Official 2025 NHL DRAFT Thread

[BernieParent]

Not even sure what to believe anymore. Seems like a whole bunch of noise and bullshit will pop up on twitter this week

So ... just like every other week, then.

 

[Wangstar]

Whomever at 6. The only variable in play is our roster needs someone to actually play Center and as far as needs, we need a right shot, Center for Michkov. Then after that, we need to improve our back end and goalie.

 

[DancingPanther]

Prayge

 

[IronMarshal]

Unless you like big defensemen with no offensive upside.

There are some very good big DMen who are all defense and will play in the 5-6 pairing. I really like several of them and hope we get at least one at pick 48.

 

[FLYguy3911]

There are some very good big DMen who are all defense and will play in the 5-6 pairing. I really like several of them and hope we get at least one at pick 48.

Like who? I’ve been watching a handful and don’t see the appeal. And a lot of times we talk about 5-6 guys as a reasonable outcome when that is in fact their ceiling and the floor is they aren’t even impact players at the AHL level. 5-6 guys are easy to acquire. I will never agree with using a top two round pick on a guy with that ceiling.

I usually don’t have much issue identifying defensemen in the second round I like. It’s tough this year. This just is not a very good defense class imo.

 

[Appleyard]

Like who? I’ve been watching a handful and don’t see the appeal. And a lot of times we talk about 5-6 guys as a reasonable outcome when that is in fact their ceiling and the floor is they aren’t even impact players at the AHL level. 5-6 guys are easy to acquire. I will never agree with using a top two round pick on a guy with that ceiling.

I usually don’t have much issue identifying defensemen in the second round I like. It’s tough this year. This just is not a very good defense class imo.

Limatov is the only guy I think of the bunch who has a shot to be a 2nd pairing guy. Only Dman I would be happy with in second for the Flyers (unless Boumedienne or Fiddler fall to the first of the second round picks, which would be fine)...

Amico, Rombach, Wang, Beauchesne and Psenicka I guess in the second due to combo of size and mobility... but Limatov has better puck tools and mind in OZ than those guys by some way, the other five have bottom pairing ceilings 90th centile wise really.

 

[renberg]

There are some very good big DMen who are all defense and will play in the 5-6 pairing. I really like several of them and hope we get at least one at pick 48.

Trotz always was defense first when he had control of an organization. What went on in Nashville ran against his MO and it backfired on him. I wonder if he returns to his normal self and goes D with the fifth pick and takes Mrtka. He really needs to rebuild his defense and with Josi getting older and having health issues, this might be Trotz's move

 

[Nabrules]

………

Now wheeler has Martin going to us at 6 in his final mock. Kurz said he’s heard rumblings of the same and now ASF saying it wound be interesting who they’d take: O’Brien or Martin (if Desnoyers is gone).

Let’s be real all the guys are just guessing to an extent but not a good sign. Things are trending Martin it seems.

 

[FLYguy3911]

A team desperate for Centers drafts a low skill, probable non-center at 6!

Limatov is the only guy I think of the bunch who has a shot to be a 2nd pairing guy. Only Dman I would be happy with in second for the Flyers (unless Boumedienne or Fiddler fall to the first of the second round picks, which would be fine)...

Amico, Rombach, Wang, Beauchesne and Psenicka I guess in the second due to combo of size and mobility... but Limatov has better puck tools and mind in OZ than those guys by some way, the other five have bottom pairing ceilings 90th centile wise really.

Yeah Limatov is the one guy of the names I could get on board with even though drafting a defenseman from the MHL has like a 5% chance of working out lol. I can squint and see it with Psenicka also.

Otherwise just trade the pick for an NHL defenseman that you know can fill that role if that’s what you are really gunning for.

 

[IronMarshal]

Like who? I’ve been watching a handful and don’t see the appeal. And a lot of times we talk about 5-6 guys as a reasonable outcome when that is in fact their ceiling and the floor is they aren’t even impact players at the AHL level. 5-6 guys are easy to acquire. I will never agree with using a top two round pick on a guy with that ceiling.

I usually don’t have much issue identifying defensemen in the second round I like. It’s tough this year. This just is not a very good defense class imo.

Rombach, Bedkowski, Kettles, Limatov, Amico, Barnhill, Vass, possibly Peddle and Passmore, and maybe Phillips. I expect the first 4 names and as many as 7 will be NHL bottom pair defensemen. There is value in that. They have length, most skate well for their size, can make the outlet pass and are physical, winning board battles and the net front. No offense, but good defense qualities. I particularly like Bedkowski and Rombach the best and would like one of them in the second round.

 

[Kelmitchell2]

Gonna get JOBbed again, ugh

Earlier in the year I was much higher on him, but as the year went on and the more I watched, I fell out of favor with him, he just doesn't have the motor, he's floating to much, and honestly the hockey iq just doesn't seem to be there, and his points are way to reliant on the powerplay which is a bit concerning (not that they aren't important)

 

[LegionOfGloom]

If this were a functioning organization, spreading the rumor that you want Martin or JOB makes a lot of sense. Given the rumors that the Islanders want to trade back in for Hagens, it's actually really smart to make them think they only need to get to 7 to make it happen and not trade over you into 5. But the history of this organization doesn't really give any reason to believe this is what they are up to.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Rombach, Bedkowski, Kettles, Limatov, Amico, Barnhill, Vass, possibly Peddle and Passmore, and maybe Phillips. I expect the first 4 names and as many as 7 will be NHL bottom pair defensemen. There is value in that. They have length, most skate well for their size, can make the outlet pass and are physical, winning board battles and the net front. No offense, but good defense qualities. I particularly like Bedkowski and Rombach the best and would like one of them in the second round.

Yeah most of these guys are going to go up in flames. I know Rombach has his fans, but I don’t find him to be a very good skater, especially going backwards, loose gaps as a result, and no creativity offensively. I did catch him earlier in the year so maybe he got better but he wasn’t exactly coming straight from high school hockey. You can count Bedkowski’s points on your hands and that was in his third season of Junior hockey…that’s a throw away pick. Same with Passmore. Kettles is very underwhelming but at least young. The US guys don’t intrigue me at all. Vass was fifth on his own blueline is scoring. Pass. Heard good things about Barnhill but haven’t seen him so can’t comment. Saw Peddle play in the final. Would be an OK mid-to-late round target.

To be clear, I’m not saying there is no value in what these guys are projected to be, I just don’t have any confidence the league is any good at actually projecting them. And even if they do hit they aren’t moving the needle much. I’d be much more interested in the forward talent available in the second round and swing on big, no offense defensemen later in the draft if you must fill a quota.

 

[DrinkFightFlyers]

If this were a functioning organization, spreading the rumor that you want Martin or JOB makes a lot of sense. Given the rumors that the Islanders want to trade back in for Hagens, it's actually really smart to make them think they only need to get to 7 to make it happen and not trade over you into 5. But the history of this organization doesn't really give any reason to believe this is what they are up to.

Yeah, not to mention it really isn't a secret that teams do this. I doubt any team is looking at anything in the media and making plans around that. More likely these teams have their own sources or insight as to what other teams are doing to which we do not have access. I have a list of attorneys and judges with whom I deal regularly to keep track of procedures, preferences, etc. I am certain all these GMs and such have books on the guys with whom they're dealing to a certain extent.

Dwight Schrute: Tall, Beets

 

[IronMarshal]

I think the early first goes Schaefer, Misa, Frondell or Martone (Chicago kind of starts the decision process and if Misa slips to 3, Chicago grabs him). Utah is going to pick one of Desnoyers, Hagens, Frondell if he is there, possibly Martone if he is there. There is also a possibility of Martin, but I doubt he will be the choice.
Nashville will take a center, the one that is left of Desnoyers, Hagens, or Frondell.
Philly will get whoever is leftover of the venters. I doubt they take Martone. If all of Misa, Hagens, Frondell and Desnoyers are gone, the Flyers will probably take O'Brien, possibly Martin, but I think they go O'Brien.

My personal choice, realizing that Shaefer and Misa are not going to be available, is a close choice between Hagens and Desnoyers. It is a very interesting choice too. I think Hagens is the higher pure talent there and would love that talent on the Flyers.

Desnoyers may be the better all-around hockey player though. I'd probably pick Hagens because of the need for talent in the system.
Desnoyers has all of the attributes I look for. He has a high compete level, high hockey IQ, good skill, good skating, willingness to play physical, excellent details, good size, and be all accounts I have read is a loved teammate and weel like young man. He is my kind of player. He also has a lot of growth and strength runway

Hagens is a better skater, marginally better playmaker, is pretty competitive, has a high hockey IQ, and scored a point per game at the college level which is several levels above the CHL. If he played in the OHL he may have beaten Misa out for top scorer. Hagens is close to maxing out his size. He is very strong already.

Frondell is a terrific player who, like Hagens has shown the ability to play well against men. He has the best shot of the three, is very physical, highly detail oriented and a decent skater with good size. His IQ is good, but not at Desnoyers or Hagens' level. He is going to be a good NHLer.

Martin gives me some Mike Richards vibes. If the above players are gone, I would be ok with Martin, but those guys are clearly better players. He is physical, a good teammate, hard to play against, has a good shot, skates decently, and hits hard. I like him, but I think at #6 there will be at least one center I would take over him.

O'Brien, I like a lot, but he does scare me a little. He is obviously highly skilled, has great vision, IQ and is an excellent passer. Like many junior stars, he has some habits that he can get away with at the junior level but won't work in the NHL. He will need to figure that out and probably will given his IQ. His pace bothers me, and he has pretty average speed, but really good edges. With added strength his speed should improve. He is very young and has more runway than the others while already possessing great skill and smarts. If he hits it could be huge. If Hagens, Desnoyers, and Frondell are gone, I would take O'Brien.

Top six centers are hard to get and I would take O'Brien and maybe Martin over Martone and I love Martone's game,

I like Roger McQueen, but his injury risk and losing a year's development scare me, and 6'5 centers I think are rare for good reasons.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

This team management is so f***ing obsessed with grit for playoff runs that they forget they need actual f***ing offense and players to GET THERE. Remember the whole bullshit of "man, imagine a Risto in the playoffs, that's when he'll shine!"?

 

[Appleyard]

Yeah most of these guys are going to go up in flames. I know Rombach has his fans, but I don’t find him to be a very good skater, especially going backwards, loose gaps as a result, and no creativity offensively. I did catch him earlier in the year so maybe he got better but he wasn’t exactly coming straight from high school hockey. You can count Bedkowski’s points on your hands and that was in his third season of Junior hockey…that’s a throw away pick. Same with Passmore. Kettles is very underwhelming but at least young. The US guys don’t intrigue me at all. Vass was fifth on his own blueline is scoring. Pass. Heard good things about Barnhill but haven’t seen him so can’t comment. Saw Peddle play in the final. Would be an OK mid-to-late round target.

To be clear, I’m not saying there is no value in what these guys are projected to be, I just don’t have any confidence the league is any good at actually projecting them. And even if they do hit they aren’t moving the needle much. I’d be much more interested in the forward talent available in the second round and swing on big, no offense defensemen later in the draft if you must fill a quota.

Yeh... Will Sharpe, Jonas Woo, Alex Huang, Luka Radivojevic, Drew Shock, Donato Bracco, Lasse Boelius, Jesper Kotajärvi, Karl Annborn, Theo Hallquisth, Linus Funck, Zeb Lindgren, Felix Färhammar, Maxim Agafonov, Makar Fomin, Nikita Tyurin will all likely go in 3rd-7th and frankly are probably better bets to be NHLers than a lot of these guys.

And then you have overagers like Ludvig Johnson, Anthony Cristoforo, Francesco Dell'Elce, Artyom Shchuchinov, Will Felicio, Magomed Sharakanov, Yaroslav Tsulygin... who are all going to be at worst good AHL level guys.

In the 2nd it just doesnt seem great value for Dmen.

 

[TheKingPin]

I could see them putting up a smoke screen with JOB and Martin. They have been very tight on info leaking out for years now. No one knew Zegras or Laughton before it was done. No one said Jett was their guy. They have said they will just take the BPA. That may be Desnoyers, but could easily be Hagens, Martone, or Frondell.

 

[scumpup]

Philadelphia Selects with the 6th Overall pick from Boston College Center James Hagens!!

and the crowd goes wiiiild!!!!!!!! everyone starts clapping with cinematic pans to each member of the Flyers FO with a jump cut to Michkov cracking a smile.

 

[IronMarshal]

Yeah most of these guys are going to go up in flames. I know Rombach has his fans, but I don’t find him to be a very good skater, especially going backwards, loose gaps as a result, and no creativity offensively. I did catch him earlier in the year so maybe he got better but he wasn’t exactly coming straight from high school hockey. You can count Bedkowski’s points on your hands and that was in his third season of Junior hockey…that’s a throw away pick. Same with Passmore. Kettles is very underwhelming but at least young. The US guys don’t intrigue me at all. Vass was fifth on his own blueline is scoring. Pass. Heard good things about Barnhill but haven’t seen him so can’t comment. Saw Peddle play in the final. Would be an OK mid-to-late round target.

To be clear, I’m not saying there is no value in what these guys are projected to be, I just don’t have any confidence the league is any good at actually projecting them. And even if they do hit they aren’t moving the needle much. I’d be much more interested in the forward talent available in the second round and swing on big, no offense defensemen later in the draft if you must fill a quota.

Holy cow Flyguy! This reply sounds like stat counting. I don’t recall you evaluating prospects on counting stats like that. I know you like offensive defensemen, but as you and others have acknowledged, there aren’t many good choices this year. Appleyard said it is a down year for defensemen and I agree.

Outside of Shaefer and Smith ( who gives me Seth Jones vibes) there isn’t a lot to choose from offensively.

The guys I mentioned will be coveted by the NHL for their defensive projection . If a team wants one, and they will, they will need to take them earlier than most here expect. There is a place for the Justin Braun’s of the world in the NHL. Defensemen don’t have to be point producers as long as they keep the other team from scoring.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I hope Briere has a good feel for how this draft will go with picks 3-5. He should be on the phone with Chicago, Utah, and Nashville daily

He has the trade capital to make a big move if needed. It would be disappointing to end up with the choice of O’Brien, Martin, and Martone as I feel Flyers will go C. Though, be careful what you wish for

 

[Adam Warlock]

………

Now wheeler has Martin going to us at 6 in his final mock. Kurz said he’s heard rumblings of the same and now ASF saying it wound be interesting who they’d take: O’Brien or Martin (if Desnoyers is gone).

Let’s be real all the guys are just guessing to an extent but not a good sign. Things are trending Martin it seems.

Flyers considering Hagens, JOB, or BM at 6. Colored me shocked. Great reporting!

Honestly itd be so easy to manipulate guys like ASF and Kurz whose egos are through the roof. If thats Dannys steategy, good for him.

 

[Nabrules]

Flyers considering Hagens, JOB, or BM at 6. Colored me shocked. Great reporting!

Honestly itd be so easy to manipulate guys like ASF and Kurz whose egos are through the roof. If thats Dannys steategy, good for him.

Yep, who knows the smock-screen management is putting out and manipulating the reporters

 

[bauer]

Philadelphia Selects with the 6th Overall pick from Boston College Center James Hagens!!

and the crowd goes wiiiild!!!!!!!! everyone starts clapping with cinematic pans to each member of the Flyers FO with a jump cut to Michkov cracking a smile.

alternate and likely more accurate timeline

Philadelphia Selects with the 6th Overall pick from the OHL Center Brady Martin!!

and the crowd goes mad with rage!!!!!!!! everyone starts rioting and throwing drinks and furniture at their televisions as the camera pans to Brent Flahr who cracks a smile.

 

[JojoTheWhale]

Holy cow Flyguy! This reply sounds like stat counting. I don’t recall you evaluating prospects on counting stats like that. I know you like offensive defensemen, but as you and others have acknowledged, there aren’t many good choices this year. Appleyard said it is a down year for defensemen and I agree.

Outside of Shaefer and Smith ( who gives me Seth Jones vibes) there isn’t a lot to choose from offensively.

The guys I mentioned will be coveted by the NHL for their defensive projection . If a team wants one, and they will, they will need to take them earlier than most here expect. There is a place for the Justin Braun’s of the world in the NHL. Defensemen don’t have to be point producers as long as they keep the other team from scoring.

Every time this gets brought up, the answer is the same.

There's nothing whatsoever wrong with defensive Defensemen. I have all the time in the world for guys who can make that archetype work in the NHL even if I admit my definition of making it work may differ from consensus. Where the league continually misses over and over again is how low the offensive bar can go for these guys as prospects in relation to draft rankings. Competition gets one holy hell of a lot harder. You can't be at a middling CHL skill level expect to develop into an NHLer with any regularity.

The exceptions to this rule are so narrow in scope that you shouldn't try it before the later rounds because no one is smart enough to pick out which of those guys will be the exceptions. We all agree they exist.

For the record, Justin Braun was a 7th rounder. If you want to make a bet there because you love a guy, sure. Go nuts. If you want to take the Justin Braun swing at 31 for example, your process is not what I would call sound.