2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Mephisto]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Zharovsky is getting a lot of attention. Looks like he’s going in the first round IMO.

Would rather take a shot on Zharovsky than McQueen.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Tate McRae should announce our picks.

She just said last week she hates Calgary and LA is more home now.

but holy crap does her music suck.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Sandman

My mother-in-law pays for my THN Subscription every year for XMas….

She's a keeper.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

She just said last week she hates Calgary and LA is more home now.

but holy crap does her music suck.

Agreed on her music but source on the bolded?

I did a quick search and all I can find are videos of her saying how she’s proud to be from Calgary but feels awkward going home because it’s like re-living her teenage years.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

Agreed on her music but source on the bolded?

I did a quick search and all I can find are videos of her saying how she’s proud to be from Calgary but feels awkward going home because it’s like re-living her teenage years.

Yeah she said she feels way more at home in LA, and doesnt feel as at home in Calgary anymore- bad memories and whatnot. I have never heard her say that she “hates” Calgary per se. She has been spotted wearing a Flames jersey though.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I’d still take her 1st overall tho

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

Agreed on her music but source on the bolded?

I did a quick search and all I can find are videos of her saying how she’s proud to be from Calgary but feels awkward going home because it’s like re-living her teenage years.

It was on instagram. She says that Canada doesn't feel like home anymore. but then she clarifies it's not Canada but Calgary.

[stemit14]

Those prospect breakdown videos were really detailed. Does give a good understanding of this draft from a very analytical sense.

Was interesting how they described why this draft is considered so poor compared to others and why it is difficult to project players in this draft. Based on the analytics that they typically use to determine what a “play driver” is… no forwards in this draft hace really shown to be a play driver yet - not even Misa. In most drafts, they would have multiple players that have proven to be consistent play drivers in their draft year but that is lacking in this draft. But they did say that amongst all of the forwards in this draft, Misa’s skillset is the one that projects the most likely to be a play driver at some point. He may not have been a consistent play driver yet, but he could be one as soon as next season in college/junior.

Their analysis on McQueen was really interesting too. They have him ranked 12th but it does not sound like they are very impressed with him. They stressed how poor his passing is. Going so far as to say he did not make a single pass over a stick this year. Not one successful saucer pass over an opponents stick. And they claim to have watched every clip of his play multiple times. They were also critical of his ability to brace for hits/contact - which is concerning for a player like him. I wonder if that stems from him always being the biggest guy on the ice so he has never developed much need to brace himself or slip checks. They stressed how much better of a prospect Lindstrom from last year’s draft was in his draft year compared to McQueen.

[circle]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Those prospect breakdown videos were really detailed. Does give a good understanding of this draft from a very analytical sense.

Was interesting how they described why this draft is considered so poor compared to others and why it is difficult to project players in this draft. Based on the analytics that they typically use to determine what a “play driver” is… no forwards in this draft hace really shown to be a play driver yet - not even Misa. In most drafts, they would have multiple players that have proven to be consistent play drivers in their draft year but that is lacking in this draft. But they did say that amongst all of the forwards in this draft, Misa’s skillset is the one that projects the most likely to be a play driver at some point. He may not have been a consistent play driver yet, but he could be one as soon as next season in college/junior.

Their analysis on McQueen was really interesting too. They have him ranked 12th but it does not sound like they are very impressed with him. They stressed how poor his passing is. Going so far as to say he did not make a single pass over a stick this year. Not one successful saucer pass over an opponents stick. And they claim to have watched every clip of his play multiple times. They were also critical of his ability to brace for hits/contact - which is concerning for a player like him. I wonder if that stems from him always being the biggest guy on the ice so he has never developed much need to brace himself or slip checks. They stressed how much better of a prospect Lindstrom from last year’s draft was in his draft year compared to McQueen.

Yeah, their ranking of McQueen is on pure-upside only with his ability to skate for a big man and his hands. But everything else is based on projection and must be improved upon if he's going to be that force that everyone else is saying he can be.


I think he's worth the risk if he falls to 18, for sure. I'm not sure though if it'd be worth it to use assets to move up in the draft to pick McQueen.

[the-rasta-masta]

With McQueen you’re hoping for Tage Thompson but you might just get Joe Colborne. I’d prefer the Flames draft for more high end skill and creativity. This team could use some toe drags and saucer passes honestly.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

It was on instagram. She says that Canada doesn't feel like home anymore. but then she clarifies it's not Canada but Calgary.

That’s a tad different from hating Calgary though, to be fair.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Mephisto

Would rather take a shot on Zharovsky than McQueen.

Based on YouTube highlights, Zharovsky looks like he should be a top 3 pick.

[jg13]

For those that watched Reschny this year is there any chance he actually falls to 18th and if so, why?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by jg13

For those that watched Reschny this year is there any chance he actually falls to 18th and if so, why?

Size.

[Sandman]

I'm not sure where people are getting that McQueen doesn't have skill, or can't complete a pass. If that's what is happening, then it must have been in a game after his return from injury- he did struggle for a while with his timing, but his ability to move the puck and his passing skill are considered strengths. I still think he's going early, but if he were to fall to us (or we were to trade up to get him) I would be elated. I have seen this kid play many, many times.

Sure, he might bust- but that can happen with any draft pick. His real negatives are his age, and his back injury.

[devo22]

The only reason McQueen scares me is his back. I mean, I'm one of those who would have raced to the podium to draft Lindstrom last year because the overall package was just too enticing to pass up ... an injury-plagued year later, I'm not sure I'd draft McQueen in the top 10. Is it unfair to use Lindstrom's example to justify this decision? Probably not. His case might be different, and it's entirely possible that his back isn't a major concern going forward (heck, it's also entirely possible that Lindstrom's problems are behind him now). But I understand if teams are a bit wary. I guess the question is, does his ceiling outweigh the concerns about his back? I don't think the answer to that is black and white and different teams will surely have different opinions. Will be fascinating to see when he comes off the board.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by devo22

The only reason McQueen scares me is his back. I mean, I'm one of those who would have raced to the podium to draft Lindstrom last year because the overall package was just too enticing to pass up ... an injury-plagued year later, I'm not sure I'd draft McQueen in the top 10. Is it unfair to use Lindstrom's example to justify this decision? Probably not. His case might be different, and it's entirely possible that his back isn't a major concern going forward (heck, it's also entirely possible that Lindstrom's problems are behind him now). But I understand if teams are a bit wary. I guess the question is, does his ceiling outweigh the concerns about his back? I don't think the answer to that is black and white and different teams will surely have different opinions. Will be fascinating to see when he comes off the board.

I agree. His back issues might scare me a bit if I was drafting in the top-10.

[Jiri Hrdina]

If you are the Flames I think it’s the type of calculated risk you take if you have the opportunity
Chances are the guy they pick in this draft is not going to be an impactful player. A lot of guys in this draft will be middle of the line up guys at best
So if you can take advantage of the injury concerns to draft a guy that does have a much higher ceiling you do it. The risk/reward benefit is there I think

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

If you are the Flames I think it’s the type of calculated risk you take if you have the opportunity
Chances are the guy they pick in this draft is not going to be an impactful player. A lot of guys in this draft will be middle of the line up guys at best
So if you can take advantage of the injury concerns to draft a guy that does have a much higher ceiling you do it. The risk/reward benefit is there I think

Exactly this - if McQueen fell to us at 18, it would be a Christmas gift.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

If you are the Flames I think it’s the type of calculated risk you take if you have the opportunity
Chances are the guy they pick in this draft is not going to be an impactful player. A lot of guys in this draft will be middle of the line up guys at best
So if you can take advantage of the injury concerns to draft a guy that does have a much higher ceiling you do it. The risk/reward benefit is there I think

Agreed.