Toughest players for the 2025 NHL Draft

[Ovechkin962]

As a big fan of old time hockey and in the NHL fights collecting hobby, I'm interesting in knowing who are the toughest prospects for the upcoming draft? Big hitters, agitators, players who loves to fight...

Here are a few guys that are on my radar, but always looking for other names to keep an eye on

OHL: Kashawn Aitcheson, Porter Martone, Henry Brzustewicz, Jack Nesbitt, Ethan Czata
QMJHL: Zachary Morin
USHL: Ivan Ryabkin

Click to read more...

 

[LeProspector]

Nesbitt isn’t tough lol

 

[Ovechkin962]

Nesbitt isn’t tough lol

Fought seven times in the OHL

 

[LeProspector]

Fought seven times in the OHL

Fighting /= toughness lol

He’s Austin Watson

 

[Captain Clutch]

I'm definitely interested to know who are the 2025 draft eligibles who are known for bringing a physical edge to an otherwise high end skill set. I have heard from a few places for insance that Braeden Cootes is such a player. I'm not necessarily looking for kids who fight, though that's ok too, more interested in who is really playing a physical game on top of being a good playmaker/scorer or even a defensive minded defender. I have also heard that Vaclav Nestrasil plays a particularly mean brand of hockey in the USHL.

 

[Hinterland]

Eduard Bondar. Big kid, big hitter.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

brady cleveland is so tough his residue is residing in the 25 class

 

[BigRangy]

Eddie Genborg was this, not sure if he still is

 

[Garl]

Never heard of Ryabkin being some kind of a very physical player. From Russia the physical guys are Limatov and Vilchinsky

From Sweden those are Genborg Hillstrom, Drott, Vass, Dahlqvist and Laksonen

 

[bobb]

Never heard of Ryabkin being some kind of a very physical player. From Russia the physical guys are Limatov and Vilchinsky

From Sweden those are Genborg Hillstrom, Drott, Vass, Dahlqvist and Laksonen

He's very physical and mean. Overly so with his 50 PIMs in his first 14 games in NA.

 

[SlafySZN]

Brady Martin.

 

[deca guard]

are any of these physical players possible 1st rounders besides martone

 

[Hinterland]

are any of these physical players possible 1st rounders besides martone

Well, I guess if Martone qualifies as tough then Zonnon does as well. But yeah, I see whar you mean. Might not be the best year if you're looking for elite skill with grit. I guess if Mrtka can develop more of a mean streak then he could be mote of a threat, too. Certainly has the size.

 

[deca guard]

Well, I guess if Martone qualifies as tough then Zonnon does as well. But yeah. Might not be the best year if you're looking for elite skill with grit.

ive never seen martone 1 second , i was going by bio . but im looking mid to late teens for detroit and at that area im not counting on finding highoffensive talent so thinking of maybegood size/ skating / toughness that might be able to play 2 line with two offensively talented line mates

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Not sure, but what I am sure is the Flyers will draft them all. #culture.

 

[Hinterland]

ive never seen martone 1 second , i was going by bio . but im looking mid to late teens for detroit and at that area im not counting on finding highoffensive talent so thinking of maybegood size/ skating / toughness that might be able to play 2 line with two offensively talented line mates

Well, if you wanna draft a powerforward in the 1st round then I think Bill Zonnon is your man. I expect him to go earlier than anticipated on draft day. There are only so many big, physical Centermen who can skate. Zonnon is a project who was mostly carried by his linemates early this season but he has really improved and taken over his line over the course of the season and is now driving play more or less consistently. His scoring output is decent for a physical two way Center. He's very green but there's a lot to unlock there.

 

[Grinner]

Eduard Bondar. Big kid, big hitter.

I'm hoping he ends up a Shark