2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Fan69]

Misa
Mqueen
Frondell
Hagens
Desnoyers
Obrien
Tier one any of these guys seem to project to top six top line centers.
If one of them fell to the teens i would be all over moving ip to get them.
Martin seems to be somewhat alone in the teens.
Cootes
Ryabkin
Nesbitt
Murtagh
Zonnon
Potter
Moore
Mckinney
Gastrin
Next group seems mostly in the twenties and low thirties. To me cootes and murtagh and moore, moore is actually pulling ahead in some respects, seem to have the most possible upside.

So that is the last of first round centers. Any of the top group would be a steal and one or two could end up in low teens.

Next group i like cootes, moore and zonnon. A lot of you tube sites have zonnon as a little under appreciated, he switched to center this year and is top ten in scoring.

Other guys available in that range: fiddler, wang, reschny,revansburg, kevan.

[Nelson]

It looks like the Flames are going to finish in the zone of maximum pain. So, I’m becoming more interested in the Panthers and Devils losing as much as possible.

If the Kings beat the Sharks in regulation or overtime, the Panthers will be in 23rd.

If the Senators beat the Penguins in any fashion, the Devils will be in 18th.

[AustinL_NHL]

Mike Grier putting together one of the most impressive rebuilds I've ever seen

[Paulie Walnuts]

Fun fact. The last time the Sabres played a playoff game Mike Grier was in the lineup.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

Mike Grier putting together one of the most impressive rebuilds I've ever seen

Yep, I am jealous of what they are doing in San Jose. Obviously had some luck in winning the draft lottery, but they have so many good young players. And lots of 1st round picks in the next few drafts.

I wish the Flames would have tanked like the Sharks, instead of taking half measures. I think they will be a contender in the near future once their players develop.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

Yep, I am jealous of what they are doing in San Jose. Obviously had some luck in winning the draft lottery, but they have so many good young players. And lots of 1st round picks in the next few drafts.

I wish the Flames would have tanked like the Sharks, instead of taking half measures. I think they will be a contender in the near future once their players develop.

Plus they have cap space.

Players are likely to go to a young up and coming team with a #1 center.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

San Jose has a great fan base too. They really are going to get back to contention before us. Askarov, Musty, Mack, Smith, Chernashov ( whom I was really high on with our late first ) , et al , plus Schaefer this year is a fantastic stable. I wish we had a collective understanding that tanking can yield high end talent faster so just grin and bear it. I know everyone’s collective warning is Buffalo but that’s just poor mgmt.

While our ownership is committed to mushy middle bs.


Even after our great draft last year we are still way behind the real bottom feeders. Sigh, hopefully we can find some game breaking talent with our new skills and iq selections early.

Save us Todd button you’re our only hope.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Sandman - would it be too much to ask to throw out the names of guys around the flames picks today that would be a solid add? I’m now leaning towards a 0% chance at the playoffs so moving towards draft mode

I think Fan69 pretty much hit the nail on the head. Few thoughts (just my opinion):

-Carter Bear might fall to the twenties, but that might be because of his injury. Normally, I would jump at the chance to take this kid, but I would be worried now. He's been mostly playing LW this year too.

-If C Brady Martin is available, you take him and run. Like Fan69 said though, he'll probably be gone mid-teens. He might be only 6'0", but he's a physical force, and really picked up his production near the end of the season, finishing with 72 points in 57 games- after hovering around a ppg pace for most of the season.

-A lot of people have RW Justin Carbonneau a bit lower, but I think his situation is similar to that of Beckett Sennecke's last year (not that I think JC is as good at Sennecke) in that he will be picked higher than most believe he will. Carbs is 6'2", skates well, and has a bit of snarl- he also finished 2nd in points in the Q, with 89 points in 62 games. We don't need wingers, but it would hurt to pass this kid over if he fell to us, hypothetically.

-Bill Zonnon finished 7th in Q scoring, with 83 in 64 games, and played C all year. He's an uber-hard working player with a power game, but his skating needs work.

-I'm not as high on RW Ben Kindel as some are- he's small and a bit soft, and not the fastest skater, but his numbers are undeniable- 99 points in 65 games. I still don't ever see him being a top-line player, he's a second-rounder at best for me.

-If there's a Brayden Point clone in the draft, it might be C Cole Reschny. He's listed at 5'10", but according to some fellow posters, he's built like a fire-hydrant and is farm-boy strong. 92 points in 62 games, with an excellent defensive presence, and a solid all-around game.

-I still have reservations about C Ivan Ryabkin. He has tons of talent (needs work on his skating), but I still question his character.

-I really like C Jack Murtagh, and I think he's being undervalued- I guess we'll see on draft day. He was one of the few Americans that was was worth a damn at the two games at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. He's 6'1", fast and gritty, with a good shot.

-Ditto for Cole McKinney. He's a six-footer, but he has a slight Sam Bennett vibe (stylistically only) though he's nowhere near as tough. He's a bit mean and physical, and plays a good two-way game. Like Murtagh, he has been better in the production department in the second-half- both are now at a ppg or above, on a weak NTDP squad.

-C Will Moore has improved his production as well, but I haven't been impressed with his play this year. He looks pretty pedestrian, not fully engaged, and sticks a bit to the perimeter. When he's on, he's a beauty- mobile, physical, and attacking the middle with a solid power game. I hope he doesn't fall to the second-round, but you never know.

-C/LW Milton Gastrin outperformed his stats, IMO. He may not have the highest ceiling, and doesn't possess many elite qualities, but he does everything well and pays close attention to his defensive duties- perhaps to a fault. 18 goals and 42 points in 40 games in the J20, with 8 games in the SHL (no points).

-Again, we don't need wingers, but it would be hard to pass up LW Jakob Ihs-Wozniak. He's a 6'3" scoring winger, who put up 57 points in 40 J20 games this season, but he should've had more. He put up 50 points in just 36 games in the J20 in 2023-24, and had a slow first-half of the season in 2024-25.

-C Jack Nesbitt is a 6'4" power-forward with a solid all-around game, but I have to wonder how much he benefits from playing on the same team as Ilya Protas, and Liam Greentree. I really like Nesbitt, but like I told another poster earlier this year- I'm still suffering from Greg Niemisz PTSD. 64 points in 65 games, with 74 PIM for Windsor.

-C Braeden Cootes is a beauty- he plays an air-tight two-way game with speed and physicality, but his offense suffered because of the team he played for (Seattle Thunderbirds). I wouldn't be surprised if he was taken in the teens. 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games.

-We don't need D either, but man do I like Henry Brzustewicz. He put up 42 points in 67 games, but his numbers would've been a lot better if he wasn't playing behind Sam Dickinson, Oliver Bonk, Jared Woolley, and Cam Allen (for a while). In the 9 games that Dickinson, Bonk, and C Easton Cowan were away at the WJC, he put up 8 points (Cam Allen had just arrived via trade). This kid can do everything, plays both special teams, good defensively, and has plenty of snarl (77 PIM). He's 6'2" as well.

-Watch out for big LW Eddie Genborg out of Sweden. He's a 6'2" power-forward who reminds me of a poor-mans Micheal Ferland- he plays a rambunctious two-way physical game, and has an excellent shot, putting up 19 goals and 34 points in 28 games (26 PIM). He actually played 28 games in the SHL (2 points), and not many kids his age get that many games in the men's league.

-I wouldn't be upset if we used a pick on D Cameron Reid. 54 points in 67 games for Kitchener, he's a 6'0" puck-moving rearguard with excellent 4-directional speed and is a steadying presence on the blueline with his stifling defensive game, and high panic threshold with the puck.

-Like Brzustewicz, I love D Kashawn Aitcheson. 59 points in 64 games, with 88 PIM (he had 126 PIM in 2023-24). Some men just want to watch the world burn. Aitcheson is tough-as-nails, unrelentingly physical, mean and snarly, and plays a pro-style two-way game with a 6'1",200lb frame. We don't need D, and Aitch will be gone before we pick most likely, but he's not one to pass up. He's like Dion Phaneuf if Dion Phaneuf knew how to hockey.

-He plays for the <barf> Edmonton Oil Kings, and he's American, but with just 33 points in 64 games, D Blake Fiddler led the team's defense in scoring. I think there's a lot more here than meets the eye. At worst, he's a 6'4" righty, who plays a physical shutdown game, skates well, and helps out in all areas of the game.

-LW Lynden Lakovic might be available. He's 6'4", with oodles of skill, a balanced offensive game (he can score and make plays), and he's mobile. The advanced stats crowd likes him, as he shows the ability to tilt the ice in his team's favor. He's another kid whose numbers (27 goals and 58 points in 47 games) are being hurt by the team he plays for- the Moose Jaw Warriors, who finished dead-last in the WHL. If he had played for a better team this year, he might be top-10 in the draft.

[Tbull8]

Reschny is my guy at this point. I get Travis konecny vibes from him, maybe point if he can continue to develop at center. Just seems like a guy that you can trust to give a full effort every night. Cootes to me doesn’t have the same ceiling but could be solid middle 6 for a mid to late first. Eventual backlund replacement

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I think Fan69 pretty much hit the nail on the head. Few thoughts (just my opinion):

-Carter Bear might fall to the twenties, but that might be because of his injury. Normally, I would jump at the chance to take this kid, but I would be worried now. He's been mostly playing LW this year too.

-If C Brady Martin is available, you take him and run. Like Fan69 said though, he'll probably be gone mid-teens. He might be only 6'0", but he's a physical force, and really picked up his production near the end of the season, finishing with 72 points in 57 games- after hovering around a ppg pace for most of the season.

-A lot of people have RW Justin Carbonneau a bit lower, but I think his situation is similar to that of Beckett Sennecke's last year (not that I think JC is as good at Sennecke) in that he will be picked higher than most believe he will. Carbs is 6'2", skates well, and has a bit of snarl- he also finished 2nd in points in the Q, with 89 points in 62 games. We don't need wingers, but it would hurt to pass this kid over if he fell to us, hypothetically.

-Bill Zonnon finished 7th in Q scoring, with 83 in 64 games, and played C all year. He's an uber-hard working player with a power game, but his skating needs work.

-I'm not as high on RW Ben Kindel as some are- he's small and a bit soft, and not the fastest skater, but his numbers are undeniable- 99 points in 65 games. I still don't ever see him being a top-line player, he's a second-rounder at best for me.

-If there's a Brayden Point clone in the draft, it might be C Cole Reschny. He's listed at 5'10", but according to some fellow posters, he's built like a fire-hydrant and is farm-boy strong. 92 points in 62 games, with an excellent defensive presence, and a solid all-around game.

-I still have reservations about C Ivan Ryabkin. He has tons of talent (needs work on his skating), but I still question his character.

-I really like C Jack Murtagh, and I think he's being undervalued- I guess we'll see on draft day. He was one of the few Americans that was was worth a damn at the two games at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. He's 6'1", fast and gritty, with a good shot.

-Ditto for Cole McKinney. He's a six-footer, but he has a slight Sam Bennett vibe (stylistically only) though he's nowhere near as tough. He's a bit mean and physical, and plays a good two-way game. Like Murtagh, he has been better in the production department in the second-half- both are now at a ppg or above, on a weak NTDP squad.

-C Will Moore has improved his production as well, but I haven't been impressed with his play this year. He looks pretty pedestrian, not fully engaged, and sticks a bit to the perimeter. When he's on, he's a beauty- mobile, physical, and attacking the middle with a solid power game. I hope he doesn't fall to the second-round, but you never know.

-C/LW Milton Gastrin outperformed his stats, IMO. He may not have the highest ceiling, and doesn't possess many elite qualities, but he does everything well and pays close attention to his defensive duties- perhaps to a fault. 18 goals and 42 points in 40 games in the J20, with 8 games in the SHL (no points).

-Again, we don't need wingers, but it would be hard to pass up LW Jakob Ihs-Wozniak. He's a 6'3" scoring winger, who put up 57 points in 40 J20 games this season, but he should've had more. He put up 50 points in just 36 games in the J20 in 2023-24, and had a slow first-half of the season in 2024-25.

-C Jack Nesbitt is a 6'4" power-forward with a solid all-around game, but I have to wonder how much he benefits from playing on the same team as Ilya Protas, and Liam Greentree. I really like Nesbitt, but like I told another poster earlier this year- I'm still suffering from Greg Niemisz PTSD. 64 points in 65 games, with 74 PIM for Windsor.

-C Braeden Cootes is a beauty- he plays an air-tight two-way game with speed and physicality, but his offense suffered because of the team he played for (Seattle Thunderbirds). I wouldn't be surprised if he was taken in the teens. 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games.

-We don't need D either, but man do I like Henry Brzustewicz. He put up 42 points in 67 games, but his numbers would've been a lot better if he wasn't playing behind Sam Dickinson, Oliver Bonk, Jared Woolley, and Cam Allen (for a while). In the 9 games that Dickinson, Bonk, and C Easton Cowan were away at the WJC, he put up 8 points (Cam Allen had just arrived via trade). This kid can do everything, plays both special teams, good defensively, and has plenty of snarl (77 PIM). He's 6'2" as well.

-Watch out for big LW Eddie Genborg out of Sweden. He's a 6'2" power-forward who reminds me of a poor-mans Micheal Ferland- he plays a rambunctious two-way physical game, and has an excellent shot, putting up 19 goals and 34 points in 28 games (26 PIM). He actually played 28 games in the SHL (2 points), and not many kids his age get that many games in the men's league.

-I wouldn't be upset if we used a pick on D Cameron Reid. 54 points in 67 games for Kitchener, he's a 6'0" puck-moving rearguard with excellent 4-directional speed and is a steadying presence on the blueline with his stifling defensive game, and high panic threshold with the puck.

-Like Brzustewicz, I love D Kashawn Aitcheson. 59 points in 64 games, with 88 PIM (he had 126 PIM in 2023-24). Some men just want to watch the world burn. Aitcheson is tough-as-nails, unrelentingly physical, mean and snarly, and plays a pro-style two-way game with a 6'1",200lb frame. We don't need D, and Aitch will be gone before we pick most likely, but he's not one to pass up. He's like Dion Phaneuf if Dion Phaneuf knew how to hockey.

-He plays for the <barf> Edmonton Oil Kings, and he's American, but with just 33 points in 64 games, D Blake Fiddler led the team's defense in scoring. I think there's a lot more here than meets the eye. At worst, he's a 6'4" righty, who plays a physical shutdown game, skates well, and helps out in all areas of the game.

-LW Lynden Lakovic might be available. He's 6'4", with oodles of skill, a balanced offensive game (he can score and make plays), and he's mobile. The advanced stats crowd likes him, as he shows the ability to tilt the ice in his team's favor. He's another kid whose numbers (27 goals and 58 points in 47 games) are being hurt by the team he plays for- the Moose Jaw Warriors, who finished dead-last in the WHL. If he had played for a better team this year, he might be top-10 in the draft.

To me lakovic, reschny, martin, carbonneau, possibly myrtka could all go close to top ten or one or two in the top ten. Martone, and eklund are consistently in the top ten, jackson almost certainly will go top ten, someone will need a big defencemen; and My hope is we trade Anderson and get another first this year and then use the extra draft strength to get near the top ten. Almost certainly one or two of obrien, desnoyer, mqueen, martin or less possibly frondell or hagens could end up between 8 9 and 12 13.

If we walked out of the first round with desnoyer or martin, then zonnon or cootes with the second pick thats a home run for me.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Fan69

To me lakovic, reschny, martin, carbonneau, possibly myrtka could all go close to top ten or one or two in the top ten. Martone, and eklund are consistently in the top ten, jackson almost certainly will go top ten, someone will need a big defencemen; and My hope is we trade Anderson and get another first this year and then use the extra draft strength to get near the top ten. Almost certainly one or two of obrien, desnoyer, mqueen, martin or less possibly frondell or hagens could end up between 8 9 and 12 13.

If we walked out of the first round with desnoyer or martin, then zonnon or cootes with the second pick thats a home run for me.

No way Desnoyer gets anywhere near the Devils pick.

Edit: I see you mentione trade Anderson for another 1st and move up. I still cant foresee that scenario sith Desnoyer coming to fruition. Andersons value is probably the lowest its been in years right now too.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I think Fan69 pretty much hit the nail on the head. Few thoughts (just my opinion):

-Carter Bear might fall to the twenties, but that might be because of his injury. Normally, I would jump at the chance to take this kid, but I would be worried now. He's been mostly playing LW this year too.

-If C Brady Martin is available, you take him and run. Like Fan69 said though, he'll probably be gone mid-teens. He might be only 6'0", but he's a physical force, and really picked up his production near the end of the season, finishing with 72 points in 57 games- after hovering around a ppg pace for most of the season.

-A lot of people have RW Justin Carbonneau a bit lower, but I think his situation is similar to that of Beckett Sennecke's last year (not that I think JC is as good at Sennecke) in that he will be picked higher than most believe he will. Carbs is 6'2", skates well, and has a bit of snarl- he also finished 2nd in points in the Q, with 89 points in 62 games. We don't need wingers, but it would hurt to pass this kid over if he fell to us, hypothetically.

-Bill Zonnon finished 7th in Q scoring, with 83 in 64 games, and played C all year. He's an uber-hard working player with a power game, but his skating needs work.

-I'm not as high on RW Ben Kindel as some are- he's small and a bit soft, and not the fastest skater, but his numbers are undeniable- 99 points in 65 games. I still don't ever see him being a top-line player, he's a second-rounder at best for me.

-If there's a Brayden Point clone in the draft, it might be C Cole Reschny. He's listed at 5'10", but according to some fellow posters, he's built like a fire-hydrant and is farm-boy strong. 92 points in 62 games, with an excellent defensive presence, and a solid all-around game.

-I still have reservations about C Ivan Ryabkin. He has tons of talent (needs work on his skating), but I still question his character.

-I really like C Jack Murtagh, and I think he's being undervalued- I guess we'll see on draft day. He was one of the few Americans that was was worth a damn at the two games at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. He's 6'1", fast and gritty, with a good shot.

-Ditto for Cole McKinney. He's a six-footer, but he has a slight Sam Bennett vibe (stylistically only) though he's nowhere near as tough. He's a bit mean and physical, and plays a good two-way game. Like Murtagh, he has been better in the production department in the second-half- both are now at a ppg or above, on a weak NTDP squad.

-C Will Moore has improved his production as well, but I haven't been impressed with his play this year. He looks pretty pedestrian, not fully engaged, and sticks a bit to the perimeter. When he's on, he's a beauty- mobile, physical, and attacking the middle with a solid power game. I hope he doesn't fall to the second-round, but you never know.

-C/LW Milton Gastrin outperformed his stats, IMO. He may not have the highest ceiling, and doesn't possess many elite qualities, but he does everything well and pays close attention to his defensive duties- perhaps to a fault. 18 goals and 42 points in 40 games in the J20, with 8 games in the SHL (no points).

-Again, we don't need wingers, but it would be hard to pass up LW Jakob Ihs-Wozniak. He's a 6'3" scoring winger, who put up 57 points in 40 J20 games this season, but he should've had more. He put up 50 points in just 36 games in the J20 in 2023-24, and had a slow first-half of the season in 2024-25.

-C Jack Nesbitt is a 6'4" power-forward with a solid all-around game, but I have to wonder how much he benefits from playing on the same team as Ilya Protas, and Liam Greentree. I really like Nesbitt, but like I told another poster earlier this year- I'm still suffering from Greg Niemisz PTSD. 64 points in 65 games, with 74 PIM for Windsor.

-C Braeden Cootes is a beauty- he plays an air-tight two-way game with speed and physicality, but his offense suffered because of the team he played for (Seattle Thunderbirds). I wouldn't be surprised if he was taken in the teens. 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games.

-We don't need D either, but man do I like Henry Brzustewicz. He put up 42 points in 67 games, but his numbers would've been a lot better if he wasn't playing behind Sam Dickinson, Oliver Bonk, Jared Woolley, and Cam Allen (for a while). In the 9 games that Dickinson, Bonk, and C Easton Cowan were away at the WJC, he put up 8 points (Cam Allen had just arrived via trade). This kid can do everything, plays both special teams, good defensively, and has plenty of snarl (77 PIM). He's 6'2" as well.

-Watch out for big LW Eddie Genborg out of Sweden. He's a 6'2" power-forward who reminds me of a poor-mans Micheal Ferland- he plays a rambunctious two-way physical game, and has an excellent shot, putting up 19 goals and 34 points in 28 games (26 PIM). He actually played 28 games in the SHL (2 points), and not many kids his age get that many games in the men's league.

-I wouldn't be upset if we used a pick on D Cameron Reid. 54 points in 67 games for Kitchener, he's a 6'0" puck-moving rearguard with excellent 4-directional speed and is a steadying presence on the blueline with his stifling defensive game, and high panic threshold with the puck.

-Like Brzustewicz, I love D Kashawn Aitcheson. 59 points in 64 games, with 88 PIM (he had 126 PIM in 2023-24). Some men just want to watch the world burn. Aitcheson is tough-as-nails, unrelentingly physical, mean and snarly, and plays a pro-style two-way game with a 6'1",200lb frame. We don't need D, and Aitch will be gone before we pick most likely, but he's not one to pass up. He's like Dion Phaneuf if Dion Phaneuf knew how to hockey.

-He plays for the <barf> Edmonton Oil Kings, and he's American, but with just 33 points in 64 games, D Blake Fiddler led the team's defense in scoring. I think there's a lot more here than meets the eye. At worst, he's a 6'4" righty, who plays a physical shutdown game, skates well, and helps out in all areas of the game.

-LW Lynden Lakovic might be available. He's 6'4", with oodles of skill, a balanced offensive game (he can score and make plays), and he's mobile. The advanced stats crowd likes him, as he shows the ability to tilt the ice in his team's favor. He's another kid whose numbers (27 goals and 58 points in 47 games) are being hurt by the team he plays for- the Moose Jaw Warriors, who finished dead-last in the WHL. If he had played for a better team this year, he might be top-10 in the draft.

One if the interesting things about murtagh is watching highlights of other players i was surprised how often i wound up hearing his name during the game. Now his iq has some questions but the physical tools are really good.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

To me lakovic, reschny, martin, carbonneau, possibly myrtka could all go close to top ten or one or two in the top ten. Martone, and eklund are consistently in the top ten, jackson almost certainly will go top ten, someone will need a big defencemen; and My hope is we trade Anderson and get another first this year and then use the extra draft strength to get near the top ten. Almost certainly one or two of obrien, desnoyer, mqueen, martin or less possibly frondell or hagens could end up between 8 9 and 12 13.

If we walked out of the first round with desnoyer or martin, then zonnon or cootes with the second pick thats a home run for me.

I think Desnoyers might go top-5. If we traded Anderson, I still don't think it would get us near the top half of the first round, unfortunately.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

No way Desnoyer gets anywhere near the Devils pick.

While i dont disagree entirely the possibility is there.

Schaefer
Misa
Martone
Frondell
Hagens
Mqueen
Smith
Obrien
Lakovic,mrtka, reschny, carbonneau, could all go 7 and up.

Would leave desnoyer at 9.

One of those guys will certainly drop near the teens.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I think Desnoyers might go top-5. If we traded Anderson, I still don't think it would get us near the top half of the first round, unfortunately.

Wouldnt need to. Get the ten or eleven pick almost certainly one of the higher end center will be there. Lots of the teams in that range are looking for now players not so much futures which could open up a deal. Depending on who drops i would give up some serious capital to get them. Especially on the off chance frondell or desnoyer or obrien are there.

Dont get me wrong i get it moving up in the draft is rare but with this being considered a lower end draft someone might be more willing.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems Edition, Vol. 20):

LW/RW Caden Taylor (6'3",185lbs)
Peterborough (OHL): 68gp/ 15g/ 16a/ 31pts, -38, 51 PIM

Winger Caden Taylor (ranked # 113 NA Skaters) is a victim of circumstance, with numbers that have been affected negatively by toiling for the lowly Peterborough Petes, who drafted him in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, with the ninth-overall pick. The Petes are dead-last in the league, and are one of the lowest-scoring clubs in the entire CHL; Taylor's 33 points in 68 might seem paltry, but he is third in scoring on the team, and only 6 points away from the scoring lead. Much more was expected of him this season, especially when considering the fact that he was able to post 11 goals and 18 points in just 31 games in 2023-24, his D-minus-one year- meaning that his points-per-game actually decreased this season. At any rate, Taylor is an offensive winger with an NHL-caliber shot and a lethal release, perhaps one of the best shooters in the class. He can fire off the catch, or shoot shoot while in-flight, and has a nasty curl-and-release wrister with a knack for using opposing defenders as screens. He doesn't need a lot of space to get a shot off in traffic, and doesn't need much of a wind-up to send a hard and heavy shot on net. Unlike earlier in the campaign, Taylor is doing a better job of locating open space in the slot, playing up the middle, and going to the net. He moves intelligently off-puck to remain a playable option for teammates, and will park himself in front of the net for finishing opportunities.

Taylor's skating is rather smooth and fluid in terms of mechanics, with good posture and a long, powerful stride- giving him above-average speed in a straight line. His skating profile is projectable, but he needs to build more strength in his lower-body. There's nothing too fancy about his game, and other than his shot, he lacks any real dynamic traits, and plays a largely north-south style. He handles well, and has a wide array of 1-on-1 dekes and dangles at his disposal to turn defenders inside-out, but he seems to have some puck-control issues at high-speeds, and can cough up the puck in traffic at times. Though he isn't known as a playmaker by any means, he's a solid passer and doesn't embarrass himself as long as he doesn't try to do too much, or try to get fancy. There are flashes though, of high-end vision and passing skill, and he shows value in transition with his plays off of retrievals in the defensive zone- connecting on some high-quality feeds to get the breakout going. Off the puck, he keeps his feet moving and stays active, supporting the play in all three zones and making himself a constant playable option for teammates.

I think that Taylor's defensive play is underrated, although his entire game is plagued by inconsistency, and like teammate D Carson Cameron, he is being brought down by playing on a bad team. The other big issue is that Taylor is not very physical, and would be much more effective if he were to use his frame better. In the defensive-third, he keeps up with attackers and strips them of the puck with deft stickwork, including pokechecks, sweeps, stick-lifts, and with slashes to the shafts of enemy twigs. Most of the time, he looks engaged and disruptive with high energy and activity, while suffocating opponents of their time and space. True, there are times where he is caught watching the play as a spectator, but he's generally aggressive with his reach, well-positioned, and supports the play competently. For a player of his size, Taylor loses too many board battles, and needs to leverage his size and strength more consistently. As with his own-zone play, he can be caught floating in other areas of the ice, and his pace at times is lacking; his effectiveness and effort are quite inconsistent- not only game-to-game, but often shift-to-shift. Taylor might end up being a bit of a project, but I believe he's miles better than his numbers show. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

No way Desnoyer gets anywhere near the Devils pick.

Edit: I see you mentione trade Anderson for another 1st and move up. I still cant foresee that scenario sith Desnoyer coming to fruition. Andersons value is probably the lowest its been in years right now too.

Thankfully most pro scouts and opposing team GMs will have a better read on Andersson's value than the posters here who look at his point production and write him off, or worse yet, provide a hot take based on their eyeball test.

For example, these are the things I would consider when looking at Andersson:
- On a low scoring team, Andersson's goal production is on pace to match or exceed his career best. His assist count is down, but considering the lack of goals being scored by the team that isn't a surprise.
- His D partner went from Hanifin (established top pairing D) to Bahl. Bahl is a very promising D but still a ways away from being comparable to Hanifin.
- His minutes played per game has actually gone up this season and he is often deployed against other team's top lines.
- He is durable (only missed a handful of games in the last 4 years).
- At 28, there is a good chance he can be a positive contributor for the next 7 years.
- He is one of the best D available in the UFA class of 2026. The other UFAs available are either 5+ years older or have a fraction of Andersson's production & minutes played (or both). If a team needs a top pair RD then they can win 'UFA day 2026' a year early.
- His contract for the upcoming season is incredibly cost effective and retention can make it even more so for any contender team that has need for a RD, may not have much cap space next season, but is able to restructure in the following season with expiring contracts and rising salary caps.

Personally, I am not convinced that the draft is the best time to move Andersson. I still think it would be on July 1st with an extension worked out (and retention on the last year of his current contract). However, if he were to be moved at the draft, I would assume his value is worth more than "just a 1st" as a top pairing RD. Even if people evaluate him as being only top 3 or 4 with the ability to play up when needed that would historically be worth more than a late 1st.

[Paulie Walnuts]

The only argument you made for Andersson is his contract for the upcoming season.

His play has been falling off prior to this season. Sounds like Hanifin was carrying him around, and he is unable to play in a elevated role with more minutes and responsibilities.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The only argument you made for Andersson is his contract for the upcoming season.

His play has been falling off prior to this season. Sounds like Hanifin was carrying him around, and he is unable to play in a elevated role with more minutes and responsibilities.

This feels like a reading comprehension issue. The argument I made is that his value hasn't dropped off as dramatically as people like yourself try to suggest multiple times per day and I provided some relevant points to support my argument.

You, on the other hand, are suggesting that you are making some kind of argument with no supporting information. At that point it is not really an argument, just a drive by opinion.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Thankfully most pro scouts and opposing team GMs will have a better read on Andersson's value than the posters here who look at his point production and write him off, or worse yet, provide a hot take based on their eyeball test.

For example, these are the things I would consider when looking at Andersson:
- On a low scoring team, Andersson's goal production is on pace to match or exceed his career best. His assist count is down, but considering the lack of goals being scored by the team that isn't a surprise.
- His D partner went from Hanifin (established top pairing D) to Bahl. Bahl is a very promising D but still a ways away from being comparable to Hanifin.
- His minutes played per game has actually gone up this season and he is often deployed against other team's top lines.
- He is durable (only missed a handful of games in the last 4 years).
- At 28, there is a good chance he can be a positive contributor for the next 7 years.
- He is one of the best D available in the UFA class of 2026. The other UFAs available are either 5+ years older or have a fraction of Andersson's production & minutes played (or both). If a team needs a top pair RD then they can win 'UFA day 2026' a year early.
- His contract for the upcoming season is incredibly cost effective and retention can make it even more so for any contender team that has need for a RD, may not have much cap space next season, but is able to restructure in the following season with expiring contracts and rising salary caps.

Personally, I am not convinced that the draft is the best time to move Andersson. I still think it would be on July 1st with an extension worked out (and retention on the last year of his current contract). However, if he were to be moved at the draft, I would assume his value is worth more than "just a 1st" as a top pairing RD. Even if people evaluate him as being only top 3 or 4 with the ability to play up when needed that would historically be worth more than a late 1st.

We already missed peak Andersson value- start of season this year pre-christmas. His stark fall off in play since then, coupled with less contract control and a seeming desire to maximize the $ on the next contract means that his value is lower now than it has been in probably 3-4 years. I don't see us collecting a 1st for this player at current value. Not even sure who would be bidding outside of someone like Edmonton.