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

[Jared Grayden]

I think his ceiling is a really solid, two-way number four that you can deploy in almost any situation regardless of circumstance.

My problem is that the ceiling on guys like Mrtka, Smith, Hensler is more optimistic as well have superior physical tools. That's what concerns me with Aitcheson. Getting a good 4D is nice, but really only something I want at #12 with a safe projection. And even Jesse admits that isn't the case with him. So now it's a lot of value placed on what he does that isn't measured in between whistles.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

I'm happy we are getting the Rags pick this year. Wr can speed up this process and have more options to make moves as well

 

[Andy99]

I've talked about Aitcheson so much already, but I'll say it again, I clearly see the appeal with Aitcheson and he can be a really unique kind of player if he can pan out. The physicality plus offense combination he could offer would be extremely valuable as a middle pair guy, I'm just concerned about the downside with him. It's not even "he can be a bust", it's also wondering if he can be a bad player in the NHL but continues to play simply because of his physicality. Same situation as Jack Johnson.

He's not the guy I'm hoping they draft because I am scared of his downside, but I won't be mad if they draft him because I clearly see the appeal with him. They just better be right with him if they take him.

I mean, I think the point is that at that high in round one, there’s no reason to be focused on physicality…again best combo remaining of skating, hockey IQ, desire to be great/compete and skill…that might be Aitcheson (despite questionable IQ) depending how 1-10 picks go but in no way should the focus be on physicality over the other traits

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Man, I'm having a really hard time getting excited about any of the names we could realistically draft. Definitely don't want McQueen. I guess Mrtka and Aitcheson are intriguing. I don't know. I don't like this draft.

 

[Lust for Life]

For what it's worth, this is the consolidated top-12 from Eliteprospects. They take the rankings from a whole bunch of different places.

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Martone
4. Hagens
5. Desnoyers
6. Frondell
7. Eklund
8. O'Brien
9. McQueen
10. Smith
11. Mrtka
12. Martin

 

[SomeDude]

that sounds like a player with a LOT of potential pitfalls when it comes to moving through the next two levels of pro hockey.

You just described virtually this entire draft class. All these guys have more, or more glaring, flaws than you’d like to see at the top end of a draft.

Inevitably, some of these guys are gonna hit and be good, including ones drafted later, but this is not the ideal year to have 2 picks in the top 15.

I’m on team trade back. If you’re gonna get a guy with question marks anyways, swing for the fences. Mason West is gonna be either the next Tage Thompson or Paul Bittner. I love the upside, though.

 

[Lust for Life]

Now that we got #12, I'd definitely talk with Montreal to move down to 16 and pick up our own second rounder from them.

 

[The Old Master]

I think there is a very good chance that the Penguins feel they need/want a top tier defenseman prospect in their system and with two picks B2B in the first round I have to assume that is what they are going to make happen. I don't personally think there ARE any available at that slot but I think there is a good chance the Penguins talk themselves into believing there is.

at where we are picking.in a weak draft and knowing that there is a chance the kid could end up busts. having two shots to pick the right guy is not a bad thing
please move up.

 

[Turin]

would love to use NYRs pick to move up now

 

[SomeDude]

I think there is a very good chance that the Penguins feel they need/want a top tier defenseman prospect in their system and with two picks B2B in the first round I have to assume that is what they are going to make happen. I don't personally think there ARE any available at that slot but I think there is a good chance the Penguins talk themselves into believing there is.

Another reason to trade back for me. I like Sascha Boumedienne. Reminds me of Shea Theodore.

Ironically I like some of the guys who are projected at fringe 1st rounders more than a lot the guys who are projected at 10th.

 

[Jacob]

Yes. He's also playing against men

Mediocre men, in Sweden's version of the AHL.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

You just described virtually this entire draft class. All these guys have more, or more glaring, flaws than you’d like to see at the top end of a draft.

Inevitably, some of these guys are gonna hit and be good including ones drafted later, but this is not the year to have 2 picks in the top 15.

I’m on team trade back. If you’re gonna get a guy with question marks anyways, swing for the fences. Mason West is gonna be either the next Tage Thompson or Paul Bittner. I love the upside, though.

I am not nearly informed enough on this draft to give any specific targets I'd like to see. But from everything I've read the bolded sounds about right.

Of course there are going to be a handful of guys that pan out in our range and I am obviously hoping for that but like... not enough to build much hope/excitement on. It does feel a little like a dick-kick to have two top third-ish picks in this kind of draft. But I'll hope for the best.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If the Penguins get another late 1st by trading Rust, I wouldn't mind looking at Malcom Spence with that pick. He has definitely slid from where he was projected to go, but he still had a decent season with Erie this year and is committed to Michigan for next year.

Especially if they draft Hagens with their early 1st, I would be happy to add a physical LW with size like Spence with a late 1st.

 

[SEALBound]

Perfect scenario is that you use the 11th+ to jump up to 7-9 and snag Martone or Hagens, and you find a guy like Eklund or Smith sitting there at 12th.

Rakell + 11 to Seattle for 8ov + 25 2nd (they have 38 and 57, I'd ask for 38). In this scenario, they take Mrtka, who I still think should be their target.

We take Hagens/Martin/JOB and then Eklund (or another dropper) at 12. I would not shy away from McQueen either. Getting Hagens+McQueen would be a major win. Then I'd try to grab Cole McKinney at 38. Quite possible, if all goes well, that you have your next 1-3C for the next 15 years.

 

[SEALBound]

Now that we got #12, I'd definitely talk with Montreal to move down to 16 and pick up our own second rounder from them.

Depending on who is there, I would absolutely discuss this and have the final decision point at pick 11.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

The more I think about it, the more I think this makes McQueen a Pen. With the reports of everyone being scared to take him top 10, having the extra pick gives Dubi the freedom to take the risk. As long as 11 hits, he can take the risk of McQueen just being a big bottom-six forward.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Another reason to trade back for me. I like Sascha Boumedienne. Reminds me of Shea Theodore.

Ironically I like some of the guys who are projected at fringe 1st rounders more than a lot the guys who are projected at 10th.

It would be cool to trade down and target any picks gained for next year's draft. Although I'm sure every other GM is already savvy to that plan and will put at least a slight premium on them.

Maybe use one pick at that slot (11 or 12) to throw a bone to the fanbase that just sat through an utter assboil of a season and use the other to pick up another pick or two while moving down to the bottom of the first round or even the second? Based on everything that has been posted here for months there are some decently intriguing guys that should be hangin' around in the second and even third rounds... hell there always is even in garbo drafts.

 

[Jared Grayden]

The more I think about it, the more I think this makes McQueen a Pen. With the reports of everyone being scared to take him top 10, having the extra pick gives Dubi the freedom to take the risk. As long as 11 hits, he can take the risk of McQueen just being a big bottom-six forward.

Wheeler surveyed scouts from 10 different teams and eight of them said McQueen is a top 10 pick. I expect one of Buffalo or Anaheim take McQueen if he is available. Both can risk a top 10 pick on him.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Mediocre men, in Sweden's version of the AHL.

What's wrong with being a mediocre man?

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Yeah Hagens is the 2nd most likely guy to slide out of the top-10 in my eyes, after Eklund.

Eklund then McQueen imo

Even in the tsn rankings some teams said “we wouldn’t draft him where we ranked him”

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I think if you want safe Eklund gives you that. Obv anyone can bust but feel pretty good he’s at worst a valuable, gritty 3rd liner who drives some play.

Whereas Aitcheson just simply may bust entirely imo. And doesn’t have big time upside.

 

[deakka]

Saw wheeler wrote he'd bet pens take Aitcheson/Smith anf that pens are connected to Lakovic . What a brutal outcome if we cone out with Aitcheson and Lakovic, lol

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

im def lukewarm on Lakovic but I can get behind it

Same with Smith

upside not an issue for either

I think people are overrating Martone, O’Brien etc personally. Would I love if they fell? Yes. Just not seeing some monster gap from them to Eklund and the rest.

I am very happy to sit with two picks and take the two players at top of board. I don’t think there’s a major gap.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I’m on team trade back. If you’re gonna get a guy with question marks anyways, swing for the fences. Mason West is gonna be either the next Tage Thompson or Paul Bittner. I love the upside, though.

OK so I've looked into this guy and I'm for sure on board starting in the second round, even.

Certainly not a ton to go on with him but dude is about as intriguing of a profile as I've seen.

Huge boom or bust potential IMO. Well worth a look in a draft like this.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

What's wrong with being a mediocre man?

Well, it's better to be a golden god.