Official 2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[SolidSnakeUS]

Man, Martone is quite nimble for his size:

 

[FromOyVey2Matvei]

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.

“Too much of a chance to fail” is not a concern of mine. Given how the team is currently constructed, I think you’ve got to take swings on upside. And McQueen might have the most upside of any center in the draft.

I also don’t understand why he’d be on a do not draft list for you with the news that his original injury was misdiagnosed. It largely explains his extended absence. Had he originally been correctly diagnosed and had the right treatment, it likely would’ve been a minor blip.

I think you probably take Hagens before him. Frondell too (but that’s close for me). Martone? Probably the safer pick. But isn’t that a total Flyers move? Don’t we want/need the bigger upside?

Either way as long as it’s one of those 4 I’ll be mostly happy.

 

[TheKingPin]

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.

I can’t see that. A herniated disk is way different than fractures. I would think he has a herniated disc either way. But still good news for him and us.

 

[iceman42]

I can’t see that. A herniated disk is way different than fractures. I would think he has a herniated disc either way. But still good news for him and us.

If any team's doctors other than the Flyers gives him a clean bill of health then I would be a little more comfortable.

 

[DownieFaceSoftener]

From what I'm familiar with, this claim from McQueen seems odd. Only those with hands on the medicals would be able to tell you with confidence.

Hypothetically, he should have had multiple MRIs (not with months in between) that would have caught this. Especially if your draft position hinges on it. I hope he's 100% healed.

 

[Magua]

If McQueen was 6’2 and not 6’5, he wouldn’t have this purported sky high upside. His skills and creativity are just average. Sell me on him being the next Adam Lowry, but it’s not his back that’s the only limiting factor. He’s a fine player for sure, but I haven’t heard anyone mention a specific skill of his that makes him a top 6 center.

I mean he gets away with it because he's big, but like, his skating looks somewhere between meh and not good in that clip. INCREDIBLY hunched over.

What if I told you that’s the BEST I’ve seen him move? Unbelievably chunky steps and pivots. Forechecker’s wet dream.

“I know one thing, you can’t win without centers.”

They’re so important Flahr didn’t draft a single center in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 (we had to pretend Gauthier could be converted into one), 2023……and now, they drafted Luchanko and Berglund and Ruohonen
and are telegraphing they’ll take centers at 6th overall and beyond. Can’t win without ‘em!

He is so full of shit it stinks. His first 5 years as head of scouting, they drafted ZERO centers. The good news is they’ve crushed it with defense and wings. This is what bad teams do: bounce between “needs” and never fill them.

 

[freakydallas13]

What if I told you that’s the BEST I’ve seen him move? Unbelievably chunky steps and pivots. Forechecker’s wet dream.

Barf.

I'm sure the Flyers are salivating at the thought of putting him on the top pairing alongside the BONK-INATOR for the next decade though.

 

[freakydallas13]

Rewatching that Mrtka clip, dude is that tall and has strides that short?

Absolutely not, draft poison. Stay the f away from this kid.

 

[Curufinwe]

I can’t see that. A herniated disk is way different than fractures. I would think he has a herniated disc either way. But still good news for him and us.

This says it was a pars fracture

Draft Profile 2k25: Roger McQueen’s talent was overshadowed by injury

The High Risk, High-Reward pick of the draft is this large center who has a lot of skill, but a lot of questions.

www.davyjoneslockerroom.com

McQueen had an injury which ate most of his season which was initially was rumored to be a slipped disc, but was clarified later to be Spondylolysis, or a Pars Fracture of the Spine, which sounds scary, but is quite common in both contact and non-contact sports where forced spine extension is a part of the deal (Gymnasts and O-linemen are frequently the victims of this), and while it usually does require a brace, physical therapy, and plenty of rest, it is usually treatable without surgery.

What is Spondylolysis/Pars Defect? Causes, Symtoms, Diagnosis

www.ortho.wustl.edu

What causes a pars defect/spondylolysis?
Pars defects are caused by overuse of the low back, mainly from sports that involve repetitive back bend-like motions. Examples include: gymnastics, football, diving, etc. Sometimes children are born with a very thin pars area which puts them at increased risk for this injury.

What are the symptoms of pars defect/spondylolysis?
Initially children may not have any symptoms. In teens, the main symptom is low back pain that worsens with activity and improves with avoiding the sport/activity that causes repeated back bending. Symptoms can progress to interfere with normal daily activities.

 

[iceman42]

This says it was a pars fracture

Draft Profile 2k25: Roger McQueen’s talent was overshadowed by injury

The High Risk, High-Reward pick of the draft is this large center who has a lot of skill, but a lot of questions.

www.davyjoneslockerroom.com

McQueen had an injury which ate most of his season which was initially was rumored to be a slipped disc, but was clarified later to be Spondylolysis, or a Pars Fracture of the Spine, which sounds scary, but is quite common in both contact and non-contact sports where forced spine extension is a part of the deal (Gymnasts and O-linemen are frequently the victims of this), and while it usually does require a brace, physical therapy, and plenty of rest, it is usually treatable without surgery.

What is Spondylolysis/Pars Defect? Causes, Symtoms, Diagnosis

www.ortho.wustl.edu

What causes a pars defect/spondylolysis?
Pars defects are caused by overuse of the low back, mainly from sports that involve repetitive back bend-like motions. Examples include: gymnastics, football, diving, etc. Sometimes children are born with a very thin pars area which puts them at increased risk for this injury.

What are the symptoms of pars defect/spondylolysis?
Initially children may not have any symptoms. In teens, the main symptom is low back pain that worsens with activity and improves with avoiding the sport/activity that causes repeated back bending. Symptoms can progress to interfere with normal daily activities.

He's tall so hes gotta bend a lot

 

[Curufinwe]

That statement by Flahr is a bit of a double edged sword. On one hand it’s good Martone could be an option. Maybe Eklund. I’ll believe Martin is a Flyers pick when I see it. As far as Dmen go, they seem to have more quality RHD than LHD, so I’d guess Smith or Aitcheson. Last name is scary but bold.

Still think this is the standard sportsspeak before draft along the lines of “our options are open”. Still bet it’s Frondell, Desnoyers, or Hagens at 6

This site has the Flyers taking J. O'Brien.

2025 NHL Mock Draft | 2025 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

2025 NHL Mock Draft and NHL Draft History. 2025 NHL Draft prospect videos, stats, and written profiles updated throughout the year.

www.mynhldraft.com

 

[renberg]

Flahr Kurtz interview (soft paywall bypassed):

https://archive.is/MR4Nb

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.

And this is why the cupboard is pretty barren for the Flyers. Hopefully Briere sticks to his opinions with players. Flahr sucked at drafting in Minnesota and has done the same here. Time to flush Flahr and bring in an entirely new scouting team with a better focus on players aside from going for size. Skill matters.
Since 2019 when Flahr was hired, the only players that the Flyers have drafted that have played in the NHL are York, Brink, Foerster, Andrae, Michkov, Kaplan and Luchanko. Those with future potential are Andrae, Bump, Bonk, and Barkey. One star in Michkov; two top six wings; one top four defenseman. The rest are bottom sixers or pairs. Tough to hang your hat on that and see success. we complain about poor player development which is true. However its hard to develop players where there is little ability.

 

[FLYguy3911]

This draft is littered with tall defensemen with questionable (none) offensive ceilings. Can't wait to see which ones we come away with.

 

[Boocowski]

Utah wants to trade 4th overall for a current top 6 forward. Offer them Tippett and throw in a 2nd or whatever sweetener it takes.

 

[Flyerfan4life]

Utah wants to trade 4th overall for a current top 6 forward. Offer them Tippett and throw in a 2nd or whatever sweetener it takes.

add Fisto.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Wonder if any teams in the 12-15 range will be interested in trading back if Flyers bring the ammo they have? I wouldn’t mind if they use all their picks to infuse their pipeline but I think there will be at least one trade up. If one of Smith, Aitcheson, Eklund or even McQueen is obtainable for 2-3 picks I’d do it

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

This draft is littered with tall defensemen with questionable (none) offensive ceiling. Can't wait to see which ones we come away with.

It looks rough. Even on the surface most of these guys getting like round 1 consideration have mediocre production. Mrtka, Hensler, Fiddler, etc. Even the ones that have a good surface production & even people that like them as prospects don’t see them as big offensive guys potentially.

 

[Sizzle Chest]

Thanks, @BiggE and others, for bringing FCHockey to my attention. That mock is fun to do. Here are my two-round results:

View attachment 1044788

This haul would be a home run!

 

[TheKingPin]

This says it was a pars fracture

Draft Profile 2k25: Roger McQueen’s talent was overshadowed by injury

The High Risk, High-Reward pick of the draft is this large center who has a lot of skill, but a lot of questions.

www.davyjoneslockerroom.com

McQueen had an injury which ate most of his season which was initially was rumored to be a slipped disc, but was clarified later to be Spondylolysis, or a Pars Fracture of the Spine, which sounds scary, but is quite common in both contact and non-contact sports where forced spine extension is a part of the deal (Gymnasts and O-linemen are frequently the victims of this), and while it usually does require a brace, physical therapy, and plenty of rest, it is usually treatable without surgery.

What is Spondylolysis/Pars Defect? Causes, Symtoms, Diagnosis

www.ortho.wustl.edu

What causes a pars defect/spondylolysis?
Pars defects are caused by overuse of the low back, mainly from sports that involve repetitive back bend-like motions. Examples include: gymnastics, football, diving, etc. Sometimes children are born with a very thin pars area which puts them at increased risk for this injury.

What are the symptoms of pars defect/spondylolysis?
Initially children may not have any symptoms. In teens, the main symptom is low back pain that worsens with activity and improves with avoiding the sport/activity that causes repeated back bending. Symptoms can progress to interfere with normal daily activities.

Spondylolysis and a herniated disk look very different on a MRI. You couldn’t really confuse the two at all. So maybe they saw the herniated disk and thought that was the problem, but it was the pars defects all along, but they still must have seen a herniated disk. A pars defect will be harder to see on a MRI than a herniated disk so I do buy that part. Hopefully he’s good to go. I wouldn’t doubt that he is honestly.

 

[FromOyVey2Matvei]

Spondylolysis and a herniated disk look very different on a MRI. You couldn’t really confuse the two at all. So maybe they saw the herniated disk and thought that was the problem, but it was the pars defects all along, but they still must have seen a herniated disk. A pars defect will be harder to see on a MRI than a herniated disk so I do buy that part. Hopefully he’s good to go. I wouldn’t doubt that he is honestly.

Most people (especially a 6’5 athlete) have some degree of disc degeneration by their mid 20s. It’s quite possible they saw a disc issue they thought was causing the problem but that actually wasn’t the issue. An MRI showing some level of disc degeneration wouldn’t be the least bit concerning IMO

 

[TheKingPin]

Most people (especially a 6’5 athlete) have some degree of disc degeneration by their mid 20s. It’s quite possible they saw a disc issue they thought was causing the problem but that actually wasn’t the issue. An MRI showing some level of disc degeneration wouldn’t be the least bit concerning IMO

Agreed especially if it’s just degeneration. But they confused it with a bulge.

 

[Chicken N Raffls]

This draft is littered with tall defensemen with questionable (none) offensive ceilings. Can't wait to see which ones we come away with.

The tallest one.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

It’s weird looking at Chicago’s, Utah’s, and Nashville’s boards. They are more or less in the same boat as us but they seem to have a higher opinion of Desnoyers and Frondell. They make it seem like Hagens to Philly is a real possibility. It all comes down to the GMs though

 

[FLYguy3911]

It looks rough. Even on the surface most of these guys getting like round 1 consideration have mediocre production. Mrtka, Hensler, Fiddler, etc. Even the ones that have a good surface production & even people that like them as prospects don’t see them as big offensive guys potentially.

Defensemen 6'3 and above with some sort of consensus ranking:

Smith and Mrtka are miles ahead of the pack in terms of point production. Fiddler's isn't horrible considering how bad Edmonton was but even so he doesn't project to be plus offensively. Only other guy that stands out is Limatov, but he played crazy minutes and good luck projecting from the MHL these days.

Wang is the guy teams will dream on. 6'6. Crazy good skater. Showed some puck rushing potential in the OJHL, but it didn't translate to the OHL - 0 goals and 5 assists across 53 combined OHL games. Didn't even produce in the GTHL. His micros are pretty decent, but I don't know how you feel confident making that pick in the top ~45.

 

[scumpup]

This draft is littered with tall defensemen with questionable (none) offensive ceilings. Can't wait to see which ones we come away with.

i already drafted samake and bucheschne (however you spell it) so sorry we're stuck with them