Mark Seidel previews the 2025 NHL Entry Draft
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The 2025 edition of the NHL Entry Draft is scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
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Below is a rundown of the top 20 Players for the Draft and an abbreviated 20-team mock draft I have prepared.
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Deep Thoughts top 20 mock draft:
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1. NY Islanders — Schaefer: Franchise defender for the new GM Mathieu Darche
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3. Chicago — Frondell: The big, strong Swede can play with Bedard
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4. Utah — Desnoyers: The offensive upside and leadership intrigues them
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8. Seattle — Mrtka: The Kraken need some help on the back end and take the kid that plays for the hometown Thunderbirds
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9. Buffalo — McQueen: The intriguing package that McQueen offers is too enticing for the Sabres
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10. Anaheim — O'Brien: Pat Verbeek will love to see last year's No. 3 overall Sennecke play with the uber-smart Jake O'Brien.
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11. Pittsburgh — Aitcheson: The Pens need the rebuild to start and the competitive Aitcheson is a great start
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12. Pittsburgh — Nesbitt: Dubas, Clark and Roque love to take kids from Ontario and a 6-foot-4, smart centreman will fit in perfectly
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13. Detroit — Eklund: Stevie Y loves his Swedish skill and Eklund has that in spades
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14. Columbus — Smith: The big, smart, steady D is a building block to help solidify the back end
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15. Vancouver — Bear: The western Canada product has shown he can play hard and put up points and the Canucks need both
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16. Montreal — Carbonneau: The Habs get the multi-dimensional Carbonneau to slot into the lineup in three years
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17. Montreal — Reid: The Kitchener Rangers defenseman has high IQ and makes plays, which are important to Kent Hughes
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18. Calgary — Reschny: The Flames are excited that the Victoria Royals star is still there to help their offensive prospect pool
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19. Columbus — Zharovsky: The Blue Jackets try to hit a home run with the super-talented, but inconsistent Zharovsky
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20. Winnipeg — Hensler: The Jets saw a lot of the steady defender Hensler at Wisconsin and he fits their style
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Winnipeg Free Press
13 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipegger to meet his heroes after being drafted by Penguins
Peyon Kettles remembers the Evgeni Malkin jersey he rocked as a youngster. So you can imagine his delight when the Winnipegger pulled on a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey on Saturday after being chosen in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft with the 39th overall pick. 'It was definitely a huge relief and I'm definitely happy to hear my name called by the Penguins. To have their history, with me growing up around that time, is really cool and really special,' Kettles said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where he attended the event at Peacock Theater with his parents and his brother. 'I owned a Malkin jersey and all of the stuff like that. It's a full circle moment for me.' DAMIAN DOVARGANES / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Carter Bear, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by Detroit Red Wings during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. Kettles, listed at 6-5 and 194 pounds, is a hard-hitting defenceman who had five goals and 14 points in 53 games in the Western Hockey League with the Swift Current Broncos. 'I'm a big defensive guy who likes to play physical,' said Kettles. 'I'm a really good skater. A guy that is not afraid or is going to back down from anyone. 'I thought I had a pretty good season. I was out with some injuries, but that happens. Overall, I thought I had a really good season and I proved myself to Pittsburgh and a lot of other teams. I'm really happy to be part of their organization.' Kettles spoke with 21 different teams at the NHL Combine in Buffalo earlier this month and he's looking forward to heading to development camp in Pittsburgh during the coming days. 'I thought I had a really good interview with everyone, but my interview with Pittsburgh was really good. I thought they really liked me. It's cool to see them trade up and pick me,' said Kettles, noting he enjoyed watching the Penguins win multiple Stanley Cups while he was growing up. 'I've dreamed of this moment my whole life, so it's cool to see it come true. For me to meet my heroes and my idols is going to be really cool in this next week or two.' Kettles was in attendance on Friday night, since some mock drafts had him going late in the first round. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Hayden Paupanekis, then a Winnipeg Wild forward poses outside his home in 2022. That was a stressful situation to navigate, but Kettles made the most of it and didn't need to wait long on Day 2. 'I went (Friday) night and saw a lot of buddies go,' said Kettles. 'To hear my name called this morning was a big relief and I'm excited to get going.' It was a solid day for the Keystone province as seven Manitobans had their names called on Friday and Saturday. The seven selections is one short of the record, set three times (2017, 2018, 2022). That it comes one year after Brandon product Clarke Caswell was the only local kid drafted (in the fifth round, by the Seattle Kraken) represents a strong rebound for Manitoba. Carter Bear of West St. Paul went 13th overall to the Detroit Red Wings and the high-scoring winger from the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League was the only Manitoban to go in the first round. Burke Hood Later in the second round, Winnipegger Matthew Gard of the Red Deer Rebels went 57th overall to the Philadelphia Flyers. The left-handed shooting centre had 19 goals, 36 points in 66 WHL games this season. Gard also suited up for Canada at the U18 championship in Texas this year, collecting a goal and four points in seven games, capturing a gold medal. In the third round, Winnipegger Hayden Paupanekis was chosen 69th overall by the Monteal Canadiens. Paupanekis split last season between the Kelowna Rockets and Chiefs of the WHL, collecting 22 goals and 43 points in 71 games. Later in the third round, the Winnipeg Jets used the 93rd overall pick on Oakbank product Owen Martin, who had a strong season with the Spokane Chiefs. ROB WILTON/VANCOUVER GIANTS FILES Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood, shown staring down Wenatchee Wild forward Maddix McCagherty. Martin dealt with a foot injury that limited him to 39 games, but he produced at nearly a point-per-game rate (13 goals, 34 points). Seeing a bunch of fellow Manitobans hear their names called was special for Martin. 'I've been texting them, congratulating them. And then, once I got taken, they all congratulated me,' Martin said during a Zoom call on Saturday. 'It's a good group of Manitobans. We all know each other pretty well so yeah, it's been super cool seeing that success for all of us.' The sixth Manitoba chosen came in the sixth round when goalie Burke Hood went 170th overall to the New York Islanders. Hood, who hails from Brandon, is coming off a solid season in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants, posting three shutouts a .910 save percentage and 3.10 goals-against average in 42 appearances. The final Manitoba chosen on Day 2 was McCreary product Brady Turko, a right-winger with the Brandon Wheat Kings who had seven goals and 26 points in 68 games this season. TIM SMITH / THE BRANDON SUN FILES Brady Turko of the Brandon Wheat Kings tries to keep the puck out of reach of Brayden Klimpke of the Saskatoon Blades during WHL action. Turko's teammate and fellow forward Roger McQueen was chosen 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Global News
14 hours ago
- Global News
Winnipeg Jets complete Day 2 of NHL Draft, re-sign Haydn Fleury
After the selection of 18-year-old defenceman Sascha Boumedienne with the 28th overall selection during Friday night's first round of the NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, the Winnipeg Jets kicked off Day Two on Saturday by signing pending unrestricted free agent blueliner Haydn Fleury to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $950,000US. The Fleury signing will leave the Jets with nine defencemen on one-way contracts, once an expected agreement has been reached with pending restricted free agent Dylan Samberg. Fleury played in 39 games for Winnipeg last season and had seven assists before adding two more helpers in the eight playoff games he appeared in. After that, the Jets got down to the business of 'stocking their cupboard' with future talent by selecting Spokane Cheifs Center Owen Martin of Oakbank, Swedish RW Viktor Klingsell, LSD Edison Engle of the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers and Dubuque Fighting Saints, and RRW Jacob Cloutier of the OHL Saginaw Spirit in the third, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds respectively. Story continues below advertisement Martin is just the third Manitoba born player, and first from the Winnipeg area to be drafted by the 2.0 version of the Jets since the NHL returned to the city in 2011. During a Zoom media availability, the 18-year-old, six-foot tall, 185-pound pivot told reporters the historic significance of the pick was appreciated. Goalie Jason Kasdorf of Portage la Prairie was a sixth round selection in the Jets 2.0 inaugural draft of 2011, while Brandon-born centre Jordan Stallard of the Calgary Hitmen was taken in the fifth round in 2016. 'I was on the phone with some one from the Jets and they told me that I am the first home town kid to be drafted by the Jets. I think that's just unbelievable. Super cool for me, my family — all my friends,' said Martin, who suffered a slight fracture and partially-torn tendons in his foot blocking a shot during a game in November, limiting him to 39 regular-season games for Spokane where he played for ex-Winnipeg assistant coach Brad Lauer. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Obviously coming back from the NHL he's got a lot of experience and he really brought that to our team,' said Martin, who scored 13 goals and added 21 assists for 34 points in his second full WHL season. 'He expects a lot out of me headiing into next year, keep my development going overall, offensively and defensively.' Story continues below advertisement 4:25 John Shannon on the Jets: Looking to the offseason Jets director of amateur scouting Mark Hillier says it was a good overall draft for the organization, but left no doubt the highlight was getting Boumedienne at 28th overall. 'Our final meetings were in May but then we're meeting every week on Zoom after May,' Hillier told reporters via Zoom availability on Saturday afternoon, following the completion of the draft. 'I make it clear that everybody's got their individual list, but when we start the draft here it's the Winnipeg Jets list and we're not straying off it in the first round. 'We had probably three players that we were comfortable in taking that were left on the board and we had them rated higher. Boumidienne was at the top of that list and he was going to be our guy.' Hillier described Owen Martin as a 'an intriguing guy for us' with good size, a good skater, a good two-way game. And when it came to Viktor Klingsell, who was thought — at least by some — to go a lot higher than 156th overall in round five, Hillier responded by saying 'hopefully he's a steal.' Story continues below advertisement Hiller says the five-foot-11-inch, 188-pound winger is a player the Jets liked all year long. 'He's a well-known player, not the biggest. We met him at the combine — he has a real solid frame on him, he can really skate, has really good speed and played in all the international tournaments this year.' All five of the Jets 2025 draft picks are expected to attend the team's development camp, which will feature on-ice sessions Tuesday-Friday at the Hockey For All practice facility in Headingley. Seven Manitoba products selected in the draft Winnipeg Jets third-rounder Owen Martin was joined by a half dozen other Manitoba-born players who were taken over the seven rounds of the 2025 NHL entry draft. Everett Silver Tips forward Carter Bear of West St. Paul was drafted 13th overall by Detroit on night one. Pittsburgh traded up in the second round to select defenceman Peyton Kettles (Winnipeg) of the Swift Current Broncos 39th overall while Red Deer Rebels centre Matthew Gard (Winnipeg) was taken 18 picks later — 57th overall by Philadelphia. Another trade to move up the draft ladder saw Montreal make a swap with Boston in round three to take Kelowna Rockets centre Hayden Paupanekis (Winnipeg) 69th overall. Goalie Burke Hood (Brandon) of the Vancouver Giants and Brandon Wheat Kings RW Brady Turko (McCreary) went in the sixth (170th) and seventh (200th) rounds respectively to cap off a very successful day for the Keystone Province. Story continues below advertisement
Edmonton Journal
15 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
NHL Draft Day 2: Who the Calgary Flames Took
Article content Postmedia Network Article content The Calgary Flames loaded up on centres in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday night. On Saturday, they doubled-down on that approach before going after the best players available with the rest of their picks. Let's take a look at who the Flames added to their prospect pool on Saturday, with comments from director of amateur scouting Tod Button about each. Article content Second round, No. 54 Theo Stockselius Position: Centre Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 196 lbs. Team: Djurgarden Jr. What's his story: The third centre the Flames took in three picks after selecting Cole Reschny and Cullen Potter in Friday's first round, Stockselius averaged 1.28 points per game in the Swedish junior league and models his game on Flames captain Mikael Backlund, among others. He's got size, two-way instincts and a scoring touch, too. What Button said: Update coming … Third round, No. 80 Mace'o Phillips Position: Defence Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 233 lbs. Team: U.S. National Team Development Program What's his story: Phillips is huge, he's strong and he's physical. By no means is he a finished product, but he's a left-handed blueliner and that's something the Flames could use more of. His size alone meant he was worth a swing and while scouting reports do note he's got to cut down on the penalties he takes, there's lots of time for him to improve there. Article content What Button said: Update coming … Fifth round, No. 114 Ethan Wyttenbach Position: Left-wing Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 180 lbs. Team: Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) What's his story: Wyttenbach was the first ever winner of The Gaudreau Award, which goes to the USHL player who best embodies the legacy of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. That's a pretty amazing connection with the Flames, given all Gaudreau accomplished in Calgary. The right-handed winger scored 24 goals and added 27 assists for the Stampede this year and is committed to playing at Quinnipiac University next season. What Button said: Update coming … Sixth round, No. 176 Aidan Lane Position: Right-wing Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 193 lbs. Team: St. Andrew's College (Ontario High School) What's his story: Lane is heading to Harvard next season and if that leads to him being anywhere near the player that Matt Coronato's become, this will be the steal of the draft. Even if he never reaches Coronato's heights, Lane put up 13 points in 13 games for the Brampton Steelheads in the WHL after leaving St. Andrew's College, suggesting the offensive upside is real. What Button said: Update coming … Seventh round, No. 208 Jakob Leander Position: Defence Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 196 lbs. Team: HV71 Jr. What's his story: Leander flew under the radar throughout the pre-draft process, but he's a big, right-shot defenceman who scored once and added five assists in 39 games in the Swedish under-20 junior league this past season. Article content Latest National Stories
