The recent 2025 NHL Entry Draft was a captivating affair, brimming with anticipation, surprising picks, and a new “decentralized” format that certainly sparked conversation. While the top prospects gathered in Los Angeles, teams like our very own New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers navigated the draft from their respective home bases, shaping the future of their franchises with each strategic selection.
The Devils’ Strategic Swings: A Mix of Skill and Mystery
The New Jersey Devils entered the draft with seven picks, and they utilized every single one, meticulously building their prospect pool. After focusing on a series of talented forwards and a promising goaltender in the earlier rounds, the Devils made a particularly intriguing move in the sixth round, selecting defenseman Sigge Holmgren at 178th overall.
Holmgren’s selection immediately piqued interest, not just because he’s a defenseman joining a list of mostly offensive picks, but because he completely missed his entire draft year due to an undisclosed injury. This made evaluating the pick a fascinating challenge for analysts, with very little video or public information available. Holmgren, a teammate of fellow Devils draft pick Gustav Hillström from Brynäs IF in Sweden, is expected to continue his development in the Swedish J20 Nationell league.
The decision to draft an unranked player coming off a lost season speaks volumes about the Devils’ scouting department. It suggests a “shrewd move” – a calculated risk that they’ve had their eye on Holmgren for some time, believing his potential far outweighs the recent setback. If he overcomes his injury and develops into an NHL player, it would truly be a remarkable story, especially for a late-round pick. Imagine a “Siegs-Sigge pairing” if he ever graces the ice alongside Jonas Siegenthaler! This pick is undoubtedly one that will be watched closely, embodying the long-game strategy often employed in the later rounds of the draft.
Beyond Holmgren, the Devils made other significant selections, including centers Connor Fondrk (50th overall) and Mason Moe (90th overall), winger Ben Kevan (63rd overall), and towering goaltender Trenten Bennett (99th overall). Each of these players brings a unique skill set and potential to the Devils’ pipeline, reflecting a concerted effort to build a well-rounded and competitive future roster.
The Flyers’ Quest for Grit and Size: A Return to “Big Brutes”?
Down in South Jersey, the Philadelphia Flyers also made headlines with their 2025 NHL Draft strategy, particularly in the highly anticipated first round. General Manager Danny Briere and his team, including Keith Jones and Rick Tocchet, seemingly embarked on a mission to bring “Big Brutes On Broad Street” back into fashion.
The Flyers’ first-round picks certainly leaned into size and physicality. At No. 6 overall, they selected Porter Martone, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound power forward. Comparisons to players like Matthew Tkachuk immediately surfaced, suggesting a clear intent to add grit and scoring prowess. Not content with just one impactful selection, the Flyers then made a trade with rival Pittsburgh, moving up to the No. 12 overall spot to snag Jack Nesbitt, a raw but promising 6-foot-4, 185-pound center.
Briere, while downplaying the notion of an explicit “plan” to get bigger, admitted that with centers going quickly, they “wanted to jump in and make sure we got a center and a center that can be a difference maker.” This aggressive move to secure Nesbitt after picking Martone suggests a strategic agility aimed at addressing positional needs while still prioritizing the “best player available.”
The emphasis on physical forwards like Martone and Nesbitt, combined with subsequent picks such as Shane Vansaghi (a 6-foot-4 second-rounder known for nastiness and grit), indicates a clear direction for the Flyers. After years of missing the playoffs, the organization appears to be building a team that can compete effectively in a league that, despite rule changes, still rewards physical play. The pipeline already includes other sizable prospects like defenseman Spencer Gill and forward Heikki Ruohonen, complementing skilled but smaller forwards like Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov.
The “Decentralized” Draft Experience: A Mixed Bag
This year’s NHL Draft also saw a new, “decentralized” format, where teams conducted their selections from their home cities while top prospects gathered in Los Angeles. For the Flyers, this meant their media contingent was hastily assembled in a casino in Atlantic City – a fitting, if not slightly ironic, backdrop for an event focused on high-stakes picks.
The new format generated mixed reviews. While it allowed teams more freedom to strategize in their own war rooms, some found the television broadcast disjointed and less personal. Moments like Adam Sandler introducing the Boston Bruins’ pick James Hagens as his character “Happy Gilmore” provided entertainment, but technical glitches and extended pauses often disrupted the flow, leading to some “eye-rolling” from commentators. Commissioner Gary Bettman, acting as a roving ringmaster, tried to sell the new format’s value, but the sentiment among many was a yearning for the more traditional, centralized event. This decentralized approach might prove to be a “one-off,” with Bettman himself acknowledging that the league will revert to the old format if teams prefer it.
As the dust settles on the 2025 NHL Draft, both the Devils and Flyers have made significant additions to their organizations. From the Devils’ calculated gamble on a high-upside defenseman to the Flyers’ clear commitment to building a bigger, tougher roster, New Jersey’s NHL landscape is undoubtedly evolving. The picks made now will shape the future of these teams for years to come, offering plenty for local hockey fans to anticipate.
And for those who enjoy a different kind of “draft,” perhaps one involving hops and malts, New Jersey’s thriving craft beer scene offers its own exciting selections! Explore the diverse world of local brews and support our fantastic independent producers by visiting our dedicated page on New Jersey Beer & Breweries.
