The NHL Draft is finally just weeks away. The 2025 class has gone through ups and downs, with three very different players jarring for the first-overall slot… and then a seemingly indiscernible list of not-so-top options behind them. We’ll look to cut through the mist surrounding this bump-and-grind draft by returning to our yearly draft mailbag series. Questions were submitted to @NHLFoley on Twitter. In usual fashion, we’ll try to cover as much ground as we can, and answer 20 different questions. That’s plenty to get to, so let’s jump in:
What’s the deal with Artyom Gonchar? Central scouting had him all the way up at 11th among international skaters, but have seen almost no one else who has even given him a top 150 spot? (@Ectoplasm97)
It’s hard to ignore the fact that Gonchar is Sergei’s nephew in this discussion. That bloodline will get you some easy attention from those in the know like CSS… especially when your game has bold enough strengths to stand out every few shifts. Artyom is a stout puck-handler who makes smart passes and works up-and-down each lane well. But he also still weighs below 160-pounds, and that shines through in his severely lacking grit in front of the net and in the defensive corners. Gonchar also scored a mere 25 points in 50 MHL games on the year — and I imagine it’s that pulling him under the radar of many in the public sphere.
I’d pin him as a reasonable bet for teams in need of rangy defensemen – but given all he has to improve on (namely, getting stronger on defense and not pulling out of position), that’s not a bet I’d take before the 5th.
Have you heard anything with what the Flyers will do at sixth? (@HendrixHockey_)
Utah has said their 4th pick is available, does it make sense for the Flyers to move up? (@MikeGierusz)
Got a two-fer here. What are the Flyers going to do at 6? It’s an interesting spot. The top-five of this draft seems to be a complete toss-up, but the emerging sense is that it will be filled with North Americans. In some order, the top-five will be Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Desnoyers, and Martone… or, so it’s rumored. That puts Philadelphia in a really unique spot to catch the faller – and it seems that’s their sense. The Flyers are putting stock into the scant of that top-five group… Hagens, Desnoyers, Martone… and stock into the European wings… Frondell and Eklund.
I think all five of those listed players are really close to surefire bets, especially with the knowledge that at least two will be available at #6. For that reason, I wouldn’t trade the pick. Let someone in the top-five make a silly mistake, and land either the perennial top center or hard-working winger to play alongside Michkov. You’re not changing your value, or your pool of available names, at all by moving up – especially just two spots.
Has Brady Martin’s stock risen past Boston at #7, should they pick him if he’s available, or do you think there’s another prospect who is a better fit? (@NSimmz)
A few questions came in about Brady Martin’s sudden shot up the leaderboards – and for good reason. He may be among the biggest risers on the year. I’m no OHL expert, but he entered the year as a high-second round talent in my eye… and will finish confidently in my top-10. Is that evidence that I’ve been red-pilled too? Maybe… but Martin’s motor is incredibly difficult to ignore. He’s hefty and plows through opponents, while bringing along manageable puck skills and a great sense of the net.
He reminds me very much of St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn – who wields an impressive amount of sharp-edged heft, whippy shot, and heads-up passing to play 1,000 games. Schenn might not jump off the page, or handle the biggest role anymore, but he’s a player I’m happy to have on my local club. Martin’s offensive ceiling doesn’t seem to match the rest of the top-10 – and his statline could end up looking silly in the mix of his peers from this class. To that end, I think much being said about his sheer potential may be some overhype. But at the end of the day, it’s hard to not see this kid filling a proud pro role. He just carried the Greyhounds… one day, he’ll pillar an NHL club too.
Where do you think Desnoyers goes? (@Michael54009681)
At this point, Desnoyers is closer to 3 than he is to 5… and I don’t expect him to be there by 5. Each of Chicago, Utah, Philadelphia, and Boston have been allured to the star QMJHL prospect, and how he managed to play through the Memorial Cup earned an extra chip from the pro clubs. So I’ll say 4-or-before… but let me add some juice to the squeeze by saying that Utah’s sudden shopping of #4 tells me they may not expect their center-target to be there. I heard the Mammoth are keen on the idea of platooning Desnoyers and Cooley. If he’s not there, that spot becomes flexible. (Though how could Billy Armstrong deny Porter Martone, eh?)
What are you hearing about Chicago and the third overall pick? (@Natehawk1688)
Well, I think I played my hand a question early – but I did provide much deeper coverage of Chicago’s options at 3, what I’m hearing about their preferences, and how it may effect the draft over on my newsletter. If you’ll indulge a shameless plug, you can find my Substack coverage of Chicago’s pick here.
When taking a center at the top of the draft, does leadership play a part of the drafting process? With that in mind, would a player like Desnoyers be more attractive to say the Hawks / Mammoth for this reason? (@HawksTank)
Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely. It’s nice to think about prospects as “valuable” and “projectable”, but really, the draft is all about finding the pro players. You take players higher if you think they can be pro, and fill a role, sooner. And leadership absolutely plays a role in that. It effects how kids approach opportunity and learning from their peers. Luckily, each of Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Desnoyers… all phenomenal leaders.
Hagens or Martone at 3?👀 (@Seiderdacollida)
It’s flying quite under the radar just how special James Hagens is. I’m not sure how we’ve gotten here, but regardless – give me the center with elite scoring prowess. Even in the midst of a snakebitten year… with piles of hit posts and missed nets… Hagens managed to score at a point-per-game pace. He filled a major role in college, and managed it beautifully. He’s still 1 on my board, though Michael Misa makes that a really tough take to uphold.
Would love a list of kids youd draft in round 7. Would be fun to compare it to what actually happens hahaha (@qQueueCue)
I will have a full draft guide up soon covering more than 200 players from this year’s class, right here on Recruit! Keep an eye out for that, and do yell at me if and when those guys in my 6th don’t pan out.
Do you think Issac howard is dealt at the draft similar to McGroarty? (@RJNYY0)
I definitely do. Teams have been sheepish on 2025 first-round picks for year. Now, that first-round is looming – and teams are starting to sweat at their previous bluffs of not wanting any of these names. There’s FOMO spreading across the league, and that sets up a potential “Howard for 1st Round pick” trade quite beautifully. It make take some other pieces, but I could see Howard involved in a lot of different options – maybe even a move for Utah’s #4. Billy A does have BriseBois on speed-dial…
What do you think about this year’s international class, outside of Frondell/Eklund? (@Justingiam)
Y’know, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a spread of options from each country. Everyone has a different answer to who their favorite Swede, Finn, and Russian are – and it’s hard to contend any take with such a realm of possibilities. I mean, I’ve got Eddie Genborg in my 1st and I’ve seen some ranks without him entirely! There are, obviously, going to be multiple good pros from this European class – but it’s the right sense to think it’s a less concrete bunch than usual. That changes next year… lots of top-end Euro talent coming down the shute.
Who’s the biggest sleeper of the upcoming year? (@BoltsBreakdown)
Among the first round names – Justin Carbonneau and Cole Reschny. It took some swaying to get me around on the former, but I see the vision (and incredible end-to-end play-creation) clearly now. Reschny’s just a rottweiler. Outside of the first, give me Luca Romano; Julius Saari; Ethan Weber; and Elijah Neuenschwander as really interesting upside bets. Romano was a play-facilitating center who played above his size well. Saari and Weber are both smooth, hefty defenders with clear projections. Neuenschwander really looks like an NHL goalie… size, movements – reminds me a bit of Ben Bishop’s early days. I have all of these names ranked before the end of my 3rd!
Who do you think will be the biggest riser/ “surprise pick” this year, and do you think they’re a good choice? (@ediablom)
Well, the easy answer is definitely Roger McQueen – who scared off a lot of teams with his injury, then won them back by reassuring that the injury is okay. McQueen is an uber hockey talent, but still looks noticeably behind his age group in many regards. And I have only heard bad things about his injury… But regardless of what I think, I have a sense he’ll be gone by #7. I mean, 6’5″ with hands like that? Hard to deny.
Outside of the obvious names, I’ve also heard a lot of interesting buzz around Daniil Skvortsov, Carlos Handel, and Sascha Boumedienne sneaking into the First. I don’t know if I’d pick any of them with my day-one, but a lot of teams like the projection of each… and if you told me at the end of the 2nd that I have one of them, and someone else – I’m not complaining.
Did Václav Nestrašil’s 2nd half and Clark Cup performance garner enough interest from teams to warrant a first round swing? (@Maccus_de_Long)
Great question here. Nestrašil Jr. deserves the recognition. He’s a beast of a frame with some strong movements and real interesting creativity. To the end of this question, I definitely do think his second-half performance boosted him up boards — but I don’t think it was simply because of the scoresheets. Few players have shown as much growth this season. Nestrašil’s on-puck confidence grew by leaps and bounds, and he showed a seriously improved ability to produce with the puck in the second half. I’ll have him as a late-mention on my day-one ranks — that mix of size, skill, and clear growth is too exciting to pass up!
Do you think any teams take a late round swing on Jack Galanek? (@Nolan_Pitta)
Vaclav Nestrašil Jr. has called Jack Galanek one of the best set-up men that he’s ever played with. It’s clear why – Galanek carries so much grit and heft in his frame. He drives downhill, staples opponents against the boards, and makes quick plays. I think that profiles as a clear pro player one day – and I would be yelling his name to my GM anytime after the 5th Round starts. But do I think teams are feeling the same? I’m not sure. I haven’t heard his name mentioned in the same breath as other overage USHL talents, but a good deal of scouts have watched Muskegon hockey this year. Galanek is hard to miss, even if you’re just there to watch Nestrašil and Ryabkin. That could land him a late-round selection. If it doesn’t, he’ll be a top college free agent soon.
Thoughts on Pineapple on Pizza Gabe? (@LincZdancewicz)
Love it. A cultured man recognizes the gain of mixing salty and sweet… and can persevere through a lil too much liquid to get there. Put that one in your quote books.
Best player fit with any team in the draft. Outside of the top 10. (@HawkHockey11)
I’ll choose to interpret this question as asking if I could pair one player with one team, who would it be and why? That’s a tough question – but I’d love to see Nashville turn towards Pyotr Andreyanov as the answer to their goalie troubles. Andreyanov has — and I gotta emphasize it — superstar athleticism. He just posted records in Russia because of it. But he’s unruly, loses his spots, and doesn’t have the size you want out of a clear pro. If he were 3 inches taller, I’d say he was a day-one pick. And if any team can find the best out of an all-potential, no-projection goalie – it’s Mitch Korn and the Predators.
To entertain a skater, give me Jack Nesbitt to Winnipeg. I love the idea of him learning from Adam Lowry and gaining some confidence and edge. That’d be a great player, and a really proper fit.
Who are the high ceiling, mediocre floor forward swings that can be taken outside of the first two rounds? (@Maccus_de_Long)
Adam Benak and LJ Mooney come violently-quickly to mind. Both are phenomenal – no stop – on the puck, but lose a lot of ground with how small their frames are. They could be great, or they could be playing in Europe in 10 years. The line between is quite razor thin. Outside of that pair, give me Everett Baldwin… a well-built defender who could hold the torch for best skater among this D class. That’s a statement that comes from NHL scouts! We haven’t seen a lot of him since he’s played in New England prep, but the flashes have been mighty bright.
Which forwards outside the first round do you think profile as intelligent playmakers? (@FowleBall15)
Benak and Mooney! Ha. Definitely Benak… he’s a special, cerebral passer. Throw Romano in there too – very smart on the puck. But in the name of not recycling answers, I’ll say Kirill Yemelyanov, Mikhail Fyodorov, and Ethan Czata meet the pill for me. Yemelyanov is a slight, but incredibly intelligent, two-way center with a knack for making plays after gaining the blue-line. Fyodorov has a pro build, pro mechanics, and sharp eyes – but needs to bring it all together. Czata’s a worker who knows how to add a step when his line needs it. All are interesting gambles I’d take – really – anywhere between the 2nd and 5th.
Which players do you think will adapt best to the college game (out of rumored and announced guys), and who do you think might struggle to adjust? (@GregThinkCrit)
Best for last? This is a fun question, that gives me a chance to say… expect college commitments. If there’s a player who needs a challenge, they’re probably headed to college next year. That goes for all of the rumored 1st Round guys. Out of guaranteed names, I’ll say that I think Malcolm Spence and Cole Reschny are going to be absolute home-runs in college. Both players play with fantastic size and strength, while not sacrificing any tempo or control.
On the flip, I’ve got a feeling Jackson Smith and Jack Ivankovic will struggle. Smith will compete for a role behind Mac Gadkowsky, who should have been a Hobey Hat Trick finalist by my bill. Ivankovic has a wide-open starter’s net to win – Michigan has made sure of it. But I’m not as high on his upside as others, and the Wolverines defense is concerningly nimble. He could face a shelling, especially with a superstar Michigan State roster (that could add more!) just across the road.
That concludes our 2025 NHL Draft mailbag! Make sure to follow @NHLFoley and @RecScouting on X/Twitter to ask more burning questions and get the full suite of content as the 2025 Draft nears!
Feature photo courtesy of David Butler II-Imagn Images