The highest of the 2025 NHL Draft is ready with the New York Islanders profitable the lottery on Monday evening with a 3.5 % likelihood.
There might be loads of time to pore over the draft class and dive deeper into these prospects, however listed below are the snap choices in a lottery-only mock draft now the order is ready.
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 group drafting Misa. He’ll want a bit of time to bulk as much as be an NHL-caliber forechecker, however there’s loads to love right here.
For the Islanders he’s the precise alternative. There isn’t a large hole between Misa and Matthew Schaefer, however Misa provides 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 secure a choose as can presumably be projected, and it seems like it will take one thing monumental to derail his NHL profession. Immensely excessive ground, good ceiling — and a participant who may not 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 sort 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 bounce instantly. He has purpose scoring prowess and is a superb finisher, however his all-around play made large steps for Brampton this season.
Martone is a superb choose to place alongside Connor Bedard and begin to make Chicago a strong group once more.
No. 4: Utah Hockey Membership: C James Hagens — Boston School (NCAA)
A strong, dependable chief who at worst seems like an unbelievable third-line middle. There could be some questions on Hagens’ measurement, however he performs greater than his body and provides large 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 large flashes of playmaking capability. The group taking him wants to grasp 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 number of years and there may very well 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 may make him a fan-favorite as he eschews doubt about his measurement to be a remarkably arduous hitting, grindy participant who loves taking part in on soiled components of the ice when wanted. Within the open he’s a elegant skater with nice puck really feel.
No. 7: Boston Bruins: C Roger McQueen — Brandon (WHL)
Roger McQueen is a monster. The 6’5 middle lets his presence be recognized on the ice and offers me main Joe Thornton vibes within the center. Which may appear to be extremely excessive reward, however the potential is there. McQueen might develop into a vert particular participant.
No. 8: Seattle Kraken: C Anton Frondell — Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Of the 2 large Swedes on this draft I’ve Frondell barely behind his teammate Eklund largely due to the log jam at middle on this class. Frondell is a unbelievable forechecker, and strong distributor who might take the subsequent step offensively and develop into a giant time participant.
No. 9: Buffalo Sabres: D Jackson Smith — Tri-Metropolis (WHL)
Smith is a strong defenseman with good instincts, however it’s his burgeoning offense that’s thrilling to undertaking. He got here alive within the Canada U18s by scoring 4 objectives in seven video games, and that would point out offensive potential nonetheless to be unlocked that would flip him right into a strong 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 considerations a few low ceiling, however he has the requisite measurement and magnificence to develop into a strong NHL rotation participant.
No. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins: C Brady Martin — Soo (OHL)
Martin brings loads to the desk at middle to love. Whereas he may not undertaking to achieve the heights of being an elite, top-line middle — there’s additionally not a large danger right here that may very well 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 may’t have a 6’6 defenseman who relishes obliterating individuals on the examine and never love him. There’s likelihood he might go sooner than this choose, however I don’t love his determination making with the puck on his stick — and he must develop a greater shot. That may very well be nurtured, but additionally what I believe holds him again from being a High 10 choose on this class.
No. 13: Detroit Crimson Wings: RW Justin Carbonneau — Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
Uber-productive purpose 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 significant menace, particularly if paired with a goal-scoring middle. Will want a number of years of improvement, however excessive upside two-way participant.
No. 14: Columbus Blue Jackets: C Carter Bear — Everett (WHL)
Performed each middle and wing for Everett at instances, making his NHL place a bit of tough to outline. I don’t fairly see the pace and ending capability to be a wing, however suppose Bear may very well be a strong inside distributor on a finesse line.
No. 15: Vancouver Canucks: C Lynden Lackovic — Moose Jaw (WHL)
Might sound a bit of low for Lackovic, however I’m not as large on him as others appear to be. The bodily instruments are there, however his off-puck play leaves loads to be desired. A case the place his athletic talents outstrip his psychological acuity. If these had been in line he’d be a High 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 gained’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 middle he could be a distinction maker on a group searching for physicality on a 3rd line.
