The highest of the 2025 NHL Draft is about with the New York Islanders profitable the lottery on Monday night time with a 3.5 % likelihood.
There will likely be loads of time to pore over the draft class and dive deeper into these prospects, however listed here 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 crew drafting Misa. He’ll want slightly time to bulk as much as be an NHL-caliber forechecker, however there’s so much to love right here.
For the Islanders he’s the appropriate alternative. There isn’t a large hole between Misa and Matthew Schaefer, however Misa presents 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 choose as can probably be projected, and it looks like it will take one thing monumental to derail his NHL profession. Immensely excessive ground, good ceiling — and a participant who won’t excite and promote jerseys, however anchor a blue line for the subsequent 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 aim scoring prowess and is a good finisher, however his all-around play made massive steps for Brampton this season.
Martone is a good choose to place alongside Connor Bedard and begin to make Chicago a stable crew once more.
No. 4: Utah Hockey Membership: C James Hagens — Boston Faculty (NCAA)
A stable, dependable chief who at worst looks like an unbelievable third-line heart. There is likely to be some questions on Hagens’ measurement, however he performs greater than his body and presents 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 crew 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 couple of 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 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 measurement to be a remarkably onerous hitting, grindy participant who loves enjoying on soiled elements of the ice when wanted. Within the open he’s a cultured skater with nice puck really feel.
No. 7: Boston Bruins: C Roger McQueen — Brandon (WHL)
Roger McQueen is a monster. The 6’5 heart lets his presence be identified on the ice and provides me main Joe Thornton vibes within the center. That 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 massive Swedes on this draft I’ve Frondell barely behind his teammate Eklund largely due to the log jam at heart on this class. Frondell is a incredible forechecker, and stable distributor who might take the subsequent step offensively and grow 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 venture. 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 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 shocking 66 assists. There are some issues a few low ceiling, however he has the requisite measurement and magnificence to grow to be a stable NHL rotation participant.
No. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins: C Brady Martin — Soo (OHL)
Martin brings so much to the desk at heart to love. Whereas he won’t venture to achieve the heights of being an elite, top-line heart — there’s additionally not a large danger 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 possibly can’t have a 6’6 defenseman who relishes obliterating folks on the examine and never love him. There’s a very good likelihood he might go sooner than this choose, however I don’t love his resolution making with the puck on his stick — and he must develop a greater shot. That could possibly be nurtured, but in addition what I feel holds him again from being a Prime 10 choose on this class.
No. 13: Detroit Pink Wings: RW Justin Carbonneau — Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
Uber-productive aim scorer with all of the instruments when the puck is in his fingers. Confirmed main playmaking splashes from the wing final season which might point out that he’ll be a serious menace, particularly if paired with a goal-scoring heart. Will want a couple of years of growth, however excessive upside two-way participant.
No. 14: Columbus Blue Jackets: C Carter Bear — Everett (WHL)
Performed each heart and wing for Everett at occasions, making his NHL place slightly troublesome to outline. I don’t fairly see the velocity and ending potential to be a wing, however assume Bear could possibly be a stable 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 massive on him as others appear to be. The bodily instruments are there, however his off-puck play leaves so much to be desired. A case the place his athletic talents outstrip his psychological acuity. If these had been in line he’d be a Prime 8 choose, 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 (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 heart he is usually a distinction maker on a crew in search of physicality on a 3rd line.
