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2025 Draft

Full writeup from Scott Wheeler. Put us among the Winners — cool since we traded our firsts to land Dobson

Montreal Canadiens​

As I reported prior to the draft, Alexander Zharovsky’s name was hot coming out of Gold Star’s camp in Florida, and it looked like he was trending to be a late first/early second. The Habs pounced, moving up to take him at No. 34. Zharovsky is one of the most physically immature prospects in the draft, and some were scared off by just how much physical development he has in front of him. When you’ve got a long way to go, it can be viewed as a plus. When you’ve got a long, long way to go, some start to wonder if you’ll get there. Zharovsky is one of the most skilled players on the puck in the draft, though, and if he hits, he has top-six talent/point production upside.

I’ve got a lot of time for third-rounder Hayden Paupanekis (taken No. 69, ranked No. 81 on my board). He’s a big player with a lot of pro attributes who still feels very early in his development. I expect him to be a big part of the Memorial Cup hosts in Kelowna next year and to take a real step forward. He’s very interesting.

After the top overagers started to go in the late second and into the third, I liked their decision to take Medicine Hat’s Bryce Pickford as well. He has an NHL shot, had a huge year in huge minutes on the best team in the WHL, and plays firmly on both sides of the puck. I think he will play NHL games someday.

Belarusian goalie Arseni Radkov was the first player of the draft that I hadn’t watched with the very next pick at No. 82, so I won’t comment on him. (I typically don’t watch more than the top dozen or so goalies, because there will never be that amount in my top 100, and nobody ever told me I had to watch him.)

I love that the Habs were the team to take a chance on L.J. Mooney as well. I’m a big believer in him, as tiny as he might be and as hard as the climb may be because of it. He is going to be a tremendous college hockey player and grades near the top of this draft in skating, skill, smarts and work ethic. I hope he beats the odds and won’t be surprised if he plays NHL games.

German D Carlos Handel, their first of two sixth-round picks, was a mid-to-late-round pick for me as well. His game lacks a standout quality, but he’s a good player in this age group and should become AHL depth at minimum.
 
Krustchev said:
You would have been disappointed then because there was almost no chance we were drafting him.
Click to expand...
That's right. Because history shows we generally draft the wrong guy. As do most teams I suppose.

We would likely have drafted someone we could have gotten deeper in the draft.
 
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CH1 said:
Full writeup from Scott Wheeler. Put us among the Winners — cool since we traded our firsts to land Dobson

Montreal Canadiens​

As I reported prior to the draft, Alexander Zharovsky’s name was hot coming out of Gold Star’s camp in Florida, and it looked like he was trending to be a late first/early second. The Habs pounced, moving up to take him at No. 34. Zharovsky is one of the most physically immature prospects in the draft, and some were scared off by just how much physical development he has in front of him. When you’ve got a long way to go, it can be viewed as a plus. When you’ve got a long, long way to go, some start to wonder if you’ll get there. Zharovsky is one of the most skilled players on the puck in the draft, though, and if he hits, he has top-six talent/point production upside.

I’ve got a lot of time for third-rounder Hayden Paupanekis (taken No. 69, ranked No. 81 on my board). He’s a big player with a lot of pro attributes who still feels very early in his development. I expect him to be a big part of the Memorial Cup hosts in Kelowna next year and to take a real step forward. He’s very interesting.

After the top overagers started to go in the late second and into the third, I liked their decision to take Medicine Hat’s Bryce Pickford as well. He has an NHL shot, had a huge year in huge minutes on the best team in the WHL, and plays firmly on both sides of the puck. I think he will play NHL games someday.

Belarusian goalie Arseni Radkov was the first player of the draft that I hadn’t watched with the very next pick at No. 82, so I won’t comment on him. (I typically don’t watch more than the top dozen or so goalies, because there will never be that amount in my top 100, and nobody ever told me I had to watch him.)

I love that the Habs were the team to take a chance on L.J. Mooney as well. I’m a big believer in him, as tiny as he might be and as hard as the climb may be because of it. He is going to be a tremendous college hockey player and grades near the top of this draft in skating, skill, smarts and work ethic. I hope he beats the odds and won’t be surprised if he plays NHL games.

German D Carlos Handel, their first of two sixth-round picks, was a mid-to-late-round pick for me as well. His game lacks a standout quality, but he’s a good player in this age group and should become AHL depth at minimum.
Click to expand...
gotta luv Paupi
 
east coast said:
That's right. Because history shows we generally draft the wrong guy. As do most teams I suppose.

We would likely have drafted someone we could have gotten deeper in the draft.
Click to expand...
No, because there's a reason he fell to 16, and you know what it is but if not, here's a hint: the first digit of his height.
 
We’ll see but Eklund seems to play bigger than his 5”11. He’s no Cole Caufield.
 
This made me think of the biggest 1st overall busts in history. I don't think Yakupov even makes the top 5. Extremely weak year and frankly, the top 4 that year were all relative busts.

I'll even give a pass the Stefan given the particular Sedin scenario and another very weak draft.

  • Daigle over Pronger is ridiculous in hindsight, and given the hype behind him he deserves a spot in the top 5.
  • Wickenheiser over Savard, Murphy and Coffey was a spectacular failure, and he was seen as a can't miss prospect. Babych at #2 wasn't an HOFer but still had a solid career.
  • Poor Gord Kluzak had a bunch of knee problems, but he never seem like he was worthy of his selection over Bellows and Scott Stevens.
  • Greg Joly, played more games in the AHL than in the NHL, and still managed an astonishing -165 in 365 games. Pretty much only the Habs did worst that year by drafting Cam Connor.
  • Brian Lawton over Lafontaine, Yzerman and Neely has to be the biggest bust ever. Only 5 players in the first round played less games than him.
 
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Reactions: CH1
That's really cool. We know he can dominate in the CHL... But it's going to be interesting to see what he does in college hockey.
 
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