2025 NHL Draft: Baracchini’s Top 128 Final Rankings

[Bluesfan1978]

I was wondering if Nesbitt might be a player the Blues draft?

[STL fan in MN]

I was wondering if Nesbitt might be a player the Blues draft?

Could be. He’s about in that range. I like others better but I know some are higher on Nesbitt. Perhaps the Blues scouts are among them, idk.

Pros: he’s a 6’4” C that’s projected to stay at C. I like his puck skills and protection ability. Very good motor/effort level. Tenacious. Projects as a 3C IMO, maybe a 4C.

Cons: I don’t see a lot of offensive potential with him. He has some decent skill but also a very plodding stride. I think his skating holds him back some. And that’s in Jrs. He’ll need to make some serious strides there to be effective in the pro game.

Some are convinced he could even be a 2C if he can improve his skating to average but that’s a big ask IMO. Given that two of our more recent top prospects had the same weakness of below average skating ability going into their drafts (Dvorsky and Snuggerud), I’d be hesitant to take Nesbitt. And Nesbitt’s skating is worse than what Dvorsky and Snuggy’s were in their draft years.

One reason why I could get behind picking him though is that besides the skating, he’s very protectable to the NHL. If he ends up a 3C, that’s not a super sexy pick at 19 but a lot of the other options likely available at 19 this year might not be any better. A lot of them project as middle-6 players. So if you have a guy that has a chance to be a 2C but might really be more of a 3C or even get pushed off to the wing (or someone who’s a wing already), then all of a sudden the 6’4” guy that’s very much a C starts to look pretty attractive.

So I don’t have him as high but I can see the appeal.

[stlblues1979]

I was wondering if Nesbitt might be a player the Blues draft?

Could be. He’s about in that range. I like others better but I know some are higher on Nesbitt. Perhaps the Blues scouts are among them, idk.

Pros: he’s a 6’4” C that’s projected to stay at C. I like his puck skills and protection ability. Very good motor/effort level. Tenacious. Projects as a 3C IMO, maybe a 4C.

Cons: I don’t see a lot of offensive potential with him. He has some decent skill but also a very plodding stride. I think his skating holds him back some. And that’s in Jrs. He’ll need to make some serious strides there to be effective in the pro game.

Some are convinced he could even be a 2C if he can improve his skating to average but that’s a big ask IMO. Given that two of our more recent top prospects had the same weakness of below average skating ability going into their drafts (Dvorsky and Snuggerud), I’d be hesitant to take Nesbitt. And Nesbitt’s skating is worse than what Dvorsky and Snuggy’s were in their draft years.

One reason why I could get behind picking him though is that besides the skating, he’s very protectable to the NHL. If he ends up a 3C, that’s not a super sexy pick at 19 but a lot of the other options likely available at 19 this year might not be any better. A lot of them project as middle-6 players. So if you have a guy that has a chance to be a 2C but might really be more of a 3C or even get pushed off to the wing (or someone who’s a wing already), then all of a sudden the 6’4” guy that’s very much a C starts to look pretty attractive.

So I don’t have him as high but I can see the appeal.

What's your opinion on Snuggy's skating now, STL fan? I knew that was one of his issues in college, but it surely seemed to me that his skating was really good in the games he played last year. I thought he was really fast, but I know straight line speed is just one factor to consider. I'm no expert at all on skating, but wanted your thoughts.

[STL fan in MN]

I was wondering if Nesbitt might be a player the Blues draft?

Could be. He’s about in that range. I like others better but I know some are higher on Nesbitt. Perhaps the Blues scouts are among them, idk.

Pros: he’s a 6’4” C that’s projected to stay at C. I like his puck skills and protection ability. Very good motor/effort level. Tenacious. Projects as a 3C IMO, maybe a 4C.

Cons: I don’t see a lot of offensive potential with him. He has some decent skill but also a very plodding stride. I think his skating holds him back some. And that’s in Jrs. He’ll need to make some serious strides there to be effective in the pro game.

Some are convinced he could even be a 2C if he can improve his skating to average but that’s a big ask IMO. Given that two of our more recent top prospects had the same weakness of below average skating ability going into their drafts (Dvorsky and Snuggerud), I’d be hesitant to take Nesbitt. And Nesbitt’s skating is worse than what Dvorsky and Snuggy’s were in their draft years.

One reason why I could get behind picking him though is that besides the skating, he’s very protectable to the NHL. If he ends up a 3C, that’s not a super sexy pick at 19 but a lot of the other options likely available at 19 this year might not be any better. A lot of them project as middle-6 players. So if you have a guy that has a chance to be a 2C but might really be more of a 3C or even get pushed off to the wing (or someone who’s a wing already), then all of a sudden the 6’4” guy that’s very much a C starts to look pretty attractive.

So I don’t have him as high but I can see the appeal.

What's your opinion on Snuggy's skating now, STL fan? I knew that was one of his issues in college, but it surely seemed to me that his skating was really good in the games he played last year. I thought he was really fast, but I know straight line speed is just one factor to consider. I'm no expert at all on skating, but wanted your thoughts.

His top line speed is fine. He’s worked hard on it. His main issue was always and still is his acceleration IMO. He’s improved that quite a bit too but it’s still probably his main weakness. I wonder if he’ll be working with Jack Blatherwick here in Minnesota again this summer or if the Blues will see him up with someone different. Jack used to work with Berb Brooks and is a bit of a legend in these parts. Has some unconventional skating drills that involve weighted vests.

I’ll admit that Snuggy’s skating looked better in the NHL than I expected. Still though, I’m curious how his legs do in his first full 82 game season. It’s a grind. Even last year at Minnesota, he was often behind the play quite a bit. It’s pretty normal for a C to consistently be the F3 as the wingers break out of the zone first but as a RW, it’s not normal the amount he was F3. He’s clearly been working on it though so I’m excited to see how his skating holds up through an entire season.

[seattleblue]

Given the Blues continue need for Centers in the organization how does every one feel about Braeden Cootes? Seems like on paper to be a Blues kinda guy?

Well I have him at 13 so clearly I like him but I think there’s a decent chance he ends up being moved to the wing. Some of these centers are surefire centers and others have characteristics that tend to push them to the wing. Or at least make it make likely.

He’s listed at 6’0” but I bet he comes in a little under that at the Combine this week. I’ll guess 5’11.5”. Good player but more of a middle-6 C that could be a winger. But at least he shoots right so even if he does get shifted to the wing at least it wouldn’t be another left-shooting LW, which we have a ton of already.

See, I don't understand what problem we'd be drafting Cootes to solve. If he's not going to be a high end 2C or high end 3C I just don't get why we want a 5'11.5 player who does not dominate games. Where do we need him in the future? We are overloaded with talent on the wings and there are better wingers available at 19.

For me if we're going to gamble on a small player at center let's go with Cullen Potter who can make plays at speed as well as any player in the draft. Otherwise let's go for a Philip Danault type future 3C. Not that there necessarily is one of those but Cootes is not a Danault so I just don't get it why we'd want Cootes.

Future RW is definitely an area of need IMO. But I still see a decent chance he’s able to stay at C. I know you disagree and that’s fine. I like Cootes a bit more than you. But overall, I think a gold chunk of it is simply the quality of this draft. Cootes is a player I’d expect to normally rank around 20 or at least late teens. But this draft is a bit shallower. But yeah, I see him as a likely middle-6 forward eventually.

Tell me about your comfort level with him defensively. I see him as needing to have a plus defensive game to justify the pick

I see it as average. Par for a teenagers. Why do you feel it needs to be a strength to pick him at 19?

Because I need some plus ability I can count on translating in the NHL. Without an edge in defensive ability there's no way he's sticking at center.

[Bluesfan1978]

I was wondering if Nesbitt might be a player the Blues draft?

Could be. He’s about in that range. I like others better but I know some are higher on Nesbitt. Perhaps the Blues scouts are among them, idk.

Pros: he’s a 6’4” C that’s projected to stay at C. I like his puck skills and protection ability. Very good motor/effort level. Tenacious. Projects as a 3C IMO, maybe a 4C.

Cons: I don’t see a lot of offensive potential with him. He has some decent skill but also a very plodding stride. I think his skating holds him back some. And that’s in Jrs. He’ll need to make some serious strides there to be effective in the pro game.

Some are convinced he could even be a 2C if he can improve his skating to average but that’s a big ask IMO. Given that two of our more recent top prospects had the same weakness of below average skating ability going into their drafts (Dvorsky and Snuggerud), I’d be hesitant to take Nesbitt. And Nesbitt’s skating is worse than what Dvorsky and Snuggy’s were in their draft years.

One reason why I could get behind picking him though is that besides the skating, he’s very protectable to the NHL. If he ends up a 3C, that’s not a super sexy pick at 19 but a lot of the other options likely available at 19 this year might not be any better. A lot of them project as middle-6 players. So if you have a guy that has a chance to be a 2C but might really be more of a 3C or even get pushed off to the wing (or someone who’s a wing already), then all of a sudden the 6’4” guy that’s very much a C starts to look pretty attractive.

So I don’t have him as high but I can see the appeal.

Vansaghi is another player I wouldn’t be shocked if the Blues picked. Depends what they think his upside is. If not I think there will be a couple players fall to them.

[STL fan in MN]

I was wondering if Nesbitt might be a player the Blues draft?

Could be. He’s about in that range. I like others better but I know some are higher on Nesbitt. Perhaps the Blues scouts are among them, idk.

Pros: he’s a 6’4” C that’s projected to stay at C. I like his puck skills and protection ability. Very good motor/effort level. Tenacious. Projects as a 3C IMO, maybe a 4C.

Cons: I don’t see a lot of offensive potential with him. He has some decent skill but also a very plodding stride. I think his skating holds him back some. And that’s in Jrs. He’ll need to make some serious strides there to be effective in the pro game.

Some are convinced he could even be a 2C if he can improve his skating to average but that’s a big ask IMO. Given that two of our more recent top prospects had the same weakness of below average skating ability going into their drafts (Dvorsky and Snuggerud), I’d be hesitant to take Nesbitt. And Nesbitt’s skating is worse than what Dvorsky and Snuggy’s were in their draft years.

One reason why I could get behind picking him though is that besides the skating, he’s very protectable to the NHL. If he ends up a 3C, that’s not a super sexy pick at 19 but a lot of the other options likely available at 19 this year might not be any better. A lot of them project as middle-6 players. So if you have a guy that has a chance to be a 2C but might really be more of a 3C or even get pushed off to the wing (or someone who’s a wing already), then all of a sudden the 6’4” guy that’s very much a C starts to look pretty attractive.

So I don’t have him as high but I can see the appeal.

Vansaghi is another player I wouldn’t be shocked if the Blues picked. Depends what they think his upside is. If not I think there will be a couple players fall to them.

The Blues don’t (currently) own a 2nd and he’s just not remotely worth the 19th overall IMO.

[Bluesfan1978]

I feel like some of the team’s other 1st round picks felt like reaches at the time as well. Neighbour’s being one of them. I’d like to hear who they interviewed or showed the most interest in at the combine. I’m sure they probably keep that info to themselves.

[STL fan in MN]

I feel like some of the team’s other 1st round picks felt like reaches at the time as well. Neighbour’s being one of them. I’d like to hear who they interviewed or showed the most interest in at the combine. I’m sure they probably keep that info to themselves.

I saw where Horcoff was interviewed by everyone except the Hawks (which is hilarious. IYKYK) but otherwise no idea who the Blues focused in on at the combine this week. The coverage was pretty bad.

Neighbours was ranked 31st my McKenzie’s scouting poll (the gold standard. 23rd by McKeens, 26th by NHL Central Scouting (which would be just the N.A. Skaters list). He was drafted 26th. I’d say he was a “reach” of about 5 spots maybe.

Vansaghi is ranked 51st by McKenzie (although his final list hasn’t come out yet), 31st by McKeens, 33rd by NHL Central Scouting (N.A. skaters only), etc. He’d be a bigger reach IMO. Not a TJ Oshie level reach where they’re so stunned they don’t even have a picture ready on the player, but a pretty big reach nonetheless.

[clemonsonroots]

Would love to see us get one of Atchieson, cootes, mcqueen or zonan with our pick. I think Cootes and zonan's style would be perfect to pair with offensively skilled guys. Mcqueen has such size and talent that if he fell somehow, that would be quite intriguing. Atchieson's style would be very popular with fans with his hitting and shot from a defenseman.

[Pierre McGuire]

Would love to see us get one of Atchieson, cootes, mcqueen or zonan with our pick. I think Cootes and zonan's style would be perfect to pair with offensively skilled guys. Mcqueen has such size and talent that if he fell somehow, that would be quite intriguing. Atchieson's style would be very popular with fans with his hitting and shot from a defenseman.

Zonnon is definitely a guy that’s rising on my list…lots of St. Louis Blue intangibles with him.

[Bluesfan1978]

Would love to see us get one of Atchieson, cootes, mcqueen or zonan with our pick. I think Cootes and zonan's style would be perfect to pair with offensively skilled guys. Mcqueen has such size and talent that if he fell somehow, that would be quite intriguing. Atchieson's style would be very popular with fans with his hitting and shot from a defenseman.

Zonnon is definitely a guy that’s rising on my list…lots of St. Louis Blue intangibles with him.

I liked the scouting reports I had read on Zonnon earlier in the year but thought the Blues would be better off with a player that was a C, RW, or RD. I just read that Zonnon actually was moved to 1C just a month or two into the season and that by the end of the year his face-off % was just under 50 %. Thats impressive for a player that didn't play center before. Maybe he's a player the team grabs at 19.

[BluesDom]

My list of guys id draft. Not too much research:
#1 if somehow available--Brady Martin #2 Roger McQueen

#3 KASHAWN AITCHESON
#4 MALCOLM SPENCE
#5 JACK NESBITT


#6IF WE WANT TO TRADE DOWN A TAD: BILL ZONNON