2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

I have to think that this will be the last year for this competition in light of the NCAA eligibility changes.

Think so? And that soon?

[Sandman]

Dec.16th Update:

-Mike Misa is on top of the OHL scoring race (4th in plus/minus), with 29gp/30g/31a/61pts,+25, 21 PIM, for a pts/gp of 2.10, a pace that would put him at 139 points after 66 games. Porter Martone is second in OHL scoring, with 26gp/21g/33a/54pts,+16, 41 PIM, for a pts/gp of 2.08. If he wasn't playing in the WJC, that would put him on pace for 133 points in 64 games, with 101 PIMs.

-D Matt Schaefer hasn't played since the 8th, but he is tied for 12th in scoring by D in the OHL (8th-overall for plus/minus) with 17gp/7g/15a/22pts,+21, 8 PIM.

-D Cameron Reid has 5 points in the last 7 games, and is 7th in scoring by D in the OHL with 31gp/5g/21a/26pts,+10, 20 PIM.

-D Henry Brzustewicz only has 1 point in December, in 6 games, and has slipped to 22nd in scoring by D in the OHL, with 30gp/5g/13a/18pts,+12, 43 PIM.

-D Carson Cameron only has 2 points in 6 games in December, and is 39th in scoring by D, with 31gp/5g/8a/13pts,-18, 14 PIM. The team he plays for, the Peterborough Petes, are dead last in the league (by 16 goals) and are tied with Halifax of the QMJHL for the lowest scoring team in the entire CHL. He's better than his stats indicate.

-Since returning from the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, D Quinn Beauchesne has 3 points in 6 games for 19gp/3g/3a/6pts,-5, 17 PIM. Like Carson Cameron, he is in a less-than-ideal situation in Guelph- a team that is second-last in the OHL standings.

-In the last 5 games, C Jake O'Brien has 6 points to put him in 20th spot in the OHL scoring race, with 31gp/16g/22a/38pts,-10, 8 PIM. He's on pace for 83 points in 68 games (1.23 pts/gp).

-LW Malcolm Spence has 8 points in the last 5 games, and is 24th in OHL scoring, with 28gp/15g/22a/37pts,+19, 20 PIM. His pts/gp of 1.32 puts him on pace for 89 points in 67 games.

-I think LW Kristian Epperson is a good bet to be drafted in his D+1 year. True, he plays with Mike Misa for the Saginaw Spirit, but he's held his own (and is 18th in scoring) with 29gp/13g/27a/40pts,+26, 52 PIM. He plays with speed, pushes pace, throws his weight around (6'0",185lbs), and has a giant chip on his shoulder. I like him very much.

-Another player I like, 6'1",174lb C Ethan Czata, has crept into the 33rd spot in OHL scoring, amassing 16 points in the last 8 games for a stat line of 31gp/14g/19a/33pts,+17, 33 PIM. He's a power forward who plays a good 200-ft game.

-C Brady Martin (yet another beauty) has 5 points in 4 games since the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge for 27gp/14g/14a/28pts,+9, 37 PIM, for the Greyhounds- who sit 15th out of 20 teams in the standings, and 4th-worst in goals-for. He is tied with two other first-time draft-eligibles for 48th in scoring, C Luca Romano of Kitchener (30gp/14g/14a/28pts,+7, 8 PIM), and 6'4" C Jack Nesbitt of Windsor (32gp/13g/15a/28pts,+12, 28 PIM.

-Since an early-season trade from Barrie (no points in 5 games) to the 14th-place North Bay Battalion, 6'1",203lb RW Shamar Moses has compiled 24gp/6g/19a/25pts,-5, 17 PIM. He's a playmaking power forward, who needs work on his skating, but compensates with his high workrate.

-Speedy C Tyler Hopkins is struggling a bit to put up offense right now, with 5 points in his last 10 games while playing on Kingston's second line. 32gp/8g/16a/24pts,-1, 12 PIM, a pace that puts him at 51 points in 68 games.

-Over in the QMJHL, RW Justin Carbonneau (31gp/22g/23a/45pts,-1, 26 PIM) and LW Bill Zonnon (31gp/16g/29a/45pts,+4, 18 PIM) are now tied for 3rd in scoring. Zonnon has 12 points in the last 7 games, while JC has only 7 points in that span.

-C Caleb Desnoyers might be in 7th-place in the scoring race, but his pts/gp of 1.62 is tops in the league (besides D Brandon Delarosbil, who has 2 points in 1 game). 26gp/17g/25a/42pts,+30, 14 PIM, with the second-best plus/minus in the Q. Simply amazing.

-C Mateo Nobert, who plays for Blainville-Boisbriand, is struggling a bit with his partner Justin Carbonneau- putting up only 6 points in the last 7 games, for 31gp/15g/23a/38pts,+3, 12 PIM, good for 11th in the Q. Nobert is said to have no real dynamic qualities, but he's a smart playmaker with a sound defensive game, who likes to play with physicality.

-C Nathan Quinn plays for the 13th-placed Quebec Remparts, and has posted a very admirable 30gp/11g/21a/32pts,+3, 13 PIM. Quinn will be one of the youngest players in the draft, with an August 29th birthday- that's if he gets picked. He plays a detailed 200-ft game, and nobody told him he's 5'10", and 170lbs, as he goes to the net hard. In a very similar situation is C/LW Phillippe Veilleux, who is toiling for the 16th-place Val D'Or Foreurs, but has managed 31gp/14g/19a/33pts,-15, 6 PIM. Veilleux is only 5'9", and 165 lbs, and while he shows a well-rounded offensive game, he lacks many standout traits- he's in tough to be drafted this summer, IMO.

-C Carter Bear has not played since the 6th, but is still tied for 7th in WHL scoring with 26gp/22g/24a/46pts,+25, 22 PIM. His pts/gp of 1.77 is third in the league, and he is tied for 8th in plus/minus.

-RW Ben Kindel has piled up 11 points in just 5 games in December, which moves him up to 12th-place in WHL scoring, with 28gp/19g/25a/44pts,+8, 16 PIM. In the same span, Oliver Tulk has 13 points. Tanner Howe has missed the last 2 games.

-RW Cam Schmidt has only 2 points in 3 games since returning from an injury, putting him in a tie for 22nd spot in the WHL scoring race, with 26gp/24g/14a/38pts,-1, 16 PIM. His 1.46 pts/gp is 17th overall. Tied with Schmidt is C Cole Reschny, who has put up 6 points in 5 games in December, for 29gp/11g/27a/38pts,+7, 28 PIM, a pace that puts him at 86 pts in 65 games. LW Nathan Behm is one point behind them, with 31gp/18g/19a/37pts,+2, 10 PIM, after 5 points in his last 5 games.

-LW Lynden Lakovic has posted 7 points in his last 5 games to move into a tie for 30th in scoring, with 28gp/14g/21a/35pts,-13, 4 PIM. Impressive, considering the Warriors have been a mess, and are dead-last in the standings (3rd-lowest in scoring).

-C Braeden Cootes has 8 points in the last 6 games on the third-worst team in the league, the Seattle Thunderbirds. He is tied for 53rd in the WHL with 29gp/13g/17a/30pts,+1, 10 PIM, and leads his team in scoring. He's the Captain of the Thunderbirds and leads by example with his work ethic and complete game. He's also has high-end playmaking vision. I really like this kid.

-D Will Sharpe is falling, after only 3 points in 6 December games, for totals of 29gp/3g/20a/23pts,-2, 18 PIM. D Jackson Smith is in the same boat, with only 3 points in 5 December games, to place 12th in scoring by D with 30gp/2g/22a/24pts,+8, 26 PIM.

-C James Hagens has 3 points in 3 games in December, for Boston College. 16gp/5g/15a/20pts,+15, 4 PIM. Mack Celebrini (1.68 ppg as a 17 yo), Jack Eichel (1.78 ppg), and Adam Fantilli (1.81 ppg) all had better ppg in their draft years in the NCAA than Hagens' 1.25 ppg.

-D Logan Hensler has 2 points in 4 December contests, for 17gp/0g/7a/7pts,-3, 19 PIM.

[cral12]

Tough to keep up with Sandman lol, but a couple of posts out of his last great couple of updates for us - over at Upside Hockey's Substack (free to sign up if you haven't, and helps us out a ton &/or give it a share). Nothing new for CPers - just in our eNewsletter format admittedly.

By the Numbers: 2025 NHL Draft December Update
https://upsidehockey.substack.com/p/...ember?r=4i1zkz

and

2025 NHL Draft Notes from the World Junior A Challenge Gold Medal Game
https://upsidehockey.substack.com/p/...world?r=4i1zkz

[Sandman]

You're a workhorse, cral!

[jayswin]

Yeah, both you and Cral are such a value add to CP. It's much appreciated by everyone.

[Sandman]

Thanks a bunch, jayswin!!!

[Wedge]

If we happen to fall outside of the top 7 or 8 picks, and Misa, Hagens, McQueen, and Frondell are gone, how would a "secondary" group of centers compare to one another, and would they be quality top-6 players? The players I'm thinking of would include guys like Caleb Desnoyers, Jake O'Brien, Carter Bear, and Brady Martin. Thanks ahead of time for any style of play or concerns type comments.

[Heavy Jack]

100 percent what Jayswin says and he does speak for all of us at CP; I feel generally like a more informed hockey fan just from the write ups from Sandman and Cral let alone the actual insight on each individual draft hopeful every year for as long as I can remember now. It’s staggering to say the least and I can appreciate the time and effort it takes; the ole ten thousand hour rule with you two is likely tripled at this point, the biggest of thank you’s to you both along with all the other unique posters that truly set CP apart from the rest. Bingo I’m sure is remarkably proud of what he’s built here, I’m so glad to be a part of this awesome place for well over a decade now.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Wedge

If we happen to fall outside of the top 7 or 8 picks, and Misa, Hagens, McQueen, and Frondell are gone, how would a "secondary" group of centers compare to one another, and would they be quality top-6 players? The players I'm thinking of would include guys like Caleb Desnoyers, Jake O'Brien, Carter Bear, and Brady Martin. Thanks ahead of time for any style of play or concerns type comments.

Frondell is looking like he may drop out of the top 8

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

100 percent what Jayswin says and he does speak for all of us at CP; I feel generally like a more informed hockey fan just from the write ups from Sandman and Cral let alone the actual insight on each individual draft hopeful every year for as long as I can remember now. It’s staggering to say the least and I can appreciate the time and effort it takes; the ole ten thousand hour rule with you two is likely tripled at this point, the biggest of thank you’s to you both along with all the other unique posters that truly set CP apart from the rest. Bingo I’m sure is remarkably proud of what he’s built here, I’m so glad to be a part of this awesome place for well over a decade now.

Wow, Amazing! Thanks Heavy Jack!

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Wow, Amazing! Thanks Heavy Jack!

Have to add to this. Your contributions are greatly appreciated! Appreciate the way you view prospects and voicing their data for the rest of us schlubs. I know you get some negative feedback which i can’t understand but makes me respect your drive even more.

Thank you both!

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Wedge

If we happen to fall outside of the top 7 or 8 picks, and Misa, Hagens, McQueen, and Frondell are gone, how would a "secondary" group of centers compare to one another, and would they be quality top-6 players? The players I'm thinking of would include guys like Caleb Desnoyers, Jake O'Brien, Carter Bear, and Brady Martin. Thanks ahead of time for any style of play or concerns type comments.

I feel more and more like Desnoyers would be just as good or better than Frondell or McQueen. As stated above, he's leading the Q in pts/gp (I think he would have less points if he played in the WHL or OHL), but what's great about him is that he touches every little part of the game, and can play any style, he's simply amazing. If we come away from the draft with this kid, we're LAUGHING.

Carter Bear has moved all the way up to the top-10 IMO. He's on pace for 108 points in 61 games, and like Desnoyers, he goes above and beyond in playing a killer 200-ft game. Simply put, Bear is the hardest-working player in this draft, he takes a hard-nosed approach to everything he does, and will drag his teammates into battle. His hands and smarts are high-end, and his skating is underrated. This is a kid you win with, period. Love him.

Jake O'Brien is a gifted playmaker with high-end vision, and with the year he had last season, I would have expected him to be much higher in the scoring race this year- I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, there's always plenty of turnover in Junior. He's 6'2", but I think he plays a bit soft and isn't yet a high-end skater. Mid-teens?

Brady Martin may only measure 6'0"and 172lbs, but he plays like he's 6'4",230 with the way he wins battles and imposes his will physically every chance he gets- he's dominant in this area. He's uncommonly strong and competitive, and he'll just as soon go through you as around you. He's been hovering around a ppg all year, but I would put him pretty close to O'Brien, if not ahead, as the team he plays for is not very good. He has plenty of skill, and is a dual threat offensively. His skating is good, not a weakness, but has room to be cleaned up. This kid, like Carter Bear, is a warrior. Mid-teens perhaps, but I currently have him at 20.

Will Moore is a big, strapping power-forward who so far hasn't lived up to the hype he had coming in to the season (although the NTDP this season is quite weak). He's 6'2" power forward who plays a physical two-way game, and skates well- although there's still room for improvement. Late teens, early 20's.

Jack Murtagh is another six-footer, and plays in the NTDP. He's ultra competitive, and plays with a chip on his shoulder. In the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, he may have been the best player on the American side. He's an excellent skater, which helps him to be a factor in pushing pace through transition, and he owns a superb shot, but his defensive game needs a little tweak. Mid-20's.

Braeden Cootes might just be taken ahead of any of O'Brien, Martin. Moore, or Murtagh. He's the Captain of a very poor Seattle Thunderbirds squad that sits third from the bottom of the WHL standings, which hurts his stats- but make no mistake, this kid has a top-6 skill set with great playmaking ability and vision. Like Martin, he has a lights-out two-way game, and leads by example with his physicality and unwavering work-ethic. Anywhere in the 20's, but could move up.

Cole Reschny is a diminutive player (5'10",187lbs) at a time when drafting smaller players has become more passe'. There's plenty of hope for him though, as he's apparently an advanced-stats darling with numbers that paint him as one of the better play-drivers 5 on 5 in the draft, and an extremely effective two-way performer. Look for him in the 20's.

Milton Gastrin has everything you want in a top-6, two-way C with his size (6'2"), skating, playmaking prowess, and responsible two-way game. He was one of the best players at the Hlinka-Gretzky, but his numbers in league play so far in the J20 has been a bit lacklustre, with 19 points in 20 games- although he has enjoyed a 5-game call-up to the SHL. Late first, early second.

Cole McKinney is very similar to Cootes, Martin, and Murtagh, but so far his projection is lower ceiling- perhaps more of a middle-6 C, and there's nothing wrong with that. Look for him at the top of the second round.

IMO- out of the above centers, the only ones who are sure-fire first-liners are Desnoyers, and Bear (who could make it as a LW).

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Have to add to this. Your contributions are greatly appreciated! Appreciate the way you view prospects and voicing their data for the rest of us schlubs. I know you get some negative feedback which i can’t understand but makes me respect your drive even more.

Thank you both!

Thanks Fan69!!

[sch19lks]

I love Carter Bear. He’s definitely my target in the 8-10 range or whatever. He’s shooting up the rankings and if he keeps it up, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in the 5, 6, 7 range. I don’t think he can work his way into the Schaefer, Martone, Hagens, Misa range, because those guys are mega studs, but you never know

[Snuffleupagus]

For centers around the 7-10, I'm a little torn between 1 and 2

1a- Caleb Desnoyers, LS, can't ignore his talent, IQ, work ethic and 2-way game, needs to get a little quicker for the next level.

1b- Jake O'Brien, RS, elite vision and IQ, needs to get stronger but he's the youngest of the bunch so there's time.

3- William Moore, LS, great puck skills and vision, plays hard and heavy.

4- Carter Bear, LS, full package that can play any role including being a pain in the ass, only knock is he's the oldest with a 06 birth date.

In the end I think all four will have solid NHL careers

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

For centers around the 7-10, I'm a little torn between 1 and 2

1a- Caleb Desnoyers, LS, can't ignore his talent, IQ, work ethic and 2-way game, needs to get a little quicker for the next level.

1b- Jake O'Brien, RS, elite vision and IQ, needs to get stronger but he's the youngest of the bunch so there's time.

3- William Moore, LS, great puck skills and vision, plays hard and heavy.

4- Carter Bear, LS, full package that can play any role including being a pain in the ass, only knock is he's the oldest with a 06 birth date.

In the end I think all four will have solid NHL careers

Don't disagree, but at the ned of the day, if one has a very good career the odds will be satisfied. One maybe has a decent career, and the other two are disappointments.

It will be Craig's job to figure this out.

But on paper, they all look good, but each is still a work in progress.

While the odds on the best centres in the draft are better, they still aren't sure things to be stars.

[The Fonz]

Cole Reschny with NJ's 1st rounder would be fantastic

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I feel more and more like Desnoyers would be just as good or better than Frondell or McQueen. As stated above, he's leading the Q in pts/gp (I think he would have less points if he played in the WHL or OHL), but what's great about him is that he touches every little part of the game, and can play any style, he's simply amazing. If we come away from the draft with this kid, we're LAUGHING.

Carter Bear has moved all the way up to the top-10 IMO. He's on pace for 108 points in 61 games, and like Desnoyers, he goes above and beyond in playing a killer 200-ft game. Simply put, Bear is the hardest-working player in this draft, he takes a hard-nosed approach to everything he does, and will drag his teammates into battle. His hands and smarts are high-end, and his skating is underrated. This is a kid you win with, period. Love him.

Jake O'Brien is a gifted playmaker with high-end vision, and with the year he had last season, I would have expected him to be much higher in the scoring race this year- I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, there's always plenty of turnover in Junior. He's 6'2", but I think he plays a bit soft and isn't yet a high-end skater. Mid-teens?

Brady Martin may only measure 6'0"and 172lbs, but he plays like he's 6'4",230 with the way he wins battles and imposes his will physically every chance he gets- he's dominant in this area. He's uncommonly strong and competitive, and he'll just as soon go through you as around you. He's been hovering around a ppg all year, but I would put him pretty close to O'Brien, if not ahead, as the team he plays for is not very good. He has plenty of skill, and is a dual threat offensively. His skating is good, not a weakness, but has room to be cleaned up. This kid, like Carter Bear, is a warrior. Mid-teens perhaps, but I currently have him at 20.

Will Moore is a big, strapping power-forward who so far hasn't lived up to the hype he had coming in to the season (although the NTDP this season is quite weak). He's 6'2" power forward who plays a physical two-way game, and skates well- although there's still room for improvement. Late teens, early 20's.

Jack Murtagh is another six-footer, and plays in the NTDP. He's ultra competitive, and plays with a chip on his shoulder. In the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, he may have been the best player on the American side. He's an excellent skater, which helps him to be a factor in pushing pace through transition, and he owns a superb shot, but his defensive game needs a little tweak. Mid-20's.

Braeden Cootes might just be taken ahead of any of O'Brien, Martin. Moore, or Murtagh. He's the Captain of a very poor Seattle Thunderbirds squad that sits third from the bottom of the WHL standings, which hurts his stats- but make no mistake, this kid has a top-6 skill set with great playmaking ability and vision. Like Martin, he has a lights-out two-way game, and leads by example with his physicality and unwavering work-ethic. Anywhere in the 20's, but could move up.

Cole Reschny is a diminutive player (5'10",187lbs) at a time when drafting smaller players has become more passe'. There's plenty of hope for him though, as he's apparently an advanced-stats darling with numbers that paint him as one of the better play-drivers 5 on 5 in the draft, and an extremely effective two-way performer. Look for him in the 20's.

Milton Gastrin has everything you want in a top-6, two-way C with his size (6'2"), skating, playmaking prowess, and responsible two-way game. He was one of the best players at the Hlinka-Gretzky, but his numbers in league play so far in the J20 has been a bit lacklustre, with 19 points in 20 games- although he has enjoyed a 5-game call-up to the SHL. Late first, early second.

Cole McKinney is very similar to Cootes, Martin, and Murtagh, but so far his projection is lower ceiling- perhaps more of a middle-6 C, and there's nothing wrong with that. Look for him at the top of the second round.

IMO- out of the above centers, the only ones who are sure-fire first-liners are Desnoyers, and Bear (who could make it as a LW).

Ryabkin totally out of the picture? I imagine it is pretty difficult to get eyes on him and his progress.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Cole Reschny with NJ's 1st rounder would be fantastic

I'm all over this or with Florida's pick if the Flames end up with that one.

I'm seeing a few lists where Reschny has been falling -- Elite Prospects overview that someone linked to a couple pages back doesn't even have him in their top 32.

He's a smaller guy but he's so dynamic and has a non-stop two-way motor.

[1qqaaz]

This appears to be a very strong draft for Canadians.

As far as the top of the draft is concerned, the NDTP talent is limited. Frondell and Ryabkin have fallen like rocks in the rankings. On Elite Prospects, 16 of the top 20 are Canadian.