure he produces but he offers you nothing else beyond that and he doesn’t produce enough for you to overlook that.

 

[Jared Grayden]

Tbh the only positive thing Mantha ever did for his team was bring back a big return in a trade. I don’t think an offense only, 25-25 player with effort issues is all that great of a piece.

It’s a similar situation to Sprong, like sure he produces but he offers you nothing else beyond that and he doesn’t produce enough for you to overlook that.

That's still more than most #11 picks provide. 40+% don't even play 300 NHL games which I consider to be the bare minimum of being considered an NHL regular.

Success Rates of NHL Draft Picks - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

Scouting and luck combine to make for a successful draft in the NHL. Here are the success rates of the top 32 picks & each individual round.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Mantha never carved out a consistent role on a contending team. Idc that his per 82 game average is solid.

It’s like arguing Jack Johnson is a decent 3rd overall pick.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I didn't see this shared, but Pronman went full hog at the Athletic and made a projection for every pick in the draft - all seven rounds. No trades. Just picks.

Top 10:
1. Islanders - Schaefer
2. Sharks - Misa
3. Hawks - Frondell
4. Mammoth - Martin
5. Predators - Desnoyers
6. Flyers - O'Brien
7. Bruins - McQueen
8. Kraken - Hagens
9. Sabres - Martone
10. Ducks - Mrtka

Penguins
11. Kashawn Aitcheson, D
Jackson Smith went 12 to the Rangers, Viktor Eklund 13 to the Wings, Carter Bear 16 to Montreal.

59. Tomas Poletin, LW
73. Maxim Schafer, RW
84. Conrad Fondrk, C
85. Yegor Borikov, RW
105. LJ Mooney, C (local kid)
130. Roman Bausov, D
148. Gabriel D'Aigle, G
169. Kieran Dervin, C
201. Jordan Gavin, LW

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6429388/2025/06/17/nhl-mock-draft-2025-seven-rounds-pronman/

 

[Jacob]

Mooney would be cool. I think you should try to get 1 goalie and 1 really undersized but skilled guy in every draft. Those tend to be the best lottery tickets with late picks.

 

[Andy99]

I didn't see this shared, but Pronman went full hog at the Athletic and made a projection for every pick in the draft - all seven rounds. No trades. Just picks.

Top 10:
1. Islanders - Schaefer
2. Sharks - Misa
3. Hawks - Frondell
4. Mammoth - Martin
5. Predators - Desnoyers
6. Flyers - O'Brien
7. Bruins - McQueen
8. Kraken - Hagens
9. Sabres - Martone
10. Ducks - Mrtka

Penguins
11. Kashawn Aitcheson, D
Jackson Smith went 12 to the Rangers, Viktor Eklund 13 to the Wings, Carter Bear 16 to Montreal.

59. Tomas Poletin, LW
73. Maxim Schafer, RW
84. Conrad Fondrk, C
85. Yegor Borikov, RW
105. LJ Mooney, C (local kid)
130. Roman Bausov, D
148. Gabriel D'Aigle, G
169. Kieran Dervin, C
201. Jordan Gavin, LW

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6429388/2025/06/17/nhl-mock-draft-2025-seven-rounds-pronman/

Yeah I’d be disappointed with that outcome…trade up…hopefully we get two picks so we get a forward rather than simply taking a flyer on a low IQ D man lol

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I didn't see this shared, but Pronman went full hog at the Athletic and made a projection for every pick in the draft - all seven rounds. No trades. Just picks.

Top 10:
1. Islanders - Schaefer
2. Sharks - Misa
3. Hawks - Frondell
4. Mammoth - Martin
5. Predators - Desnoyers
6. Flyers - O'Brien
7. Bruins - McQueen
8. Kraken - Hagens
9. Sabres - Martone
10. Ducks - Mrtka

Penguins
11. Kashawn Aitcheson, D
Jackson Smith went 12 to the Rangers, Viktor Eklund 13 to the Wings, Carter Bear 16 to Montreal.

59. Tomas Poletin, LW
73. Maxim Schafer, RW
84. Conrad Fondrk, C
85. Yegor Borikov, RW
105. LJ Mooney, C (local kid)
130. Roman Bausov, D
148. Gabriel D'Aigle, G
169. Kieran Dervin, C
201. Jordan Gavin, LW

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6429388/2025/06/17/nhl-mock-draft-2025-seven-rounds-pronman/

Doing all seven rounds is insane

 

[Jared Grayden]

I didn't see this shared, but Pronman went full hog at the Athletic and made a projection for every pick in the draft - all seven rounds. No trades. Just picks.

Top 10:
1. Islanders - Schaefer
2. Sharks - Misa
3. Hawks - Frondell
4. Mammoth - Martin
5. Predators - Desnoyers
6. Flyers - O'Brien
7. Bruins - McQueen
8. Kraken - Hagens
9. Sabres - Martone
10. Ducks - Mrtka

I expect a very similar top 10. Different order of the last five is all I would change but I think those are the players that are going top 10. I would very much dislike Aitcheson. I think he's about as low upside as it gets.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Doing all seven rounds is insane

Yeah. Plus there is no way the Penguins use all 10 picks. I wouldn't be surprised if their pick allotment looks pretty different by the time the draft rolls around.

 

[The Old Master]

Wrong thread

i agree.

 

[Lust for Life]

Mooney would be cool. I think you should try to get 1 goalie and 1 really undersized but skilled guy in every draft. Those tend to be the best lottery tickets with late picks.

Mooney seem to be a real good grab at 105.

Ranked #71 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #73 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #33 by THN/FERRARI
Ranked #105 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #85 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #63 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #206 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #69 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #58 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #33 by SMAHT SCOUTING

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Feel like Mooney goes in 6-7th round. I’d take him there.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

I haven't done a deep dive on Zannon but people keep bringing him up. All lists have him as a late 1st. Unless we get a 30-40ov pick, I'm passing.

I heard, and maybe this is untrue, but Zonnon took off after moving from LW to C with the Huskies.

That is why he is worth further investigation.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

I will not be happy if we pass on Eklund. If the centers are all gone, he has to be the pick IMO.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

It's whole hog. Full hog has an entirely different meaning.