2025 NHL Draft Thread

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Feb.21st Ryabkin Watch:

Ryabkin gets 5 and a Game for a hit to the head, and he also gets 1g, and was even. 13gp/9g/7a/16pts,+2, 48 PIM. His 1.23 ppg is 5th in the USHL.

I think just sheer skill, vision, iq he is top five. 5 11 but already 200lbs bit of a tank, love to see a bit of a mean streak, However this is not going to help his draft stock. Have to think someone takes a chance before fifteen though?

I think whoever picks him out of the top ten is getting a deal and he is going to be a player but how much other stuff cones with it?

If o’brien and ryabkin are there who do you take?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

I think just sheer skill, vision, iq he is top five. 5 11 but already 200lbs bit of a tank, love to see a bit of a mean streak, However this is not going to help his draft stock. Have to think someone takes a chance before fifteen though?

I think whoever picks him out of the top ten is getting a deal and he is going to be a player but how much other stuff cones with it?

If o’brien and ryabkin are there who do you take?

I'm still thinking there might be some off-ice stuff, but scouts will have all the info before the draft to make an informed decision. The USHL is still considered to be a tough league to score in, and he's well over a ppg.

I'm really liking O'Brien in the last few months- he started slow, but he's really rolling now. He's on pace for 99 points in 68 games, but he would have more if he started better. I would lean towards him. What's your opinion?

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I'm still thinking there might be some off-ice stuff, but scouts will have all the info before the draft to make an informed decision. The USHL is still considered to be a tough league to score in, and he's well over a ppg.

I'm really liking O'Brien in the last few months- he started slow, but he's really rolling now. He's on pace for 99 points in 68 games, but he would have more if he started better. I would lean towards him. What's your opinion?

I see OBrien a lot like phil housely a pass first high vision talent but probably not a fourty goal scorer. I think he is top ten skill set not a lot if the other players have. Ryabkin it comes down to attitude. Probably more talented but less chance of hitting full potential but again they are essentially kids still.

Unfortunately probably a mute point as im pretty sure both go by middle teens. Still think we come home with cootes and murtagh.

[transplant99]

Some big format changes coming

When the NHL draft occurs this summer, expect a lot more of Gary Bettman.

On Saturday, the league formally announced that the 2025 NHL draft will take place June 27-28 at L.A. Live's Peacock Theatre, confirming a report from ESPN's Greg Wyshynski in December. And Bettman -- the NHL's commissioner since 1993 -- will be center stage as he is set to announce each first-round pick for the first time.

"Hopefully there won't be too many hard [names] to pronounce," Bettman said before the Los Angeles Kings hosted the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday night.

"And remember, the clubs asked for this," Bettman said. "I wasn't looking for any more exposure. I have more than enough. But this is what the clubs told us they wanted, and we're going to try it. And we'll see after this year whether or not everybody likes it better."

Bettman appreciated the personal touch each organization put on its announcement, pointing out how they will be "thanking somebody at home, honoring somebody, remembering somebody." But most teams concluded it was easier to navigate the draft from their home offices after two years of holding it virtually because of the pandemic.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/...er-los-angeles

[Paulie Walnuts]

This is a great change. We probably see more trades as you don’t have to talk over 1000s of voices.

Bill Armstrong mentioned it’s too congested and technical stuff doesn’t work.

I’ll be interested if they set up the players like they I’m the NBA and NFL quick walk to the podium. Not 20 shots of the team pick made just chilling slowly walking up.

[dammage79]

Is there going to be the usual 200+ players and their families at the draft?

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Czechia Edition, Vol. 1):

LW Vojtech Cihar (6'1",187lbs)
HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Extraliga): 37gp/ 4g/ 5a/ 9pts, +5, 8 PIM

There are many in the scouting world who have doubts about LW Vojtech Cihar's ceiling, with many projecting him to be a bottom-6 checker in the NHL, but he's in the middle of a season in the Extraliga (Czechia's top league) that ties him for 30th all-time in ppg (0.24) for players under-18 with 10 games or more- beating out such players as Filip Chytil (0.21), Pavel Zacha (0.21), Martin Havlat (0.21), Michael Frolik (0.18), and Patrik Elias (0.18). He is currently the top U-18 in the league by 6 points, and tied for 18th all-time. Cihar (ranked # 5 for EU Skaters, # 66th by McKenzie, # 52 by Button) has represented his country internationally, at the most recent World Juniors (7gp/1g/1a/2pts,+4, 29 PIM), and in last summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (5gp/1g/1a/2pts), and showed well in both events in a checking role. He is intelligent and incredibly hard-working, can play in any situation, and brings a responsible (as well as projectable) two-way game.

The two main pillars of Cihar's game that universally undisputed are his high-end workrate, and his air-tight defensive play. He is hyper-intense, and supplies his team with boundless energy and accountability, giving 110% every shift, often frustrating his opponents with second, and third efforts. On the backcheck, he does more than just apply apply pressure to puck-carriers- he grinds them down. He exhibits good habits and a detailed defensive game, scanning constantly with his head on a swivel, and skating smart routes to angle opponents away from danger, force dump-ins, and close space quickly. He covers a ton of real estate in his own end, going from supporting his D down low to attacking the point, and employs perfect positioning to clog lanes, block shots, and cause turnovers. Cihar identifies threats early and will stick to his man, proactively setting picks, and tying up his opponent's stick. There's solid IQ and hockey sense in this package, and he sees the ice well with fairly good distribution skill, but his creativity is limited- he is more of a facilitator than a creator, and keeps his play with the puck mostly safe and simple, as he gets himself in trouble when he tries to get fancy. He puts a good whip on his snappy catch-and-release wrister, and owns a good shot that could perhaps use a little more power, with a release that's quick and deceptive. Most of his goals however, are scored by beating goalies in-tight, crashing the net to pick up garbage, and he positions himself in front of the crease to set up the screen, cause chaos, and battle for chances.

Cihar plays a physical game, and is highly aggressive in all situations; he wears opponents down with a hard and heavy forechecking style, fights hard for pucks along the boards, throws his weight around, and initiates contact to retrieve possession. He exerts a high-end compete level, and stays perpetually active in all three zones; he supports the breakout, and can rush the puck through transition from defense to the offensive zone by himself on occasion, or he can connect plays through the neutral zone effectively with short-area passing. He is fantastic off the rush, and isn't afraid to drive the middle, or to cut inside to the slot. Off the puck, he skates intelligent routes to manipulate defenses into opening space for himself and teammates, positions himself in high-danger, and goes to the net hard to get tips and to be playable around the net. Mobility-wise, he is a good skater with above-average speed and strong acceleration, enhanced by his high workrate that pushes him to win races to loose pucks, just on sheer determination. He owns smooth edges to pivot quickly, and elude checks with quick changes of pace and direction. He could use a bit of work on his top-speed though. I would say his puck-control is well-developed, as he catches smoothly, settles down wild passes quickly, and can take feeds off of his skate. Some doubt how Cihar's offense will translate, but he already has a decent NHL-floor, and I would say he's a very safe pick. I think he'll a good two-way middle-six winger in the NHL, and I would have no problem taking him in the 2nd, or 3rd round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Czechia Edition, Vol. 2):

LHC Adam Benak (5'7",160lbs)
Youngstown (USHL): 44gp/ 13g/ 32a/ 45pts, -6, 28 PIM

Mighty-mite Adam Benak (ranked #60 for EU Skaters by Central Scouting, and #39 by both Button and McKenzie) is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the draft, as well as one of the most exciting, and anyone who has watched the last two Hlinka-Gretzky tournaments can attest to that. Benak holds the all-time points record for the Hlinka, posting 21 points in 10 games over the last 2 years, with 4 goals and 11 points coming in 5 games in the 2024 event, and 2 goals and 10 points in the summer of 2023- when he was just 16 years-old. He also put up 3 points in 5 games for Team Czechia at last year's U-18 Tournament, and is currently 10th in scoring in the USHL, after a rather slow start (he has amassed 21 points in his last 16 games). Benak is a creative playmaker, with awe-inspiring passing skill and high-end vision; his feeds are always easy for the recipient to catch, as they are tape-to-tape with the exact prescribed velocity needed, and right to the sweet-spot in their wheelhouse for them to skate into. He can dish crisply and accurately while in full-flight, and a high-number of his passes find their way to the slot for high-danger looks.

Benak has quick hands and superb puck-skills to enable him to weave in-and-out of traffic, and pry open space for himself and his teammates- he can beat anyone on the ice one-on-one. Deception is a huge part of his game, and he's a magician in the way he manipulates the opposition with his arsenal of feints, and controls the pace of the game with the puck on his blade. Spatial awareness is another important facet of his playbook, as he can slip into soft spots in coverage, and position himself in high-danger off-puck, but he also knows how to make defensemen move to make room for teammates. The one big issue here is that he often has trouble getting to the middle with the puck due to his size limitations, and doesn't get many chances in the slot- he plays a largely perimeter game as a result, and is too easily neutralized in front of the net. His shot needs work on it's power and velocity, but he carries an excellent release with lethal accuracy, and he needs to shoot more, as he can beat goalies from bad angles. He sneaks into the low-slot for chances when he can, and has the soft hands in-tight to beat goalies 1-on-1. To perhaps offset his stature a bit, he puts forth a relentless work-ethic with a high energy level; he's small but tenacious, and has an impressive motor, and most surprisingly- he plays with physicality. True, he loses some board battles, but he's always game, and never gives up on a play.

Speed-wise, he's more quick than outright fast, with above-average straight-ahead speed that could use some work, but he keeps his feet pumping hard in an effort to enhance his mobility. He's extremely shifty and elusive on his edges, with a quick burst in small-areas, and excellent acceleration. Best of all, he exerts a low center of gravity that gives him uncommon balance, making it hard to knock him off the puck, and giving him leverage when initiating contact. To his credit, Benak is a three-zone player who forechecks with intensity, and backchecks with urgency, throwing hits in the process when he can. He forces turnovers and giveaways, intercepts passes in all areas of the ice, and forces dump-ins at his blueline. In transition, he brings tremendous value and high-end efficiency, racking up a high number of entries with control; he's even better at completing controlled exits by carry or pass, strangely enough. He doesn't make many mistakes in performance of these duties, and will chip it in-or-out as needed, when there's no other option. He's an excellent defensive performer with high-end awareness, and effectively takes away the middle of the ice from attackers with superb use of his stick. He stays active to remove time and space from his opponents, and seals off entry from oncoming rushers. Going forward, Benak needs to work on simplifying his playmaking, and sharpening his decision-making, as he tries to force too many plays. His size is obviously a huge concern, and his perimeter play is another, both of which hurt his draft-standing, and he will most-likely have to switch to the wing at some point. I can't see him getting picked until the middle-rounds at most.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Czechia Edition, Vol. 3):

RD Max Psenicka (6'5",176lbs)
Portland (WHL): 12gp/ 0g/ 3a/ 3pts, -4, 4 PIM
HC Pizen (Czechia U20): 20gp/ 3g/ 8a/ 11pts, +11, 4 PIM
HC Pizen (Extraliga): 16gp/ 2g/ 0a/ 2pts, -1, 2 PIM

Monster rearguard Max Psenicka (ranked #8 for EU Skaters by Central Scouting, and #55 by McKenzie) was drafted by the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL in the 2024 CHL Import Draft in the first-round, 32nd-overall, but opted to start the season back home in Czechia, where he spent time playing in both the top junior league, and the top men's league. His rights were aquired by the Portland Winterhawks in October, and he was signed to a Scholarship and Development Agreement on January 10th. Since the start of the season, he has seemingly skyrocketed up the rankings as a big, physical shutdown defenseman, whose primary assets are his behemoth frame, his range, and his enormous reach.

Psenicka's first-step is a bit sluggish, and he needs some work on his acceleration, but he has good mobility when he gets going. There must be further upgrades made to his edges and agility, as he can be outmaneuvered, much like a charging rhino. In carrying out his duties in shutting down the other team's top players, he applies a hard, heavy dose of physicality, but does so without taking many penalties. He battles hard in the greasy areas for loose pucks, throws big hits along the boards, and defends his net with snarl. His tight gap-control is a big strength, and his range makes him difficult to get past; he uses his immense reach to poke the puck away from attackers, and usually finishes with a stiff hit. He employs a fairly detailed shutdown game, with solid awareness to identify threats early, intercept passes, clog lanes, and pin opponents to the wall- he is also a willing shot-blocker. He displays a high-end workrate, competes hard, and doesn't quit on a play. One of his main selling-points is his skill in retrievals; he pre-scans for options, and his breakouts connect with good consistency, but he can run into problems when pressured, and he has to keep things safe and simple to avoid turnovers. His consistency in this area needs work, as does his decision-making.

For a defenseman who specializes in his own-zone play, he is quite active and confident in the other end of the ice. He will join the rush on occasion, and will activate from the blueline if he spots an opportunity, but he doesn't contribute much to his team's offense. Psenicka will take shots from the point to facilitate chances at the net-front for his teammates, and will pinch in to keep the puck alive. He has shown the ability to rush the puck through the neutral zone in transition, and can connect plays expertly, but needs to sprinkle in more deception to his puck-movement and shooting, as he's a bit predictable at times. Psenicka is quite raw, and more potential than finished product right now, but scouts see huge potential, although he might be a bit of a project to whatever team drafts him. He has bottom-4 shutdown potential, but needs work on his strength, puck-skill, skating, and decision-making. Look for him in the third, or fourth round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Slovak Edition, Vol. 1):

LHC Tomas Pobezal (5'10",179lbs)
HK Nitra (Slovakia Extraliga): 39gp/ 15g/ 8a/ 23pts, +13, 24 PIM

Tomas Pobezal (ranked #26 EU Skaters by Central Scouting) is currently the top U-20 scorer in the Extraliga by 13 points, and is in the midst of the 9th-best season of all-time for a player 18-and-under, with the 4th-most goals of all time by a player of that age. He has represented his homeland Slovakia in many international tournaments, including the most recent World Junior Championship (1 assist in 5 games), last summer's Hlinka (his second appearance at that tournament, with 6 points in 4 games to lead the team), and the 2024 U-18 Tournament, where he served as Captain (2nd-in scoring on the team, with 4 goals and 5 points in 7 games). Pobezal might be the oldest player in the draft, with a September 18, 2006 birthday, but he's a highly intelligent two-way center who plays much bigger than his size, and does everything well; he can play all three forward positions, and contributes in all three zones.

Pobezal already plays a mature and detailed defensive game against men, and engages attackers early in the neutral zone before they ever get a chance to make entry. He doesn't sit back to let the play come to him, he attacks puck-carriers to apply suffocating pressure to force dump-ins, cause turnovers, pick pockets, and poke pucks off sticks- he will even throw hits to separate man from puck. The same game-plan is put into action on the forecheck, where he puts opponents under siege with his intensity, to annoy and disrupt. Pobezal plays with remarkable energy, and never gives up on a play- he is relentless and tenacious, with high-end motor and compete, giving his all every shift. He is considered to be a leader, and drags his teammates into battle by being fiery and aggressive. Despite his rather diminutive stature, he wins battles in the greasy areas, and agitates with his chippy play and his physicality- he throws his weight around, and can land some big open-ice hits. He's in the middle of many post-whistle scrums, and doesn't back down from the rough stuff. Without fear, he exerts a good net-front presence, battling for position relentlessly and taking abuse to have a chance at a tip, or a rebound opportunity. He's an opportunistic scorer in-tight, sneaking in-and-out of the slot and arriving at just the right time to pounce on a loose puck with superb timing. He owns a good shot that could use a little more power, but he can fire in full flight, and can score from any angle, because he employs a lethal release to deceive goalies.

Pobezal is blessed with high IQ and shows good (perhaps not elite) creativity and vision, with the off-puck intelligence to seemingly always be in the right position, at the right time. Though he isn't really a play-driver, he's a skilled passer who can thread the needle through the smallest of holes, and can dish the puck at full speed. He skates with his head on a swivel to map out his surroundings, and displays keen spatial awareness in finding routes through traffic, lanes to distribute through, and weak spots in coverage to occupy. Mobility-wise, he is a quick skater, but not really a burner; his high workrate enhances his speed, giving him the ability to win races to loose pucks, and sneak up behind opponents to pick their pockets. He is light on his skates, and has the smooth edges to to be highly slippery and elusive. He's a fluid stickhandler with quick hands to match his feet, but his puck-control could use a tweak, as he can mishandle the puck at times when in-stride. I really like this player, but there are many who doubt the translatability of his offensive game to the NHL, and his age works against him. Look for him in the 3rd, or 4th round.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Is there going to be the usual 200+ players and their families at the draft?

Not 200 but the top prospects like with the NFL and NBA and set up a green room for families

Bettman in that article said they spent way too much money the old way and last year they went above and beyond and spent exponentially as it was the last draft.

This way is much better. You also don’t have people walking around with exposed computers of draft lists.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts (Czechia Edition, Vol. 2):

LHC Adam Benak (5'7",160lbs)
Youngstown (USHL): 44gp/ 13g/ 32a/ 45pts, -6, 28 PIM

Mighty-mite Adam Benak (ranked #60 for EU Skaters by Central Scouting, and #39 by both Button and McKenzie) is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the draft, as well as one of the most exciting, and anyone who has watched the last two Hlinka-Gretzky tournaments can attest to that. Benak holds the all-time points record for the Hlinka, posting 21 points in 10 games over the last 2 years, with 4 goals and 11 points coming in 5 games in the 2024 event, and 2 goals and 10 points in the summer of 2023- when he was just 16 years-old. He also put up 3 points in 5 games for Team Czechia at last year's U-18 Tournament, and is currently 10th in scoring in the USHL, after a rather slow start (he has amassed 21 points in his last 16 games). Benak is a creative playmaker, with awe-inspiring passing skill and high-end vision; his feeds are always easy for the recipient to catch, as they are tape-to-tape with the exact prescribed velocity needed, and right to the sweet-spot in their wheelhouse for them to skate into. He can dish crisply and accurately while in full-flight, and a high-number of his passes find their way to the slot for high-danger looks.

Benak has quick hands and superb puck-skills to enable him to weave in-and-out of traffic, and pry open space for himself and his teammates- he can beat anyone on the ice one-on-one. Deception is a huge part of his game, and he's a magician in the way he manipulates the opposition with his arsenal of feints, and controls the pace of the game with the puck on his blade. Spatial awareness is another important facet of his playbook, as he can slip into soft spots in coverage, and position himself in high-danger off-puck, but he also knows how to make defensemen move to make room for teammates. The one big issue here is that he often has trouble getting to the middle with the puck due to his size limitations, and doesn't get many chances in the slot- he plays a largely perimeter game as a result, and is too easily neutralized in front of the net. His shot needs work on it's power and velocity, but he carries an excellent release with lethal accuracy, and he needs to shoot more, as he can beat goalies from bad angles. He sneaks into the low-slot for chances when he can, and has the soft hands in-tight to beat goalies 1-on-1. To perhaps offset his stature a bit, he puts forth a relentless work-ethic with a high energy level; he's small but tenacious, and has an impressive motor, and most surprisingly- he plays with physicality. True, he loses some board battles, but he's always game, and never gives up on a play.

Speed-wise, he's more quick than outright fast, with above-average straight-ahead speed that could use some work, but he keeps his feet pumping hard in an effort to enhance his mobility. He's extremely shifty and elusive on his edges, with a quick burst in small-areas, and excellent acceleration. Best of all, he exerts a low center of gravity that gives him uncommon balance, making it hard to knock him off the puck, and giving him leverage when initiating contact. To his credit, Benak is a three-zone player who forechecks with intensity, and backchecks with urgency, throwing hits in the process when he can. He forces turnovers and giveaways, intercepts passes in all areas of the ice, and forces dump-ins at his blueline. In transition, he brings tremendous value and high-end efficiency, racking up a high number of entries with control; he's even better at completing controlled exits by carry or pass, strangely enough. He doesn't make many mistakes in performance of these duties, and will chip it in-or-out as needed, when there's no other option. He's an excellent defensive performer with high-end awareness, and effectively takes away the middle of the ice from attackers with superb use of his stick. He stays active to remove time and space from his opponents, and seals off entry from oncoming rushers. Going forward, Benak needs to work on simplifying his playmaking, and sharpening his decision-making, as he tries to force too many plays. His size is obviously a huge concern, and his perimeter play is another, both of which hurt his draft-standing, and he will most-likely have to switch to the wing at some point. I can't see him getting picked until the middle-rounds at most.

Seems like a great option for a mid-round pick. High risk, high upside.

[Aarongavey]

Right now based on win percentage the Flames would get the 21st and 23rd picks in this years draft. If the Devils and/or the Panthers could go on some kinda losing streak that would be fantastic. Flames right now would have to give up the 16th overall pick to Montreal based on points and win percentage they are higher than the Canucks so if they make the playoffs it is likely 17th or 18th.

[bdubbs]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts (Czechia Edition, Vol. 2):

LHC Adam Benak (5'7",160lbs)
Youngstown (USHL): 44gp/ 13g/ 32a/ 45pts, -6, 28 PIM

Mighty-mite Adam Benak (ranked #60 for EU Skaters by Central Scouting, and #39 by both Button and McKenzie) is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the draft, as well as one of the most exciting, and anyone who has watched the last two Hlinka-Gretzky tournaments can attest to that. Benak holds the all-time points record for the Hlinka, posting 21 points in 10 games over the last 2 years, with 4 goals and 11 points coming in 5 games in the 2024 event, and 2 goals and 10 points in the summer of 2023- when he was just 16 years-old. He also put up 3 points in 5 games for Team Czechia at last year's U-18 Tournament, and is currently 10th in scoring in the USHL, after a rather slow start (he has amassed 21 points in his last 16 games). Benak is a creative playmaker, with awe-inspiring passing skill and high-end vision; his feeds are always easy for the recipient to catch, as they are tape-to-tape with the exact prescribed velocity needed, and right to the sweet-spot in their wheelhouse for them to skate into. He can dish crisply and accurately while in full-flight, and a high-number of his passes find their way to the slot for high-danger looks.

Benak has quick hands and superb puck-skills to enable him to weave in-and-out of traffic, and pry open space for himself and his teammates- he can beat anyone on the ice one-on-one. Deception is a huge part of his game, and he's a magician in the way he manipulates the opposition with his arsenal of feints, and controls the pace of the game with the puck on his blade. Spatial awareness is another important facet of his playbook, as he can slip into soft spots in coverage, and position himself in high-danger off-puck, but he also knows how to make defensemen move to make room for teammates. The one big issue here is that he often has trouble getting to the middle with the puck due to his size limitations, and doesn't get many chances in the slot- he plays a largely perimeter game as a result, and is too easily neutralized in front of the net. His shot needs work on it's power and velocity, but he carries an excellent release with lethal accuracy, and he needs to shoot more, as he can beat goalies from bad angles. He sneaks into the low-slot for chances when he can, and has the soft hands in-tight to beat goalies 1-on-1. To perhaps offset his stature a bit, he puts forth a relentless work-ethic with a high energy level; he's small but tenacious, and has an impressive motor, and most surprisingly- he plays with physicality. True, he loses some board battles, but he's always game, and never gives up on a play.

Speed-wise, he's more quick than outright fast, with above-average straight-ahead speed that could use some work, but he keeps his feet pumping hard in an effort to enhance his mobility. He's extremely shifty and elusive on his edges, with a quick burst in small-areas, and excellent acceleration. Best of all, he exerts a low center of gravity that gives him uncommon balance, making it hard to knock him off the puck, and giving him leverage when initiating contact. To his credit, Benak is a three-zone player who forechecks with intensity, and backchecks with urgency, throwing hits in the process when he can. He forces turnovers and giveaways, intercepts passes in all areas of the ice, and forces dump-ins at his blueline. In transition, he brings tremendous value and high-end efficiency, racking up a high number of entries with control; he's even better at completing controlled exits by carry or pass, strangely enough. He doesn't make many mistakes in performance of these duties, and will chip it in-or-out as needed, when there's no other option. He's an excellent defensive performer with high-end awareness, and effectively takes away the middle of the ice from attackers with superb use of his stick. He stays active to remove time and space from his opponents, and seals off entry from oncoming rushers. Going forward, Benak needs to work on simplifying his playmaking, and sharpening his decision-making, as he tries to force too many plays. His size is obviously a huge concern, and his perimeter play is another, both of which hurt his draft-standing, and he will most-likely have to switch to the wing at some point. I can't see him getting picked until the middle-rounds at most.

Another Johnny comparable..? Sign me up for a midround pick on this guy...

[Sandman]

One of my favorites for the Draft, C Brady Martin, has hit a bit of a hot streak of late, and was named first star tonight, with 2g and 3a to bring his totals to 48gp/27g/29a/56pts,+18, 62 PIM. Impressive, considering he plays for the 16th-placed Soo Greyhounds (by win %).

[Fan69]

Well i think my top ten is now solidified.

Misa
Mqueen
Schaefer
Hagens
OBrien
Frondell
Martone
ryabkin
Eklund/desnoyer
Schmidt

Notes. Schmidt is 5 7 yes. However when you watch him, with open ice he is hella dangerous. But probably as boom or bust as there is in this draft. He either doesnt make it or is a star not sure he has an in between.

When selecting my bottom line is nhl impact. Centers and defense have more impact. Why i dont have spence, in the top ten and i have martone lower than most, question some of his drive and his skating.

Mqeen i am basing that the injury is not long term, but has the tools to be a top line center if not a star.

Ryabkin and schmidt are the wild card boom or busts. Both could wind up being some of the best players in the draft or done like dinner.

Eklund and desnoyer was a tough call. Scouts love both if them. Desnoyer is going to be a top six center all day question is is whats his offensive ceiling? Same with Eklund not sure i see a 40 goal scorer with him either.

Flam away.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Sandman

One of my favorites for the Draft, C Brady Martin, has hit a bit of a hot streak of late, and was named first star tonight, with 2g and 3a to bring his totals to 48gp/27g/29a/56pts,+18, 62 PIM. Impressive, considering he plays for the 16th-placed Soo Greyhounds (by win %).

Yeah I mentioned him earlier, the eyes I had on him loved his game, skilled, has a non stop motor and plays with jam. Would love him to fall to the Flames but I suspect he'll go in the middle of the 1st round.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Yeah I mentioned him earlier, the eyes I had on him loved his game, skilled, has a non stop motor and plays with jam. Would love him to fall to the Flames but I suspect he'll go in the middle of the 1st round.

Totally agree.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Slovak Edition, Vol. 2):

RD Luka Radivojevic (5'10",165lbs)
Muskegon (USHL): 22gp/ 0g/ 12a/ 12pts, +9, 20 PIM

Righty Luka Radivojevic (ranked #120 for EU Skaters) started the year in Sweden, as he has done since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, but came across the pond to play in the USHL in mid-October. He has played 9 games in the SHL over the last 2 seasons (no points), and his 33 points in 43 J20 games in 2023-24 is a league record for scoring by a U-17 defenseman in a season. As of right now, he is 15th in the USHL for ppg by a defenseman (0.55), and has represented Slovakia internationally at the last two World Junior Championships (2 points in 5 games in each event), the 2024 U-18's (6 assists in 6 games), and at last summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (5 assists in 4 games). Luka is the son of former NHLer Branko Radivojevic, a big, bruising power-forward in his day, and a polar opposite of his son in terms of both stature and playing style. The younger Radivojevic is electric when he gets ahold of the puck- one of the most entertaining players to watch in this draft-class.

Radivojevic is close to elite when it comes to skating, no doubt one of the fastest players available in the draft, with a smooth and fluid stride that looks highly polished in all directions. In addition to his speed, he is supremely slippery and shifty on his immaculate edges, making him nearly impossible to catch, or pin down. He can change pace and direction on a dime to manipulate opponents, and to sidestep pressure. To augment his lightning quickness, he wields puck-skill that is as good as his skating, adding extra layers to his elusiveness- there aren't many problems he can't solve, and not many obstacles he can't overcome with his overwhelming speed, and slick handling. Despite his size, he makes defenders look silly. He shows enormous value in his ability to drive play from the backend through transition with poise and patience. Forecheckers can't catch him when he's retrieving the puck- he either dekes them out of their skates, or leaves them in the dust, then rockets up-ice with the puck. He's cool and collected, making the process look easy, and he moves the puck well with smart, clean breakout passes, scanning with his head on a swivel and reading the ice. From there, he either jumps in to support the rush, or he can push the puck through the neutral zone with deft passes, and he can sometimes even rush the puck through exit and entry by himself, without being touched. He stands out for his ability to tilt the ice, turning defense into offense quickly.

In the offensive zone, Radivojevic walks the line with sky-high intelligence to manipulate defenders into giving up passing seams- his decision-making and vision are high-end, as are his instincts and passing skill. His point-shot is a bit weak, but he gets the puck through to the net consistently to create chances for teammates. Though he will join the rush, and activate into the play when he sees the chance, he is far more content to hang back at the blueline to QB the play from there- where he can read opposing defenses and pick them apart by exploiting space. His defense has improved over the last few seasons, but he still has a long way to go in this area. He's quick enough, and reads the play well enough to to pressure attackers, and he will battle for pucks with an active stick, but he avoids physical confrontation, and his lack of size and strength is a negative factor. He struggles to defend his net, his gaps are often too loose, his awareness and positioning are deficient, and he gives away pucks at times to avoid engaging bigger players. Another possible red flag is his disappointing production this season in the USHL, coupled with his apparent inability to be a goal-scoring factor. It would seem that if he makes it to the NHL, he would most-likely be a bottom-4 powerplay specialist- but there was some defensemen of his size and ilk that didn't even get drafted last year. Size, lack of physicality, and below-average defense will likely keep him out of the top-3 rounds, so if he does get drafted- I would guess middle rounds, at the very most.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Slovak Edition, Vol. 3):

RW/LW Alex Misiak (6'0",183lbs)
Waterloo (USHL): 14gp/ 6g/ 5a/ 11pts, +1, 6 PIM

Winger Alex Misiak (ranked #16 for EU Skaters by Central Scouting), who is the brother of Blackhawks' 2023 2nd-rounder, W Martin Misiak, started the season playing in 3 tiers of hockey back in his native Slovakia, and right now he is still 3rd in U-18 scoring in Slovakia's top men's league (7 points in 26 games) for HKM Zvolen, and second in goals-scored. He had the opportunity to represent his country in the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in a background role, and had no points in 4 games, unfortunately. Misiak is a strong-skating, left-shooting right-winger with some power elements in his game. He is still quite raw, and most likely still adapting to life in North America, but he flashes high-end playmaking at times, and is 15th in the USHL in ppg (0.79) for U-18 players.

Misiak owns a pretty good shot that could perhaps use a little more power, and he's adept at using defenders as screens, while flexing a quick, deceptive release. He understands how to shoot for rebound opportunities for his teammates, and his catch-and-release is quite dangerous. There's no fear in him to attack the inside, or to crash the crease for second-chance opportunities; he's a quality shooter, but also a good finisher, and displays soft mitts in-tight to best goalies. He positions himself advantageously off-puck to consistently make himself a playable option for high-danger passes, and uses feints and deception to manipulate checkers. Misiak moves very well, with a long, fluid stride and excellent acceleration; his top speed may require some work going forward, but he keeps up just fine playing with men, and he can outskate most junior opponents. He can change direction and pace rapidly, with the agility in his edges to evade attackers. There's sandpaper in his game, and he makes his presence felt physically all over the ice. He finishes his checks, and plays hard and heavy on the forecheck to challenge puck-carriers- he is a fiery competitor with a large chip on his shoulder. He can dish out some big hits, and uses contact to push his way around, and propel himself forward. Misiak provides energy to his team, plays with bite, and keeps his feet moving through contact. Misiak flashes high-end playmaking potential and creativity, pre-scanning with his head on a swivel, and spotting open teammates through traffic for cross-ice (sometimes cross-crease) feeds that result in dangerous chances. He is adept at making plays off the rush, and funnels pucks to the middle.

Unfortunately, Misiak doesn't contribute much to transition- his effectiveness is up and down, but he mostly defers to teammates to carry, and most of his entries are dump-ins. There are times when he will hook up with teammates in give-and-go sequences to be a play-connector, but he seems impatient- perhaps too eager to get going on offense. In the defensive zone, he doesn't offer the same intensity or compete as he shows in the other end of the ice- both his engagement and awareness are lacking. He looks more disruptive in the neutral zone against the rush, but he doesn't move the needle much in his own zone, and isn't particularly strong positionally. Misiak is perhaps a high-risk/high-reward option in the draft, as he's very raw, but there's tons of potential. He's mistake-prone, and lackadaisical at times, but he's still quite young (with a June 22, 2007 birthday), and has a long runway ahead. Like most kids his age, he struggles with consistency, and he sometimes gets caught coasting and playing too much on the perimeter- his physical play has it's ebbs and flows as well. I'm guessing he will be a mid-round pick.