Official 2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[Wangstar]

Martin and Ryabkin, our first 2 picks.

 

[Larry44]

Yeah I’m just saying those two might be considering Penn State apparently too if it’s not the NHL at least for Michael Misa.

Lots to recommend it. Campus life and lighter schedule vs riding buses all over rural Canada. And still get to go to WJC.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

Any sense that the Flyers could go for Mrtka at #6?

He seemed to impress at the U18s, which I know is important for Flyers management.

 

[tymed]

At #6 gimme Eklund all day.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Since I'm sure he will be discussed a lot over the next two months, Jake O'Brien had 50 of his 98 points come on the Powerplay which was 51% of his points.

Between the 2008-2020 Drafts, here are the players who were 1.00 PPG+ (for simplicity) and had at least half of their points on the PP:

Mikkel Bodker

Ryan Nugent Hopkins

Chris Doyle

Brooks Macek

Michael Rasmussen

Brendan Perlini

Cody Hodgson

Morgan Klimchuk

Not the best bucket.

Now just below that threshold (45%) you have notables-

Hits:
Skinner
Monahan
Scheifele (first year in Junior)

"Busts":
Puempel - 24th Overall
Beach - 11th Overall
Dal Colle - 5th Overall

Third round picks that played for the Flyers:
Weal
Cousins

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I think you can bring the next tier of defensemen into the mix now that they dropped down to 6.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Since I'm sure he will be discussed a lot over the next two months, Jake O'Brien had 50 of his 98 points come on the Powerplay which was 51% of his points.

Between the 2008-2020 Drafts, here are the players who were 1.00 PPG+ (for simplicity) and had at least half of their points on the PP:

Mikkel Bodker

Ryan Nugent Hopkins

Chris Doyle

Brooks Macek

Michael Rasmussen

Brendan Perlini

Cody Hodgson

Morgan Klimchuk

Not the best bucket.

Now just below that threshold (45%) you have notables-

Hits:
Skinner
Monahan
Scheifele (first year in Junior)

"Busts":
Puempel - 24th Overall
Beach - 11th Overall
Dal Colle - 5th Overall

Third round picks that played for the Flyers:
Weal
Cousins

This scares me. Being able to beat up on shorthanded CHL’ers and not at even strength is concerning. Plus he had one of the greatest OHL goal scorers playing with him. Maybe O’Brien helped him some but I think it was more the other way.

What’s the group of players you like best at 6?

 

[FLYguy3911]

Any sense that the Flyers could go for Mrtka at #6?

He seemed to impress at the U18s, which I know is important for Flyers management.

I'd be shocked if they don't take a Center but if there was an upset, yeah I could see it. He's got intriguing physical tools but seems far from polished and mistake prone. Color me skeptical this is the organization to get the most out of him....

 

[FLYguy3911]

I was going to wait until after the lottery to ponder you this thought- We have a defenseman that played 17 regular season games and is viewed as a near-unanimous 1st overall pick. Does that not say a little something about what people think of this forward crop?

What’s the group of players you like best at 6?

Not there yet.

This scares me. Being able to beat up on shorthanded CHL’ers and not at even strength is concerning. Plus he had one of the greatest OHL goal scorers playing with him. Maybe O’Brien helped him some but I think it was more the other way.

If you want ES scorers that don't produce on the PP could I interest you in Desnoyers or Martin?

I'm sure Thomas helped his linemates, that said, he was third on his team (line?) in scoring. I've never done the official research but you probably won't find many top 10 picks that turned out to be stars who didn't drive the bus in their draft year while playing Junior, especially in the modern era where even the CHL teams are trending younger.

 

[Nabrules]

Dropping from 4 to 6 isn't that big of a deal in this draft given there's a clear top 6 or 7 - the scary part is if it's the players he don't like who fall to 6, we may reach again.

I know nobody wants to hear this but Brady Martin is 100 percent rising. He was going to go in the 8-10 range but beasting the u18s now Pronman and Wheeler are saying he's skyrocketing Sennecke Style.

He may join that clear group of 6/7 guys.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I was going to wait until after the lottery to ponder you this thought- We have a defenseman that played 17 regular season games and is viewed as a near-unanimous 1st overall pick. Does that not say a little something about what people think of this forward crop?


Not there yet.


If you want ES scorers that don't produce on the PP could I interest you in Desnoyers or Martin?

I'm sure Thomas helped his linemates, that said, he was third on his team (line?) in scoring. I've never done the official research but you probably won't find many top 10 picks that turned out to be stars who didn't drive the bus in their draft year while playing Junior, especially in the modern era where even the CHL teams are trending younger.

Where do you even find power play stats for the CHL? Is it only behind a paywall or you do the legwork yourself?

I’m not sure what is easier to fix: a good even strength guy getting good at the powerplay, or vice versa

It’s seems all of the forwards have some weakness that can hold them back and it’s going to come down to who can improve. If there isn’t a potential star in this class then hopefully the Flyers at least get a bonafide 2C as young 2C are still hard to get and in major demand

 

[trostol]

who is the most complete 2 way player with little offense...that's their guy

 

[FLYguy3911]

Where do you even find power play stats for the CHL? Is it only behind a paywall or you do the legwork yourself?

Legwork unless you are good at stripping data. They have a breakdown of the stats on each of the CHL websites.

I got the older ones from a database I had saved before a public site shutdown (that's why it's only through 2020). You can still get them off of the CHL sites but it's a lot of work.

I’m not sure what is easier to fix: a good even strength guy getting good at the powerplay, or vice versa

Simple answer is you want a guy in the middle from my experience looking at these things (~35%). Gun to my head the light scoring PP player with strong ES metrics since there is theoretical upside (or possible usage bump) but low PP production can also be predictive.

 

[FromOyVey2Matvei]

There’s still a way we can get our guy… NASHVILLE OWES US. IT’S TIME TO CALL IN OUR FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS!

 

[Devonator]

Any chance that Hagens can drop to # 6 for us?

 

[bauer]

Any chance that Hagens can drop to # 6 for us?

Anything’s possible. There’s always one or two surprises in the top 10 every year.

Utah will be interesting @ 4. That’s when the draft will really start imo (I really think Martone goes 3rd).

I just hope the Flyers don’t overthink it. Just take whichever of Hagens/Frondell/Desnoyers fall to 6. Simple. I really don’t like JOB or Martin there at all.

 

[BernieParent]

Any chance that Hagens can drop to # 6 for us?

Bold prediction: Hagens falls to 5, we get all excited, and then he gets drafted by Nashville. Briere drafts McQueen, who trips going up the stairs and never plays another hockey game.

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

Bold prediction: Hagens falls to 5, we get all excited, and then he gets drafted by Nashville. Briere drafts McQueen, who trips going up the stairs and never plays another hockey game.

 

[Random Forest]

I’d be OK with Martone or even Eklund at 6OA if you could also trade up to get a falling McQueen in the mid teens. Not that it should be contingent or that you would know on the floor, but I’d be pretty pleased with either wing option if you’re still able to walk away with a high upside center later.

 

[Juicy Pop]

Is there any potential for movement with the Sharks pick? I think they'd be fine with Misa, but I wonder if they don't try to drop back, grab more draft capital and get someone like Martone a pick or two back?

I don't think we have the capital to do it regardless though.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Any thoughts on Ravensbergen, Ivankovic, or Medvedev? I wouldn’t mind a goalie with one of the 2nds. Probably a good idea to always keep your goalie pipeline well stocked with talent

It’s also weird looking on the boards of the other teams drafting around us. Different boards like different players

 

[FromOyVey2Matvei]

Bold prediction: Hagens falls to 5, we get all excited, and then he gets drafted by Nashville. Briere drafts McQueen, who trips going up the stairs and never plays another hockey game.

Even bolder prediction: Hagens drops to 6, we get all excited and then we pass on him because he’s a center that played for Boston College and we need to teach all Boston College associated players/coaches that you don’t mess with the Philadelphia Flyers!

 

[DancingPanther]

Since I'm sure he will be discussed a lot over the next two months, Jake O'Brien had 50 of his 98 points come on the Powerplay which was 51% of his points.

Between the 2008-2020 Drafts, here are the players who were 1.00 PPG+ (for simplicity) and had at least half of their points on the PP:

Mikkel Bodker

Ryan Nugent Hopkins

Chris Doyle

Brooks Macek

Michael Rasmussen

Brendan Perlini

Cody Hodgson

Morgan Klimchuk

Not the best bucket.

Now just below that threshold (45%) you have notables-

Hits:
Skinner
Monahan
Scheifele (first year in Junior)

"Busts":
Puempel - 24th Overall
Beach - 11th Overall
Dal Colle - 5th Overall

Third round picks that played for the Flyers:
Weal
Cousins

Weally informative post, thanks

 

[Magua]

Holy mackerel, I had low expectations for Martin, and he still came up short. 4 periods in, but there’s zero chance I’m missing anything. I’ve watched someone like McQueen: he’s old for the class and obviously a floor pick. But I do think he’s a center, and he’s fine if you just envision a 3C ceiling. There’s some functional ability and surprisingly good footwork for his size. It’s bad for this range, but I don’t have dislike for the player.

But Martin is completely plodding in his mobility. Sluggish short strides and footwork. Legit below average NHL hands — can barely handle a puck. That’s the heaviest hitting I saw. Aimless floater away from it offensively. Not convinced he’s a center projecting up. This is your nightmare pick. McQueen is better than this guy, and I don’t have any doubt. I honestly wonder if Martin is a 4th line NHLer.

This class BLOWS. I will cry laugh at the team that takes him top 10. Woof.

 

[Magua]

Since I'm sure he will be discussed a lot over the next two months, Jake O'Brien had 50 of his 98 points come on the Powerplay which was 51% of his points.

Between the 2008-2020 Drafts, here are the players who were 1.00 PPG+ (for simplicity) and had at least half of their points on the PP:

Mikkel Bodker

Ryan Nugent Hopkins

Chris Doyle

Brooks Macek

Michael Rasmussen

Brendan Perlini

Cody Hodgson

Morgan Klimchuk

Not the best bucket.

Now just below that threshold (45%) you have notables-

Hits:
Skinner
Monahan
Scheifele (first year in Junior)

"Busts":
Puempel - 24th Overall
Beach - 11th Overall
Dal Colle - 5th Overall

Third round picks that played for the Flyers:
Weal
Cousins

I hate the term boom-bust. I think if a player has a likelihood to bust, you’re saying there’s a debilitating flaw. But I don’t know with this guy. He’s close to the archetype.

I’ve pointed those splits out too. But he runs that PP in the games I saw. If Desnoyers is way better 5v5, their PP work isn’t close. Whoever coaches it does great work too, especially on entries. O’Brien’s 5v5 play lags more than just in the stats. Too many invisible shifts or bad ones. But those passes and high moments didn’t not happen. Probably a guy I’d watch 10 times and not feel confident. My gut tells me it’s a mental processing speed thing. Better with speed/facing up than in tight spaces too.

The Flyers are really bad at the process, so instead of a red flag, the PP scoring is a positive because they stink on the PP.