Ducks 2025 Draft Recap

[simmer2]

Ducks held 3 picks in the draft this year.

6th Pick - Porter Martone- We didn't expect Martone to be the guy who dropped to us. Had him 4th on our board. Thought Frondell would be the guy who slipped through the cracks, but were thrilled it was Martone. He's highly skilled, big, and a winger. We have some good young centres coming up so was excited to nag the top winger in the draft. We would anticipate Martone to go around 6th in the draft, but could slip a few spots if teams prioritize centres.

8th Pick - Brady Martin- He became a favourite of ours right away. Watched a lot of video of his...a lot more skill than a number of 'internet scouts' give him credit for. Wanted some more grit behind Leo Carlsson, and with Kasper and Martin we think that's great centre depth. Had him 8th on our board, so this worked out well for us. We anticipate he goes higher than 8th in the NHL draft.

13th Pick - Jackson Smith- Thought about taking Reschny here but went with the upside in Smith. Had him ranked 12th on our board. He measured in at 6'4 at the Combine, arguably one of the best skaters in the entire draft behind Schaefer. Has all the tools, has high offensive skill...but will the brain catch up. We think worst case he becomes a consistent 3/4 dman without the points. But at the 13th spot, that is solid value.

Overall, we are very pleased with our draft and look forward to watching where everyone lands come NHL draft day.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I think all 3 could go higher in the draft.
I think the Hawks take Martone 3. I think he dropped because he's one of those guys with slightly less fantasy value than real life value.

Martin I think could go slightly higher. Seems to be trending up. Could go as high as 4.

Smith was a guy I was watching, but since I took so many D last year, that was a factor. But I had him ranked as the #2 D on my board.

[simmer2]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think all 3 could go higher in the draft.
I think the Hawks take Martone 3. I think he dropped because he's one of those guys with slightly less fantasy value than real life value.

Martin I think could go slightly higher. Seems to be trending up. Could go as high as 4.

Smith was a guy I was watching, but since I took so many D last year, that was a factor. But I had him ranked as the #2 D on my board.

Always enjoy hearing your thoughts on the draft, appreciate the feedback here.

I've stopped trying to figure out what the SIM values. Is CK important? SZ? Do those things make a difference? I've tried more recently to approach the SIM now in just trying to build a roster that I would want to have that is balanced...and then seeing what the hell happens.

Impossible to figure out.

Either way, the CPHL draft and seeing where guys go in the NHL draft is one of my favourite few weeks of the year.

[Swayze11]

It is an interesting perspective for sure. I have never looked at drafting prospects that have fantasy value - is that an approach some teams take when debating between a few prospects?

[simmer2]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

It is an interesting perspective for sure. I have never looked at drafting prospects that have fantasy value - is that an approach some teams take when debating between a few prospects?

I take into consideration where they'll get picked in the draft (assuming that if they get picked higher, they'll have more value), but I've more recently tried to take into account what I'm looking for on my team and how it might balance out the roster.

Watching Florida in the playoffs, they're such a well built hockey club...so balanced in the different types of players they have.

The counter to both the points above is, how long is a player actually going to stay on my roster...so just take the BPA.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I think there's two dimensions to value (well more than that, but for the purpose of this discussion)
- What performs well in the sim (hard to know)
- What type of player has more asset value in trades and what not.

It is with the latter where I feel players that put up stats are easier to trade.

[simmer2]

Porter Martone - CPHL 6. NHL 6. Even
Brady Martin - CPHL 8. NHL 5. +3
Jackson Smith - CPHL 13. NHL 14. -1

All my guys went at or close to where I picked them.

Just glad none of my guys went to Buffalo.