The Top 32 Prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft
The IIHF U18 World Championships and the draft lottery draw have concluded, so it’s time to analyze the top prospects for the 2025 NHL draft, which will be held in June.
Unlike previous rankings, these are not based solely on predictive models. They incorporate more direct observations, information from scouts, and an assessment of how playing styles and skills will translate to the NHL level.
Many players have climbed draft positions due to high projections, the uniqueness of their skills, and their potential. Others have fallen due to concerns about the transfer of their skills, discrepancies in projections, and doubts about their consistency.
This year there is a lot of variation, with two outstanding prospects, along with two others below them… and from there, anything is possible. There are several options for teams in the top 10: a player with a high level of guaranteed play, but little potential, or a player with exceptional but high-risk potential. Each of these aspects is weighed in the rankings, and it is by no means a mock draft.
Considering all of this, these are the 32 best players, along with some honorable mentions, for the 2025 NHL draft.
- 1. Matthew Schaefer
D, Erie Otters (OHL)
The Erie Otters defenseman is expected to become a true key piece for the coming years. With a dynamic presence at both ends of the rink, the 6-2 defenseman skates with ease and uses his agility to stop opponents in individual situations, while generating offense with excellent attacking capabilities.
Executives and scouts across the league see him as a future elite NHL defenseman and a cornerstone piece for a championship-caliber roster. With the ability to control the game from the blue line, play tough games, and direct a power play, Schaefer has the tools to become a top-10 defenseman in the league.
- 2. Michael Misa
C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
To Misa, who was granted exceptional status in the OHL, offered one of the most notable scoring seasons in recent history, with 62 goals in just 65 games. He is confidently projected as a top-line forward with the potential to consistently surpass the pace of a point per game at the NHL level.
Misa’s offensive instincts are elite. He processes the game at a high level and executes at great speed. He is ready for the NHL and has the potential to become an elite first-line center if his development continues on its current path.
His two-way game took a major step this season and, when combined with his explosive speed and offensive power, Misa is shaping up to be a foundational piece upon which to build a Stanley Cup contender.
- 3. James Hagens
C, Boston College Eagles (NCAA)
A skilled center, Hagens, projected to be a top-line center or one of the better second-line centers in the NHL. He brings a good work rate with excellent speed and two-way ability that should allow him to drive play effectively at the NHL level. The professional details of his game, such as puck support, winning battles, and defensive anticipation, will facilitate the transition to the NHL while he finds his offensive rhythm.
Hagens likely needs another season at Boston College to further develop his decision-making and add a more dynamic offensive pace to become a top-line NHL center. His understanding of spacing and anticipation stand out among his peers. There’s a mix of Clayton Keller and Matty Beniers in him in terms of playmaking ability and two-way capability.
- 4. Porter Martone
RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
The right winger of 6-3 projects as a high-end second-line player with a competitive mindset reminiscent of Corey Perry and Tom Wilson. A big, physical forward, Martone is a dual-threat offensive player with the ability to score on his own and facilitate play. His competitive nature will make him an effective agitator and he will impose himself physically on opponents. He needs to hone his competitiveness and physicality to increase his effectiveness and adjust his skating posture to become a more efficient skater.
His unique combination of annotation ability, size, and lasting skill make him a very attractive prospect. While his safest projection is a top-six forward, Martone has a legitimate opportunity to become a top-line winger if he improves his skating.
- 5. Roger McQueen
C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
One of the most debated prospects due to injury concerns (only played 17 games this season) and also his incredible natural abilities.
McQueen is described as “a unicorn” because he is a 6-5 center who skates with the speed and mobility you would expect from a smaller player, despite some awkward mechanics, which may be a function of adapting to his size. His projection as an elite top-line center lacks confidence due to the lack of playing time. Elite right-handed centers are rare in the NHL, and McQueen’s size and willingness to dictate the game physically add significant value. He has professional defensive habits that are transferable to the NHL, as well as unique offensive potential.
It’s a textbook case of high risk, high reward. McQueen needs to play against tougher competition, where he will be forced to develop his ability to protect himself and the puck, and create offense against bigger bodies. If he develops properly, he could become a two-way force in the NHL.
- 6. Anton Frondell
C/RW, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Frondell is a versatile, two-way forward who plays both center and right wing. His flexibility is attractive to teams, although many believe he is more likely to reach his potential as a winger in the NHL. Frondell is coming off one of the most productive seasons by an under-18 player in Allsvenskan history, giving him a safe projection as a top-line NHL forward.
He is a cerebral player who dismantles defenders in individual situations, and defensive coverage in the offensive zone game. Frondell’s game details are transferable, including excellent pressure ability, willingness to attack the center of the ice, and high-level anticipation on both sides of the puck.
Frondell has demonstrated playmaking abilities against top-level players in the Allsvenskan, which has translated to the NHL in the past. He is projected to produce between 75 and 85 points per season. His playing style translates well, and executives are excited about his ability to enter the league in the next 18 months. His two-way ability combined with great anticipation and incredible puck skills make him one of the most captivating prospects in the draft.
- 7. Jackson Smith
D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Smith is a big, physical defenseman who is the second-best defenseman in the draft class. As a pure defender, Smith possesses all the qualities of a top-four matchup type. He defends the rush very well, closes gaps, and directs play in transition. His offense began to develop more towards the end of the season, and he had a strong showing at the IIHF U18 tournament. Given the importance of transition defense in the matchup role, Smith has a real opportunity to reach his maximum projection of a No. 3 matchup defenseman.
Smith possesses a blend of skating, size, and balance. Smith’s development will focus on using his excellent mobility to avoid the attacking offense, become a more consistent offensive threat, and continue developing his decision-making. If Smith can direct the play on both sides of the puck in transition, he has the opportunity to become a No. 2 defenseman.
- 8. Victor Eklund
LW, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Eklund projects as a top-six forward with a good chance to become a top-line contributor. Despite concerns about his size, Eklund’s playing style is very transferable to the NHL. He plays much bigger than his measurements suggest, with a high-end motor and excellent forechecking ability. If he grows, which has happened with other prospects in the past, Eklund’s projection becomes more secure as a 70-point producer.
Eklund excels in transition and attacks defenders with speed and audacity, driving inside and positioning his body to win or protect pucks. His smaller size has forced him to learn to protect the puck with excellent body positioning. His off-puck game is very mature and should translate quickly into the confidence earned from NHL coaches. He has the potential to make a difference in the NHL, and there is every reason to believe that his combination of hard play with soft skill will translate seamlessly into the NHL.
- 9. Caleb Desnoyers
C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Desnoyers can go higher than ninth overall because he is one of the best two-way players in the draft. He has been described as a coach’s dream, as he can take on an offensive or checking task and execute it consistently. Desnoyers is projected to be a quality second-line center, with a good chance of becoming a top-line player.
He’s a cerebral player with an excellent ability to create plays. He’s not flashy and won’t make you jump out of your seat, but he’s consistently effective and makes smart plays with the puck. In other words, he’s reliable. As one scouting director described: “He’s the type of player you win with.” Some have quietly compared him to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews.
- 10. Jake O’Brien
C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
O’Brien projects to be a top-six center who produces points with the potential to become a top-line center. The right-handed shot is one of the best playmakers in the draft, creating high-danger chances with regularity. O’Brien’s elite playmaking skills will be even more valuable if he can add speed.
O’Brien’s two-way ability has steadily improved this season, through puck support, good defensive tracking, and quality stick positioning. He lacks dynamic skating, but plays a projectable two-way game. There is risk because he is lighter than other available players at the center position, but O’Brien should comfortably be a top-six point producer in the NHL.
- 11. Carter Bear
C/LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Bear is the type of player that a team looking for high-level skill and playmaking covets. He is versatile and projects as a second-line player of 65 to 75 points, and most believe he will be a full-time winger. He is an excellent playmaker with good hands in tight spaces, making him a threat around the net and one of the best offensive facilitators in the draft.
In addition to his offensive gifts, Bear has professional defensive habits that will translate well. His skating posture should be more upright to allow him to develop a more explosive stride to take advantage of his skills. Bear is a good mix of soft and hard skill with reliable defensive traits, and is the perfect second-line player who should thrive in a face-off role.
- 12. Brady Martin
C/W, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Martin has scouts excited after an excellent performance at the IIHF U18 tournament, accumulating 11 points in seven games. He is a tireless worker with no switch, bringing a combination of physicality and hard skill. Martin projects as a middle-six forward capable of scoring 20 goals, with potential as a second-line forward. He is a Swiss army knife type player who will be most effective on the wing due to his strong wall play.
Most top prospects are invisible if their A-game isn’t present, but Martin finds ways to get physically involved, and those traits are transferable. If Martin’s scoring doesn’t translate, he’ll be a valuable third-line member. The hard style is rare in today’s NHL, and Martin’s style of play is appealing to many scouts who believe he’s the type of complementary player teams need to win in the playoffs.
- 13. Justin Carbonneau
RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Carbonneau possesses a toolbox of attributes that teams covet, including powerful skating and a dynamic offensive presence. He projects as a top-six forward with significant variance, and is likely to end up as a middle-six complementary player. Carbonneau can drive offense with his playmaking and skating ability, and while he lacks a standout special talent, he plays a complete offensive game that includes playing through contact, good puck skills, and a good shot.
Carbonneau is a player with high potential, and there is an inherent risk with his projection. He thrives when given time and space, and his development will come from learning to simplify his offensive attacks, drive to the center of the court, and play with his teammates. He has the tools to become an effective power forward in the NHL with a few years of development.
- 14. Radim Mrtka
D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
A 6-6, right-handed defenseman with good mobility who plays in all situations has scouts very excited. Mrtka confidently projects as a top-four defenseman due to his excellent stick work, mobility, and transition defense. Mrtka should become a strong transition defender, a reliable penalty killer, and be a constant presence in shorthanded situations.
He lacks the offensive skill that scouts would like to see in a top-line defenseman, but his skating, size, and intelligence give him the tools to become a reliable, minute-eating, shot-blocking defender.
- 15. Logan Hensler
D, Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)
The 6-2 defenseman projects as a second-pairing defenseman with relative confidence. Hensler is very difficult to beat because he moves well and maintains good distance control. He lacks a dynamic offensive trait, but has looked good when activated in the attack. There are offensive flashes of feints and the use of his mobility to beat players that, if developed, would be critical to solidifying him as a two-way defenseman.
Hensler is a longer-term project that will likely need three years before being ready to make an impact in the NHL. His decision-making under pressure and his ability to execute quality plays with consistency will make or break him as a high-level prospect. There is a lot to like about his game, with the mobility and transition defense expected to translate well, but he lacks the high-end potential of other defensemen in the draft class.
- 16. Lynden Lakovic
LW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
The 6-4 left wing has transferable scoring ability and excellent speed for his size. He attacks using his large frame to protect the puck and makes plays using good deception. He has the potential to be a dual-threat winger if he can develop his playmaking and decision-making. Lakovic projects to be a middle-six winger with decent confidence due to his scoring ability, speed, and size.
Lakovic’s development will come from the physical side and in decision-making. He needs to lean on the defensemen and force his way to the center of the ice to take advantage of his quick hands and shot. Lakovic has a superior offensive quality that projects confidently as an NHL player, with the potential to be a 60-point player.
- 17. Braeden Cootes
C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
A right-handed center, Cootes was a standout at the U18 World Championships. He projects as a top-six forward with value on both sides of the puck. His floor is likely a third-line checking center, similar to Yanni Gourde. Cootes possesses excellent speed that allows him to keep pace and drive play. He anticipates the game at a high level, which allows him to leverage his speed at even strength and on the penalty kill.
Cootes has a longer development path and needs to get a bit stronger to truly become an NHL quality center. His relentlessness on the puck and strong playmaking qualities make him a desirable asset in this year’s draft. There’s a lot to like about his toolbox and, if he develops with patience, he could be a solid second-line contributor.
- 18. Kashawn Aitcheson
D, Barrie Colts (OHL)
There is a very real possibility that Aitcheson enters the top 10 given the type of game he plays, but his projection as a No. 4/5 defenseman sees him below other players with greater potential. Aitcheson plays with all kinds of truculence and aggression, while possessing an aura of confidence on and off the puck. He has all the qualities to be a complete threat who plays difficult minutes and projects as a No. 4 defenseman.
Scouts see him as a hard-nosed, two-way defenseman with a significant bite who can be a momentum shifter with his physical presence.
He needs development time, as his skating and playmaking are very rudimentary, but the competitive attributes and his development curve this season are very promising. Aitcheson’s involvement in the offense developed as the season progressed, but he is probably two or three years away from being ready to step in. When he does, he is exactly the type of defenseman that all coaches and general managers would want on their team.
- 19. Cameron Schmidt
RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
While size isn’t everything, it’s extremely rare for a player under 5-9 to make it to the NHL. I fully expect Schmidt to go lower than the 19th spot in the draft, because he’s 5-7.
However, all other model entries have Schmidt as a top-15 player, with boom-or-bust potential as a second-line winger. He has blazing speed and excellent puck-handling abilities, making him a dangerous offensive threat.
Scoring 40 goals in the WHL is no easy task. Only three players under the age of 19 surpassed the mark this season (Schmidt, along with Gavin McKenna and Carter Bear). Schmidt has great offensive instincts and needs to be more efficient with his play selection to translate to the NHL level. He can be a bit pesky and engage physically, but if he is to reach his ceiling, he needs to round out his off-puck play and be more consistently impactful shift to shift.
- 20. Benjamin Kindel
RW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Kindel had excellent numbers in the WHL, accumulating 99 points in 65 games. The right winger has plenty of skill and a fantastic hockey sense. Kindel projects as a middle-six player, with the most likely outcome being a third-line winger. He doesn’t have blazing top speed, but he is agile and difficult to catch due to his water bug style. He needs to refine how he uses his skill, because he lacks a dynamic trait. Adding strength will go a long way in improving puck protection and the ability to drive to the center of the ice to create scoring chances.
Defensively, Kindel provides tremendous value. He effectively pressures and retreats, blocks lanes, and wins his fair share of puck battles. There’s real value as a checker and penalty killer that will translate to the NHL level. He consistently competes for pucks and makes life difficult with his pace of play. If his scoring translates, he’ll likely be a 50-point, two-way player. If not, a 40-point, two-way checker who is an added penalty killer will be a good complementary piece at the NHL level.
- 21. Cameron Reid
D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
A mobile defenseman, Reid is a quick and agile skater, constantly activating in the attack. Reid has top-four upside if he can develop his offensive traits, specifically his playmaking. His skating allows him to create time and space, evade pressure, and put defenders in precarious positions. The next step is to utilize the space and lanes he creates to facilitate the offense more effectively.
Defensively, Reid is an excellent offensive defender due to his excellent skating ability and good stick work. He guides players to the outside with his stick and uses his skating to disrupt the attack. In the defensive zone, his stick is perfectly timed to lift opponents’ sticks when the puck arrives, deflect shots out of play, and clog passing lanes. The potential is there due to his skating, and development requires patience to allow him to reach top-four level.
- 22. Cole Reschny
LW, Victoria Royals (WHL)
Reschny can be found higher up the board when all is said and done after a standout performance at the U18 World Championships. No player has risen the way Reschny has in the second half of the season, largely due to his offensive production in the WHL playoffs. Reschny’s projection rose from a third-line player with a less secure projection to a relatively secure middle-six player.
He’s not as dynamic as his point totals suggest, but his anticipations and reads are among the best in the draft class. He’s not big, but he’s effective when he engages physically and understands how to play through contact. His development will focus on adding speed and strength to complement his two-way ability and be a Swiss Army knife type of player in the NHL who can score 50 points.
- 23. Cullen Potter
LW, Arizona State Sun Devils (NCAA)
Potter had a strong rookie season in the NCAA, particularly considering he didn’t turn 18 until the middle of the campaign. He showed consistent growth that culminated in a standout performance at the U18 World Championships. His speed is NHL-level, and he is one of the best skaters in the draft class. He understands how to effectively use his skating ability to pressure players, drive the pace of play, and create offense. He looks to drive to the center of the ice, makes plays at top speed, and understands when to delay in the attack to allow the play to develop.
Potter is a dynamic skater with flashes of dynamic skill. His off-puck play, both offensively and defensively, improved dramatically this season, resulting in him becoming a play driver. He has boom-or-bust potential, but if he hits his ceiling, there’s a top-six player there. Confidence in the projection has steadily improved this season, and with two more NCAA seasons, Potter should be one of the top players at the collegiate level by the time he signs his NHL entry-level contract.
- 24. Malcolm Spence
LW, Erie Otters (OHL)
Spence falls out of the top half of the first round in large part because other players leapfrogged him, but his lack of dynamism combined with non-elite production hurt his projection. His relentless work ethic, tenacity, and ability in both ends give him a high floor as an NHL regular. His lack of ability to drive play and his playmaking see his potential as a third-line forward.
He is not flashy in any sense of the word, but he is very effective. He is one of the most defensively solid forwards in the draft and understands how to pressure to cause turnovers. His tenacity will translate, and his shot is good enough to be a threat from close range. Coaches love this type of player on their third lines in the playoffs, and Spence should become a solid complementary piece in the NHL.
- 25. Ivan Ryabkin
C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Ryabkin is a highly debated prospect, fluctuating in draft rankings. Depending on who you talk to, the comments range from a potential second-line player to perhaps not making it at all. That explains his variation in model projection. He is most likely to become an NHL depth player, but there’s a good chance he could develop into a physical, scoring-capable middle-six presence who can score 15-20 goals.
When in shape, it’s easy to see the potential. He’s astute, identifies passing lanes, and throws precise passes to set up scoring opportunities. When Ryabkin moves his feet to drive to the center of the ice and create passing lanes, he is a very effective player. His physique on both sides of the puck should translate into becoming a good checking line player, with some creative scoring ability if he can develop puck protection and in-ice battle skills.
- 26. Joshua Ravensbergen
G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
It’s rare for a goalie to be a first-round consensus, but Ravensbergen is that type. Teams love his 6-5 frame with long limbs and good flexibility. He’s able to cover significant portions of the net, and his tracking of the puck allows him to move proactively and angle aggressively. His lateral movement is explosive while maintaining control, which prevents oversliding and hyperactivity. He’s sharp in his net play, calmly directing pucks and communicating with his defensemen on coverage.
Ravensbergen struggles with layered screens, a common trait for young goalies and NHL players. His elite puck tracking allows him to stay a step ahead of the play, avoiding erratic movements. This gives him the aura of calm that scouts discuss, and it’s something that will serve him well as he strives to become an NHL starter.
- 27. Blake Fiddler
D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
There is a chance that Fiddler will go higher because he is a right-handed defenseman with NHL lineage (his father Vernon played 877 games in the NHL) and has an NHL-sized frame of 6-4, 210 pounds. As scouts and executives say, “Those types don’t grow on trees,” and Fiddler fits the mold.
He is a strong defenseman, who takes away time and space from opponents and makes physical battles difficult. He projects strongly as an NHL player with the possibility of becoming a No. 4 defenseman. Among scouting circles, there is a belief that he can become a second-pairing defenseman because he has a long development runway, and his physical style of play will translate well.
Fiddler’s decision-making leaves something to be desired, but he is always engaged and can be taught to be more effective with his reads. His desire to make a difference and his additional skating package, physical play, and size are attractive to teams. He is a project, and will need three to four years of development to simplify his game and become an effective NHL defenseman.
- 28. Jack Murtagh
C/LW, U.S. National Team Development Program
