Prospect Info: Draft 2025: Is it too late to tank? Asking for a friend
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chrisp200
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- Aug 15, 2011
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Big Friggin Dummy
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- Feb 22, 2019
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Yeah that'd be cool. Dunno if this team has the assets or how worthwhile it'd be though.
Jacob
as seen on TV
- Feb 27, 2002
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I think there's a top 5, and one or two might fall out of the top 5 but they won't fall to 9. And then there's another group of 5-7 or so depending on how you weigh injuries, and we won't have our top pick but we should more or less have a choice out of 2 or maybe 3 of them.
And if we like someone there's no reason why we couldn't move up a couple spots, using one or several of our 2nds this or next year.
And if we like someone there's no reason why we couldn't move up a couple spots, using one or several of our 2nds this or next year.
Dominance
99-66-4-9-87/97
The updated April list, no less. Do I necessarily think McQueen, Smith and Bear will go that high? No, but it would be comical if we end up with a pick of two or more of Desnoyers, O’Brien and Frondell after all the doom and gloom.
- Jun 13, 2010
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Here's my "hopeful" (Penguin-slanted) mock draft with semi-reasonable reasoning.
1. SJS - Schaeffer - No brainers. They have the horses up front, time to add a horse in the back. Will make a great addition to Sam Dickenson on the back end and round out their young talent pool nicely. I COULD see Misa going as the foundation of their 2nd line, but I think in Schaeffer with the 99% odds here.
2. CHI - Misa - No brainer. It's Schaeffer and Misa 1-2. Then the rest. Similar to SJS, Misa will anchor the 2nd line for Chicago for years to come, unless they convert him or Bedard to wing to play alongside each other. I think you're looking at a Brayden Point player as center, but a Mitch Marner at wing, so you can pick your poison in how you want him to develop. If SJS take Misa, Chicago takes Schaeffer.
3. NSH - Hagens - I really struggled back and forth here. There are plenty of quality players to choose from, each with a different style. Reminiscent of the 2006 draft, where after Erik Johnson as the consensus #1, you had Toews, Backstrom, Staal, and Kessel all as 2-5ov players, and every list was different. Nashville is in a shit position and need to start rebuilding on the fly much like the Penguins. That starts at center. They opt for Hagens.
4. PHI - Martone - Let's face it, Martone screams Flyers hockey. The long-term culture of Philly makes Martone the perfect match. Now, do I think this is the smartest move? No. Philly is VERY weak on center and heavy on the wings. However, they have two more firsts and four seconds. They can load up on center and defense with 6 additional top 64 picks. Here, they select the player who fits their team and is a very rare commodity in the modern NHL.
5. BOS - Desnoyers - Boston will be rebuilding on the fly as well unless they opt to tear it down to the studs. So, looking at who they have, they are missing a top 6 center. They have a number of players who can play both center and wing, but their best options are currently Mittlestadt, Zacha, and Lindholm, although Lindholm has spent a fair amount of time on the wing. But thinking through who would complement Pastrnak the best, I think it's Desnoyers. Of note, I think Martone and Desnoyers are the 4/5 picks. It's possible Philly goes Desnoyers because of the family connection. If they do, Boston takes Martone as, again, he fits well with "Boston hockey".
6. SEA - Eklund - This is where things get tricky. I think Seattle is a true wild card in terms of who they take. At this point, I don't think there is a BPA. I think there are several guys all in the same boat at the same level. So we go to their roster and pool. They have Chandler and Beniers at center locked up long-term. They have Shane Wright and Berkeley Catton as well. They do not need a center. They need a high-end wing or a defenseman. I think 6th is too high to take Jackson Smith or Mrtka so I think they go with Eklund.
7. BUF - McQueen - I think their love for Tage Thompson and the usefulness of size at forward, they opt for potential here. They don't need defense. They need a forward. I opted for center here because I think they will have TT at wing more permanently with Norris if they find a solid 2C. That could be McQueen, it could be Helenius. With those two, one can also convert to a wing or become a 3C. With that, they have plenty of quality young players who are wings as well.
8. ANA - Frondell - Anaheim is another team with a bunch of quality forwards that all play different positions. Clearly, Carlsson will be their future 1C. After that, you have MacTavish and not much else. Yes, they have Strome but this is looking longer term. They have a bunch of quality wings that I think will work well with Frondell just as Eklund has. Being able to put a Zegras and Sennecke next to him is a major plus. That allows you to build a major top line of Gauthier-Carlsson-MacTavish. Their defense is solid with 3 quality young guys as well so I didn't think Jackson Smith, Mrtka, or Aitcheson was a super pressing need for them but I could see them taking Smith though I think the better option is certainly Frondell.
9. PIT - Jack O'Brien - At last, here we are. Based on the previous selections, JOB is the BPA and best center available. To us, BPA IS the BCA with a slight exception for Eklund but that would be purely based on him dropping to 9 which is possible. If Anaheim goes Smith or Mrtka, we go Frondell in my dreams, however, it's been reported that they like JOB so I believe this would be the pick. Matches up with everything we need. We need a center. A high-end one. JOB is as close as we get this year.
10. NYI - Radim Mrtka - NYI are a mess, honestly. Their roster is meh, the pool is meh, and they pretty much need everything. I went defense here, which I think is quite reasonable, as you have Smith and Mrtka both available. I think it's possible they ship out Dobson this off-season so restocking with a dman is very realistic given the drop in talent in forward after JOB. This could easily be Smith as well but I opted for the size.
11. NYR to PIT - Brady Martin - This one was tough, honestly. I could see Smith, Martin, Kindel, Aitchenson, or Lakovic here but I went with the Dubas connection with the Soo. This adds another quality center to the pool that is beyond desperate for centers. Adding JOB and Martin gives hope for at least one top 6 and one 3C for the future. Kindel, Carbanneau, and even Bear are VERY tempting here but I go for a decently sized center.
Wild card picks that could mess things up: Jackson Smith and Radim Mrtka. #2a/2b dmen of the draft IMO and if a team needs defense, they could opt for them ahead of several guys, most notably Anaheim. That shifts a couple of guys around.
Prime guys to climb - Jack O'Brien.
Prime guys to fall - Hagens and Frondell
Dark horses to get into the top 10 - Jackson Smith and Carter Bear if teams aren't worried about the injury.
1. SJS - Schaeffer - No brainers. They have the horses up front, time to add a horse in the back. Will make a great addition to Sam Dickenson on the back end and round out their young talent pool nicely. I COULD see Misa going as the foundation of their 2nd line, but I think in Schaeffer with the 99% odds here.
2. CHI - Misa - No brainer. It's Schaeffer and Misa 1-2. Then the rest. Similar to SJS, Misa will anchor the 2nd line for Chicago for years to come, unless they convert him or Bedard to wing to play alongside each other. I think you're looking at a Brayden Point player as center, but a Mitch Marner at wing, so you can pick your poison in how you want him to develop. If SJS take Misa, Chicago takes Schaeffer.
3. NSH - Hagens - I really struggled back and forth here. There are plenty of quality players to choose from, each with a different style. Reminiscent of the 2006 draft, where after Erik Johnson as the consensus #1, you had Toews, Backstrom, Staal, and Kessel all as 2-5ov players, and every list was different. Nashville is in a shit position and need to start rebuilding on the fly much like the Penguins. That starts at center. They opt for Hagens.
4. PHI - Martone - Let's face it, Martone screams Flyers hockey. The long-term culture of Philly makes Martone the perfect match. Now, do I think this is the smartest move? No. Philly is VERY weak on center and heavy on the wings. However, they have two more firsts and four seconds. They can load up on center and defense with 6 additional top 64 picks. Here, they select the player who fits their team and is a very rare commodity in the modern NHL.
5. BOS - Desnoyers - Boston will be rebuilding on the fly as well unless they opt to tear it down to the studs. So, looking at who they have, they are missing a top 6 center. They have a number of players who can play both center and wing, but their best options are currently Mittlestadt, Zacha, and Lindholm, although Lindholm has spent a fair amount of time on the wing. But thinking through who would complement Pastrnak the best, I think it's Desnoyers. Of note, I think Martone and Desnoyers are the 4/5 picks. It's possible Philly goes Desnoyers because of the family connection. If they do, Boston takes Martone as, again, he fits well with "Boston hockey".
6. SEA - Eklund - This is where things get tricky. I think Seattle is a true wild card in terms of who they take. At this point, I don't think there is a BPA. I think there are several guys all in the same boat at the same level. So we go to their roster and pool. They have Chandler and Beniers at center locked up long-term. They have Shane Wright and Berkeley Catton as well. They do not need a center. They need a high-end wing or a defenseman. I think 6th is too high to take Jackson Smith or Mrtka so I think they go with Eklund.
7. BUF - McQueen - I think their love for Tage Thompson and the usefulness of size at forward, they opt for potential here. They don't need defense. They need a forward. I opted for center here because I think they will have TT at wing more permanently with Norris if they find a solid 2C. That could be McQueen, it could be Helenius. With those two, one can also convert to a wing or become a 3C. With that, they have plenty of quality young players who are wings as well.
8. ANA - Frondell - Anaheim is another team with a bunch of quality forwards that all play different positions. Clearly, Carlsson will be their future 1C. After that, you have MacTavish and not much else. Yes, they have Strome but this is looking longer term. They have a bunch of quality wings that I think will work well with Frondell just as Eklund has. Being able to put a Zegras and Sennecke next to him is a major plus. That allows you to build a major top line of Gauthier-Carlsson-MacTavish. Their defense is solid with 3 quality young guys as well so I didn't think Jackson Smith, Mrtka, or Aitcheson was a super pressing need for them but I could see them taking Smith though I think the better option is certainly Frondell.
9. PIT - Jack O'Brien - At last, here we are. Based on the previous selections, JOB is the BPA and best center available. To us, BPA IS the BCA with a slight exception for Eklund but that would be purely based on him dropping to 9 which is possible. If Anaheim goes Smith or Mrtka, we go Frondell in my dreams, however, it's been reported that they like JOB so I believe this would be the pick. Matches up with everything we need. We need a center. A high-end one. JOB is as close as we get this year.
10. NYI - Radim Mrtka - NYI are a mess, honestly. Their roster is meh, the pool is meh, and they pretty much need everything. I went defense here, which I think is quite reasonable, as you have Smith and Mrtka both available. I think it's possible they ship out Dobson this off-season so restocking with a dman is very realistic given the drop in talent in forward after JOB. This could easily be Smith as well but I opted for the size.
11. NYR to PIT - Brady Martin - This one was tough, honestly. I could see Smith, Martin, Kindel, Aitchenson, or Lakovic here but I went with the Dubas connection with the Soo. This adds another quality center to the pool that is beyond desperate for centers. Adding JOB and Martin gives hope for at least one top 6 and one 3C for the future. Kindel, Carbanneau, and even Bear are VERY tempting here but I go for a decently sized center.
Wild card picks that could mess things up: Jackson Smith and Radim Mrtka. #2a/2b dmen of the draft IMO and if a team needs defense, they could opt for them ahead of several guys, most notably Anaheim. That shifts a couple of guys around.
Prime guys to climb - Jack O'Brien.
Prime guys to fall - Hagens and Frondell
Dark horses to get into the top 10 - Jackson Smith and Carter Bear if teams aren't worried about the injury.
Ugene Magic
EVIL LAUGH
Maybe if we had our own 2nd, I don't see anyone biting on the Caps 2nd or next years. If it was to move into the top 5 it would be worth putting 2-2nds with our 1st but not going from 9th to 7th.
Those 2nds could be put to better use going after young NHL ready players.
DrDangles
Registered User
- Mar 1, 2013
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18 years old typically bounce back easier from most injuries, I still don't think he falls out of the top 15.
Big Friggin Dummy
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- Feb 22, 2019
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Well Misa's reportedly being recruited by Boston U to play there next season, so, if that happens expect this team to find a way to land the guy.
If we are lucky we will manage a bottom 5 finish next year, but the Pens need to be prepared to find talent outside the first 5 picks. Dubas isn't going to gut the roster enough to make a firm bottom 5 finish likely.
Luigi Lemieux
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- Sep 26, 2003
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Could very well walk away with Frondell and Desnoyers. No need to freak out, there's always surprises in the top 10.
Ryder71
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- Nov 24, 2017
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I'm not so sure someone's gonna take McQueen that high. In fact at the moment I seriously doubt that. You can sugarcoat it but picking 9th is far from ideal.
The Old Master
come and take it.
Why are we all so certain that the Pens will have that NYR #1 pick THIS year?
For the sake of selling tickets to their fans, Ranger management has to at least pretend they will be much improved next season; just like Penguin management has to pretend they have some sort of "plan" for rebuilding-retooling-whatever instead of just wallowing in terminal mediocrity.
NYR has to believe their 2026 #1 will be farther down in round 1 -- so they'll very likely let the Pens have that, and keep 11OV in 2025. Sure it's a risk because the Rangers could fall on their faces in 2025-26.
We HOPE that happens, but that's mostly wishful thinking even if that wishful thinking has a little bit of logic to support it.
For the sake of selling tickets to their fans, Ranger management has to at least pretend they will be much improved next season; just like Penguin management has to pretend they have some sort of "plan" for rebuilding-retooling-whatever instead of just wallowing in terminal mediocrity.
NYR has to believe their 2026 #1 will be farther down in round 1 -- so they'll very likely let the Pens have that, and keep 11OV in 2025. Sure it's a risk because the Rangers could fall on their faces in 2025-26.
We HOPE that happens, but that's mostly wishful thinking even if that wishful thinking has a little bit of logic to support it.
Gurglesons
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Empoleon8771
Registered User
No one is "so certain" of that. It feels more likely that they will give it this year, but no one would be surprised if they defer it to next year either.
If anything, I feel like most people here are hoping it gets deferred to next year.
Ryder71
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- Nov 24, 2017
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Either way it's a conundrum for the Rags. Either we get 11th OA this year OR an unprotected first next year. That's a great scenario for us. I think the RAGS will keep it this year but if so they're taking a pretty big chance.
It's only 2 years but William's numbers are super impressive. If they stay at 9, I might be intrigued by Lakovic's reported skating and ability to generate offense from all over the ice. Yes he's not a C but about 35 of those will be gone by the time the Pens pick.
Big Friggin Dummy
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Maybe he develops in a way that makes me eat a ton of crow but I really do not want McQueen, man. Basically the only name that gets tossed around that I'll be genuinely annoyed with if they pick him--whether with their own pick or the Rangers' if they send over this year's.
- Jun 13, 2010
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Maybe? It's not unreasonable what you said and in fact, I may tend to agree. But I spent the morning watching several mock draft videos and looking at lists and nearly everything single one has him higher than 9th. Yes, the injury is a concern and he may drop but seems like the drop is from 5/6 to 7/8 not to 15.
It's anyone's guess but there aren't many thinking he's outside the top 10. Just sayin. I mean, honestly, the higher he goes, the better for us. We should all be hoping he goes 5-6-7.
We aren't. It's more for discussion's sake. More fun to discuss taking two top 13 guys instead of just one.
As a minor quibble, the Capitals, Wild, and Senators pick positions will change depending on the playoffs. If the Wild and/or Senators make it to the Conference Final, their picks will be a few spots later. If the Capitals don't make it to the Conference Final, their pick will be a few spots earlier. I think that probably, the Wild and Senators picks will be about where they are, but the Capitals will end up being earlier.
Also, if someone like Montreal, who is ranked lower, makes it to the Conference Final, and the Wild and Senators don't, that could push the picks a spot earlier, but that seems even less likely.
Empoleon8771
Registered User
No that's only with 1st round picks I believe. The 2nd and 3rd rounders go purely based on the standings.
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