NHL Draft 2025: Winners, Losers, and Key Moments of the Event

2025 NHL Draft Analysis: The Good, the Bad, and the Significant

The 2025 NHL Draft is already history, and although the selection of Matthew Schaefer with pick number 1 was not a surprise, the two-day event was full of unexpected moments. From the presence of celebrities to unexpected twists, the decentralized draft offered a unique experience. Alofoke Deportes presents an analysis of the most outstanding moments, the least favorable aspects, and those that will mark a before and after, according to our experts.

Draft Winners

The draft is a pivotal moment in a young player’s life, and the NHL and its teams made sure it was unforgettable with special gestures. When Schaefer was selected by the New York Islanders, the team honored the memory of his mother, Jennifer, who passed away last year. The player’s jersey included a purple ribbon in tribute to the fight against cancer and his mother’s initials on the collar.

This is a first-class organization. Many people may say, ‘Oh, it’s just a ribbon,’ but it means a lot to me. My mother is a big part of my life. This shirt, I’m going to hang it up for sure.

Matthew Schaefer

The Anaheim Ducks also prepared a surprise for their number 10 pick, Roger McQueen: a helicopter ride and a visit to Disneyland. These moments, filled with emotion and recognition, are the ones that will be etched in the memory of the draft. The 2025 NHL Draft showed that goalies are also protagonists, and the Columbus Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks bet on them in the first round. This decision breaks a streak of three years without a goalkeeper being selected in the first round, a significant event that could mark a new trend. The Sharks are in full reconstruction, but the future looks promising. After the selection of Macklin Celebrini last year, San Jose added new prospects, such as Michael Misa and Joshua Ravensbergen, who could boost the franchise. General Manager Mike Grier is making smart decisions to build a successful team for the long term. James Hagens, one of the most promising prospects, was finally selected by the Boston Bruins at number 7. Islanders fans chanted Hagens’ name, showing their desire for the player to join their team. Adam Sandler, a famous actor, was in charge of announcing Hagens’ selection, which added an emotional touch to the moment. The WHL (Western Hockey League) draft also had a historic performance, matching the record of nine selections in the first round. The WHL once again demonstrates its ability to develop top-tier players, solidifying itself as a major breeding ground for the NHL. The St. Louis Blues stood out both in the draft and on social media, with a contract extension for young goaltender Joel Hofer and the selection of Justin Carbonneau. The presence of comedian Nikki Glaser in the selection announcement added a special touch to the event. The Calgary Flames selected Cullen Potter, who made history by becoming the first player from Arizona State University’s men’s hockey program to be chosen in the first round. This selection is a milestone for the university, which now joins a select group of institutions with players selected in the major professional sports leagues.

The Draft Losers

The decentralization of the draft, driven by NHL general managers, did not meet expectations. The lack of face-to-face interaction and the absence of significant exchanges were some of the negative aspects. The format, which sought to save costs and facilitate work, could be a one-time experiment. Fans of trades were also disappointed. Despite the rumors, no major moves materialized before the draft, which dampened the excitement of the event. The streak of the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) was also called into question. Although several alumni were selected in the first round, not all played in the program during the draft season. According to the official interpretation, the NTDP did not have any players selected in the first round for the first time since 2008. Dress codes also took a hit. A player selected in the last round accepted his jersey with shorts and a hoodie, defying NHL fashion conventions. The absence of Finnish players in the first round was a surprise. Finland did not have a single player selected in the first round, breaking with the trend of recent years. This situation marked an unusual draft for the country, which has historically contributed great talents to the NHL.