Neutral Zone – Men's
In-Depth Amateur Scouting Coverage and Rankings

Login/Logout

NHL Scouting Reports

Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Top 250

As we dive into the 2025 NHL Draft class, it’s essential to evaluate prospects through the lens of today’s game, where size, while still a factor, is no longer the defining trait it once was. The modern NHL demands speed, skill, and intelligence at every position. However, physical benchmarks remain part of the projection process. With the average NHL player standing at 6’1.5″ and weighing 206 pounds—and the average NHL All-Star only slightly smaller—teams continue to value players who combine ability with a frame that can withstand the rigors of the pro game and the NHL playoffs.

U18 World Championships: Sweden

Team Sweden had a successful tournament, going four wins to only one loss in pool play, avenging an earlier loss to the USA with a 4-3 semifinal win, propelling them…

U18 World Championships: Czechia

The Czechs only won a single game at this tournament, finishing round-robin pool play with a 1-4 record. They played well, but puck luck was simply not with them as…

U18 World Championships: Slovakia

Slovakia has garnered significant attention in recent years, particularly with the prohibition of Russian participation in international competition. This is evidenced by the substantial number of Slovakian players selected in…

U18 World Championships: Finland

Finland likely isn’t pleased with their performance at this year’s tournament. They concluded with a record of two wins and three losses in five games, primarily hampered by a lack…

U18 World Championships: Switzerland

This was not the tournament Switzerland had hoped for. They got off to a poor start, being outscored 20 to 3 in the first two games against two strong opponents:…

NTDP: Drew Schock

Drew Schock (D, L, 6’0″, 178, NTDP U18, 02/07/2007, Michigan) Schock is a reliable, mobile two-way defenseman with strong instincts, leadership traits, and a polished puck-moving game. Serving as an…

USHL: Ashton Schultz

Ashton Schultz (RW, R, 5’11”, 180, Chicago Steel, 10/03/2006, North Dakota) Ashton Schultz is a right-shot forward with offensive instincts, pace, and a heavy perimeter shooting mentality. He was tied…

OHL: Tanner Lam

Tanner Lam (RW, R, 5’9″, 156, Kitchener Rangers, 07/17/2007) Tanner Lam is a 5’9″, 155-pound right-shot right wing playing for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL. In 67 games this…

USHL: Artemi Nizameyev

Artemi Nizameyev (LW, R, 5’10”, 191, Tri City Storm, 11/20/2005, Miami (Ohio)) Artemi Nizameyev is a skilled, pace-driven right shot forward who produced nearly a point per game in the…

QMJHL: Samuel Meloche

Samuel Meloche (G, L, 6’2″, 194, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 07/22/2007) Samuel Meloche is a 6’2”, 190-pound left-catching goaltender for Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL. In 51 appearances during the 2024–25 season, Meloche…

NTDP: Garrett Lindberg

Garrett Lindberg (D, R, 5’11”, 190, NTDP U18, 03/08/2007, North Dakota) Garrett Lindberg is a right-shot defenseman who brings maturity, defensive intelligence, and high-level puck distribution to the U.S. National…

USHL: Bobby Cowan

Robert Cowan (RW, R, 5’11”, 176, Madison Capitols, 06/12/2006, Western Michigan) Bobby Cowan is a 5’11”, 178-pound right-shot winger who can also play center. In his 2024–25 season with the…

MHL: Alexander Filippov

Alexander Filippov (D, R, 6’2″, 176, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, 09/26/2006) Alexander Filippov is a long, mobile, right-shot defenseman who has played a consistent depth role on a strong CSKA MHL…

SM-sarja: Julius Saari

Julius Saari (D, L, 6’3″, 187, Jokerit U20, 03/07/2007) Julius Saari is a physically imposing, defense-first left-shot defenseman with international leadership experience and a clear identity as a shutdown presence….

USHL: Richard Baran

Richard Baran (D, L, 6’1″, 188, Des Moines Buccaneers, 10/24/2005, Arizona State) Richard Baran is a mobile, puck-moving left-shot defenseman with strong transition ability and a consistent two-way profile. In…

U20 SM-sarja: Jasu Mensonen

Jasu Mensonen (LW, L, 5’11”, 186, Lukko U20, 01/12/2007) Jasu Mensonen is a competitive, athletic two-way winger who played a key role this season for both Lukko U20 in Finland’s…

MHL: Daniil Kuzmin

Daniil Kuzmin (D, L, 6’3″, 201, Loko Yaroslavl MHL, 01/22/2007) Daniil Kuzmin is a physically mature, left-shot defenseman playing in Russia’s top junior league (MHL) for Loko-76 Yaroslavl. He brings…

USHL: Cullen McCrate

Cullen McCrate (D, R, 6’1″, 195, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 04/18/2007, Michigan State) Cullen McCrate is a physically engaged, stay-at-home right-shot defenseman who plays a simple, hard-nosed game. After a difficult…

QMJHL: Xavier Lebel

Xavier Lebel (RW, R, 5’11”, 176, Quebec Remparts, 03/25/2007) Xavier Lebel is a gritty, competitive winger who emerged from relative obscurity as a 7th-round QMJHL pick to earn a meaningful…

Scroll to top