While the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is still seven months away (no official date set), it’s never too early to start pondering which players the Los Angeles Kings may have their eye on.
Today, we’re looking at Goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen from the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Prince George Cougars.
If the draft were happening today, the Kings would have a late first round pick, somewhere near 25th-overall.
NHL Central Scouting Services’ Preliminary List: Grade A
Bob McKenzie’s Preseason Ranking: 20th-overall
While there are a plethora of analysts and websites providing draft content, the two listed above are – in my view – the measuring stick. NHL Central Scouting Services (NHL CSS) is a department within the NHL whose primary duty is to provide draft information for its thirty-two clubs. Bob McKenzie is a well respected commentator whose draft rankings are compiled via amateur scouts working for NHL teams.
For those reasons, we can presume that the hype surrounding Ravensbergen is legitimate and that he should hear his name called on the first night of the draft, in Los Angeles.
Ravensbergen’s draft stock is within the range of where the Kings could make their selection. He could fall to them. They could move up to get him. Either way, he’s in their tier.
But is he on their radar?
In recent years, the Kings have restocked their Goaltending pipeline by drafting Hampton Slukynsky (2023) and Carter George (2024) while trading to acquire Erik Portillo.
Each netminder was selected in the fourth, second, and third rounds of the NHL Entry Draft, respectively; meaning they are seen as talents who can carry the torch.
Selecting a Goaltender in the first round of the draft is considered a bit taboo. The idea is simple: there are more skaters than netminders and acquiring talent upfront is pivotal.
Thus, first-round Goaltenders are usually something special (or thought to be).
Since 2010, eight Goaltenders have been selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. Of that group, only Sebastian Cossa (2021 – Detroit Red Wings) has yet to see NHL action.
The similarities between Cossa and Ravensbergen are there. Both are 6’6” netminders who rely on their size to find success, and it could take awhile for them to reach their full potential.
A few weeks back, I consulted with one of my longtime scouting sources about Ravensbergen. My inquiry was: is Ravensbergen a first-round talent the likes of Jake Oettinger, Jesper Wallstedt, and Yaroslav Askarov or is his draft grade a reach?
“To me, it is [a reach],” replied the scout. He did acknowledge that Ravensbergen’s size is desirable, but his athleticism leaves much to be desired.
So, if the Kings have a solid trio in their Goaltending pipeline already, and Ravensbergen may not be a grade A talent as NHL CSS suggests, then why draft him?
For one, 6’6” Goaltenders don’t grow on trees and the ones that do typically don’t have much to offer beyond that. Secondly, I believe Ravensbergen truly has NHL starter potential. Finally, if nothing else, he’d have trade value at a later date. Any way you slice it, this pick would have a return on investment.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5K2QR3sieA[/embed]
Keith Fries’ Scouting Report – Joshua Ravensbergen
2024-25 Viewings: Three
-Size is the immediate thing that catches your eye about Ravensbergen. The other physical element is his right-catching glove – which could pique the interest of NHL teams who value silly-siders for their ability to eliminate traditional shooting windows. In his only game at the 2024 CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, Ravensbergen came up big against the U.S. National Team Development Program’s (USNTDP) U-18s, showing poise when players crashed the net, solid puck tracking from various shot ranges, and most importantly backstopping his team to a 6-1 victory. Ravensbergen relies on his long legs to get the job done. You’ll often see Ravensbergen bait the opposition into shooting low into his pads, halting the puck’s momentum to make an easy cover. Ravensbergen may be a bit too reliant on his pinball flipper approach, sometimes making the more dramatic save than a simple one. Those theatrics are more prevalent in his time with Prince George where the level of competition is diluted and those risks can be taken; whereas on the international stage you don’t see him making too many risky movements. He has struggled against shots from mid-range but is improving. Excels against high-danger attempts. After his 6-1 win at the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, Ravensbergen wasn’t afraid to show elation when asked about registering an assist. “[A]n apple, that’s huge! I love that!” It's nice to see a bit of personality and authenticity from draftees who are otherwise coached up to say the right things.
- Keith Fries, December 2024