Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

2025 NHL Draft - Too Early to Talk Top Prospects?

The 2025 NHL Draft is still a ways off, but theScore has already released their first mock draft. While it's interesting to see early projections, is it really too early to make meaningful predictions? Players develop at different rates, and so much can change between now and draft day.

Martone projected to go first overall to Chicago is intriguing. Does his size and scoring prowess outweigh the need for a true playmaking center to complement Bedard? What about Hagens, initially pegged as the top prospect? Is his slide to third overall a real possibility, or just an early season blip?

The Sharks grabbing Schaefer to quarterback their power play for years to come seems tempting, but is it too early to crown him the best defender in the draft? What about other highly touted defensemen like Smith or McQueen? Could their upside ultimately prove greater?

Then there's the case of Ryabkin, who’s seen a significant drop after a dominant 16-year-old season. Is his recent USHL performance a sign of a rebound, or are there underlying red flags?

And what about the OHL talent pool? Are players like Misa and Desnoyers being undervalued? Can they break the recent trend of OHL players being overlooked in the first round?

Weigh in with your thoughts. Who are your early favorites for the top spots in the 2025 draft? Which players are being overrated, and who are hidden gems flying under the radar? Let the debate begin.