The highest of the 2025 NHL Draft is about with the New York Islanders successful the lottery on Monday night time with a 3.5 p.c probability.
There shall be loads of time to pore over the draft class and dive deeper into these prospects, however listed below are the snap choices in a lottery-only mock draft now the order is about.
No. 1: New York Islanders: C Michael Misa — Saginaw (OHL)
One of the crucial fascinating two-way facilities to enter the draft in a very long time. There are shades of Brayden Level to his sport, which might be one heck of a get for any workforce drafting Misa. He’ll want a bit time to bulk as much as be an NHL-caliber forechecker, however there’s quite a bit to love right here.
For the Islanders he’s the precise alternative. There isn’t an enormous hole between Misa and Matthew Schaefer, however Misa provides scoring that New York is in determined want of.
No. 2: San Jose Sharks: D Matthew Schaefer — Erie (OHL)
There’s no draw back right here. Schaefer is as protected a decide as can probably be projected, and it appears like it will take one thing monumental to derail his NHL profession. Immensely excessive ground, good ceiling — and a participant who may not excite and promote jerseys, however anchor a blue line for the following decade.
Schaefer has been in comparison with Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes, and he’s the precise form of expertise the Sharks want on protection.
No. 3: Chicago Blackhawks: RW Porter Martone — Brampton (OHL)
You simply don’t discover 6’3, 200-plus pound forwards within the draft fairly often. Martone already has an NHL construct and will make the leap instantly. He has purpose scoring prowess and is a good finisher, however his all-around play made large steps for Brampton this season.
Martone is a good decide to place alongside Connor Bedard and begin to make Chicago a stable workforce once more.
No. 4: Utah Hockey Membership: C James Hagens – Boston School (NCAA)
A stable, dependable chief who at worst appears like an unimaginable third-line middle. There may be some questions on Hagens’ dimension, however he performs larger than his body and provides big upside as a locker room tradition builder.
No. 5: Nashville Predators: C Caleb Desnoyers — Moncton (QMJHL)
Coming from a deep hockey household, Caleb Desnoyer is a younger, mammoth-upside prospect who has proven big flashes of playmaking means. The workforce taking him wants to grasp that he hasn’t performed as high-level competitors as others on this class, so there’s a little bit of a leap of religion — however give him just a few years and there could possibly be one thing very particular.
No. 6: Philadelphia Flyers: LW Victor Eklund – Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Eklund confirmed within the U20s that he completely stacks up amongst one of the best wings on this draft class. There’s some main edge to his sport that may make him a fan-favorite as he eschews doubt about his dimension to be a remarkably exhausting hitting, grindy participant who loves taking part in on soiled elements of the ice when wanted. Within the open he’s a elegant skater with nice puck really feel.
No. 7: Boston Bruins: C Roger McQueen — Brandon (WHL)
Roger McQueen is a monster. The 6’5 middle lets his presence be recognized on the ice and provides me main Joe Thornton vibes within the center. That may look like extremely excessive reward, however the potential is there. McQueen may turn out to be a vert particular participant.
No. 8: Seattle Kraken: C Anton Frondell – Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Of the 2 large Swedes on this draft I’ve Frondell barely behind his teammate Eklund largely due to the log jam at middle on this class. Frondell is a improbable forechecker, and stable distributor who may take the following step offensively and turn out to be a giant time participant.
No. 9: Buffalo Sabres: D Jackson Smith — Tri-Metropolis (WHL)
Smith is a stable defenseman with good instincts, however it’s his burgeoning offense that’s thrilling to undertaking. He got here alive within the Canada U18s by scoring 4 targets in seven video games, and that might point out offensive potential nonetheless to be unlocked that might flip him right into a stable 1st line defenseman with energy play potential.
No. 10: Anaheim Geese: C Jake O’Brien — Brantford (OHL)
A prolific OHL level scorer, O’Brien completed with 98 factors for Brantford this season with a surprising 66 assists. There are some issues a few low ceiling, however he has the requisite dimension and elegance to turn out to be a stable NHL rotation participant.
No. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins: C Brady Martin — Soo (OHL)
Martin brings quite a bit to the desk at middle to love. Whereas he may not undertaking to succeed in the heights of being an elite, top-line middle — there’s additionally not an enormous threat right here that could possibly be a whiff. Martin has an NHL-ready sport, and will simply slot into being a dependable third-line participant for a very long time.
No. 12: New York Rangers: D Radim Mrtka — Seattle (WHL)
Watching Radim Mrtka is simply enjoyable. You’ll be able to’t have a 6’6 defenseman who relishes obliterating folks on the test and never love him. There’s an excellent probability he may go sooner than this decide, however I don’t love his choice making with the puck on his stick — and he must develop a greater shot. That could possibly be nurtured, but in addition what I believe holds him again from being a High 10 decide on this class.
No. 13: Detroit Crimson Wings: RW Justin Carbonneau-Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
Uber-productive purpose scorer with all of the instruments when the puck is in his arms. Confirmed main playmaking splashes from the wing final season which may point out that he’ll be a significant risk, particularly if paired with a goal-scoring middle. Will want just a few years of growth, however excessive upside two-way participant.
No. 14: Columbus Blue Jackets: C Carter Bear — Everett (WHL)
Performed each middle and wing for Everett at instances, making his NHL place a bit tough to outline. I don’t fairly see the velocity and ending means to be a wing, however suppose Bear could possibly be a stable inside distributor on a finesse line.
No. 15: Vancouver Canucks: C Lynden Lackovic — Moose Jaw (WHL)
May appear a bit low for Lackovic, however I’m not as large on him as others appear to be. The bodily instruments are there, however his off-puck play leaves quite a bit to be desired. A case the place his athletic skills outstrip his psychological acuity. If these have been in line he’d be a High 8 decide, so there’s a possible to teach him up. Not fairly dependable sufficient to crack the highest of the draft as-is.
No. 16: Montreal Canadiens (by way of Calgary Flames): LW Malcolm Spence — Erie (OHL)
Nice sized wing who received’t get out muscled within the corners. Likes to be on the forecheck and relishes contact, which is uncommon for youthful gamers. Spence doesn’t actually create for himself, which is a draw back — but when paired with a puck-minded middle he could be a distinction maker on a workforce on the lookout for physicality on a 3rd line.
