The top ranked Quebec product checks in for the 2025 draft
Welcome back to our feature on draft profiles for projected top picks in the upcoming 2025 NHL draft. Catch up with the previous ones here:
No 1: Matthew Schaefer
No 2: Michael Misa
No. 3: Porter Martone
No. 4: Anton Frondell
No. 5: James Hagens
For the rankings, we have turned to the venerable Bob McKenzie from TSN for his listing of players. McKenzie’s list is typically in-tune with the NHL, because his rankings are an average that comes from surveying 10 active NHL scouts. As such, the list is set as follows for players we will look to profile in the coming weeks to spread some awareness and knowledge for Pittsburgh NHL fans to get to know some of the top prospects.
No. 6: Caleb Desnoyers, 6’1” 178 pounds, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
The top prospect from Quebec has set himself up to be a potential top-5 pick. Caleb Desnoyers offers an intriguing package for NHL teams. Desnoyers profiles as a center with skill, creativity and good drive. He’s a well-rounded player that coaches love for his compete level and all-around ability. Desnoyers’ ceiling may vary from person to person but a common theme is that he should be one of the “safer” picks with a floor of being some level of an NHL contributor.
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In many areas his analytical profile is very strong with great playmaking ability, great shot assist generation, landing a lot of scoring chances on his own and running play up the ice well. He’s physical and benefits from offensive zone turnovers with the best of them. Analytically the only hole there is his shot selection with 56% of his attempts coming from the perimeter, so I’m sticking my neck out here a little bit. I just believe that translating him to the NHL is a tough thing to do and I’m not sure what I’d be comfortable doing with him there if not a third line centre, but a very good one at that. I find that Desnoyers isn’t particularly proactive but is very good at being reactive, and in my opinion that limits your NHL potential, especially on the defensive side of the puck. His skill is good but not great, he’s decently quick but doesn’t really escape from pressure well, and I find that he greatly benefits from linemates and sloppy opposition through his apt positioning and quick thinking
Continues to impress with his professional approach to the game. He’s the type of player a coach can trust in any situation.
Desnoyers was one of the best players in the QMJHL this season as a leader on the top team in the league. The No. 1 pick in his QMJHL Draft, he checks every box for what you want in an NHL center. He’s tall and fast and makes a lot happen with and without the puck. Desnoyers displays excellent skill and playmaking ability. He creates offense on the move, off the perimeter and at the net. He has great creativity as a playmaker, while also being a detailed two-way player. Desnoyers can be trusted to check top players as he has a physical edge in his game and gives a high effort every game. He has the potential to be a No. 1 center who can play in any situation.
Desnoyers is a safe bet to become a two-way, top-six forward. I like his physical play, even though he’s not huge. I think he’s a great playmaker and he’s one of the smarter centers in this draft. Desnoyers might not be the flashiest, but at the very least, but he does so many intelligent things with the puck every night. Desnoyers is a guy you can win with, having done so at various international tournaments already. That ability to stay calm and collected under pressure – and still perform to a high level – matters to NHL teams.
Desnoyers is able to put up these numbers largely because of his extremely deceptive playmaking. He can pass from anywhere on the ice, constantly looking to find his teammates in high-danger areas. The only slight knock on him here is that he can work to improve his passing efficiency. He’s a risk-taker in this way, but his failures usually just lead to clears to the neutral zone. Nevertheless, Desnoyers is super smart and skilled as a passer, both inside the offensive zone and off the rush. He could seriously flourish in this area at the professional level.
It’s not just passing that makes Desnoyers an offensive threat. His shot isn’t that powerful, but converting at almost 20% efficiency in both the regular season and playoffs must mean something. It does, as his hockey IQ shines a bit here as well. He jams home loose pucks in the net front and presents himself as a target when the defense breaks down.
While Desnoyers’ offense is easy to rave about, he holds his own in all three zones. He’s strong in transition and capable as a puck-carrier, and is involved defensively. While his frame could use a bit of rounding out, he still wins board battles, shows physicality, and forces turnovers. He could be more dominant, but as is, these are areas to feel good about. Desnoyers is an elite play-driver, as well.
There’s some belief that Desnoyers isn’t a high-upside prospect. This is not the case. He has arguably the brightest mind in the 2025 class, which has made him very productive offensively and effective in all three zones.
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As far as the Penguins specific view on this pick goes, Desnoyers will surely be gone by the 11th pick. The bigger issue moving forward for the Pens may be the fact that the Philadelphia Flyers pick sixth – right in the wheelhouse of when Desnoyers might come off the board. Pittsburgh would need to trade up to have the chance to draft Desnoyers in June, it is far more likely over the years they will be seeing him as an opponent, be it in Philadelphia or elsewhere.