2025 NHL Draft Thread

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I was curious how many Defencemen were drafted in the Top-18 of the draft across the last 10 years. I'm not bright enough to contextualize this with average draft rankings across the years to get a sense of whether more or less D went in the Top-18 than 'expected'. But across this 10 year sample-size, 5.5 Defencemen are picked in the Top-18 on average.



Quick notes:
- There were 3 drafts with 7 D-men picked within the Top 18 (2016, 2017, and 2024).
- The 2024 draft had the most high-value picks used on D (6 in the Top 12). Whereas with 2016 and 2017, there were large runs of D picked from 13-18.
- 2017 takes the cake for most D selected in a row with 5 in a row from picks 14-18.
- 31% of picks in the Top-18 have been used on D-men in the last 10 years.
- 28% of picks in the Top-6 are used on D-men. (1.7 picks on average)
- 32% of picks in the 7-12 range are used on D-men. (1.9 picks on average)
- 32% of picks in the 13-18 range are used on D-men. (1.9 picks on average)
- Olli Juolevi, lol.

[FlamesAddiction]

I heard it mentioned on a podcast that Brady Martin will not be one of the 50 players at the decentralized draft because of his duty to be working on the family farm that day. That's probably a sign of someone with strong character.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I heard it mentioned on a podcast that Brady Martin will not be one of the 50 players at the decentralized draft because of his duty to be working on the family farm that day. That's probably a sign of someone with strong character.

I love that. GM Darryl would've been trading Parekh and a 2026 unprotected 1st for him haha

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I heard it mentioned on a podcast that Brady Martin will not be one of the 50 players at the decentralized draft because of his duty to be working on the family farm that day. That's probably a sign of someone with strong character.

Martin’s interviews were apparently off the charts. He isn’t making it past 7.

[iloveicedhockey]

Question to those in the know (or anyone else): is there anyone who dropped in the rankings through the year where they feel the drop wasn't justified and perhaps things just snowballed?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by JTech780

There is a lot to like with Aitcheson, but I wouldn’t take him at 18. Love the compete level and the physical play, he also has a great shot. The skating and hands are lacking, so I don’t see the offense translating to the next level. He also has a lot of work to do in terms of the details of his game. He is also one of the oldest players in the draft class.

I think Cameron Reid will/should go before Aitcheson.

All good points, but I think Aitcheson goes earlier than our pick. He has such an amazing impact on the game, even when he’s not putting up points.

[dissentowner]

I wouldn't be shocked to see Martin go top 5.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I wouldn't be shocked to see Martin go top 5.

Me neither.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I wouldn't be shocked to see Martin go top 5.

Very high on Calgary’s list as well I was told.

[dammage79]

CGY's list:

Misa
Frondell
Hagens
Martin
Conroy to Scouts: "Ah screw it, if they're a center, list them behind these fellas here." "We good with our list? Thought so. "

[cral12]

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Final Feature-Filled Edition Top 224

The Final Edition of Upside Hockey's Top 224 NHL Draft Rankings from Chief Scout Eldon MacDonald in a mammoth spreadsheet format with nearly infinite features.​

Excerpt:
"There will be too many cool features to list; explore yourself with this top of mind:

- Our exclusive rankings go well beyond the first round - nearly 400 prospects included in this version, 224 ranked
- Check out the tabs along the bottom such as Defense, Under 5'11, OHL, WHL, QMJHL, USA, Goalies, etc. for various unique rankings plus an early look at the 2026 NHL Draft!
- Quick access to Elite Prospects profile linked for each prospect for updated stats - click on the respective prospect name
- Comparable rankings: NHL Central Scouting (Consolidated), Future Considerations, as well as the "TC" column which is our prospect profiler Trevor Curtis's Top 128 complete with prospect tiers.
- Ridiculous Upside Awards
- Upside's Best of the Best for this draft class: fifteen Top 10 categories
- Links to over 500 videos
- Unique prospect analyses as featured in our Substack Prospect Profile series (be sure you’re signed up to our eNewsletter here to keep getting these
Please enjoy and, as always, we appreciate any feedback from all of you Upsiders."

https://upsidehockey.substack.com/p/...-final-feature

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by iloveicedhockey

Question to those in the know (or anyone else): is there anyone who dropped in the rankings through the year where they feel the drop wasn't justified and perhaps things just snowballed?

Not exactly an answer to your question, but a guy who is most likely going to fall is Carter Bear. I think there are going to be plenty of teams who will be scared off by his torn achilles. It’s a tough injury to come back from. Before the injury I think he was in the running to be a top 10 pick, at least in the top 15. Now there is a chance he could fall into the mid 20’s.

Ivan Ryabkin is another who is going to fall. He was easily a top 10 pick to start the season, now I would be shocked if he was drafted in the first round. It wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t get picked in the second round either. Apparently his interviews at the combine were awful. I think he is on a few teams’ Do Not Draft List.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by JTech780

Not exactly an answer to your question, but a guy who is most likely going to fall is Carter Bear. I think there are going to be plenty of teams who will be scared off by his torn achilles. It’s a tough injury to come back from. Before the injury I think he was in the running to be a top 10 pick, at least in the top 15. Now there is a chance he could fall into the mid 20’s.

Ivan Ryabkin is another who is going to fall. He was easily a top 10 pick to start the season, now I would be shocked if he was drafted in the first round. It wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t get picked in the second round either. Apparently his interviews at the combine were awful. I think he is on a few teams’ Do Not Draft List.

I think Victor Eklund will fall out of the top 10. Teams are going to go after the C and big D and I think Eklund stands to be a fall candidate. That’s my hot take.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Yeah guys like Eklund usually go later than what mocks have them

Though his high compete could be attractive

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

I think Victor Eklund will fall out of the top 10. Teams are going to go after the C and big D and I think Eklund stands to be a fall candidate. That’s my hot take.

Certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see him fall out of the top 10. I would have him going 8th to Seattle, I think they could really use a player like him to compliment Berniers and Wright down the middle.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by iloveicedhockey

Question to those in the know (or anyone else): is there anyone who dropped in the rankings through the year where they feel the drop wasn't justified and perhaps things just snowballed?

Here's a few:

-In 23 games before suffering a 4-game injury absence in December, RW Cam Schmidt put up an incredible 24 goals and 37 points. In 38 games after the injury, he only managed 16 goals and 41 points, suffering from what I believe was a wrist injury- which is hard to overcome for a goal-scorer. His pre-injury pace would have put him at 99 points in 61 games, or 109 points in 68 games prorated, which makes sense when considering that his D-minus-1 production of 58 points in 59 games is the 55th-best season all-time by an U-17 player in the WHL. He's small, but fiery, and makes room for himself with his speed and elusiveness, but also his fearlessness and physicality. NHL shot, and finishing ability. I'm more of a fan of Schmidt than I am of another diminutive player, Ben Kindel.

-D Carson Cameron doesn't get the respect he deserves, playing for the lowly Peterborough Petes. He may have to wait until the third-round or later to be picked, but he has size (6'2"), skating, and a good two-way puck-movement game. The Petes were the worst team in the OHL, and one of the lowest-scoring in the entire CHL, and his 23 points were only 12 away from the team lead. He's also young, with a late-June birthday, and shoots right. His situation is a bit reminiscent of a few D from last year's draft, where Tarin Smith, Harrison Brunicke, and Luca Marrelli were all chosen later than they probably should have been, and have showed well this season.

-D Owen Conrad put up 29 points in just 59 games in his D-minus-1 year, but only managed 26 in 64 this season. There's a whole lot more here, and I think he's way better than his stats show. He's big (6'3",209lbs), physical, and mean, with a well-developed shut-down game, but he can also move the puck and contribute in the offensive zone when given the opportunity. Needs work on his skating though. I'm a fan of this kid.

-C Jimmy Lombardi isn't getting the proper respect, IMO. He's 6'0", and he skates like a fart in a windstorm, with good puck-skill and high pace. Only 45 points in 63 games, but he had 18 in his last 18. Good playmaking skill, and hockey sense.

-C Tommy Lafreniere also isn't getting the proper respect. Also 6'0", he put up 56 points in 68 games for a poor Kamloops squad. Skating will need a bit of work, but he plays with pace and physicality, and is an excellent playmaker, with a strong two-way game.

-C Owen Martin (6'0",183lbs) only played 39 games for the Spokane Chiefs, but he posted a more-than-respectable 34 points- while not getting top-line minutes on a good team. He's a bit of a good at everything, but not elite in any area type, but I'm a fan of his- he does a lot of the dirty work for his line, has a bit of physicality, and plays a good two-way game.

-RW Justin Carbonneau might be a big riser on draft day- he's 6'2", skates well, and has a well-balanced offensive game. His 46 goals were tied for 2nd in the low-scoring QMJHL, and his 89 points were also 2nd-overall. The big knocks are his age (November 25th birthday), and his defense- which has been steadily improving. He's physical, and skates very well. His linemate, C Mateo Nobert, also doesn't get the proper recognition- he's 6'0", physical, and intelligent, but his game has a few holes. I still see him as a potential early second-rounder.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Sandman

-RW Justin Carbonneau might be a big riser on draft day- he's 6'2", skates well, and has a well-balanced offensive game. His 46 goals were tied for 2nd in the low-scoring QMJHL, and his 89 points were also 2nd-overall. The big knocks are his age (November 25th birthday), and his defense- which has been steadily improving. He's physical, and skates very well.

I know everyone wants a center, and I get it. But honestly, I'd be happy with Carbonneau at #18. He's pretty exciting to watch and if he can translate to the NHL, I think he could have a better chance of being a top 6 player than some of the centers predicted to be available at that point.

[Sandman]

Some small guys to consider, who will be taken later due to lack of size (I'm not a fan of Filip Ekberg or Viktor Klingsell):

-RW Bruno Osmanis (5'11",170lbs)
-C Topias Hynninen (5'11",176lbs)
-W Philippe Veilleux (5'9",165lbs)
-C Owen Griffin (5'10",172lbs)
-LW/C Shawn Carrier (5'10",181lbs)
-RW Jacob Cloutier (5'10",170lbs)
-C/W Vincent Desjardins (5'11",172lbs)
-C Mikkel Eriksen (5'11",185lbs)
-D Makar Fomin (5'11",165lbs)
-C Carson Harmer (5'10",185lbs)
-RW Travis Hayes (5'11",168lbs)
-C Lucas Karmiris (5'11",190lbs)
-C Lev Katzin (5'8",176lbs)
-C Liam Kilfoil (5'11",176lbs)
-RW Tanner Lam (5'10",157lbs)
-F Ryan Miller (5'11",174lbs)
-C Nathan Quinn (5'10",168lbs)
-F Lukas Sawchyn (5'10",174lbs)
-D Braedyn Rogers (6'0",181lbs)
-D Owen Schoettler (6'0",185lbs)
-W Max Westergard (5'11",168lbs)

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I know everyone wants a center, and I get it. But honestly, I'd be happy with Carbonneau at #18. He's pretty exciting watch and if he can translate to the NHL, I think could have a better chance of being a top 6 player than some of the centers predicted to be available at that point.

I see a potential Beckett Sennecke-type situation, where he goes earlier than everyone expects.

[Snuffleupagus]

If Jimmy Lombardi develops his upper body strength to match his legs he could be a real gem, he needs to somehow find an NHL shot, the rest of his game is there.