That time of year has come again. After working diligently since last August, NHL scouts finally get their day.
For the first time since the pandemic, the draft will be held in a decentralized format. The media, players and their families and friends will all be at the Peacock Theatre, while the GMs and their scouts will be stationed in their home cities. NHL teams voted to have this format for two reasons. The first, was to be closer to home to properly plan for free agency. The second was to save money.
I’ve talked to a number of scouts whose GMs are thinking a little differently now than when they voted in favour of the decentralized draft. From a team perspective, I would anticipate getting business done by phone and text is more difficult than the organic person-to-person conversations that take place in restaurants and lobbies around the host city.
From a league perspective (and I do think the commissioner is in-line with this thought), the NHL Draft is unique and arguably the best of any of the four major sports. Having all the teams in one place at one time creates a buzz like no other league. Seeing the hugs, the walk to the stage, and the picture of a player with his new jersey on surrounded by all of the team’s scouts, is priceless. I think we’ll get back to that and, hopefully, the time away from having a centralized draft will invite new thinking and creativity to make it even better.
My last 2025 draft rankings came out in May and ever since I’ve been watching video, texting, and phoning a network of coaches, GMs, scouts, owners and everyone else I can think of to try and sort out this mock draft. Predicting the order of picks is next to impossible. I think there are 10-12 players who most prognosticators will have inside their top 10, but the order will vary greatly. Outside of those 12 names, the draft opens up considerably.
This draft class has taken some unfair criticism for its lack of high-end talent. Admittedly, we won’t have a Connor McDavid or a Nathan MacKinnon to highlight the draft class, but this group will elicit a number of players who will play big roles with their respective NHL teams.
There is some centre depth early, there are some interesting defencemen who offer different skill sets, and there are a lot of diligent, hard-working players that are needed on winning NHL rosters.
The most interesting part of tracking players from the 2025 NHL Draft will be to watch who goes where and when after the draft is over. Who will get signed? Who will go to the NCAA, or to the CHL? We’re living in a new world, where the new CBA will have some impact, but for the most part, players have choices that weren’t available to them before.
Having said all that, let’s get to the goods. Here’s how I see things playing out in Round 1 of the NHL Draft on Sportsnet Friday night:
No. 1 NY Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Franchise-changing defenceman who projects to wear a letter. Skating and puck skills are elite. Schaefer will eat big minutes and his personality will endear himself to fans where ownership is hoping to better connect with the community.
No. 2 San Jose Sharks: Anton Frondell, C, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
A mediocre U18 tournament notwithstanding, he put up historic numbers playing against men in the Allsvenskan (Swedish second league). His 25 points are second only to William Nylander and ahead of David Pastrnak for U18 players in league history.
No. 3 Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Misa, C, 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Moved from left wing back to centre and put up numbers we haven’t seen in decades. With 62 goals and 134 assists, his stats compare to names like Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Connor McDavid during their draft eligible seasons.
No. 4 Utah Mammoth: Porter Martone, RW, 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
Can’t help but think this pick will be traded. If not, the Mammoth hold true to GM Bill Armstrong’s identity by adding a big power forward who is one of the best pure shooters in the class.
No. 5 Nashville Predators: Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 197 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
No GM is more dialled in to the province of Manitoba than Barry Trotz. He also wants his staff to take more risk and add size and skill. All the boxes are checked if the Preds’ doctors are confident McQueen’s back issue is in the past.
No. 6: Philadelphia Flyers: Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
A heavy dose of both will and skill, Desnoyers bottoms out as a second line centre who wins draws, has the ability to match-up and also produce high-level offence.
No. 7: Boston Bruins: Brady Martin, C, 6-foot, 186 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
One of the highest risers in this draft class, Martin knocked it out of the park at the NHL Combine. He is unapologetically himself. He plays hard and heavy, and shoots it a ton.
No. 8 Seattle Kraken: Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 218 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
There’s a couple of great forward options here, but the Kraken need defence, and Mrtka presents the most upside of the remaining group. I’ll be fascinated to see what he will become with more coaching, training and guidance provided by both the T-Birds and the Kraken. He will need time to fill out.
No. 9 Buffalo Sabres: Justin Carbonneau, RW, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
The Sabres throw the top 10 for a loop with this pick. Carbonneau is a scorer who uses his speed to beat opponents wide. He plays with passion and energy. His hands are elite for a bigger body player.
No. 10 Anaheim Ducks: James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)
Pat Verbeek will be shocked that this player is available here, and I will be too. Hagens will have been bumped down because of the Stanley Cup and the need for size conversation. The Ducks get a top-five player who put up a point per game as a freshman. He is as gifted offensively as anyone in this group and has proven it internationally when stakes are the highest.
No. 11 Pittsburgh Penguins: Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Projected to go a little higher, the draft board sees O’Brien fall to Kyle Dubas. O’Brien possesses next level hockey IQ. His vision is amongst the best in-class and so too is his playmaking. He will need to fill out and has room on his frame to do so.
No. 12 Pittsburgh Penguins (from VAN, via NYR): Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Highly skilled and highly competitive, Eklund moves around stealthily and strikes quickly. He is not at all deterred by his slight frame. He’ll go to any area of the ice without fear, and likely do some damage when he gets there.
No. 13 Detroit Red Wings: Carter Bear, LW, 6-foot, 179 pounds, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
The options are open for Steve Yzerman here. Bear’s Achilles setback is not nothing, but at his best, Bear hunts pucks, is difficult to play against, and he’s efficient making good on his chances.
No. 14 Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
An intelligent player who adapts quickly and proficiently in varied roles. His excellent skating foundation, and high-end agility, allow him to consistently be part of the play. He projects as a two-way defender, with more time needed to develop the offensive side.
No. 15 Vancouver Canucks: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Throwback player with personality and swagger to boot. Aitcheson may not produce the same kind of offence in the NHL as he did this year in Barrie, but he’s still a defenceman who will eat pucks, throw big hits and drop the gloves when required.
No. 16 Montreal Canadiens (from CGY): Lynden Lakovic, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Having just four PIMs is a red flag for a player his size and he was questioned about it in just about every interview at the NHL Combine. Physicality may never be a strong suit for Lakovic, but his skating and puck skills are too good to pass on here.
No. 17 Montreal Canadiens: Jack Nesbitt, C, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
A steady riser all season long, Nesbitt addresses a need for size in the organization. He’s got great hands, a nose for the net, and can ramp up the nastiness when needed.
No. 18 Calgary Flames (from NJ): Braeden Cootes, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Left a lasting impression at the U18s where he played his typical, high-energy, in-your-face type of game. Cootes proved that he could elevate his game in high-pressure situations, against difficult competition, not unlike what he might face years down the road in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
No. 19 St. Louis Blues: Cole Reschny, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Victoria Royals (WHL)
An average-sized player who produced 92 points for Victoria this season. Reschny is a high-motor player whose success is predicated on a farmer’s work ethic. He takes direct routes on the forecheck, tracks diligently, and generally makes things happen.
No. 20 Columbus Blue Jackets (from MIN): Ben Kindel, C, 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Another averaged-sized, dog-on-a-bone type player who enjoys being hard to play against while agitating the opposition with huge point production. His 99 points were seventh in WHL scoring this season.
No. 21 Ottawa Senators: Malcolm Spence, LW, 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
The overall body of work projects Spence as a two-way player who will kill penalties and produce secondary offence. His skill set and pedigree offer a path forward to produce elevated production down the road.
No. 22 Philadelphia Flyers (from COL): Cameron Reid, D, 6-foot, 193 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
May end up going a little higher than this spot, but if not, the Flyers will add a defenceman who is amongst the smoothest skaters in the draft. He defends well enough with good gap control and showed improvement in stick and body position as the season went on. He had difficult playoff match-ups that elicited positive results.
No. 23 Nashville Predators (from TB): Logan Hensler, D, 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Wisconsin (NCAA)
Simple player who is a great skater. He moves pucks well and showed second-half improvement on the offensive side as a young college player. He moves efficiently and plays a safe game.
No. 24 Los Angeles Kings: Will Horcoff, LW, 6-foot-4, 199 pounds, University of Michigan (NCAA)
New GM Ken Holland will have known this player for a long time, and he’ll be excited about adding size, grit and the type of dedication Will’s dad showed in an over 1,000-game NHL career.
No. 25 Chicago Blackhawks (from TOR): Bill Zonnon, C, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
His skating is a little chunky, but he rarely has issues arriving on time. The effort he puts forth on a shift-by-shift basis is only matched by his excellent puck skills. Zonnon has character and he has been focused on this moment since leaving home to attend prep school.
No. 26 Nashville Predators (from VGK via SJ): Blake Fiddler, D, 6-foot-4, 209 pounds, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Hard to see a great skating 6-foot-4, right-shot defenceman ending up this far down the draft board, but GM Barry Trotz adds more size and a player with whom he would be well connected from dad Vern’s days in the Music City.
No. 27 Washington Capitals: Danil Prokhorov, LW, 6-foot-6, 209 pounds, St. Petersburg (Russia, MHL)
Why not play the Ovi card while you still have it? This monster of a human has legit NHL hands and is one of the best in-class at the net front. Could he be Aliaksei Protas 2.0?
No. 28 Winnipeg Jets: Milton Gastrin, C, 6-foot, 188 pounds, MODO (Sweden J20)
A safe pick with a steady player who has been a mainstay as a letter-wearer on Sweden’s national team. Gastrin is a reliable player in all situations and has the versatility to move up and down a lineup.
No. 29 Carolina Hurricanes: Alexander Zharovsky, RW, 6-foot-1, 163 pounds, UFA Tolpar (Russia, MHL)
Colleague Jason Bukala was the first to the party on this player. This pick is on-brand for a Carolina team that has drafted 10 Russian players over the past two drafts.
No. 30 San Jose Sharks (from DAL): Sascha Boumedienne, D, 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, Boston University (NCAA)
Does Mike Grier’s BU connection hold up here? The Sharks would like to add defence, and finding a player who improved in the second half and had a record-setting U18s allows them to bring in a great skater and address a need.
No. 31 Philadelphia Flyers (from EDM): Cullen Potter, C, 5-foot-10, 171 pounds, Arizona State (NCAA)
GM Daniel Briere sees a lot of himself in Potter, whose dynamic skating ability jumps off the page in every viewing. He carved his own path by going to a lesser-known school as a younger college player and made a mark.
No. 32 Calgary Flames (from FLA): Ryker Lee, RW, 5-foot-11, 181 pounds, Madison Capitals (USHL)
A late push sees Lee land in Calgary. His hockey sense and shooting ability enable him to produce high-end offence. He competes hard and there’s a dynamic flare to his game that should translate into top-six production. There’s no question his skating needs work.
