Official 2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[BernieParent]

Which Defenseman does he mean?

I share this fear.

 

[Damy]

I think Martin is one of the “wingers” he’s talking about unfortunately

 

[Kelmitchell2]

Alright boys how would you like this draft? Sykora was my last pick

 

[Appleyard]

Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings - Smaht Scouting

Explore Smaht Scouting's 2025 Final Draft Rankings – an in-depth look at the top NHL Draft prospects with expert analysis, player breakdowns, and rising talent to watch.

smahtscouting.com

 

[FlyerNutter]

Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings - Smaht Scouting

Explore Smaht Scouting's 2025 Final Draft Rankings – an in-depth look at the top NHL Draft prospects with expert analysis, player breakdowns, and rising talent to watch.

smahtscouting.com

Don’t have the time/desire to watch profile videos - so a fun little write up that’s for sure! Appreciate the work.

 

[Appleyard]

Don’t have the time/desire to watch profile videos - so a fun little write up that’s for sure! Appreciate the work.

My personal favortite parts this year are me comparing Artyom Shchuchinov to a t-34 tank (they hail from the same town) and coining Magomed Sharakanov's future nick-name "the Dagestani Dangler".

 

[Gregor Samsa]

My personal favortite parts this year are me comparing Artyom Shchuchinov to a t-34 tank (they hail from the same town) and coining Magomed Sharakanov's future nick-name "the Dagestani Dangler".

Nickname sounds like a serial killer lol

 

[Appleyard]

Nickname sounds like a serial killer lol

If he ever makes it to the NHL he will give multiple of his own coaches heart attacks.

Gostisbehere on hallucinogenic at times.

 

[Flyerfan4life]

Nickname sounds like a serial killer lol

i was thinkin a porn star name, but we dont kink shame here..

 

[FlyerNutter]

My personal favortite parts this year are me comparing Artyom Shchuchinov to a t-34 tank (they hail from the same town) and coining Magomed Sharakanov's future nick-name "the Dagestani Dangler".

Forcing me to scroll all the way down to find them eh.

Like that there is some… personality to the write ups if you know what I’m saying. Not just positive/negative traits, nicely done man.

Appreciate the work to include the goalie write ups as well.

Gun to your head, you got a few standouts skating wise in the draft?

 

[FromOyVey2Matvei]

I’m all in on McQueen at 6, provided he has a good showing at the combine. Take a big swing on a potential 1C.

Hagens, Frondell and Martone would also be fine with me.

 

[BiggE]

Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings - Smaht Scouting

Explore Smaht Scouting's 2025 Final Draft Rankings – an in-depth look at the top NHL Draft prospects with expert analysis, player breakdowns, and rising talent to watch.

smahtscouting.com

Thanks!

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I’d like to see Luchanko and Potter on a line. The skating would be top notch

I think McQueen with good medicals becomes a very viable option at 6 if Desnoyers is the guy who fell to 6. Desnoyers has a good chance of being a solid middle 6 guy, probably a decent chance of a good 2C, but I’m not sure if he’s got top line potential that Frondell and Hagens have. I’d still be content with Desnoyers but McQueen has the size and talent to be a bonafide top 6 C.

 

[Appleyard]

Forcing me to scroll all the way down to find them eh.

Like that there is some… personality to the write ups if you know what I’m saying. Not just positive/negative traits, nicely done man.

Appreciate the work to include the goalie write ups as well.

Gun to your head, you got a few standouts skating wise in the draft?

Thanks!

Is a funny balance now as I watch far less of the top guys over the season and very little CHL these days... as so focused on so many Euros who will likely go ~2nd-7th round or even undrafted in terms of work for Green Bay.

Though have dived into the top guys over last month now have more free time.

I think the top six is clear.

Schaefer, Misa
Hagens
Martone
Frondell, Eklund

in basically those tiers.

Then I actually dont dislike the 7-9 spots. I think Desnoyers, Bear and Smith "should" end up top 6/top 4 guys.

I think the Flyers with 22 and likely 32 and then their 4x 2nds? If sensible could come away with multiple of Kindel, Reschny, Potter, Ryabkin, Zharovsky and Ihs-Wozniak... I dont "love" some of those guys but I do think that those six fwds have some real upside and are very interesting there.

D is a bit lame. I like Limatov in 2nd but not many sure-fire NHL Dmen or guys who you think can be say #2-3 guys who are sleepers. Usually each draft has a few and this draft is more like guys who might be #4-5s if develop.

Goalies are interesting. The Russian guys are impressive. Rimpinen was "my guy" in terms of sleeper goalies last year. Wrote about him for PHLY and couldnt believe he wasnt drafted... now might go top 100 this time round.

Overager class is strong this year. Especially Russia, Finland and Switzerland between them and NCAA guys.

 

[Appleyard]

Also think this is a nice little Smaht Scouting fact:



maybe a few years off simply being a Flyers fan scouting site aha. Have to change the name then...

 

[FlyerNutter]

I’m all in on McQueen at 6, provided he has a good showing at the combine. Take a big swing on a potential 1C.

Hagens, Frondell and Martone would also be fine with me.

He would be on a do not draft list for me. Maybe take a shot to move up with some latter round picks - but at 6 that’s a move that has too much of a chance to fail. Can see the intrigue though.

5th overall would have been nice as you’re more or less guaranteed one of Hagens, Martone, or Frondell - but at 6? Hell I’d take Martin over Desnoyers. I detest his player profile.

 

[Appleyard]

 

[Gregor Samsa]

If Martone falls to the Flyers they should take him and run, considering themselves blessed. This draft will be interesting as Martone shouldn’t fall but lots of teams are looking for centers

 

[flyersnorth]

Just did a mock on FC Hockey. Top 5 were Misa, Schaefer, Hagens, Desnoyers, and Eklund.

If that happens... do you go Martone or Frondell?

 

[iceman42]

It will be interesting to see where Eklund lands, people are being really quiet on him publicly.

 

[BillDineen]

Flahr Kurtz interview (soft paywall bypassed):

https://archive.is/MR4Nb

This draft class seems to have a glut of centers that are projected to go in the top 10. But there’s debate whether any of them have true No. 1 NHL center potential. Are there any of those, in your mind?
Potentially, but it’s not a given. There’s not that many No. 1 centers in the (NHL). There’s not 32 of them. People say there are, but there’s not. But you can be a good team with some high-quality No. 2 (centers) and depth. I know one thing, you can’t win without centers.

You’ve been with the organization since 2019, before GM Daniel Briere took control two years ago. How has the scouting and draft process changed since then?
Very little. Even when (former GM Chuck Fletcher) was here, Danny was doing some amateur (scouting) with me, so he understood how we do things. I think we had similar philosophies as far as the draft and players to target. But Danny has lots of opinions, he likes to get out and see some players, but at the same time, he understood how our amateur group worked and was comfortable with it when he came on board. As far as the process itself, it’s really similar.

Edit: We know what Flahr likes:
"Gill’s really worked hard conditioning-wise. I think we drafted him 185 (pounds), I think he’s over 215 now. He’s come a long way in one year. He’s going to be a big kid."

 

[DownieFaceSoftener]

If Martone falls, I think you have to take him.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I’m still curious how Martone would look playing C

 

[BernieParent]

Just did a mock on FC Hockey. Top 5 were Misa, Schaefer, Hagens, Desnoyers, and Eklund.

If that happens... do you go Martone or Frondell?

Martone.

 

[iceman42]

Just did a mock on FC Hockey. Top 5 were Misa, Schaefer, Hagens, Desnoyers, and Eklund.

If that happens... do you go Martone or Frondell?

either one, I am leaning towards Martone but not enough where I would be upset.