Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/87db415c-4bb5-4ae0-afc4-57680d3692bb.jpeg] As the U18s wind down. Draft pundits like myself will be making some alterations to the 2025 NHL Draft rankings. Recency bias is real and I try like heck to stay away from that. Also, some players really shine and as long as there are games going on, players will move up or down depending on their performance. One player who is excelling is Braeden Cootes. He’s currently leading Team Canada in scoring with 10 points in four games. That’s terrific and he’s the captain of the team so that’s exactly what a draft eligible player wants to do - - finish the season strong. The example I always use is current Leafs forward, Scott Laughton. Back in 2012, he had seven points in seven games. That was one more point than Sam Reinhart. Considering he wasn’t a point-per-game player in the regular season that year but he had five points in six playoff games. This tournament made the Flyers confident that they could draft him 20th overall without hesitation and he’s had a nice NHL career. I’ll be tracking the games, writing about some surprise players and maybe some who might fall a bit. Between that and the NHL Draft Lottery coming up soon, that will keep me busy as the Canadiens try and keep their season going. Whenever that ends, fans always turn to the draft and I’m here for that.
