The highest of the 2025 NHL Draft is about with the New York Islanders profitable the lottery on Monday evening with a 3.5 p.c likelihood.
There will probably 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 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 staff drafting Misa. He’ll want slightly time to bulk as much as be an NHL-caliber forechecker, however there’s loads to love right here.
For the Islanders he’s the appropriate selection. There isn’t an enormous hole between Misa and Matthew Schaefer, however Misa affords 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 looks like it might 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 bounce instantly. He has objective scoring prowess and is a good finisher, however his all-around play made huge steps for Brampton this season.
Martone is a good decide to place alongside Connor Bedard and begin to make Chicago a strong staff once more.
No. 4: Utah Hockey Membership: C James Hagens — Boston School (NCAA)
A strong, dependable chief who at worst looks like an unbelievable third-line middle. There is perhaps some questions on Hagens’ dimension, however he performs larger than his body and affords 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 potential. The staff taking him wants to know 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 a number of years and there might 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 the perfect wings on this draft class. There’s some main edge to his sport that can make him a fan-favorite as he eschews doubt about his dimension to be a remarkably arduous hitting, grindy participant who loves taking part in on soiled components of the ice when wanted. Within the open he’s a refined 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 identified on the ice and provides me main Joe Thornton vibes within the center. Which may seem to be extremely excessive reward, however the potential is there. McQueen might grow to be a vert particular participant.
No. 8: Seattle Kraken: C Anton Frondell — Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Of the 2 huge 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 incredible forechecker, and strong distributor who might take the following step offensively and grow to be an enormous time participant.
No. 9: Buffalo Sabres: D Jackson Smith — Tri-Metropolis (WHL)
Smith is a strong defenseman with good instincts, however it’s his burgeoning offense that’s thrilling to challenge. He got here alive within the Canada U18s by scoring 4 objectives in seven video games, and that might point out offensive potential nonetheless to be unlocked that might flip him right into a strong 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 considerations a few low ceiling, however he has the requisite dimension and magnificence to grow to be a strong NHL rotation participant.
No. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins: C Brady Martin — Soo (OHL)
Martin brings loads to the desk at middle to love. Whereas he may not challenge to succeed in the heights of being an elite, top-line middle — there’s additionally not an enormous danger right here that might 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 possibly can’t have a 6’6 defenseman who relishes obliterating folks on the verify and never love him. There’s a superb likelihood he might go sooner than this decide, however I don’t love his resolution making with the puck on his stick — and he must develop a greater shot. That might be nurtured, but additionally what I believe holds him again from being a High 10 decide on this class.
No. 13: Detroit Pink Wings: RW Justin Carbonneau — Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
Uber-productive objective scorer with all of the instruments when the puck is in his arms. Confirmed main playmaking splashes from the wing final season which might point out that he’ll be a significant risk, particularly if paired with a goal-scoring middle. Will want a number of 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 slightly troublesome to outline. I don’t fairly see the pace and ending potential to be a wing, however assume Bear might be a strong inside distributor on a finesse line.
No. 15: Vancouver Canucks: C Lynden Lackovic — Moose Jaw (WHL)
Might sound slightly low for Lackovic, however I’m not as huge on him as others appear to be. The bodily instruments are there, however his off-puck play leaves loads 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 educate him up. Not fairly dependable sufficient to crack the highest of the draft as-is.
No. 16: Montreal Canadiens (through Calgary Flames): LW Malcolm Spence — Erie (OHL)
Nice sized wing who gained’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 is usually a distinction maker on a staff on the lookout for physicality on a 3rd line.
