Official 2025 NHL DRAFT Discussion (UPD: UHC wins 2nd Lottery, will have 4OA pick.)

[Heldig]

Rank em!!

Desnoyers
Frondell
Hagens
McQueen

For me it's...
Desnoyers
McQueen
Frondell
Hagens

Hagens
Frondell
McQueen
Desnoyers

 

[lanky]

Hagens
Frondell
McQueen
Desnoyers

It's the inverse of mine, yet I still love it. I'm so pumped that we're in a position to add a high quality C. I trust Bill to pick a good one.

Even if he goes off--the-board and picks Martin or O'Brien, I'll still be happy because we weren't gonna have a chance at them at 14 OA.

 

[Heldig]

It's the inverse of mine, yet I still love it. I'm so pumped that we're in a position to add a high quality C. I trust Bill to pick a good one.

Even if he goes off--the-board and picks Martin or O'Brien, I'll still be happy because we weren't gonna have a chance at them at 14 OA.

Hard not to grab an impact player at 4OA.

 

[lanky]

James Hagens couldn’t be further from Cole Beaudoin. He’s a slightly below average sized, skill center who might project more as a winger at the NHL level. Claude Giroux as another comparable? I think it was Button who even mentioned Cooley as a comparable.

I've heard two of my favourite scouts contrast Hagens with Cooley. Similar size C from USNTDP.
@Blue Chip Prospect noted that Hagens doesn't have the competitive intensity that Cooley showed at the same age. While Brad from HockeyProspect.com noted that Cooley would always try something new, while trying to push his growth and learning as a player, but Hagens sticks with the same tricks and patterns he's comfortable with.

 

[PainForShane]

Hagens
Frondell
McQueen
Desnoyers

For me, I don't follow prospects as much as some here, but I have Frondell > Desnoyers. Quick look at Frondell stats show that he was around a point a game in very limited ice time (in a league of adults), and his team got promoted. If both those guys are picked (unlikely), then whichever of Schaefer / Misa falls to us.

Also, Hagens seems very good, also he played in BC (rivals with BU where Keller went to school) so BA should be really familiar with that division as well.

Either way I trust BA even if he goes off board. Winning the lottery was a really lucky result for us, this should be an impact player

 

[Schemp]

I wonder what it would take to move up? NYI seems to like local boy Hagens and lack prospect depth...

 

[Schemp]

...Interesting...
Keep the pick...

Hagens,Frondell,Desnoyers

Trade up...

Target Misa, NYI may be enticed if hometown Hagens is still there at 4

Trade down...

Desnoyer may still be there at 6
Morgan Geekie + 7 OA
Shane Wright + 8 OA

Trade for a player...

I'd trade it for Larkin!

maybe Macelli for Tarasenko to complete it. Have a feeling Detroit would ask for McBain instead.

 

[Llewzaher]

I would like to see us in the top 2 .. I wonder what the cost would be

 

[Mangosteen]

As long as we don’t draft a player at 4 who would be available at 8

That would really be a sour feeling

Or 16 to 20 like a certain defenseman

 

[Arizonatah]

Does Hagens project to C in the NHL too or is there a chance he has to be converted to wing? What about the others?

Whichever kid we take needs to be a C at the NHL level, IMO. I don't want to thinkwere getting a C but ending up with a winger.

 

[Dr VinnyBoombatz]

this is just my opinion

Misa - center
Hagens - winger
Frondell - center
Desnoyers - center

 

[lanky]

Hagens plays full time C but his questionable commitment to playing the tough areas calls into question his future as a C.

Frondell plays C at the junior level but W at the men's level.

Desnoyers and McQueen are full time C's that project as C's.

I expect all four will be C's but you never know.

 

[Arizonatah]

I've also heard others say that Hagens might not be an NHL center. Sounds like he has the highest risk of conversion. That makes him less appealing for me.

 

[Arizonatah]

Still don't know enough to say who it is I really want most.

 

[themilosh]

Hagens,Frondell,Desnoyers

Target Misa, NYI may be enticed if hometown Hagens is still there at 4

Desnoyer may still be there at 6
Morgan Geekie + 7 OA
Shane Wright + 8 OA

maybe Macelli for Tarasenko to complete it. Have a feeling Detroit would ask for McBain instead.

What about trading 4oa to Habs for #16,17 1st rounders, plus Mailloux (RHD) and 1 of Roy/Kappanen (3/2C)?

 

[Mangosteen]

Once again fricking BA in all his pressers never talks about Keller, Serg or Smaltzy... It's like the don't exist in his brain... Keller is our fricking captain, it's all about his draft picks.

 

[TheLegend]

 

[Arizonatah]

Once again fricking BA in all his pressers never talks about Keller, Serg or Smaltzy... It's like the don't exist in his brain... Keller is our fricking captain, it's all about his draft picks.

I can't believe he isn't talking about Keller, Serg or Smaltzy at post-draft lottery pressers either! It's not like all the questions he's being asked are about prospects and the draft or anything. Geez!

 

[Arizonatah]

"Could you imagine a center depth chart of Logan Cooley, James Hagens, Tij Iginla and Cole Beaudoin?"

He is counting Iginla as a C. Isn't he projecting to be an NHL winger? Maybe he meant Hayton?

 

[TheLegend]

"Could you imagine a center depth chart of Logan Cooley, James Hagens, Tij Iginla and Cole Beaudoin?"

He is counting Iginla as a C. Isn't he projecting to be an NHL winger? Maybe he meant Hayton?

Hayton can play both C and W.

 

[Arizonatah]

Hayton can play both C and W.

Yeah, but what about Iginla? Are we expecting him to play any C for UHC? Brogan is counting him as part of our C depth. Everything I've heard says winger. That's why I was wondering if he meant to say Hayton instead of Iginla. Or if I've just heard wrong.

 

[TheLegend]

Yeah, but what about Iginla? Are we expecting him to play any C for UHC? Brogan is counting him as part of our C depth.

I wouldn't worry about it at this point. We have to see who we draft first.

 

[Arizonatah]

I wouldn't worry about it at this point. We have to see who we draft first.

Mostly just trying to decide who I like best and rationalize why. Hagens worries me a little bit though. Not really sure if he should.

 

[Mangosteen]

I can't believe he isn't talking about Keller, Serg or Smaltzy at post-draft lottery pressers either! It's not like all the questions he's being asked are about prospects and the draft or anything. Geez!

Listen to your own post again. The one podcast on Sam and Bill. Bill had plenty of opportunity to talk about core player but it's only nepotism of his drafting he mentions.

 

[Arizonatah]

Listen to your own post again. The one podcast on Sam and Bill. Bill had plenty of opportunity to talk about core player but it's only nepotism of his drafting he mentions.

Because everyone wants to hear about three players that have spent years in the NHL already on the day of / day after the draft lottery - instead of the draft and prospects. I just skimmed it again and clearly it wasn't the place to talk about Schmaltz, Keller, or Sergy. That's not what he was invited on these shows to talk about.