2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Bingo Jr.]

I haven't been able to shake the feeling that the Flames take Mckinney at 32.

[devo22]

Nashville and Philly even have three 1sts each. Using a late 1st on a goalie makes sense for them.

[dustygoon]

Seems like a pretty crap draft as folks have said, but looks worse than crap. Not sure the analysis behind this, but he's a stats guy at Cal.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1936420968819564867

[Heavy Jack]

I know it’s not likely to happen and I understand the priorities being centers for this franchise but if Aitcheson happened to be there at 18 I almost would hope the flames take him because Aitcheson - Parehk would be a ridiculous duo in the future.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Bingo Jr.

I haven't been able to shake the feeling that the Flames take Mckinney at 32.

Better than a goalie

Looks to be more of a w than a c at the pro level. Kind of vanilla, but maybe one of those guys that takes the next step on development. Worse picks at 32 than him for sure

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

Seems like a pretty crap draft as folks have said, but looks worse than crap. Not sure the analysis behind this, but he's a stats guy at Cal.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1936420968819564867

Confirms what others have been saying. But still players to be found. Might see overagers go higher than expected if the class is that bad.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

We have 2 firsts. Hope we aren’t one of those teams

Nope, though I’m sure we’ll grab one in the later rounds.

Originally Posted by Bingo Jr.

I haven't been able to shake the feeling that the Flames take Mckinney at 32.

I said it a while back, but he’s very high on their list.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

Don’t consider myself a prospect expert or anything, but IMO Zayne has a much higher trajectory than Misa. And I’d be over the moon if we somehow managed to trade up to get Misa at #2 overall.

Misa has a good chance of being a top line talent in the league. Zayne has a chance of being something special. He’s worth more than Misa.

While watching Perekh highlights, I noticed that he has great chemistry with Misa.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I know it’s not likely to happen and I understand the priorities being centers for this franchise but if Aitcheson happened to be there at 18 I almost would hope the flames take him because Aitcheson - Parehk would be a ridiculous duo in the future.

If Aitcheson is there at 18 I would probably lean taking him there too.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Nope, though I’m sure we’ll grab one in the later rounds.



I said it a while back, but he’s very high on their list.

Don't know what to think about McKinney. I've seen him as high as 18 and as low as the end of the 2nd round.
RHS Center though, two big boxes to tick on the old list of things the Flames need in a player. Seems decent at faceoffs.

Personally I'd be more in favor of Will Moore at 32 and hope that McKinney slipped to 54.

[cral12]

Draft crunch time! Given their draft slots, I daresay the Flames make out like bandits in our final mock. Go ahead, mock the mock draft : )

2025 NHL Mock Draft 3.0: Final Edition With NHL Player Comps and Team Needs - How Did Flames Do?
https://upsidehockey.substack.com/p/...-final-edition

(now back to editing our digital Draft Guide - weather is cooperating and keeping me from proscrastinating and going mountain biking as it's been a bigger timesuck than I envisioned lol)

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I know it’s not likely to happen and I understand the priorities being centers for this franchise but if Aitcheson happened to be there at 18 I almost would hope the flames take him because Aitcheson - Parehk would be a ridiculous duo in the future.

I think the only blockers this team has are G, RD, and left shot wing. Everything else is BPA in my mind.

[shutout]

Chat GPT 4:

"🧭 My Take
Given the Flames already own a stable of blue‑liners and goaltending prospects, and with center being a longer‑term need, I'd lean toward Cole Reschny. He’s a skilled, high‑energy center with strong playmaking instincts and a solid two‑way game—precisely the kind of player teams at pick #18 often snag.

That said, Ben Kindel remains a close second: a hometown talent with offensive upside. If Calgary pivots to a winger at this spot, he’d be a popular choice among fans and analytics alike."

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Bingo Jr.

I haven't been able to shake the feeling that the Flames take Mckinney at 32.

I LOVE McKinney, and I actually think he could possibly sneak into the last third of the first round. He actually outperformed his NTDP teammates, Murtagh and Moore this season, and looked great in international competition. There’s a touch of Bennett in him at times stylistically, as he’s physical, and a bit nasty. Would love to get him at 32.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I LOVE McKinney, and I actually think he could possibly sneak into the last third of the first round. He actually outperformed his NTDP teammates, Murtagh and Moore this season, and looked great in international competition. There’s a touch of Bennett in him at times stylistically, as he’s physical, and a bit nasty. Would love to get him at 32.

Awesome! We do have him at 30th in our Final Rankings.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Bingo Jr.

I haven't been able to shake the feeling that the Flames take Mckinney at 32.

Oh and here's Sandman's profile of him at Upside:

https://www.upsidehockey.com/prospec...h.7wfhv7182uu3

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

If Aitcheson is there at 18 I would probably lean taking him there too.

You run to the podium to take him. Unless for some reason McQueen is still on the board that's a no brainer.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You run to the podium to take him. Unless for some reason McQueen is still on the board that's a no brainer.

I would bet dollars to donuts that Conny likes him a lot too. It would sure hurt to pass him up.

[devo22]

love Aitcheson and think Aitcheson/Parekh could be sick in a few years. Will be a moot point though, I' be shocked if he were on the board at 18.

Still want a center with the first pick. Would be happy with any of Cootes, Reschny or Nesbitt.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Nope, though I’m sure we’ll grab one in the later rounds.

Sixth or seventh round.