2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Aces Edition, Vol. 11):

RHC Jake O'Brien (6'2",170lbs)
Brantford (OHL): 66gp/ 32g/ 66a/ 98pts, -2, 18 PIM

The Brantford Bulldogs were the 4th-best team in the OHL this season, but were eliminated in the second-round of the playoffs by the Oshawa Generals in six games. C Jake O'Brien (ranked # 4 NA Skaters, # 9 by McKenzie, # 11 by Button) was the team's 3rd-leading scorer during the regular-season, and was also 3rd in playoff scoring, with 3 goals and 11 points in 11 post-season contests. The Bulldogs drafted him back when they were based in Hamilton, with the 8th-overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. The young pivot also made an appearance in last summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, but wasn't given a lot of ice-time or responsibility, and wound up with no points over 5 games- but he did come home with a Gold Medal. O'Brien (who wears an "A" for the Bulldogs) is a cerebral, two-way center, with a robust playmaking toolkit, who started the season rather slowly with 20 points in his first 18 games, but piled up 50 points in the last 30. With a June 14th birthday, he has youth on his side, and thus, a longer developmental runway ahead of him- which he may need, as he's still quite physically raw.

Few players at this level can read the play as astutely as O'Brien can, or process as quickly. In 2023-24, O'Brien's 51 assists in his D-minus-1 year rank as the 12th-best of all-time for a U-17 player in the OHL, which demonstrates the caliber of playmaker he is. He exerts standout vision and creativity, and sets up a high number of grade "A" chances for teammates, with high-end passing skill- he simply makes players around him better. He drives play, can control the pace of the game, picks defenses apart with his spatial awareness, and can manufacture open seams by shifting defenses, and drawing pressure. Patient and composed with the puck on his blade, he will hold on to the puck in order to wait for the right play to develop, and can connect on some of the more dynamic feeds across the ice and through traffic, with poise under pressure. His passes are usually perfectly weighted, and right on the tape of his recipient, coming laced with deception to quash his opponents efforts to stop him. A natural playmaker, he can spot passing seams that few others at his level could, and has the soft hands and skill to transfer the puck over and under sticks, and between feet. He thrives on the powerplay, and quarterbacks the action from the half-wall with effectiveness. O'Brien is a leader, often seen directing traffic in the offensive zone, but mostly leading by example through his hard work and high-motor. With sublime puck-skill, he has the ability to catch smoothly in-motion, and maintain tight control at top-speed; he can handle and protect the puck in tight spaces, and can beat defenders one-on-one with deception, and deft stickhandling maneuvers. In transition, he moves through the neutral zone with pace and control, and makes short, quick feeds to expedite the play across exit and entry.

O'Brien only managed 13 goals in 2023-24, but has added a goal-scoring dimension this season, with a much more defined presence in the net-front area, more willingness to shoot, and a higher rate of success in getting to the middle. This has given him more unpredictability, and makes him much more dangerous. He could still stand to use his shot more often, as he owns a deceptive release on a ripper of a shot that he can catch-and-release while in-flight. He doesn't rely solely on finesse to propel his game, as he is more than willing to battle in the greasy areas for possession, or to gain inside position- and he wins more than his fair share of pucks by applying physicality. He provides a positive example for his teammates with his workmanlike approach to the game in all three zones- he's relentless and physical on the forecheck, hunting down puck-carriers with tenacity to cause breakdowns, turnovers, and uncontrolled play. O'Brien isn't just an offensive driver either, as he's a conscientious defensive player who is hard to play against with his constant disruption in all areas of the ice, and is a nuisance in every step of the backcheck. In the defensive zone, he keeps plays to the outside, and snuffs enemy attempts to breach the middle with effective positioning, a potent stick, and a willingness to put his body on the line to block shots. Every time I see him play, I'm impressed by how engaged, and intense he is in defensive situations.

Skating-wise, O'Brien is above-average in the speed department, and shows power and fluidity in his stride, although his mechanics aren't 100% perfect. With more strength in his lower-body, he will gain the explosiveness he needs for the next level, as he already has a nice separation gear. He exhibits elusiveness and maneuverability on his edges, and can weave through traffic while evading checks. Going forward, O'Brien's most pressing need is adding more strength and bulk to his slight frame, in order to be more effective in battles, and more assertive physically. This may also improve his faceoffs a bit, but more work is needed in this area, as he only finished at 44.7% on the dot this season. Scouts were quick to give up on O'Brien after the first few months of the season due to his slow start, with many calling him a future middle-six player in the pros, but there's no doubt now that he's a top-line NHL player in the making- and deserves to be picked in the top-10 of this summer's draft.

[Monahammer]

I know there are some folks hot on the idea of Landon Dupont in a few years. I wonder if someone reaches for his older brother out of the AJHL this year.

[FranksandBean]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I don't think Cootes makes it to 18, but I'd be ecstatic to grab him there!

I am curious as to why given most rankings have him there or there about and there is usually a curve ball early. Who do you think is available there?

[circle]

Originally Posted by FranksandBean

I am curious as to why given most rankings have him there or there about and there is usually a curve ball early. Who do you think is available there?

There's naturally risers and fallers in the draft. The risers are usually players that have a good end of the season and Cootes had a great one, both in the playoffs with the Thunderbirds and playing at the U-18s.

Combine that with the chatter of scouts projecting him as a surefire 3C and maybe even an elite 3C that could play up the lineup, it's pretty enticing. Him being a captain for his team in just his 2nd WHL season goes a long way too.

I agree that he'd be a great pick if he's available at 18 but I'd also see why a team might pick him ahead of us because of the above.

I can see all of Kindel, Zonnon, Nesbitt, and Ryabkin all being there at pick 18 with Reschny as a maybe as he also had a wicked end to the year in the WHL playoffs.

[Rick M.]

Only one month to go until the entry draft!

[Canada 02]

Steven Ellis new Top 80 draft ranking

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/20...tone-desnoyers

[Bingo]

Updated Rankings with Ellis update

14 rankings
oldest is March 26th
5 of 14 needed to get an average

1	M Schaefer	D	1.07

2	Michael Misa	C	2.00

3	James Hagens	C	4.07
4	Porter Martone	RW	4.36

5	Anton Frondell	C	5.50

6	C Desnoyers	C	7.14
7	Victor Eklund	LW	7.79

8	Jake O’Brien	C	9.93
9	Roger McQueen	C	10.00

10	Jackson Smith	D	11.57
11	Radim Mrtka	D	11.57
12	Brady Martin	C	12.36

13	Carter Bear	C	14.21

14	J Carbonneau	RW	17.38
15	K Aitcheson	D	17.62
16	Braeden Cootes	C	18.08
17	Lynden Lakovic	LW	18.14

18	Logan Hensler	D	19.14
19	Cole Reschny	C	20.25

20	Cameron Reid	D	21.77
21	Malcolm Spence	LW	21.77
22	Benjamin Kindel	RW	22.62
23	Cullen Potter	C	22.69

24	J Ravensbergen	G	25.18
25	Cam Schmidt	RW	26.00
26	Bill Zonnon	Lw	26.38

27	Ivan Ryabkin	C	27.10

28	Blake Fiddler	D	28.50
29	Jack Nesbitt	C	28.55
30	S Boumedienne	D	29.00
31	Milton Gästrin	C	30.45
32	Jack Murtagh	C	30.70
33	William Moore	C	31.20

34	Cole McKinney	C	33.82

35	J Ihs-Wozniak	RW	36.40
36	H Brzustewicz	D	37.11

[Tbull8]

if the Isles offered up 1st but said they'd only move down as far as 5, what could they possibly get to do so and then take Hagens?

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Updated Rankings with Ellis update

14 rankings
oldest is March 26th
5 of 14 needed to get an average

18	Logan Hensler	D	19.14

It's strange how everyone else moves, but Hensler seems to be carved into stone at 18th.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Ba'alzamon

It's strange how everyone else moves, but Hensler seems to be carved into stone at 18th.

He also seems to be one of a few consistently in the top 15-25 that gets talked about the least. Could just be I am not looking in the right places, but I see way more hype for guys like Aitcheson, Reschny, Cootes, Lakovic, Kindel, and Nesbitt despite Hensler always being right there with them. I don't hear quite as much about Potter, Spence, or Reid either.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

if the Isles offered up 1st but said they'd only move down as far as 5, what could they possibly get to do so and then take Hagens?

If they really want Hagens, they shouldn’t move past 3. Likely a crap shoot after 2.

And who knows?

[Arm Chair Flames Fan]

I just tried FC Hockey Mock Draft three rounds and got:

Carter Bear
Ivan Ryabkin
William Moore
Alex Huang

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

if the Isles offered up 1st but said they'd only move down as far as 5, what could they possibly get to do so and then take Hagens?

If I was in the Isles shoes, who have little prospect depth, I would explore trading down.

Trade #1
-Pick #1 to SJ, who are flush with prospects and covet Schaefer.
-Pick #2 and Sam Dickinson to NYI. Maybe NYI will need to give up a 3rd round pick as well. Essentially this is pick 2 & 11 for pick 1.

Trade #2
-Pick #2 to Chi, who covet Misa
Pick #3 and Sacha Boisvert to NYI. Essentially this is pick 3 & 18 for pick 2.


NYI leaves the draft with Hagens, Dickinson & Boisvert.
This gives them a top pool with Ritchie, Eiserman

[Icon]

^ cool idea but the Isles don't get that level of return in either deal. Both other teams will just be happy with who falls in their laps vs this cost

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Icon

^ cool idea but the Isles don't get that level of return in either deal. Both other teams will just be happy with who falls in their laps vs this cost

I don't know.

The opportunity to get an elite #1 D for SJ will be tempting. This will help secure their core. If I was in SJ's shoes, I would pull the trigger.
-Elite C (Celebrini), #1C (Smith), Elite D (Shaefer), Elite G (Askarov)


Same thing for the Hawks, getting Misa as a 1-2 Centre punch with Bedard will be tempting. They can afford to trade a potential middle-six C prospect.

[Monahammer]

Dickinson's value is probably higher than 11th oa this year. Seems like a steep price after the season he has had/is having.

But I do think the idea has merit. Maybe that's a trade Sj tries to use eklund in.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

If I was in the Isles shoes, who have little prospect depth, I would explore trading down.

Trade #1
-Pick #1 to SJ, who are flush with prospects and covet Schaefer.
-Pick #2 and Sam Dickinson to NYI. Maybe NYI will need to give up a 3rd round pick as well. Essentially this is pick 2 & 11 for pick 1.

Trade #2
-Pick #2 to Chi, who covet Misa
Pick #3 and Sacha Boisvert to NYI. Essentially this is pick 3 & 18 for pick 2.


NYI leaves the draft with Hagens, Dickinson & Boisvert.
This gives them a top pool with Ritchie, Eiserman

Would be a smart move by the Islanders. Not sure if the cost is too high for everyone else but it could be close to working. It ends up setting up for every team to get the player they like the most.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

If I was in the Isles shoes, who have little prospect depth, I would explore trading down.

Trade #1
-Pick #1 to SJ, who are flush with prospects and covet Schaefer.
-Pick #2 and Sam Dickinson to NYI. Maybe NYI will need to give up a 3rd round pick as well. Essentially this is pick 2 & 11 for pick 1.

Trade #2
-Pick #2 to Chi, who covet Misa
Pick #3 and Sacha Boisvert to NYI. Essentially this is pick 3 & 18 for pick 2.


NYI leaves the draft with Hagens, Dickinson & Boisvert.
This gives them a top pool with Ritchie, Eiserman

I actually think it makes a lot more sense for them to trade Dobson to SJ for 2nd overall and just draft Misa and Schaefer. I would even take it a step further (going NHL video game mode) and figure out a trade with Chicago to get 3rd overall. Maybe Barzal or something to play with Bedard. I know it's highly unlikely, but if they walked away with Misa and Schaefer that would be a great start to a re-tool. They still have a solid defensive core without Dobson and Schaefer could step in right away.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I don't think Cootes makes it to 18, but I'd be ecstatic to grab him there!

I feel exactly the opposite. I think Cootes has 3rd line energy player written all over him. I would rather try and hit a homerun with a Kindel or a Reschny.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I feel exactly the opposite. I think Cootes has 3rd line energy player written all over him. I would rather try and hit a homerun with a Kindel or a Reschny.

And we heard last year that the team's priority was to draft for skill and ceiling; so far it's looking like it was a great draft. So it's hard to imagine the team would shift gears this year, but who knows what they're thinking.