NHL Draft Combine: Top Prospects & Wild Cards

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Nhl Draft 2025: surprises And Standouts From The Scouting Combine

The 2025 Nhl Draft promises unpredictability, according to scouts and executives at this year’s scouting combine. With a deep pool of talent and numerous players boasting unique skill sets, teams face tough choices as the June 27-28 draft approaches. the depth and character of this class stand out, making for possibly surprising first-round selections.

One scout noted that “There are maybe 16 or 18 players I could see going in the top 10,” highlighting the difficulty in predicting the early picks.This draft is especially rich in promising forwards, giving teams with high selections an “embarrassment of riches,” as one executive put it.

Potential Wild Cards And Top Prospects

While Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer is widely considered the likely No. 1 overall pick for the New York Islanders, the intrigue begins after that. Carter Bear, a forward from the Everett Silvertips, emerges as a potential wild card. Despite missing the combine’s fitness testing due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained in March, Bear’s impressive season-40 goals and 82 points in 65 WHL games-has garnered meaningful attention.

Bear ranks 10th on the NHL Central Scouting final list of North American skaters and 13th overall on ESPN analyst Rachel Doerrie’s latest big board. Teams might get creative, similar to Montreal’s selection of Juraj Slafkovsky in 2022, potentially leading to another surprising first round.

Eklund And Frondell: A Dynamic Duo

The story of Victor Eklund and Anton Frondell highlights the chemistry between two top prospects. Eklund persistently lobbied their coach at Djurgardens IF to play them on the same line, recognizing Frondell’s extraordinary talent. Their history dates back to their childhood in Sweden, where Eklund vividly recalls being deked by Frondell at age 10.

“Victor is easy to play with. I don’t think I’ve played with someone with so much energy,” Frondell said. “He wins every battle, even when we play against men.” Eklund praised Frondell’s powerful shot and overall skill,emphasizing their prosperous partnership on the ice. Together, they form a compelling duo drawing considerable scout attention.

Michael Misa’s Transition To Center

Michael Misa,a Saginaw Spirit forward,showcased his versatility and adaptability by transitioning back to his preferred center position. After playing wing for two years due to team depth,Misa seized the opportunity to return to center,scoring an impressive 62 goals and 134 points in 65 games. Misa believes his experiance at center has prepared him to make an immediate impact in the NHL.

“I feel like I am ready to make that jump next year,” Misa stated, emphasizing his goal to play in the NHL next season. His confidence and performance have solidified his status as a potential top-two selection in the draft.

Horcoff Breaks Combine Record

Will Horcoff, son of former NHL player Shawn Horcoff, made a statement at the combine by setting a new record in the horizontal jump with a leap of 124.75 inches. Horcoff trained specifically for this event and was thrilled to see his efforts pay off. He also met with 31 teams throughout the combine week, aiming to demonstrate his potential as a skilled power forward.

Horcoff drew a comparison to Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators, expressing his desire to add a similar “mean streak” to his game. When asked which animal he’d be, Horcoff picked a silverback gorilla citing leadership and protectiveness.

William Horcoff set a new combine record in the horizontal jump. Joe Hrycych/NHLI via Getty Images

Confronting Past Mistakes

how will the NHL Draft Combine results impact the final draft order for the top 3 projected first-round picks, considering the potential for Wild Card players to rise in rankings?

NHL Draft Combine: Top Prospects & Wild Cards – Unveiling the Next NHL Stars

The NHL Draft Combine is a crucial event in the hockey scouting calendar, offering teams an in-depth look at potential draft picks. it’s more than just physical tests; it’s a comprehensive evaluation that includes interviews,medical examinations,and on-ice skills assessments. This article dives into the highlights of recent Combines, focusing on the top prospects, the wild card players, and what these events reveal about the future of the NHL. Get ready for in-depth scouting reports and expert predictions of the upcoming NHL draft!

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Key Components of the NHL Draft Combine Evaluation

The NHL Draft Combine provides a standardized platform for assessing players. This standardized approach ensures all teams have access to the same data when evaluating prospects. Here are the key areas of evaluation:

• Physical Testing: Players participate in various tests measuring strength, speed, endurance, and agility. Examples include the bench press, pull-ups, vertical jump, and the VO2 max test. This provides data on the players’ athletic base.
• Medical examinations: Thorough medical assessments, including X-rays and other screenings, are conducted to ensure players are medically fit to compete at the professional level. This is notably crucial for long-term player health and preventing future injuries.
• Interview Process: Teams conduct interviews with prospects to assess their character, hockey IQ, attitude, and background. This process offers insight into their mental makeup and provides a chance to gauge their personality.
• Off-Ice Skills: Prospects perform a series of strength tests to evaluate their overall level of strength and performance ability.

The facts gathered at the NHL Combine is absolutely vital.It gives teams the chance to compare players directly. This data is very important for teams making informed choices on NHL player draft selection at the annual event.

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Top Prospects: The Expected First-Rounders

The NHL Draft Combine frequently enough confirms expectations surrounding top prospects. While a standout performance can boost a player’s stock, poor results can raise concerns. Here’s an overview of potential high picks based on recent Combine performances and scouting reports (Note: This information is based on previous draft combines and publicly available scouting reports). Remember this year’s list is based on the 2023-2024 NHL draft.

Highly Anticipated Candidates

Many of these players are already highly touted by scouts, and the Combine provides a chance to solidify their positions.The scouting reports often focus on these players’ skating ability and hockey sense.

Player Name	position	key Strengths (Combine Highlights)	Areas to Watch
Macklin Celebrini	Center	Extraordinary agility and shot power. Strong interview performance.	Continued growth in strength and endurance
Artyom Levshunov	Defense	Well-rounded physical test results, including remarkable upper body strength.	Consistent performance under pressure.
Ivan Demidov	Right Wing	Excellent speed and puck handling skills.	Adaptation to North American ice surface.

The information provided is based on the projected first-round, but it’s crucial to remember that draft positions can shift significantly due to performances during the combine.

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Wild Cards: Players Gaining Momentum at the Combine

The NHL Draft Combine frequently enough unveils surprise performers – “wild card” players who elevate their draft stock.These individuals may have excelled in specific tests or impressed during interviews, catching the attention of scouts.Keep an eye on these players as the NHL draft approaches.

Breakout performances to watch

Here are some players who coudl significantly improve their draft positions based on strong showings at the Combine:

Player Name	Position	Combine Breakthrough	Potential Draft Rounds
Berkly Catton	Center	impressive acceleration and high hockey IQ scores.	Top 5-10 pick.
Sam Dickinson	Defense	Consistently high scores on all fitness tests, including skating agility.	Mid-first round.
Cole Eiserman	Left Wing	Shot power and accuracy tests.	High risk, High Reward. Project to mid-first round.

These players demonstrate that the Combine provides an opportunity for lesser-known athletes to gain significant recognition and potentially change the trajectory of their careers.

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The Impact of the NHL Draft Combine on team Strategies

The information acquired during the NHL Draft Combine significantly impacts team draft strategies. Teams gain valuable data on player potential, allowing them to make informed decisions.The combine’s data can also influence player progress strategies after the draft.

How Teams Utilize Combine Data

• Revised Draft Rankings: Performance in Combine tests and interviews causes scouts to update their rankings.
• Targeted Scouting: The Combine can highlight specific areas of improvement for players teams may draft.
• Risk Assessment: Medical evaluations help teams assess the injury risk of players, influencing draft decisions.
• Understanding Player Personality: Teams use interview results to gauge a player’s makeup and ensure they fit within the team culture.

By integrating NHL draft combine results, scouts can significantly reduce the risk of making a bad draft choice. Consequently, it helps them build a team that can win.

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Beyond the Physical: The Importance of Interview Performance

While the physical tests are vital, interviews at the NHL Draft Combine are very insightful. Talking to the players can give teams an understanding of the player’s intelligence, how they handle pressure, and how their mind works. These factors are critical in determining their suitability for the team.

Key Aspects in Interviews

• Hockey IQ and Game Understanding: Teams focus on how players see the game. The key is how they evaluate the decisions made on the ice.

• Teamwork and leadership qualities: Teams assess how well this player will contribute to culture.

• Handling Pressure: Teams are curious to know about the players’ response in crucial moments.

The interviews offer teams the chance to determine whether a player will thrive under pressure and fit into the team environment.

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Practical Tips for Monitoring Draft Prospects

For hockey fans and those interested in the NHL draft, staying informed is crucial. Following these scouting reports, you can make informed predictions.

Resources to Follow:

• Official NHL Website: Check the official NHL website for Combine results, schedules, and news updates, including insights on each of the athletes
• Hockey News Media: Sports media outlets provide extensive coverage and analysis of the Draft Combine, which includes a lot of scouting reports. Check out publications like the Hockey News, Sportsnet, and ESPN.
• Scouting and Draft Experts: Follow reputable hockey analysts and scouts on social media and read their articles for expert opinions.
• Team-Specific Coverage: Seek out fan sites, team websites, and local media covering your favorite NHL teams to get their take on the draft prospects.

Keep these sources in mind to stay current on NHL news, analysis, and predictions.