2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts, American Edition Vol. 1:

LW Cullen Potter (5'9",168lbs)
Arizona State (NCAA): 18gp/ 6g/ 4a/ 10pts, -1, 6 PIM.

In any scouting report on Cullen Potter that you may come across, you will undoubtedly identify 5 key words: Speed, Speed, Speed, Speed, and Transition. The diminutive winger is an electrifying speedster who can flat-out fly, and is one of the best skaters in the 2025 draft class. He's light, with a low center of gravity, which might be why he's so agile and displays such effortless edgework- he can stop or change speeds on a dime. In open ice, he can easily separate from pursuing defenders, and control the pace of the game. His hands are fast enough to keep up with his feet and his quickness, when combined with his skillful puck-handling, make him instrumental in Arizona State's transition, which seems to have become an area of specialty of his at the tender age of 17 (he turns 18 on January 10th). Cullen can achieve exits and entries via carry or pass, exhibiting uncommon poise and confidence with the puck that belies his age, along with pinpoint accuracy and timing in his neutral zone distribution. Though he can back defenses up, or engage his opponents with deft 1-on-1 moves, he also has a patient delay game to draw pressure, or hit the trailer with a pass.

Potter may be small, but he's not afraid to cut inside or drive through traffic, and he has several tricks up his sleeve to get to the net- including dekes, fakes, and dazzling footwork. He displays soft hands around the net, and also has an above-average shot with some power, including a slick catch-and-release wrister that can catch goalies off guard. His numbers this season in his freshman year are quite impressive, especially given his age and size limitations, but he's still trying to figure out how to work within the dimensions of the offensive zone against men, with less time and space to operate. Right now, he shows that he has sound ideas, but the execution isn't quite going to plan, with a lot of his passes being blocked or flubbed- he's keeping things fairly simple, which has led to some unfounded questions about his hockey sense. When he gets properly acclimated though, his vision and smarts will shine through in his playmaking ability- and when he learns to distribute as well in the offensive zone as he does in transition, he'll be a top playmaker. ASU Coach Greg Powers said, "I think from a raw ability and skill set, he's the best player that's ever played here, and it's probably not even close." Potter's compete, motor, and work-ethic are high in every area of the ice, and he can be deployed in any situation, and both sides of special teams. He works hard in the defensive zone, and uses his speed to close time and space- once the puck touches his stick, it's going the other way in a hurry.

Size will always be a limiting factor for Potter, as he can be knocked off the puck and is at a disadvantage when it comes to winning physical battles, which hurts his overall projection. He's still trying to figure out how to be effective on the forecheck, and he's much less potent on the cycle than he is off the rush. In 2023-24, Potter put up 17 goals and 46 points in 54 games in the NTDP, excellent numbers for a player in their D-minus-1 year, showing why Central Scouting gave him an "A" rating in their preliminary rankings. My bet is that he's picked in the second round, especially with how smaller players are falling in recent drafts, and that he makes a fine top-6 player in the NHL someday.

Not sure its the size but the strength. At one point i was 5 11 175 its pretty solid. Will probably play at a weight of 180. At 5 .9 180lbs is fairly solid.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 2):

LHC Jack Murtagh (6'1",185lbs)
NTDP: 24gp/ 11g/ 12a/ 23pts, +2, 12 PIM.

Murtagh (pronounced MURR-tag) missed being a member of the 2026 draft class by only a few weeks with an August 22nd birthday, but that hasn't stopped him from being one of the NTDP's best players, albeit in a season where the squad is quite weak and struggling to score. In the CHL-USA Top Prospects Games, Murtagh (2 goals in 2 games) was head and shoulders above the rest of his American teammates, and one of the very few on his team who could keep pace with the opposing players on the Canadian side, who dominated play by a wide margin in both games. Murtagh is a fairly well-balanced offensive threat with his shot being perhaps his best tool, but he's becoming a good distributor with increased confidence this season in his passing skill. He was more of a volume shooter last season but he's further adept at scanning and processing the play this year, and though he might not have elite creativity, he can connect on the more difficult plays with passes through traffic, as well as over and under sticks. As he showed more than once in the Prospect Games, he can dish the puck with a defender draped all over him. Murtagh is a high-IQ player who processes quickly, solves problems on the fly, and can drive play. Even with an added playmaking dimension in his repertoire, Murtagh's best asset is still his shot; he can release in full flight, and score from a distance with a wicked wrister, or a laser of a one-timer.

Murtagh is an excellent skater, perhaps not elite, but fast enough to push pace and put defenders on their heels. He can reach top speed quite quickly, and is rather difficult to knock off stride. There's still room to grow in this area, as the mechanics of his stride need to be cleaned up a bit to fully maximize his power. His hands are quite fast as well, and his dynamic puck-skill enables him to dangle around defenders, making him hard to stop off the rush. Murtagh is more than a finesse player though, as there's some power in his game; he goes to the hard areas to battle in the trenches, takes abuse to make plays in tight traffic, throws his weight around along the boards and will lean into defenders to cut inside and drive the net. He can go around opponents or through them, and doesn't get enough credit for his hard-nosed, fiery, gritty style. Going forward, he will need to bulk up and get a lot stronger to be able to play this way against men. In transition, he excels at supporting the rush as a play-connector with deft one-touch passes and give-and-goes, but he can also find open ice to carry through clean exits and entries.

Murtagh displays solid positioning and a smart stick in defensive situations, but he unfortunately lacks the same intensity and compete on the backcheck as he does in the other two zones. He can be beaten to loose pucks, and doesn't apply the same grade of physicality in the defensive zone, occasionally losing physical battles that he would have won in the other end of the ice. At times, he can be caught leaving the zone prematurely-perhaps this is because he feels the pressure to cheat in order to supply offense to a squad that is starved for goals. Murtagh is still quite young and maybe a little raw, but I really like this kid and I think the best is yet to come. He will have plenty of time to develop, as he is committed to Boston University for 2025-26. I think Murtagh will be selected in the late first round of the 2025 Draft.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 2):

LHC Jack Murtagh (6'1",185lbs)
NTDP: 24gp/ 11g/ 12a/ 23pts, +2, 12 PIM.

Murtagh (pronounced MURR-tag) missed being a member of the 2026 draft class by only a few weeks with an August 22nd birthday, but that hasn't stopped him from being one of the NTDP's best players, albeit in a season where the squad is quite weak and struggling to score. In the CHL-USA Top Prospects Games, Murtagh (2 goals in 2 games) was head and shoulders above the rest of his American teammates, and one of the very few on his team who could keep pace with the opposing players on the Canadian side, who dominated play by a wide margin in both games. Murtagh is a fairly well-balanced offensive threat with his shot being perhaps his best tool, but he's becoming a good distributor with more confidence this season in his passing skill. He was more of a volume shooter last season but he's more adept at scanning and processing the play this year, and though he might not have elite creativity, he can connect on the more difficult plays with passes through traffic, as well as over and under sticks. As he showed more than once in the Prospect Games, he can dish the puck with a defender draped all over him. Murtagh is a high-IQ player who processes quickly, solves problems on the fly, and can drive play. Even with an added playmaking dimension in his repertoire, Murtagh's best asset is still his shot; he can release in full flight, and score from a distance with a wicked wrister, or a laser of a one-timer.

Murtagh is an excellent skater, perhaps not elite, but fast enough to push pace and put defenders on their heels. He can reach top speed quite quickly, and is rather difficult to knock off stride. There's still room to grow in this area, as the mechanics of his stride need to be cleaned up a bit to fully maximize his power. His hands are quite fast as well, and his dynamic puck-skill enables him to dangle around defenders, making him hard to stop off the rush. Murtagh is more than a finesse player though, as there's some power in his game; he goes to the hard areas to battle in the trenches, takes abuse to make plays in tight traffic, throws his weight around along the boards and will lean into defenders to cut inside and drive the net. He can go around opponents or through them, and doesn't get enough credit for his hard-nosed, fiery, gritty style. Going forward, he will need to bulk up and get a lot stronger to be able to play this way against men. In transition, he excels at supporting the rush as a play-connector with deft one-touch passes and give-and-goes, but he can also find open ice to carry through clean exits and entries.

Murtagh displays solid positioning and a smart stick in defensive situations, but he unfortunately lacks the same intensity and compete on the backcheck as he does in the other two zones. He can be beaten to loose pucks, and doesn't apply the same grade of physicality in the defensive zone, occasionally losing physical battles that he would have won in the other end of the ice. At times, he can be caught leaving the zone prematurely-perhaps this is because he feels the pressure to cheat in order to supply offense to a squad that is starved for goals. Murtagh is still quite young and maybe a little raw, but I really like this kid and I think the best is yet to come. He will have plenty of time to develop, as he is committed to Boston University for 2025-26. I think Murtagh will be selected in the late first round of the 2025 Draft.

It will sure be nice to have the Montreal first drama done. Like to have a rough idea of where you are picking and not focus on players that probably won’t be there when you pick.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 3):

RHC Cole McKinney (6'0",190lbs)
NTDP: 30gp/ 9g/ 17a/ 26pts, +4, 29 PIM.

Cole McKinney is a two-way center who plays the game the right way, and doesn't cheat. He's an all-situations player who can contribute to both special teams, but is a natural on the PK and a guy who can win important faceoffs. He's perhaps one of those players who gets described as being good at everything, but not elite in any area; that said, I like this kid a lot. He is never outworked, and plays a hard and heavy style with intensity. He battles hard in the trenches, and is a load to handle on the forecheck. McKinney is quite aggressive, initiating contact whenever he can and skating through checks; he has a seemingly endless motor, and a high workrate. While he is perhaps not a speed merchant or lightning fast, he is a good skater with balance, agility, and smooth edges that allow him to change direction and pace rather quickly. He is strong on his skates and hard to knock over.

McKinney is not supremely skilled or really dynamic in any way, preferring instead to keep things simple and mostly risk-free. He doesn't really wow much with his handling or passing, and only occasionally flashes high-end ability and puck-skill. Despite this, he still manages to be a highly effective playmaker with good instincts, sound decision-making, and sharp vision under pressure. His shot is nothing special either, and he doesn't score often from distance, relying instead on his soft hands in-tight and his willingness to go to the net to beat goalies. If there's one asset of his that stands out, it is probably his high-end vision and IQ. The offensive side of his game is highly underrated; he's 3rd in NTDP scoring (ahead of the more highly-touted Will Moore), and was one of the best players for the American side in the CHL-USA Prospects Games (2 pts in 2 games).

McKinney is not considered to be much of a play-driver, but he manages to find open space to lead the rush on occasion, and can contribute to the transition by pass or by carry. Defensively, he's poised and reliable, always in good position, and very details-oriented. He battles hard along the walls to win pucks, supports his D down low, applies supreme pressure to attackers, shuts down lanes, and blocks shots. His off-puck game is exemplary on the backcheck, and he's always two steps ahead of the play- ready to turn defense into offense. McKinney is a high-floor player going forward due to his checking abilities, as well as his penalty-killing acumen, but he could make a good middle-6 C in the NHL if he further develops his game. He is committed to the University of Michigan in 2025-26, and I believe he'll be picked in the late first/early second of the 2025 Draft.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 4):

LHC Conrad Fondrk (5'11",174lbs)
NTDP: 32gp/ 6g/ 12a/ 18pts, -8, 6 PIM.

Conrad Fondrk is a center who contributes a bit in all 3 zones and in all situations, but it's very difficult to get a good read on him in a throw-away season for an NTDP squad that lacks elite talent, and has trouble scoring. Fondrk is mostly a support player who excels in riding shotgun with a true play-driver, and he is lucky enough to play regularly with Will Moore. In his own right, Fondrk is an intelligent player with excellent vision and hockey sense, as well as the passing skill to cash in on his ideas. He mostly keeps things relatively simple, especially off the rush, but he's effective and does not lack creativity. While his numbers say that he's not much of a goal-scoring threat, he does own a hard, heavy shot, and has a willingness to park in front of the net to convert second-chance opportunities, employing a nice set of hands with good timing. Fondrk is an excellent skater, perhaps not elite, though he wins more than his fair share of races and seems to be strong on his feet. The pace at which he plays gets mixed reviews though, depending on which game is being watched.

Fondrk is an excellent puckhandler, with quick hands and tight protection ability who exudes confidence in carrying, and exhibits a wide array of deception skills and 1-on-1 moves to get around the ice. He is known to be capable of making high-end plays in open-ice, and excels in finding seams in coverage to operate in. He uses these skills in transition, working give-and-go's or just blasting through the neutral zone for a high number of controlled exits and entries. Fondrk's profile differs from game-to-game, as his effort and engagement are wildly inconsistent; he seems like a different player each time he takes to the ice for his first shift. When he's on, he's a hard-worker who initiates contact and plays through checks- he can be a real difference-maker when he wants to be. This is particularly true in the defensive zone, where he runs hot and cold; when he's engaged, he uses his physicality, a smart stick, and proactive positioning to separate man from puck, block shots, and clog lanes. He's still quite young though, with a June 1st birthday, so hopefully his inconsistency improves as he matures.

I think that in Fondrk's case, scouts see a player who is far more untapped potential than finished product, but there's no denying his raw skill. He's committed to Boston U for 2025-26, where he will be developing in a good program with some familar faces. Look for him in the 2nd-round of the 2025 Draft.

[D as in David]

^^^ Putting the ond in Frk.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by D as in David

^^^ Putting the ond in Frk.

I am just visualizing the Swedish chef swearing in degrees.


Dropped the spoon on the floor? Frk!


Burnt his hand on the hot stove? Fondrk!


A fire started in the kitchen that he can't put out? Fondrkfrkfrkfrk!

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 5):

RHD Charlie Trethewey, 6'1",190lbs.
NTDP: 33gp/ 4g/ 7a/ 11pts, -17, 19 PIM.

D Charlie Trethewey's game was on full display for the embattled American team at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge- both the good, and the cringeworthy. The eye-test told a tale of a highly-involved, physical defenseman, who played an agitating style that at times, gave the Canadians fits- and at first, one watching casually might have come away thinking that Trethewey was one of the best players on the grossly outmatched Team USA. If you were looking for flaws however, it was easy to find them- including several lost physical battles, defensive miscues, and glaring mistakes under pressure. He finished the two-game event with no points, a team-worst -4, and a giveaway (with a screen of his own goalie) that led to the game-winner for the Canadians in Game #2.

At his best, Trethewey is a quality puck-moving, two-way D who plays a rugged physical style, and is known for his high-end defensive awareness, with a specialty in snuffing the other teams' rush. He is adept at angling his prey to the outside using his quickness to match his opponents' footwork, an active stick, and tight gaps, often taking them out along the wall with a stiff jolt. He has an extra-long reach, solid positioning, and keen attention to detail in his own end, highlighted by a bit of a mean streak that aids him in keeping the crease clear, and in eliminating high-danger opportunities. He's not at all afraid to dole out a few hacks and whacks to get the job done, or to dish out a crosscheck or two. Trethewey is an excellent skater in all 4 directions, but there's room to grow when it comes to his top-speed and acceleration. He's strong on his skates, and has good edges to make tight pivots, as well as good small-area quickness.

Unfortunately, Trethewey's reads and decision-making with the puck get mixed reviews. When he has a modicum of time and space, his outlets are high-end, often hitting teammates in stride for breakaways and odd-man rushes through the neutral zone. He's considered to be a good puck-mover and can regularly make a quality first-pass, but under forechecking pressure, he is prone to throw-aways, turnovers, and other egregious errors. With 14 points through 33 NTDP games in 2023-24, much more was expected of him this season offensively- although there isn't much to work with this year on a weak NTDP squad that lacks elite talent and struggles to score. Trethewey will join the rush occasionally, and he has shown that he can man the point effectively, but he prefers to keep things fairly simple and risk-free; he's not particularly creative or dynamic. There's not much activation from the blueline, unless it's to step up to keep pucks alive, as his pinches can be ill-timed- thus getting him in trouble. He does however, walk the line smoothly and he's got a booming point shot that he can get on net with regularity. It is said that Trethewey has all the tools of a grade-A prospect, and many believe there's a top-4 NHL defenseman in this package, but he's quite unrefined right now and needs plenty of work on his decision-making. He also desperately needs to get stronger, as he can be outmuscled and sometimes has problems pinning opponents to the boards. It should be added that Trethewey is on the younger side, with an August 2nd birthday. This is definitely one to watch, and he's attending Boston University in 2026-27.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 6):

LHC Will Moore (6'2",161lbs)
NTDP: 33gp/ 13g/ 12a/ 25pts, -9, 4 PIM.

C Will Moore is yet another NTDP prospect who had high expectations going into the 2024-25 season, and is not meeting them. Moore is a two-way power forward with all the tools- size, speed, skill, and play-driving ability, who can play in any situation as well as both special teams. His hockey sense, vision, and playmaking instincts are his best traits- he sees passing lanes that few others can see, and has the patience to hold on and wait for the right play to develop when there's nothing available. He scans the ice well, and can make plays with little time or space. His numbers suggest that he might be taking the reins and shooting more, as his 13 goals are second on the team. Not a huge surprise there, as he is able to drop a shoulder and drive the inside or attack the net, and he also owns a hard and heavy shot with precision. He will also park his large frame in front of the goalie to set up the screen for teammates, and he has the hand-eye coordination to get tip-ins, or cash-in on second-chance opportunities. In additon, he exhibits smooth puck-skill- he's a deft handler with quick hands.

Though he needs to bulk up considerably and get a lot stronger, he uses his frame to play a power game that includes bulling his way through traffic, imposing his will along the boards, and getting his nose dirty in the greasy areas. He makes his presence felt on the forecheck as well, causing multiple turnovers with his body and disrupting plays with his quickness and long reach. Down low, he can be a load to handle, with or without the puck. His physicality can be up-and-down though, as he can be a bit more passive in some contests. Moore is a solid skater with above-average speed, but there's work to be done on his mechanics as his stride looks a bit short and choppy at times. His edgework needs to be refined as well, for better escapability. His quickness is evident in transition, as he can find open space to move through, and has the ability to make high-end plays to achieve entry. Defensively, he's inconsistent with his anticipation, positioning, and engagement suffering wide ebbs and flows. There are also occasions where he is caught cheating by attempting to leave the zone early. When he's on, his speed and reach make him highly effective in snuffing plays on the backcheck, and applying pressure to opposing puck-carriers. He will support his D down low, as well.

As stated, Moore has grade "A" tools, but isn't exactly wowing with his offensive output right now. A big part of that is the team he plays for, with this year's edition of the NTDP being particularly weak, but he might be a longer-term project than many thought at the start of the season. His slight build and deficiency in strength cause him problems, and his skating could use some refinement, but he has plenty of time as he's committed to Boston College for the 2026-27 season. I still think he'll be selected in the latter half of the first round of the 2025 Draft.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 7):

RD Logan Hensler (6'2",196lbs)
U of Wisconsin (NCAA): 17gp/ 0g/ 7a/ 7pts, -3, 19 PIM.

It's been hard to watch D Logan Hensler in the past, as he tries to be a low-event defenseman with very little flash and thus, he fades into the background at times. This was true at the most recent edition of the WJC, although he wasn't given a lot of ice-time or responsibility for Team USA, and finished with only one assist, and 8 PIM in 7 games. Hensler is a smooth two-way D who can be counted on in all situations and both special teams- though he truly shines on the PK. He is a stabilizing force on the backend, playing a very safe and reliable pro-style game. Though he will never be confused with Radko Gudas, he doesn't shy away from the rough-going, and plays a fairly physical style. For a 6'2" player, he is quite a graceful and agile skater with superb 4-directional speed, and surprising lateral agility that gives him tight gap control. He is able to shut down the rush early, and he denies entries in abundance. If there's a big flaw in Hensler's game (and it's not much of a flaw), it might be the fact that he's not overly aggressive when it comes to offense; he doesn't pinch into the zone much, instead manning the blueline to be ready to stop the attack if it starts coming his way. He will join the rush, but mostly in support, so he can stay behind the play to cover his team defensively. Hensler's primary concern is his defense, which is a good thing, but he's perhaps too conservative- scouts would like to see him take more calculated risks to create more offense, and he has the tools to do it.

Hensler owns top-tier hockey sense, reads the play and processes quickly, then makes sound decisions. His positioning is infallible in all 3 zones, with keen anticipation; he forces turnovers aplenty and intercepts passes with his long stick, timing, and reach. He is adept at angling his opponents to the outside, away from high-danger areas, and keeps attackers in front of the net in check. Hensler is also highly valuable in transition, with his first-pass and puck-movement through the neutral zone being areas of specialty; his passes are hard, crisp, and accurate, and always seem to give his team an advantage on the rush. He can make some jaw-dropping stretch-passes on the breakout through traffic at times, too. This is a workhorse D-man who can log big minutes, with an admirable work-ethic and good motor.

Hensler got some mixed reviews for his play at the WJC, with some saying that he was mistake-prone with the puck, and was pressured into errors on retrievals. There were indeed times when he was caught out of position, and beaten with speed- but I'm not worried. Others are not enamoured by his production in his freshman year of college, but I would challenge that notion- he's not Zeev Buium, and 7 points in 17 games is quite good for an 18-year-old. This is a future top-4 defenseman in the NHL, who could potentially ride shotgun on a top-pairing. I'm thinking he'll be taken somewhere in the teens in this summer's draft.

[devo22]

Will Smith
Oliver Moore
Will Moore

USNTDP need to find an Oliver Smith ASAP to complete the set.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by devo22

Will Smith
Oliver Moore
Will Moore

USNTDP need to find an Oliver Smith ASAP to complete the set.

It seems like 1/3 of teenage hockey players in the US are named Will, and another 1/3 are named Teddy...

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 8):

RW Shane Vansaghi (6'2",216lbs)
Michigan St. (NCAA): 20gp/ 2g/ 9a/ 11pts, +7, 18 PIM.

In 2023-24, on a star-studded NTDP team, RW Shane Vansaghi wasn't able to distinguish himself much, and wasn't really considered to be a prospect of note. Things have changed, as he's been impressive as an 18 year-old (with an October, 2006 birthday) in his freshman year of college, posting respectable numbers and imposing his will physically every game, despite not playing big minutes. Vansaghi is a two-way, all-situations power-forward who is unrelentingly physical, with boundless motor. He is hard to handle on the forecheck as he hits not only for tactical reasons, but also to wear his opponents down and punish them. He's an unstoppable force along the boards, an immoveable object in front of the net, and a bull in a China shop down low. He separates man from puck, constantly wins inside position, and hits like a human wrecking ball- players on the other team know when he's on the ice. His game is hard and heavy, and scouts say it's NHL-translatable.

Vansaghi isn't just another brute, he's actually quite smart, showing good vision, timing, and anticipation. He also has slick puck-skills, and the tight protection ability to deke around defenders on occasion- he can bull his way through traffic, or carry with confidence for short distances. There's flashes of a rather skilled playmaking game developing in his repertoire, and he can pass under sticks or through traffic every once in a while. When in shooting position, he has a pretty decent arsenal at his disposal, but he hasn't been a big goal-scoring threat in college as of yet with only 2 goals. Even still, the front of the net is his office, and he will crash the crease looking for loose pucks, or park himself there to screen the goalie and fish for tips and rebounds. Vansaghi shows superb defensive engagement, and keen awareness in his own zone, displaying the same high energy on the backcheck as he exhibits on the forecheck. He skates very north-south routes through the neutral zone and doesn't hold on to the puck for too long, instead relying on the give-and-go to support his team in transition. The main reason for this might be his deficient mobility...

Vansaghi's boots are rather heavy, his stride is a bit clunky and stiff, and his stance is upright and awkward; still, he manages to play with pace-even against men in the NCAA. He keeps his feet moving, and works incredibly hard to compensate somewhat for his lack of speed, but he can't separate in open ice right now, and his acceleration is sub-par. If he can get his skating up to snuff, he's got a high NHL floor as he can play in all situations. Vansaghi has tons of potential, and some tools that scouts like- I think he'll be drafted in the first half of the second round of this summer's Draft.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 8):

RW Shane Vansaghi (6'2",216lbs)
Michigan St. (NCAA): 20gp/ 2g/ 9a/ 11pts, +7, 18 PIM.

In 2023-24, on a star-studded NTDP team, RW Shane Vansaghi wasn't able to distinguish himself much, and wasn't really considered to be a prospect of note. Things have changed, as he's been impressive as an 18 year-old (with an October, 2006 birthday) in his freshman year of college, posting respectable numbers and imposing his will physically every game, despite not playing big minutes. Vansaghi is a two-way, all-situations power-forward who is unrelentingly physical, with boundless motor. He is hard to handle on the forecheck as he hits not only for tactical reasons, but also to wear his opponents down and punish them. He's an unstoppable force along the boards, an immoveable object in front of the net, and a bull in a China shop down low. He separates man from puck, constantly wins inside position, and hits like a human wrecking ball- players on the other team know when he's on the ice. His game is hard and heavy, and scouts say it's NHL-translatable.

Vansaghi isn't just another brute, he's actually quite smart, showing good vision, timing, and anticipation. He also has slick puck-skills, and the tight protection ability to deke around defenders on occasion- he can bull his way through traffic, or carry with confidence for short distances. There's flashes of a rather skilled playmaking game developing in his repertoire, and he can pass under sticks or through traffic every once in a while. When in shooting position, he has a pretty decent arsenal at his disposal, but he hasn't been a big goal-scoring threat in college as of yet with only 2 goals. Even still, the front of the net is his office, and he will crash the crease looking for loose pucks, or park himself there to screen the goalie and fish for tips and rebounds. Vansaghi shows superb defensive engagement, and keen awareness in his own zone, showing the same high energy on the backcheck as he exhibits on the forecheck. He skates very north-south routes through the neutral zone and doesn't hold on to the puck for too long, instead relying on the give-and-go to support his team in transition. The main reason for this might be his deficient mobility...

Vansaghi's boots are rather heavy, his stride is a bit clunky and stiff, and his stance is upright and awkward; still, he manages to play with pace-even against men in the NCAA. He keeps his feet moving, and works incredibly hard to compensate somewhat for his lack of speed, but he can't separate in open ice right now, and his acceleration is sub-par. If he can get his skating up to snuff, he's got a high NHL floor as he can play in all situations. Vansaghi has tons of potential, and some tools that scouts like- I think he'll be drafted in the first half of the second round of this summer's Draft.

I could definitely see the flames being interested in this guy especially since we seem to have a good skating coach.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 9):

RW Ben Kevan (6'0",183lbs)
Des Moines (USHL): 21gp/ 8g/ 16a/ 24pts, +2, 23 PIM.

Down in the USHL, the Des Moines Buccaneers are sitting right now in 12 place (out of 16 teams) in the standings, and are 4th-worst in goals-for. Their struggles make the fact that RW Ben Kevan (who the Bucs selected 5th-overall in the 2023 USHL Futures Draft) is 5th in ppg in that league for players who have played 20+ games even more impressive. Despite missing 9 games so far, he is still second in scoring for Des Moines, and the only player on the team with over a ppg. In December's World Junior A Championship, he was one of the best players in the tournament with 8 points in 5 games, and placed 2nd-overall in goals, with 6. He also showed well in the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup for a Team USA that didn't bring all of their firepower, with 3 points in 5 games. I'm a big fan of this player- he's a fiery competitor, well-rounded, and can play in all situations. Central Scouting gave him a "B" rating, indicating a potential 2nd, or 3rd-round pick.

Though he showed his goal-scoring side at the WJAC, Kevan is known as a playmaker above all else, with with superb vision, IQ, and passing skill with sharp timing. He often finds teammates in open space for advantageous passes through traffic, over and under sticks, and through triangles. He exhibits strong anticipation and awareness, as well as intelligent positioning to exploit open space in the offensive zone, and he sees passing seams that few others can see. Kevan goes hard to the slot for second-chance opportunities, and he owns soft hands in-tight, as well as an underrated shot that he should be using more often. With his remarkable puck-skill and the protection ability he wields even at full stride, it's quite difficult to pick his pockets; he can dangle through traffic, and has an advanced deception game to fool his opponents into going one way, while he goes another. While he is not elite in the speed department, he's still an excellent skater- which makes him hard to stop on the rush, and gives him an advantage on the forecheck. He can push pace, and along with his 1-on-1 prowess, he can challenge defenders, and sometimes beat them wide. His first-step quickness is outstanding, and he get up to full speed very rapidly, but he also keeps his feet moving and stays active in order make the opposing team shift positions to open space. In transition, he shows his worth as a play-driver- making a high number of controlled exits and entries.

Kevan plays a chippy physical game, and often seems to be in the middle of every scrum; he throws hits not only to dislodge pucks, but also to agitate. He wins battles aplenty along the boards, and in the corners. I think of him as player with a high motor and an elevated workrate with good defensive engagement, but there are peaks and valleys on occasion in his focus and effort in all three zones. These lapses can last a shift, but according to some scouting reports, they can occupy larger portions of time. When he's on, he displays exemplary positioning and employs a smart, well-timed stick to disrupt plays, lift sticks, and intercept passes. He's normally a well-rounded performer, which will potentially give him a high NHL-floor, but he could turn out to be a middle-6 winger in the big leagues. Kevan is committed to Arizona State in 2026-27, and I think he'll be taken in the 2nd-round of the 2025 Draft.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 10):

RW William Belle (6'4",218lbs)
NTDP: 32gp/ 3g/ 5a/ 8pts,-14, 24 PIM.

William Belle is like the NTDP's version of the incredible hulk, he's built more like a linebacker than a hockey player. He's a true alpha-male with supreme athleticism, who broke fitness-testing records when he was just 15 years old at Shattuck-St.Mary's for Bench Press, Hex Bar Deadlift, Safety Bar One-Leg Squat, Pull-Ups, and Vertical Jump. When I watch Belle, I hearken back to the feeling of watching a guy like Dustin Byfuglien skate, who looked too big to be able to make his way around the ice so quickly, and like Byfuglien, he is like an unstoppable freight train when his opponents are in his tracks. Belle might be an example of how the NTDP fails players sometimes, as he could be showing off his true abilities better if he were getting more ice-time and responsibility on a USHL team; instead, he's toiling on the third-line of a weak squad that struggles to score. Right now, he's been cast in more of a defensive role, but he's intimidating and highly disruptive all over the ice- players on the other team are aware when he takes to the ice, as he hits like a Mack truck. He's a huge problem on the forecheck, causing problems for opponents on retrievals, and he dominates along the boards and in the corners- he doesn't lose many 50/50 contests, and he can't be overpowered. He is used plenty on the PK and in defensive situations, and when he isn't bowling over attackers, he breaks up plays and steals pucks using his extra-long wingspan and a smart stick.

Belle flashes some skillful playmaking as well as deft passing skill at times, but he usually keeps it simple and safe. He also possesses a hard and heavy shot that I believe doesn't get used nearly enough. It's a treat to watch him skate as he moves quite well for a big man, which is usually code to denote an average skater, but Belle actually has a good top speed and manages to apply an admirable amount of pressure on puck-carriers. There's plenty of work to be done on his start-up, as well as his acceleration, but his high workrate and athleticism seem to mask his deficiencies in the way he stays active and keeps his feet pumping tirelessly. He always puts in an honest effort, has excellent stamina, and is an intense competitor with a relentless motor. In the other end of the rink, he causes chaos down low and around the net. He smashes his way through checks, and will lean into defenders to cut inside, or to attack the crease. In transition, he looks surprisingly good, and even though he's more of a straight-line player through the neutral zone, he is able to complete a high amount of entries and exits through carry or by pass.

Belle was given the grade of "C" by Central Scouting to denote a potential 4th, or 5th-round pick. Using C Samuel Helenius as comparable, I am guessing he gets taken in the 3rd or 4th-round. Helenius was the same kind of player as Belle in his draft year- a behemoth (6'6",200lbs) who moves well for a big man and plays more of a defensive role, with good penalty-killing ability and physicality- and he was taken by LA in the second-round, #59 of the 2021 Draft. Granted, Helenius plays the more important role at center, but I think they have a similar profile, and both are offensively challenged. Belle is much more athletic however, and I think he has better potential- although he could end up being a highly effective bottom-6 defensive player in the pros. I'm excited to see what he can do in the next few years, and he's committed to the University of Notre Dame for 2025-26.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 11):

LHC William Horcoff (6'4",181lbs)
NTDP: 19gp/ 4g/ 4a/ 8pts, -2, 24 PIM
U of Michigan (NCAA): 4gp/ 1g/ 3a/ 4pts, -1, 2 PIM

Before the season even began, Will Horcoff (son of Shawn Horcoff) was given a "B" ranking by Central Scouting, designating him as a potential 2nd or 3rd-round pick, and throughout the year I've seen him high up on many lists. I've discovered that you can't get a proper read on this kid by stats-watching, reading up on his profile, or by catching highlights here and there- you have to watch him play to appreciate how good this kid is. He does all the little things (and a lot of the big things) to put his team in advantageous positions, and to win games- he's an absolute beauty. First of all, he's listed at 6'4", but he's actually closer to 6'5", and he uses his frame to be a highly physical power-forward with a very rugged, NHL-projectable style. In December, he made the jump to the NCAA with the U of Michigan, and he's managed to explode out of the gate with 4 points in 4 games so far, with ice-times of 9:19, 14:57, 13:23, and 14:12- and he doesn't turn 18 until January 23rd.

Horcoff already excels in his own zone, and is considered to be a detailed defensive player who looks to stifle the rush early- stepping up in the neutral zone with contact, or by using his long wingspan and a well-timed poke-check. He sometimes looks like a D-man in the middle-third, skating backwards and employing gap control to push attackers outside, but also in how he retrieves the puck down low and scans for the best outlets. He backchecks hard and heavy, and is proficient at shutting down lanes, disrupting passes, blocking shots, and removing time and space from those running the point. As a good defensive center should, he supports his teammates in battle all over the zone, and aids his D in corralling pucks down low. Once the puck touches his stick, it's going the other way with a quick pass. Horcoff is an underrated facilitator who seals off pressure, turns defense into offense, and constantly creates advantageous situations for his teammates in all 3 zones with his smarts, on and off the puck.

Horcoff is dominant along the boards, a force down-low, and is a load to handle in front of the net. He's a fierce forechecker, coming in hard and heavy to make life difficult for opponents on retrievals, and he hounds puck-carriers relentlessly. Often times, he looks like he's a little mean and likes to punish opponents and wear them down in addition to separating them from the puck. He has a great work-ethic, a high compete level, and doesn't seem to tire. Horcoff hasn't shown himself to be a prolific scorer in the past, but those who watch him regularly say he is a very intelligent player with a high IQ who processes the game quickly, and there are even moments of top-notch skill. He understands how to open space in the offensive zone, and he has a patient delay game to draw adversaries towards him to unlock pockets of space to pass into. In transition, he contributes by using the give-and-go to open lanes, and he also displays well-developed protection skills for times he has to move through traffic. Off the puck, he's just so smart and knows where to be to support his teammates and make himself available for the pass- he always seems to be in position at the right time. When in the offensive zone, he's able to make plays around the net and through the slot that make life miserable for goalies, and he has a hard, heavy shot that he not only uses to get shots on net, but also as a playmaking tool to manufacture second-chance opportunities for teammates.

Horcoff's stride was heavily criticized last season as being detrimental, but he's obviously put a ton of work into it; his stride still looks a little clunky and a bit choppy with an upright stance, but he can generate a surprising amount of power from it. He doesn't seem to be having trouble keeping up with the older players in college, and most of his issues here will clean themselves up as he gets stronger- I don't see it as a big issue anymore, but it will require work. His edges and agility look fairly good, as he can surf laterally across the ice to snuff a rush pretty quickly, and he keeps his feet moving constantly. Stylistically speaking, there are times when he reminds me of a baby Brady Tkachuk. Right now, he seems like a shoo-in for future bottom-6 duty in the NHL, but if he continues to develop his offense in the NCAA (and I think it's a good bet that he does), he will be a fine middle-6 NHL center. The more I digest on this kid, the more I like him, and the more I think he'll be taken in the second-round of the 2025 Draft. This is the type of prospect that makes scouts (and GM's) drool, and I can understand why he's so highly touted.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 11):

LHC William Horcoff (6'4",181lbs)
NTDP: 19gp/ 4g/ 4a/ 8pts, -2, 24 PIM
U of Michigan (NCAA): 4gp/ 1g/ 3a/ 4pts, -1, 2 PIM

Before the season even began, Will Horcoff (son of Shawn Horcoff) was given a "B" ranking by Central Scouting, designating him as a potential 2nd or 3rd-round pick, and throughout the year I've seen him high up on many lists. I've discovered that you can't get a proper read on this kid by stats-watching, reading up on his profile, or by catching highlights here and there- you have to watch him play to appreciate how good this kid is. He does all the little things (and a lot of the big things) to put his team in advantageous positions, and to win games- he's an absolute beauty. First of all, he's listed at 6'4", but he's actually closer to 6'5", and he uses his frame to be a highly physical power-forward with a very rugged, NHL-projectable style. In December, he made the jump to the NCAA with the U of Michigan, and he's managed to explode out of the gate with 4 points in 4 games so far, with ice-times of 9:19, 14:57, 13:23, and 14:12- and he doesn't turn 18 until January 23rd.

Horcoff already excels in his own zone, and is considered to be a detailed defensive player who looks to stifle the rush early- stepping up in the neutral zone with contact, or by using his long wingspan and a well-timed poke-check. He sometimes looks like a D-man in the middle-third, skating backwards and employing gap control to push attackers outside, but also in how he retrieves the puck down low and scans for the best outlets. He backchecks hard and heavy, and is proficient at blocking lanes, disrupting passes, blocking shots, and removing time and space from those running the point. As a good defensive center should, he supports his teammates in battle all over the zone, and aids his D in corralling pucks down low. Once the puck touches his stick, it's going the other way with a quick pass. Horcoff is an underrated facilitator who seals off pressure, turns defense into offense, and constantly creates advantageous situations for his teammates in all 3 zones with his smarts, on and off the puck.

Horcoff is dominant along the boards, a force down-low, and is a load to handle in front of the net. He's a fierce forechecker, coming in hard and heavy to make life difficult for opponents on retrievals, and he hounds puck-carriers relentlessly. Often times, he looks like he's a little mean and likes to punish opponents and wear them down in addition to separating them from the puck. He has a great work-ethic, a high compete level, and doesn't seem to tire. Horcoff hasn't shown himself to be a prolific scorer in the past, but those who watch him regularly say he is a very intelligent player with a high IQ who processes the game quickly, and there are even moments of top-notch skill. He understands how to open space in the offensive zone, and he has a patient delay game to draw adversaries towards him to unlock pockets of space to pass into. In transition, he contributes by using the give-and-go to open lanes, and he also displays well-developed protection skills for times he has to move through traffic. Off the puck, he's just so smart and knows where to be to support his teammates and make himself available for the pass- he always seems to be in position at the right time. When in the offensive zone, he's able to make plays around the net and through the slot that make life miserable for goalies, and he has a hard, heavy shot that he not only uses to get shots on net, but also as a playmaking tool to manufacture second-chance opportunities for teammates.

Horcoff's stride was heavily criticized last season as being detrimental, but he's obviously put a ton of work into it; his stride still looks a little clunky and a bit choppy with an upright stance, but he can generate a surprising amount of power from it. He doesn't seem to be having trouble keeping up with the older players in college, and most of his issues here will clean themselves up as he gets stronger- I don't see it as a big issue anymore, but it will require work. His edges and agility look fairly good, as he can surf laterally across the ice to snuff a rush pretty quickly, and he keeps his feet moving constantly. Stylistically speaking, there are times when he reminds me of a baby Brady Tkachuk. Right now, he seems like a shoo-in for future bottom-6 duty in the NHL, but if he continues to develop his offense in the NCAA (and I think it's a good bet that he does), he will be a fine middle-6 NHL center. The more I digest on this kid, the more I like him, and the more I think he'll be taken in the second-round of the 2025 Draft. This is the type of prospect that makes scouts (and GM's) drool, and I can understand why he's so highly touted.

Based on that write up i would be surprised if he made it to round three. Big aggressive centers with iq and possible middle six potential? Ya not much chance he makes it much past round two.

Wait how many second rounders we got lol? Maybe my obsession with getting centers is colouring my judgement lol. Going to look him up.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 12):

RD Carter Amico (6'5",205lbs)
NTDP: 13gp/ 0g/ 3a/ 3pts, even, 10 PIM

D Carter Amico was given a "B" grade to start the season by Central Scouting, indicating a possible 2nd, or 3rd-round pick- not bad for a stay-at-home defenseman who has never put up big numbers. Unfortunately for Amico, he suffered a season-ending injury in November that required surgery on his leg. Obviously, he will always be a shutdown guy, and he possesses high-end defensive IQ, making sound proactive reads to snuff plays as early as the neutral zone. He's used heavily on the penalty-kill, and excels in this area. Amico is positionally sound, and displays the ability to block shots, clog lanes, and intercept passes with his awareness and anticipation, as well as his well-timed stick. His reach is one of his biggest weapons, and he uses it to keep attackers to the outside, as well as to lift sticks and poke pucks away from danger. Amico uses his size effectively, and is a physical brand of defender who likes to initiate contact often and early- along the boards, in the corners, and in front of the net.

Amico plays a safe, simple game but usually makes the smart play- he doesn't try to do too much, as that's when he gets into trouble. In the offensive zone, he always has one foot metaphorically in the defensive zone, and doesn't often get involved in any meaningful way. Despite this, he does own a fairly hard and heavy point shot, coupled with the propensity to get it on net pretty consistently, even through traffic. He uses his shot as a playmaking tool to serve up tips and rebounds to his teammates. His stickhandling is actually quite good, and he can be of some use in transition, but only if he doesn't try anything risky- his stretch passes are mostly ineffective, and his first-pass often consists of a rim off the boards when he feels pressure- which can result in turnovers. When he has a modicum of time and space, he usually makes the right play to start the breakout. Amico's mobility is a concern when it comes to his explosiveness and acceleration, as it takes too long to get to full throttle, but when he gets going his top-speed is excellent for a player of his size. It's hard to say where Amico will be taken exactly, because of the injury, but it's a good bet he won't be around after the middle of the 3rd-round, and most likely will still go in the second. He is committed to Boston University, like many in the NTDP seem to be, for the 2026-27 season.

[Fan69]

Hey Sandman!

I was looking over centers in the twenty range since it looks like thats where we will be (le sigh) what is your take on cullen potter. May be the best skater in the draft, is playing in college and being successful considering , size is an issue at 5 9, 170, so playing weight 180? Short yes but not a rail. Coach loves him. What is your take on using a first and any chance he made to the fifties as a center?

Honestly i would take horcoff with one of our picks though.