I must say, it’s not the best year to be responsible for scouting Europe…

We might have an update to our draft rankings McKeen's Hockey dropping today! Keep an eye out! 😉

And here it is… Matthew Schaefer overtakes the top spot in our updated draft rankings for the 2025 Draft. McKeen's Hockey Top 32 free to view for all: mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2025-… Top 64 available to subscribers.

Almost two years ago I identified Neuenschwander as one of the most promising Swiss talents that was coming out of the country. Now as a 15 year old he has made the Swiss World Junior team as a TRIPLE underager. Get exited for this kid.

A few thoughts with Chase Rochon following last night’s OHL top prospect game.

Throwback to my 2022 NHL draft rankings. I think I did a bang up job here, almost no one else in the sport had Lane Hutson at #9 at the time of the draft. Then Buchelnikov is having one of the best KHL seasons for a player his age ever. I had him 13. He was unranked by CSS.

Truly a terrible day - Rest easy Tobias, taken way too soon. He still had so much to give the sport of hockey.

Big moment here for the OHL. I say throw the book at him and make an example out of him. Absolutely unacceptable behaviour at any level of hockey. I know you’re competitive and emotions get high, but you need to reel it in while on the ice.

Nope, him and his advisors have no plans whatsoever on applying.

One of the most under appreciated players in this draft. This kid can hit, is intimidating and can be an absolute blanket. He’s going much higher than the public scouting scene thinks.

This trade is “bonkers” because of the Adam Valentini rights included. There were picks being held up until 2027 from the original Valentini to Kitchener trade. With this move, those picks being held up are officially sent to Brampton and Kitchener cuts their losses.

How does he win defender of the month, when he has been playing as a forward for half of the month?

Embarrassing showing for Minnesota

Wow. Crazy sequence of events here. Hope to get the full story/explanation one day.

Something I don’t see nearly enough people talking about is that I don’t think NCAA eligibility is voided by an ELC anymore. It’s not a matter of if, but when the first NHL prospect with an ELC plays in the NCAA.

Excellent article and read here by Greg: Don’t think people really understand how massive this news is for NHL prospects. I tweeted about it earlier today, NHL prospects signed to ELC’s are going to play in the NCAA. It’s just a question of “who’s first?”

Insanely talented blue liner.

Gotta question having Rudolph all the way down at #17 when I think there is a genuine discussion to be had he is the top defender in this class.