With the New York Rangers
selecting outside the top 10 in the 2025 NHL Draft, it's imperative they do their due diligence to find value in the first round when they are on the clock with the No. 12 pick overall. Two players with different skill sets that fit that value mold are forwards Carter Bear and Cameron Schmidt.
Bear and Schmidt tied for the most goals scored (40) by first-time draft-eligible players in junior this past season. Though they go about it differently, each should bring great value to whichever team selects them at this year's draft.
Related: Sweden teammates offer more options for Rangers with No. 12 pick in 2025 NHL Draft
Everett (WHL): 6-foot, 179 pounds
NHL.com analysis from Adam Kimelman:
"An Achilles injury ended Bear's season March 9, but he scored 40 goals in 56 games when healthy, and the 18-year-old showed the ability to get his shot off quick in tight spaces. Bear (6-0, 179) is smart and skilled enough to find open ice and produce but is strong enough to make space for himself below the face-off dots and finish around the net. His work ethic on and off the ice also is one of his better qualities, and Everett general manager Mike Fraser has raved about Bear's coachability and low-maintenance attitude."
Bear is one of those players who should thrive come playoff time, so it was disappointing he couldn't play in the WHL playoffs this past spring. Though he may not be an elite player, Bear has plenty of skill to go with tremendous work ethic. Brandon Hagel
comes to mind when watching his tenacity mix with his crafty hands and shot.
He was the best player on one of the best teams in the WHL this past season before a partial tear to his Achilles in March. However, he's way ahead of schedule
, skating already and expects to be ready for NHL training camp in September.
Bear has the ability to play center but projects to be a left winger. That's a position the Rangers have an abundance of, sure, but his style and position versatility could be appealing to the them at No. 12, pending who else is still on the board.
He projects to be available outside of the top 10. That said, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise if some team reached for such a consistent, driven player with a high skill set. He may not drive play but certainly knows how to set the tone with and without the puck.
When he does have the puck, Bear has great hands in space, in traffic and near the goal line. He also has a great ability to take the puck to the net with a man draped all over him and stay there to put a rebound away if needed. The if comes from his ability to still make a couple swift moves to beat the goalie on the first try with opponents trying to out will him and failing.
Like Hagel, Bear has a sneaky shot as well where he's able to pick his corners off the rush from distance or in tight. It helps that he has an elite backhand like so few have. Always looking to make short passes with his linemates while going to the net. Something the Rangers seemingly refused to do all season.
With Brennan Othmann
and Will Cuylle
style's being similar, as well as position of left wing, this may not be the Rangers guy. But no doubt it's the sort of player they'd wish to have come playoff time.
Projected timeline to NHL: 2-3 years
Vancouver
(WHL): 5 foot-7, 161 pounds
NHL.com analysis from Adam Kimelman:
"His speed and tenacity offset any questions about his size (5-7, 161), similar to Cole Caufield
. Schmidt's shot is dynamic, and the 18-year-old was tied for seventh in the WHL with 40 goals in 61 games. He has a quick release off his forehand or backhand, and he also understands how to use his skating to get defenders off balance and drive around them or through them to create chances."
Schmidt might be he fastest prospect in the draft and his acceleration gave defenders fits all season. Even when it looks like you got him, his hands take over to undress opponents before beating the goalies clean in stride with a snipe or with a deke in tight. Hard to not see Cole Caufield in his game.
Playing in the rugged WHL may pay huge dividends for Schmidt. His tenacity has taken great strides in his puck retrieval skills to battle for pucks before letting his skill takeover. His ability to develop into the perhaps best skater and a top shooter in this draft speaks volumes to his determination to be an effective player at any level he plays at moving forward.
When the space isn't there, his motor and hands just keep going to embarrass opponents and will his way to the net. If anything, uses his size to his advantage the same way Caufield does while having some intensity in his game like Martin St. Louis
. His lack of size will drop him in the draft into at least the middle of the first round.
Funny how Montreal
, coached by St. Louis
and which drafted Caufield 15th overall in 2019, have the No. 16 pick in this draft. Deja vu? Certainly has potential to be a game breaker for them, something the Rangers are missing at the right wing position.
With smaller players like Gabe Perreault
and Brett Berard
potentially getting more minutes this season, the logic says the Rangers will look to one of the bigger, skilled players that will be available, especially at the center position
. But never say never about Schmidt.
Projected timeline to the NHL: 2-3 years
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