2025 NHL Draft: Baracchini’s Top 128 Final Rankings

[TBone]

2025 NHL Draft: Baracchini’s Top 128 Final Rankings

June 1, 2025
by Peter Baracchini

Welcome to my final edition of my 2025 NHL Draft Rankings.

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If teams are going to prioritize work ethic and the drive to succeed, Porter Martone, Caleb Desnoyers, Brady Martin and Braden Cootes exemplify those traits better than anyone and could see them be selected higher up. Martin and Cootes had fantastic showings at the World U18 Championship and have improved their stock overall to be picked higher in the draft. The same with Desnoyers and his run to the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League Championship. All three are competitive centres and have the skillset and physical play to make a difference.

Barrie Colts defender Kashawn Aitcheson could be selected higher than many think with his dominant physical presence and clutch factor for scoring goals on the backend. Cole Reschny tore it up in the second half for the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League.

Those are just some of the few risers I wanted to highlight, so without further ado, here are my top 128 final rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft.

https://thehockeywriters.com/2025-nhl-d ... e_vignette

[Francis Park Thug]

Thanks for the posting these.

[Pierre McGuire]

I don’t normally pay attention to anything from the hockey writers but I definitely feel that Brady Martin is going top 6. I would take him #4 overall..maybe even #3 ahead of Desnoyers.
As I do every year I go back and watch games from some guys I didnt see enough of. Last year at this time it was Carter Yakemchuk. I was all in on Buium and then changed my rankings and put Yakemchuk ahead of every dman. Yakemchuk was the first dman off the boards and almost made the Sens out of camp.
This year right off the bat, one player that I’ve really come around on is Bill Zonnon. He’s not going to go ahead of Lakovic on my list but he’s definitely a player I would have real interest in. He’s downright impressive in just about all aspects of the game. Really good player…I would be giddy if we landed him.

[Pierre McGuire]

Also Matthew Gard is a player I’d love to acquire another pick and have a chance to get. They have him at 62 on that list…could go higher and definitely could fall to the 3rd round.

[moose-and-squirrel]

I don’t normally pay attention to anything from the hockey writers but I definitely feel that Brady Martin is going top 6. I would take him #4 overall..maybe even #3 ahead of Desnoyers.
As I do every year I go back and watch games from some guys I didnt see enough of. Last year at this time it was Carter Yakemchuk. I was all in on Buium and then changed my rankings and put Yakemchuk ahead of every dman. Yakemchuk was the first dman off the boards and almost made the Sens out of camp.
This year right off the bat, one player that I’ve really come around on is Bill Zonnon. He’s not going to go ahead of Lakovic on my list but he’s definitely a player I would have real interest in. He’s downright impressive in just about all aspects of the game. Really good player…I would be giddy if we landed him.

another LWer??

[Pierre McGuire]

I don’t normally pay attention to anything from the hockey writers but I definitely feel that Brady Martin is going top 6. I would take him #4 overall..maybe even #3 ahead of Desnoyers.
As I do every year I go back and watch games from some guys I didnt see enough of. Last year at this time it was Carter Yakemchuk. I was all in on Buium and then changed my rankings and put Yakemchuk ahead of every dman. Yakemchuk was the first dman off the boards and almost made the Sens out of camp.
This year right off the bat, one player that I’ve really come around on is Bill Zonnon. He’s not going to go ahead of Lakovic on my list but he’s definitely a player I would have real interest in. He’s downright impressive in just about all aspects of the game. Really good player…I would be giddy if we landed him.

another LWer??

He’a listed as a winger but he played center for the Huskies and he plays it very well.

[stlblues1979]

Also Matthew Gard is a player I’d love to acquire another pick and have a chance to get. They have him at 62 on that list…could go higher and definitely could fall to the 3rd round.

So, Pierre, I'll ask you this & others can discuss as well. Based on the mock drafts & scout rankings & your own thoughts, do you see a scenario where the Blues would be comfortable to drop down several spots to pick up a 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm not sure the value system on draft spots, but could you see the Blues dropping down 6 to 11 spots (drafting 25 - 30) to gain that extra pick. I know it depends on the team willing to move up & their offer & these two factors:

1.) Are there enough skilled players to be had 25-30 that are comparable to your 19th pick or does the talent level really drop off at 20-25?

2.) You mentioned one player in particular, but are there several that catch your attention to the point of saying, "really wish the Blues had their 2nd and/or 3rd round picks?

Thoughts, especially interested in those who follow amateur hockey & this year's draft.

[smilinjoefission]

McQueen down to 17? I'd have to move up if that's the case, because as they said "...to find a player with the blend of size, physical play and offensive awareness is difficult."

If you want to drop down I'd pick Ivan Ryabkin and maybe Filip Ekberg if available.

[Pierre McGuire]

Also Matthew Gard is a player I’d love to acquire another pick and have a chance to get. They have him at 62 on that list…could go higher and definitely could fall to the 3rd round.

So, Pierre, I'll ask you this & others can discuss as well. Based on the mock drafts & scout rankings & your own thoughts, do you see a scenario where the Blues would be comfortable to drop down several spots to pick up a 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm not sure the value system on draft spots, but could you see the Blues dropping down 6 to 11 spots (drafting 25 - 30) to gain that extra pick. I know it depends on the team willing to move up & their offer & these two factors:

1.) Are there enough skilled players to be had 25-30 that are comparable to your 19th pick or does the talent level really drop off at 20-25?

2.) You mentioned one player in particular, but are there several that catch your attention to the point of saying, "really wish the Blues had their 2nd and/or 3rd round picks?

Thoughts, especially interested in those who follow amateur hockey & this year's draft.

I think it’s the perfect year to drop down and pick up an extra pick. I am really high on Gard, he is a player that is 2nd to 3rd round pick that will be a steal. There a few more players projected for rounds 2 and 3 that I would be interested in but Gard right now is at the top of that list.

[kimzey59]

Also Matthew Gard is a player I’d love to acquire another pick and have a chance to get. They have him at 62 on that list…could go higher and definitely could fall to the 3rd round.

So, Pierre, I'll ask you this & others can discuss as well. Based on the mock drafts & scout rankings & your own thoughts, do you see a scenario where the Blues would be comfortable to drop down several spots to pick up a 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm not sure the value system on draft spots, but could you see the Blues dropping down 6 to 11 spots (drafting 25 - 30) to gain that extra pick. I know it depends on the team willing to move up & their offer & these two factors:

1.) Are there enough skilled players to be had 25-30 that are comparable to your 19th pick or does the talent level really drop off at 20-25?

2.) You mentioned one player in particular, but are there several that catch your attention to the point of saying, "really wish the Blues had their 2nd and/or 3rd round picks?

Thoughts, especially interested in those who follow amateur hockey & this year's draft.

Unless somebody is willing to pay a ridiculous price for it, I'm not interested in moving down. If anything, I'd be looking to move up(although I'm not overly inclined to do that, either). Our pipeline is loaded with depth pieces. We need quality FAR more than we need quantity right now.

Yes, the talent level really drops off around pick #20. I would be REALLY uncomfortable going any lower than 21 or 22, and you probably aren't getting anything to make it worthwhile to move down 2 or 3 spots.

[82birds]

Thanks for the posting these.

yes, thanks

[SameOldBlues]

Thanks for the posting these.

yes, thanks

I third that emotion, I love reading everything possible about each draft on up to the day of.

[Francis Park Thug]

Also Matthew Gard is a player I’d love to acquire another pick and have a chance to get. They have him at 62 on that list…could go higher and definitely could fall to the 3rd round.

So, Pierre, I'll ask you this & others can discuss as well. Based on the mock drafts & scout rankings & your own thoughts, do you see a scenario where the Blues would be comfortable to drop down several spots to pick up a 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm not sure the value system on draft spots, but could you see the Blues dropping down 6 to 11 spots (drafting 25 - 30) to gain that extra pick. I know it depends on the team willing to move up & their offer & these two factors:

1.) Are there enough skilled players to be had 25-30 that are comparable to your 19th pick or does the talent level really drop off at 20-25?

2.) You mentioned one player in particular, but are there several that catch your attention to the point of saying, "really wish the Blues had their 2nd and/or 3rd round picks?

Thoughts, especially interested in those who follow amateur hockey & this year's draft.

Unless somebody is willing to pay a ridiculous price for it, I'm not interested in moving down. If anything, I'd be looking to move up(although I'm not overly inclined to do that, either). Our pipeline is loaded with depth pieces. We need quality FAR more than we need quantity right now.

Yes, the talent level really drops off around pick #20. I would be REALLY uncomfortable going any lower than 21 or 22, and you probably aren't getting anything to make it worthwhile to move down 2 or 3 spots.

When you get time, I would love to see your top 20.

[STL fan in MN]

Also Matthew Gard is a player I’d love to acquire another pick and have a chance to get. They have him at 62 on that list…could go higher and definitely could fall to the 3rd round.

So, Pierre, I'll ask you this & others can discuss as well. Based on the mock drafts & scout rankings & your own thoughts, do you see a scenario where the Blues would be comfortable to drop down several spots to pick up a 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm not sure the value system on draft spots, but could you see the Blues dropping down 6 to 11 spots (drafting 25 - 30) to gain that extra pick. I know it depends on the team willing to move up & their offer & these two factors:

1.) Are there enough skilled players to be had 25-30 that are comparable to your 19th pick or does the talent level really drop off at 20-25?

2.) You mentioned one player in particular, but are there several that catch your attention to the point of saying, "really wish the Blues had their 2nd and/or 3rd round picks?

Thoughts, especially interested in those who follow amateur hockey & this year's draft.

Unless somebody is willing to pay a ridiculous price for it, I'm not interested in moving down. If anything, I'd be looking to move up(although I'm not overly inclined to do that, either). Our pipeline is loaded with depth pieces. We need quality FAR more than we need quantity right now.

Yes, the talent level really drops off around pick #20. I would be REALLY uncomfortable going any lower than 21 or 22, and you probably aren't getting anything to make it worthwhile to move down 2 or 3 spots.

I’d agree with that. I see a drop off around 15-18. Good chance there’s at least 1-2 of the top-18 (my top-18 anyway) still available at 19 but almost certainly not at 25. So agree. I wouldn’t look to move back unless every player in that tier is gone by the time pick 19 comes up.

And also agree, if anything, I’d look to possibly move up. We don’t have the typical draft capital for it (5th rounder’s not going to do it) but we could add a mid tier prospect potentially…if there’s a team willing to move down.

But in the event they move down though, a guy I’d like is Carter Amico. Big, physical 6’5” RD. Missed most of the season due to injury though. But will be playing for BU next season. Defensive first guy. He’s a boom/bust guy simply because he missed most of his draft year so scouts couldn’t really evaluate him but if he booms then we’re talking about a more physical Parayko.

[stlblues1979]

Also Matthew Gard is a player I’d love to acquire another pick and have a chance to get. They have him at 62 on that list…could go higher and definitely could fall to the 3rd round.

So, Pierre, I'll ask you this & others can discuss as well. Based on the mock drafts & scout rankings & your own thoughts, do you see a scenario where the Blues would be comfortable to drop down several spots to pick up a 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm not sure the value system on draft spots, but could you see the Blues dropping down 6 to 11 spots (drafting 25 - 30) to gain that extra pick. I know it depends on the team willing to move up & their offer & these two factors:

1.) Are there enough skilled players to be had 25-30 that are comparable to your 19th pick or does the talent level really drop off at 20-25?

2.) You mentioned one player in particular, but are there several that catch your attention to the point of saying, "really wish the Blues had their 2nd and/or 3rd round picks?

Thoughts, especially interested in those who follow amateur hockey & this year's draft.

Unless somebody is willing to pay a ridiculous price for it, I'm not interested in moving down. If anything, I'd be looking to move up(although I'm not overly inclined to do that, either). Our pipeline is loaded with depth pieces. We need quality FAR more than we need quantity right now.

Yes, the talent level really drops off around pick #20. I would be REALLY uncomfortable going any lower than 21 or 22, and you probably aren't getting anything to make it worthwhile to move down 2 or 3 spots.

I’d agree with that. I see a drop off around 15-18. Good chance there’s at least 1-2 of the top-18 (my top-18 anyway) still available at 19 but almost certainly not at 25. So agree. I wouldn’t look to move back unless every player in that tier is gone by the time pick 19 comes up.

And also agree, if anything, I’d look to possibly move up. We don’t have the typical draft capital for it (5th rounder’s not going to do it) but we could add a mid tier prospect potentially…if there’s a team willing to move down.

But in the event they move down though, a guy I’d like is Carter Amico. Big, physical 6’5” RD. Missed most of the season due to injury though. But will be playing for BU next season. Defensive first guy. He’s a boom/bust guy simply because he missed most of his draft year so scouts couldn’t really evaluate him but if he booms then we’re talking about a more physical Parayko.

Interesting, if he had been healthy this year & had a good season, where would you have slotted him?

[Pierre McGuire]

They aren’t moving up unless they likely deal a player or prospect. Every draft has a “drop off” in talent. Will take a few years but there will be mid round picks that are high value players, maybe even a few All Stars from this draft.