2025 NHL Draft Thread

[CliffFletcher]

I’d love to get Gastrin at 32 but I’d be shocked if he’s still available at that pick.

[Lewis_D]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1938274283018719534

[Tkachukwagon]

Elite prospects mock draft:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1938279524929855645

18. Ben Kindel | C | Calgary (WHL) | Calgary Flames (via New Jersey Devils)

The top-scoring WHL draft-eligible, Benjamin Kindel, owns the type of statistical profile that NHL teams covet. His quick, darting, and elusive style suits a top-line centre role in junior hockey, but his stature may necessitate a shift to the wing at the professional level. That won’t diminish his impact too much. The Flames, who share a building with Kindel’s Hitmen, had no shortage of live looks before making this pick.

32. Sascha Boumedienne | LHD | Boston University (NCAA) | Calgary Flames (via Florida Panthers)

At this point in the draft, Sascha Boumedienne offers the Flames a mobile, intelligent puck-mover with strong instincts in transition. His record-setting U18s turned heads, but his offensive game may not fully match those numbers long-term. Still, the skating, vision, and poise suggest top-four potential.

54. Calgary (via Colorado) - Theo Stockselius | C/LW | Djurgårdens (J20)

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Tkachukwagon

Elite prospects mock draft:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1938279524929855645

On the board with the first Calgary pick ...


Braeden Cootes
Cole Reschny
Cameron Reid
Malcolm Spence
Benjamin Kindel
Cullen Potter
Jack Nesbitt
Bill Zonnon
Blake Fiddler
Joshua Ravensbergen
Sascha Boumedienne
Milton Gästrin
Cameron Schmidt
Jack Murtagh
Ivan Ryabkin

[devo22]

Kindel at 18, I wouldn't be ecstatic with Reschny and Cootes still on the board.

Boumedienne could be a sneaky good pick in the late 1st. Good skater, hard worker. Youngest defenseman at college last season, was completely overwhelmed early on but really figured it out in the second half of the season, then exploded at the U18 WJC.

Wheeler had a nice piece on him a few weeks ago.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...ity-nhl-draft/

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Another mock!
This one from Redline (I didn't know Redline was even still around)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...d/84331742007/

Flames take Malcolm Spence at 18 and Will More at 32

I don't see Calgary taking two LWs.

...Now that's a name I haven't heard in a while...(Kyle Woodlief, USA Today)

(they used to have really bizarre short quips on prospects that were occasionally borderline vulgar).

They were big on Igor Shesterkin in his draft yr...

Anyway, also wouldn't be my 21 fav picks for the Flames...

[Niemo]

Not a big fan of Kindel.

I'd rather take my chances with Gastrin or Ryabkin at 18 even if it's a reach. Which is why if Cootes and Reschny are off the board, I'd look for an opportunity to trade down and hopefully gain a 2nd - if that option is available.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Don't get too cute with the first pick. You don't have to go the consensus, but in and around that area of rankings. Be astute, but don't play "smartest guy in the room." It almost never works out (see Jankowski, Mark).

With a second first rounder, you can go more left field, though at #32 you're essentially looking at depth or complimentary players. Here, I would consider flipping the pick for a second rounder and say, a fourth rounder to move down a few spots.

[Paulie Walnuts]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1938114503172055064

[Canada 02]

Tod Button interview

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/flames-...l-draft-class/

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

https://twitter.com/user/status/1938114503172055064

Someone will pick McQueen because Big but I hope it is not the Flames.

[NegativeSpace]

Can the draft start like now? I'm kind of done with this week.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Tod Button interview

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/flames-...l-draft-class/

Always great to listen to Button before the draft. Most interesting bit starts around 10 minute mark.

They are going to prioritize BPA, and suggests there are A LOT of centres they like in this top 35, so while he says they aren't going to force it, expectation is that the centre will be BPA at that point.

He also said they're going to prioritize high end skill. Might end up being a "second line" guy, but skill is the priority. And then he talks a little about a skilled defender, but it sounds pretty clear they're looking forward and likely centre at 18 at this point.

At 16 mark, he says they'll be open to trade up and feel they have the picks to do it if they feel there's an opportunity there.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Tod Button interview

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/flames-...l-draft-class/

After hearing this and seeing Cam Robinson’s mock draft, it wouldn’t surprise me if Kindel was their guy at 18

[Poe969]

I would LOVE them to select Wang with the 32 pick. The kids is a giant and then we could say the Flames have the biggest Wang in the league!

[cral12]

FWIW: Some of our NHL player comps at Upside for these young lads, as admittedly limited as these comparisons are...

https://upsidehockey.substack.com/p/...ect-nhl-player

***
Upside's Draft Guide (326 pages)
- Discount Code still active: "Weegs52" for, you guessed it, 52% off.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Tod Button interview

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/flames-...l-draft-class/

I like that he confirmed that they are prioritizing offensive upside in the 1st round.

[Bingo]

I wish they'd go with slow, dumb tiny kids.

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I wish they'd go with slow, dumb tiny kids.

There's always next year.

[shutout]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I wish they'd go with slow, dumb tiny kids.

That's the best way to get to the bottom.
Draft, develop, and dress terrible players for a decade.