LOS ANGELES — The 2025 NHL Draft, which is set to take place here Friday night, already has a different feel compared to recent years.
It’s hard to top the experience the teams, players and their families had last year in Las Vegas, when the event was hosted at Sphere. Previous hosts included Nashville in 2023 and Montreal in 2022, and both of those cities put on outstanding events as well.
This year’s draft is being held at the Peacock Theater in downtown L.A. The venue is unique in its own way and has been home to various award shows in the entertainment industry.
What makes the actual draft unique this year is the fact NHL clubs are not actually in Los Angeles. The league voted to have the draft conducted remotely this time around and I have to say it doesn’t have the same feel as years gone by. Teams will be making their selections from their war rooms at their team facilities instead of in person. The lack of a convention-like atmosphere is disappointing, but several of the top prospects are here and anxiously waiting for the moment they hear their name called by the team that selects them on Friday night.
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The New York Islanders own the first overall selection, and I’m expecting them to select Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer. After Schaefer comes off the board, I’m anticipating a lot of chaos and surprise that will include NHL roster trades for draft slots and teams attempting to move up, or down, in the draft order.
With all of the above in mind, here’s my 2025 first-round NHL mock draft:
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Schaefer is the kind of player, and personality, to build a team around. He can be deployed in all situations, plays fast, impacts the game offensively and competes hard defensively. Most importantly is the fact coaches can trust Schaefer to be prepared and empty the tank for the good of the group every time he hits the ice. He’s a future NHL star, on and off the ice.
NHL Projection: Top-pairing defenceman
2. San Jose Sharks: Anton Frondell, C, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Momentum has been growing this week for Frondell and I certainly understand why the Sharks would select him second overall. Frondell is a leader who plays the game with detail. He can be deployed in all situations, play centre or the wing responsibly and produces offence. He has, arguably, the most lethal one-timer from the weak side flank in the entire draft class.
NHL Projection: Top-six centre or winger
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Misa, C, 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
The Hawks have several needs, but building out their roster in the middle of the ice is a priority. They decided to take defenceman Artyom Levshunov second overall last year, instead of forwards Beckett Senneck or Ivan Demidov, but they won’t let an electric talent like Misa slip past them this time around. Misa adds scoring depth at the top of the Hawks lineup. He led the entire CHL in scoring this season (62G-72A).
NHL Projection: Top-line forward. Bulk of his ice time will come at even strength and power play.
4. Utah Mammoth: Porter Martone, RW, 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
I’m keeping a close eye on the Mammoth. The team is on the brink of breaking through to the playoffs and they already have a ton of prospects in their system. I’m not sure they will be making this pick, as a big part of me believes they will shop the slot to a team for an NHL roster player, but if they keep the selection Porter Martone is the kind of player Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong covets. Martone is a big, strong, power forward who gives opponents all they can handle in the trenches. He produced 37G-61A this season for the Steelheads.
NHL Projection: Top-line power winger
5. Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)
Predators assistant GM, and scouting director, Jeff Kealty was GM of the gold medal-winning Team USA at the most recently completed Men’s World Championships. He lives in Boston and has his fingers on the pulse of college hockey in the region and a long history with the USNTDP in Plymouth. Hagens falling to the Preds provides the team with a dynamic centre they have been searching for over the years. Hagens contributed 11G-26A at Boston College this year. He’s a dynamic player who’s a threat off the rush and lethal on the power play.
NHL Projection: Top-line forward
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Brady Martin, C, 6-foot, 186 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
The Flyers acquiring Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks this week was a risk/reward acquisition that could pay dividends in the long run. Adding a player like Martin to the fold complements a finesse forward like Zegras and adds a Travis Konecny type player to their prospect pool. Martin is a hard out in all three zones, can be deployed in all situations, produces offence (33G-39A) and never shies away from physical contact. He’s the hardest hitting forward in the draft class. Rick Tocchet will love this kid when he arrives in a Flyers jersey.
NHL Projection: Top-six centre
7. Boston Bruins: Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
I can’t wait to see the war room video of the Bruins staff when they realize Desnoyers has fallen into their lap. He’s the next coming of Patrice Bergeron for the franchise and a potential future captain. Desnoyers can be used in all situations, doesn’t cut corners in any zone, and leads by example. He produced 35G-49A in the regular season and was named QMJHL playoff MVP after contributing 9G-21A in 19 games. I have Desnoyers ranked second in my personal year-end overall rankings. Like Schaefer, he’s the kind of prospect you build around due to his skill and character.
NHL Projection: Top-line forward. Deployed in all situations
8. Seattle Kraken: Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 197 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
The Kraken don’t have a player like McQueen in their system, so adding a hulking centre who’s a goal scorer and very difficult to check due to his stature and length is too attractive to pass up. McQueen missed most of the season battling a back ailment, but he pushed through the testing at the combine and appears ready to resume his trajectory as a top flight NHL prospect. He produced 10G-10A in 17 regular season games in Brandon.
NHL Projection: Top-six centre
9. Buffalo Sabres: Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
O’Brien is an elite offensive talent who produced 32G-66A in Brantford this season. Former Sabres defenceman Jay McKee is the head coach of the Bulldogs and I’m positive the Sabres will have done their due diligence speaking with McKee about O’Brien and his upside. O’Brien is light right now, but he has time to add weight to his frame. His skill set wins out for Buffalo.
NHL Projection: Top-six forward. Potential first line
10. Anaheim Ducks: Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
On paper, Eklund doesn’t necessarily fit the player type that Ducks GM Pat Verbeek covets, but he shouldn’t be underestimated. Eklund’s elite element is definitely his offensive upside — he produced 19G-12A playing pro in Sweden this year — but he’s also a player who never quits on a play and engages in traffic. He’s a relentless competitor who the Ducks will enjoy having on their team for years to come.
NHL Projection: Top-six winger
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Carter Bear, LW, 6-foot, 179 pounds, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Kyle Dubas has a history of drafting players who are on the smaller side but have potential offensive upside. Bear isn’t the biggest player in the draft class, but he’s also not the smallest and provides an elite element offensively. He produced 40G-42A in 56 regular season games this year, but he’s also plenty involved when the game is contested in the trenches. Bear pushes back physically and he’s a consistent competitor in all three zones.
NHL Projection: Top-six forward
12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from VAN, via NYR): Kashawn Aitcheson, D, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Penguins scouting director Wes Clark will have done his homework on Aitcheson and come to the conclusion he provides the mix of will and skill the Penguins can use on their back end as they embrace rebuilding their prospect pool. Aitcheson is a bit of a throwback. He plays the game with physical determination and he’s one of the toughest players in the entire draft class. His push back is complemented by his skill. Aitcheson produced 26G-33A for the Barrie Colts this year and was deployed in all situations.
NHL Projection: Top-four defenceman
13. Detroit Red Wings: Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Smith can be used in a variety of roles. The two-way defenceman is capable of breaking pucks out of his zone on his own with his speed and ability to escape pressure. He has also proven he can be relied upon to match-up against top six forwards and physically lean on opponents. Smith produced 11G-43A in Tri-City this season.
NHL Projection: Top-four defenceman
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 218 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
The Jackets traded 2022 first-round pick (sixth overall), defenceman David Jiricek, to the Minnesota Wild this past season. They replenish the prospect slot by adding giant right-shot defenceman Mrtka who’s a two-way defenceman that provides better than secondary offence and has the size and length to kill plays defensively.
NHL Projection: Second-pairing defenceman
15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
The Canucks acquired veteran forward Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers this week in an effort to add more physical push back and character to their forward group. Cootes isn’t the biggest or most purely skilled forward in the draft class, but he produced 26G-37A in 60 regular season games for the rebuilding Thunderbirds this season and added 6G-6A for the gold medal-winning Team Canada at the U18 world championships. He’s the captain in Seattle, wore the ‘C’ for Canada as well, and is exactly the kind of player the Canucks can use. He plays every shift like it’s his last. Cootes is a relentless competitor who can be deployed in all situations.
NHL Projection: Top-six forward
16. Montreal Canadiens (from CGY): Justin Carbonneau, RW, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
I’m confident in saying the Habs will be shopping their picks in the middle of the first-round to teams who don’t have much draft capital and perhaps an NHL roster player to return in a trade. If they do make the selection, however, Carbonneau adds another layer of offense to their prospect pool. He’s a crafty playmaker and one of the top puck handlers in small areas in the entire draft class. He produced 46G-43A for the Armada this season.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward
17. Montreal Canadiens: Jack Nesbitt, C, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
A couple years ago Montreal acquired Kirby Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks hoping to add more size and skill to their lineup in the centre ice position. The same strategy holds true with the Habs drafting Nesbitt in this slot. He’s a big body who can be deployed in all situations, averages over 20 minutes per game of ice time and produced 25G-39A in Windsor this year.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Deployed in all situations
18. Calgary Flames (from NJ): Cole Reschny, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Victoria Royals (WHL)
Reschny is a do-it-all centre who contributed 26G-66A for the Royals this past season. He was used in all situations and backed up his strong regular season by producing 9G-16A in only 11 playoff games.
NHL Projection: Potential top-six forward, middle-six at worst. Deployed in all situations
19. St. Louis Blues: Ben Kindel, C, 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
The Blues covet character and perseverance when they are building out their roster. Kindel fits the bill. He’s another player in the class who produces offence (35G-64A) without sacrificing defence. When the game gets harder, in the playoffs for example, Kindel rises to the occasion. He contributed 8G-7A in 11 playoff games. I appreciate his rink-wide vision with the puck on his stick when he’s making plays.
NHL Projection: Top-six forward. Deployed in all situations.
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from MIN): Bill Zonnon, C, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Zonnon is a relentless competitor who approaches the game in a similar fashion to Jackets captain Boone Jenner. His combination of skill and drive are very attractive. He extends plays and causes a distraction around the crease. Zonnon produced 28G-55A this season.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward
21. Ottawa Senators: Malcolm Spence, LW, 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Spence plays the game quick and fast and can be used in a variety of roles. There have been some nights I viewed him leaving with the impression he has to be pushed hard to present the best version of his game on a nightly basis, but his best shifts impact the game offensively (32G-41A) and he’s plenty strong.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from COL): Cameron Reid, D, 6-foot, 193 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
The Flyers have a variety of options at this stage of the first-round, but the reality is teams are wise to position themselves with as much defensive depth in their prospect pool as possible. Reid is a two-way/transitional defender who’s an outstanding skater and power play quarterback. He averaged over 26 minutes per game with the Rangers this year, but the bulk of his minutes at the NHL level will come at even strength and on the power play.
NHL Projection: Second-pairing defenceman
23. Nashville Predators (from TB): Cullen Potter, C, 5-foot-10, 171 pounds, Arizona State (NCAA)
Nashville GM Barry Trotz wants his staff to take on more risk making picks and Potter is the kind of prospect who could end up providing the Preds with an influx of offence in the future. He’s a powerful skater in open ice and a significant threat wheeling off the half wall directing pucks on net on the power play.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
24. Los Angeles Kings: Will Horcoff, LW, 6-foot-4, 199 pounds, University of Michigan (NCAA)
New Kings GM Ken Holland will value his familiarity with Horcoff based on his history with Will’s father Shawn. The Kings have always valued big, strong forwards who have the ability to wear down opponents and Will fits the bill.
NHL Projection: Third-line power winger
25. Chicago Blackhawks (from TOR): Ivan Ryabkin, C, 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
The Hawks continue to add more forward skill to their lineup by selecting Ryabkin. The pick doesn’t come without some risk, however. Ryabkin has an offensive skill set that cannot be taught, and he produced 26G-20A in 41 games with the Lumberjacks, but his fitness and speed have to be concerns. The good news is proper input from the Hawks’ player development department should help alleviate some of the concerns.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
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26. Nashville Predators (from VGK via SJ): Blake Fiddler, D, 6-foot-4, 209 pounds, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Big, strong, shot blocking, right-shot defencemen like Fiddler are difficult to acquire in trade once they arrive in the NHL. Barry Trotz coached Fiddler’s father Vern and welcomes a second generation Fiddler to the Predators family.
NHL Projection: Second-pairing defenceman. Even strength and penalty kill
27. Washington Capitals: Alexander Zharovsky, RW, 6-foot-1, 163 pounds, UFA Tolpar (Russia, MHL)
The Caps have been on a heater with their recent draft success. Forward Ryan Leonard has already arrived in the NHL and players like defenceman Cole Hutson and forward Ilya Protas are on the horizon. They can afford to take some risk and drafting Zharovsky provides them with another dynamic forward with significant upside offensively. He’s just scratching the surface of his ability. Once he adds more strength to his frame, he will be more than a handful for opponents defensively.
NHL Projection: Potential top-six forward. Even strength and power play
28. Winnipeg Jets: Milton Gastrin, C, 6-foot, 188 pounds, MODO (Sweden J20)
Gastrin fits nicely into the DNA of the Winnipeg Jets organization. He’s a team guy who empties the tank for the good of the group every shift. He has an extra gear in transition and battles in the trenches. Gastrin was especially productive on the international stage, playing for Sweden’s U18 national team, where he contributed 11G-21A in only 19 games played.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
29. Carolina Hurricanes: William Moore, C, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, USNTDP
Moore will need some time to add weight to his frame. He’s tall and lean at this stage of his development, but his offensive upside is attractive at this stage of the draft. Moore reads how plays are developing and ventures in and out of traffic hunting pucks in the hard areas. Moore produced 27G-32A this season at the USNTDP.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward
30. San Jose Sharks (from DAL): Henry Brzustewicz, D, 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, London Knights (OHL)
The Sharks have top flight prospect Sam Dickinson, a 6-foot-3, 209-pound left shot defenceman, on the way and they add another London Knights defender in Brzustewicz to the fold. Bruzstewicz is a two-way defenceman who provides secondary offence, and has the hockey sense and commitment to match-up against top six forwards. He moves well and provides loads of push back and compete. Despite limited opportunity on the power play Brzustewicz contributed 10G-32A.
NHL Projection: Second pairing. Even strength and penalty kill. Secondary offence
31. Philadelphia Flyers (from EDM): Cameron Schmidt, RW, 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Schmidt is an undersized goal scorer who craves the puck in high danger scoring areas. He’s also a threat off the rush with the ability to explode between the blue lines. The Flyers have positioned themselves with a ton of picks at this draft (seven in the first three rounds and 10 overall) so they can afford to take a swing on a player like Schmidt in hopes that he can turn into a player in the Cole Caufield mold.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
32. Calgary Flames (from FLA): Lynden Lakovic, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Lakovic is a big winger who knows how to put the puck in the net. He produced 27G-31A in only 47GP in Moose Jaw this season. Despite his stature, Lakovic cannot be described as a power forward. He’s tall and long and an excellent skater on straight lines.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
Closing thoughts
This draft is definitely going to be unpredictable and entertaining for fans of the game. Much has been said about the lack of depth in this class, but I do believe this group of prospects has a great opportunity to add middle-of-the-lineup depth for every team with a selection in the first round.
More from Sportsnet Prospect of Interest: Centreman Caleb Desnoyers could go in the top fiveSam Cosentino’s 2025 NHL Mock Draft: How will the first round unfold?
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