2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[French Collection]

3 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/landon-dupont-ties-niedermayer-record-in-whl/
 

15 years old. Kid is going to be so good. A couple scouts have said “a better Makar”

RHD as well.

I still hold out hope the Sabres will not be a lottery pick team by then but with Pegula driving the bus there is a chance.

[Flashsabre]

https://ohlprospects.blogspot.com/2025/02/midseason-top-50-for-2025-nhl-draft.html?m=1
 

Brock does a great job covering draft prospects playing in the OHL. This is a good read. Big year for the OHL with 3 of the top 4 picks likely coming from there. 

[LGR4GM]

Consolidated Rankings after the January updates:

[LGR4GM]

My top 15, Jan 2025

1. Matthew Schaefer, 6'2" LHD - He's good. Skating is excellent, his ideas are excellent, his skills are excellent. He can close space, make passes, stickhandle when needed, and engage physically. He won't be 18 until September so great chance that he is a 6'3" guy at the pro level who is your all around #1 defender.
2. Michael Misa, 6'1" C - I tried to resist but Misa checks almost every box I want. He's a beast on the forecheck, his shot is amazing, he constantly is finding ways to use it. His playmaking is below Hagens but everything else is a step above. I want his dangles to get better but everything else is there.
3. James Hagens, 5'11" C - He's good, smart, and skilled. His ability to make plays that others don't see is at the top of this draft. Skating is good but not dynamic and he uses his high IQ to stay ahead of plays. He needs some physical development before coming to the NHL.
4. Porter Martone, 6'3" RW - If he was consistent like Misa, he could be number 2. He has better dangles and is bigger but sometimes his motor revs lower and I want high octane. Smart player with excellent playmaking instincts, Martone has been compared to Tkachuk which is very premature IMPO. 
5. Victor Eklund, 5'11" RW/LW - What if you merged Misa's forechecking and motor, with Martone's playmaking? You'd get this guy and frankly, he's been very good in the Allsveskan. Needs to work on finishing plays and getting stronger, his shot holds him back a little as he looks to make the pass. 
6. Roger McQueen, 6'5" C - Sadly McQueen has been out since October with a back injury and reports are that sometime in Feb or March he will return. Without an injury concern, he's a physical monster with nice hands and a good shot. We haven't seen him since October so some of this is projection, however he would not be the first big center injured in his draft year who gets overdrafted and then kinda falls flat.
7. Carter Bear, 6' C - Bear meet Benson, Benson meet Bear. Bear is an apt name for him, he hates you, your team, and your grandma. They all stole his favorite puck and he wants it back. He works harder than perhaps anyone else in this class. This is not some misdirected aggression though, he is smart and deliberate, cutting hands, using body positioning, and engaging and disengaging as needed. He has good instincts with the puck and my only complaint is, I wish he had some more handling skills. This guy will win you playoff games or die trying. Pleasure to watch and his consolidated ranking is way too low.
8. Jackson Smith, 6'3" LHD - He's a solid LHD that is good. 
9. Caleb Desnoyers, 6'2" C - very smart and has a high motor, kinda like discount Carter Bear (not meant to be bad). I like his engagement and playmaking. His calling card is the fact he couples his motor with really good positioning and game mechanics, this helps him make impactful plays all over the ice. He needs some more consistency and I wish he had a better shot but overall he's probably going to be a solid 2nd line player in the NHL in a few years. 
10. Braeden Cootes, 6' C - Also discount Bear. Cootes is fine, he does everything well and he has a great motor. There's some high end ideas in there but the projection is more questionable by all accounts. If he puts it all together he could be a reletive steal at 10 but he might also just pan out as a middle 6 forward in the mold of say smaller but more talented Marcus Foligno. A guy who is a solid 200ft player and gives 40-50 pts a year (again, better skilled foligno). Of course he could also turn into much more than that and he could be a ROR type of guy. 
11. Brady Martin, 6' C - Guess what? We have another discount Bear. Martin has all the physical game of Bear with less of the soft skills IMPO. Still he has skills and his insanely engaged, I almost put him over Cootes. He will separate opponents from the puck and then use his skills to execute smart plays and get pucks up ice or into scoring positions. His defensive game is advanced. He plays on a mediocre Greyhounds team and is only player in double digit +/- at +12. He's a guy that has a wide range of outcomes from ROR to more physical Krebs.
12. Cameron Reid 6' LHD - Oh look, a good lhd... next. 
13. Cameron Schmidt, 5'7" RW - I personally don't want to count out Schmidt but I refuse to rank him higher. He has that short scorer thing going for him and he's really a nice player. If he was 6' tall he would be ranked higher but his severe height/size issue is going to restrict him a bit. He's probably best in that 2nd line winger role where he has a more physical playmaking center getting him pucks. His skills are good enough to create space and his shot is very good. Good motor and lots of soft skills will help still be a useful top 6 player in the NHL. 
14. Lynden Lakovic, 6'4" LW - I get it, but also like... I don't. He's 6th in the WHL for draft eligibles and all but 1 of those guys are on this list. I can't really justify putting him up higher when he just doesn't impress me. He's big and skates well. He has good ideas and when he's engaged can be a force with his size and reach. His playmaking is very good and he has all the skills there you want from drawing in defenders, to using his hands to change angles on passing lanes. I just always want more from him, like there is something missing when I watch his stuff. A few times a game he puts it all together, reminds me a bit of Tuch. 
15. Benjamin Kindel, 5'10" RW - Kindel's consensus ranking at 23 is laughable. He currently leads the WHL in PPG for draft eligibles, he's on a good Hitmen team that he leads in pts, and his playmaking is beautiful. He's got some of that Patty Kane in him where he will use dirty dangles coupled to very good skating to open space and terrify defenses. He does get physically removed from plays at times but it isn't because he isn't trying. Needs some development there. His hockey sense and timing are fun to watch and with an April b-day there is a chance he gets bit bigger. Lots of ways he could go as a player but a Kane-esque playmaking winger is where I see him thriving. 

[shrader]

If by some chance it happens, I wonder how many, (if any) father/son combos have been drafted by the same team. 

[Flashsabre]

46 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

My top 15, Jan 2025

1. Matthew Schaefer, 6'2" LHD - He's good. Skating is excellent, his ideas are excellent, his skills are excellent. He can close space, make passes, stickhandle when needed, and engage physically. He won't be 18 until September so great chance that he is a 6'3" guy at the pro level who is your all around #1 defender.
2. Michael Misa, 6'1" C - I tried to resist but Misa checks almost every box I want. He's a beast on the forecheck, his shot is amazing, he constantly is finding ways to use it. His playmaking is below Hagens but everything else is a step above. I want his dangles to get better but everything else is there.
3. James Hagens, 5'11" C - He's good, smart, and skilled. His ability to make plays that others don't see is at the top of this draft. Skating is good but not dynamic and he uses his high IQ to stay ahead of plays. He needs some physical development before coming to the NHL.
4. Porter Martone, 6'3" RW - If he was consistent like Misa, he could be number 2. He has better dangles and is bigger but sometimes his motor revs lower and I want high octane. Smart player with excellent playmaking instincts, Martone has been compared to Tkachuk which is very premature IMPO. 
5. Victor Eklund, 5'11" RW/LW - What if you merged Misa's forechecking and motor, with Martone's playmaking? You'd get this guy and frankly, he's been very good in the Allsveskan. Needs to work on finishing plays and getting stronger, his shot holds him back a little as he looks to make the pass. 
6. Roger McQueen, 6'5" C - Sadly McQueen has been out since October with a back injury and reports are that sometime in Feb or March he will return. Without an injury concern, he's a physical monster with nice hands and a good shot. We haven't seen him since October so some of this is projection, however he would not be the first big center injured in his draft year who gets overdrafted and then kinda falls flat.
7. Carter Bear, 6' C - Bear meet Benson, Benson meet Bear. Bear is an apt name for him, he hates you, your team, and your grandma. They all stole his favorite puck and he wants it back. He works harder than perhaps anyone else in this class. This is not some misdirected aggression though, he is smart and deliberate, cutting hands, using body positioning, and engaging and disengaging as needed. He has good instincts with the puck and my only complaint is, I wish he had some more handling skills. This guy will win you playoff games or die trying. Pleasure to watch and his consolidated ranking is way too low.
8. Jackson Smith, 6'3" LHD - He's a solid LHD that is good. 
9. Caleb Desnoyers, 6'2" C - very smart and has a high motor, kinda like discount Carter Bear (not meant to be bad). I like his engagement and playmaking. His calling card is the fact he couples his motor with really good positioning and game mechanics, this helps him make impactful plays all over the ice. He needs some more consistency and I wish he had a better shot but overall he's probably going to be a solid 2nd line player in the NHL in a few years. 
10. Braeden Cootes, 6' C - Also discount Bear. Cootes is fine, he does everything well and he has a great motor. There's some high end ideas in there but the projection is more questionable by all accounts. If he puts it all together he could be a reletive steal at 10 but he might also just pan out as a middle 6 forward in the mold of say smaller but more talented Marcus Foligno. A guy who is a solid 200ft player and gives 40-50 pts a year (again, better skilled foligno). Of course he could also turn into much more than that and he could be a ROR type of guy. 
11. Brady Martin, 6' C - Guess what? We have another discount Bear. Martin has all the physical game of Bear with less of the soft skills IMPO. Still he has skills and his insanely engaged, I almost put him over Cootes. He will separate opponents from the puck and then use his skills to execute smart plays and get pucks up ice or into scoring positions. His defensive game is advanced. He plays on a mediocre Greyhounds team and is only player in double digit +/- at +12. He's a guy that has a wide range of outcomes from ROR to more physical Krebs.
12. Cameron Reid 6' LHD - Oh look, a good lhd... next. 
13. Cameron Schmidt, 5'7" RW - I personally don't want to count out Schmidt but I refuse to rank him higher. He has that short scorer thing going for him and he's really a nice player. If he was 6' tall he would be ranked higher but his severe height/size issue is going to restrict him a bit. He's probably best in that 2nd line winger role where he has a more physical playmaking center getting him pucks. His skills are good enough to create space and his shot is very good. Good motor and lots of soft skills will help still be a useful top 6 player in the NHL. 
14. Lynden Lakovic, 6'4" LW - I get it, but also like... I don't. He's 6th in the WHL for draft eligibles and all but 1 of those guys are on this list. I can't really justify putting him up higher when he just doesn't impress me. He's big and skates well. He has good ideas and when he's engaged can be a force with his size and reach. His playmaking is very good and he has all the skills there you want from drawing in defenders, to using his hands to change angles on passing lanes. I just always want more from him, like there is something missing when I watch his stuff. A few times a game he puts it all together, reminds me a bit of Tuch. 
15. Benjamin Kindel, 5'10" RW - Kindel's consensus ranking at 23 is laughable. He currently leads the WHL in PPG for draft eligibles, he's on a good Hitmen team that he leads in pts, and his playmaking is beautiful. He's got some of that Patty Kane in him where he will use dirty dangles coupled to very good skating to open space and terrify defenses. He does get physically removed from plays at times but it isn't because he isn't trying. Needs some development there. His hockey sense and timing are fun to watch and with an April b-day there is a chance he gets bit bigger. Lots of ways he could go as a player but a Kane-esque playmaking winger is where I see him thriving. 

Good write up. Bear would be a fan favorite for sure. Misa and Bear are 2 choices I would love depending on where the Sabres draft.

McQueen might be another Cayden Lindstrom.  Back injuries are very scary.

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, Flashsabre said:

Good write up. Bear would be a fan favorite for sure. Misa and Bear are 2 choices I would love depending on where the Sabres draft.

McQueen might be another Cayden Lindstrom.  Back injuries are very scary.

Yea, I worry about McQueen being Lindstrom or even Quinton Byfield.

[steveoath]

4 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

My top 15, Jan 2025

1. Matthew Schaefer, 6'2" LHD - He's good. Skating is excellent, his ideas are excellent, his skills are excellent. He can close space, make passes, stickhandle when needed, and engage physically. He won't be 18 until September so great chance that he is a 6'3" guy at the pro level who is your all around #1 defender.
2. Michael Misa, 6'1" C - I tried to resist but Misa checks almost every box I want. He's a beast on the forecheck, his shot is amazing, he constantly is finding ways to use it. His playmaking is below Hagens but everything else is a step above. I want his dangles to get better but everything else is there.
3. James Hagens, 5'11" C - He's good, smart, and skilled. His ability to make plays that others don't see is at the top of this draft. Skating is good but not dynamic and he uses his high IQ to stay ahead of plays. He needs some physical development before coming to the NHL.
4. Porter Martone, 6'3" RW - If he was consistent like Misa, he could be number 2. He has better dangles and is bigger but sometimes his motor revs lower and I want high octane. Smart player with excellent playmaking instincts, Martone has been compared to Tkachuk which is very premature IMPO. 
5. Victor Eklund, 5'11" RW/LW - What if you merged Misa's forechecking and motor, with Martone's playmaking? You'd get this guy and frankly, he's been very good in the Allsveskan. Needs to work on finishing plays and getting stronger, his shot holds him back a little as he looks to make the pass. 
6. Roger McQueen, 6'5" C - Sadly McQueen has been out since October with a back injury and reports are that sometime in Feb or March he will return. Without an injury concern, he's a physical monster with nice hands and a good shot. We haven't seen him since October so some of this is projection, however he would not be the first big center injured in his draft year who gets overdrafted and then kinda falls flat.
7. Carter Bear, 6' C - Bear meet Benson, Benson meet Bear. Bear is an apt name for him, he hates you, your team, and your grandma. They all stole his favorite puck and he wants it back. He works harder than perhaps anyone else in this class. This is not some misdirected aggression though, he is smart and deliberate, cutting hands, using body positioning, and engaging and disengaging as needed. He has good instincts with the puck and my only complaint is, I wish he had some more handling skills. This guy will win you playoff games or die trying. Pleasure to watch and his consolidated ranking is way too low.
8. Jackson Smith, 6'3" LHD - He's a solid LHD that is good. 
9. Caleb Desnoyers, 6'2" C - very smart and has a high motor, kinda like discount Carter Bear (not meant to be bad). I like his engagement and playmaking. His calling card is the fact he couples his motor with really good positioning and game mechanics, this helps him make impactful plays all over the ice. He needs some more consistency and I wish he had a better shot but overall he's probably going to be a solid 2nd line player in the NHL in a few years. 
10. Braeden Cootes, 6' C - Also discount Bear. Cootes is fine, he does everything well and he has a great motor. There's some high end ideas in there but the projection is more questionable by all accounts. If he puts it all together he could be a reletive steal at 10 but he might also just pan out as a middle 6 forward in the mold of say smaller but more talented Marcus Foligno. A guy who is a solid 200ft player and gives 40-50 pts a year (again, better skilled foligno). Of course he could also turn into much more than that and he could be a ROR type of guy. 
11. Brady Martin, 6' C - Guess what? We have another discount Bear. Martin has all the physical game of Bear with less of the soft skills IMPO. Still he has skills and his insanely engaged, I almost put him over Cootes. He will separate opponents from the puck and then use his skills to execute smart plays and get pucks up ice or into scoring positions. His defensive game is advanced. He plays on a mediocre Greyhounds team and is only player in double digit +/- at +12. He's a guy that has a wide range of outcomes from ROR to more physical Krebs.
12. Cameron Reid 6' LHD - Oh look, a good lhd... next. 
13. Cameron Schmidt, 5'7" RW - I personally don't want to count out Schmidt but I refuse to rank him higher. He has that short scorer thing going for him and he's really a nice player. If he was 6' tall he would be ranked higher but his severe height/size issue is going to restrict him a bit. He's probably best in that 2nd line winger role where he has a more physical playmaking center getting him pucks. His skills are good enough to create space and his shot is very good. Good motor and lots of soft skills will help still be a useful top 6 player in the NHL. 
14. Lynden Lakovic, 6'4" LW - I get it, but also like... I don't. He's 6th in the WHL for draft eligibles and all but 1 of those guys are on this list. I can't really justify putting him up higher when he just doesn't impress me. He's big and skates well. He has good ideas and when he's engaged can be a force with his size and reach. His playmaking is very good and he has all the skills there you want from drawing in defenders, to using his hands to change angles on passing lanes. I just always want more from him, like there is something missing when I watch his stuff. A few times a game he puts it all together, reminds me a bit of Tuch. 
15. Benjamin Kindel, 5'10" RW - Kindel's consensus ranking at 23 is laughable. He currently leads the WHL in PPG for draft eligibles, he's on a good Hitmen team that he leads in pts, and his playmaking is beautiful. He's got some of that Patty Kane in him where he will use dirty dangles coupled to very good skating to open space and terrify defenses. He does get physically removed from plays at times but it isn't because he isn't trying. Needs some development there. His hockey sense and timing are fun to watch and with an April b-day there is a chance he gets bit bigger. Lots of ways he could go as a player but a Kane-esque playmaking winger is where I see him thriving. 

Thank you for the write up. I trust your judgement waaaay more than fortis and co. 

[LGR4GM]

40 minutes ago, steveoath said:

Thank you for the write up. I trust your judgement waaaay more than fortis and co. 

I trusted my judgement more when Pick224 was still a thing. They broke down stats by primary pts and pts per 60 and stuff for prospects. It was what queued me into Seth Jarvis in the first place (I have limited time so I have to pick the guys I want to look at more). Sadly that guy got hired by a I think the OHL or at least an OHL team and the site shutdown. 

[inkman]

6 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

My top 15, Jan 2025

1. Matthew Schaefer, 6'2" LHD - He's good. Skating is excellent, his ideas are excellent, his skills are excellent. He can close space, make passes, stickhandle when needed, and engage physically. He won't be 18 until September so great chance that he is a 6'3" guy at the pro level who is your all around #1 defender.
2. Michael Misa, 6'1" C - I tried to resist but Misa checks almost every box I want. He's a beast on the forecheck, his shot is amazing, he constantly is finding ways to use it. His playmaking is below Hagens but everything else is a step above. I want his dangles to get better but everything else is there.
3. James Hagens, 5'11" C - He's good, smart, and skilled. His ability to make plays that others don't see is at the top of this draft. Skating is good but not dynamic and he uses his high IQ to stay ahead of plays. He needs some physical development before coming to the NHL.
4. Porter Martone, 6'3" RW - If he was consistent like Misa, he could be number 2. He has better dangles and is bigger but sometimes his motor revs lower and I want high octane. Smart player with excellent playmaking instincts, Martone has been compared to Tkachuk which is very premature IMPO. 
5. Victor Eklund, 5'11" RW/LW - What if you merged Misa's forechecking and motor, with Martone's playmaking? You'd get this guy and frankly, he's been very good in the Allsveskan. Needs to work on finishing plays and getting stronger, his shot holds him back a little as he looks to make the pass. 
6. Roger McQueen, 6'5" C - Sadly McQueen has been out since October with a back injury and reports are that sometime in Feb or March he will return. Without an injury concern, he's a physical monster with nice hands and a good shot. We haven't seen him since October so some of this is projection, however he would not be the first big center injured in his draft year who gets overdrafted and then kinda falls flat.
7. Carter Bear, 6' C - Bear meet Benson, Benson meet Bear. Bear is an apt name for him, he hates you, your team, and your grandma. They all stole his favorite puck and he wants it back. He works harder than perhaps anyone else in this class. This is not some misdirected aggression though, he is smart and deliberate, cutting hands, using body positioning, and engaging and disengaging as needed. He has good instincts with the puck and my only complaint is, I wish he had some more handling skills. This guy will win you playoff games or die trying. Pleasure to watch and his consolidated ranking is way too low.
8. Jackson Smith, 6'3" LHD - He's a solid LHD that is good. 
9. Caleb Desnoyers, 6'2" C - very smart and has a high motor, kinda like discount Carter Bear (not meant to be bad). I like his engagement and playmaking. His calling card is the fact he couples his motor with really good positioning and game mechanics, this helps him make impactful plays all over the ice. He needs some more consistency and I wish he had a better shot but overall he's probably going to be a solid 2nd line player in the NHL in a few years. 
10. Braeden Cootes, 6' C - Also discount Bear. Cootes is fine, he does everything well and he has a great motor. There's some high end ideas in there but the projection is more questionable by all accounts. If he puts it all together he could be a reletive steal at 10 but he might also just pan out as a middle 6 forward in the mold of say smaller but more talented Marcus Foligno. A guy who is a solid 200ft player and gives 40-50 pts a year (again, better skilled foligno). Of course he could also turn into much more than that and he could be a ROR type of guy. 
11. Brady Martin, 6' C - Guess what? We have another discount Bear. Martin has all the physical game of Bear with less of the soft skills IMPO. Still he has skills and his insanely engaged, I almost put him over Cootes. He will separate opponents from the puck and then use his skills to execute smart plays and get pucks up ice or into scoring positions. His defensive game is advanced. He plays on a mediocre Greyhounds team and is only player in double digit +/- at +12. He's a guy that has a wide range of outcomes from ROR to more physical Krebs.
12. Cameron Reid 6' LHD - Oh look, a good lhd... next. 
13. Cameron Schmidt, 5'7" RW - I personally don't want to count out Schmidt but I refuse to rank him higher. He has that short scorer thing going for him and he's really a nice player. If he was 6' tall he would be ranked higher but his severe height/size issue is going to restrict him a bit. He's probably best in that 2nd line winger role where he has a more physical playmaking center getting him pucks. His skills are good enough to create space and his shot is very good. Good motor and lots of soft skills will help still be a useful top 6 player in the NHL. 
14. Lynden Lakovic, 6'4" LW - I get it, but also like... I don't. He's 6th in the WHL for draft eligibles and all but 1 of those guys are on this list. I can't really justify putting him up higher when he just doesn't impress me. He's big and skates well. He has good ideas and when he's engaged can be a force with his size and reach. His playmaking is very good and he has all the skills there you want from drawing in defenders, to using his hands to change angles on passing lanes. I just always want more from him, like there is something missing when I watch his stuff. A few times a game he puts it all together, reminds me a bit of Tuch. 
15. Benjamin Kindel, 5'10" RW - Kindel's consensus ranking at 23 is laughable. He currently leads the WHL in PPG for draft eligibles, he's on a good Hitmen team that he leads in pts, and his playmaking is beautiful. He's got some of that Patty Kane in him where he will use dirty dangles coupled to very good skating to open space and terrify defenses. He does get physically removed from plays at times but it isn't because he isn't trying. Needs some development there. His hockey sense and timing are fun to watch and with an April b-day there is a chance he gets bit bigger. Lots of ways he could go as a player but a Kane-esque playmaking winger is where I see him thriving. 

Future Sabre Cameron Schmidt. 

[PerreaultForever]

On 2/4/2025 at 7:19 AM, LGR4GM said:

My top 15, Jan 2025

1. Matthew Schaefer, 6'2" LHD - He's good. Skating is excellent, his ideas are excellent, his skills are excellent. He can close space, make passes, stickhandle when needed, and engage physically. He won't be 18 until September so great chance that he is a 6'3" guy at the pro level who is your all around #1 defender.
2. Michael Misa, 6'1" C - I tried to resist but Misa checks almost every box I want. He's a beast on the forecheck, his shot is amazing, he constantly is finding ways to use it. His playmaking is below Hagens but everything else is a step above. I want his dangles to get better but everything else is there.
3. James Hagens, 5'11" C - He's good, smart, and skilled. His ability to make plays that others don't see is at the top of this draft. Skating is good but not dynamic and he uses his high IQ to stay ahead of plays. He needs some physical development before coming to the NHL.
4. Porter Martone, 6'3" RW - If he was consistent like Misa, he could be number 2. He has better dangles and is bigger but sometimes his motor revs lower and I want high octane. Smart player with excellent playmaking instincts, Martone has been compared to Tkachuk which is very premature IMPO. 
5. Victor Eklund, 5'11" RW/LW - What if you merged Misa's forechecking and motor, with Martone's playmaking? You'd get this guy and frankly, he's been very good in the Allsveskan. Needs to work on finishing plays and getting stronger, his shot holds him back a little as he looks to make the pass. 
6. Roger McQueen, 6'5" C - Sadly McQueen has been out since October with a back injury and reports are that sometime in Feb or March he will return. Without an injury concern, he's a physical monster with nice hands and a good shot. We haven't seen him since October so some of this is projection, however he would not be the first big center injured in his draft year who gets overdrafted and then kinda falls flat.
7. Carter Bear, 6' C - Bear meet Benson, Benson meet Bear. Bear is an apt name for him, he hates you, your team, and your grandma. They all stole his favorite puck and he wants it back. He works harder than perhaps anyone else in this class. This is not some misdirected aggression though, he is smart and deliberate, cutting hands, using body positioning, and engaging and disengaging as needed. He has good instincts with the puck and my only complaint is, I wish he had some more handling skills. This guy will win you playoff games or die trying. Pleasure to watch and his consolidated ranking is way too low.
8. Jackson Smith, 6'3" LHD - He's a solid LHD that is good. 
9. Caleb Desnoyers, 6'2" C - very smart and has a high motor, kinda like discount Carter Bear (not meant to be bad). I like his engagement and playmaking. His calling card is the fact he couples his motor with really good positioning and game mechanics, this helps him make impactful plays all over the ice. He needs some more consistency and I wish he had a better shot but overall he's probably going to be a solid 2nd line player in the NHL in a few years. 
10. Braeden Cootes, 6' C - Also discount Bear. Cootes is fine, he does everything well and he has a great motor. There's some high end ideas in there but the projection is more questionable by all accounts. If he puts it all together he could be a reletive steal at 10 but he might also just pan out as a middle 6 forward in the mold of say smaller but more talented Marcus Foligno. A guy who is a solid 200ft player and gives 40-50 pts a year (again, better skilled foligno). Of course he could also turn into much more than that and he could be a ROR type of guy. 
11. Brady Martin, 6' C - Guess what? We have another discount Bear. Martin has all the physical game of Bear with less of the soft skills IMPO. Still he has skills and his insanely engaged, I almost put him over Cootes. He will separate opponents from the puck and then use his skills to execute smart plays and get pucks up ice or into scoring positions. His defensive game is advanced. He plays on a mediocre Greyhounds team and is only player in double digit +/- at +12. He's a guy that has a wide range of outcomes from ROR to more physical Krebs.
12. Cameron Reid 6' LHD - Oh look, a good lhd... next. 
13. Cameron Schmidt, 5'7" RW - I personally don't want to count out Schmidt but I refuse to rank him higher. He has that short scorer thing going for him and he's really a nice player. If he was 6' tall he would be ranked higher but his severe height/size issue is going to restrict him a bit. He's probably best in that 2nd line winger role where he has a more physical playmaking center getting him pucks. His skills are good enough to create space and his shot is very good. Good motor and lots of soft skills will help still be a useful top 6 player in the NHL. 
14. Lynden Lakovic, 6'4" LW - I get it, but also like... I don't. He's 6th in the WHL for draft eligibles and all but 1 of those guys are on this list. I can't really justify putting him up higher when he just doesn't impress me. He's big and skates well. He has good ideas and when he's engaged can be a force with his size and reach. His playmaking is very good and he has all the skills there you want from drawing in defenders, to using his hands to change angles on passing lanes. I just always want more from him, like there is something missing when I watch his stuff. A few times a game he puts it all together, reminds me a bit of Tuch. 
15. Benjamin Kindel, 5'10" RW - Kindel's consensus ranking at 23 is laughable. He currently leads the WHL in PPG for draft eligibles, he's on a good Hitmen team that he leads in pts, and his playmaking is beautiful. He's got some of that Patty Kane in him where he will use dirty dangles coupled to very good skating to open space and terrify defenses. He does get physically removed from plays at times but it isn't because he isn't trying. Needs some development there. His hockey sense and timing are fun to watch and with an April b-day there is a chance he gets bit bigger. Lots of ways he could go as a player but a Kane-esque playmaking winger is where I see him thriving. 

I hate that I'm looking at the draft and wish it wasn't so but since it is, I find it interesting you have Carter Bear at 7. I've generally seen him around 14-15 but I really like this guy. Since he's ranked around 14 I've suggested him as the guy the Bruins should go after (and I mean he's a "Bear"). I definitely wouldn't hate Sabres going after him though even if it might seem too early. 

Caleb Desnoyers is the guy I like that fits closer with the usual rankings though. He'd be a decent pick as well, but neither of these guys is what they usually go for. 

[LGR4GM]

10 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

I hate that I'm looking at the draft and wish it wasn't so but since it is, I find it interesting you have Carter Bear at 7. I've generally seen him around 14-15 but I really like this guy. Since he's ranked around 14 I've suggested him as the guy the Bruins should go after (and I mean he's a "Bear"). I definitely wouldn't hate Sabres going after him though even if it might seem too early. 

Caleb Desnoyers is the guy I like that fits closer with the usual rankings though. He'd be a decent pick as well, but neither of these guys is what they usually go for. 

Bear fits the profile I'm looking at. Smart, high motor, physical, skill. He profiles similarly to Seth Jarvis. 

Bear's consolidated ranking is 16, so you're right about rating him higher. 

[LGR4GM]

Now this is interesting... https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6101718/2025/02/13/nhl-draft-2025-ranking-wheeler-midseason/

1. Matthew Schaefer
2. Michael Misa
3. James Hagens
4. Porter Martone
5. Caleb Desnoyers
6. Anton Frondell
7. Roger McQueen
8. Radim Mrtka
9. Victor Eklund
10. Justin Carbonneau
11. Jake O'Brien
12. Carter Bear

[LGR4GM]

Michael Misa has 27pts in the last 10 games and 16pts including 6goals in the last 5. 

Last 5 games 6g 10a 16pts +5

Last 10 games 9g 18a 27pts +7

Quote

February 2nd, 2025 - Saginaw Spirit vs. Soo Greyhounds

By Lauren Kelly2025-02-03

Misa's physical game was on another level tonight. He set the tone early with a huge hit in the corner to force a turnover, and went right to space to create an odd-man advantage and consistently laid hard hits on the forecheck. He drew a penalty entering the zone on the rush and being taken down in open-ice...

 

Edited February 13 by LGR4GM

[GASabresIUFAN]

58 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Michael Misa has 27pts in the last 10 games and 16pts including 6goals in the last 5. 

Last 5 games 6g 10a 16pts +5

Last 10 games 9g 18a 27pts +7

 

He'll be long gone by the time we draft from 4th to 6th.  Maybe we'll get lucky and Martone will still be available.

[LGR4GM]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

He'll be long gone by the time we draft from 4th to 6th.  Maybe we'll get lucky and Martone will still be available.

At 4 you can get Martone, at 6 you're looking at Desnoyers, Bear, Eklund. You could take a risk on McQueen who hasn't played because of a bulging disc in his back. 

[Flashsabre]

 

[inkman]

I can’t wait to see which of these children gets to come to Buffalo and immediately want to off themselves. 

[Mr. Allen]

On 2/13/2025 at 3:08 PM, LGR4GM said:

Now this is interesting... https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6101718/2025/02/13/nhl-draft-2025-ranking-wheeler-midseason/

1. Matthew Schaefer
2. Michael Misa
3. James Hagens
4. Porter Martone
5. Caleb Desnoyers
6. Anton Frondell
7. Roger McQueen
8. Radim Mrtka
9. Victor Eklund
10. Justin Carbonneau
11. Jake O'Brien
12. Carter Bear

What makes it interesting? 

[LGR4GM]

24 minutes ago, Mr. Allen said:

What makes it interesting? 

Hagens at 3 (although, I think it's trending that way)

Desnoyers at 5. Mrtka at 8. Carbonneau at 10. All 3 are higher than anywhere else. Mrtka Ave Carbonneau by a bit. Personally I think Bear is better than Desnoyers but I only see bits and pieces. 

[Two or less]

On 2/4/2025 at 10:19 AM, LGR4GM said:

My top 15, Jan 2025

1. Matthew Schaefer, 6'2" LHD - He's good. Skating is excellent, his ideas are excellent, his skills are excellent. He can close space, make passes, stickhandle when needed, and engage physically. He won't be 18 until September so great chance that he is a 6'3" guy at the pro level who is your all around #1 defender.
2. Michael Misa, 6'1" C - I tried to resist but Misa checks almost every box I want. He's a beast on the forecheck, his shot is amazing, he constantly is finding ways to use it. His playmaking is below Hagens but everything else is a step above. I want his dangles to get better but everything else is there.
3. James Hagens, 5'11" C - He's good, smart, and skilled. His ability to make plays that others don't see is at the top of this draft. Skating is good but not dynamic and he uses his high IQ to stay ahead of plays. He needs some physical development before coming to the NHL.
4. Porter Martone, 6'3" RW - If he was consistent like Misa, he could be number 2. He has better dangles and is bigger but sometimes his motor revs lower and I want high octane. Smart player with excellent playmaking instincts, Martone has been compared to Tkachuk which is very premature IMPO. 
5. Victor Eklund, 5'11" RW/LW - What if you merged Misa's forechecking and motor, with Martone's playmaking? You'd get this guy and frankly, he's been very good in the Allsveskan. Needs to work on finishing plays and getting stronger, his shot holds him back a little as he looks to make the pass. 
6. Roger McQueen, 6'5" C - Sadly McQueen has been out since October with a back injury and reports are that sometime in Feb or March he will return. Without an injury concern, he's a physical monster with nice hands and a good shot. We haven't seen him since October so some of this is projection, however he would not be the first big center injured in his draft year who gets overdrafted and then kinda falls flat.
7. Carter Bear, 6' C - Bear meet Benson, Benson meet Bear. Bear is an apt name for him, he hates you, your team, and your grandma. They all stole his favorite puck and he wants it back. He works harder than perhaps anyone else in this class. This is not some misdirected aggression though, he is smart and deliberate, cutting hands, using body positioning, and engaging and disengaging as needed. He has good instincts with the puck and my only complaint is, I wish he had some more handling skills. This guy will win you playoff games or die trying. Pleasure to watch and his consolidated ranking is way too low.
8. Jackson Smith, 6'3" LHD - He's a solid LHD that is good. 
9. Caleb Desnoyers, 6'2" C - very smart and has a high motor, kinda like discount Carter Bear (not meant to be bad). I like his engagement and playmaking. His calling card is the fact he couples his motor with really good positioning and game mechanics, this helps him make impactful plays all over the ice. He needs some more consistency and I wish he had a better shot but overall he's probably going to be a solid 2nd line player in the NHL in a few years. 
10. Braeden Cootes, 6' C - Also discount Bear. Cootes is fine, he does everything well and he has a great motor. There's some high end ideas in there but the projection is more questionable by all accounts. If he puts it all together he could be a reletive steal at 10 but he might also just pan out as a middle 6 forward in the mold of say smaller but more talented Marcus Foligno. A guy who is a solid 200ft player and gives 40-50 pts a year (again, better skilled foligno). Of course he could also turn into much more than that and he could be a ROR type of guy. 
11. Brady Martin, 6' C - Guess what? We have another discount Bear. Martin has all the physical game of Bear with less of the soft skills IMPO. Still he has skills and his insanely engaged, I almost put him over Cootes. He will separate opponents from the puck and then use his skills to execute smart plays and get pucks up ice or into scoring positions. His defensive game is advanced. He plays on a mediocre Greyhounds team and is only player in double digit +/- at +12. He's a guy that has a wide range of outcomes from ROR to more physical Krebs.
12. Cameron Reid 6' LHD - Oh look, a good lhd... next. 
13. Cameron Schmidt, 5'7" RW - I personally don't want to count out Schmidt but I refuse to rank him higher. He has that short scorer thing going for him and he's really a nice player. If he was 6' tall he would be ranked higher but his severe height/size issue is going to restrict him a bit. He's probably best in that 2nd line winger role where he has a more physical playmaking center getting him pucks. His skills are good enough to create space and his shot is very good. Good motor and lots of soft skills will help still be a useful top 6 player in the NHL. 
14. Lynden Lakovic, 6'4" LW - I get it, but also like... I don't. He's 6th in the WHL for draft eligibles and all but 1 of those guys are on this list. I can't really justify putting him up higher when he just doesn't impress me. He's big and skates well. He has good ideas and when he's engaged can be a force with his size and reach. His playmaking is very good and he has all the skills there you want from drawing in defenders, to using his hands to change angles on passing lanes. I just always want more from him, like there is something missing when I watch his stuff. A few times a game he puts it all together, reminds me a bit of Tuch. 
15. Benjamin Kindel, 5'10" RW - Kindel's consensus ranking at 23 is laughable. He currently leads the WHL in PPG for draft eligibles, he's on a good Hitmen team that he leads in pts, and his playmaking is beautiful. He's got some of that Patty Kane in him where he will use dirty dangles coupled to very good skating to open space and terrify defenses. He does get physically removed from plays at times but it isn't because he isn't trying. Needs some development there. His hockey sense and timing are fun to watch and with an April b-day there is a chance he gets bit bigger. Lots of ways he could go as a player but a Kane-esque playmaking winger is where I see him thriving. 

 

Nice write up. Just wanted to add, Lynden Lakovic is nephew to the late Sasha Lakovic, former Amerks tough man who also appeared in the movie Miracle.

[GoPuckYourself]

I'm sure we'll even blow this and end up in the typical 8th spot. 

[Flashsabre]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/ohl/article/spirits-michael-misa-scores-two-more-goals-to-give-him-52-in-51-games/

[LGR4GM]

Michael Misa in the OHL this year. 

He is 1st in points with 108, the 2nd guy is Nick Lardis with 96. 

He is 1st in ppg with 2.12, the 2nd guy is Porter Martone at 1.86 (technically Igor Chernyshov, also on Saginaw, is first at 3ppg but he only has 9games)

He is 2nd in goals with 52 to Nick Lardis who has 57. The 3rd place guy is Liam Greentree at 38. 

He is 5th in +/- at +43 with the top guy being +48 and the 2nd place being +45... so he's really close.

He is currently 5th in ppg for all draft eligible OHL players from 2005 to present. 

He is currently in 4th in goals for all draft eligible OHL players from 2005 to present and tied with Jack Quinn (in 10 less games). He has only 51 games played so he still has another month of goal scoring to take a run at Pat Kane's 62hoals from the 2006-2007 season. 

He is 21st in assists for the OHL from 2005 to present for draft eligible with 56a to date. I would expect this number to climb because he gets Chernyshov as a linemate. 

He is 28pts better than the 2nd guy on his team in points and 25 more goals than 2nd place. 

Final sidenote: Kristian Epperson is one of Misa's linemataes. He is an overager that will turn 19 in May. He's a 6' LW that I would be willing to take a swing on in a later round. 

[SabreFinn]

23 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Michael Misa in the OHL this year. 

He is 1st in points with 108, the 2nd guy is Nick Lardis with 96. 

He is 1st in ppg with 2.12, the 2nd guy is Porter Martone at 1.86 (technically Igor Chernyshov, also on Saginaw, is first at 3ppg but he only has 9games)

He is 2nd in goals with 52 to Nick Lardis who has 57. The 3rd place guy is Liam Greentree at 38. 

He is 5th in +/- at +43 with the top guy being +48 and the 2nd place being +45... so he's really close.

He is currently 5th in ppg for all draft eligible OHL players from 2005 to present. 

He is currently in 4th in goals for all draft eligible OHL players from 2005 to present and tied with Jack Quinn (in 10 less games). He has only 51 games played so he still has another month of goal scoring to take a run at Pat Kane's 62hoals from the 2006-2007 season. 

He is 21st in assists for the OHL from 2005 to present for draft eligible with 56a to date. I would expect this number to climb because he gets Chernyshov as a linemate. 

He is 28pts better than the 2nd guy on his team in points and 25 more goals than 2nd place. 

Final sidenote: Kristian Epperson is one of Misa's linemataes. He is an overager that will turn 19 in May. He's a 6' LW that I would be willing to take a swing on in a later round. 

Lardis sounds like a decent third round pick by Hawks.