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The 2025 Draft Thread

At the end of the season we'll have the 8th OA pick.

Then at the lottery we'll get jumped by two teams and end up with 10th overall.

So I'm not going to spend much time looking at top 6 type players.
 
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Ehran said:
At the end of the season we'll have the 8th OA pick.

Then at the lottery we'll get jumped by two teams and end up with 10th overall.

So I'm not going to spend much time looking at top 6 type players.
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Jackson Smith? Victor Eklund? Roger McQueen? McQueen or Eklund could be there at 8th.
 
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I'd be upset about the Sabres ruining their shot at a top 3 pick with a late season string of wins, but I'm convinced they'll just ruin whoever they draft anyway. So it doesn't matter if it's Misa or Eklund, we're going to ruin them either way.
 
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Chainshot said:
They did just drop six in a row. It's not like they're making some hero run.
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On the flip side of that you are only looking at 3-4 wins and moving from 4th to 8th. On top of that Buffalo has 2-3 games in hand against the other bottom feeders.

San Jose and Chicago and 1-2 thats a given but Buffalo could easily be picking anywhere from 3 to 6-7 or even 8-9 if the lottery goes against them. I think its safe to assume Buffalo finishes bottom 7 but where.

For fans keeping track at home I think its important not to forget games played and not just look at points.
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Chainshot said:
They did just drop six in a row. It's not like they're making some hero run.
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I could easily see them draft in the 6 to 7 range, they have a lot of games in hand to teams ahead plus there is also the lottery which could move them back 1 spot.
they are not as bad as the real bottom dwellers and if the pressure falls off they usually string together some wins like the last 2.
 
debaser66 said:
I could easily see them draft in the 6 to 7 range, they have a lot of games in hand to teams ahead plus there is also the lottery which could move them back 1 spot.
they are not as bad as the real bottom dwellers and if the pressure falls off they usually string together some wins like the last 2.
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Over the last 10 games, Nashville (30th) has 11 pts, the Sabres (29th) have 7 pts, Philly (28th) have 5 pts, Seattle (27th) have 11 pts, and Pittsburgh (26th) have 11 pts.

So, the only team in that 3-7 pre-lottery range that the Sabres have outplayed over the last 10 games is Philly.

The Sabres are so up and down that I doubt they are going to get more than 16-18 points over the last 16 games. That could keep them in 4th pre-lottery with Nashville moving up past them and Philly dropping below them into that 3rd spot pre-lottery.
 
truthbluth said:
Y'all are acting like the Sabres aren't going to win the lottery when the clear and inarguable #1 prospect is a LHD. Silliness. Matthew Schaefer will be a Sabre.
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It is the irresistible force vs the immovable object:

The Sabres drafting 1OV with a LHD as the top prospect

vs

The Sabres never moving up via the draft lottery
 
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debaser66 said:
I could easily see them draft in the 6 to 7 range, they have a lot of games in hand to teams ahead plus there is also the lottery which could move them back 1 spot.
they are not as bad as the real bottom dwellers and if the pressure falls off they usually string together some wins like the last 2.
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Drafting 6th could still get a player like Hagens. I could easily see someone dropping as it happens every year. I think there is solid 6-7 players before it drops off.

Schaefer
Misa
Hagens
Martone
Frondell
Desnoyers
McQueen

That seems to be a consensus in drafting with players moving up and down that group. I think getting one of those 7 players puts Buffalo in a good spot. I could also see someone like McQueen being drafted in the top 5 and someone like Hagens or Martone drop out of the top 5 just from a GM's personal preference.

So I guess as long as we pick top 7 we are getting a top end talent.

Does Eklund make it into that group?
 
truthbluth said:
Y'all are acting like the Sabres aren't going to win the lottery when the clear and inarguable #1 prospect is a LHD. Silliness. Matthew Schaefer will be a Sabre.
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In that unlikely event I would hope Adams is working with the team picking #2 to switch draft spots, pick Misa, and squeeze them for a useful asset.

Chicago and San Jose both have their 1C and possibly their goalies of the future (Knight and Askarov). They'll be drooling to move up a spot to land a projected #1D.

And we'd be set at center for the foreseeable future - Tage, Norris, Misa, McLeod, Kulich, Krebs, Kozak, Helenius, Wahlberg. Mix and match as you please. Some would obviously play wing or be moved.
 
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Deep Blue Metallic said:
In that unlikely event I would hope Adams is working with the team picking #2 to switch draft spots, pick Misa, and squeeze them for a useful asset.

Chicago and San Jose both have their 1C and possibly their goalies of the future (Knight and Askarov). They'll be drooling to move up a spot to land a projected #1D.

And we'd be set at center for the foreseeable future - Tage, Norris, Misa, McLeod, Kulich, Krebs, Kozak, Helenius, Wahlberg. Mix and match as you please. Some would obviously play wing or be moved.
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Picking first does set up some difficulties, Trading down rarely seems to happen at this part of the draft, but something might be able to be worked out with San Jose. They have a much bigger need on defense than Chicago does.

If no enticing deal is available I think you bite the bullet and pick Schaeffer. Trade Power and Byram in the summer for a complete defense core overhaul.

Sidenote: If they managed to trade down a spot or two I think either Hagens or Frondell would fit our needs better than Misa. I like Hagens for his ability to fascilitate and Frondell two-way play and be a possession monster. But reasonable people can disagree.
 
The draft lottery might be the only idea in NHL history dumber than the Delay of Game penalty for shooting a puck over the glass or the instigator rule. One of the most destructive things the league has ever done that has lead to multiple teams being stuck in a neverending cycle of failure.
 
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www.sportsnet.ca

Sportsnet's 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: March Edition

With regular seasons winding down and important playoff viewings around the corner for scouts, Sam Cosentino gives his latest ranking of the top 32 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft.
www.sportsnet.ca www.sportsnet.ca

No. 1: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Continues to rehab and will be re-evaluated in early April. He probably doesn’t have to play another game this season to maintain this spot, but there will be interest in seeing him if Erie is able to extend its playoff fortunes.
No. 2: Michael Misa, C, 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Has definitely lived up to the Exceptional Player Status reputation. As of writing, he’s tied for the CHL lead with 126 points, and second in the CHL with 59 goals. He's having a season for the ages with a little time left to hit the 60-goal milestone.
No. 3: Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Continues to impress with his professional approach to the game. He’s the type of player a coach can trust in any situation.
No. 4: James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)
Playing NCAA hockey this season has proven that he can still excel against bigger, stronger competition. He needed that to show scouts he belongs amongst the top of this draft class.
No. 5: Anton Frondell, C, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
An amazing progression this season based on dealing with injuries dating back to the summer. You could argue he’s had the best second half of any player on this list.
No. 6: Porter Martone, RW, 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
In his draft minus-one season, Martone made his mark as a shooter and a scorer. While he continues to do that, his playmaking has improved and now presents a more balanced dual-threat game with a nice dose of toughness.
No. 7: Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 197 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Doing his best to make up for lost time with eight points in his six games back from injury. The NHL Combine will ultimately determine his fate.
No. 8: Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Perpetual motion is the best way to describe his play. If he’s not lurking around the offensive zone, he’s finding a way to track pucks.
No. 9: Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 207 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Has cooled off from his point per game start after arriving in North America. A first-round match-up with league leading Everett will be a great test and measuring stick for scouts.
No. 10: Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Once he adds weight and strength, he will be able to hold on to pucks longer, fight off defenders and create even more havoc for opponents than he does now.
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Jim Bob said:
www.sportsnet.ca

Sportsnet's 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: March Edition

With regular seasons winding down and important playoff viewings around the corner for scouts, Sam Cosentino gives his latest ranking of the top 32 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft.
www.sportsnet.ca www.sportsnet.ca
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Desnoyers has jumped up in the rankings. I think McQueen could be a steal in the draft because of the injury. Hard to look past 6'5 and puts up points.

If Buffalo misses out on Misa then Hagens is not a bad fit for the team. With Norris and Kulich a pass first center with high end skating is something the team could use.
 
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sabremike said:
The draft lottery might be the only idea in NHL history dumber than the Delay of Game penalty for shooting a puck over the glass or the instigator rule. One of the most destructive things the league has ever done that has lead to multiple teams being stuck in a neverending cycle of failure.
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The never ending cycle of failure has nothing to do with the draft and everything to do with who is running the organizations that can never find a way to win.
 
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Doug Prishpreed said:
I assumed you were talking about Detroit too, since they are really the only other teams who got screwed by the lottery. Hasn’t really impacted anyone else.
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Arizona lost out big time in 2015. If they have Eichel instead of Strome, they might have had a different group of owners and still exist. But yes, Buffalo and DRW are the other two big losers in the lottery era.
 
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Chainshot said:
Arizona lost out big time in 2015. If they have Eichel instead of Strome, they might have had a different group of owners and still exist. But yes, Buffalo and DRW are the other two big losers in the lottery era.
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I've never been a fan of the lottery. Teams are going to work to get what they want anyway. I think the NFL's system of just letting teams play and draft based on record is the best way to go.

Had that happened, here's what happens for the 2014-2015 drafts:

2014:
Buffalo: Ekblad
Florida: one of the "Sam's"
Edmonton: Draisaitl
Calgary: one of the "Sam's"

2015:
Buffalo: McDavid
Arizona: Eichel
Edmonton: Strome

Results:
Buffalo likely never gets into the situation they are in. McDavid's greatness gets them in at least one year.
Florida: not a ton of change, basically a similar team without Ekblad
Edmonton: not a powerhouse but still a good team which makes the playoffs
Calgary: no change
Arizona: having a franchise center who they can market could've allowed them to stay in the Phoenix area.

Buffalo likely never becomes what they are, and Arizona gets a shot at being saved. So, I'm not really sure what de-incentivizing tanking does for the league.
 
Chainshot said:
Arizona lost out big time in 2015. If they have Eichel instead of Strome, they might have had a different group of owners and still exist. But yes, Buffalo and DRW are the other two big losers in the lottery era.
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Disagree. That one draft did not sink their franchise. It was one player in one draft…any good GM could’ve taken it on the chin on that one pick and still succeed.
 
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