San Jose Sharks
BREAKING: Sharks Pick Cole McKinney at No. 53 in 2025 Draft
The San Jose Sharks have selected Cole McKinney with the No. 53 pick of the 2025 Draft.
McKinney, a center, put up 27 goals and 61 points for the U.S. National Team Development Program this past season. The 6-foot center is committed to the University of Michigan for next season.
McKinney was No. 37 on Bob McKenzie’s final 2025 Draft rankings.
The Elite Prospects 2025 Draft Guide had McKinney No. 51.
“Offensively, McKinney is a play-builder and supporter,” Elite Prospects said. “Most effective around the net, he wins battles, creates space, and frees his stick for loose pucks. He extends the cycle and flashes some playmaking at times, especially off the rush.”
Elite Prospects compares McKinney to Jake Evans.
McKinney was No. 32 on Chris Peters’s top-100 2025 Draft Prospects.
“While I think he’s likely a middle-six center who can play tough matchups, kill penalties, and give you good, aggressive shifts, there’s just enough offense there to be valuable secondary scoring and I could see him carving out a variety of roles at the next level,” Peters wrote.
The San Jose Sharks’ next pick in the 2025 NHL Draft is scheduled to be the No. 95 selection of the third round.
Watching this draft for the Sharks, I feel like the hitter in baseball who read the scouting report and its said the pitcher was a right-hander who threw noting but fastballs. Only to find out he’s a southpaw who relies on change-ups. One of the things been discussed up here is Hasso’s age and the perception of urgency in getting this franchise competing again. But both Wang and Ravensbergen are 2030 and beyond sorts. Whereas guys like Fiddler and Spence project to get to the NHL faster. I’m a ‘don’t rush a rebuild’ sort — one of the few up… Read more »
Personally, I am not at all surprised. The messaging from Grier has always been that he is taking a step-by-step approach to the rebuild. He will not shortcut laying the foundation. I’m not not sure what Hasso’s perspective on everything is, but to his credit he has always been an owner who did not micromanage. I think he is also intelligent enough to realize it won’t do him any good to rush the build. He has seen this team come close but never win a Stanley Cup. I think he sees that rushing would just end up with a half-baked… Read more »
I hear you
But flip side to that is consistent crowds of 10, 11000.
OR waiting 3+ years for guys to develope..
That Dont
I do not know if the two are mutually exclusive. Misa is a core joiner now or next year, there are other guys that are now, soon guys. You can start building and competing while guys like Wang and Ravensbergen develop. If you want that long open window, you need those guys to hit in 4-5 years and be cheap options but play super high in line ups.
You end up with a back log of all these guys being soon to now and suddenly you are in cap hell, but if they trickle in, makes navigating cap much easier.
Based on what Sebastian High had to say about McKinney, I like this pick a lot!
GMMG has said he want to build a TEAM of different skills/attributes and types of players. IMO this type of pick is “Exhibit A.” This guy apparently has an “edge” and is difficult to play against. I like it!