2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[Flashsabre]

Which high pick can the Sabres add and ruin in their dysfunctional organization?

[French Collection]

22 hours ago, Brawndo said:

Cam Robinson is reporting Michael Misa might look into playing for Boston University next season 

He would probably be better off with another year of development. I haven’t seen him this year but last season he reminded me of Jack Hughes. Hughes was brought in to the NHL because he was 1st overall. He was a weak 18 year old who got pushed around very easily.

[GoPuckYourself]

How about that Russian kid Ivan Ryabkin? I say we keep taking Russian forwards until we find our Kirill Kaprizov. He surpassed Michkovs U17 point total by 2 which is impressive. He's under contract with the MHL until 2027 but the same was said about Michkov, this is a player I'd take a flyer on for sure.

[SABRES 0311]

I’m guessing we’ll pick 7-10. Maybe 5-10. Any playmakers in there?

[North Buffalo]

1 hour ago, SABRES 0311 said:

I’m guessing we’ll pick 7-10. Maybe 5-10. Any playmakers in there?

Right now picking 7... with any luck after tonight Sabres will be picking 5

[LGR4GM]

December rankings are not as interesting as January rankings. January rankings occur post WJC and are also considered the midterm rankings. That is where some of this stuff really starts to solidify. That said, I find EP rinkside to have some of the best rankings even if we don't always agree. https://eprinkside.com/2024/12/11/the-elite-prospects-december-top-50-ranking-for-the-2025-nhl-draft

I will note that Hagens, Schaefer, Misa, and Martone are in a tier unto themselves at the moment. Hagens is perhaps a qrtr tier ahead but personally, I was less impressed with his college start than I thought I would be. Still, he's young and college is a different game than Jr. Schaefer is a 6'2" LHD with a exceedingly late bday so he's got lots of room to get better. Martone and Misa are what the Sabres need (of course I mean the 22-24yr old versions of these players).

[Flashsabre]

On 12/8/2024 at 11:58 PM, GoPuckYourself said:

How about that Russian kid Ivan Ryabkin? I say we keep taking Russian forwards until we find our Kirill Kaprizov. He surpassed Michkovs U17 point total by 2 which is impressive. He's under contract with the MHL until 2027 but the same was said about Michkov, this is a player I'd take a flyer on for sure.

I read a blurb on him that said scouts are worried about his lack of junior production this season.

 

Edit: it is here

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sportsnets-2025-nhl-draft-prospect-rankings-december-edition/

Edited December 11 by Flashsabre

[GoPuckYourself]

1 hour ago, Flashsabre said:

I read a blurb on him that said scouts are worried about his lack of junior production this season.

 

Edit: it is here

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sportsnets-2025-nhl-draft-prospect-rankings-december-edition/

I watched some of his Youtube videos and man does his shot look lethal. I'd definitely be taking shots on guys like this that's if he makes it to us but I hope he's someone we would take and not pass him up because of his eligibility. 

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, GoPuckYourself said:

I watched some of his Youtube videos and man does his shot look lethal. I'd definitely be taking shots on guys like this that's if he makes it to us but I hope he's someone we would take and not pass him up because of his eligibility. 

Ryabkin will 100% make it to us. I'm not that interested in him in the top 10. His pace and defensive game are weak and his motor is average. He's not what I'd look for to try to turn this around in 3 years. 

Now if he did slide to round 2, I'd be more tempted as there's decent skills there. 

[Brawndo]

 

[Thorner]

2 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

 

Do you think he ever thinks about how the entirety of the prospect base he’s written about for 10 years has essentially amounted to meaninglessness? 

[Flashsabre]

All I know is that it better not be Adams and company making the pick this summer.

[PerreaultForever]

No. Just NO. To hell with the draft. 

[Weave]

10 hours ago, Thorner said:

Do you think he ever thinks about how the entirety of the prospect base he’s written about for 10 years has essentially amounted to meaninglessness? 

Jesus, if he ever reflects on that he might just quit.

Edited December 15 by Weave
Speeling

[Crusader1969]

Maybe the only hope is for Dahlin not to return this year,  take care of his back, and let this team go down the drain and end up at the bottom of the standings ?

or maybe just find another team to cheer for the back half of my life lol 

 

 

[Thorner]

No, the answer is not a higher pick. I can’t believe we are even going to ask that. 

Edited Monday at 02:35 AM by Thorner

[LGR4GM]

We should talk about Michael Misa. First, he would only have to go back to jrs for 1 more season if drafted, he would be AHL eligible after the 2025 season. This is due to seasons played not age because he was granted exceptional status and is in his 3rd OHL season. 

Misa is a 6'1" center with excellent skating and some Benson-esque ideas. He currently has 30g, 31a in 29games. That leads the OHL in pgp, in goals, and puts him 5th in assists. That includes all OHL players, so guys who have been drafted already like Calum Ritchie, Quinten Musty, Beckett Sennecke are behind him for scoring in the OHL. Scoring isn't everything, well not everything we should look at. Misa does something that Benson does well, plays through contact. If you watch him, he will engage to get leverage and comes up with the puck quite often. This is due to 3 things. First, his skating. He has quick feet and powerful strides allowing him to get the leverage. Second, he is smart so he isn't just going in guns blazing hoping good things happen (see Cozens), and Third, his stick skills. He has good hands which allows him to get pucks out of those situations and into good spaces. 

Misa in the video below gets lots of credit for "reloading" above the puck. This is something Benson does and Quinn was doing until whatever the F this season was. It allows him to use his brain to activate his skating and get pucks or breakup passes. It allows him to rotate effectively which is something our centers struggle with. 

Is he perfect? No. I think at times his passing could be crisper and occasionally I want him to be more selfish. He doesn't do a lot of stickhandling but uses his pace and skating to get where he wants. He has those skills but I want his hands connected to his feet more often. I am nitpicking but the short version is more flash to go with all the substance. If I were Buffalo, I would be heavily scouting Misa because the motor, physical engagement, skills, and brain are what the Sabres need more of. He's a blend of Helenius and Benson but better than both at most things (Benson has a better brain and is more physical). 

In an ideal world, I would trade for another top 4 pick and grab Martone. Benson - Misa - Martone would be something when they are all 22-24. Before the boo birds show up, I am not advocating Buffalo waits 4 more years to get good. This is simply about the draft. 

 

[SwampD]

On 12/15/2024 at 9:34 PM, Thorner said:

No, the answer is not a higher pick. I can’t believe we are even going to ask that. 

But I thought the tank worked to perfection!

[LGR4GM]

Just now, SwampD said:

But I thought the tank worked to perfection!

Sam Reinhart is on pace for over 50g again and is top 10 in the league in points. Jack Eichel is also top 10 in the league in points. Food for thought. 

[SwampD]

Just now, LGR4GM said:

Sam Reinhart is on pace for over 50g again and is top 10 in the league in points. Jack Eichel is also top 10 in the league in points. Food for thought. 

K. How does that help the sabres? And would he be on pace for 50 if he were still on the Sabres?

You and @Crusader1969 need to get a room.

[pastajoe]

3 minutes ago, SwampD said:

But I thought the tank worked to perfection!

The tank worked, they got a franchise player in Eichel. But then surrounded him with a bad mix of players and coaches.

[SwampD]

1 minute ago, pastajoe said:

The tank worked, they got a franchise player in Eichel. But then surrounded him with a bad mix of players and coaches.

You can run the camera.

[LGR4GM]

7 minutes ago, SwampD said:

K. How does that help the sabres? And would he be on pace for 50 if he were still on the Sabres?

You and @Crusader1969 need to get a room.

And you need to start a thread. This isn't the place for it. 

[SwampD]

8 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

And you need to start a thread. This isn't the place for it. 

No way.

[Crusader1969]

14 minutes ago, SwampD said:

K. How does that help the sabres? And would he be on pace for 50 if he were still on the Sabres?

You and @Crusader1969 need to get a room.

I have to ask , is there anyone else on the planet who isn't sure if the Sabres would be better right now with Jack and Samson vs Tuch and Krebs ???   I have a feeling you are on an island with this one