2025 NHL Draft Thread

[cral12]

fwiw, i've gotten word Upside Hockey's December Rankings soon to hit my inbox.

As well, we've got some updated logos/branding incoming from a graphic designer friend.

[YyjFlames]

Jason Bukala with Sportsnet has posted his updated rankings.

He's got the defenceman, Schaefer, number one and Hagens dropping to 4. Seems like we're seeing quite a bit of variation in the top 10 from prospect rankers.

And he's got Victoria Royal, Cole Reschny, all the way down at 26. If Calgary loses its pick and drafts with Florida's, and Reschny is still there late in the 20s, I wouldn't at all be mad. That kid has a non-stop motor... even when he's not scoring, he's dangerous.

Reminds me a lot of how Zary has looked this year.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...025-nhl-draft/

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

And Gavin McKenna is above 2 points per game in his D-1 year lol

The guy (kid) is incredible. Leading the entire CHL in scoring as a 16 (soon to be 17 year old) is actually insane. The guy is a cheat code. God damn he’s good

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/1863705052583448847

Wang made his season debut tonight for the Gens against the 67's, with no points and a -1.

[cral12]

NEW - Upside Hockey's 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: December Edition

Our Top 128 rankings with a new number one rated prospect

*prospects noted who project to fall in rounds 5 through 7 as well along with players on our watchlist
>350 prospects highlighted in all

https://upsidehockey.substack.com/p/...t-rankings-7d7

*Oh, we've also migrated over to Bluesky as well, if anyone else on there:
https://bsky.app/profile/upsidehockey.bsky.social

(My Bluesky handle: https://bsky.app/profile/nateshore.bsky.social)

[Sandman]

Dec.6th Update (Doesn't include games on the 7th):

-Porter Martone is back on top of the OHL scoring race (4th in goals), with an incredible 25gp/20g/31a/51pts,+13, 37 PIM, just over 2 ppg. In 4 games since returning from the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, he has 8 points.

-Misa has only played 2 games since the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge (he was suspended 1 game for his actions at the Teddy Bear Toss), with 3 points, and is second in OHL scoring with 25gp/25g/24a/49pts,+21, 13 PIM. He's still first in goals, and tied for 4th in plus/minus.

-Matt Schaefer is tied for 11th in scoring by D in the OHL (he has played at least 7 games less than everyone ahead of him), with 16gp/7g/13a/20pts,+18, 8 PIM. He is also tied for 5th in plus/minus.

-D Kashawn Aitcheson, one of my favorites for this draft class, put up 7 points in 4 games since returning from the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, and now occupies the 11th spot in scoring by D (with Schaefer) with 24gp/9g/11a/20pts,+10, 41 PIM. He loves the physical game, and doesn't back down when challenged.

-Another of my faves, D Cameron Reid, has posted 3 points in his last 5 games and as a result, has slipped to 7th in D scoring with 28gp/5g/19a/24pts,+12, 18 PIM. He plays a detailed and responsible two-way game.

-D Henry Brzustewicz only has 2 points in his last 10, and has slipped to 19th in D scoring, with 27gp/4g/13a/17pts,+10, 30 PIM. In his defense, he plays for the first-placed London Knights behind stalwarts Sam Dickinson and Oliver Bonk.

-C Jake O'Brien is tied for 22nd in OHL scoring with 27gp/13g/20a/33pts,-9, 6 PIM, after putting up 5 points in his last 4 games.

-LW Malcolm Spence is tied for 25th in the scoring race with 25gp/13g/19a/32pts,+18, 18 PIM, after 3 points in the last 2 games since the Prospects Challenge- where he was one of the best players for Team CHL (3 points in 2 games). He's tied for 9th in plus/minus, and is known to play a responsible power game.

-C Brady Martin (potential first-rounder) is 49th in the OHL with 24gp/12g/12a/24pts,+11, 31 PIM, and C Luca Romano (potential second-rounder) is 42nd with 27gp/14g/13a/27pts,+6, 8 PIM.

-Few names to watch in the OHL: C Ethan Czata is a defense-first pivot with size (6'1") and snarl, but he's putting together a good offensive game lately, with 13 points in his last 10, for a stat line of 27gp/9g/15a/24pts,+10, 31 PIM. Power-forward and RW Shamar Moses might need work on his boots, but he has size at 6'1" and 200lbs, and has 25gp/6g/18a/24pts,+1, 21 PIM.

-C Tyler Hopkins, one of the fastest skaters in the draft, has 4 points in the last 4 games for 28gp/8g/15a/23pts,-1, 8 PIM. Hopkins was a 4th-overall pick by the Fronts, and is buried a bit on their second line.

-C Jack Nesbitt has 5 points in his last 5 games, for 27gp/11g/10a/21pts,+10, 22 PIM. He's a 6'4" power-forward, and 5th in scoring for Windsor.

-RW Justin Carbonneau has been held scoreless in his last 2, and has slipped to 4th-place in the Q with 28gp/20g/22a/42pts,+1, 26 PIM. He was one of the best players in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge with 2 points in 2 games.

-LW Bill Zonnon, a big (6'2") power-forward, keeps climbing the scoring list in the Q with 9 points in his last 4 games to tie Carbonneau with 28gp/15g/27a/42pts,+11, 16 PIM. He plays a hard-working, responsible game, but there's mild concerns about his speed.

-C Caleb Desnoyers, who was one of Team CHL's top-5 players with 2 points, is 13th in scoring with 23gp/15g/20a/35pts,+28, 14 PIM- second overall in plus/minus.

-5'10" C Nathan Quinn is a player to watch for the Remparts. With 10 points in his last 9 games, he has 29gp/11g/19a/30pts,+2, 13 PIM, which is fairly impressive considering that his team is 13th out of 18 teams in the standings.

-C Carter Bear keeps rollin', with 5 points in his last 3- putting him 3rd in WHL scoring with 26gp/22g/24a/46pts,+25, 22 PIM.

-C Ben Kindel of the Hitmen has a whopping 19 points in his last 10 games, putting him 11th in WHL scoring, with 25gp/15g/23a/38pts,+6, 14 PIM. Impressive, considering the team he plays for.

-C Cole Reschny (5'10", 187lbs) is getting major buzz for his Advanced Stats that paint him as one of the most highly effective players at 5-on-5, even when he's not putting up points. The next Brayden Point, perhaps? He's currently 20th in WHL scoring with 25gp/10g/25a/35pts,+7, 26 PIM, a pace that puts him at 91 points in 65 games (Point had 91 pts in 72 games in his draft year).

-RW Cam Schmidt has missed the last 2 games for Vancouver, and is currently 19th in scoring (2nd in goals) with 23gp/24g/12a/36pts,even, 16 PIM. He had 2 points in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge.

-LW Nathan Behm only has 3 points in his last 9, and has tumbled to 29th in scoring, with 27gp/16g/16a/32pts,+3, 10 PIM.

-LW Lynden Lakovic got rave reviews for his play in the Prospects Challenge (2 points in 2 games), and currently sits in 38th place in WHL scoring with 25gp/13g/17a/30pts,-10, 4 PIM.

-D Jackson Smith has fallen to 13th in D scoring with 26gp/2g/19a/21pts,+12, 26 PIM, after only 1 point in his last 6. Fellow WHL Blueliner Will Sharpe is tied with him at 26gp/2g/19a/21pts,-3, 16 PIM.

-G Josh Ravensbergen, who is getting first-round buzz, has a stat line of 13-3-4, with a 3.03 GAA, and a .901 SV% for Prince George. He stands 6'5", and 192lbs.

-4 points in the last 3 NCAA games for James Hagens, for a stat line of 15gp/4g/15a/19pts,+15, 4 PIM.

-LW Victor Eklund has failed to register a point in his last 3 Allsvenskan games, but still sits at an impressive 22gp/8g/7a/15pts,+5, 27 PIM in a men's league.

[cral12]

The above, as a Substack post ; )

By the Numbers: 2025 NHL Draft Update

https://open.substack.com/pub/upside...hl-draft-upate

[Sandman]

Sandman's Pre-WJC Draft List (top-100):

1) RW Porter Martone
2) C Mike Misa
3) D Matt Schaefer
4) C James Hagens
5) C Roger McQueen
6) C Anton Frondell
7) C Caleb Desnoyers
8) C Carter Bear
9) LW Malcolm Spence
10) LW Victor Eklund
11) D Logan Hensler
12) RW Justin Carbonneau
13) D Jackson Smith
14) C Ivan Ryabkin
15) C Will Moore
16) D Radim Mrtka
17) C Jake O'Brien
18) D Kashawn Aitcheson
19) LW Bill Zonnon
20) C Brady Martin
21) LW Lynden Lakovic
22) LW Jacob Ihs-Wozniak
23) LW Cole Reschny
24) G Josh Ravensbergen
25) D Cameron Reid
26) C Jack Murtagh
27) LW Nathan Behm
28) D Charlie Trethewey
29) D Blake Fiddler
30) C Braeden Cootes
31) RW Cam Schmidt
32) RW Shane Vansaghi

33) C Milton Gastrin
34) D Kurban Limatov
35) LW Emile Guite'
36) RW Ben Kevan
37) C Cole McKinney
38) D Sascha Boumedienne
39) C Tyler Hopkins
40) LW Zach Morin
41) C Jack Nesbitt
42) C Conrad Fondrk
43) G Jack Ivankovic
44) D Alex Huang
45) C Matthew Gard
46) RW Ben Kindel
47) C Eric Nilson
48) C Jordan Gavin
49) LW Cullen Potter
50) C Ethan Czata
51) D Carter Amico
52) C Hayden Paupanekis
53) C Luca Romano
54) D Owen Conrad
55) D Will Sharpe
56) RW Arvid Drott
57) RW Eddie Genborg
58) D Dakota Rheaume-Mullem
59) G Love Haremstam
60) D Jacob Rombach
61) D Henry Brzustewicz
62) G Semyon Frolov
63) C Tomas Pobezal
64) D Reese Hamilton

65) D Jesper Kotajarvi
66) G Lucas Beckman
67) LW Mason Moe
68) D Artyom Vilchinsky
69) LW Victor Klingsell
70) D Carson Cameron
71) LW Ryker Lee
72) G Pyotr Andreyanov
73) RW Shamar Moses
74) F Melvin Novotny
75) C Mateo Nobert
76) LW Tomas Poletin
77) C Caden Taylor
78) LW Max Westergard
79) D Asher Barnett
80) D Noah Laberge
81) D Oliwer Sjostrom
82) G Isak Sorqvist
83) G Ondrej Stebetak
84) D Lasse Boelius
85) RW Travis Hayes
86) D Peyton Kettles
87) G Gabriel D'Aigle
88) D Karl Annborn
89) LW Vojtech Cihar
90) LW Oscar Davidsson
91) RW Owen Martin
92) C Nathan Quinn
93) LW Kristian Epperson
94) D Maxim Agafonov
95) LW David Lewandowski
96) D Mace'o Phillips

97) D Malte Vass
98) RW Tanner Lam
99) C Jan Chovan
100) RW Vaclav Nestrasil

[devo22]

doubt we'd draft another defenseman in the 1st, but adding a physical leftie like Kashawn Aitcheson to the offensively gifted righties we have in the system would still be enticing to me if we ended up having one of our firsts in that 15-20 range. Braeden Cootes is another guy I like in the backhalf of the first. Right-handed center, 200 ft game, plays in all situations for Seattle.

thanks for your insights, Sandman, always find them interesting. Didn't expect to see Hagens outside of the top 3 at this point, will be interesting to see how the WJC impacts things.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by devo22

doubt we'd draft another defenseman in the 1st, but adding a physical leftie like Kashawn Aitcheson to the offensively gifted righties we have in the system would still be enticing to me if we ended up having one of our firsts in that 15-20 range. Braeden Cootes is another guy I like in the backhalf of the first. Right-handed center, 200 ft game, plays in all situations for Seattle.

thanks for your insights, Sandman, always find them interesting. Didn't expect to see Hagens outside of the top 3 at this point, will be interesting to see how the WJC impacts things.

Thanks, devo- you obviously know your stuff, and I agree on all points. I will most likely do a Post-WJC list sometime in January, and I may have a few changes of opinion.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Sandman's Pre-WJC Draft List (top-100):

1) RW Porter Martone
2) C Mike Misa
3) D Matt Schaefer
4) C James Hagens
5) C Roger McQueen
6) C Anton Frondell
7) C Caleb Desnoyers
8) C Carter Bear
9) LW Malcolm Spence
10) LW Victor Eklund
11) D Logan Hensler
12) RW Justin Carbonneau
13) D Jackson Smith
14) C Ivan Ryabkin
15) C Will Moore
16) D Radim Mrtka
17) C Jake O'Brien
18) D Kashawn Aitcheson
19) LW Bill Zonnon
20) C Brady Martin
21) LW Lynden Lakovic
22) LW Jacob Ihs-Wozniak
23) LW Cole Reschny
24) G Josh Ravensbergen
25) D Cameron Reid
26) C Jack Murtagh
27) LW Nathan Behm
28) D Charlie Trethewey
29) D Blake Fiddler
30) C Braeden Cootes
31) RW Cam Schmidt
32) RW Shane Vansaghi

33) C Milton Gastrin
34) D Kurban Limatov
35) LW Emile Guite'
36) RW Ben Kevan
37) C Cole McKinney
38) D Sascha Boumedienne
39) C Tyler Hopkins
40) LW Zach Morin
41) C Jack Nesbitt
42) C Conrad Fondrk
43) G Jack Ivankovic
44) D Alex Huang
45) C Matthew Gard
46) RW Ben Kindel
47) C Eric Nilson
48) C Jordan Gavin
49) LW Cullen Potter
50) C Ethan Czata
51) D Carter Amico
52) C Hayden Paupanekis
53) C Luca Romano
54) D Owen Conrad
55) D Will Sharpe
56) RW Arvid Drott
57) RW Eddie Genborg
58) D Dakota Rheaume-Mullem
59) G Love Haremstam
60) D Jacob Rombach
61) D Henry Brzustewicz
62) G Semyon Frolov
63) C Tomas Pobezal
64) D Reese Hamilton

65) D Jesper Kotajarvi
66) G Lucas Beckman
67) LW Mason Moe
68) D Artyom Vilchinsky
69) LW Victor Klingsell
70) D Carson Cameron
71) LW Ryker Lee
72) G Pyotr Andreyanov
73) RW Shamar Moses
74) F Melvin Novotny
75) C Mateo Nobert
76) LW Tomas Poletin
77) C Caden Taylor
78) LW Max Westergard
79) D Asher Barnett
80) D Noah Laberge
81) D Oliwer Sjostrom
82) G Isak Sorqvist
83) G Ondrej Stebetak
84) D Lasse Boelius
85) RW Travis Hayes
86) D Peyton Kettles
87) G Gabriel D'Aigle
88) D Karl Annborn
89) LW Vojtech Cihar
90) LW Oscar Davidsson
91) RW Owen Martin
92) C Nathan Quinn
93) LW Kristian Epperson
94) D Maxim Agafonov
95) LW David Lewandowski
96) D Mace'o Phillips

97) D Malte Vass
98) RW Tanner Lam
99) C Jan Chovan
100) RW Vaclav Nestrasil

fwiw - got this up on our Upside Hockey Substack as well to get even more exposure of the great work and efforts of Sandman...

https://open.substack.com/pub/upside...s-sandmans-043

[Monahammer]

We'd need to be very lucky but if we won the lottery I'd want us to take Mike Misa first. He can't be stopped.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I agree 100%. Misa is the man. The Misa brothers tearing it up on the Flames.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Sandman's Pre-WJC Draft List (top-100):

1) RW Porter Martone
2) C Mike Misa
3) D Matt Schaefer
4) C James Hagens
5) C Roger McQueen
6) C Anton Frondell
7) C Caleb Desnoyers
8) C Carter Bear
9) LW Malcolm Spence
10) LW Victor Eklund
11) D Logan Hensler
12) RW Justin Carbonneau
13) D Jackson Smith
14) C Ivan Ryabkin
15) C Will Moore
16) D Radim Mrtka
17) C Jake O'Brien
18) D Kashawn Aitcheson
19) LW Bill Zonnon
20) C Brady Martin
21) LW Lynden Lakovic
22) LW Jacob Ihs-Wozniak
23) LW Cole Reschny
24) G Josh Ravensbergen
25) D Cameron Reid
26) C Jack Murtagh
27) LW Nathan Behm
28) D Charlie Trethewey
29) D Blake Fiddler
30) C Braeden Cootes
31) RW Cam Schmidt
32) RW Shane Vansaghi

33) C Milton Gastrin
34) D Kurban Limatov
35) LW Emile Guite'
36) RW Ben Kevan
37) C Cole McKinney
38) D Sascha Boumedienne
39) C Tyler Hopkins
40) LW Zach Morin
41) C Jack Nesbitt
42) C Conrad Fondrk
43) G Jack Ivankovic
44) D Alex Huang
45) C Matthew Gard
46) RW Ben Kindel
47) C Eric Nilson
48) C Jordan Gavin
49) LW Cullen Potter
50) C Ethan Czata
51) D Carter Amico
52) C Hayden Paupanekis
53) C Luca Romano
54) D Owen Conrad
55) D Will Sharpe
56) RW Arvid Drott
57) RW Eddie Genborg
58) D Dakota Rheaume-Mullem
59) G Love Haremstam
60) D Jacob Rombach
61) D Henry Brzustewicz
62) G Semyon Frolov
63) C Tomas Pobezal
64) D Reese Hamilton

65) D Jesper Kotajarvi
66) G Lucas Beckman
67) LW Mason Moe
68) D Artyom Vilchinsky
69) LW Victor Klingsell
70) D Carson Cameron
71) LW Ryker Lee
72) G Pyotr Andreyanov
73) RW Shamar Moses
74) F Melvin Novotny
75) C Mateo Nobert
76) LW Tomas Poletin
77) C Caden Taylor
78) LW Max Westergard
79) D Asher Barnett
80) D Noah Laberge
81) D Oliwer Sjostrom
82) G Isak Sorqvist
83) G Ondrej Stebetak
84) D Lasse Boelius
85) RW Travis Hayes
86) D Peyton Kettles
87) G Gabriel D'Aigle
88) D Karl Annborn
89) LW Vojtech Cihar
90) LW Oscar Davidsson
91) RW Owen Martin
92) C Nathan Quinn
93) LW Kristian Epperson
94) D Maxim Agafonov
95) LW David Lewandowski
96) D Mace'o Phillips

97) D Malte Vass
98) RW Tanner Lam
99) C Jan Chovan
100) RW Vaclav Nestrasil

I can’t cheer for losses but man a top 10 pick this year would almost guarantee a center with top 6 potential coming out of this draft.

[dammage79]

If Misa is 1st OA then I hope we get the 2nd tier of centers. I'll be happy with any of them really. But I'm a big supporter of Frondell.

Ryabkin slipping is surprising.

[1qqaaz]

I'd be pretty happy with Carter Bear around 8th OA. 46 points in 26 WHL games. C/LW. 6 foot and 180 lbs.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

We'd need to be very lucky but if we won the lottery I'd want us to take Mike Misa first. He can't be stopped.

Yeah, I think the only two near can't miss superstars are Misa and Schaefer, for once I would like this team to get some lottery luck.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

We'd need to be very lucky but if we won the lottery I'd want us to take Mike Misa first. He can't be stopped.

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

I agree 100%. Misa is the man. The Misa brothers tearing it up on the Flames.

I have to admit, Martone and Misa are pretty much neck-and-neck for me. It’s a coin toss at this point.

[stemit14]

Would be a great problem to have but it would be a tough call if the flames were set to pick say 3rd overall and both Schaefer and Misa were already picked. Basically means the flames would have to pick between the best player available (Martone) or the best available center (Hagens). Also the American factor with Hagens might be a slight concern. The flames desperately need to get a center out of this draft but would they be passing on the next Matthew Tkachuk (Martone) to get potentially a lesser player most because they play center (Hagens/McQueen/Frondell)? I’ve always subscribed to taking the best player available no matter the position but they are so thin at center prospects that I might waiver in this scenario. But it would be painful to pass on Martone.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Would be a great problem to have but it would be a tough call if the flames were set to pick say 3rd overall and both Schaefer and Misa were already picked. Basically means the flames would have to pick between the best player available (Martone) or the best available center (Hagens). Also the American factor with Hagens might be a slight concern. The flames desperately need to get a center out of this draft but would they be passing on the next Matthew Tkachuk (Martone) to get potentially a lesser player most because they play center (Hagens/McQueen/Frondell)? I’ve always subscribed to taking the best player available no matter the position but they are so thin at center prospects that I might waiver in this scenario. But it would be painful to pass on Martone.

You take Martone and run