The NHL Draft is only nine days away and with the Stanley Cup Finals coming to a close last night, every team is turning their attention to the off-season. For Utah, they've been preparing for the 2025 NHL Draft since the Draft lottery back on May 5th. 

With the luck of the lottery, they will have a chance to pick fourth overall. On top of that, they have the chance to land a big fish in free agency this summer, which could drastically change the course of their franchise. In the past few weeks we've covered quite a few draft targets for Utah, which include James Hagens, Porter Martone, Brady Martin, Michael Misa and yesterday, Anton Frondell.

Today, I'll be looking at Caleb Desnoyers from the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. 

Scouting Report

Team: Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

2024–25 Stats: 35 G, 49 A, 84 P, 39 PIM

DOB: April 11, 2007

Position: C

Shoots: Left

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 172 lbs

Desnoyers has some of the best hockey IQ in the entire draft. He is known as a playmaker, and excels a ton in the offensive zone. His passing ability is elite, he can find any one of his teammates from just about anywhere on the ice. He also is great off the rush, he can snap a pass at any time, which makes him a huge threat. In terms of his shot, it isn't as good as others in the top 5-10, but he can score. This past year in junior, he had 35 goals, he isn't going to be an Auston Matthews but he can still score 20-25 goals per season at the pro level.

Desnoyers is a traditional center icemen, he is good in the neutral zone and his own zone. He back checks hard, gets his sticks in lane and blocks shots. He also has the ability to quickly transition on a turnover, with a good breakout pass. Desnoyers also has a bit of a mean streak, he isn't going to drop the gloves, but he isn't afraid to use his size whether it be throwing hits or battling in the corners, he has a motor that is always working.

Utah Mammoth 2025 Draft Target: Anton Frondell We are back with yet another draft day target for the Utah Mammoth. After looking at James Hagens, Michael Misa and Porter Martone, we are moving on down the list to another player that seems to be a consensus top-five pick in the draft. Today, we will be looking at Swedish forward Anton Frondell from Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League.

What the Scouts Are Saying:

Constantly involving teammates in his play, Desnoyers bases his transition game on short passes, give-and-gos, and delay plays. He connects with teammates in all directions, displaying advanced precision and awareness at 5-on-5, as well as a high level of deception on the power play, attacking downhill, challenging defenders, and threading passes across and to the far post. — Elite Prospect, 2025

"Desnoyers thinks the game at an elite level. He’s calculating off the rush and displays an ability to attack with speed or pull up, take stock of his options, and distribute. It’s nearly impossible to teach forwards to play the game the way Desnoyers does." — Jason Bukala, Sportsnet

"Desnoyers is competitive and has great habits. He’s committed to playing defense, supporting pucks, staying in good positions and not cheating for offense. He’s opportunistic and gets open really well." — Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

"An adept passer and very smart offensive zone player who also initiates contacts and resists physical pressure remarkably well, Desnoyers fills most of the boxes when it comes to what NHL teams look for in a center. To us, him being sold as this two-way force doesn’t really track, as he’s often not as involved as he could be in defensive zone, and we also don’t think the skill level is at a top 10 level." — Smaht Scouting

"Desnoyers is the ultimate complementary player in this draft class but doesn't drive the bus on his own. He is a smart off-puck mover who can get to his spots, make intelligent passes and connect plays. He can adapt to various styles of players because he can be a shooter or a facilitator." — Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News

Desnoyers is cool, calm, and collected in all three zones. He scans play incredibly well and knows when and how to insert himself without overcommitting or getting caught up. That leaves him a bit inactive, or observing, at times – but when Desnoyers gets involved, he’s hard to beat. He’s a physical and strong centerman with a great stick and strong instinct for using his body to protect the puck. — Gabe Foley, Recruit Scouting

Utah Mammoth 2025 Draft Target: Porter Martone With the 2025 NHL Draft only 11 days away, NHL teams are in full off-season swing. Between all the rumours and all the potential moves within the draft board, things are going to get intense, rather quickly.

Some scouts have pointed out that Desnoyers would fit in well with the young core of Logan Cooley, Cole Beaudoin, Tij Iginla and more in Utah. I would tend to agree, if they were to draft Desnoyers, he would slot well in behind Cooley as the second line center, which would push Beaudoin down to the third line. That would be an ideal three-headed monster for years to come. Only time will tell what happens, but there is a good amount of buzz that the Mammoth really like Martin and could be leaning towards selecting him. But if Desnoyers is still available at four, you have to think that GM Bill Armstrong and his scouting staff at least considers him.

Let us know what you think below.

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 (Photo Credit: Daniel St. Louis)