2025 NHL Draft Thread

[devo22]

Aitcheson, Cootes and Zonnon are three of my favourites. Looking forward to them being drafted by teams I dislike

[Funkhouser]

With the assumption that the Flames will not be holding a high pick, I have my fingers crossed for:
-Reschny: some serious Brayden Point or Koneckny vibes
-Horcoff: I always have faith that NHL prodigy will meet their potential and play in the NHL
-if Bear, O'Brian or Desnoyes fall - they all sound great

[Paulie Walnuts]

Horcoff son of Shawn ?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Horcoff son of Shawn ?

Yup.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

With the assumption that the Flames will not be holding a high pick, I have my fingers crossed for:
-Reschny: some serious Brayden Point or Koneckny vibes
-Horcoff: I always have faith that NHL prodigy will meet their potential and play in the NHL
-if Bear, O'Brian or Desnoyes fall - they all sound great

Would throw Moore in that mix but i dont think he or O Brian make it out of the teens.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Yup.

#### we are getting old.....

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

#### we are getting old.....

Again, yup.

Lol

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 16):

LD Asher Barnett (6'1",185lbs)
NTDP: 32gp/ 2g/ 8a/ 10pts, -8, 18 PIM

I became a big fan of Barnett's after watching him perform in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, where he was one of the precious few who was able to slow down the onrushing Canadian onslaught on behalf of the widely outmatched Americans. Barnett played a chippy physical game that put a target on his back after every whistle, and he was even a little mean at times. Like most of his compatriots, his game was far from mistake-free, but he flashed moments of higher-end puck-movement, highlighted by some breakouts that gave his teammates some odd-man rushes. Best of all, he made some huge stops against top-tier talent. Barnett is one of those players who is not elite in any one area, and not dynamic in any way, but is good at everything- he's a solid two-way D who is has been cast in a defensive role right now, but he shows upside as a puck-mover.

Barnett will never be mistaken for Kashawn Aitcheson, but he employs a hard-nosed physical game, and likes to punish his opponents. He will join the rush to open space and cause havok, and will likewise activate from the point into the play. Though he isn't currently a big scoring threat, he does own a hard, heavy shot with a quick release that he doesn't let loose enough, and mostly uses as a playmaking tool to create rebound and tip chances. Barnett will also never be mistaken for Jackson Smith, but he does get around the ice smoothly and effortlessly, with a strong skating stride and lateral agility that allows him to surf across wide swaths of ice to seal off the boards from an oncoming attacker. Defense is where he shines the most, as he's quite reliable in his own zone, and proficient at snuffing the rush by diagnosing threats early, angling his mark to the outside, and often times stopping his opponent before making entry with poke checks, or a stiff jolt. Inside the zone, he proactively wins body position and ties up sticks before the puck arrives. Barnett displays intelligence and poise in retrievals, often shaking off pressure with deft fakes and other forms of deception, and he usually makes a fine first-pass, although like most of his peers- he's not mistake-free. He isn't infallible, and can be beaten on occasion, and in other instances, make errors under duress. As he showed in the CHL-USA Prospects Game, he displays the vision and passing skill to connect on the more high-end breakout passes.

Barnett possesses some NHL qualities, and hopefully he can develop another dimension at the University of Michigan, where has committed to for the 2026-27 season. I'm thinking third-rounder here, but he surely won't make it past the fourth round.

[Samonadreau]

Sandman, is prospect scouting/reports a hobby for you or a job. Genuinely curious and have tons of respect and appreciation for for insights. Just wonder to myself, if this is a part time or full time job for you with the amount of time it would take to scout and report. And if not how in the world do you find the time for it?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Sandman, is prospect scouting/reports a hobby for you or a job. Genuinely curious and have tons of respect and appreciation for for insights. Just wonder to myself, if this is a part time or full time job for you with the amount of time it would take to scout and report. And if not how in the world do you find the time for it?

Thanks for asking. This is a fun little hobby for me, but I’ve always been a heavy draft watcher- for at least the last 35 years. I digest everything I can on every player that I can, watching every game that I can, and even most of the game highlights that I can. I also read everything that I can. I’m actually on the autism spectrum, so when I get obsessed with something, it takes on a different meaning for me than it would with other people. The only difference now is that I write everything down in order to share it, and I’m really glad that others read it.

[Sandman]

I’ve actually had the opportunity to perform some scouting duties and talent evaluations at lower levels, but I can’t really talk about that…

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I’ve actually had the opportunity to perform some scouting duties and talent evaluations at lower levels, but I can’t really talk about that…

Your efforts and feedback are appreciated good sir. I don’t have the kind of time to do the deep dives you do often find you see what a player can be and the skills that will translate.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 17):

C/LW Mason Moe (6'1",186lbs)
Madison (USHL): 19gp/ 6g/ 9a/ 15pts, +4, 8 PIM

Speedy forward Mason Moe was awarded the rather lofty grade of "B" by Central Scouting in their preliminary rankings, anointing him as a potential 2nd, or 3rd-round pick, and I think they're right on the money. Part of the buzz around Moe might be coming from his performance in the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, where his skating and defensive chops were on full display, but he also finished in a 5-way tie for 3rd in scoring (4 points in 5 games) on a Team USA that didn't bring a lot of their top-end talent, and subsequently finished 4th in the tournament. The Madison Capitols, his team in the USHL, are in 8th-place out of 16 teams, but 5th in goals-for, and he's a frequent linemate of Ryker Lee's.

Moe is a swift-skating forward with a good two-way game who specializes in being a solid defensive performer. He owns high-end speed and plays with blistering pace, keeping his feet in constant motion and staying active, often tilting the ice in Madison's favor. His hands manage to keep up with his feet, as he's an outstanding stickhandler with well-developed protection skill, making it a real challenge to take the puck from him. Adding to that is his one-on-one skill, combined with his deception ability and patient delay game, that give him the capacity to either dangle around defenders, or to open space to pass into. Moe is not a true playmaker though, as his shot and finishing skill are his main offensive weapons; he has a deep repertoire of shots, as well as soft hands in-tight, and will slice inside to the slot or park himself in front of the net for opportunities. He owns sound shot mechanics that give him a bullet of a wrister, with a lethal release. Moe is solid around the net and makes some nice plays off of small-area passing around, and through, the crease- showing some passing skill as well as good vision and anticipation. He is highly disruptive on the forecheck, using his speed and stick to overwhelm defenders, and he regularly beats opponents to loose pucks.

Moe is a highly valuable player in transition, often rushing the puck out of the zone on the breakout, and he can go end-to-end after completing a retrieval, backing up the other team's D. He's also fully capable of making smart give-and-go passes through the neutral zone to open up space on the rush. With his speed, he's often the first forward back on defense and is proficient at removing time and space from attackers with his skating and stickwork. He expertly angles his adversaries away from the middle and out of high-danger, taking their sticks and tying them up when necessary. Defensive play is his true standout strength, exuding high-end awareness and anticipation in his own end of the ice. Moe has a good-sized frame, but he could be a lot more physical and use his size more as leverage. He does play through contact, takes hits to make plays, and will take abuse in front of the net, but prefers to use his stick to dislodge pucks and keep attackers at bay. Still, if he were to play with more power and use his body more, it might be a huge advantage-creator and open more space for teammates. Right now, he looks much more suited to bottom-6 defensive duty, and there's nothing wrong with that when you're as good on the backcheck as Moe is, but scouts say there's plenty of potential for more. He is committed to the University of Minnesota for 2026-27, so there's time.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 18):

LD Jacob Rombach (6'6", 201lbs)
Lincoln (USHL): 28gp/ 0g/ 6a/ 6pts, +12, 26 PIM.

Big defenseman Jacob Rombach is a shutdown defender who has the scouts excited. In their preliminary rankings, Central Scouting gave him a "B" grade, meaning they see him as a potential 2nd, or 3rd-round pick, which seems like lofty praise for a player who has never shown any offensive ability. Rombach took part in the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (2 assists in 5 games), and the most recent World Junior A Challenge (2 points in 5 games) for Team USA, which indeed shows that he's near the top of this year's crop of defensemen for the Americans. With 3 goals and 9 points in 59 games in 2023-24, I would think more was expected of him numbers-wise this season (he is on pace for 12 points in 57 games in 2024-25), especially when Lincoln is 3rd in win %, and 1st in goals-for at the moment. Offense just isn't what Rombach is counted on to provide, although he gets involved in all facets of the game, and is a highly active player.

Rombach's speed is somewhat deficient, but scouts say the mechanics of his stride as well as his edges and agility look projectable- all he needs is to increase his leg strength for his skating to be considered a plus. Rombach plays a smart, simple game without risk or complexity in transition and in offensive situations- he supports the play in all 3 zones quite well, even if it doesn't bring him many points. He walks the line effectively to open seams for his smart passes, but also to keep pucks in the zone and to draw defenders towards him to create space. He gets shots through to the net consistently as a playmaking device for second-chance opportunities. He will activate to keep pucks alive, and once in awhile to make plays off the wall to high danger areas. Rombach is not at all afraid to be aggressive and pinch deep, and he can explode off the boards with the puck to the middle to make plays or to get a shot off. He participates in the rush and will attack the slot, but if he were to improve his speed, he could potentially unlock a whole other dimension to his game. He's still developing as a true puck-mover, and flashes some smarts and vision, but gets in trouble when he tries to be fancy with the puck.

Though he may not be perfect, his defensive game is his bread-and-butter, and with his overwhelming wingspan and active stick, he is proficient at smothering attackers of time and space. He displays fairly good awareness and anticipation in being a disruptor- he intercepts passes, blocks shots, pokes pucks away from danger, and keeps aggressors to the outside with regularity. He makes a good number of stops in the neutral zone and is effective against the rush, employing tight gaps to deny entries. In front of the net, he boxes adversaries out, ties up sticks, and manhandles his opponents. Rombach plays a physical brand of hockey, and not only throws his weight around, but is inescapable when he ties up, or pins his victims along the boards. Scouts give his retrievals consistently good reviews, as he shows proficiency in scanning for options and making efficient outlets under duress- which is a hard thing to do on a regular basis. After shaking off pressure with a fake or two, he can even carry it out of the zone on occasion. Rombach might be a longer-term prospect, but the reason he was "B" rated is because he has solid NHL tools to build on, and he'll get plenty of time to develop at the University of Minnesota next season. He's looking like a potential top-4 shutdown D, and I believe he'll be taken in the second, or third-round of the 2025 Draft.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 19):

RD Blake Fiddler (6'4", 209lbs)
Edmonton (WHL): 36gp/ 6g/ 11a/ 17pts, +4, 22 PIM

Blake Fiddler may be playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings (who are currently 10/22 teams in the WHL, and 8th in goals-for), but he's an American- born in Nashville, Tennessee as the son of former NHLer Vern Fiddler. The younger Fiddler was bestowed an "A" by Central Scouting in their preliminary rankings, which is indicative of a potential first-round pick- and I believe it's well deserved. Fiddler is a beauty- a well-rounded two-way D who is more focused on playing quality defense, and shutting down the other teams' top players. There are not many flaws that stand out in this young man's game- he might be the best shutdown defenseman in the WHL. His defensive awareness is sky-high, his anticipation is superb, and he wields spotless gap-control and poise beyond his years. He is always in the right position, performs admirably under pressure, and is highly disruptive as well as hard to play against- he blocks shots, eats up passes, and employs an abrasive, physical style. Against the rush, he is brilliant, with the ability to match footwork with oncoming attackers, play the angles to push opponents to the outside, and poke the puck out of danger with his long and stifling reach. He denies entries, and applies suffocating pressure on puck-carriers. When the opposition gets set up offensively, Fiddler is instrumental in limiting their time in the zone, and he does the same on the penalty-kill- another area of specialty.

Fiddler is an above-average skater for a player his size, exploiting long and powerful strides, with smooth agility and edgework to pivot or change direction quickly. His lateral mobility lets him surf across wide tracts of ice to intercept attackers along the boards. Even still, he has room to improve his top speed and explosiveness. There's some surprising puck-skill in his repertoire to go with his unyielding puck-protection; his handling looks good, and he can dangle around defenders on occasion in the offensive zone, or when exiting the defensive zone. Fiddler is well versed at making seamless retrievals by shaking off pressure, either by deception or with a slick deke, and is even more proficient at making a sound first-pass to kickstart the breakout under duress. He is poised and calm, and makes smart decisions with crisp, accurate passes after scanning his options patiently. There's signs of more offensive ability to come; he will occasionally jump in to the rush or activate from the point to make a play and provide support, and he will step up to extend possession, or to get the puck deep. His shot is decent, but he perhaps needs to work on it's velocity- he uses it mainly as a playmaking tool to create rebounds and serve up tip opportunities. It should be said that 17 points in 36 games is very respectable for a defenseman in the WHL, and places him 43rd in a 22-team league.

Fiddler is somewhat raw, and hasn't come close to fulfilling his potential. There are moments of overconfidence with the puck, and mistakes happen when he gets too loose with it. He can get too fancy with his passes on breakouts, which can lead to the occasional giveaway, and like most of his peers- he can be mistake-prone with the puck. Also like his peers, he can be inconsistent- not only game-to-game, but sometimes shift-to-shift, especially with his physical engagement. These aren't huge detriments, as they don't happen all that much and Fiddler is good enough to recover seamlessly most of the time. Scouts project him as a top-4 shutdown defenseman, but he could potentially anchor a top pairing if he develops his game further. Look for him in the latter third of the first-round this summer.

[Canada 02]

Steven Ellis has his mid-season list. He has 11 centermen listed in the top 32, 10 more in the next 32.
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/20...s-michael-misa

1. Schaefer
2. Hagens
3. Misa
4. Martone
5. Eklund

[Tkachukwagon]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Thanks for asking. This is a fun little hobby for me, but I’ve always been a heavy draft watcher- for at least the last 35 years. I digest everything I can on every player that I can, watching every game that I can, and even most of the game highlights that I can. I also read everything that I can. I’m actually on the autism spectrum, so when I get obsessed with something, it takes on a different meaning for me than it would with other people. The only difference now is that I write everything down in order to share it, and I’m really glad that others read it.

Thanks for sharing this Sandman. You are easily one of my favorite posters on this board, love your perspective on the draft and prospects.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

#### we are getting old.....

So say we all.

His kid actually seems kinda intriguing. Big kid playing for a good program in the NCAA as a 17 year old true freshman (4 points in 4 games so far... not what I'd project going forward this year based on his prior year performance).

[Dan403]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Steven Ellis has his mid-season list. He has 11 centermen listed in the top 32, 10 more in the next 32.

I hope we snag 4 of them.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Your efforts and feedback are appreciated good sir. I don’t have the kind of time to do the deep dives you do often find you see what a player can be and the skills that will translate.

Originally Posted by Tkachukwagon

Thanks for sharing this Sandman. You are easily one of my favorite posters on this board, love your perspective on the draft and prospects.

Very much appreciated guys, thank you!!!