LNP Mock Draft Version 1.0

2025-03-12

Standings as of Day 69 (Niiiiiice.....). Sorry, no fancy graphics this time around.

Utah
- Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)
- Stats: Erie (OHL) 17-7-15-22
- Why take him? Utah adds a potential number one defenseman. Schaefer has taken over as the current leader in the draft rankings on many boards, however I would not rule out considering James Hagens here, Michael Misa, or even possibly Porter Martone as the season plays out.

Edmonton
- Michael Misa, C/LW, Saginaw (OHL)
- Stats: Saginaw (OHL) 60-58-66-124
- Why take him? I did like James Hagens in this spot but went with Misa here because Edmonton never selects American players. The last American selected by the Oilers was Tyler Boucher (2021). Misa though is right there with Hagens in my book. Misa possesses elite skill. High end speed, an excellent shot, and is an impactful playmaker.

Vancouver
- James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)
- Stats: Boston College (NCAA) 34-9-25-34
- Why take him? I went back and forth between Hagens and Porter Martone on this pick. I liked Martone because of his size, and because of the trend of Vancouver selecting Canadiens over Americans once Marc-Andre came into power in Vancouver. What made me select Hagens was that Vancouver does not have a true potential franchise number one center.

Washington
- Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)
- Stats: Brampton (OHL) 51-30-59-89
- Why take him? Ideally, I would wish for Hagens here for the Capitals. With that option out the door, the Capitals continue to build up their wing options. This time though, adding Martone would give them a kid with size, grit, skill, and a kid who is just a nightmare to play against. Every team would love to have that special kind of asshole of a player to play against when the games mean something in the playoffs, and Martone is that kind of player. I would not be surprised if he goes higher in the draft.

Montreal
- Anton Frondell, C, Djurgårdens IF (Allsvenskan)
- Stats: Djurgårdens IF (Allsvenskan) 29-11-14-25
- Why take him? I would have taken a defenseman here, but with the amount of offensive skill still on the board, I could not reach for one here. Frondell would give the Canadiens a solid two-way player. A bit bigger in size than what they currently have, Frondell brings intelligence, vision, and a solid two-way play.

Winnipeg
- Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
- Stats: Moncton (QMJHL) 54-34-46-80
- Why take him? Winnipeg is currently on a cold streak in the EHE standings, so I do not expect them to be in this position when the final draft standings come out.
  
  Desnoyers has been smoking the Q this year. Great skill, poise, and vision on the ice. Desnoyers has a solid group of tools in his kit and could turn into a solid two-way center with skill.

Detroit
- Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgårdens IF (Allsvenskan)
- Stats: Djurgårdens IF (Allsvenskan) 42-19-21-31
- Why take him? It just feels like Eklund would somehow end up here. Brings intensity, and a physical, relentless game. 57 career games in the Allsvenskan with a total of 35 points as a 17/18 year old.

Los Angeles
- Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)
- Stats: Tri-City (WHL) 62-6-40-46
- Why take him? I really wanted a center here for the Kings. A position they desperately need. Roger McQueen crept into my thoughts here, but withhis injury history, and the thoughts of the Kings getting a better forward next year have myself selecting defense.
  
  Smith would add a solid all around defenseman with a solid shot, defensive skill, and physical skill.

Columbus
- Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL)
- Stats: Everett (WHL) 56-40-42-82
- Why take him? Bear is my current selection for Columbus because I feel he fills a bigger need in the Jackets system over another center or defenseman. One of the best hitters of the draft, Bear brings forechecking skill, smart playmaking, and ultra competitiveness.

Seattle
- Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)
- Stats: Seattle (WHL) 38-3-30-33
- Why take him? The towering defenseman stays at home and gets selected by the Kraken. Even with his size, Mrtka is a quality skater and puck handler. Mrtka has been able to produce point wise in his first season in North America since coming over from Czechia men’s league.

Anaheim
- Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)
- Stats: Brandon (WHL) 11-8-4-12
- Why take him? A back injury has sidelined McQueen’s season which threw a wrench into being a potential top 5 pick. McQueen brings in size, strength, hitting ability, and also skill. Selecting McQueen would give the Ducks a big bodied center to pair with their talented young wingers.

Chicago
- Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
- Stats: Moose Jaw (WHL) 41-23-28-51
- Why take him? Lakovic was my pick for the Blackhawks over other wingers because of his size. If he can put on weight, I think he can be a real problem in the league. A creative offensive player, and a powerful skater.

Tampa Bay
- Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)
- Stats: Erie (OHL) 58-29-35-64
- Why take him? Tampa Bay has gone pretty heavy on drafting centers and defenseman in the past two drafts so that is why I leaned towards a winger. I have seen him high on some draft boards, and low on others, but I think he would be a good fit in the Tampa Bay system with the players they already have. Solid size, a high compete level, and good offensive skill. Just a few questions on how good he can be.

Carolina
- Logan Hensler, D, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
- Stats: University of Wisconsin (NCAA) 32-2-10-12
- Why take him? Hensler brings in a solid shot and playmaking ability. He played as a top four defenseman with the Badgers as a freshman this season. Carolina’s need on the blueline had me going this route over a center.

New Jersey
- Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)
- Stats: Brantford (OHL) 62-32-61-93
- Why take him? If O’Brien is here, I am in a dead sprint to the podium. Good size, great playmaking skills, and a solid two-way player. I expect O’Brien to move up higher on this list as we get closer to the draft.

Philadelphia
- Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
- Stats: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) 58-46-41-87
- Why take him? What to give the team that is already filled out at every position in their prospect pool? How about a goal scoring winger with a high-end shot. A very strong skater also.

San Jose
- Brady Martin, C, Soo (OHL)
- Stats: Soo (OHL) 52-29-32-61
- Why take him? Martin is an intense, physical center who plays at a highly competitive level. Not one of the most talented players in the draft, his drive and compete level will bring more eyes to him as the draft comes closer.

Philadelphia (via Dallas)
- Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)
- Stats: Barrie (OHL) 59-23-28-51
- Why take him? A physical, hard-hitting defenseman. Aitcheson brings a competitive game, and a solid shot. He would not be rushed into play in the Flyers system that is loaded with young talent on the blueline already.
- Acquired: Philadelphia acquires Dallas 2025 1^st, Rasmus Andersson from Nashville for Dallas 2024 1^st. Philadelphia 2024 1^st, Carolina 2024 2^nd, and Vegas 2024 3^rd (6-7-24)

St. Louis
- Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL)
- Stats: Windsor (OHL) 59-21-35-56
- Why take him? I could see St. Louis leaning more towards defense in the draft, but as of now I have them going forward based on who is still around. Nesbitt is a big center with a solid combination of skill and high compete level.

Vegas
- Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)
- Stats: Edmonton (WHL) 59-8-21-29
- Why take him? Vern’s son has size, skill, and good skating ability. Vegas has gone pretty hard on collecting forwards in the past few drafts, and is starting to thin out on the backend in their prospect pool.

Ottawa
- Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon (USHL)
- Stats: Muskegon (USHL) 16-9-7-16
- Why take him? I just feel like Cole is not going to take a defenseman unless it is one of the top ones in the draft. Ryabkin’s puck skills and hockey sense can help overlook some of the questionable parts of his game. With the amount of young forwards in Ottawa it might be worth taking a risk on Ryabkin.

Florida
- Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL)
- Stats: Seattle (WHL) 55-23-35-58
- Why take him? The Thunderbirds Captain is a defensive center who plays a highly competitive game. Cootes has an all-around skill set that could lead him to being an EHE lifer as the years tick by.

Detroit (via Colorado)
- Cullen Potter, C/LW, Arizona State University (NCAA)
- Stats: Arizona State University (NCAA) 32-13-8-21
- Why take him? An undersized lightning rod. Cullen is one of the fastest skaters in the draft and has been overlooked because of his size. Potter has a great skill set to go along with his blazing speed. I feel like I write this about players every draft year, and a few years down the line everyone is kicking themselves for not taking a smaller player.
- Acquired? Detroit acquires Jordan Kyrou, Joonas Korpisalo, Ian Cole and Colorado 2025 1^st from Colorado for Connor Hellebuyck, Jesse Puljujarvi, Joe Hicketts, and Detroit 2025 2^nd Round Pick. (6-7-24)

Minnesota
- Milton Gastrin, C/LW, MoDo (SHL)
- Stats: MoDo (SHL) 8-0-0-0
- Why take him? As with the last two drafts, I see this pick being dealt at some point during the season. If not, I am selecting Gastrin for Minnesota. Gastrin plays with speed and works hard all over the ice.

NY Rangers (via Buffalo)
- Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver (WHL)
- Stats: Vancouver (WHL) 56-36-35-71
- Why take him? The first of two picks for the Rangers nets them an undersized winger from Vancouver. Schmidt is not afraid to get dirty and go into the tough areas despite his size. A speedster with a great goal scoring touch.
- Acquired? NY Rangers acquire Vladislav Kolyachonok and Buffalo 2025 1^st from Buffalo for Jakob Chychrun (6-7-24)

NY Rangers
- Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)
- Stats: Boston University (NCAA) 34-2-8-10
- Why take him? The Terrier speedster spent most of this season adjusting to the NCAA game. Next year should tell which way he is going to go with an always strong Boston University. With his skill set though, I feel like we will see a strong step-up in his game next season.

Pittsburgh
- Cole Reschny, C, Victoria (WHL)
- Stats: Victoria (WHL) 57-23-62
- Why take him? Reschny is a two-way center with an all-around impressive skill set. For a team that is in desperate need of prospects, any type of prospect is a welcome addition.

Toronto
- Ben Kindel, RW, Calgary (WHL)
- Stats: Calgary (WHL) 59-34-62-96
- Why take him? The GM-less Leafs grab the undersized point machine from Calgary. Skill and intelligence are very high for Kindel, but besides his height, questions on his skating are also concerning.

Calgary
- Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL)
- Stats: Prince George (WHL) 49, 32-12-4, 2.95, .903
- Why take him? Calgary is a team that has always been well stocked on prospects. This leads to several possibilities on where Stephen could go. I ended up going towards Ravensbergen for a few reasons. A blue-chip goaltending prospect is one thing Calgary seems to be missing in their vast young talent pool. The cool and calm goaltender from BC has all the tools to become a future number one.

Boston
- Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)
- Stats: Kitchener (OHL) 63-14-38-52
- Why take him? The Bruins would add a smooth skating defenseman into their thin on depth blue line. With only four defensemen under 24 in the organization as of now defense will be high on the Bruins list.

Nashville
- Jack Murtagh, C/LW, USNTDP (USHL)
- Stats: USNTDP (USHL) 17-5-8-13
- Why take him? After an impressive 2024 draft, Nashville continues to build up front by grabbing the hardworking forward. The future BU Terrier plays with good size has a high-motor, and loves to shoot any time he can. One of the bright spots on the USNTDP this season.

Los Angeles (via NY Islanders)
- Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
- Stats: Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) 59-27-49-76
- Why take him? The Kings are back with the Islander’s pick. Zonnon is a big bodied forward from the Q. Zonnon can throw his body around, but also able to mix in some skill which can become a dangerous combination.
- Acquired: Los Angeles acquires Justin Barron, Ryan McLeod, Francesco Pinelli and the NY Islanders 2025 1^st from the NY Islanders for Steven Stamkos (8-24-24)