Welcome to your 2025 NHL Entry Draft Headquarters right here at Last Word On Sports and Top Shelf Prospects. We have you covered with everything you will need to be ready for the big event. This year’s draft is set to take place on June 27th and 28th, live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Today, we bring you our Roger McQueen Scouting Report.
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Roger McQueen is one of the most interesting prospects the NHL draft has seen in recent memory. For starters, he’s huge. At only 18 years old, McQueen clocks in at a towering 6’5″, 192 pounds, and is easily one of the most physically mature players in this draft. If that wasn’t intriguing enough, McQueen started the season with eight goals in eight games, including a four-goal opening night, before going down to injury. Once returning from injury five months later, he finishes the season with only two goals in nine games. The question is: Is McQueen most like the player post-injury or pre-injury?
Roger McQueen Scouting Report: 2025 NHL Draft #9
Forward – Shoots Right
Born Oct 02, 2006 – Saskatoon, SK, CAN
Height 6’5″ – Weight 192 lbs [195cm/87kg]
Offensive Game
You rarely see players of McQueen’s size put up any offensive numbers in the sport of hockey. That’s one of the things that makes him so intriguing. Despite the slow post-injury stretch, McQueen was still able to put together 10 goals and 20 points in 17 games. That equates to roughly a 40-goal, 80-point pace over the course of a full season.
Roger McQueen start his draft-eligivle season with a BANG!
4 goals on 6 shots – including a natural hat trick in the 3rd period.
If there’s a forward who could seriously contend for 1st overall this year, it’s him
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) September 21, 2024
McQueen is a dual threat offensively, excelling in both passing and scoring. He boasts a powerful arsenal when it comes to his shooting, with both a strong wrist shot and a forceful slap shot. Not only does he generate significant power behind each shot, but he also maintains remarkable accuracy, ensuring neither precision nor control is compromised in the process. His ability to deliver accurate and forceful shots from various positions on the ice makes him a constant threat to goalies and an asset in creating offensive opportunities.
He also knows when to shoot and when to hand it off. McQueen’s speed off the rush combined with his shot threat draws in the opposing defenders and back checkers, allowing his linemates to slot into the open ice. He is then quick to hit that open ice with a firm, accurate pass, setting his teammates up for scoring chances.
Roger McQueen is back in action for the Brandon Wheat Kings, and while there’s still some injury rust left to shake off, he’s flashing the same toolsy upside that has scouts excited. When he gets going he’s a real handful
Here are some clips from his two most recent games (#13): pic.twitter.com/zXu6gks4K8
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) March 18, 2025
Physical Tools and Skating
Despite his size, McQueen’s skating skills are above average, displaying fast side-to-side movement, precise edge control, and high straight-line speed, giving him an edge in transition and creating offensive chances. He has a strong, balanced core with a sturdy center of gravity, allowing him to have long, efficient, and effortless strides. It is uncommon to see someone of McQueen’s size appear so agile on the ice. The only knock is that McQueen lacks explosive acceleration, which prevents him from having that separation off the rush.
If Roger McQueen played the whole year, he would be going 1st overall. pic.twitter.com/2Osl2v0857
— World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) March 23, 2025
Physically, he consistently finishes checks, uses his reach to disrupt plays, and creates turnovers through sheer presence. On the forecheck and around the net, he’s learning to use his size to wear down defenders, create space for linemates, and extend zone time. His presence helps him dictate play as he never backs down and makes life very difficult for the opposing team.
Areas For Growth
While the tools are plentiful, there are still areas that require improvement. When on offence, McQueen has the tendency to try too much or hold onto the puck too long, leading to turnovers. Discipline will also be key moving forward. His physical style walks a fine line, and as he plays with more edge, finding the balance between physical engagement and penalty avoidance will be critical. Defensively, McQueen has the tools to be a 200-foot player. He uses a good stick, wins battles, and effectively tracks back. The important improvement will be the consistency with which he focuses on using these tools.
Potential and Comparisons
The two names that come to mind when watching Roger McQueen are Jordan Staal (Carolina Hurricanes) and Jordan Greenway (Buffalo Sabres). All three players share similar attributes in that they are big, skilled forwards who contribute at both ends of the ice. If anything, McQueen is a bit more creative than these two and has a higher offensive upside.
While the upside for McQueen is enormous, the potential floor might be enough to create some hesitation among NHL teams. If he can continue to maintain a consistent competitive level, tighten his decision-making, and refine his skating, there’s top-line, power-forward potential here. It’s also crucial that he continues on a career path that is closer to his pre-injury season, rather than the post-injury one. Regardless, his blend of size, skill, and two-way abilities should be enough for a team to warrant a top-10 pick. He projects as a middle-six power forward with offensive upside.
Main photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
