2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[LGR4GM]

I am curious to see where Desnoyers go and I think it could be as early as 4. Desnoyers is destroying the playoffs in the Q. 5g, 8a, in 6 games thus far which ties him for first in QMJHL playoff points. Dude has 2nd line 60pt 200ft center written allllll over him. 

I really wonder if Hagens with his size slides more than we think. I think on the pro side there might be some scouts that really worry about his ability to get inside if he had issues at the NCAA level. The thing is they could also project him out and not worry at all. I wonder if his combine measurements will impact any times but I could see him slipping to 4 or 5 potentially. 

I think Martone has answered some scouting questions with his 9pts in 6 playoffs games (which is really 5games because he was held off the sheet in the final game). His season is over but teams will see the size and occasional physicality and project him out to the next Tkachuk with more playmaking. I think that is a little over the top but he could be a really good distributor from the wing who can win battles. 

McQueen is going to be a wild card. He was able to get some games in late which will make teams feel better (recency bias man) but being shut down again due to injury (unclear what that injury was, so if you know feel free to share). He's got 20 games in this year and at 6'5" with that skating, ability, and physicality, I could see teams doing due diligence on the medical side and going for him high. He's going to be tough for me to rank because do I ignore the medical side because I don't have that info? or do I take what is publicly available and just run with that? 

[LGR4GM]

Mock April 14, 2025 (based on current standings)

1. San Jose: Matthew Schaefer - They have Dickinson who had a massive season but they could still use another guy like Schaefer. They also have just an absurd level of forward depth in the pipe. Celebrini, Smith, Musty, Bystedt, Lund, Eklund, and Chernyshov. Interestingly Chernyshov is Misa's linemate so there is a chance that they look at things and say, we want his linemate because they work. 
2. Chicago: Michael Misa - they take whoever is here so Misa in this case. They need everything and having another guy behind Bedard who can really rip it will make their rebuild kick into higher gear. Chicago is probably 2-4 years away from anything though. I think San Jose is closer. 
3. Nashville: Roger McQueen - I kinda hate Nashville's drafting. They need a bit of everything, they don't have much int he way of high end guys. Their forwards in the first round tend to be bigger types, although Kemell snuck in there, so yea. I could also see them as a Frondell landing spot. Really this is where the draft starts. 
4. Boston: Porter Martone - if Martone slides they are taking him. I could also see them pick up Hagens, McQueen, or potentially Desnoyers. Hagens plays at Boston college, so I am very very tempted to mock him to them. Maybe I should? Let's leave it for now (because this is for fun). Boston needs everything, their prospect pool is rough so they pick the best player in the draft that they think will jumpstart a rebuild. 
5. Seattle: Jackson Smith - ranked everywhere from 5th - 15th, Smith is a 6'3" LHD that we haven't spent much time on but has been creeping up the boards. He's solid defensively and his production has improved all year. I almost gave them Hagens but I feel like Seattle might look at their pool and decide they need a blue chip defender. I also think Seattle would make an interesting trade partner for Buffalo if they were to move Byram or Samuelsson. 
6. Philadelphia: James Hagens - thought I was going to push him all the way to Buffalo huh? Hagens is the perfect type of guy to pair with Michkov. If McQueen is around though, he goes here. Philly likes to think a bit outside the box (Jett Luchanko at 13) and Hagens gives them a reliable puck mover for Michkov. Is that not enough size? Yea but we could also just fix that by sending Martone to Nashville, Hagens to Boston, and McQueen to Philly. 
7. Buffalo: Caleb Desnoyers - I don't love Desnoyers as much as some but I get it. He's good at everything, his attention to detail is great, he has shooting and passing skills with more and more playmaking coming out. There's a good honest effort from him every shift (not at the Benson or Bear level) and he's going to play NHL games. If the skill and skating keep going up, he might be a steal in a few years. 6'2" 200ft center sounds really nice. 
8. Pittsburgh: Anton Frondell - a bit hard to judge because he played basically all year in a men's league (Allsvenskan) in Sweden, Frondell is someone that a lot of scouts like. Known for his shot, checking details, and being sound for a 17yr old in a men's league, I personally don't love him. He just never wows me. Everyone above here has multiple moments of wow, look at that. Frondell has a great shot but other than that he reminds me of a dude who's fine. I think Pitt takes him because they view him as the best center on the board. 
9. Anaheim: Victor Eklund - with his brother also on the west coast and being easily the best player left, Anaheim takes a swing on a slightly undersized little chaos generator. He's got that Seth Jarvis feel and frankly if you watch Frondell highlights you see Eklund creating a lot of his chances. I love Eklund a lot and wouldn't be upset if Buffalo took him... but boy would the fanbase implode if we drafted a 5'11" 161lb winger. Oppenheimer would even been shocked. 
10. New York: Jake O'Brien - I think Drury has done a very mediocre job in NY. He takes O'Brien because he wants someone who can develop into a top 2 center which he's gonna need down the line. How long are Trochek and Miller and Zibanejad going to be good? All of them are 31 and 32. They figure this gives them a legit option coming at center and I agree. He's got a lot of upside as a 20g, 40a type of player some day. 

[Mr. Allen]

Gonna be interesting last couple games as there’s like 6 teams that can change positions in the top 10.  Spots 1-3 are set.  But 4-9 can all change depending on last game or two.  

[Flashsabre]

38 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Mock April 14, 2025 (based on current standings)

1. San Jose: Matthew Schaefer - They have Dickinson who had a massive season but they could still use another guy like Schaefer. They also have just an absurd level of forward depth in the pipe. Celebrini, Smith, Musty, Bystedt, Lund, Eklund, and Chernyshov. Interestingly Chernyshov is Misa's linemate so there is a chance that they look at things and say, we want his linemate because they work. 
2. Chicago: Michael Misa - they take whoever is here so Misa in this case. They need everything and having another guy behind Bedard who can really rip it will make their rebuild kick into higher gear. Chicago is probably 2-4 years away from anything though. I think San Jose is closer. 
3. Nashville: Roger McQueen - I kinda hate Nashville's drafting. They need a bit of everything, they don't have much int he way of high end guys. Their forwards in the first round tend to be bigger types, although Kemell snuck in there, so yea. I could also see them as a Frondell landing spot. Really this is where the draft starts. 
4. Boston: Porter Martone - if Martone slides they are taking him. I could also see them pick up Hagens, McQueen, or potentially Desnoyers. Hagens plays at Boston college, so I am very very tempted to mock him to them. Maybe I should? Let's leave it for now (because this is for fun). Boston needs everything, their prospect pool is rough so they pick the best player in the draft that they think will jumpstart a rebuild. 
5. Seattle: Jackson Smith - ranked everywhere from 5th - 15th, Smith is a 6'3" LHD that we haven't spent much time on but has been creeping up the boards. He's solid defensively and his production has improved all year. I almost gave them Hagens but I feel like Seattle might look at their pool and decide they need a blue chip defender. I also think Seattle would make an interesting trade partner for Buffalo if they were to move Byram or Samuelsson. 
6. Philadelphia: James Hagens - thought I was going to push him all the way to Buffalo huh? Hagens is the perfect type of guy to pair with Michkov. If McQueen is around though, he goes here. Philly likes to think a bit outside the box (Jett Luchanko at 13) and Hagens gives them a reliable puck mover for Michkov. Is that not enough size? Yea but we could also just fix that by sending Martone to Nashville, Hagens to Boston, and McQueen to Philly. 
7. Buffalo: Caleb Desnoyers - I don't love Desnoyers as much as some but I get it. He's good at everything, his attention to detail is great, he has shooting and passing skills with more and more playmaking coming out. There's a good honest effort from him every shift (not at the Benson or Bear level) and he's going to play NHL games. If the skill and skating keep going up, he might be a steal in a few years. 6'2" 200ft center sounds really nice. 
8. Pittsburgh: Anton Frondell - a bit hard to judge because he played basically all year in a men's league (Allsvenskan) in Sweden, Frondell is someone that a lot of scouts like. Known for his shot, checking details, and being sound for a 17yr old in a men's league, I personally don't love him. He just never wows me. Everyone above here has multiple moments of wow, look at that. Frondell has a great shot but other than that he reminds me of a dude who's fine. I think Pitt takes him because they view him as the best center on the board. 
9. Anaheim: Victor Eklund - with his brother also on the west coast and being easily the best player left, Anaheim takes a swing on a slightly undersized little chaos generator. He's got that Seth Jarvis feel and frankly if you watch Frondell highlights you see Eklund creating a lot of his chances. I love Eklund a lot and wouldn't be upset if Buffalo took him... but boy would the fanbase implode if we drafted a 5'11" 161lb winger. Oppenheimer would even been shocked. 
10. New York: Jake O'Brien - I think Drury has done a very mediocre job in NY. He takes O'Brien because he wants someone who can develop into a top 2 center which he's gonna need down the line. How long are Trochek and Miller and Zibanejad going to be good? All of them are 31 and 32. They figure this gives them a legit option coming at center and I agree. He's got a lot of upside as a 20g, 40a type of player some day. 

Can’t see McQueen going 3rd with his health issues. Just someone please take Frondell before Buffalo because you know they are running up to the podium to select another shoot first centre.

[Pimlach]

OK Sabres Draftniks, my question is regarding the top forwards in this upcoming draft. 

I look at Tankathon Sim Lottery and push buttons.  

Before the Sabres late season surge they looked like they had a draft choice in Group 1 - Misa, Martone, Hagens

Right now they seem to be more likely in Group 2 - Frondell, Eklund, Desnoyers, McQueen. 

Is the difference in the two groups really that big?  

[LGR4GM]

19 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

OK Sabres Draftniks, my question is regarding the top forwards in this upcoming draft. 

I look at Tankathon Sim Lottery and push buttons.  

Before the Sabres late season surge they looked like they had a draft choice in Group 1 - Misa, Martone, Hagens

Right now they seem to be more likely in Group 2 - Frondell, Eklund, Desnoyers, McQueen. 

Is the difference in the two groups really that big?  

Well Frondell shouldn' be in the 2nd group but yes. Schaefer, Misa are in tier 1. Martone, Hagens are in tier 2, and the rest you listed are in a big tier 3. There's a big difference between Misa/Schaefer and McQueen/Desnoyers

Tier 1: Schaefer, Misa

Tier 2: Martone, Hagens

Tier 3: McQueen, Desnoyers, Eklund, Smith, maybe Bear and O'Brien and Carbonneau in there. 

[DarthEbriate]

The final game on Thursday vs. PHI will likely determine the draft order of the two teams. Most likely, Sabres are 6-8 going into the lottery, depending on whether they beat Philly or not. PIT has one game left, 3 rest days, and host a checked-out WSH team that has been coasting for a month and has nothing left to do until the playoffs now that Ovi has the goals record. Crosby probably doesn't let the Pens lose that game. They're probably going to lock up the #9OA pre-lottery slot.

[Mr. Allen]

3 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

The final game on Thursday vs. PHI will likely determine the draft order of the two teams. Most likely, Sabres are 6-8 going into the lottery, depending on whether they beat Philly or not. PIT has one game left, 3 rest days, and host a checked-out WSH team that has been coasting for a month and has nothing left to do until the playoffs now that Ovi has the goals record. Crosby probably doesn't let the Pens lose that game. They're probably going to lock up the #9OA pre-lottery slot.

I would like to see Boston win and get out of that 4th spot.  I don’t want to see them get lucky and retool quickly.  I’d like to see them suffer at least a little bit.  

[DarthEbriate]

9 minutes ago, Mr. Allen said:

I would like to see Boston win and get out of that 4th spot.  I don’t want to see them get lucky and retool quickly.  I’d like to see them suffer at least a little bit.  

It's possible, however unlikely, that Boston gets back-to-back top 5 picks and then adds Eichel to the lineup in 2026-27 via free agency. And they have Pastrnak, Eichel, McAvoy, veteran Swayman as their building role models for ...  Martone and... not McKenna (he's a Penguin), but the #3 guy next year.

But, as I said in another thread somewhere, I'm not sure Eichel will want to do that. The best thing about Vegas is they're always trying and he's just one of the guys -- not the savior with all the pressure. That's cool.

-------

Now, if I were Boston's GM, I'd offer sheet Jack Quinn for 7x$15M. Take four top-10 picks, Sabres, please. I'd probably get fired if I were Boston's GM, to be fair. But I'd sink their little steering wheel for five years on my way out. Why is Parker Wotherspoon the highest-paid Bruin in franchise history with full NTC/NMC?

[LGR4GM]

Buffalo will draft 5-9th at this point based on standings. This does not take lottery winning into account. Buffalo however has 4pts left for claims and Seattle and Pitt only 2 so Seattle overtaking Buffalo is unlikely and Pitts dropping below Buffalo more likely. Really we are probably talking about 6,7, or 8 overall. 

[Mr. Allen]

7 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Buffalo will draft 5-9th at this point based on standings. This does not take lottery winning into account. Buffalo however has 4pts left for claims and Seattle and Pitt only 2 so Seattle overtaking Buffalo is unlikely and Pitts dropping below Buffalo more likely. Really we are probably talking about 6,7, or 8 overall. 

We can’t get 4th still?  Or just highly unlikely?

[LGR4GM]

18 minutes ago, Mr. Allen said:

We can’t get 4th still?  Or just highly unlikely?

Can't get

[LGR4GM]

Anaheim got 1pt last night and Seattle lost. Buffalo is now locked into drafting either 6, 7, 8, or 9th. I think we have the tiebreaker over Anaheim as we have more regulation wins. If we lose to Philly we draft 6th. If we beat Philly we draft 7-9 depending on Pittsburgh and Anaheim's final games. 

[LGR4GM]

Anaheim plays the Jets tonight.

Pittsburgh plays Washington tomorrow.

We play Philadelphia tomorrow. Note if Philly loses, they'll drop to 4th, so I'm gonna guess they won't be motivated. 

Edited yesterday at 11:02 AM by LGR4GM

[kas23]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

Anaheim plays the Jets tonight.

Pittsburgh plays Washington tomorrow.

We play Philadelphia tomorrow. Note if Philly loses, they'll drop to 4th, so I'm gonna guess they won't be motivated. 

It’s going to be a game of epic proportions. 

[Mr. Allen]

The way I look at it is getting a good draft pick is the lone reward for fans after having to suffer through another bad season.  So I’m at the point of F the moral victory of wining the last game.  Give me a better draft pick to make it easier on this organization to not screw up the selection. 

[LGR4GM]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6278808/2025/04/16/nhl-draft-2025-ranking-schaefer-misa/

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Desnoyers
4. Hagens
5. Martone
6. Frondell
7. O'Brien
8. Eklund
9. McQueen
10. Aitcheson
11. Smith
12. Nesbitt
13. Mrtka
14. Bear
15. Carbonneau

[LGR4GM]

Let's talk about Jack Nesbitt. He's a 6'4" center with some physicality and some good hands. He lacks pace, I don't find his shot particularly interesting, his overall skating is fine-ish. Really with Nesbitt you have the profile of a guy we typically see drafted late in the first round: Big center with good hands that has some flaws. At 12, I think that is very much a reach for him. For example Bear is a better skater, has the same or better defensive game, has a better shot, similar skating, but more checking/energy. Why would I take Nesbitt? 

Kashawn Aitcheson, the 6'1" LHD. Now this ranking is actually more probable. To some degree he is the Carter Bear of defenders. Constantly engaged, scouts literally wont shutup about how he is always moving and engaging and making plays all over the ice. That's a good thing though. There is a very real chance that Aitcheson is the 2nd defender taken in this draft as teams will love how he plays. I question some of his decision making on offense from what I have watched but he's really solid in the defensive zone. If Buffalo drafted 9th and took him, I wouldn't bat much of an eye. He's got good skating, maybe great in time, and he's physical in his own end with lots of battle and energy. Interesting player that if he is 6'2" at the combine, I could see him jump a spot or two on some boards because teams covet bigger defenders. 

[LGR4GM]

Look, we are going to see list after list put Frondell in the top 8 and I get it. He isn't my cup of tea. I see a player that relies a lot on others (coughEklundcough) to create the havoc needed for Frondell to do his thing. He can win battles and has nice checking skills, he's engaged, his shot is probably 4th in this class, maybe 3rd. (Misa, Carbonneau, Lakovic/Frondell) but I just want a bit more from him. There is a lack of creativity with Frondell that worries me and I don't want lesser JJ Peterka. I would rather gamble on Carbonneau or Eklund than take Frondell is the point. I hope he goes ahead of Buffalo's pick and pushes someone else lower (Desnoyers maybe Hagens) 

Right now I think the top 6 players taken will be Schaefer, Misa, Martone, Hagens, Desnoyers, and Frondell. 

[Turbo44]

Ana got a loser point tonight so we can’t catch them for 9th. 
- we lose to phi we draft 6th

- we beat phi we draft 7th (if pit wins) or 8th if  pit gets loser point or loses

we get loser point vs phi we draft 7th (if PIT doesn’t lose in regulation) and 8th if Pit loses in regulation 

we just need to lose so these losers of course are going to win 7-0

 

[LGR4GM]

The Sabres can now only draft 6, 7, or 8th. Anaheim is out of reach at 9. This doesn't take into account the draft lottery. 

[John Tucker]

21 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6278808/2025/04/16/nhl-draft-2025-ranking-schaefer-misa/

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Desnoyers
4. Hagens
5. Martone
6. Frondell
7. O'Brien
8. Eklund
9. McQueen
10. Aitcheson
11. Smith
12. Nesbitt
13. Mrtka
14. Bear
15. Carbonneau

Highly unlikely we move up high enough to take either Misa or Martone.  Any chance we trade up?  Throw in Rosen and another prospect possibly.  I'm not sold on anyone after number 5 on this list.

[LGR4GM]

57 minutes ago, John Tucker said:

Highly unlikely we move up high enough to take either Misa or Martone.  Any chance we trade up?  Throw in Rosen and another prospect possibly.  I'm not sold on anyone after number 5 on this list.

No. The NHL draft almost never ever sees teams move up in the early first round. But the trade you propose is probably in the ballpark of going from say 7 to 4/5 but I don't think a team will want to move. If we draft at 7/8 there will be good options available. You are probably correct though that the 2nd tier ends at 5. 

Tier 1: Schaefer, Misa

Tier 2: Martone, Hagens, Desnoyers

Tier 3: Eklund, O'Brien, McQueen, Frondell, Smith, maybe Aitcheson and Bear (I think O'Brien really won over a lot of scouts in the last couple months)

[Mr. Allen]

Has there ever been a draft day trade up into top 5?  I can’t recall ever seeing one. 

[LGR4GM]

Just now, Mr. Allen said:

Has there ever been a draft day trade up into top 5?  I can’t recall ever seeing one. 

Not that I can remember. The last trade into the top 10 I think was Corey Schneider in 2013 when on the draft floor he was traded for 9th overall. 8th overall and stuff was traded for Jordan Staal in 2012. The last trade up was probably the Sedin trade in 1999 but that happened before the draft (we should count it here though). Arizona moved up to 11th in 2019 by trading with Philly at the draft.  Arizona traded up to 11 in 2022 at the draft. San Jose famously traded up last year to 11 with Buffalo. I still don't love this move as Buium and Dickinson went right after and frankly would already make Byram or Power expendable if they had been taken. Buium is going to be amazing and Dickinson has #2 defender written alllll over his profile.