NHL draft Day 2 cheat sheet: Intriguing players, teams to watch

Capitals assistant general manager Ross Mahoney dropped some knowledge earlier this week, informing D.C.-based reporters that, on average, about 52 players from every draft enjoy meaningful NHL careers (minimum 250 games). The 2025 class “could be a little bit lighter” on NHLers, Mahoney noted. In the next breath, the longtime scout added that sometimes, a class surprises talent evaluators. A stacked group of prospects can look ordinary five years later while a so-called weak one can look extraordinary in due time. What tends to determine the quality of a draft class’ depth? The players chosen in Rounds 2-7. Below is…