2025 NHL Draft Thread

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by reddude

I still like some centers that could be in our wheelhouse and a RW that also should be there.
1)Braden Cootes C
2)Jack Nesbitt C
3) Cole Reschny C
4) Cole Mckinney C
5) Ben Kindell RW
somehow we get two of these guys with our picks I think that would be a success

Seems to me like Nesbitt is the Neimisz/Chucko Sutter type pick. Hes half a point per game less than guys like Bear/Reschny/Kindel but hes 4 inches taller. I have never watched Nebitt so I may be completely off base here but it seems like hes a 2nd/3rd rounder if hes a couple inches shorter. He is pretty firmly on my "dissapointed on draft day" list if we take him over a long list of other guys.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by CKPThunder

When I read Sandman’s report on Horcoff I thought he could be an interesting pick. He sounded like a player like Joel Otto. However when I looked a bit further, it doesn’t sound like he’s good at face offs which is unfortunate. Thought his dad was decent on the dot.

I wouldn't worry too much about his faceoff ability, that's details at this point IMO. He is such an advantage-creator for his team, so menacingly physical, and put up 10 points in 18 NCAA games. He will be taught faceoffs at the pro level, and some team is going select him in the early second-round, if not the first.

He's only listed at 181lbs too, imagine what he'll be able to do when he's well over 200lbs....

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Seems to me like Nesbitt is the Neimisz/Chucko Sutter type pick. Hes half a point per game less than guys like Bear/Reschny/Kindel but hes 4 inches taller. I have never watched Nebitt so I may be completely off base here but it seems like hes a 2nd/3rd rounder if hes a couple inches shorter. He is pretty firmly on my "dissapointed on draft day" list if we take him over a long list of other guys.

I have the same concerns, plus- he gets at least some time playing with two offensive dynamos in Liam Greentree and Ilya Protas...

There's still enough there though, that I would be just fine taking him in the latter part of the first round.

[cral12]

Hey CPers,

We're getting more stuff up on Upside Hockey:

- Sandman has been a machine and has updated many profiles up on our website (I had been away all of February and part of March doing a pretty intense yoga course of all things, so had been admittedly pretty behind on things with life interrupting as it tends to do...). Anyhow, we're at about 75 profiles now by my count!
Direct link to prospect profiles page - profiles indexed alphabetically by surname:
https://www.upsidehockey.com/prospec...spect-profiles

- We did have our March rankings already posted along with a Mock Draft (Flames did all right!)

- In my inbox is our latest rankings that I'll be working on and getting up hopefully in a day or two.

Thanks gang!

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems Edition, Vol. 44):

RW Olivier Lampron (6'2",176lbs)
Sherbrooke (QMJHL): 57gp/ 9g/ 23a/ 32pts, -13, 32 PIM

Winger Olivier Lampron (ranked #184 NA Skaters) has the pedigree of being a former first-round draft pick, having been chosen 9th-overall in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft by Baie-Comeau, but was traded to the Sherbrooke Phoenix midway through the 2023-24 season. In the current campaign, Lampron finished 6th in scoring for the Phoenix, who were 10th-overall (out of 18 teams) at the end of the regular season, while scoring the 11th-most tallies in the Q, and giving up the 6th-least amount of goals-against. Though he hasn't played since March 5th due to injury, it seemed like he was finally starting to put everything together, having put up 14 points in his last 15 games. Lampron is a skilled, well-rounded, and fairly dynamic winger, with a physical 200-ft game. Other than perhaps his size, his skating is his prime physical asset, with above-average straight-ahead speed, and strong edgework that enables him to dissect defenses in transition and on the cycle, pivot instantaneously, and complete sharp turns. He owns a peppy short-burst to win puck-races, and accelerates up to top speed with haste.

Lampron is a physical player who uses his size effectively to win battles, power his way to the middle of the ice, and to control the boards. He throws hits on the forecheck to dislodge pucks, and causes turnovers with his speed and determination. One of the main signatures of his game is his ability to drive play through transition, both by carrying through exit and entry, or with his ability to complete high-end plays while in full-flight. While flying through the neutral zone, he employs tight puck-protection skills with his long reach and with the angling of his lower-torso, and is blessed with top-shelf puck-skill that allows him to handle in small-areas, and beat opponents one-on-one. In the offensive zone, he attacks the crease on and off the puck, and exerts a strong net-front presence, being hard to move and battling with grit and tenacity to win positioning. While expertly locating gaps in coverage to fill, he cuts inside to the slot for shooting opportunities, and can fire off a hard and heavy wrister. He brings chaos in going to the net to tip pucks, shovel in second-chance opportunities, cause headaches for bewildered defensemen, and provide a moving screen in front of the goalie. He has exhibited fairly good hands in-tight, but with only 9 goals in 57 games, it's quite obvious that he needs serious work on his finishing skills. He exhibits potent hockey sense and sound offensive awareness to always be well-positioned, but he isn't particularly creative; much of his success comes from his willingness to outwork the opposition with his high-end compete, relentless motor, and tenacity, and from the fact that he doesn't mind playing in close-quarters.

Lampron displays acute awareness and anticipation in all three zones, and uses these talents to disrupt his opponents' breakout, and kill rushes in the neutral zone by causing turnovers, forcing steals, and skating through hands. It continues in the defensive zone, where he shows assertiveness and methodical positioning to obstruct lanes, impede passage to the middle, head-off passes, block shots, and rack up steals. He brings grit and physicality to his defensive duties, levying hits to win possession, and break-up plays. Big wingers who can skate and play tight defense are always enticing to scouts, and Lampron seems to be able to play a pro-style game, but his numbers are nowhere near where they should be. This may be due to injuries, or perhaps because of the team he plays for, but either way- there's a strong chance that he may not be drafted. He still has potential though, and if he is chosen this summer- he will have to wait until later rounds.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems, Vol. 45):

LD Noah Jenken (6'3",190lbs)
London (OHL): 30gp/ 0g/ 7a/ 7pts, +5, 12 PIM
Guelph (OHL): 23gp/ 2g/ 7a/ 9pts, -4, 15 PIM

In January, Noah Jenken (ranked # 153 NA Skaters) had to be stretchered off the ice in a game against Flint, after he took a rather awkward hit from behind, smacking his head on the dasher on the way down to the ice and subsequently missing 13 games. Starting the year with the mighty London Knights, he was traded to the Guelph Storm in December, along with seven draft picks, for star defenseman Cam Allen- which would normally be the equivalent of going from the penthouse to the outhouse, as Guelph is one of the worst teams in the OHL. For Jenken however, it may have been a blessing in disguise as he was more of a depth player in London, but is getting a lot more ice-time with the Storm, and more responsibility; upon his arrival to Guelph, he was immediately put on their top-pairing, and responded with two goals in his second game with his new team. Jenken is a hard-working blueliner who is solid in all three zones, but specializes in shutting down the other teams' best players. In Guelph, he plays in all situations and both sides of special teams.

One of the cornerstones of Jenken's game is his impressive mobility for a big man, enhanced by a long and powerful stride, with a side of agility that enables him to surf laterally, pivot effortlessly, and transition seamlessly. He can match footwork with smaller opponents, and can keep up with teammates on the rush. As a high-volume shooter, he owns a bomb of a one-timer, and a hard, heavy slapper, and likes to pinch-in to the high slot, or the circle, to fire. He shoots to make plays and create chaos in front of the net, getting pucks through to the net with fair consistency, or to his teammates' waiting sticks, and uses traffic around the crease very well as a screen. He reads gaps fairly well, activating into the play quite a bit, and will join the rush as an extra forward. He uses methods of baiting defenders into coming towards him, such as delays, and will use the open lanes for shooting, passing, and relocating. Though he may not possess high-end vision or creativity, he is an excellent distributor, with competent puck-skill, and solid passing ability- propped up by above-average hockey sense. Going the other way, Jenken is proficient against the rush by matching footwork and keeping good gaps with his long reach for sweeps and poke-checks, angling attackers to the outside adroitly, and timing his engagements to close them out stick-first- usually followed by a bodycheck. In the process, he forces dump-ins, long-distance shots, and the occasional turnover. In the defensive zone, he is physical and highly active, with a strong shutdown game. With his frame, mobility, and reach, he projects enormous range that is difficult for attackers to navigate, and helps him to negate attempts to get inside. He employs plus-level anticipation to head off passes and clog lanes, and he is able to seal off the boards by skating through his opponents' hands, and throwing hits. He pins his man to the wall and wraps him up, and boxes attackers out from the net aggressively.

One of the main pillars of Jenken's game is his ability to navigate the process of retrieval to breakout with reasonable poise and confidence. He escapes pressure with possession, even even he has to take contact in doing so, and shakes off aggressors with changes of pace and direction, stick-lifts, shifty footwork, and various feints- all while scanning thoroughly with his head on a swivel. Though he isn't mistake-free, he usually makes quality plays on his breakouts with enough patience and poise to survey his surroundings for ways to create advantages, rather than throwing the puck away. He can find teammates in the neutral zone for long-range passes to manufacture odd-man opportunities, but a high number of his plays are quick, short passes for exits and entries; he supports the play very well through transition. While Jenken is not perfect, he has good potential for the next level in his puck-movement, and his shutdown game- but he needs work on his decision-making, and his puck-skills. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

[Canada 02]

Steven Ellis latest top 75
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/20...d-championship

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by reddude

I still like some centers that could be in our wheelhouse and a RW that also should be there.
1)Braden Cootes C
2)Jack Nesbitt C
3) Cole Reschny C
4) Cole Mckinney C
5) Ben Kindell RW
somehow we get two of these guys with our picks I think that would be a success

Cole Reschny is the right answer.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Steven Ellis latest top 75
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/20...d-championship

Would be great if Bear was still available at 18th overall. The flames luck probably has him go to Montreal at 16th overall though.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Steven Ellis latest top 75
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/20...d-championship

If Reschny is available at either of our picks, start the car.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

If Reschny is available at either of our picks, start the car.

Yep. by a long shot.

[Tbull8]

All of this positive stuff coming out of Reschny is just setting us up to be disappointed when he goes a pick or 2 ahead of us

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by Sandman

19 goals and 30 points in 27 USHL games is nothing to sniff at.

Gridin with his 83 in 60 were nothing to sniff at either.

[DuckSauce]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

All of this positive stuff coming out of Reschny is just setting us up to be disappointed when he goes a pick or 2 ahead of us

He is up at the top on my wish list. Maybe a blessing Spokane just eliminated Victoria but a very solid playoffs for him. I assume he will be at the U18 starting soon? When does that roster get released and what are the rules for age restrictions again?

[Dan403]

I know about our 3 (2) first round picks.

What extra picks do we have in other rounds?

[chummer]

Originally Posted by Dan403

I know about our 3 (2) first round picks.

What extra picks do we have in other rounds?

This year, no extra picks after the 1st round.


https://capwages.com/teams/calgary_flames

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by Dan403

I know about our 3 (2) first round picks.

What extra picks do we have in other rounds?

Unfortunately - we don't. Pending any other trades, we're actually short a 4th round pick. All other rounds after the 1st - we have 1 pick.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Dan403

I know about our 3 (2) first round picks.

What extra picks do we have in other rounds?

No other extra picks this year. The Flames have Colorado's 2nd, but have traded away their own 2nd and 4th.

Next year they have a full sleeve of picks, plus Vegas's 1st and Vancouver's 3rd.

[Quappybla]

U18 worlds going on, anyone not on team Canada to watch out for?

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems, Vol. 46):

RD Luke Vlooswyk (6'5",201lbs)
Red Deer (WHL): 68gp/ 3g/ 14a/ 17pts, +8, 45 PIM

No matter where he is taken in this summer's NHL Entry Draft, Calgary-born Luke Vlooswyk (ranked # 72 NA Skaters) will truthfully be able to say that he's a former first-round draft pick- having been selected by the Red Deer Rebels in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft, at 17th-overall. Right-handed defensemen are a coveted commodity, and Vlooswyk is a big one, with solid mobility in all directions- especially for a big kid. Though he'll never be confused with Scott Niedermayer, his stride is fluid and scalable from a mechanical standpoint, with smooth edges for sharp cuts and quick pivots, and some quickness in his lateral mobility to surf across the ice swiftly. There's still plenty of room on his frame to add muscle, and he could use more strength in his core and in his lower body to improve his explosiveness and acceleration. Red Deer finished the season 17th out of 22 teams, and were 21st in the WHL for goals-for with only 174 tallies- the 6th-worst mark in the entire 60-team CHL, so offense was hard to come by. Still, Vlooswyk employs a simple-but effective all-around game, with a punishing physical style.

Vlooswyk exerts a mature, translatable shutdown game, with high grades for his rush defense. He exhibits top-tier gap-control using his mobility and an active stick to force dump-ins, closing quickly on puck-carriers with well-timed physical engagements, layered on top of deceptive pokechecks. Scanning well with shoulder-checks, he performs relatively smooth retrievals under pressure while escaping attackers, sometimes using reverse-hits to give himself a little more breathing room, and other times absorbing contact to make the play. He connects with mostly safe and simple breakout plays, but he's not shy about rimming the puck, or putting it off the glass and out. Though he lacks high-end puck-skill, he's very efficient in possession and a strong puck-mover who can stretch the ice on occasion with long-range passes to teammates in the neutral zone, and will skate the puck through transition by himself if he sees the opportunity. With excellent defensive awareness and a high activity rate, he shows excellent shutdown potential for the next level, and is a proficient penalty-killer. He times his stick-checks to disguise his reach, and takes away the middle of the ice effectively. Vlooswyk will put his body on the line to block shots, throws hits to dislodge possession, removes time and space from attackers with his enormous range, and forces turnovers with his keen anticipation. He is aggressive in defending his net, and boxes aggressors away from the goalie with a bit of snarl.

Vlooswyk displays flashes of underlying offensive awareness, with no fear of joining the rush, and a hard, heavy shot from the point that he uses to create plays. With his team installed in the offensive zone, he runs the play effectively from the point and walks the line to open shooting lanes, as well as to shift the defense in order to open more space for teammates- which shows a modicum of creativity. He will activate in as far as the mid-slot for high-danger shot opportunities, and skates into passes for the extra little bit of room. Vlooswyk could be a nice option for an NHL-team's bottom-three, with his projectable shutdown game, advanced rush defense, and two-way potential- especially when combined with his size and mobility. Look for him in the middle-rounds.