2025 NHL Draft Thread

[dissentowner]

I was really talking up Hage last year too. That kid is going to be damn good.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Sandman and cral! Hey for me the second round last year was really good well into the fifties( obviously getting a mews in the third is a surprise) but from just my starting to scratch the surface of the lower first and second is this year as deep going into the second?

Like i said just based on my scratching so far it doesnt seem quite as deep but again im just starting out on getting into the second round. Reason im asking is centers tend to go top twenty if they get a real shine to someone in that twenty’s range is it worth expending picks in a quality over quantity deal this year? Or is the drop off fairly significant for that it would he worth it?

Hage last year, who i really liked went in the teens and i would hate to take the chance a player like that is missed in thinking our third is going to get something good.

Hate to give up a battaglia to move up to get lets say a gridin but im not convinced their is a battaglia in the third? Am i wrong?

Appreciate your guys opinion in things like this.

There's some excellent talent in the top-half of the first round, but I believe this year doesn't have nearly as good a first-round as in the previous few years, and similarly, I don't see this draft having nearly as much overall depth from top to bottom.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

There's some excellent talent in the top-half of the first round, but I believe this year doesn't have nearly as good a first-round as in the previous few years, and similarly, I don't see this draft having nearly as much overall depth from top to bottom.

Roughly how i see it. Seems to be a fairly consistent top six or seven, another ledge to about 20-25, and then as i mentioned seems to thin out fairly quick after about 30 - 35.

However as most serious quality centers tend to go before 20 or so with how well the draft went last year i would have no problem expending some of our later pick assets or one of our abundance of wingers to move up if say ekland or Frondell or desnoyers were to drop into the early teens. Guess it depends on what flames scouts think of those guys in the teens. Even saw some drafts with mqueen in the low teens high tens. I would swing for that fence.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 21):

LW Kristian Epperson (6'0",185lbs)
Saginaw (OHL): 36gp/ 17g/ 34a/ 51pts, +33, 64 PIM

I liked him last year, and I love him this year. Epperson is a draft re-entry this season, and in his D+1, he's 21st in OHL scoring, 15th in ppg, and tied for 4th in plus/minus on a Saginaw squad that sits in 11th-place out of 20 teams, and is home to one of the best players available in the 2025 draft in C Michael Misa- which benefits Epperson greatly. The young winger was considered to be one of the USA's best talents for his age group in his time at Shattuck-St.Mary's school between 2020 and 2022, and solidified that status by placing 6th in scoring for the NTDP Juniors against USHL competition in 2022-23 with 29 points in 39 games, eclipsing fellow 2024 draft-eligibles such as Christian Humphreys, Max Plante, Austin Baker, Lucas Van Vliet, and Teddy Stiga. In his DY however, he not only failed to show progression, but his ppg dropped significantly with only 16 points in 42 NTDP games, playing behind some elite talent. Some say that the NTDP was trying to turn him into a checker, and that's where I think the program fails some kids- the players lower in the lineup would often be better off in a starring role on a USHL team, or playing more important minutes in the CHL. I made mention in my 2024 profile of Epperson that he was drafted by the Saginaw Spirit and should have played the season there, but he made the right move in coming up to Canada this season, albeit one year too late. Right now, he's projected to end up with 90 points in 63 games, with 112 PIM- not too shabby.

Epperson is full of grit and sandpaper, but he's got plenty of finesse too, with a full array of tools. The first main pillar of his game is his superb skating, that enables him to overwhelm his opponents with speed off the rush, beating defenders wide while cutting his way inside to the middle of the ice. He's a high value contributor in transition, slashing his way across wide swaths of neutral zone real-estate on the strength of his quick feet, backing opponents off and making clean entries. His work-ethic is another staple of his game, and he enhances his mobility by playing with menacing pace and boundless energy, along with being hard-nosed and fearless. I would have said last year that his shot was his main weapon of choice, but he's leaning a bit more towards his playmaking these days- and who can blame him, he's playing with Michael Misa! Epperson owns a laser of a wrister with pinpoint accuracy and a quick, deceptive release, as well as a bullet of a one-timer, but also possesses a goal-scorer's instinctive ability to find or create open space to shoot. He will drive the net to pick up garbage, and has silky mitts to beat goalies 1-on-1. This season with the Spirit, he's showing just how well he sees the ice, and he has the passing skill to connect on the ideas that his high IQ grants him. He can connect with teammates through traffic, as well as over and under sticks, or through triangles, finding his targets often in high-danger. Epperson has well-developed puck-skill and protection ability, and with how hard he is on pucks, he can barge through checks, even when he is being pinned to the boards.

The eighteen year-old Epperson (he turns 19 in May) is unrelentingly physical, throwing his weight around and taking the body whenever he can. He seems to have upped his intensity this year in regards to his physical game, landing some crushing hits and unapologetically making himself a target in post-whistle scrums- it seems like he's in the middle of every dogpile. 64 PIM in 36 games shows he's not Mr. Nice Guy when he takes to the ice. There's also plenty of little things he does for his team that don't show up on the scoresheet, mainly his stellar defensive work that shows his keen awareness and smart, proactive positioning. He breaks up plays with his top-notch anticipation, pressuring puck-carriers and eliminating threats, then turns the backcheck into the breakout by moving the puck out of the zone quickly and efficiently. I believed last season that he deserved to be drafted (I thought he would be a mid-round pick) but I think his play will be rewarded this time around with a selection in the top-3 rounds. Epperson needs to bulk up and get stronger, and perhaps work on his skill game, but he's a pretty complete player- I think he might be a future candidate for middle-6 duty in the NHL, but his floor is as a physical, bottom-6 defensive player who can chip in some offense.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Sandman

There's some excellent talent in the top-half of the first round, but I believe this year doesn't have nearly as good a first-round as in the previous few years, and similarly, I don't see this draft having nearly as much overall depth from top to bottom.

One thing I can see is a bunch of defenseman taken in the middle of the 1st round which could leave a good center for the Flames, it's also early, in the next 4 months we could see some late 2007 birthdates start to shine.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 22):

LD Edison Engle (6'2",174lbs)
Des Moines (USHL): 20gp/ 0g/ 4a/ 4pts, -4, 4 PIM
Dubuque (USHL): 6gp/ 1g/ 4a/ 5pts, +3, 2 PIM

Up until about the end of December, scouting reports on Edison Engle seemed to paint a picture of a highly active player with lofty ideas that weren't bringing him much in the way of points- sort of an offensive defenseman without any offense, if you will. I had him in the top-3 rounds of my preliminary rankings, but left him out of my top-100 in my December list, due to his poor numbers with Des Moines of the USHL- a team ranked 13th out of 16 teams in that league, and also 13th in goals-for. Additionally, he was all zeroes in the summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, as well as in the most recent edition of the World Junior A Championship in December. Things may have changed with a late December trade to the Dubuque Fighting Saints (who are the best team in the league by points, and second-overall in goals-for), showing a sharp uptick in offensive production. Perhaps his play-creation abilities are now connecting in a better environment, but we'll see- I'm keeping my excitement tethered for now, and I'll keep watching his numbers. Even if the offense fails however, he's still a solid puck-mover and two-way contributor at the end of the day, that received a "C" rating from Central Scouting in their preliminary rankings- indicating a possible 4th, or 5th-round pick.

If his newfound offense dissolves, he still holds plenty of value with his excellent defensive game, and high awareness in his own zone. In addition, he's a calm and poised puck-mover, even when he isn't piling up goals and assists. Engle shows stifling play-killing ability against the rush, angling opponents away from the middle proactively in the neutral zone, then gliding across laterally with a well-timed poke-check. He's steady and dependable, with good habits and attention to detail, and makes stops with his body and an active stick to disrupt passes as well as clog lanes; when all else fails, he removes options to force attackers to dump the puck in. Like most prototypical top-pairing defensemen, he's highly active and covers a ton of real estate on every shift, sniffing out pockets of space to move through in order to help build the rush and create chances, with or without the puck. He makes a strong first-pass, and can even stretch the ice on occasion for odd-man opportunities on breakouts, but he can also opt to get on his horse and rush the puck up-ice while beating defenders. In retrievals, he shakes off pressure while calmly scanning for options, and usually makes sound decisions; it would seem that he specializes in getting the puck out of the defensive zone quickly and efficiently. He's a smooth skater and puck-handler with NHL-grade mobility, but could use a tune-up on his top-end speed and agility as he can be beaten by some of the faster players on the ice

As with his own-zone play, he exhibits good habits and details in the offensive zone, mostly keeping things simple while skating with his head up to map out his surroundings. He joins the rush and activates from the point frequently, but only when it's safe to do so, and he will sometimes explode off the boards to the middle to make things happen. Engle walks the line efficiently, skates into passes, and exhibits generally good instincts and vision. His shot is fairly decent, perhaps nothing special, and he needs to work on his power and accuracy; he doesn't unleash it quick enough, and it can be blocked. He's not much of a threat in the goal-scoring department, and uses his shot as a playmaking device to generate rebound and tip opportunities for teammates. Engle is a workhorse defender, and a minute-muncher, but I don't get the sense that he's an overly physical player- he doesn't shy away from contact at all, but isn't a big hitter. He will use his frame as leverage to win inside position, engage in 50/50 board battles, and box opponents out from the net. If Engle can keep the offense flowing in Dubuque, his draft stock will soar- but if he can't, the default package is still fairly good. Many scouts think there's real potential here, and he will get time to develop, as he's committed to Ohio State University for the 2026-27 season. Look for him in the 3rd, or 4th-round, but he could rise if he continues to put up numbers.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

One thing I can see is a bunch of defenseman taken in the middle of the 1st round which could leave a good center for the Flames, it's also early, in the next 4 months we could see some late 2007 birthdates start to shine.

Yup. Plus, if the scouts are as good as we think they are, they will be able to dig up some hidden gems after the first round.

[Ba'alzamon]

What do people think of Jack Nesbitt? Large (6'4") center caught a little down the depth chart in Windsor, but he leads the team in faceoffs taken and is decent (~51% wins). Scoring under a point per game because his offense has been running a bit hot/cold (currently cold with one point in his last five). He's listed at 182 pounds on the OHL site, so might be a little physically underdeveloped (though I've seen him listed in the 190's elsewhere). He looks a bit lean to me, anyway.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Ba'alzamon

What do people think of Jack Nesbitt? Large (6'4") center caught a little down the depth chart in Windsor, but he leads the team in faceoffs taken and is decent (~51% wins). Scoring under a point per game because his offense has been running a bit hot/cold (currently cold with one point in his last five). He's listed at 182 pounds on the OHL site, so might be a little physically underdeveloped (though I've seen him listed in the 190's elsewhere). He looks a bit lean to me, anyway.

Do I need to say it? I love him! He’s raw, but he’s a solid all-around player with size and physicality. He’s one of my targets for the second round, but I don’t think he’s going to be there when we pick. There’s a few other good centers with size available in the second that I really like, including Ethan Czata, Hayden Paupanekis, Will Horcoff, and Matthew Gard.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by cral12

fwiw, CPers (and Upsiders ; )
- gradually catching up to Sandman's blistering pace and getting them up on Upside Hockey on our dedicated 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profiles page, alphabetized by last name; link will follow
- recall last year, we had well over 200; I wanna say >240!
- I'll also be rolling them out on our Substack eNewsletter/blog; we recently surpassed the modest threshold of 100 followers on there - thanks to any CPers who have subscribed (it's free, with an option to contribute only if yah really want to - no obligations whatsoever) https://upsidehockey.substack.com/
- we're also over where the skies are blue, especially for those abandoning the socials owned by Zuck/Musk: https://bsky.app/profile/upsidehockey.bsky.social

Think I have 11 up so far...more to come:
https://www.upsidehockey.com/prospec...spect-profiles

phew - just got caught up on Upside with the tireless Sandmam - of course, Sandman up to 22 profiles already.
I might be getting another friend/colleague to help out on Upside to keep things relatively up-to-date as I don't have much availability during February.

Again, the prospect profiles home page for the 2025 NHL draft:
https://www.upsidehockey.com/prospec...spect-profiles

[Royle9]

2 names to keep an eye on, mind you these kids are 14 but absolutely lighting it up against older kids:

Liam Pue
Maddox Schultz

2010 birth year… absolutely scary to say.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 23):

RW LJ Mooney (5'6",146lbs)
NTDP: 21gp/ 1g/ 13a/ 14pts, -7, 9 PIM

LJ Mooney is a spark plug who, like most of his teammates, is toiling for a very weak edition of the NTDP, and also like most of his teammates, his production is nowhere near where it should be. In 2023-24, Mooney put up 20 points in 20 games for the NTDP, but his points-per game has actually regressed this season, and his goal-scoring has dried up considerably. I became familiar with Mooney during his time with Team USA at the 2024 U-18 Tournament, where he was one of 4 players on the team young enough to be in the 2025 draft class, and he finished 2nd in that quartet as well as tied for 8th-overall for the Americans with 6 points in 7 games. Mooney is tiny, but he has the power to intimidate and force defenders back with his speed, and he's highly elusive and shifty, making it very difficult to catch him. He's a high-end skater, one of the best in this draft class, with explosiveness and the ability to separate from checkers in open ice; he can go end to end with the biscuit at times without barely getting touched. His edges are fantastic, and he can execute stops and changes of pace and direction on a dime. Though he is light on his feet, his low center of gravity makes him hard to knock off stride.

Despite his lack of size, he gets involved in battles, although his slight frame limits his effectiveness; apparently, nobody told him that he's 5'6". He will throw hits to dislodge pucks, and gets to the inside consistently. Mooney plays with high-energy and boundless motor, and is seemingly everywhere all at once- he's quite fun to watch. He seems focused and engaged every shift, showing intensity and compete, and can control the pace of the game utilizing his quickness as well as his hands- which are fast enough to keep up with his feet. His stickhandling and puck-control are well-developed, with the ability to dangle around defenders, and he possesses a 1-on-1 deception arsenal that allows him to challenge opponents all over the ice. Off the rush, all of the above attributes give him the capacity to manufacture time and space for himself and his teammates, and this is where he might be at his most creative. Mooney is a huge (pun intended) pest on the forecheck and does a lot of damage around the net, generating chances off of short dishes, low-to-high plays, and cross-crease passes. He will also float around the crease looking to pounce on rebounds and loose pucks. Exceptional vision and passing skill are his best weapons, with the means to thread the needle through small areas and find teammates in traffic, making use of his sharp playmaking instincts and creativity. Off the puck, he displays intelligence on both sides of the ice, and knows where to be to best support the play, create space, and be available for the pass. With only 1 tally this season, his goal-scoring has inexplicably fallen off a cliff, but he's not a big (again, pun intended) goal-scoring threat anyway, as his shot lacks power. Mooney is considered to be an excellent defensive contributor with exemplary positioning and superior angling, who hounds puck-carriers relentlessly to take away time and space, as well as cause turnovers and make stops. His awareness in his own-zone is high, and he will cover for displaced defensemen and support them down low.

Though Mooney's numbers are significantly lower than where they should be, I don't think they are a true representation of his capabilities. I'm at a loss to explain what's going on with the NTDP this year, as most of their lineup has come up short of their individual expectations, and Mooney is most likely another victim of playing for a weak NTDP team. That said, I think Mooney is in tough to be drafted this year, nevermind make it to the NHL in any capacity- he's just too small. It's not fair, as he's quite talented and sometimes electrifying to watch, but it's the sad reality. If a team takes a chance on him, it will most likely be at the expense of a late-round pick. Mooney has committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2026-27 season.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (American Edition, Vol. 24):

RD Henry Brzustewicz (6'2",194lbs)
London (OHL): 39gp/ 6g/ 19a/ 25pts, +14, 57 PIM.

Henry Brzustewicz (who is actually from Washington, Michigan) is a solid two-way D, and a coveted righty who does a bit of everything, but I believe that playing on a Knights' defense that includes names like Sam Dickinson, Oliver Bonk, Jared Woolley, and the recently-acquired Cam Allen has limited his ice-time and effectiveness somewhat, thus bringing down his numbers. In a stretch of 5 games between Dec.20th and Jan.3rd, with Dickinson and Bonk away at the World Juniors, Bru amassed 7 points- I believe there's a lot more here than meets the eye. The base of Bru's game is his steady and reliable defense, highlighted by his efficient positioning and high-end awareness. He specializes in stopping the rush, angling attackers away from danger using his air-tight gap-control, then finishing them along the wall with a poke check, a stiff hit, or a pin. Inside the zone, he's highly disruptive, with a suffocating reach to cut off passes and clog lanes, and the awareness to rob his adversaries of time and space. He wins plenty of pucks for his team in the defensive zone, staying calm and composed in retrievals, evading pressure, shaking off aggressors, and protecting the puck. From there, he usually makes a sound first-pass, and can stretch the ice with a high-value breakout to connect with a teammate in full flight streaking through the neutral zone. On occasion, he will step up and skate the puck out on his own- and he has shown that he can go end-to-end when the opportunity presents itself.

Bru shows some slick puck-skill and 1-on-1 ability to deke, toe-drag, and dangle against would-be defenders, along with the deception to make opponents go one-way while he goes the other way. He skillfully uses delays to survey his surroundings for options, rather than throw the puck away- although there are times when he unnecessarily tries to force things, which can result in turnovers. Bru is a powerful skater, with excellent mobility to go with a fluid stride, and he is a workhorse who can munch minutes. With 57 penalty-minutes, it's easy to see that he's not a gentleman on the ice; he plays an abrasive physical style, and makes life difficult for anyone who tries to battle him along the boards, or in the corners. He throws his body around to separate man from puck, and is mean in protecting his net- although he can get in to penalty trouble by being overzealous physically. Brzustewicz often participates in the offense, and walks the line with purpose and a high amount of movement; he will activate to extend offensive zone time, open space to pass into, or create opportunities to score. He uses well-timed pinches into pockets of space in coverage, and has the high IQ and vision to make plays to high-danger areas. These forays into the zone, be it off the rush or the cycle, don't happen unless the coast is clear- he doesn't roam at the expense of his defensive duties.

Bru's handling and puck-protection have been criticized, as his mechanics look a bit wonky at times- he often seems to be handling too much from his hip pocket, leaving the puck exposed in front of him, leading to some fumbles and steals. In addition, he sometimes forces plays and is not unsusceptible to making errors with the puck; there are the usual fumbles and bobbles, but he can sometimes throw the puck away when he doesn't have to when under pressure. Despite this, his game is considered to be easily translatable to the NHL, and he has huge potential- watch him explode offensively when and if the older defensemen on his team move on from junior. The more I digest on this player, the more I think he might be chosen in the first-round of this summer's draft.

[sureLoss]

Bob McKenzie's mid season rankings are out:

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/matthew-schae...king-1.2240142

Schaefer is unanimous #1 by the 10 NHL scouts he surveys.

Also some notes on the other top guys:

Scouts are projecting Hagens more as a 2nd line centre than a 1st liner

Some scouts wonder if Misa will be a better NHL winger than centre

Desnoyers might be the most complete 2 way centre in the draft. Top end projection 2nd line centre or elite 3rd line shutdown centre. Viewed as a safe pick. If you believe his offence will pop in the NHL then he is a top 5 pick

Scouts are ranking McQueen as if he is healthy (believed to be suffering a lower back injury). Some scouts are wary without clarity on his health. One scout said he is on the No draft list without more health information if the draft were tomorrow.

O'Brien has elite hockey sense and is a wizard on the half wall. Ranked as high as 6 as low as 17

[SuperMatt18]

If Bob's list ends up being close to the real thing (and it usually is) then give me 2 of Ryabkin, Reschny or Cootes please with our picks in the 20s.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Royle9

2 names to keep an eye on, mind you these kids are 14 but absolutely lighting it up against older kids:

Liam Pue
Maddox Schultz

2010 birth year… absolutely scary to say.

In 2018 Jotkaniemi was the first player born in the 2000's to play in the NHL.

He will feel old when these guys are in the NHL.

Can we rewind time somehow.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

If Bob's list ends up being close to the real thing (and it usually is) then give me 2 of Ryabkin, Reschny or Cootes please with our picks in the 20s.

Seeing multiple C options in the latter half of these lists is encouraging.

[stemit14]

If McQueen ends up dropping in the draft because of a fear of his injury, I would be fine with the flames taking a risk and picking him with one of their 2 first round picks (likely to be outside the top 16). I’m always up for taking a big swing with picks outside the top 10.

[Monahammer]

I am hoping that Carter Bear drops into one of our spots. IMO the most slept on upside pick out there end of round in a lot of rankings, though I see he's moved up in Bob's.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I am hoping that Carter Bear drops into one of our spots.

Same. He seems to be hovering mid-first on a lot of lists, but I'd probably take him at the tail end of the top 10.

The more in-depth scouting reports seem to be absolutely glowing for him as a player able to contribute on any line due to sheer effort, natural skill, and willingness to play a 3 zone game. Easily one of the safest players to make the NHL this year. Even better, his major weakness seems to be skating stride and Danielle Fujita seems to be working miracles on the Flames' prospects on that front.

I think he'd be an excellent selection if you use the second 1st round pick on a swing for the fences (e.g., Ryabkin). Biggest issue is that I don't think Bear falls that low...the NHL seems to love their "do everything decently" players and let the one-dimensional picks fall a little.