2025 NHL Draft Blurbs (2)
Why draft picks are overrated, how winning teams leverage them & thoughts on players 11-20
Read part 1 here:
If you had to guess, how many players on their Entry Level Contract played in the 2025 Stanley Cup Conference Finals?
Carolina: 4 (Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, Alexander Nikishin & Scott Morrow)
Dallas: 3 (Wyatt Johnston, Lian Bichsel & Mavrik Bourque)
Edmonton: 0
Florida: 0
Out of those, Johnston was a key contributor for DAL. Stankoven and Blake bolstered CAR’s depth. Nikishin, Morrow and Bichsel were replacement level.
The eventual Stanley Cup finalists (EDM & FLA) combined for zero ELC players.
The 2025 final wasn’t an aberration. The Vegas Golden Knights have been trading draft picks and prospects for established stars since their inception. Tampa and Colorado have also embraced the same approach in a bid to extend their window of contention.
Winning teams tend to pick outside of the top 10. At that point, there is a real case to be made for not using draft picks to select 18-19 year olds who may become something in five years, but rather to acquire 24-27 year olds with an existing track record of performance:
Sam Reinhart (BUF to FLA)
Sam Bennett (CGY to FLA)
Jack Eichel (BUF to VGK)
etc.
For team with championship aspirations, it may be a better idea to package a mid-first round pick + prospects to acquire someone such as Jason Robertson, Noah Dobson or another known quality.
11. Brady Martin (RHC)
What I like: Works hard, plays at a high tempo, has the physical and mental makeup to play any role at the next level
What I’m worried about: Lack of ability to hold the puck & slow the play down, like consistent NHL scorers do
NHL comparable: Trevor Lewis
Lewis is an interesting comparable, as he became a dependable bottom-six player on the Cup-winning L.A. Kings teams of the 2010s. For a team to use a first-rounder on Martin, it would have to be comfortable with the idea that he’ll score more like Sam Bennett in Calgary than like Sam Bennett in Florida. It may still work out in the end, however.
12. Radim Mrtka (RHD)
I like: Very tall right-handed defenseman who puts up points at the junior level, competent at getting up-ice and closing gaps
I’m worried about: Has yet to learn how to manage his large frame in the most optimal way, makes the obvious play every time on breakouts and regroups
NHL comparables: Nikita Zadorov, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikko Mikkola
Mrtka may well become an effective NHLer one day, but not for the team that drafts him. By the time he matures physically, technically and tactically, his original team would’ve already given up on him. Best to track his progress and trade for him in 4-5 years.
13. Carter Bear (LHW)
I like: Skilled player who plays with intensity
I’m worried about: Sub-optimal skating posture, which is something that’s eminently fixable (see below)
Optimistic NHL comparable: Brayden Point (trended similarly to Bear, then improved his skating and became a star)
Realistic NHL comparable: Andrew Mangiapane (a dogged forechecker who can score at a middle-six level)
14. Braeden Cootes (RHC)
I like: Present in the middle of the ice, willing to defend down low
I’m worried about: Produces well enough but doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of offensive ability, may need to adapt his game to earn ice time in the AHL & NHL
NHL comparables: Jake Evans & Ty Dellandrea
Being a righty who can play center will be an important asset for Cootes. Evans went from late-blooming college scorer to NHL checker with financial security. Dellandrea, who had a well-rounded, likeable game as a junior, will either follow that path or wind up out of the league.
15. Justin Carbonneau (RHW)
I like: Projectable size and skill, functions well inside a possession-oriented system with active Ds
I’m worried about: Doesn’t score enough to be just a scorer at the pro level, will need to continue improving his forechecking and ability to play along the boards
NHL comparables: Joel Armia
16. Lynden Lakovic (LHW)
I like: Big guy who skates like the wind, isn’t afraid to hold onto the puck, challenges defenders 1v1
I’m worried about: Over-carries the puck, effort and decision-making are question marks
NHL comparables: Pierre Engvall
The Athletic’s Corey Pronman had Anthony Mantha as a Lakovic comparable, which I don’t disagree with. Engvall is another big man whose hockey IQ and compete level have been called into question. Lakovic has the potential to become an NHL regular if he keeps improving his fitness and positioning to compensate for his innate weaknesses - which is what Engvall did to go from fringe prospect to multi-millionaire.
17. Logan Hensler (RHD)
I like: Right-handed D who looks to join the rush as F4
I’m worried about: Not enough skill offensively and slow to close gaps defensively
NHL comparables: Noah Juulsen
Will probably be available on waivers at some point.
18. Kashawn Aitcheson (LHD)
I like: Physical, technically sound skater, active offensively
I’m worried about: Has trouble anticipating problems when defending, often ends up reaching or out of position
NHL comparable: Radko Gudas
There are errors of omission (the right things you didn’t do) and errors of commission (the wrong things you did do). When Aitcheson messes up, it’s usually the latter. In a way it’s a good thing, because in time he will be able to iron out those flaws and become a game-changing player. Aitcheson’s throwback attributes are attractive, but he’s far from a finished product.
19. Cameron Reid (LHD)
I like: Fluid skater, reliable puck handler at the point
I’m worried about: Lacks high-level attributes relative to top-four NHL Ds
NHL comparable: Brett Kulak
More than half of Reid’s points came on the powerplay, where he distributed the puck quickly without creating much in the way of high-danger chances. Those opportunities may evaporate at the pro level, so he’ll have to keep adding to his game in order to become more than an AHL callup.
20. Benjamin Kindel (RHW)
I like: Effortless skater who changes speed and direction at will, protects the puck using efficient body position, diligent backchecker
I’m worried about: Lack of size & strength
Optimistic NHL comparable: Brendan Gallagher (surprisingly strong and never out-worked)
Pessimistic NHL comparable: Jordan Weal (just missing a little something extra to earn consistent NHL opportunities)