Official 2025 NHL Draft Thread

[JustJeff]

In the off chance that anyone here is still reeling from The Connor Bunnaman Trade, there's a defenseman playing for Waterloo of the USHL, just called up from the NAHL, named Ryan Whiterabbit. I would categorize his play as that of a wascally wabbit. Average size but some decent puck skills and absolutely decleated a couple of skaters to break up a couple of rushes. Committed to Augustana, a new program from what I understand, do probably won't get drafted, but , come on, with that name, someone has to take him. After the flyers hired Michael Buffer to announce Jett Luchanko's selection, I'd like to see them bring in Mel Blanc IV to announce this kid.

Waterloo also has an interesting Slovakian LW prospect named Alex Misiak. Only been with the team a few weeks and is already around PPG. Good skaters, nice acceleration, good edges, some puck skills and a decent shot. Well worth some more views. Older brother was drafted in the second round by Chicago a few years ago, so he's got some good bloodlines.

 

[IronMarshal]

Two of the least talked about guys. Glad to see them so high in your list!

Two good players. Bear has a great engine and is skilled. Lak is huge and skilled.

 

[MacDonald4MVP]

Isles and Pens winning is good for us both having a higher pick and being further away from any playoff hopes forcing Briere to sell.

Edit: Sabers won three in a row so there's still a chance for them to leapfrog us.

 

[IronMarshal]

I gave Tankathon a spin last night and the Flyers got the number one pick. I stopped at that point. Let’s hope DB has that kind of luck!

 

[IronMarshal]

If the Flyers get lucky and get the first pick, who do they choose? I think most here would go Hagens, Personally I would take Misa over Hagens, but I think Schaefer is the best player in the draft. It would be a hard choice between the two. Briere seems set on adding a 1C, so I think that is the Flyers pick, but the reality is they need a 1D too. I project Schaefer's floor as a very good 1D, and I can see him as a Doughty/Heiskanen or maybe Ray Bourque like. I think he is able to be that good, but a lot of players never reach their potential. Those are lofty names and I may be way off here.
If they go center in this situation Misa has the higher upside I think than Hagens. Both will be good 1Cs in all likelihood. The Flyers probably need the 1C more than the 1D, but may be able to get the 1C in trade or FA. The 1D may be harder to get, so it is a dilemma.
I'm curious who others would take number 1.

 

[BigToe]

This years USNTDP team is trash.

 

[BigToe]

 

[BernieParent]

I gave Tankathon a spin last night and the Flyers got the number one pick. I stopped at that point. Let’s hope DB has that kind of luck!

It took me 36 tries before getting the Flyers to 1st overall, before which the Penguins had won 3 times.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

If the Flyers get lucky and get the first pick, who do they choose? I think most here would go Hagens, Personally I would take Misa over Hagens, but I think Schaefer is the best player in the draft. It would be a hard choice between the two. Briere seems set on adding a 1C, so I think that is the Flyers pick, but the reality is they need a 1D too. I project Schaefer's floor as a very good 1D, and I can see him as a Doughty/Heiskanen or maybe Ray Bourque like. I think he is able to be that good, but a lot of players never reach their potential. Those are lofty names and I may be way off here.
If they go center in this situation Misa has the higher upside I think than Hagens. Both will be good 1Cs in all likelihood. The Flyers probably need the 1C more than the 1D, but may be able to get the 1C in trade or FA. The 1D may be harder to get, so it is a dilemma.
I'm curious who others would take number 1.

Hagens without hesitation imo.

 

[Appleyard]

 

[Appleyard]

Fun one:
Tomas Galvas might go top 100 this year when should have gone last year... should have gone top 100 last year!
Topias Hynninen might go 2nd round this year... when should have gone top 100 last year.
Jamiro Reber might go 2nd round this year... when should have gone in mid rounds last year.
Ludvig Johnson might go 2nd round this year... when should have gone in mid rounds last year.
Petteri Rimpinien will go probably 4th-5th round this year... when should have gone last year.


Will Felicio, Artyom Shchuchinov, Roman Luttsev, Aidan Park, Tyler Borgula, Niklas Nykyri, Mitja Jokinen, Daniel Nieminen, Daniel Ustinkov, Anthony Cristoforo, Alexander Zetterberg, Tuomas Suoniemi, Matvei Babenko, Felix Lacerte, Yegor Graf, Karl Sterner, Liam Danielsson...

all undrafted too. Half might get drafted this year despite most not making big leaps really.

 

[renberg]

Appleyard, today I heard an evaluator saying that there might be some credence to the theory that some of the prospects for this year’s draft have been impacted by the Covid era. That this has delayed their development and there might be more ceiling for them yet to be tapped. Thoughts?

 

[BigToe]

 

[Appleyard]

 

[Appleyard]

I mean, yeh, it can matter in terms of the top say 3-5 picks... but after that in 90% of drafts it really does not make any difference.

 

[Larry44]

If the Flyers get lucky and get the first pick, who do they choose? I think most here would go Hagens, Personally I would take Misa over Hagens, but I think Schaefer is the best player in the draft. It would be a hard choice between the two. Briere seems set on adding a 1C, so I think that is the Flyers pick, but the reality is they need a 1D too. I project Schaefer's floor as a very good 1D, and I can see him as a Doughty/Heiskanen or maybe Ray Bourque like. I think he is able to be that good, but a lot of players never reach their potential. Those are lofty names and I may be way off here.
If they go center in this situation Misa has the higher upside I think than Hagens. Both will be good 1Cs in all likelihood. The Flyers probably need the 1C more than the 1D, but may be able to get the 1C in trade or FA. The 1D may be harder to get, so it is a dilemma.
I'm curious who others would take number 1.

Schaefer and it's not close for me. Do you want someone who could end up on LW or as a 2C, or a 1D kid who skates and controls the game like Makar and Hughes but is 6'2" AND is born in Hamilton? No brainer. In the games he played, he was by far the best player on the WJC team.

 

[BigToe]

I mean, yeh, it can matter in terms of the top say 3-5 picks... but after that in 90% of drafts it really does not make any difference.

Have you seen any of Svrcek? Not the best J20 numbers but seems to be doing fine in the SHL. I like the skill/skating combo.

 

[renberg]

What is the consensus of n Hagens? I watched him in a few games. My read is that he’s no Bedard, Cellebrini or for that matter Michkov. Is he a play mover or someone who benefits from strong line mates? Right now I can see him sliding in the draft out of the top three or so.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

What is the consensus of n Hagens? I watched him in a few games. My read is that he’s no Bedard, Cellebrini or for that matter Michkov. Is he a play mover or someone who benefits from strong line mates? Right now I can see him sliding in the draft out of the top three or so.

Maybe you're thinking Beniers?

 

[renberg]

Maybe you're thinking Beniers?

Hagens the prospect from BC for the ‘25 draft

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

Hagens the prospect from BC for the ‘25 draft

No I get that, but I mean as someone that could be similar.

 

[Appleyard]

Have you seen any of Svrcek? Not the best J20 numbers but seems to be doing fine in the SHL. I like the skill/skating combo.

He is an interesting player.

Also, that Brynas J20 team have been pretty low scoring and he has been their best player, I think on a different team he would have better production. Hugo Lejon is P/GP in Allsvenskan and was about the same for Brynas J20! And he has been better than Hillstrom who might go top 60 or so.

Svreck will probably be there in the 3rd round or so due to his size and if he is has a great chance to be a steal. I think there is a chance that he could become a 40-50 point NHLer one day if everything goes very well.

 

[BiggE]

If by some miracle the Flyers land the #1 pick, I’m leaning towards Schaefer.

That being said, winning either the 1st or 2nd pick would be fantastic as I think you can’t go wrong with any of Schaefer, Misa or Hagens.

He is an interesting player.

Also, that Brynas J20 team have been pretty low scoring and he has been their best player, I think on a different team he would have better production. Hugo Lejon is P/GP in Allsvenskan and was about the same for Brynas J20! And he has been better than Hillstrom who might go top 60 or so.

Svreck will probably be there in the 3rd round or so due to his size and if he is has a great chance to be a steal. I think there is a chance that he could become a 40-50 point NHLer one day if everything goes very well.

With the Flyers likely picking in the top 10 this spring, who would be your current top 10 prospects?

 

[Appleyard]

If by some miracle the Flyers land the #1 pick, I’m leaning towards Schaefer.

That being said, winning either the 1st or 2nd pick would be fantastic as I think you can’t go wrong with any of Schaefer, Misa or Hagens.


With the Flyers likely picking in the top 10 this spring, who would be your current top 10 prospects?

Schaefer, Misa, Hagens and Martone are understandably the consensus top 4.

Then it gets harder.

Ryabkin, Eklund, Smith, Frondell, Bear, Desnoyers, McQueen, O'Brien, Mrtka, Lakovic, Hensler are the concensus next group really of ~10-11 guys to take it to 15.

For me I would lean Smith, Ryabkin, Frondell, Eklund and Bear rounding out top ten but have not given too much of a thought to the order.

 

[Appleyard]

In terms of NHL draft rankings anyway... generally I am only watching CHL and NCAA guys these days at the end of the season tbh... when run my CHL draft year numbers and Frozen Four is on.

Have to commit a hell of a lot of time to Euro based guys for obvious reasons now, and not just draft eligible guys but draft +1 and sometimes +2 as well. Watch more NAHL and BCHL than CHL the last two seasons!