NHL Draft Prospects: A Comparative Analysis of 2024 and 2025
As the excitement builds for the upcoming NHL draft, it’s insightful to evaluate the prospects of 2025 in relation to their predecessors from 2024. This year, I’ve compiled the top ten selections from 2024 alongside the ten most promising players anticipated in 2025, utilizing insights from Bob McKenzie’s well-regarded scouts poll to construct my analysis.
Top Prospects for 2025
Dominating this pool of talent is Macklin Celebrini, who stands out as a premier player, a distinction he held before his draft and continues to maintain as we assess the development of 2024’s draftees a year later. Meanwhile, Ivan Demidov has made headlines with an impressive performance in the KHL, positioning him as a potential high-scoring winger in the NHL. Although one might draw a comparison to Matthew Schaefer, I would argue that Demidov ranks just a notch below what could be a future No. 1 defenseman.
Comparative Analysis: Catton vs. Hagens
Another intriguing comparison within the draft class is between Berkly Catton and James Hagens. Here, Hagens is recognized for having a slightly higher skill level, whereas Catton’s exceptional skating and competitive edge give him an advantage. The choice between these two is remarkably close and may depend on personal preference.
Quality of the 2025 Draft Class
There’s been a prevailing sentiment that the 2025 draft class is relatively weak; I would concur that it appears to be average at best, perhaps even below expectations. However, it’s noteworthy that seven of the top eleven prospects in my analysis are drawn from the 2025 talents. This leads to an interesting question: what’s the discrepancy? Draft classes are generally evaluated based on their top tier of players, and while 2024 featured a standout No. 1 talent, the 2025 lineup does not offer a similar superstar, thus resulting in differing talent tiers. Furthermore, it should be acknowledged that the 2024 draft included several players, such as Sam Dickinson and Zeev Buium, who were not included in this assessment but would likely be among the top five to eight should they have been.
Offensive vs. Defensive Focus
The 2024 draft was characterized by a strong defensive lineup, while the upcoming 2025 selection appears to be more centered on offensive players. Consequently, in comparing draft rankings from picks six to thirteen, there appears to be an emphasis on both centers and defensemen.
The Future of WHL Centers
Another engaging topic this season revolves around Roger McQueen and Cayden Lindstrom, both of whom are talented WHL centers who suffered significant injuries limiting their playing time. Lindstrom possesses greater speed and physicality, while McQueen shines with superior skill and hockey intelligence, not to mention his height advantage. The discussions surrounding these prospects underscore the depth and nuances present in both draft classes.
Conclusion
Ultimately, as we dissect these talent pools, it becomes evident that while the standout individuals in the drafts may differ, both classes feature promising prospects worthy of attention.
