NHL Entry Draft Future Draft Watch

[Sens of Anarchy]

What are the developmental advantages of going the CHL route? It kind of seems the the NCAA-CHL dynamic might complicate that. There are already a number of top tier CHL players committed to playing in the NCAA and many of them will be doing that in their D+1 and D+2 seasons. That should lead to a reduction in talent across the league. There could be an influx of USHL/NAHL players as well as players from the AJHL, BCHL, CCHL, OJHL, etc of both drafted and undrafted players as they will no longer lose their NCAA eligibility for doing that. The CHL might get younger and the might give more opportunities to raw and less developed players.

It seems like this NCAA-CHL dynamic is going to have a much more significant impact on scouting and development. The development advantages of the CHL should change as well as the overall talent pool, which will change how prospects are evaluated. If players leave those other leagues and go the CHL route then that will make those other leagues less competitive and make it harder to evaluate prospects playing in those leagues.

Will it mean that all players pretty much go the CHL route and those other leagues get weaker? Will there be any advantages to keeping players in those leagues such as the USHL. With the reduction in talent will that delay the development of players going the CHL route? Will the influx of players from those other leagues be enough to offset the exodus of other players to make the developmental advantages be comparable to what they are now?

CHL will get younger 16,17,18 and offer better development opportunities for younger players. The Junior A leagues which were paths for these younger players looking to go the NCAA route will suffer more imo.

 

[BondraTime]

Edit: I'm wrong

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Chris Peters talks 2025 draft

Peters: Sens will have a lot centres to choose from at #21

Draft analyst Chris Peters on Matthew Schaefer expected to go 1st overall, forwards dominating the top 10, Michael Misa not going #2 and who is left for the Sens at 21st overall.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

With the Sens keeping their 1st round pick (21OA) I have been for moving it to get more immediate help to improve the roster... now that would not be a home run swing at a skilled prospect that had been passed over until 21 ..which our scouts may or may not have wanted.

It seems teams are not as enamored with this draft as the Sens in their very quick determination to keep the pick.

NHL rumblings: Why it could be a long summer, plus latest on Canadiens, Pettersson, Rust and more

Also, what a weak goalie market could mean for Jake Allen, and assessing the Ducks' logic behind the Trevor Zegras trade.

www.nytimes.com

Several teams with mid-range first-round picks are willing to move their draft capital to upgrade with ready-made, top-half-of-the-roster players, so we might get those trades by Friday night.

Personally not so sure you get a ready made top half of the roster player... But if the player fills a need and will help you get in the playoffs and win when you get there ... Maybe a trade down for a pick and a strong 4th line C type of player from a team looking to build draft capital.

We may see a player like Vansaghi go sooner than expected because he could be NHL ready earlier than most

Then again we could stay patient and take the biggest swing we can at a player like Ryker Lee and hope he is our next top 6 star.

 

[bicboi64]

Brady Martin prioritizing farm work over the draft. This kid will have old farmers strength as soon as he's drafted

 

[Hale The Villain]

Then again we could stay patient and take the biggest swing we can at a player like Ryker Lee and hope he is our next top 6 star.

Lee is interesting for several reasons.

At 15 he was only 5'3. Now he's listed at 6'0.5 and is apparently still growing.

He's a late-birthday but it's not inconceivable he ends up being 6'1-6'2, so height is no longer an issue for him, just needs to bulk up and get stronger.

That massive growth spurt is part of why his skating is still a major work in progress. That's his big weakness at this point, but if he improves it he could be a steal.

He's been described as one of the most talented players in the draft and his development curve is quite steep.

He doesn't have the grit/physicality that the Sens staff typically likes, but size isn't an issue like with Reshny or Kindel, so he could be a darkhorse option.

 

[RAFI BOMB]

With the Sens keeping their 1st round pick (21OA) I have been for moving it to get more immediate help to improve the roster... now that would not be a home run swing at a skilled prospect that had been passed over until 21 ..which our scouts may or may not have wanted.

It seems teams are not as enamored with this draft as the Sens in their very quick determination to keep the pick.

NHL rumblings: Why it could be a long summer, plus latest on Canadiens, Pettersson, Rust and more

Also, what a weak goalie market could mean for Jake Allen, and assessing the Ducks' logic behind the Trevor Zegras trade.

www.nytimes.com

Personally not so sure you get a ready made top half of the roster player... But if the player fills a need and will help you get in the playoffs and win when you get there ... Maybe a trade down for a pick and a strong 4th line C type of player from a team looking to build draft capital.

We may see a player like Vansaghi go sooner than expected because he could be NHL ready earlier than most

Then again we could stay patient and take the biggest swing we can at a player like Ryker Lee and hope he is our next top 6 star.

They could consider trading back to get a 2nd round pick.
Philadelphia: 22, 31, 36, 40, 48
Nashville: 23, 26, 35, 46, 55
Chicago: 25, 34, 62
Washington: 27, 37
Calgary: 32, 54

 

[DJB]

Nesbitt, Horcoff

I’ll leave that there

 

[BondraTime]

Lee is probably my favorite "realistic" guy, I have loved him him for well over a year seeing him while watching Zellers last season and then this year with Madison. Probably the best, realistic guy, that offers something that the Sens desperately lack in skill and offense. 21 is probably higher than I would have thought he would go, but the crop of guys available really isn't that appealing, grabbing a guy higher than expected is probably going to be happening multiple times Friday and Saturday.

They could consider trading back to get a 2nd round pick.
Philadelphia: 22, 31, 36, 40, 48
Nashville: 23, 26, 35, 46, 55
Chicago: 25, 34, 62
Washington: 27, 37
Calgary: 32, 54

Not sure there are going to be trade backs this year, teams seem to want to trade the picks away entirely, not sure teams are going to be looking at trading multiple picks to move up.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

They could consider trading back to get a 2nd round pick.
Philadelphia: 22, 31, 36, 40, 48
Nashville: 23, 26, 35, 46, 55
Chicago: 25, 34, 62
Washington: 27, 37
Calgary: 32, 54

This won't be a unique thought for teams at 20-32 looking to move down. If you look at the Bob rankings and the comments from scouts there seems to be a lot of parity from 20 down well into the 2nd.

maybe 31 and 48 could be realistic but I would keep that pair of picks
maybe 32 and 54

I don't think we get much traction on 22, 23, 25,27 unless someone higher on someone's list becomes available at 21 and is not as high on the Sens list

 

[GoodinOsgoode]

Nesbitt, Horcoff

I’ll leave that there

Just curious as to whether this is who you are wanting the Sens to draft or this is who you think they will draft?

 

[Hale The Villain]

Not sure there are going to be trade backs this year, teams seem to want to trade the picks away entirely, not sure teams are going to be looking at trading multiple picks to move up.

Even in a weak class I'm sure there will be some trading up/down.

If the scouts quoted in Bob's rankings are correct and there is indeed a fall off around pick 20, it's possible a team with 4-5 picks in the 1st/2nd like San Jose, Philadelphia or Nashville could offer a late 1st/early 2nd + an additional 2nd to move up to 21 to secure a guy in their top 15-20.

 

[RAFI BOMB]

Is this a good assessment of Ryker Lee?

 

[RAFI BOMB]

Can someone give me a commentary of the quality of play in the PHC and what we can take away from that in assessing prospects?

Rafael Cloutier had 1.86 pts per game this year.

Last year in the PHC
Dean Letourneau 1.79 pts per game
Will Zellers 1.57 pts per game
Ryker Lee 1.5 pts per game

Cloutier should be available in the 7th round. Born August 22nd, 2007, LW/C 6'3 192lbs
Here is Eliteprospects report on him

Cloutier offers many battling skills. He can resist and absorb contact and make plays out of it, by anticipating the pressure and using it to free the opposition. He can reverse hit, spin off checks, and protect the puck as he moves.

In the Q this year
29 GP 3G 8A 11PTS

Depending on what we can learn from the PHC, Cloutier might be an interesting target late in the draft.

 

[BondraTime]

Can someone give me a commentary of the quality of play in the PHC and what we can take away from that in assessing prospects?

Rafael Cloutier had 1.86 pts per game this year.

Last year in the PHC
Dean Letourneau 1.79 pts per game
Will Zellers 1.57 pts per game
Ryker Lee 1.5 pts per game

Cloutier should be available in the 7th round. Born August 22nd, 2007, LW/C 6'3 192lbs
Here is Eliteprospects report on him

In the Q this year
29 GP 3G 8A 11PTS

Depending on what we can learn from the PHC, Cloutier might be an interesting target late in the draft.

Shouldn't use the PHC for anything, it's just a small subset of their actual seasons in USHS

 

[PlayOn]

Will Horcoff is the sens pick. just ticks all the boxes.

-NHL bloodline
-Big rangy athletic kid (6'5)
-Specializes as a two way C guy, bottom 6 projection.
-Plays in the NTDP and NCAA program
-late bloomer with his size.

Funnily enough, the prospects were asked to pick a player they realistically think they could become and Horcoff picked Brady.

Logan Hensler picked Sanderson.

(They all basically picked some of the best players in the NHL, would’ve loved for a prospect to say they think they can become Michael Amadio or someone like that but at least they dream big)

2025 NHL Draft player poll: 50 top prospects give their own NHL projections

We asked prospects to answer candidly about a projected outcome for themselves rather than the usual lofty player comparables.

www.nytimes.com

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Speaking of soft skill a few pages back... anyone have an opinion they'd like to share on Flint's Jimmy Lombardi?

 

[aragorn]

Build from the net out.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Funnily enough, the prospects were asked to pick a player they realistically think they could become and Horcoff picked Brady.

Logan Hensler picked Sanderson.

(They all basically picked some of the best players in the NHL, would’ve loved for a prospect to say they think they can become Michael Amadio or someone like that but at least they dream big)

2025 NHL Draft player poll: 50 top prospects give their own NHL projections

We asked prospects to answer candidly about a projected outcome for themselves rather than the usual lofty player comparables.

www.nytimes.com

If Hensler drops to 21 maybe Sanderson can pick him

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Funnily enough, the prospects were asked to pick a player they realistically think they could become and Horcoff picked Brady.

Logan Hensler picked Sanderson.

(They all basically picked some of the best players in the NHL, would’ve loved for a prospect to say they think they can become Michael Amadio or someone like that but at least they dream big)

2025 NHL Draft player poll: 50 top prospects give their own NHL projections

We asked prospects to answer candidly about a projected outcome for themselves rather than the usual lofty player comparables.

www.nytimes.com

The moment I knew Sokolov would never be close to an NHLer was when he spoke about watching tape of Tage Thompson and Blake Wheeler over the summer and trying to model his game after them. He should have been watching Michael McCarron.

Vansaghi comparing himself to Anderson is a reasonably humble and honest response. I also like that a few of them cited Adrian Kempe. Excellent player, underappreciated.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Speaking of soft skill a few pages back... anyone have an opinion they'd like to share on Flint's Jimmy Lombardi?

He could be an option with one of the picks in the 90s the Sens have.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

He could be an option with one of the picks in the 90s the Sens have.

Seems to be where he is rated generally. Brock Otten is relatively high on him, though, and he knows his stuff. The player he is describing below seems like a guy you are very happy to get in the late 3rd or early 4th, but typically goes a bit higher. Based on the guys around him on Brocks list, it would seem he would consider taking him some time in the mid-to-late 2nd or early 3rd.

Here's his write-up

I continue to be aggressively high on Lombardi. Yes, consistency was a major issue. Yes, he needs to majorly bulk up. But, even with those issues, he led the Firebirds in assists this year. He was also among the OHL’s leaders in defensive and neutral zone takeaways. Oh…and he was among the OHL’s leaders in successfully completed dekes. I see a pivot with skill, creativity, and sense. He can be a real difference maker in transition with how he can create mismatches by taking defenders out of position. And even without elite skating ability or even adequate strength on the puck, he manages to cut through the middle and get to the net. When he gets that space, he looks good as a playmaker too and doesn't need to alter pace to make plays; his hands are great. Defensively, his awareness and instincts are terrific. He always seems to be in the right place, thus the high takeaway numbers. There are times where you wish he were better under pressure with the puck; he can be prone to offensive zone and neutral zone turnovers. However, I truly believe all of Lombardi's issues are related to him needing to bulk up. It'll help with his skating power and ability to build speed quicker. It'll help him be stronger on pucks and, in turn, help him cut down on turnovers. The upside here, IMO, is for him to develop into a really solid number two, all situations kind of center. But, I also believe he has a floor as an NHL player in some capacity too, obviously depending on how those physical tools improve. Lots to like and a player who shouldn't have fallen as much as he did on some lists in the second half.

Not saying I can't see him being available at 95, or even that he would be BPA then, but Otten's praise makes me wonder if he would be worth trading up a bit for.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Lot of interesting tidbits in Scott Wheeler's mock draft

- Sharks could surprise and go with Frondell/Desnoyers/Martone
- Misa told a team at the combine he wasn't sure if the Sharks were taking him
- Nashville has spent a lot of time watching Martone, including upper management
- Some are convinced O'Brien goes to Utah, Philly or Boston
- Mrtka has been connected to the Sabres
- Ducks took McQueen out to a "sneaky" dinner pre-combine
- Penguins are high on Hagens and Martone and could try to trade up to get one of them
- Smith and Lakovic have been linked to the Jackets
- Reid is trending to go in the teens and he knows the Habs are high on him
- Kings may want a big D at #24

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Seems to be where he is rated generally. Brock Otten is relatively high on him, though, and he knows his stuff. The player he is describing below seems like a guy you are very happy to get in the late 3rd or early 4th, but typically goes a bit higher. Based on the guys around him on Brocks list, it would seem he would consider taking him some time in the mid-to-late 2nd or early 3rd.

Here's his write-up

Not saying I can't see him being available at 95, or even that he would be BPA then, but Otten's praise makes me wonder if he would be worth trading up a bit for.

He is and has been a good source for OHL players. Of course he would have had us pick Dickinson last year so there are at least a couple people on here that will tell you he was wrong about that. (I am not one)