ESPN News: Whose NHL draft stock rose, declined at the scouting combine?….

ESPN News: Whose NHL draft stock rose, declined at the scouting combine?….

 

Overview of the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine

 

Held recently in Buffalo, the Scouting Combine featured rigorous fitness tests, medical evaluations, and extensive interviews with all 32 NHL teams present at centralized suites. This event is a critical opportunity for prospects to influence how teams view them ahead of the draft on June 27–28 .

 

 

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Biggest Winners: Players Whose Stock Rose

 

Brady Martin (OHL, Power Forward)

 

Increase: From late-first to potential top-10 pick

Why it surged: His standout OHL season combined with impressive athletic testing at the Combine ignited a dramatic rise in his stock. Once pegged around 12–15, ESPN projects he could go as early as #4, with some scouts now comparing his style to Sam Bennett .

 

Victor Eklund & Anton Frondell (Djurgårdens, Sweden)

 

Status: Maintained or slightly improved

They impressed scouts with their chemistry—notably demanding to play together within drills—and refined on-ice performance caught attention .

 

Carter Bear (Everett Silvertips, WHL)

 

Stock status: Potential “jumper”

He didn’t participate in fitness tests due to a March Achilles injury, but his 40-goal, 82-point season and projected return to full health kept his draft appeal intact .

 

 

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Players Whose Stock May Have Declined

 

While ESPN hasn’t named underperformers explicitly, the Combine often negatively impacts prospects who show up out of shape or struggle in interviews or athletic tests . Early indications suggest:

 

Physically underbuilt players may have slipped.

 

Those who fumbled interview questions or demonstrated questionable makeup likely saw their hope of top-tier draft placement tarnished .

 

 

 

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Inside the Interviews: Beyond Athleticism

 

The interview stage was as crucial as workouts. Scenes of teams quizzing prospects on in-game film, situational responses, and even quirky questions like “What animal would you be?” or asking for a joke—in Ottawa’s case—revealed character under pressure .

 

These sessions help teams assess maturity, hockey IQ, and psychological resilience—factors that can play as large a role as athletic metrics.

 

 

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Wildcards & Dark Horse Names

 

Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters): Firmly in consideration for top pick.

 

Porter Martone & James Hagens: Experienced visible bumps from interviews and testing.

 

Carter Bear’s health is being closely monitored, affecting his potential first-round placement .

 

 

Additionally, ESPN described this draft as “an embarrassment of riches” on the forward side, with 16–18 players projected as solid top-10 picks .

 

 

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What’s Next Leading to Draft Weekend

 

The Combine results give teams final data inputs.

 

Draft boards are being finalized based on performance, interviews, and positional needs.

 

Trade speculation is heating up—teams may package picks depending on where prospects land.

 

 

 

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️ Summary Table

 

Player / Group Draft Stock Movement Key Combine Impact

 

Brady Martin Major rise Athletic testing + standout OHL season, now top-10 speculated

Victor Eklund & Anton Frondell Maintained/risen On-ice synergy & interview interaction impressed teams

Carter Bear Stable/prospect jump Solid season, injury pause; health is NBD but crucial

Undisclosed underperformers Possible drop Poor testing, subpar interviews factor into late-round slide

 

 

 

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Final Take & Outlook

 

The 2025 Scouting Combine shook up how teams perceive several top prospects. While physical testing remains vital, interviews that reveal character, team fit, and situational thinking are just as decisive.

 

Top Gainers: Brady Martin surged, partly on hopes he might land as high as fourth overall.

 

Potential Slumps: Athletically lacking or poor communicators likely fell in boards.

 

Wildcard Surprises: Players like Bear, Eklund, Frondell could either leap forward or plateau depending on final evaluations.

 

 

With the draft just weeks away, coy takeaways hint at unpredictability—yet expectations are soaring for a first round loaded with talent and intrigue.

 

 

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Would you like me to break down each prospect in more detail, explore athletic test metrics, or analyze potential trade targets based on Combine intel? Just say the word!