We’re barely completed getting over the Stanley Cup Finals and the NHL Draft is already upon us, and it’s going to be wild. Whereas the 2025 class doesn’t have a surefire star like Connor Bedard two years in the past, it’s a deep class with growth or bust potential all around the first spherical which may result in some wild issues occurring.
Already we’re listening to murmurs of potential veterans on the transfer, together with whispers that Connor McDavid could be made out there. That in and of itself may make Friday night time one to recollect. Right here’s a brief listing of established gamers who may transfer throughout the first spherical.
- Connor McDavid, Oilers: Edmonton would like to persuade him to remain, but when they know the writing is on the wall we may see motion
- Jason Robertson, Stars: Dallas is in a little bit of a cap crunch after signing Mikko Rantanten and wish to get higher. They reportedly have curiosity in Mitch Marner in free company, which might require opening up area
- Andrei Svechnikov, Hurricanes: There’s been a variety of thriller round Svech being out there with some shops saying he’s being shopped, whereas others say there’s no likelihood. I’ve heard it could take an enormous supply, however Carolina is open to the thought of retooling their forwards
- JJ Peterka, Sabres: Buffalo is in a perpetual state of rebuilding, however this can be a case the place the Sabres need a number of win-now guys in trade for one younger stud. They’re bored with being within the basement and wish to get some Ws.
2025 NHL Mock Draft
No. 1 — New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie
This nonetheless isn’t set in stone, however indicators level to the Islanders being threat averse with the No. 1 choose. That will point out that Schaefer would be the high choose, who’s as secure a defenseman as we’ve seen in years.
No. 2 — San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw
Misa’s sturdy two-way play makes him a pure accompaniment to Macklin Celebrini, who the Sharks took with the highest choose a yr in the past. That is the one choose that is smart with Schaefer gone.
No. 3 — Chicago Blackhawks: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton
That is the place the draft may get wild and we begin to see some boom-or-bust guys are available in. Robust potential that is Anton Frondell, however finally I see Chicago enjoying this secure and attempting merely get higher earlier than Connor Bedard has had sufficient shedding.
No. 4 — Utah Mammoth: James Hagens, C, Boston School
There are some worries he’s not bodily minded sufficient, however the talent right here is simple. The Mammoth take a sure-thing, even when Hagens lacks the upside of some guys who will go within the subsequent few picks.
No. 5 — Nashville Predators: Anton Frondell, C/LW, Djurgårdens
Protecting Nashville because the picker right here, however I believe we’re going to see a commerce on this spot if Frondell continues to be on the board. He’s a prospect some groups are so in love with that they’ll willingly transfer up and roll the cube on his potential greatness.
No. 6 — Philadelphia Flyers: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford
The Flyers are a staff I see that would transfer up for Frondell, however right here I’ve them taking Jake O’Brien. He’s an enormous, sturdy, bodily pressure within the center who can praise Philly’s stellar wings.
No. 7 — Boston Bruins: Porter Martone, LW, Brampton
There is no such thing as a purpose Martone ought to fall out of the Prime 5 apart from positional want. We’ve a variety of center-needy groups choosing earlier than Boston and that results in them touchdown the very best pure scoring wing on this class.
No. 8 — Seattle Kraken: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle
Mrtka doesn’t even have to relocate because the mammoth-bodied defenseman stays in Seattle after enjoying for the minor league Thunderbirds. There’s some growth wanted, however Mrtka has already improved and may turn out to be a pressure in time.
No. 9 — Buffalo Sabres: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-Metropolis
There’s an enormous likelihood this choose is traded as half of a bigger deal to get some established expertise, but when they keep at No. 9 I’ve Buffalo bolstering their protection with a strong, dependable choose.
No. 10 — Anaheim Geese: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon
McQueen needs to be the next choose, however a again harm raised some considerations after the mix. Everybody else’s loss is the Geese’ achieve, who get the big-bodied ahead who can anchor the center for years in Anaheim.
No. 11 — Pittsburgh Penguins: Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgårdens
Eklund has fallen fairly a bit within the pre-draft course of with worries that his teammate Anton Frondell was the true brains of the operation, however finally I believe these considerations are unfair. Eklund is an unselfish wing, an important staff participant, and a glue man who can come up huge for the Penguins.
No. 12 — New York Rangers: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw
IQ, IQ, IQ. That’s the three phrase evaluate on Lynden Lakovic. A gifted skater with phenomenal imaginative and prescient, he’s a pressure multiplier on the wing who can play like a second middle on the ice. His flexibility as a ahead is one thing the Rangers want, particularly with Artemi Panarin getting older.
No. 13 — Detroit Crimson Wings: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie
A extremely sturdy two-way defenseman, Aitcheson could be a core defensive starter in addition to a pressure on the ability play. The Wings want youth on protection and the worth right here is much better than reaching for one more ahead.
No. 14 — Columbus Blue Jackets: Carter Bear, LW, Everett
Bear is coming off an ACL tear, however all indicators point out it received’t impact his future. A authentic Prime 10 expertise on this class with out the harm, the Blue Jackets can be completely happy to roll the cube in at 14th and doubtlessly get a recreation altering participant down the highway.
No. 15 — Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle
The Canucks have had ample alternative to scout Cootes and his efficiency on the U18 World Cup cemented himself as one of many higher scrappy forwards on this draft. He’ll carry some much-needed edge to the Vancouver entrance line.
No. 16 — Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames): Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand
Is it a bit on the nostril to naturally mock the top-rated participant from Quebec to the Canadiens? Sure. Does it match? Sure. Montreal has a kind and Carbonneau’s skating skill and really feel for the sport make him an important match.
No. 17 — Montreal Canadiens: Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers
You might simply flip these two picks. A technique or one other the Canadiens will find yourself with each a ahead and a defenseman with their back-to-back alternatives. Reid has unicorn pace on the place which may open up breakaway alternatives, and he’s a comfortable passer in all the very best methods.
No. 18 — Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils): Cole Reschny, C, Victoria
Reschny is an intriguing prospect who may go earlier, or fall later. He does every part nicely, however nothing particularly exceptional. That’s not essentially a knock once you’re choosing at No. 18, and the Flames will love his reliability.
No. 19 — St. Louis Blues: Ben Kindel, RW, Calgary
Kindel is a critical effort skater who is continually transferring to create alternatives. It’s the type of participant the Blues love, preferring these type of infinite motor gamers over finesse skaters. Kindel makes performs occur as a result of he refuses to simply accept anything.
No. 20 — Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota Wild): Cole McKinney, C, Michigan
There’s an aura round Cole McKinney’s play that’s inconceivable to disregard. He’s a management participant whose bodily traits are dwarfed by his understanding of the sport and talent to prepare gamers round him. That is a type of guys who could possibly be a profession 40 level participant, however be a type of guys who’s the glue for a whole group.
No. 21 — Ottawa Senators: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor
A powerful defensive middle, Nesbitt is aware of learn how to use his body on the faceoff and forcheck to create unfastened puck alternatives. In a draft the place there’s not a variety of entrance line physicality Nesbitt stands above.
No. 22 — Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche): Kurban Limatov, D, Dynamo Moskva
The Flyers have so many picks and such a deep system they’ll afford to take a pure upside participant like Limatov right here. It could be a number of years earlier than he can come over, however he’s a possible distinction maker. After hitting a house run with Matvei Mitchkov they’ll hope lightning can strike twice.
No. 23 — Nashville Predators (from Vegas Golden Knights through San Jose Sharks): Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston College
The Predators have to go protection right here and Boumedienne is a plus-level place participant who’s an adept shot blocker. He may not be a high line defenseman, however could be a particularly excessive stage line two participant.
No. 24 — Los Angeles Kings: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton
A extremely enjoyable prospect to observe, Fiddler likes to play along with his again to the web and seems virtually extra comfy skating backwards than forwards. He could be a excessive stage play creator from the blue line, which is one thing the Kings have been lacking.
No. 25 — Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs): Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie
It’s all about getting extra assist for Connor Bedard in Chicago and Spence is an NHL-ready participant who can step in. Not a lot of a shot creator, it’s positive right here contemplating he can profit from Bedard and different passers inside a deep system the Blackhawks have constructed.
No. 26 — Nashville Predators: Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State
Misleading pace and aggressive angles are the calling playing cards of the Potter who could be an absolute distinction maker at middle. The match right here is improbable and will help usher in a brand new period of success in Nashville.
No. 27 — Washington Capitals: Daniil Prokhorov, RW, St. Petersburg
The choose is strong right here, however the story could be higher. The highest Russian ahead touchdown in Washington to finally try to exchange Alexander Ovechkin’s impossible-to-fill sneakers. Time is on Washington’s aspect and Prokhorov could be introduced up in a yr or two.
No. 28 — Winnipeg Jets: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin
Hensler is a high stage proper defender with some weak point on his swap. if he was capable of play either side he’d go a lot greater, however as a one trick pony he’s exceptionally good at it. Love this match for the Jets who have to preserve constructing on their protection, effectivity, and discovering gamers who excel in a single key space.
No. 29 — Carolina Hurricanes: Joshua Ravensberger, G, Prince George
I may simply see the Canes buying and selling this choose, but when they keep put it behooves them to search out some assist in internet. The pipeline is stocked, and Ravensberger could possibly be keen to return up as early as subsequent yr if we assume Freddie Anderson retires.
No. 30 — San Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars): Henry Brzustewicz, D, London
This choose is based on the Sharks not getting Matthew Schaefer at No. 2. If San Jose someway lands Schaefer this can be a ahead as a substitute. Both means, the Sharks can’t assure that Brzustewicz can be out there within the second spherical and he’s too good to move up.
No. 31 — Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers): William Horcoff, C, Michigan
The son of former Oilers middle Sean Horcroff, William tasks to be higher than pops. He’s a strong two-way participant with nice imaginative and prescient and a grinding type that may put on down his opponents.
No. 32 — Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers): Mason West, C, Edina Excessive
West is without doubt one of the youngest gamers on this class and simply dedicated to play NCAA hockey at Michigan State. West is a towering 6’6 ahead who can generate his personal offense and has an enormous shot that may open up the ability play.
