2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 4):

RHC Eric Nilson (6'0",154lbs)
Djurgardens (J20): 31gp/ 10g/ 24a/ 34pts, +18, 30 PIM

Calgary-born Swede Eric Nilson (son of former Flame Marcus Nilson) is a lot like his old man, wielding a gritty, hard-working approach with unrelenting hustle, and a detailed defensive game with good habits. The team that drafts the younger Nilson however, will be banking on his offensive ability, and he has plenty of that as well. Nilson plays middle-six minutes on a deep Djurgardens club, often patrolling their third-line, and is still over a point-per-game so far this campaign- earning him a call-up to the Allsvenskan squad, posting 1 point in 4 games. In the most recent World Junior A Challenge, Nilson was 3rd in scoring for Team Sweden (7th-overall in the tournament) with 6 points in 5 games, and put up 3 goals and 4 points in 5 games in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last summer. Central Scouting put him 6th for European Skaters in their Midterm-rankings as well.

Nilson is primarily a playmaker, and gets the job done without being flashy or dynamic, but he does have above-average hockey sense and vision to make smart decisions after scanning the ice with his head on a swivel. He's a puck-hound who is always in his opponents' faces, and as one would guess, he causes opponents fits on the forecheck by being constantly disruptive. He has good spatial awareness, using patient delays and cutbacks off the rush to pry open seams in coverage, draws pressure to make room for teammates, and he employs plenty of manipulation by deception with the goal of funneling pucks to the slot. He attacks the middle with-or-without the puck, spins off of checks, and plays a heavy game despite being physically underdeveloped and thus, lacking strength. He battles hard for every loose puck, and competes well in all three zones. Nilson is not really a huge scoring threat, and the velocity on his shot could use some work- though this might be due to his lack of strength, which pervades many areas of his game at this stage of his development. His one-timer is already fairly hard and heavy though, and he goes to the net hard for second-chance opportunities, with an eye for finding open space in the slot to get open. Off the puck, his smarts and positioning are top-notch, and are an underrated part of his game; he reads the play very well and knows where to be to best support his team's play. He's a strong faceoff performer, and further upgrades to his strength will make him even better in this area. In transition, he commands a perceptive small-area game to connect plays through the neutral zone in order to facilitate controlled entries.

Defensively, Nilson seals off the boards to attackers, puts himself in every lane, and displays exemplary positioning, paired with high-end defensive awareness to kill plays aplenty. He's an excellent penalty-killer, and looks engaged in defensive situations. Unfortunately, he's an average skater who needs to develop his lower-body strength in order to build a better first-step, a more explosive stride, and another top-gear. Even with deficient mobility, he still manages to push pace (thanks to his high-end workrate), and is light on his feet with smooth edges in pivoting and changing direction, with a fairly good short-burst in small-area situations. For the next level, he will need to build strength and bulk up considerably to be able to handle bigger pros, as he already looks a bit overmatched against men in the Allsvenskan. There are some scouts who wonder if he has enough standout traits, or enough translatable skill to be a producer at the NHL-level- his handling is nothing special, his shot needs work, and he struggles at times with puck-control when under pressure. These scouts wonder if he could be no more than a bottom-six player at best, but the general consensus is that bottom-six center duty is his floor, and not his ceiling. I really like this kid, and would easily take him in the second-round this summer.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 5)

LW Melvin Novotny (6'1",187lbs)
Leksands (J20): 32gp/ 11g/ 16a/ 27pts, +4, 35 PIM

Considering Melvin Novotny's numbers in 2023-24 (10 points in 11 J20 games), his production this year is a bit disappointing, and I wonder if that's because he's leaning into his defensive duties, which seemed to be the case at the most recent World Junior A Challenge. In that tournament, he produced 5 points in 5 games (tied for 10th-overall, and 6th on Team Sweden), and showcased his smart two-way game. Novotny, who is ranked as the 38th EU Skater by Central Scouting, also put up 3 points in 4 games in the summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He is versatile player, being able to play center as well as the wing, and plays in all situations- including both special teams.

Novotny is not bulging the twine at a pace that properly represents his goal-scoring ability; he owns a deep arsenal of quality shots, and employs deception in his release. His catch-and-release wrister is a bullet, his one-timer is a bomb, and he senses space in the slot to unleash- but he can also finish in-tight, converting tips and rebounds. With his keen vision and lofty IQ, Novotny can also connect on some high-end plays through layers of traffic, and does so with high-level passing skill to deliver the puck crisply and accurately to his teammate's blade. He sees the ice well, and has a slick small-area game that allows him to make slip passes through encroaching checkers' feet, or under their sticks, and he makes dangerous plays around (and through) the crease, as well as from behind the net to the slot. A high workrate and elevated pace drive his performance; he hustles hard and plays with energy and compete. He's always engaged, winning battles in the greasy areas above his weight class with his uncommon strength and reach. Novotny can be a physical player, but he's smart about it, and won't take himself out of position to look for a big hit. He is an above-average skater, but he's not getting the most out his stride, as it's a bit short and choppy; he covers a ton of ice in both ends of the rink with how active he plays, but his top-speed, explosiveness, and acceleration need work. He's a skilled handler who is strong on the puck with tight control, and protects well- which makes it hard to knock him off the puck, or to pick his pockets.

Novotny is a reliable defensive player and trusted penalty-killer with solid awareness and proactive positioning to kill rushes, disrupt plays, and take away the middle from attackers. He skates intelligently off-puck with sound instincts to open space for teammates, and to support the play in all three zones. He also contributes to his team's transition by connecting plays through the neutral zone in give-and-goes, but he doesn't hold on to the puck for too long. Novotny is perhaps not much of a play-driver, and may be more of an opportunistic scorer who makes plays by feeding off of his teammates, as opposed to being a creator. There's work to be done on his skating, but he also has to become more consistent, as his performances can vary from one game to the next- even if the effort is there. He has to shoot more, as passes up too many shots to go for a pass, and he has a good shot to work with, as well as a goal-scorer's instincts. He's a candidate for future middle-six winger duty in the NHL, and he'll most likely be taken in the 2nd, or 3rd-round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 6):

RW Arvid Drott (6'1",187lbs)
Djurgardens (J20): 33gp/ 15g/ 16a/ 31pts, +19, 14 PIM

Like teammate Eric Nilson, winger Arvid Drott (ranked #43 for EU Skaters by Central Scouting) plays down the lineup a bit on a deep and talented Djurgardens squad, and was a member of Team Sweden's entries in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (2 assists in 5 games), and the WJAC (2 goals and 3 points in 5 games). Drott is young by draft standards, with an August 11th birthday, and is a power-forward who likes to initiate contact. He is an above-average skater with an explosive burst and fairly good agility, who can challenge defenders off the rush. Goal-scoring acumen and a hard shot are his primary weapons; he attacks the net off the rush for chances, and has an imposing presence in front of the net when fishing for tips and rebounds. He barges his way inside to the slot consistently, and can beat goalies 1-on-1. Drott has a hard and heavy wrister with a deceptive release that he can use to pick corners, but he seems to get most of his chances in-tight.

Drott sometimes skates intelligent routes through the neutral zone in an effort to access space to make controlled entries, but he usually stays moving in straight-lines. He often displays patience in delaying to wait for options to open up, but it's only a matter of time until he makes a bee-line for the net. He forechecks diligently and causes havoc down low, forcing opposing players into making mistakes, and opens space for teammates on-and-off the puck. Drott can see through layers of traffic, and understands how to draw pressure in order to open up passing seams, but any sign of high-end play creation only comes in flashes. He has reasonably good passing skill though, and while he doesn't often get too fancy, he can pull off some of the more difficult passes- including the odd saucer-pass over sticks. He handles well, and exerts solid puck-protection with one hand on his stick, and the other fending off attackers, keeping his feet moving through contact. Drott is rugged and strong, competes hard in the greasy areas, and recovers plenty of pucks. He will park himself in front of the net to take abuse while frustrating the goalie, set up a screen, and make an effort to get a stick on a rebound, or a tip. He's quite physical, and will lean into opponents to barge his way through traffic. Drott exhibits smart positioning on the backcheck, proactively checking sticks, pressuring puck-carriers, and blocking shots. He makes an impact in all three zones with his high workrate, intensity, and unrelenting motor.

Drott is not very flashy or dynamic, and doesn't possess many elite skills, but his game is projectable nonetheless. He can be caught puck-watching, or running around defensively, and he needs to learn how to use his teammates better by developing a sharper playmaking dimension. Drott has a good chance at being a solid, middle-six power-winger in the NHL, and I would take him in the second-round of this summer's draft.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 7):

RW Eddie Genborg (6'2",185lbs)
Linkoping (J20): 25gp/ 17g/ 15a/ 32pts, +19, 26 PIM
Linkoping (SHL): 19gp/ 2g/ 0a/ 2pts, +2, 0 PIM

Winger Eddie Genborg is a hard-hitting power-winger who plays with energy and intensity, and though he only plays an average of 8 minutes per game in the SHL, he has distinguished himself from many of his peers by getting into 19 games so far this season in the nation's top men's league. Genborg was ranked #11 for EU Skaters in Central Scouting's Midterm rankings, Bob McKenzie has him at #42, and Craig Button has him at #22 on his Draft list. Genborg showed up in the summer for Team Sweden in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (3 points in 5 games), and in December's WJAC (2 goals and 3 points in 5 games). Obviously, he's an excellent finisher, with soft hands in-tight and a powerful shot on a lethal release. He will crash the crease for garbage goals, and will plant himself in front of the net to screen the goalie; he drives the inside, and scores most of his goals from the low slot. He plays a hard-nosed, robust physical game, initiating contact early and often, finishing every check and delivering some bone-rattling hits in the process. He has a presence on the ice- he intimidates, causes multiple turnovers, and agitates with his intense "in your face" style. He's a beast on the forecheck, extends plays in the hard areas, and brings energy to his team.

Genborg has sneaky skill, and high-end hockey sense, but isn't too dynamic, and keeps things mostly simple. He's known as a capable playmaker, and understands how to draw pressure away from teammates in order to open space to pass into. He can create chances off the rush, and is able to make plays in traffic. According to some reports, his off-puck game is one of his best attributes, and scouts like him almost as much for what he does without the puck, as he does in possession. He's always in excellent position to support the play in all 3 zones, always playable, and understands how to affect space by skating the right routes. Genborg is an above-average skater with smooth edges and agility who can win races to loose pucks, separate in open ice, and challenge defenders off the rush. He can hold off opponents with his solid puck-protection, keeps his feet moving through checks, powers through defenders, and can handle in tight spaces. He will give-and-go with teammates through the neutral zone to open space, but he can also opt to rush the puck through exits and entries on occasion. Genborg is reliable and well-positioned defensively to seal off plays, but is also aggressive and hard to play against. He proactively lifts sticks, and protects his goalie like a defenseman. Genborg has good promise as a middle-six power-forward in the NHL, but there may be potential for more if he keeps growing his offensive game and upgrades his strength and skating. He's a second-rounder for sure, but he could sneak into the first.

[Samonadreau]

^ if we already nab a Center or two this looks like an interesting pick with a late first or early second

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 7):

RW Eddie Genborg (6'2",185lbs)
Linkoping (J20): 25gp/ 17g/ 15a/ 32pts, +19, 26 PIM
Linkoping (SHL): 19gp/ 2g/ 0a/ 2pts, +2, 0 PIM

Winger Eddie Genborg is a hard-hitting power-winger who plays with energy and intensity, and though he only plays an average of 8 minutes per game in the SHL, he has distinguished himself from many of his peers by getting into 19 games so far this season in the nation's top men's league. Genborg was ranked #11 for EU Skaters in Central Scouting's Midterm rankings, Bob McKenzie has him at #42, and Craig Button has him at #22 on his Draft list. Genborg showed up in the summer for Team Sweden in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (3 points in 5 games), and in December's WJAC (2 goals and 3 points in 5 games). Obviously, he's an excellent finisher, with soft hands in-tight and a powerful shot on a lethal release. He will crash the crease for garbage goals, and will plant himself in front of the net to screen the goalie; he drives the inside, and scores most of his goals from the low slot. He plays a hard-nosed, robust physical game, initiating contact early and often, finishing every check and delivering some bone-rattling hits in the process. He has a presence on the ice- he intimidates, causes multiple turnovers, and agitates with his intense "in your face" style. He's a beast on the forecheck, extends plays in the hard areas, and brings energy to his team.

Genborg has sneaky skill, and high-end hockey sense, but isn't too dynamic, and keeps things mostly simple. He's known as a capable playmaker, and understands how to draw pressure away from teammates in order to open space to pass into. He can create chances off the rush, and is able to make plays in traffic. According to some reports, his off-puck game is one of his best attributes, and scouts like him almost as much for what he does without the puck, as he does in possession. He's always in excellent position to support the play in all 3 zones, always playable, and understands how to affect space by skating the right routes. Genborg is an above-average skater with smooth edges and agility who can win races to loose pucks, separate in open ice, and challenge defenders off the rush. He can hold off opponents with his solid puck-protection, keeps his feet moving through checks, powers through defenders, and can handle in tight spaces. He will give-and-go with teammates through the neutral zone to open space, but he can also opt to rush the puck through exits and entries on occasion. Genborg is reliable and well-positioned defensively to seal off plays, but is also aggressive and hard to play against. He proactively lifts sticks, and protects his goalie like a defenseman. Genborg has good promise as a middle-six power-forward in the NHL, but there may be potential for more if he keeps growing his offensive game and upgrades his strength and skating. He's a second-rounder for sure, but he could sneak into the first.

I dont have any stats to back this but it seems we have been paying attention to players somewhat buried on their teams .

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 8):

LD Sascha Boumedienne (6'2",175lbs)
Boston U (NCAA): 25gp/ 0g/ 6a/ 6pts, +4, 29 PIM

When I watched D Sascha Boumedienne in last summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (0 points in 5 games), I didn't come away with the impression that he would be worthy of being ranked #18 (EU Skaters) by Central Scouting, or #24 by Bob McKenzie at the mid-point of the current season. What I saw was a very low-event, meat-and-potatoes, defensive blueliner with no real dynamic skill who sometimes faded into the background, despite placing 3rd in the USHL in 2023-24 for U-18 D in points (27 in 49), with a ppg (0.55) behind only Logan Hensler (0.59), and Cole Hutson (0.63). This season, Boumedienne is the youngest player in the NCAA, playing over 20 minutes a night for one of the best programs in the circuit, in the 8th-ranked Boston University Terriers. He has yet to show off his offensive side in the form of assists and points (he gets no PP time) but he looks like he has fit in quite well playing against men. I get it now.

Boumedienne is a pure playmaker and gifted passer, and despite his poor production, he is described as having the upside of an offensive defenseman. He possesses high IQ and awareness in reading his opponents, and his passes are often crisp and accurate, right to his teammate's wheelhouse for them to skate into. Unfortunately, his skating is average at best right now, but fluid and projectable. His edges and agility are also a bit deficient, and some say his backwards skating needs work, as well as his balance. His straight-line speed is augmented somewhat by his high workrate, motor, and energy. Boumedienne is showing to be a solid defensive player, albeit not mistake-free, and even against men he is proving himself to be a calming, reliable presence on the backend. He protects his net well, blocks shots and slot-passes, and applies smothering gap control and an active stick to oncoming rushers to angle them to the outside. He is impactful against the rush, disruptive against the cycle by clogging lanes and employing smart positioning, and can play the PK. In transition, he exhibits smarts and good habits in finding the right lanes to rush the puck, but he covers more ground in a shorter amount of time with his pristine passing. Boumedienne will join the rush, and when his team is installed in the zone, he will activate into the play- sometimes all the way down to behind the net. He quaterbacks the play from the blueline quite seamlessly, and will pinch in to keep pucks alive, thereby extending offensive zone time.

Boumedienne has started to show solid ability on retrievals by shaking off pressure, as he is now scanning adequately to make safe, simple breakouts. This wasn't the case earlier this season, but to his credit, he has improved on many fronts throughout his freshman season. He is also really starting to show his value with his puck-moving capability, and makes a high number of intelligent feeds that put his team in advantageous positions. He owns a good shot on a quick release, and a bomb from the point, but he leans heavily towards making plays with passes- he should shoot more, though. Though his puck-control has, at times, looked sloppy under pressure, he can deke and dangle around opponents on occasion. Unfortunately, despite owning a decent frame, he is not very physical. Boumedienne is all projection and potential right now, and I think it's impossible to say what this kid is, until he gets stronger, fixes his mobility, and adapts better to the speed and pace of the NCAA. Look for him in the second round of this summer's draft.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 9):

C/LW Milton Gastrin (6'1",185lbs)
MoDo (J20): 30gp/ 14g/ 20a/ 34pts, +6, 16 PIM

C Milton Gastrin first made a name for himself as Captain of Sweden's entry in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (10 points in 5 games), where he anchored the tournament's most dominant line, with Ivar Stenberg and Viktor Klingsell. He is well-liked by scouts, and is ranked 4th (EU Skaters) by Central Scouting, #27 by McKenzie, and #28 by Button. Gastrin has been rewarded for being the second-leading scorer on MoDo's J20 squad, with 6-games on the SHL team, but he has yet to record a point. He is a playmaking center who plays a responsible two-way game with physicality, but even more than that, he's a leader who oozes intensity, consistency, and high-motor- he doesn't cheat the game, and sets an example. Gastrin plays in all situations, and is very well-rounded, with a highly-translatable style; there aren't many true flaws in his game.

Gastrin is fairly well-balanced offensively, but he leans towards his playmaking. Though he doesn't hold on to the puck for too long, preferring to move the puck with quick touches, he exerts excellent vision and creativity to create opportunities for his team, and will patiently delay to wait for the right play to arise- he thinks quickly, makes sound decisions, and plays at a high pace. He's a skilled passer, and can get the puck through small spaces in traffic to teammates in high-danger with crisp, accurate feeds. Mobility-wise, he may not be a burner, but he's an excellent skater who can occasionally separate in open ice, beat defenders wide, or blow past checkers in the neutral zone with explosive bursts of speed. Gastrin mingles plenty of physicality into his game, gets his nose dirty in battles at both ends of the ice, and will throw hits to dislodge pucks; he is uncommonly strong and sturdy on his skates, with the ability to barge through contact. He can score goals by crashing the net to shovel in loose pucks, and he will plant himself there to screen the goalie and get tips while taking abuse and jockeying for position, but he also owns a quick release on a dangerous shot that can fool netminders and pick corners. Gastrin exhibits quick hands and deceptive handling, and he can drive play through transition with lightning-quick give-and-go passes.

Gastrin is a responsible and detailed defensive player who provides a calming presence with his awareness and superb positioning that keeps him always on the right side of the puck. He stays active, plays aggressive, and helps to limit defensive zone time- he's also good on faceoffs. Off the puck, he skates smart routes to support the play in all areas, reads the ice well, and presents himself as a playable option. If there's any weaknesses, it may be the fact that while he's creative, he's not elite, and he's really not dynamic or flashy in any way; he keeps his play with the puck simple and risk-free. There's always good ideas, but sometimes the execution is a bit sloppy, and while he's a skilled player, he doesn't do anything at an elite level. Gastrin is an excellent candidate for middle-6 NHL duty, with the potential for more, but some suggest that he might be more of a goal-scorer in the pros. Look for him near the end of the first-round in this summer's draft.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 9):

C/LW Milton Gastrin (6'1",185lbs)
MoDo (J20): 30gp/ 14g/ 20a/ 34pts, +6, 16 PIM

C Milton Gastrin first made a name for himself as Captain of Sweden's entry in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (10 points in 5 games), where he anchored the tournament's most dominant line, with Ivar Stenberg and Viktor Klingsell. He is well-liked by scouts, and is ranked 4th (EU Skaters) by Central Scouting, #27 by McKenzie, and #28 by Button. Gastrin has been rewarded for being the second-leading scorer on MoDo's J20 squad, with 6-games on the SHL team, but he has yet to record a point. He is a playmaking center who plays a responsible two-way game with physicality, but even more than that, he's a leader who oozes intensity, consistency, and high-motor- he doesn't cheat the game, and sets an example. Gastrin plays in all situations, and is very well-rounded, with a highly-translatable style; there aren't many true flaws in his game.

Gastrin is fairly well-balanced offensively, but he leans towards his playmaking. Though he doesn't hold on to the puck for too long, preferring to move the puck with quick touches, he exerts excellent vision and creativity to create opportunities for his team, and will patiently delay to wait for the right play to arise- he thinks quickly, makes sound decisions, and plays at a high pace. He's a skilled passer, and can get the puck through small spaces in traffic to teammates in high-danger with crisp, accurate feeds. Mobility-wise, he may not be a burner, but he's an excellent skater who can occasionally separate in open ice, beat defenders wide, or blow past checkers in the neutral zone with explosive bursts of speed. Gastrin mingles plenty of physicality into his game, gets his nose dirty in battles at both ends of the ice, and will throw hits to dislodge pucks; he is uncommonly strong and sturdy on his skates, with the ability to barge through contact. He can score goals by crashing the net to shovel in loose pucks, and he will plant himself there to screen the goalie and get tips while taking abuse and jockeying for position, but he also owns a quick release on a dangerous shot that can fool netminders and pick corners. Gastrin exhibits quick hands and deceptive handling, and he can drive play through transition with lightning-quick give-and-go passes.

Gastrin is a responsible and detailed defensive player who provides a calming presence with his awareness and superb positioning that keeps him always on the right side of the puck. He stays active, plays aggressive, and helps to limit defensive zone time- he's also good on faceoffs. Off the puck, he skates smart routes to support the play in all areas, reads the ice well, and presents himself as a playable option. If there's any weaknesses, it may be the fact that while he's creative, he's not elite, and he's really not dynamic or flashy in any way; he keeps his play with the puck simple and risk-free. There's always good ideas, but sometimes the execution is a bit sloppy, and while he's a skilled player, he doesn't do anything at an elite level. Gastrin is an excellent candidate for middle-6 NHL duty, with the potential for more, but some suggest that he might be more of a goal-scorer in the pros. Look for him near the end of the first-round in this summer's draft.

If you had cootes, gastrin, martin, nesbitt which one do you take sandman?

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol.10):

LW Jakob Ihs-Wozniak (6'3",179lbs)
Lulea (J20): 31gp/ 16g/ 29a/ 45pts, +20, 12 PIM

Considering how Jakob Ihs-Wozniak tore apart the J20 league in 2023-24 with 50 points in 36 games, his production this season may not truly represent his true capabilities, even though he is tied for 8th in scoring. He has represented his country in the Hlinka (4 goals in 5 games), the 2024 U-18's (1 goal in 7 games), and this past December's World Junior A Challenge (3 goals and 6 points in 5 games). In the current season, he started slow, but has racked up 18 points in the last 8 games, and has played 10 games in the nation's top men's league (the SHL) with 1 goal. Ihs-Wozniak is a power-forward with skill, compete, and grit, who does a lot of the dirty work for his linemates that goes unnoticed by fans. He's reliable, with a solid two-way game and contributes well in the defensive zone, using his body and wingspan to be disruptive.

Though he possesses a long, smooth stride with sound mechanics, Ihs-Wozniak needs to upgrade his mobility, as he's a rather average skater. As he further strengthens his lower body, his speed could become a strength, but he has to add another gear or two, and could use some explosiveness. Playmaking is his best weapon, and he displays creativity as well as spatial awareness- which is a very important quality here; together with his high-level vision and hockey sense, he can locate spot spots in coverage to present himself as a passing option, draw pressure to create open space, and manipulate defenders to open seams. His shot is fairly hard and heavy, but could perhaps use a touch more power. He offers good positioning in danger areas to catch and release, and he can score from any angle, but he will also cut to the net or drive inside to the slot to exploit his superb hand-eye coordination and timing to convert tips and rebounds. Ihs-Wozniak wins battles aplenty along the boards, leans into defenders to push his way around, and is a load to handle in front of the net. He's physical, and forechecks hard to disrupt plays and steal pucks. His handling may not be anything special, but he protects the puck well, outside of the reach of attackers with his extra-long wingspan, and his deception skills are well-developed to aid him in getting around.

Ihs-Wozniak exhibits sound hockey sense with, and without the puck, always knowing where to be to best support the action, and to make himself a playable option for teammates. He seems to get mixed reviews in transition though; he incorporates delays and deception tactics to go with his stickhandling and protection, and he can make some high-value passes, but he can be a bit sloppy and inefficient at times. There are questions about his intensity and pace, as he likes to slow the play down in junior, but he probably won't be able to do the same in the pros- he has to learn how to make faster decisions. Like a lot of kids his age, he can disappear for stretches, and can be wildly inconsistent game-to-game. Skating is a concern, and projections have been all over the place, with some suggesting that he will be no better than a bottom-6 power-winger at the NHL-level, but I think he's a second-line winger all day, with the potential for more. Look for him in the first round of this summer's draft.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

If you had cootes, gastrin, martin, nesbitt which one do you take sandman?

I would easily take Brady Martin, I LOVE that kid. What are your thoughts?

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I would easily take Brady Martin, I LOVE that kid. What are your thoughts?

Cootes looks more impressive every time i see him. If we walked out of the first round with martin and cootes id be pretty ecstatic. Martin is climbing the boards pretty quick so not sure he will be there.

I think we walk out with cootes and fiddler if he is there.

[Fan69]

https://youtu.be/7y4g_-lR_kI?si=N2_g6j6ucQTlOmgI

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Cootes looks more impressive every time i see him. If we walked out of the first round with martin and cootes id be pretty ecstatic. Martin is climbing the boards pretty quick so not sure he will be there.

I think we walk out with cootes and fiddler if he is there.

I would be surprised if Martin doesn’t go top-15. Cootes could be around there too. Both players are very similar- same size, both are hard-working gritty centers, both are superb two-way players, and both have severely underrated offense because of the crappy teams they play for.

The one big difference is that Martin is a mean SOB who would sooner go through an opponent than around them.

If we pick up a D later in the first, I would be happy with Fiddler, but I would prefer Brzustewicz.

[Tkachukwagon]

Just completed the FC Hockey mock draft (https://nhlentrydraft.com/mock-draft/) and picked up:

#28 pick - Braeden Cootes (C)
#29 pick - Carter Bear (C)
#48 pick - Jack Nesbitt (C)
#51 pick - Zach Morin (C)
#80 pick - Michal Svrcek (C)

Just like that, our centerman problem is fixed in one draft!

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Tkachukwagon

Just completed the FC Hockey mock draft (https://nhlentrydraft.com/mock-draft/) and picked up:

#28 pick - Braeden Cootes (C)
#29 pick - Carter Bear (C)
#48 pick - Jack Nesbitt (C)
#51 pick - Zach Morin (C)
#80 pick - Michal Svrcek (C)

Just like that, our centerman problem is fixed in one draft!

I did all Centres as well:
28-Reschny
29-Martin
48-Nesbitt
51-Horcoff

[Monahammer]

The FC mock is pretty unkind to us in pick position.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

The FC mock is pretty unkind to us in pick position.

It's a fun tool but it's always a WiP. Also goes to show how not strong this draft is . Pickins get real slim after pick 20 IMO. But, the Flames have made their made for this draft, time to sleep in it. But to be fair, Tod Buttons groups has a nice little run going to mining value out of drafts so we shall see how they do.

I can also see them trying to move up, or move the picks in the right trade. I know Conny likes the draft but really, it's not that strong of a draft.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's a fun tool but it's always a WiP. Also goes to show how not strong this draft is . Pickins get real slim after pick 20 IMO. But, the Flames have made their made for this draft, time to sleep in it. But to be fair, Tod Buttons groups has a nice little run going to mining value out of drafts so we shall see how they do.

I can also see them trying to move up, or move the picks in the right trade. I know Conny likes the draft but really, it's not that strong of a draft.

I think they move up to get a center. Maybe not top ten( assuming the Montreal thing) few guys like frondell i have seen from top three to late teens.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's a fun tool but it's always a WiP. Also goes to show how not strong this draft is . Pickins get real slim after pick 20 IMO. But, the Flames have made their made for this draft, time to sleep in it. But to be fair, Tod Buttons groups has a nice little run going to mining value out of drafts so we shall see how they do.

I can also see them trying to move up, or move the picks in the right trade. I know Conny likes the draft but really, it's not that strong of a draft.

Last year was much deeper/ stronger, definitely. Though I still like the top end here, and guys like Ryabkin or Kindel could have more upside than is seemingly thought right now.
It would have been nice to have a top 10 this year to see if McQueen fell in that bottom top 10 range.