There are two skilled forwards who could challenge Schaefer for the No. 1 spot, especially if a team is in need of a top-two center in the very near future.

Michael Misa of Saginaw (OHL) and James Hagens of Boston College in Hockey East are Nos. 2-3, respectively, on Central Scouting’s list of North American skaters.

Misa (6-1, 184) is the first player in Saginaw history to win the Eddie Powers Trophy as the top scorer in the OHL, finishing the regular season with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists). The Saginaw captain had at least one point in 60 of 65 regular-season games and tied John Tavares (2006-07) for the most points by an OHL player under 18 since 2000 (Misa turned 18 on Feb. 16). His style of play has been compared to Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos.

“He’s the type of player that, if there’s a man in a better position for a scoring opportunity and if the proper read is to get the puck to that man, he’ll do it,” Central Scouting’s Nick Smith said. “And he does it with such quickness and elite hockey sense that it’s just great to watch.”

Hagens (5-10, 177), whose playmaking ability and skating resemble Clayton Keller of the Utah Hockey Club, was third for Boston College with 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games skating as the No. 1 center between Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) and Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals). He also tied for the United States lead with five goals in seven games to help the U.S. win the gold medal at the 2025 WJC.

“I mean, as far as like driving and creating plays, Misa has lit the lamp more, but Hagens played in a bigger, stronger league and can do that too,” Smith said. “I think Misa may be a little bigger, a little stronger down low, and maybe in the trenches a little bit more, but they’re pretty similar players.”

Rounding out the top six North American skaters are right-shot center Jake O’Brien with Brantford (OHL), right-shot defenseman Radim Mrtka of Seattle in the Western Hockey League and right wing Porter Martone of Brampton (OHL).

Forwards Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund are Nos. 1-2, respectively, on Central Scouting’s International skater ranking. They each play for Djurgarden in Sweden’s second division.

Frondell (6-1, 198), a center, had 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 29 games. Eklund (5-11, 161), a right wing and the brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund, had 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games.

“Some minor injuries slowed [Frondell] a bit during the early season but he’s a strong skater, skilled, and a two-way player,” NHL Director of European Scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen said. “Eklund plays with a lot of confidence and intensity. He’s a playmaker with an ability to manipulate with great vision and creativity.”

Though Schaefer is the projected No. 1 pick, Marr said anything can happen in the opening round.

“This is a deep draft class in the top three rounds and it’s great for the NHL to have such a solid crop of top-end prospects,” Marr said. “The top three or four players will likely be interchangeable depending on one’s definition of best available and the rest of the top 10 will be hard to displace.”