STL fan in MN 2025 Draft Ranking

[STL fan in MN]

After digesting some more info the past few weeks, I re-sorted my list and came up with this. I’ll consider it my final list. I’ll bold the names of the players I think have pretty much a zero chance of being available at 19…although a few would be in range if the Blues were to move up.

1. Schaefer
2. Misa

3. Desnoyers
4. Hagens
5. Martin
6. Martone
7. Frondell
8. Eklund

9. Reschny
10. McQueen
11. Bear
12. O’Brien
13. Aitcheson
14. Smith

15. Brzustewicz
16. Cootes
17. Carbonneau
18. Mrtka
19. Hensler

20. Reid
21. Potter
22. Boumedienne
23. Kindel

24. Nesbitt
25. Spence
26. Zonnon
27. Lakovic
28. Fiddler
29. McKinney
30. Gastrin
31. Nestrasil
32. Nilson
33. Kevan
34. Ihs-Wozniak
35. Ryabkin
36. Moore
37. Murtagh
38. Amico
39. Zharovsky
40. Czata

That’s about as far as I feel comfortable going numerically but here are some others I’ve seen enough of to have some of an opinion on:

2nd rounders:
Horcoff
Lee
Ivankovic
Ravensburgen
Vansaghi
West
Trethewey
Romano
Radivojevic

3rd rounders:
Stockselius
Ekberg
Hynninen
Prokhorov
Westergard
Wang

4th rounders:
Rheaume-Mullen
Veilleux
Pickford

Later Rounds:
Schmidt
Funck
Sumpf
Mooney
Benak
Galvas
Jokinen
Zubek
Hendrickson

Reschny and Brzustewicz are the two I clearly have higher than consensus. I believe in them both. Reschny is a bit undersized (5’10.75”) but he’s very skilled, smart and plays hard. Brzustewicz I think will pop next season in London with Dickinson and Bonk moving on. He’s underrated IMO.

Reschny and Bear are who I might consider moving up on or hoping last to pick 19. I’d consider moving back a few spots and gaining a pick to get Brzustewicz…or just pick him at 19 to guarantee I got the guy I wanted.

The 15-19 tier are the guys a bit more reasonable to actually get at 19.

The 20-23 tier I’d probably be fine with. After that, I’d probably be pretty disappointed unless they moved back…but my preference would most likely be to just take the pick at 19.

[Harry S Deals]

Are you not a fan of Spence or is he more of a project type player? Its a lock the Blues are taking one of these guys

16. Cootes
17. Carbonneau
18. Mrtka
19. Hensler

20. Reid
21. Potter
22. Boumedienne
23. Kindel

24. Nesbitt
25. Spence

[STL fan in MN]

Are you not a fan of Spence or is he more of a project type player? Its a lock the Blues are taking one of these guys

16. Cootes
17. Carbonneau
18. Mrtka
19. Hensler

20. Reid
21. Potter
22. Boumedienne
23. Kindel

24. Nesbitt
25. Spence

I like Spence but see him as a likely 3rd line LW. Love his motor though. I could argue moving Nesbitt, Spence and Zonnon to the tier above.

[John Cocktoastin]

Thank you! Very much appreciate you putting this out there.

Man, I think in that range, my eyes go for Reid or Potter. I like the skating, shooting and instincts of Reid and the speed, scoring and runway of Potter.

Can't the draft just get here already?!

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

You have Ravensbergen falling into the second round. A weaker draft don't you think someone in need will make sure to grab him in first?
Also, really intrigued by the Remparts ' goalie Denault. I am pretty certain the Blues are going to come away with a goalie this draft , and he could potentially available in later rounds. A giant at 6-8 but still needs a lot of work on later movement and positioning.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Thanks for doing this. I'm going to be traveling right up until the draft, but I'd like to watch some film on some guys that are possibilities. So you think the 15-23 range are the only realistic options? No maybe reaches behind that with big talent that are young or any slipperys in front?

[STL fan in MN]

You have Ravensbergen falling into the second round. A weaker draft don't you think someone in need will make sure to grab him in first?
Also, really intrigued by the Remparts ' goalie Denault. I am pretty certain the Blues are going to come away with a goalie this draft , and he could potentially available in later rounds. A giant at 6-8 but still needs a lot of work on later movement and positioning.

This is a ranking, not a mock draft. If I were to do a mock, I’d put Ravensbergen somewhere in the 20-30 range. I just don’t see the hype personally though. He’s…big. There’s not too many goalies I tend to value with a 1st rounder. It’s the position by far the hardest to judge at age 17-18 and the skill difference between a NHL starter and AHL starter really isn’t much tbh. I like to use 2nds and 3rd on goalies but a goalie has to really stand out for me to value them with a 1st round grade. I don’t see one in this draft.

I’m familiar with Denault a bit and know he’s huge and did a lot better than the other goalies on his team so that’s saying something. But beyond that, I didn’t really watch the Remparts at all this season so have very little opinion on him. Seems like a guy worth a flyer in the 3rd.

[STL fan in MN]

Thanks for doing this. I'm going to be traveling right up until the draft, but I'd like to watch some film on some guys that are possibilities. So you think the 15-23 range are the only realistic options? No maybe reaches behind that with big talent that are young or any slipperys in front?

I think there’s 13 players I’d be pretty surprised didn’t go in the top 18. I think there will be some reaches but not enough to push any of those 13 to 19 or later though.

Reschny and Bear are the two I have in a higher tier that I think have a reasonable chance of still being available at 19. But reasonable doesn’t mean high. I’d still give it below 50% odds either is still there at 19. But we’ll see! There’s always surprises at the draft.

[STL fan in MN]

Thank you! Very much appreciate you putting this out there.

Man, I think in that range, my eyes go for Reid or Potter. I like the skating, shooting and instincts of Reid and the speed, scoring and runway of Potter.

Can't the draft just get here already?!

I like Reid quite a bit. The talent is obvious. Just wish he was a little taller and not a lefty. He also looked much less effective in the playoffs than regular season so that gives me a little pause.

Potter I have a hard time reading. Hard to evaluate 17 year olds playing college hockey tbh. He’s probably the best skater in the draft, or at least the fastest though. He can flat out fly. But he’s a touch under 5’10” and I see him projecting as a LW. He’s going to be valuable if his skills can translate and struggle to make it if his skills turn out to only be bottom-6 caliber.

[zuck698]

Thanks for doing this. I'm going to be traveling right up until the draft, but I'd like to watch some film on some guys that are possibilities. So you think the 15-23 range are the only realistic options? No maybe reaches behind that with big talent that are young or any slipperys in front?

I think there’s 13 players I’d be pretty surprised didn’t go in the top 18. I think there will be some reaches but not enough to push any of those 13 to 19 or later though.

Reschny and Bear are the two I have in a higher tier that I think have a reasonable chance of still being available at 19. But reasonable doesn’t mean high. I’d still give it below 50% odds either is still there at 19. But we’ll see! There’s always surprises at the draft.

I don't see Bear getting to 19. Would not hurt my feelings to get Reschny at 19. Maybe a little higher than the pros have projected but fills the need better, with center vs LW. I know the Blues would still take BPA anyway regardless, as they should.

If both were available at 19, I am assuming you would still pick Reschny over Nesbitt? If so, tell me your reasoning if you would. Thanks.

[John Cocktoastin]

Thank you! Very much appreciate you putting this out there.

Man, I think in that range, my eyes go for Reid or Potter. I like the skating, shooting and instincts of Reid and the speed, scoring and runway of Potter.

Can't the draft just get here already?!

I like Reid quite a bit. The talent is obvious. Just wish he was a little taller and not a lefty. He also looked much less effective in the playoffs than regular season so that gives me a little pause.

Potter I have a hard time reading. Hard to evaluate 17 year olds playing college hockey tbh. He’s probably the best skater in the draft, or at least the fastest though. He can flat out fly. But he’s a touch under 5’10” and I see him projecting as a LW. He’s going to be valuable if his skills can translate and struggle to make it if his skills turn out to only be bottom-6 caliber.

Potter is such a wild card. But tempting.

[STL fan in MN]

Thanks for doing this. I'm going to be traveling right up until the draft, but I'd like to watch some film on some guys that are possibilities. So you think the 15-23 range are the only realistic options? No maybe reaches behind that with big talent that are young or any slipperys in front?

I think there’s 13 players I’d be pretty surprised didn’t go in the top 18. I think there will be some reaches but not enough to push any of those 13 to 19 or later though.

Reschny and Bear are the two I have in a higher tier that I think have a reasonable chance of still being available at 19. But reasonable doesn’t mean high. I’d still give it below 50% odds either is still there at 19. But we’ll see! There’s always surprises at the draft.

I don't see Bear getting to 19. Would not hurt my feelings to get Reschny at 19. Maybe a little higher than the pros have projected but fills the need better, with center vs LW. I know the Blues would still take BPA anyway regardless, as they should.

If both were available at 19, I am assuming you would still pick Reschny over Nesbitt? If so, tell me your reasoning if you would. Thanks.

I have Reschny at 9 and Nesbitt at 24 so yes, I’d absolutely take Reschny between the two.

What Nesbitt has over Reschny is size. But that’s about it really. I actually like Nesbitt’s skill but Reschny is more skilled. And I don’t like Nesbitt’s skating. He’s big though so he’s got a good shot of being a 3C IMO. Or a bottom-6 player in some capacity. Reschny has very above average hockey sense and I really like his skills and compete level too. He absolutely has the smarts and two-way ability to stick at C. Only question is if him being 5’11” is going to impact that or not. My gut says he’ll be able to stick at C but even if he’s pushed to the wing, I still see a top-6 player all day long.

[BluesDom]

Liking Hensler more and more. Seems legit. Decent height/weight.
Is he good enough to make a big impact in NHL?

[zuck698]

Thanks for doing this. I'm going to be traveling right up until the draft, but I'd like to watch some film on some guys that are possibilities. So you think the 15-23 range are the only realistic options? No maybe reaches behind that with big talent that are young or any slipperys in front?

I think there’s 13 players I’d be pretty surprised didn’t go in the top 18. I think there will be some reaches but not enough to push any of those 13 to 19 or later though.

Reschny and Bear are the two I have in a higher tier that I think have a reasonable chance of still being available at 19. But reasonable doesn’t mean high. I’d still give it below 50% odds either is still there at 19. But we’ll see! There’s always surprises at the draft.

I don't see Bear getting to 19. Would not hurt my feelings to get Reschny at 19. Maybe a little higher than the pros have projected but fills the need better, with center vs LW. I know the Blues would still take BPA anyway regardless, as they should.

If both were available at 19, I am assuming you would still pick Reschny over Nesbitt? If so, tell me your reasoning if you would. Thanks.

I have Reschny at 9 and Nesbitt at 24 so yes, I’d absolutely take Reschny between the two.

What Nesbitt has over Reschny is size. But that’s about it really. I actually like Nesbitt’s skill but Reschny is more skilled. And I don’t like Nesbitt’s skating. He’s big though so he’s got a good shot of being a 3C IMO. Or a bottom-6 player in some capacity. Reschny has very above average hockey sense and I really like his skills and compete level too. He absolutely has the smarts and two-way ability to stick at C. Only question is if him being 5’11” is going to impact that or not. My gut says he’ll be able to stick at C but even if he’s pushed to the wing, I still see a top-6 player all day long.

Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense. I guess I wanted to see another Tage Thompson that isn't there with him. I was thinking he had all the qualities of a 2C and was thinking great value for the 19th pick. Again, always appreciate your informed insight on these guys, along with Seattle, Pierre and others also who follow these guys more than I do.

[STL fan in MN]

Thanks for doing this. I'm going to be traveling right up until the draft, but I'd like to watch some film on some guys that are possibilities. So you think the 15-23 range are the only realistic options? No maybe reaches behind that with big talent that are young or any slipperys in front?

I think there’s 13 players I’d be pretty surprised didn’t go in the top 18. I think there will be some reaches but not enough to push any of those 13 to 19 or later though.

Reschny and Bear are the two I have in a higher tier that I think have a reasonable chance of still being available at 19. But reasonable doesn’t mean high. I’d still give it below 50% odds either is still there at 19. But we’ll see! There’s always surprises at the draft.

I don't see Bear getting to 19. Would not hurt my feelings to get Reschny at 19. Maybe a little higher than the pros have projected but fills the need better, with center vs LW. I know the Blues would still take BPA anyway regardless, as they should.

If both were available at 19, I am assuming you would still pick Reschny over Nesbitt? If so, tell me your reasoning if you would. Thanks.

I have Reschny at 9 and Nesbitt at 24 so yes, I’d absolutely take Reschny between the two.

What Nesbitt has over Reschny is size. But that’s about it really. I actually like Nesbitt’s skill but Reschny is more skilled. And I don’t like Nesbitt’s skating. He’s big though so he’s got a good shot of being a 3C IMO. Or a bottom-6 player in some capacity. Reschny has very above average hockey sense and I really like his skills and compete level too. He absolutely has the smarts and two-way ability to stick at C. Only question is if him being 5’11” is going to impact that or not. My gut says he’ll be able to stick at C but even if he’s pushed to the wing, I still see a top-6 player all day long.

Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense. I guess I wanted to see another Tage Thompson that isn't there with him. I was thinking he had all the qualities of a 2C and was thinking great value for the 19th pick. Again, always appreciate your informed insight on these guys, along with Seattle, Pierre and others also who follow these guys more than I do.

I could see a scenario that Nesbitt turns into a 2C but I consider it pretty unlikely. He has the skill for it though and I think he’s the type that can stick at C assuming he can improve his skating. But he just doesn’t have the skill or especially the shot of Thompson IMO.

[Pierre McGuire]

Reschny is like the ultimate Blues type of player so I see where you are going with it. I just don’t believe he will be there at 19. That would be a huge fail on several teams to pass him up. Personally I think he’s a top 12 player in this draft.
I think Kindel could be in play at 19 but I’m sticking to my guns….Blues draft Blake Fiddler