2025 NHL Draft

[FLPensFan]

In the end, I don't think the win streak at the end matter much. If we didn't win at the end and move down to 9, we never would have been in the great chance to get #1 overall.

Sucks where we are at. We'll get a good player but likely nothing better than a McGroarty, Koivunen, Brunicke type in my eyes. Unless we move up.

[Cow_Master66]

Rangers' pick will be #12. It will be interesting to see what they decide... Dubas might end up with back-to-back selections.

Rangers probably should give us the pick this year. They are trying to win next year and could use the 26 1st as trade bait. Back to back 1st round picks would be cool.

I can’t imagine any scenario they don’t give us this years pick.

[FLPensFan]

Rangers' pick will be #12. It will be interesting to see what they decide... Dubas might end up with back-to-back selections.

Rangers probably should give us the pick this year. They are trying to win next year and could use the 26 1st as trade bait. Back to back 1st round picks would be cool.

I can’t imagine any scenario they don’t give us this years pick.

Really a judgement call. You keep next year's pick, it's kind of a slap in the face to your team and your new coach that you are protecting against the chance the team will suck again next year.

No right or wrong, but I think keeping 2026 has more of a chance to be seen negatively by the players and coaches.

[Daniel]

These are 17 and 18 year old kids with no clear generational talent. Would have been nice but in the end, this year it’s just not that big of a deal.

Keep building

I agree that moving to 11 in this draft isn't a big deal. A few 2nd line centers and only 1 top defensemen. Outside of Desnoyers, Frondell, O'Brien, this has no top 2 line centers. Between now and the draft, maybe Bear or Martin show more than the scouting reports.

Tankathon shows the Penguins getting Radim Mrtka, who reads to be a nice prospect. Good size, good skating ability,

From Google AI, couldn't find an actual source:
Overall:
Mrtka is considered a high-ceiling prospect with the potential to be a cornerstone defenseman in the NHL. His combination of size, mobility, skill, and defensive instincts makes him a highly sought-after prospect. If he continues to progress, he has the tools to become a shutdown defenseman with offensive upside.

Still think the Rangers give the Penguins this years pick for two reasons. Next year is deeper if the Rangers suck and the 1st round pick is more valuable to a team that thinks it can go far in the playoffs.

At 11 & 12, Mrtka, Aitcheson, Martin (though he reads like a 3C), if McQueen drops, maybe Carter Bear all seem intriguing but I wouldn't complain if the Penguins got more picks in the 1st or 2nd rounds.

[DelPen]

I think the Rags would rather have the 1st next year at the trade deadline if they think they will be better to add what they need to be a cup contender again.

[FLPensFan]

We should still get a good player. There are a lot of players that have moved up recently (O'Brien, Desnoyers, Martin), others that are falling (Frondell, McQueen).

If you want to look at it this way:

-Schaefer, Misa, Desnoyers, Hagens, Martone
-Frondell, O'Brien, Eklund, Martin, McQueen
-Aitcheson, Reschny, Mrtka, Smith, Bear

That's 15 players. I'd rather have my pick of them, but getting any of those 15 will be a good pick for us.

[FLPensFan]

I think the Rags would rather have the 1st next year at the trade deadline if they think they will be better to add what they need to be a cup contender again.

Having the Rangers 1st next year also makes it much easier for Dubas to spend our own 1st in an offer sheet this summer.

[DelPen]

I think the Rags would rather have the 1st next year at the trade deadline if they think they will be better to add what they need to be a cup contender again.

Having the Rangers 1st next year also makes it much easier for Dubas to spend our own 1st in an offer sheet this summer.

good option too to have

[Zalapski33]

Agree with the move from 9th to 11th not being anything Earth Shattering.McQueen or Bear both might still be there and either should be decent.

Man did the Isles get an incredible dose of fortune today.Utah did pretty good as well.

[Daniel]

We should still get a good player. There are a lot of players that have moved up recently (O'Brien, Desnoyers, Martin), others that are falling (Frondell, McQueen).

If you want to look at it this way:

-Schaefer, Misa, Desnoyers, Hagens, Martone
-Frondell, O'Brien, Eklund, Martin, McQueen
-Aitcheson, Reschny, Mrtka, Smith, Bear

That's 15 players. I'd rather have my pick of them, but getting any of those 15 will be a good pick for us.

I'm hoping Mrtka and Aitcheson start to move up at the expends of Desnoyers.

As it stands right now, Mrtka and Aitcheson would give this franchise an incredibly young and talented blueline for the next 10-15 years.

If you're building from the goalie out.

Murasov - Blomqvist

Pickering - Brunicke - Mrtka - Aitcheson

How is that not an awesome start for the next generation?

[thehockeyguru]

We should still get a good player. There are a lot of players that have moved up recently (O'Brien, Desnoyers, Martin), others that are falling (Frondell, McQueen).

If you want to look at it this way:

-Schaefer, Misa, Desnoyers, Hagens, Martone
-Frondell, O'Brien, Eklund, Martin, McQueen
-Aitcheson, Reschny, Mrtka, Smith, Bear

That's 15 players. I'd rather have my pick of them, but getting any of those 15 will be a good pick for us.

I'm hoping Mrtka and Aitcheson start to move up at the expends of Desnoyers.

As it stands right now, Mrtka and Aitcheson would give this franchise an incredibly young and talented blueline for the next 10-15 years.

If you're building from the goalie out.

Murasov - Blomqvist

Pickering - Brunicke - Mrtka - Aitcheson

How is that not an awesome start for the next generation?

Yeah we could do worse than completely restocking our blueline

[Michael74]

Lotta spinning going on here. 11th is the worst possible outcome for us. Hope we make the best of it. McQueen and Bear are damaged goods, hard pass. Hope Martin, JOB or some such player surives to 11.

[Pens4Life]

Well we really didnt have any luck, worst case scenario played out.

Lets hope we get NYR pick and we get two decent prospects.. not top tier, but still decent! You cant never tell how they develop in most crucial years 18-21?!

D.P. #11 and #12, walking away with guys like Mrtka, Aitcheson, McQueen, Smith, Martin, Carbonneau, Bear - would be solid.

[Antonio]

When you get the very best possible outcome on a tiny percentage generational talent lottery, it's only fair you get the worst result on a largely comparatively meaningless one, at least on paper at this point.

[DelPen]

If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.

[DeHaven162]

That whole lottery was so confusing to me.

Has there always been a 2nd draw? I don't understand why that is even a thing?

[Cow_Master66]

If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.

Get that next year. It's shaping up to have much better high end offensive talent. This team will be in the lottery again, just have patience this season...Still holding out hope someone someone wants to overpay for 1 or both of these picks and we can trade back for more futures....

[pekkasteele]

That whole lottery was so confusing to me.

Has there always been a 2nd draw? I don't understand why that is even a thing?

Yea, I just learned like two weeks ago that is was 2 draws here on this forum. But then the draw yesterday was really strange, never seen something like that, first 3 balls that elimnate team, the the 4th gives a victory

[KG]

Last night was definitely confusing. Had no idea what the balls meant and I don't think it was explained very well. I also get that the league doesn't want to promote tanking, but I don't think that a team should be able to go from 11 to 1. Jumping 10 spots is a little much.

[FLPensFan]

If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.

I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.

[lemieuxReturns]

drafting twice in the first round has me reliving the Maatta and Pouliot disasters

[Puck-Lurker]

If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.

I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.

Word was last year, that the 2025 draft was better and deeper.

They repeat that as a chorus year in year out

[Daniel]

If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.

I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.

If they can get 2 top 4 defensemen or 2 middle six fowards/centers or 1 of each, I'd be thrilled. I still think Radim Mrtka & Kashawn Aitcheson would be perfect, though we both know as it gets closer we will get more information on strengths and weaknesses.

[Daniel]

If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.

I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.

Word was last year, that the 2025 draft was better and deeper.

They repeat that as a chorus year in year out

Deeper and better than the 2024 draft and the 2026 draft is deeper and better than the 2025 draft.

[FLPensFan]

If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.

I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.

If they can get 2 top 4 defensemen or 2 middle six fowards/centers or 1 of each, I'd be thrilled. I still think Radim Mrtka & Kashawn Aitcheson would be perfect, though we both know as it gets closer we will get more information on strengths and weaknesses.

I still think Rangers keep the pick and ship 2026 to us. If you expect to be a playoff team, you don't pass up a #12 overall pick because you might be worse next year. If they are worse next year, Drury and Sullivan are in trouble.

As for what to get, same message for me for a year now....top 6 centers, top pairing d-man. If there is a good center still available at #9, I'd see if I could work something out with Buffalo for a trade. Going from 9th to 11th would roughly cost us our 11th overall, a 3rd in this year's draft, and a 3rd in next year's draft. If O'Brien, Frondell, or Martin are sitting there at #9, I'd try to trade up. I wouldn't trade up for McQueen with his injury risk.

Imagine pulling off a bigger trade where we moved up with Buffalo and picked up RFA Bowen Byram from them. That would be sweet, but wouldn't be cheap.