As the NHL season winds down and the Florida Panthers hoisted the Stanley Cup, the attention of many hockey fanatics quickly turns to the future – specifically, the NHL Draft. The 2025 class, while perhaps not possessing the same widely heralded “can’t-miss” generational talent as some previous years, is still brimming with intriguing prospects who could become franchise cornerstones. After a season of intense scouting, combine performances, and a healthy dose of speculation, here’s our full first-round mock draft for 2025.
2025 NHL Mock Draft: The Complete First Round
Here’s how we see the first 32 picks shaking out in the 2025 NHL Draft, reflecting the latest order through the Stanley Cup Final:
1. New York Islanders – Matthew Schaefer (D, Erie Otters, OHL): The Islanders, after winning the lottery, land a potential franchise defenseman with elite skating and all-around game.
2. San Jose Sharks – Michael Misa (C, Saginaw Spirit, OHL): The Sharks continue their rebuild by adding a dynamic, high-scoring center to complement their existing young talent.
3. Chicago Blackhawks – Caleb Desnoyers (C, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL): The Blackhawks grab a big, well-rounded center with a strong two-way game and offensive upside.
4. Utah Mammoth – Anton Frondell (C, Djurgården, SWE-2): Utah selects a strong, skilled, and competitive center who can play a complete game.
5. Nashville Predators – James Hagens (C, Boston College, NCAA): A highly intelligent and skilled center, Hagens provides a crucial piece down the middle for the Predators’ future.
6. Philadelphia Flyers – Porter Martone (RW, Brampton Steelheads, OHL): A powerful winger with a heavy shot and a nose for the net, Martone adds a physical scoring presence.
7. Boston Bruins – Brady Martin (C/RW, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL): A tenacious and skilled forward, Martin brings a blend of offense and grit to the Bruins.
8. Seattle Kraken – Jake O’Brien (C, Brantford Bulldogs, OHL): The Kraken add a highly skilled and creative center with excellent vision.
9. Buffalo Sabres – Radim Mrtka (D, Trinec, CZE): The Sabres pick up a towering Czech defenseman with a solid two-way game, adding size and skill to their blue line.
10. Anaheim Ducks – Victor Eklund (C/W, Djurgården, SWE-2): The skilled Swede brings a high offensive ceiling and playmaking ability to Anaheim.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins – Lynden Lakovic (LW, Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL): A big, athletic winger with good skating, Lakovic offers a promising blend of size and skill for the Penguins.
12. New York Rangers – Logan Hensler (RHD, US NTDP, USHL): The Rangers address their defensive prospect pool with a mobile, right-shot defenseman.
13. Detroit Red Wings – Roger McQueen (C, Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL): The Red Wings grab a physically imposing center with a good shot and impressive skating for his size.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets – Jackson Smith (LHD, Tri-City Americans, WHL): The Blue Jackets grab a reliable, two-way defenseman with good size and defensive acumen.
15. Vancouver Canucks – Kashawn Aitcheson (LHD, Barrie Colts, OHL): The Canucks add a physical and mobile defenseman to their system.
16. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary) – Justin Carbonneau (RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL): Montreal gets a high-energy winger with good offensive instincts.
17. Montreal Canadiens – Malcolm Spence (LW, Erie Otters, OHL): With their second pick, the Canadiens add a strong, tenacious winger with good playmaking ability.
18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey) – Braeden Cootes (C, Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL): A skilled and competitive center, Cootes provides versatility and offensive potential for the Flames.
19. St. Louis Blues – Sascha Boumedienne (LHD, Youngstown Phantoms, USHL): The Blues select a mobile defenseman with offensive upside and good puck skills.
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota) – Ivan Ryabkin (C, Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL): The Blue Jackets double-dip in the first round with a highly skilled Russian forward.
21. Ottawa Senators – Carter Bear (C/RW, Everett Silvertips, WHL): The Senators bolster their forward group with a smart, skilled player who can get to the net.
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado) – William Moore (C, USNTDP, USHL): A strong, two-way center who plays a reliable game, Moore joins the Flyers.
23. Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay) – Ben Kindel (C/RW, Calgary Hitmen, WHL): The Predators add a skilled forward with good vision and offensive creativity.
24. Los Angeles Kings – Cameron Schmidt (C/RW, Prince George Cougars, WHL): A smaller, highly skilled forward with excellent speed and hands for the Kings.
25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto) – Cullen Potter (C, Arizona State, NCAA): The Blackhawks draft a competitive and skilled center who plays a mature game.
26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas via San Jose) – Shane Vansaghi (C/RW, Michigan State, NCAA): A big, strong forward who can drive the net and play a power game, heading to Nashville.
27. Washington Capitals – Joshua Ravensbergen (G, Prince George Cougars, WHL): The Capitals take a chance on the top-rated goaltender in the draft class.
28. Winnipeg Jets – Cole Reschny (C, Victoria Royals, WHL): A smart, two-way center with good offensive instincts and strong compete level for the Jets.
29. Carolina Hurricanes – Cameron Reid (LHD, Kitchener Rangers, OHL): The Hurricanes bolster their defensive prospect pool with a reliable blueliner.
30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas) – Bill Zonnon (RW/LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL): The Sharks add a raw but intriguing power forward with offensive potential.
31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton) – Jakob Ihs-Wozniak (RW, Luleå HF, SHL): The Flyers get a skilled Swedish winger with a good shot, acquired from the Oilers.
32. Calgary Flames (from Florida) – Milton Gastrin (G, MoDo J20, J20 Nationell): The Flames round out the first round by selecting a promising Swedish goaltender, acquired from the Stanley Cup Champion Panthers.
How to Watch the 2025 NHL Draft
The 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft will be held from June 27-28, 2025, at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Here’s how you can tune in:
- Round 1 (June 27, 2025, 7:00 PM ET):
- Television: ESPN (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada), TVA Sports (Canada)
- Streaming: ESPN+ (U.S.)
- Rounds 2-7 (June 28, 2025, 12:00 PM ET):
- Television: NHL Network (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada), SN1 (Canada)
- Streaming: ESPN+ (U.S.)
Complete coverage, including in-depth prospect profiles and analysis, will also be available on NHL.com and through NHL Social™ on all social platforms.
This 2025 NHL Draft class promises to deliver a new wave of talent to the league. While the top picks seem to be emerging, the depth of this draft means that teams who do their homework could find future stars throughout the first round and beyond. It will be exciting to see how these prospects develop and where they ultimately land.
As always, NHL.com will have any information on trades that will impact the current draft order.
