JAKE O'BRIEN SCOUTING REPORT | Best Playmaker in 2025 Draft Class?

JAKE O'BRIEN SCOUTING REPORT | Best Playmaker in 2025 Draft Class?

Author: Locked On Podcast Network, Sebastian High, Hadi Kalakeche April 24, 2025 Duration: 40:38

In this episode, we continue our Prospect Spotlight series, in which we take a full episode deep dive on a single draft-eligible prospect, today's focus: Jake O'Brien, the second-top scorer among CHL draft-eligibles this year. Joining Sebastian is Jordan Harris, the Director of European Scouting at Elite Prospects. First, we introduce the player with his profile, statistical production, and his tools: shooting, passing, handling, skating, and physicality. Next, we shift our attention to his toolkit and habits, for which we take out the tactics board. Last, we discuss O'Brien's projection at the NHL level, where he might fall on draft day, and some NHL player comparisons.

 

Jordan Harris on Twitter: https://x.com/Jordan_NHLDraft

 

 

Elite Prospects' tool projection scale goes from 1 to 9:

1 - Below AHL Caliber Tool

2 - AHL Caliber Tool

3 - Replacement-Level Tool

4 - Average 4th line/#6 Defenceman Tool

5 - Average 3rd line/#4 Defenseman Tool

6 - Standard Top-6/Top-4 Tool

7 - Standard Top Line/Pairing Tool (Nick Suzuki's hockey sense)

8 - Game-Breaking Tool (Quinn Hughes' passing)

9 - Top-of-the-Line Elite-Level Tool (Bedard's shot or McDavid's skating)

(note: we try to balance upside and likelihood of reaching it in our evaluations)

 

 

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

 

🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspects?sid=YouTube

 

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More

 

🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

 

📲 Follow Locked On NHL Prospects on Twitter

 

 

Locked On NHL Prospects https://twitter.com/LO_NHLProspects

 

Sebastian High https://twitter.com/high_sebastian

 

 

📺 Follow Locked On NHL: https://twitter.com/LockedOnNHLPods

 

 

📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers

 

 

#NHL #Hockey #NHLDraft #nhlprospects

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

 

Monarch Money

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.

 

5-Hour ENERGY

Head to 5-hourENERGY.com to find over 15 flavors to choose from, including Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Peach-Mango. Need one now? Grab a 5-hour ENERGY shot at your local grocery or convenience store—they’re everywhere! Stock up today and stay energized.

 

Indeed

Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

 

Trade Coffee

Get 40% off your first order with Trade at drinktrade.com/lockedonnhl.

 

Wonderful Pistachios

Get snackin’ and get crackin’ with the snack that packs a protein punch. Visit WonderfulPistachios.com to learn more!

 

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

 

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


For anyone fascinated by the future of hockey, Locked On NHL Prospects offers a daily deep dive into the players shaping tomorrow's league. Hosts Sebastian High and Hadi Kalakeche, a seasoned prospect analyst and scout, move far beyond basic stat lines and draft rankings. Their conversations unpack the nuanced development of both draft-eligible talents and those already within NHL systems, providing context you won't find on a highlight reel. This isn't just about who might get picked; it's about understanding a player's potential fit, their growth trajectory, and the underlying stories from major junior, college, and professional leagues around the world. The analysis in this podcast is built to inform, whether you're a dedicated fantasy hockey player, a passionate team fan curious about the pipeline, or simply love tracking a player's journey to the sport's highest level. Each episode serves as an essential resource, breaking down the latest news, performances, and strategic shifts that impact the prospect landscape. Tune in for a thoughtful, informed dialogue that treats the world of young hockey talent with the depth and seriousness it deserves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 509

Locked On NHL Prospects
Podcast Episodes
WHO ARE THE STARS OF TOMORROW? | GTHL Playoffs Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
On today's show, we are joined by our colleague at Elite Prospect, Ben Jordan to analyze the GTHL Playoffs and offer insights on the prospects slated to go high in the 2028 NHL Draft! We dig into the finals matchup betwe…
WHO WILL WIN THE HOBEY BAKER? | Breaking Down All 10 Nominees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:59
In one of the most stacked seasons of NCAA hockey in recent memory, there is no lack of high-end candidates for the most prestigious individual award in college hockey. We break down the performances, styles, and impacts…
HOW SPECIAL IS ROMAN KANTSEROV & DOES HE FIT IN CHICAGO? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:45
Amidst an ever-growing collection of high-skill undersized forwards in the Chicago Blackhawks' organization, we check in with Roman Kantserov's progression and ask ourselves where he fits in the lineup if at all. He's a…
PREDICTING THE 2010 USNTDP GROUP | How Special Is Joey Cullen? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:10
On today's show, we are joined by our colleague at Elite Prospect, Whittaker Heart, to break down a crop of players he knows inside and out: 2010-born American Prospects. The next generation of USA-developed stars haven'…