2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Ben Kindel seems wildly underrated for his production.

What's up there?

Unless i'm mistaken I think Kindel only moved to center this year, he's smaller but with his skillset he could be a steal if he lasts to the late 1st round but he's starting to get attention so I suspect he's gone before 20.

He's very crafty, reminds me of a young Mikael Granlund.

[Sandman]

The big knock on Kindel, other than size, is his skating. It’s kinda average.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 1):

LD Oliwer Sjostrom (5'11",176lbs)
Lulea (J20): 33gp/ 2g/ 15a/ 17pts, +4, 36 PIM

When considering Oliwer Sjostrom's production from 2023-24 in Sweden, his numbers this season are a bit disappointing and show no progression- although Lulea has taken a wide step back from last year. Sjostrom led Lulea's defense last season in scoring and placed 5th-overall in points by a U-17 player in the J20, earning him a 7-game stint with Lulea's SHL club- an invitation he has yet to receive in the current campaign. To cap off his J20 season in 2023-24, he broke the league record for playoff scoring by a U-17 player, with 6 points in 4 games. Sjostrom bounced back from a rather lackluster Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last summer (2 points in 5 games), to finish the World Junior A Challenge in 4th for scoring by defensemen, with 4 points in 5 games, and is currently 7th in the J20 for scoring by U-18 defensemen. Obviously, he is most comfortable in the offensive zone, and he's an intelligent player, but he isn't really flashy and doesn't possess any truly dynamic qualities- he keeps things mostly simple and risk-free, and any sign of true creativity only comes in flashes. There's definitely skill in his passing game, and he shows good vision at times, but he seems to struggle to make an impact and doesn't seem capable of making high-end plays.

Sjostrom is highly mobile in all directions, and his smooth edges give him the elusiveness to outmaneuver opponents; he has no problems winning races or separating in open ice, and he can even rush the puck end-to-end at times. His puckhandling isn't anything too special, but he can pull off some slick 1-on-1 moves at times, and protects the puck well enough to get around without having his pocket picked. Sjostrom walks the line effectively, pinching in to the play when the coast is clear, and understands how to draw pressure in order to open space for teammates to get to high danger. His numbers show that he's not a big threat to score, and although his shot is fairly hard and heavy, he uses it mostly as a playmaking tool. In defensive situations, he employs good gaps and defends with an active stick, but struggles to handle larger opponents physically- though he doesn't back down from the rough stuff. He exhibits sound positioning and awareness, but isn't very aggressive in forcing stops, and has trouble shutting down attackers in front of his net. There's a fair amount of compete in this area, but I would say his impact is average, and he's fairly mistake-prone. I would give him a good grade in his ability to shake off aggressors in retrievals though, as well as his consistency in making a simple, risk-free first-pass with poise and confidence. From there, he is a quality puck-mover through transition, but again- he stays away from being too complex or risky.

A player of Sjostrom's size needs to be able to make some kind of impact in the defensive zone if they aren't a very dynamic creator in the other end of the ice, and I wonder just how much he moves the needle. For that reason, I have flip-flopped on this player many times over, and I'm not sure how to project him, as he might not have many translatable NHL-qualities. I believe there were better players than Sjostrom who were left out of the draft last year, but this summer's draft is weaker- so even though I had him in the 3rd-round of my December rankings, I would guess that he'll have to wait until the late rounds to be picked, if he gets picked at all.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 2):

RW Victor Eklund (5'11",161lbs)
Djurgardens (Allsvenskan): 32gp/ 11g/ 9a/ 20pts, +8, 37 PIM

If you missed Victor Eklund's performances in the 2024 U-18's (6 points in 7 games), last summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (4 points in 4 games), December's World Junior A Challenge (7 points in 6 games), or the World Juniors (6 points in 7 games), then I hope this write-up will make those reading it grow to appreciate him as much as I do. Eklund is a lightning-fast, skilled offensive winger with an elite brain, who plays a gritty game, with a massive chip on his shoulder. His best quality might just be his sky-high compete level- he gives 110% every shift, and never gives up on a play- obviously, he was a Canadian in a past life. Despite his modest stature, he engages physically, throws hits, dives into the dirty areas, wins battles along the boards, gives second and third efforts, and is usually in the middle of every post-whistle scrum. He's an agitator, a pest, and a puck-hound, who plays with pace, high energy, and motor. As the brother of Sharks' first-rounder William Eklund, it's natural for some to compare their numbers, but that wouldn't be fair; they are different players, and William played in a higher league in his draft year (23 points in 40 SHL games). Victor plays in a men's league too- the second-tier Allsvenskan, and his numbers are also impressive.

Vic might be a better skater at this age than his older brother was- he's electric. His edges and agility are huge assets, with the ability to change pace and stop on a dime, giving him the capability to evade checks with his shiftiness. He thrives in open ice, with explosive acceleration, and can beat defenders wide. Eklund's wingspan isn't very long, but he still manages to handle the puck outside of his opponents' reach, and he can weave in and out of traffic while manipulating checkers with his arsenal of advanced deception tactics. He is always in motion, whether on-or-off the puck, and he's a pain in the butt on the forecheck as he never relents, and never quits on a play. Though his numbers suggest he's a goal-scorer, he's actually a fairly balanced attacker, and skates with his head on a swivel to exploit his high-end vision and creativity. Scouts always mention his passing skill, as he can connect with teammates through layers of traffic with passes that are often tape-to-tape, crisp and accurate, and right to the receiver's wheelhouse. He does need to shoot more though, as he owns a bullet of a wrister with a sneaky, deceptive release, and can fire off the catch. He has a nose for the net, and he's not afraid to attack the middle, or go straight to the crease off the rush. He gets his nose dirty, and battles in front of the net for position- taking abuse to have a chance at a rebound or a tip. Eklund's hands are as quick and smooth as his feet, giving him the ability to maneuver through traffic with dekes, dangles, feints, and shifts of weight.

As if the above weren't enough, Ek is also a solid defensive player, and brings his motor and intensity to the backcheck- he exerts good positioning, and hounds puck-carriers. He's a nightmare to handle in transition, as his speed and shiftiness, combined with his handling and puck-protection make him nearly impossible to contain. He possesses the innate ability to locate weak spots in coverage to move through, and he can spot passing seams that few others can see, in order to complete clean entries. Eklund plays bigger than his size, and wields elite-level compete, but he needs to get much bigger and stronger in order to be effective at the next level, and to be able to survive the rigors of the pro ranks. Look for him in the top-10 of this summer's draft.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Swedish Edition, Vol. 3):

LHC Anton Frondell (6'1",196lbs)
Djurgardens (J20): 10gp/ 5g/ 2a/ 7pts, +9, 6 PIM
Djurgardens (Allsvenskan): 21gp/ 6g/ 5a/ 11pts, +3, 12 PIM

Anton Frondell is a 200-ft center who has everything, including size, speed, an elite brain, and a power game, but injuries suffered in the last few seasons (including near the start of the current campaign) have negatively impacted his numbers. He uses his size well to play a physical game (which results in those injuries), to dislodge pucks, win battles, and establish positioning. He intimidates on the forecheck, dominates along the boards, barges his way inside, and crashes the crease for chances in-tight. Frondell is an effortless skater with near-flawless technique, and is agile and well-balanced- he can outrace most opponents to loose pucks, separate in open ice, and blow past defenders. His straight-ahead speed may be a step or two below elite, but he has an explosive burst and terrific acceleration with the shifty edges to evade checks, and fool defenders. His stickhandling might be even more impressive than his mobility, as he can handle around sticks on the fly, or deke and dangle through checkers. Frondell's puck-protection is exceptional, and he can handle smoothly with one hand while fending off pressure with the other. The puck seems to be glued to his blade.

Frondell is a lethal scorer from any angle, and can pick corners with a laser of a wrister on a quick and unpredictable release, after creating space for himself to explode into. He will set up in space for his one-timer, which is a bomb, and he plays hard around the net. He seems to excel in all situations, as well as both sides of special teams, and he's an excellent penalty-killer. Frondell bears a well-balanced offensive skillset, and is as good a playmaker as he is a scorer- with a sky-high IQ and supernatural vision to create plays and drive the offense, even under duress. He can see his teammates through traffic, and has the high-end passing skill to connect with them. With his talent for anticipation, he can see the play coming before it ever happens, staying perpetually ahead of the play, and he can break down opposing defenses with how well he reads the ice. Frondell is a tenacious, hard-working, heart-and-soul player who commits to playing a sound defensive game, and puts forth the same effort on the backcheck as he does in offensive situations. He covers seemingly every corner of the zone in defense of his net- from pressuring the point, to aiding his D down low. He is reportedly a gym rat who works hard to improve everyday.

There are those who think of Frondell as being more of a second-liner at this point than a top-line player, as injurues have eaten away at his effectiveness. His performances this season have been uneven, but he is currently in the middle of the 11th-best season for a U-18 player in Allsvenskan history- and the season isn't over yet. In 2023-24, he put up 7 points in 6 games at the World Junior A Challenge, but only managed 4 points in 5 games at this year's event- although I suspect he was still getting his feet under him after returning from injury. He's a top-line center all-day long, and will be taken in the top 6 or 7 players in this summer's draft.

[spennywalks]

Top 10 pick - Jake O'brien please

[Calgary4LIfe]

For those that read Sjostrom and caused a ringing of bells in your head, apparently Oliwer is not related to Freddie Sjostrom who played on the Flames for one season in 2009/10, but may be most remembered for being the other guy in the Dion Phaneuf + Keith Aulie trade to Toronto. Sandman's write-up on Oliwer seemed really similar to Freddie Sjostrom's abilities too from what I remember - really fast, but he turned into an undersized checker for the majority of his NHL career (but had serious wheels). Oliwer does have some hockey relatives (uncles and cousins), but none have made the NHL (yet).

/Cliff Clavin useless trivia, or Colin Robinson energy vampire feeding

[Canada 02]

Is his name really Oliwer, with a W?
I hope so

[Jiri Hrdina]

Increasingly I think this is draft is decidedly below average.
I think you don't hear that much about that, because the media need to build hype around it. But to me - the top end lacks anyone elite and drops off faster. Last year I think will prove to be better than was thought because Celibrini is looking to be a fantastic all around player, and Demidov has emerged to have superstar potential. And then you have the run of really good dmen all developing nicely.

Of course we could feel the same 1.5 years from now about the 2025 draft, but i just don't see it. Too me it smells an awful lot like the 2022 draft.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Is his name really Oliwer, with a W?
I hope so

It is indeed spelled with a “w”.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Increasingly I think this is draft is decidedly below average.
I think you don't hear that much about that, because the media need to build hype around it. But to me - the top end lacks anyone elite and drops off faster. Last year I think will prove to be better than was thought because Celibrini is looking to be a fantastic all around player, and Demidov has emerged to have superstar potential. And then you have the run of really good dmen all developing nicely.

Of course we could feel the same 1.5 years from now about the 2025 draft, but i just don't see it. Too me it smells an awful lot like the 2022 draft.

I don't believe it's a deep draft like last year. And I don't think the top end is as strong either. But I'd be pretty happy with a top 10 pick in this draft honestly. The likes of Frondell or Hagens or to a lesser extent McQueen would be a huge w for the Flames. Looking down range a bit I can't help but think there's a Jankowski pick in the Flames future at the 25 draft. I'm still all about Ryabkin but the more he drops the riskier he is. He was supposed to be on par with the last two great Russian prospects in Michkov and Demidov.

Still some interesting Centers down around the Flames two picks. But the top5 levels guys are all crammed in the top 10

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Why are all these kids so big? What are they feeding them?

Soylent green.

[Rick M.]

Duplicate post.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I don't believe it's a deep draft like last year. And I don't think the top end is as strong either. But I'd be pretty happy with a top 10 pick in this draft honestly. The likes of Frondell or Hagens or to a lesser extent McQueen would be a huge w for the Flames. Looking down range a bit I can't help but think there's a Jankowski pick in the Flames future at the 25 draft. I'm still all about Ryabkin but the more he drops the riskier he is. He was supposed to be on par with the last two great Russian prospects in Michkov and Demidov.

Still some interesting Centers down around the Flames two picks. But the top5 levels guys are all crammed in the top 10

Cootes is a center and in our range.
Nesbitt as well.

[YyjFlames]

For those interested, Cole Reschny has put up 24 points in the last 10 games, 11 in the last four and was named WHL player of the week this past week.

The Royals made a couple of big trades at the deadline and picked up Kenta Isogai and Brandon Lisowski, which has given the forward lines some needed depth. Feels like both the chemistry Reschny has with Isogai and the added depth has sparked him quite a bit. He has a little more freedom to finish with match-up depth (previously, the top defenders would be stapled to him) and Isogai drawing attention.

I think the Royals have a good chance at going deep in this year's playoffs with these moves and the way the team (and Reschny) has been playing. Unfortunately, that could mean he'll likely start climbing back up the first round projections.

He really is a special player. Tons of energy, never quit motor and a lot of skill. I really want the Flames to draft him.

[Funkhouser]

Agreed, he is my top pick if our pick ends up outside the top 10

[TheScorpion]

If CGY ends up with a pick in the 8-10 range ... and Michael Misa is available at 4 ... what do you give up to get him?

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by YyjFlames

For those interested, Cole Reschny has put up 24 points in the last 10 games, 11 in the last four and was named WHL player of the week this past week.

The Royals made a couple of big trades at the deadline and picked up Kenta Isogai and Brandon Lisowski, which has given the forward lines some needed depth. Feels like both the chemistry Reschny has with Isogai and the added depth has sparked him quite a bit. He has a little more freedom to finish with match-up depth (previously, the top defenders would be stapled to him) and Isogai drawing attention.

I think the Royals have a good chance at going deep in this year's playoffs with these moves and the way the team (and Reschny) has been playing. Unfortunately, that could mean he'll likely start climbing back up the first round projections.

He really is a special player. Tons of energy, never quit motor and a lot of skill. I really want the Flames to draft him.

Most mocks I've seen have him in the late 1st round, but he sounds like a riser. Maybe someone to target with our earlier NJ pick or hope he stays in that range for the Panthers pick.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

If CGY ends up with a pick in the 8-10 range ... and Michael Misa is available at 4 ... what do you give up to get him?

This kind of stuff rarely happens and for a good reason, it would probably take both 1st's + Coronato or Zary.

Misa's probably gone top 3 anyway

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

If CGY ends up with a pick in the 8-10 range ... and Michael Misa is available at 4 ... what do you give up to get him?

I would think our other 1st would be a requirement, plus a winger (prospect or NHLer)