The 2025 NHL Draft cycle is nearing its conclusion now that the annual combine is in the books. Over the next couple weeks teams will be putting the final bow on their draft lists, as well as strategizing how to position themselves to select the players they believe will move their organization forward.
The 2025 draft has been described as one that doesn’t possess as much potential “star power” from top to bottom. After meeting with 30 of the top prospects at the combine, I’m confident this group of players will provide significant value throughout the league. Teams are always looking to add to their middle six forwards, second pairing defence and upgrade their goaltending depth. This draft has the potential for teams to take exactly those kinds of players.
My own personal scouting of this year's class is now complete so, ahead of the draft in Los Angeles on June 27 and 28, here are my final rankings:
THE TOP 16
In my opinion the draft takes on a different tone after the top six players on my list have been selected. After Matthew Schaefer at No. 1, I’m not sure in what order the next five prospects will be called, but they are at the top of this class. After those names come off the board the draft could be full of surprises and potential trades.
No. 1: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Schaefer’s year was cut short due to illness (mononucleosis to start the season) and injury (broken clavicle at the world juniors) but he remains the top player in the class. He’s a complete player who logged anywhere between 25-32 minutes per game at the OHL level while being deployed in all situations. Schaefer produced 7G-15A in 22 OHL games and was a plus-21. He’s elite in every skill category and has the personality of a future NHL captain.
NHL Projection: Top pairing defenceman. Deployed in all situations
No. 2: Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Desnoyers has earned the No. 2 slot on my list for a variety of reasons, including projection and personality. In time I’m envisioning Desnoyers as a big body centre who will weigh over 200 pounds. He sees the ice exceptionally well and brings a combination of shooting and passing skill without sacrificing detail defensively. Desnoyers has a similar personality to Schaefer. He’s a competitive, confident and outgoing prospect. He produced 35G-49A, and was plus-51, in 56 regular season games followed by 9G-21A and a plus-5 in 19 playoff contests.
NHL Projection: Top line forward. Deployed in all situations
No. 3: Michael Misa, C, 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Misa had a fantastic season in Saginaw. He averaged over 23 minutes of ice per game, was used in all situations, and led the OHL in scoring (62G-72A). Misa’s first two seasons in the OHL saw him play the wing, but he’s a natural centre who excelled in the middle this year. He’s a huge threat off the rush and working the weak side flank on the power play. Misa is another forward in the class who is best described as equal parts shooter and distributor.
NHL Projection: Top line forward. Bulk of his ice time will come at even strength and power play.
No. 4: James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)
Hagens came into the year as the top-rated prospect and he had a productive season at Boston College (11G-26A, plus-21). He also contributed 5G-4A for the gold medal-winning Team USA at the WJC tournament in Ottawa. Hagens didn’t do anything wrong to end the season at No. 4 on my list. He’s a dynamic offensive talent who averaged over 20 minutes per game. All of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. Hagens has exceptional vision. He attacks open space and has the ability to distribute no-look passes that catch opponents off guard defensively.
NHL Projection: Top line forward. Even strength and power play.
No. 5: Porter Martone, RW, 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
Martone is the kind of forward NHL teams covet having at the top of their lineup in the playoffs. He provides a combination of power and finesse. Martone is very hard to knock off the play along the boards and out front the net. He was the captain in Brampton this season, produced 37G-61A, was a plus-19 in 57 regular season games, and averaged over 20 minutes per game while being deployed in all situations. His playmaking ability expanded this year. I felt he was more of a shooter in the past but he has grown into a dual threat – shooter/distributor – and overall playmaker.
Martone doesn’t waste pucks in the offensive zone. He works to create chances in high danger/traffic areas and directed the bulk of his 360 shots on net in the OHL from those areas. Here’s a look at his “heat map” displaying where he directed his shots from:
NHL Projection: Top line power winger. Deployed in all situations
No. 6: Anton Frondell, C, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Frondell suited up at the pro level in Sweden as well as with his age group at the U18 world championships. Like Misa, Frondell has the ability and hockey sense to play both centre and the wing. He arguably has the best one-timer from the weak side flank on the power play in the draft class. Frondell tracks up and down the ice with ease and has the strength and weight to extend plays in the trenches. He produced 11G-14A at the pro level this year. He was limited to only 29 regular season games after recovering from off-season knee surgery last summer.
NHL Projection: Top six centre or winger. Ability to be deployed in all situations
No. 7: Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 197 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
McQueen missed much of the season recovering from a back injury. He reported to the combine with a clean bill of health and put his body to the test, literally, working through the physical testing. There’s a real chance McQueen could be the “wild card” name to keep a close eye on at the draft. His combination of size, skating and goal scoring are very attractive elements. McQueen produced 10G-10A in 17 regular season games.
NHL Projection: Top six centre. Even strength and power play
No. 8: Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Victor’s brother, William, was drafted by the San Jose Sharks seventh overall in 2021 and I have him ranked in nearly the same slot for his draft. In time Victor will add more weight to his frame. If he ends up the same weight as his brother (181 pounds) he'll have the potential to impact the game offensively as a top-six NHL winger. Eklund makes plays off the rush, has outstanding vision with the puck on his stick, and a quick and accurate release. He produced 19G-12A in 42 pro games. Despite his stature he’s always in and around the play. I value his competitive, no nonsense, approach.
NHL Projection: Top six winger. Even strength and power play
No. 9: Brady Martin, C, 6-foot, 186 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Martin is one of my favourite prospects in the draft class. He provides an elite combination of skill and will. Martin is the hardest hitting forward in the draft class. He extends plays by finishing his checks and driving to the hard areas with the puck on his stick. He produced 33G-39A in the regular season and ended his year with 3G-8A in seven U18 world championship games representing Canada. He’s the ultimate “team guy” who can be deployed in a variety of roles up and down the lineup.
NHL Projection: Top six centre. Deployed in all situations
No. 10: Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 218 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Giant right-shot defencemen like Mrtka are worth their weight in gold to NHL clubs. Teams seem to overpay for these kinds of defencemen every year at the trade deadline. What’s impressive about Mrtka is the fact he has never had a skating or skill coach, but displays well above average puck handling and skating ability for his stature. He’s already capable of being deployed in all situations and providing better than secondary offense (3G-32A in 43 games with Seattle). It feels like he’s just scraping the surface of his overall ability.
NHL Projection: Second pairing defenceman. Deployed in all situations
No. 11: Carter Bear, LW, 6-foot, 179 pounds, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Bear is another player on the list who has the ability to play both centre and the wing. He isn’t the biggest or heaviest player in the draft, but he’s plenty involved when the game is contested in the hard areas of the ice. He’s especially proficient at reading how plays are developing and reacting to produce offence. Bear’s season was cut short due to an Achillies injury, but he’s on the mend and contributed 40G-42A in 56 games. He was a plus-33 and whistled for 77 penalty minutes.
NHL Projection: Top six forward. Primary ice at even strength and power play
No. 12: Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
O’Brien is one of the top offensive players in the draft class. He produced 32G-66A in the regular season and 3G-8A in the playoffs for the Bulldogs. He has fantastic vision with the puck on his stick, distributes accurately and possesses a quick release. O’Brien lands here on my list due to the fact the players ahead of him have displayed a better all-round game defensively and in the face-off circle. If he cleans up those areas of his game, he will make whoever selects him very happy in the long run.
Here’s an example of O’Brien executing on the power play:
NHL Projection: Top six forward. Potential first line. Even strength/power play
No. 13: Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Smith is a two-way defenceman who can also lead the rush when he escapes pressure in his zone. He logged an incredible amount of ice time in Tri-City (25 minutes per game) and was deployed in all situations. His offence went to another level (11G-43A) and he uses his size to push opponents off the play. Smith also played a key role for Team Canada at the U18 world championships in winning gold. He’s a versatile prospect who contributes to his team’s success in many categories.
NHL Projection: Top four defenceman. Deployed in all situations
No. 14: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Aitcheson is arguably the toughest defenceman in the draft class. He was used in all situations in Barrie and averaged nearly 29 minutes of ice time in the playoffs. He produced offence in the regular season (64GP-26G-33A) and playoffs (16GP-6G-6A) and had over 100 penalty minutes combined. Aitcheson skates very well, gaps up with authority, and stands up for his teammates when required. His entire game is on the rise for me.
NHL Projection: Top four defenceman. Potential to be used in all situations
No. 15: Braeden Cootes, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Cootes leads by example. He was the captain in Seattle and wore the 'C' for Team Canada at the U18 world championships in Texas last month. He plays the game the right way. Coaches can count on his detail in all three zones and tap him for roles in all situations. Cootes isn’t the most elite offensive player in the draft class, but his game resembles that of a young Brendan Gallagher. He produced 26-37A in 60 games for the Thunderbirds and added 6G-6A in seven games for Team Canada.
Here's an example of the tenacity Cootes plays the game with:
NHL Projection: Top-six forward. Deployed in all situations
No. 16: Ben Kindel, C, 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Kindel is another player who consistently rose in my rankings as the season went along. He competes in all three zones, can be deployed in all situations and produced 35G-64A in 65 regular season games for the Hitmen. He doesn’t wilt when the games get harder. Kindel also contributed 8G-7A in 11 playoff games before heading to the U18 worlds to represent Team Canada where he ended his season with 1G-6A in five games. I value his consistency. He’s reliable.
NHL Projection: Top-six forward. Deployed in all situations
MID-ROUND TO THE END OF THE FIRST
There will be wide-ranging opinions about how the back half of the first-round should be ranked in this draft class. In many cases there isn’t a lot of separation, projection wise, between a batch of prospects from 17-40 on my list. They all bring something unique to the table, but the sum of their parts and potential impact at the NHL level land them in similar roles despite their differences.
No. 17: Cole Reschny, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Victoria Royals (WHL)
Reschny is a name to keep an eye on. There’s a part of me that feels I have him ranked too low, but I’ve settled on him in this slot. He was used in all situations in Victoria and produced 26G-66A in the regular season. But what I liked best about his year was how he elevated in the playoffs. Reschny contributed 9G-16A in 11 playoff games for the Royals and 5G-3A for Canada at the worlds.
NHL Projection: Potential top-six forward, middle-six at worst. Deployed in all situations
No. 18: Justin Carbonneau, RW, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Carbonneau has outstanding puck touch. He makes plays in small areas and he’s difficult to contain as a result. His skating could still go to another level, but he did produce 46G-43A for the Armada.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
No. 19: Jack Nesbitt, C, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Nesbitt is a big body centre who can be used in all situations. He’s a handful to defend out front the crease with his size and length. He’s a solid skater for his stature. Nesbitt averaged nearly 20 minutes per game of ice time and produced 25G-39A for the Spits.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Deployed in all situations
No. 20: Bill Zonnon, C, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
The team that selects Zonnon will mostly value his approach in high leverage contests – especially the playoffs. His skating continues to be a work in progress, but it’s improving and Zonnon is programmed to battle in the hard areas to extend plays and make life miserable on opponents overall. He produced 28G-55A for the Huskies in the regular season and 8G-8A in the playoffs.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
No. 21: Malcolm Spence, LW, 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Spence brings a combination of size, strength and speed. His best shifts give opponents all they can handle. He produced 32G-41A in the regular season for the Otters and, in my opinion, could have scored even more. There are nights Spence left me wanting him to play with more detail and overall consistent effort. Once he figures it out and matures, he could be even more impactful.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Potential to be deployed in all situations
No. 22: Cameron Reid, D, 6-foot, 193 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Reid is an excellent skater who has the ability to escape pressure in his zone and on the offensive blue line with his edge work. He has great vision and playmaking upside. Reid was deployed in all situations with the Rangers and averaged over 26 minutes per game of ice time. He has work to do fronting his checks and containing opponents in the defensive zone, but he doesn’t lack for effort and it should improve in time as he continues to mature and log the kind of ice time he does.
NHL Projection: Second pairing defenceman. Even strength and power play
No. 23: Ivan Ryabkin, C, 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Ryabkin joined Muskegon mid-way through the season after starting the year in Russia. Once he settled into the style of play in North America he went on to produce 26G-20A in 41 regular season and playoff games combined. He has a knack for finding pucks in high danger areas and cashing in on his chances. His fitness has a long way to go and should result in more open ice speed and consistent tracking up and down the ice.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
No. 24: Cullen Potter, C, 5-foot-10, 171 pounds, Arizona State (NCAA)
Potter is an undersized forward who’s very explosive in open ice leading the rush. He’s not tall but he’s very strong for his stature. In my opinion he leans shooter more than distributor, but he sees the ice and is definitely a playmaker. Cullen averaged 20 minutes of ice time at the college level. Nearly all of his shifts came at even strength and on the power play. His transition pace pushes opponents back off their blue line and leads to clean zone entries and potential scoring chances. Cullen produced 13G-9A in 35 games at Arizona State.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
No. 25: William Moore, C, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, USNTDP
Moore’s impact was somewhat inconsistent for me this season, but his best shifts are very enticing. For now, Moore is tall and light but he will add weight to his frame as he matures. He has solid puck touch and also shows a willingness to go to the net off the puck hunting for tips and rebounds. He was trusted in a variety of roles at the USNTDP and averaged around 18 minutes of ice time per game. He’s a solid skater for his height and should add more power to his stride as he adds muscle. Moore produced 27G-32A this season.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength, power play, potential secondary penalty-kill
No. 26: Blake Fiddler, D, 6-foot-4, 209 pounds, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Fiddler has a pro approach to his game and is willing to do the little things that helps his team win. Fiddler was used in all situations for the Oil Kings and contributed 10G-23A. What I like best about his game is his ability to get in shooting lanes to block shots and his length killing plays defensively. He’s also a strong skater, especially on straight lines, who can join the rush as an extra layer.
NHL Projection: Second pairing defenceman. Even strength and penalty-kill
No. 27: Logan Hensler, D, 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Wisconsin (NCAA)
Hensler is an excellent skater. His agility allows him to pivot in small areas to front opponents defensively and walk the offensive blue line to open up shooting and passing lanes. It’s a heavy lift for young defencemen at the NCAA level and Hensler went through some growing pains this year, but he’s a right-shot defender with size and decent poise with the puck on his stick. It will take time but he has some Brandon Carlo to his game.
NHL Projection: Second pairing. Two-way/shutdown defender. Even strength and penalty kill
No. 28: Henry Brzustewicz, D, 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, London Knights (OHL)
Brzustewicz was part of the Memorial Cup champion London Knights and played a significant role for the team. He quietly produced 10G-32A in the regular season and followed it up with some secondary scoring in the playoffs (1G-4A). He has the skill set to be used in a variety of roles and he’s trustworthy defensively. He engages his opponents and doesn’t cut corners searching for offence. I like his size, strength, detail and compete overall.
NHL Projection: Second pairing. Even strength and penalty kill. Secondary offence
No. 29: Lynden Lakovic, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Lakovic is a bit polarizing for me, but there’s no question he has great puck touch and the ability to score goals. He’s a big, rangy forward who extends plays but cannot be described as a power forward. As he continues to develop, he will be tasked with finding an extra layer of physical push back and defensive detail. Lakovic is a strong skater who produced 27G-31A in only 47 regular season games. He leans shooter more than playmaker.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
No. 30: Cameron Schmidt, RW, 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Schmidt is another “shooter” in the draft class. It’s easy to compare him to Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, but he’s not quite at that level. Having said that, Schmidt attacks with speed off the rush and never wastes an opportunity to direct the puck on net. He has a lethal release that can beat goalies from long range and the flank on the power play. Schmidt contributed 40G-38A in 61 regular season games. What I liked most about the end of his season was the fact he chipped in 4G-5A in five playoff games.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
No. 31: Alexander Zharovsky, RW, 6-foot-1, 163 pounds, UFA Tolpar (Russia, MHL)
I’ve tracked Zharovsky closely this season and believe he has top-six NHL upside in time. If he was playing in North America, and producing offence, he would very likely have landed higher up on my list. There’s always some risk drafting highly skilled Russian prospects like Zharovsky. He will, no doubt, be offered an enticing contract to remain in Russia, but he’s a gifted offensive talent who only lacks strength at this stage of his development. Zharovsky produced 24G-26A in 45 games in Russia’s top junior league, the MHL. He ended his season playing amongst his peer group at the U18 level and contributed 12G-7A in 10 playoff games. He has elite vision and goal scoring upside.
NHL Projection: Potential top-six forward. Even strength and power play
No. 32: Milton Gastrin, C, 6-foot, 188 pounds, MODO (Sweden J20)
Gastrin captained the U18 Swedish national team and leads by example. The bulk of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. He works to extend plays in the hard areas and battles net front searching for tips and rebounds. Gastrin also has an extra gear in transition through the neutral zone that opponents have to respect. He makes sneaky plays in small areas. I value his overall approach to the game and believe he can provide at least secondary scoring at the NHL level. Some of his best hockey was played on the international stage. Gastrin produced 11G-21A in only 19 games captaining Sweden’s U18 team.
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward. Even strength and power play
DAY 2 PLAYERS
As I mentioned previously, some of the names I’m about to present could possibly be selected in the later stages of the first round. For example, my first round doesn’t include a goaltender, as I’m expecting a run of goalies at some stage of the second round. I’m also willing to take on more risk in this draft since so many players have different skill sets but similar trajectories in terms of someday playing in the NHL.
No. 33: Danil Prokhorov, LW, 6-foot-6, 209 pounds MCH St. Petersburg (Russia, MHL)
Prokhorov is a massive body who sets up shop around the crease for screens and uses his reach to shield pucks from defenders when working off the cycle. He’s a solid skater for his stature. His off the puck defensive detail has a long way to go, however.
NHL Projection: Middle-six winger
No. 34: Will Horcoff, LW, 6-foot-4, 199 pounds, University of Michigan (NCAA)
Bloodlines matter sometimes. Horcoff is the son of former NHL forward, now Detroit Red Wings executive, Shawn Horcoff. Will has a big body and is very hard to defend in the trenches. His combination of size, power and secondary offence are attractive elements.
NHL Projection: Third-line winger
No. 35: Cole McKinney, C, 6-foot, 200 pounds, USNTDP
McKinney is the kind of prospect who doesn’t shy away from getting in the grill of opponents. He has above average pace and solid puck skill. He’s equal parts shooter and distributor in the offensive zone.
NHL Projection: Third-line centre
No. 36: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Lulea HF (Sweden J20)
There were times this season when I wanted more consistency out of Ihs-Wozniak, but there’s no doubt he knows how to find open ice and deposit pucks in the back of the net. He has a ton of upside but needs time to round out his game and understand how hard he needs to compete every shift.
NHL Projection: Third-line winger
No. 37: Jack Murtagh, LW, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, USNTDP
Murtagh is an infectious player who competes in all three zones. He isn’t elite offensively, but he’s active in traffic, plays with pace and extends plays for his linemates while providing better than secondary offence.
NHL Projection: Third-line winger
No. 38: Sascha Boumedienne, D, 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, Boston University (NCAA)
Boumedienne is a two-way, transitional defenceman. He’s an outstanding skater who can lead the rush or join as an extra layer. He was outstanding at the U18 worlds (7GP-1G-13A).
NHL Projection: Potential second pairing in time if his defensive detail and execution with the puck continues to improve
No. 39: Jack Ivankovic, G, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
The first goalie off the board from my list, Ivankovic ended the year on a high representing Team Canada at the U18s and winning a gold medal. NHL teams will be hoping he grows taller, but he’s given them plenty of reason to believe in him with his athleticism and ability to close out big games.
NHL Projection: Mid-range NHL starter. Full-time backup
No. 40: Ryker Lee, RW, 5-foot-11, 181 pounds, Madison Capitals (USHL)
Lee reads and reacts to how plays are developing in the offensive zone then pounces on his chances to produce offence. He has a fantastic release and the vision to identify quiet ice. His skating isn’t the most fluid, but he arrives on time at the junior level. However, he will need to improve his agility to have a chance to play at the pro level. Lee contributed 31G-37A in the regular season.
NHL Projection: Third-line winger
No. 41: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Ravensbergen is a big, athletic, right-catching goalie who possesses very good feet and athletic ability. When he plays with composure and doesn’t get too active in his crease, he’s difficult to beat from anywhere in the offensive zone.
NHL Projection: Mid-range NHL starter. Full-time backup
No. 42: No. 34: Nathan Behm, C, 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Behm’s elite element is his ability to produce offence. In my opinion he’s a shooter more than a nature distributor, but he did produce 31G-35A this year for the Blazers. He will be even more impactful as he matures if he rounds out his game and pays more attention to the small details defensively.
NHL Projection: Third-line centre
No. 43: Shane Vansaghi, LW, 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Michigan State (NCAA)
Vansaghi is a power winger who plays a heavy game. He’s difficult to move out of the way when he stations himself around his opponent’s net or is engaged physically along the boards. He’s the kind of player who complements lighter, skilled linemates.
NHL Projection: Third-line power winger
No. 44: Eric Nilson, C, 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, Djurgardens (J20)
Nilson is a crafty, skilled centre who values open ice. He’s always in motion looking to make plays and pounce on scoring opportunities. Nilson has great vision on the power play and a very quick release in high danger areas. His combination of speed and skill stand out as elite elements.
NHL Projection: Third-line centre. Play driver
No. 45: Kristian Epperson, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Epperson wasn’t selected last year, but he won’t have to wait too long to hear his name on Day 2 of this year’s draft. He’s an example of a player who needed a bit longer to mature, as well as more of an opportunity to impact the game in all situations. He produced 27G-53A and was an impressive plus-45 for the Spirit this season.
NHL Projection: Third-line winger
No. 46: Semyon Frolov, G, 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, Krylia Sovetov (Russia, MHL)
Frolov could be a nice get for a team in this range. He’s a big, athletic goalie who tracks the play very well and reacts to make quick saves when things break down around his crease. He rarely tracks outside his posts, which allows him to use his size to his advantage squaring up to shooters.
NHL Projection: Mid-level starter. Full-time backup
No. 47: Ethan Czata, C, 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
Czata can be deployed in a variety of roles up and down the lineup and produces better than a point per game at the junior level. He has good size, room for more weight, and a sneaky side of his game that gets under the skin of opponents.
NHL Projection: Third-line centre
No. 48: Kurban Limatov, D, 6-foot-4, 187 pounds, Dynamo Moskva (Russia, MHL)
Limatov is a rangy defenceman who uses his size and reach to take away space from opponents. He has good quickness on straight lines with room to improve his lateral agility. He provides secondary offence and shoots the puck accurately from distance. There’s lots to like about his overall game and potential upside as a two-way NHL defenceman with some physical pushback.
NHL Projection: Third-pairing D with potential to grow into a No. 4, two-way defenceman
No. 49: Owen Griffin, C, 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
It took Griffin some time to hit his stride this season, but he was outstanding for the Generals in the second half of the season and playoffs. He’s not the biggest player in the draft but he has high end offensive instincts and makes plays at even strength and on the power play. I was pleased to see Griffin didn’t shy away from the hard areas in the playoffs where he produced 16G-13A in 19 games.
NHL Projection: Third line centre
No. 50: Adam Benak, C, 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
It’s hard not to notice Benak when viewing him live, which is a good thing for a player his size. He’s active in the offensive zone and proficient at making plays coming off the boards and through opponents' sticks. He’s ultra competitive and has adjusted well to the North American style of play. Benak produced 17G-42A for the Phantoms in the regular season and played a top line role for Team Czechia at the U18 worlds (2G-5A in four games).
NHL Projection: Third line centre
No. 51: Michal Pradel, G, 6-foot-4, 199 pounds, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Pradel is coming off a solid showing at the U18 worlds representing Slovakia and has momentum heading into the draft. I appreciate his crease composure. He doesn’t get rattled with traffic in front of him. Pradel uses his large frame as an advantage and controls pucks when he sees them clearly.
NHL Projection: Mid-range No. 1. Full-time backup
No. 52: Luca Romano, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Romano plays the game quick and fast. He can be used in a variety of roles, but it’s his middle of the lineup energy and impact offensively that I value most when he’s playing at his best.
NHL Projection: Third line forward
No. 53: Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, 6-foot-5, 187 pounds, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Nestrasil is going to take time to fully develop. He’s grown tall but now needs to add considerable strength to his frame. He skates fine on straight lines and uses his size and reach to his advantage defensively. He’s difficult to defend in traffic, finds pucks in high danger areas, and wastes zero time directing them on net.
NHL Projection: Third line forward
No. 54: Mason West, RW, 6-foot-6, 208 pounds, Edina (Minnesota HS)
West is one of the wildcards entering the draft. He’s a dual sport athlete who recently made his commitment to hockey over football. He’s a big, strong, athletic winger who makes quick decisions with the puck on his stick. I appreciate his competitiveness and how well he skates for his stature as well.
NHL Projection: Third line forward with raw potential. Could be a top six forward in time
No. 55: Eddie Genborg, RW, 6-foot-1, 193 pounds, Linkoping HC (Sweden J18/J20/SHL)
Genborg has some size and weight to his game. He gets involved along the boards and has the ability to burry pucks quickly when they arrive on his stick. His release from the middle of the ice can catch goalies off guard. He skates fine on straight lines but his quick turns and agility will have to be refined as he matures.
NHL Projection: Third line forward
No. 56: Viktor Klingsell, LW, 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Skelleftea AIK (Sweden J18/J20)
There’s something about this kid that makes me believe he is going to work to earn an NHL contract someday. He’s stocky/strong and extremely aggressive directing pucks on net. The bulk of his time on ice comes at even strength and the power play. Klingsell produced 2G-6A in seven games playing for Sweden at the U18 worlds.
NHL Projection: Third line winger. Shooter on the power play
No. 57: Petr Andreyanov, G, 6-foot, 207 pounds, CSKA Moscow (Russia, MHL)
Andreyanov is a stocky goaltender who takes up a good share of the net with his stature. He’s athletic but, at times, too active although he never quits on a puck and has the overall quickness required to recover and make saves.
NHL Projection: Backup goalie
No. 58: LJ Mooney, C, 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, USNTDP
Mooney sealed his ranking for me with a very strong showing at the U18 world championships. He was always around the play, tracked the full 200 feet, and produced 2G-9A in 11 tournament games. The discussion will revolve around his size, but there’s other undersized prospects on my list and Mooney might be considered the most consistently competitive and equally skilled of the bunch by some teams.
NHL Projection: Third line centre. Power play
No. 59: Charlie Tretheway, D, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, USNTDP
Tretheway defined his game more as the season went along. He’s at best a secondary point producer who can be relied upon to match-up defensively versus top nine opponents and have a role on one of the penalty-killing units. He has good size, strength and overall skating ability with some physical bite.
NHL Projection: Third pairing defenceman
No. 60: Ben Kevan, RW, 6-foot, 175 pounds, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
Kevan’s best shifts this year demonstrated his quick strike ability in the offensive zone and offensive upside overall. He’s an average plus skater who will need to round out his consistency and defensive detail as he matures but his skill wins out for me at this stage.
NHL Projection: Third line forward
No. 61: Peyton Kettles, D, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Kettles projects as a match-up, defensive defenceman who keeps his game relatively simple. He skates fine on straight lines, but will need to work on quicker turns and small area recoveries to front opponents. On the penalty-kill he gets in shooting lanes and uses his long reach to kill plays.
NHL Projection: Third pairing defenceman
No. 62: Reese Hamilton, D, 6-foot, 172 pounds, Regina Pats (WHL)
Hamilton didn’t produce the offence I had hoped he would this season but his “B” game presents a defenceman who’s an excellent skater and capable of winning races to pucks and moving them up ice in a timely fashion. I’m banking on his offence returning to form next year and beyond. Added weight and strength will help.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman
No. 63: Owen Conrad, D, 6-foot-2, 214 pounds, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Logged a ton of ice time for the Islanders and was deployed in all situations. Doesn’t shy away physically, uses his size and strength to his advantage, and has the ability to snap shots on net accurately from range. There’s lots to like about Conrad’s overall upside when he’s competing to the best of his ability.
NHL Projection: Bottom pairing defenceman
No. 64: Simon Wang, D, 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Wang is an interesting name to keep an eye on. He’s a giant, two-way, defenceman who’s a very efficient skater. When time allows, he sees the ice and has the ability to make responsible outlets. He’s still learning how to best assert himself into a role. At this stage, less is more for this potential bottom pairing defenceman. He needs time but he has a baseline skill set that is attractive in this range of the draft.
NHL Projection: Bottom pairing defenceman
No. 65: Alexei Medvedev, G, 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, London Knights (OHL)
Medvedev played 34 regular season games for the Knights and posted a 2.79 GAA and .912 save percentage. He has a calm demeanor and structured approach to stopping pucks. He’s coordinated and fluid tracking plays and sits tall in his butterfly. He would be a solid pick at the beginning of the third round, but I also see him potentially being selected before this slot.
NHL Projection: Full-time backup
No. 66: Philippe Veilleux, LW, 5-foot-9, 168 pounds, Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
When he has the puck on his stick, Veilleux is crafty and difficult to defend. Veilleux has a bit of a choppy skating stride but he arrives on time and has the vision to read how plays are developing and takes advantage of his scoring chances. It’s hard to ignore the fact he produced 40G-47A in the regular season. He isn’t perfect defensively and doesn’t create a lot of turnovers up ice as F1 on the forecheck, but I’m hoping for more commitment in those areas as he matures.
NHL Projection: Fourth line forward. Power play
No. 67: Filip Ekberg, RW, 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Ottawa 67's (OHL)
After a bit of an uneven season in the OHL, Ekberg ended his year on a high representing Team Sweden at the U18 worlds. He’s a slightly built winger who has the ability to push the pace in open ice and make plays in the offensive zone. Everything he touched turned into a scoring chance at the worlds. He led the tournament with 10G-8A in seven games and showed scouts what he is capable of when he’s at his best.
NHL Projection: Fourth line forward. Power-play
No. 68: Carter Amico, D, 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, USNTDP
Amico suffered through an injury setback this season, but he’s easily defined anyway. Amico is a low-risk/shut-down defenceman who’s willing to lean on opponents in key defensive scenarios. He barely moves the needle offensively.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman
No. 69: Alex Huang, D, 6-foot, 170 pounds, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
Huang was excellent for Team Canada at the U18’s. He’s a two-way/transitional defenceman who has the hockey sense, and movement, to be deployed in a variety of roles. He’s quick to space and can lead the power play breakout or join the rush as an extra layer. He’s a distributor on the power play.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman. Potential second unit power play quarterback
No. 70: Matthew Gard, C, 6-foot-4, 192 pounds, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Gard is a big, strong, two-way forward who provides some secondary offence and leans on opponents. He’s an average plus skater who arrives on time in all three zones. Gard isn’t elite in any one category, but he provides value with his ability to be deployed in a variety of roles.
NHL Projection: Fourth line forward
No. 71: Carlos Handel, D, 6-foot, 172 pounds, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Handel is a raw prospect who benefited from suiting up for Germany at the world juniors and U18s, in addition to his time in Halifax. He was deployed in all situations for the Mooseheads and contributed 3G-23A. Handel is a strong skater who competes every shift. As he continues to mature he has to make some adjustments and process things a shade quicker at times, but his foundation is a strong one to build upon.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman
No. 72: Luka Radivojevic, D, 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Radivojevic was the captain for Team Slovakia at the U18s and benefitted from his time in Muskegon and also playing for the Slovaks at the WJC in Ottawa. He’s an undersized power play quarterback who leans distributor. He’s learning how to defend to the best of his ability on the smaller ice in North America and is headed to Boston College in the fall.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman. Potential second unit power play quarterback
No. 73: Jimmy Lombardi, C, 6-foot, 175 pounds, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Lombardi has a crafty offensive skill set. He thinks outside the box with his playmaking and has a quick stick. His skating needs to come still, and his defensive detail is a work in progress but he’s another player who has provided me enough offensively (13G-32A in 63GP) to trust that he will put in the work to get stronger and faster.
NHL Projection: Fourth line forward
No. 74: Vojtech Cihar, C, 6-foot, 176 pounds, Karlovy Vary (Czechia)
I appreciate how hard Cihar works to extend plays and get involved offensively. He also makes an effort defensively, but his detail and execution are a work in progress. At this stage he is producing depth offence, but with the kind of energy that has a role at the bottom of a lineup.
NHL Projection: Fourth line energy centre
No. 75: David Bedkowski, D, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Bedkowski fits the mold of a bottom pairing defender who has a mean streak and plays to a consistent identity. Playoff teams at the NHL level value players like Bedkowski. He knows what he is and doesn’t stray outside his comfort zone. He’s a capable skater who makes simple plays with the puck. His size and physicality are his best attributes.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman
No. 76: Lasse Boelius, D, 6-foot, 188 pounds, Assat (Finland J20)
Boelius was the most consistent player from Finland this season. He’s a two-way defenceman who has the quickness and open ice speed to lead the rush at times and make plays on the offensive blue line. He isn’t elite offensively however, meaning he will have to continue to work on his defensive detail as he matures. His skating, puck play and above average strength land him in this area of the draft for me.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman
No. 77: Quinn Beauchesne, D, 6-foot, 184 pounds, Guelph Storm (OHL)
Beauchesne benefitted from being used in all situations for a rebuilding team in Guelph. He isn’t elite in any one category, but he skates well and he’s a capable puck mover. I view Beauchesne as a two-way defenceman who will provide some depth offence and kill penalties.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman
No. 78: Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, D, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, University of Michigan (NCAA)
Rheaume-Mullen is a two-way defenceman who relies on his above average skating to arrive ahead of opponents when moving pucks and close on them to take away time and space. He isn’t overly physical and only provides depth offence. Having said that, he’s efficient with the puck and plays to a consistent identity. He’s quick and agile.
NHL Projection: Bottom pair defenceman
No. 79: Theo Stockselius, C, 6-foot-3, 184 pounds, Djurgardens (Sweden J20)
Stockselius played his most complete hockey at the end of the season at the U18s, where he produced 1G-4A despite only skating the bulk of his time at even strength. I appreciated how he used his size and length to extend plays and generally provided reliable three zone support. Stockselius contributed 22G-29A at the J20 level in Sweden. There’s a chance he's just starting to hit his stride.
NHL Projection: Fourth line forward
No. 80: Michal Svrcek, LW, 5-foot-10, 189 pounds, Brynas (Sweden J20)
Svrcek plays his club hockey in Sweden, but he’s part of the leadership group as an assistant captain with Team Slovakia’s U18 national team. Svrcek makes quick plays with the puck in small areas and rarely shies away from directing the play on net. He contributed 4G-4A for Slovakia at the U18s. All of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. His “buy-in” defensively has room to improve.
NHL Projection: Fourth line forward
Conclusion and what's next
Thanks for taking the time to digest this list. It’s a long read, but it’s my goal to provide enough insight on the prospects to paint a picture of what they project to be as pros. I also feel it’s important to give these young athletes the time they deserve in the buildup to one of the most anticipated days of their young lives.
With the draft less than two weeks away the next order of business for me will be to provide my 2025 mock draft. Look for it to drop on June 26, the day before Round 1 in Los Angeles.
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