The Journey: NHL Combine Takeaways

Puneet Sharma

2025-06-14

Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

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This week, we are covering the week that was the 2025 NHL Draft Combine, held in Buffalo, where the buzz extended beyond on-ice drills to the crucial off-ice evaluations that shape draft day decisions. Over hundreds of fitness assessments, psychological screenings, and more than 100 interviews, teams gathered insights to fine tune their draft strategies as the countdown to the June 28 NHL Draft in Los Angles nears. Here is a recap of the key takeaways from Buffalo and what it all means for NHL prospects on the cusp of making their mark.

The NHL Combine has long been associated with physical testing such as VO2 max scores, vertical jumps, bench presses, and agility drills that dominate the headlines. However, in recent history NHL teams' front offices evaluate much more than just raw athletic ability. They have evolved into evaluating not only the physical tools but also intangible qualities like hockey IQ, character, and emotional maturity. These elements are now considered just as crucial as anything measured in a gym setting.

In particular, the interview portion of the Combine has changed over the years. Once viewed as a minor formality, the interviews are now regarded as the most critical component of the entire evaluation process. Scouts, GMs, and directors of player development all emphasized that they are looking for deeper insights into how prospects handle adversity and how they might adapt to the psychological demands of a professional environment. The shift is deliberate and teams want to understand not only what kind of player a prospect is today but also the of who they can become over time.

Modern NHL teams are placing increasing value on versatility. Forwards capable of moving seamlessly between center and wing, as are defensemen who can play both the left and right side. Positional flexibility opens doors for quicker NHL deployment and added lineup security in the long term. The ability to read plays, make quick decisions under pressure, and manage the pace of the game is rising to the top of draft boards.

Timeline to the NHL is another growing consideration. In today's cap-conscious league, teams are eager to identify players who can step into meaningful depth roles within a year or two while still on their ELCs. Teams are now more focused into player's off-ice habits such as nutrition, sleep patterns, daily routines, and mental preparation. These details are no longer "extras" but rather are reliable indicators of how a prospect might develop over the long term.

Several prospects mentioned being surprised by how pointed and psychological the questions were. Many were questioned on leadership, emotional discipline, and situational awareness, or even tell a joke, all of which are designed to reveal who can lead, who can listen, and who can hold their composure when the spotlight is on.

Among those who impressed during the process, Matthew Schaefer stood out as a clear leader. Projected as a top-two selection and widely believed to be first overall, Schaefer demonstrated composure, maturity, and a sharp understanding of his own development path. Although he sat out some physical testing while recovering from a broken collarbone, his ability to articulate his rehab process and break down his game in a clear and concise manner left a lasting impression.

Anton Frondell and James Hagens also earned praise for their poise and hockey intelligence. Michael Misa missed a portion of the fitness testing; however, he still made a strong impact through his interviews. He reportedly met with 13 teams, including the Sharks, Islanders, and Predators. He did not, however, meet with the Blackhawks, who own the third overall pick. That detail, combined with GM Kyle Davidson’s comment that he already knows Misa well, has added fuel to speculation about potential draft-day maneuvering should the dynamic forward begin to slide.

While the interviews earned plenty of attention, it is the physical testing that often captures the imagination of fans following the NHL Combine was also interesting to see. Cameron Schmidt of the WHL's Vancouver Giants was the clear standout in this year's testing. The undersized forward delivered elite results across multiple categories, primarily finishing among the top performers in the 50% body-weight bench press challenge.  

Carter Klippenstein also impressed, with his pro-agility sprint and the Wingate Test. His lateral quickness, acceleration, and strength-to-weight ratio stood out in a class where overall athleticism appeared more evenly distributed than in past years. Combined with positive interview feedback, Klippenstein's performance helped elevate his draft stock. Let's also not forget about William Horcoff, who beat out the entire competition in the horizontal jump.

Sam Laurila turned heads beating out Klippenstein with his Wingate cycle test, posting the highest peak anaerobic power score among all of those who participated, adding weight to the argument that he could emerge as a valuable pick in the later rounds.

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Porter Martone proved he can move exceptionally well for a player his size making him an attractive option for clubs seeking a heavy-minutes forward who can perform in both offensive and physical matchups.

Charlie Trethewey established himself as one of the most physically NHL-ready defensemen in this draft class. His blend of size, balance, and mobility could push him into the mid-first-round range for teams looking to solidify their blue line with a dependable, high-floor prospect.

Roger McQueen deserves credit as a Combine riser. After missing most of the season due to a misdiagnosed lower-back fracture, he arrived healthy, cleared all tests, and showed no signs of regression and firmly articulated that he is back on the radar.

Swedish prospects Frondell and Victor Eklund brought fresh energy into the Combine with strong performances reasserting themselves into the pre-draft conversation. Eklund displayed elite balance, and lower-body explosiveness, all qualities that continue to reinforce his ceiling as a dynamic forward. Meanwhile, Frondell’s interviews drew plenty of attention. Teams repeatedly circled back to his international experience, maturity in his two-way game, and how comfortably he has adapted to the smaller North American ice. There is growing belief that Frondell could step into a lineup far sooner than initially projected.

One of the biggest Combine risers was Caleb Desnoyers. Often slotted just outside the top ten in most rankings, Desnoyers used this opportunity to reset the narrative. He delivered a solid physical performance and followed it up with a composed, insightful interview circuit that left a lasting impression. It would not be surprising if a team inside the top ten re-evaluates and moves him up their board.

In contrast to past years where a standout goaltender dominated the buzz, this year's goalie class has been steady, not headline-stealing. That said, positional demands can always shift the board. Rebuilding teams in need of long-term help in net could make a play late in the first round. Joshua Ravensbergen remains the most likely candidate to push his way into that tier, with Pyotr Andreyanov and Lucas Beckman projected to follow in the second or third rounds.

Speculation is swirling around potential draft-day movement. There is increasing noise that Chicago may explore trading up from the No. 3 position, particularly if San Jose surprises and passes on Misa. That move would likely involve flipping multiple picks and would need to be executed quickly after the first overall pick is made.

At the same time, Frondell is firmly back in the conversation as a potential top-five option, which could force some teams to rework their draft boards on the fly. Teams like Buffalo and Nashville, both holding multiple picks, could become active in trade discussions. This draft is shaping up to be far more volatile than most, with surprises likely outside the top ten. Expect the unexpected.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, or if there’s a prospect, you’d like me to cover, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey.

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