The Stanley Cup playoffs are in full swing, but some teams are looking ahead to their draft selections in June. There is a lot of skill and risk in the top half of the first round of this year’s draft class, and teams should be very excited. Both Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa are tremendous prizes at the top of the draft, and both are projected to become franchise cornerstones.
After that, there is significant intrigue, with teams liking different players. Much of this draft will come down to a team’s willingness to take risks and bet on upside; there are players with enormous upside but who carry development or injury risk. There are also players whom teams love for their play style that will be ranked lower in draft rankings.
Here’s my mock draft prior to the lottery, including insights on fit, how teams have drafted historically, why players fit with the organization and their NHL ceiling.
Read more: Top 32 prospects
Key prospects in the NCAA tournament
1. San Jose Sharks
Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)
Schaefer is the selection for the Sharks, who add a defenseman likely to be a bona fide No. 1 for years to come.
Schaefer is a difference-maker, offensively and defensively. The 6-2 defenseman effortlessly moves around the ice, and his agility makes him very difficult to beat in one-on-one situations. An unfortunate injury at the World Juniors, where he was expected to play a major role as an underage player, limited him to 26 games this season. In those 26 games, he consistently played upward of 25 minutes per game and tilted the ice in his team’s favor.
Executives and scouts around the league believe he will be one of the NHL’s elite defenders in the next few years and a foundational piece of a Cup-contending blue line. The Sharks have Macklin Celebrini up front, and adding Schaefer on the blue line is a major addition. Schaefer is going to be an impactful transition player on both sides of the puck, play a matchup role and quarterback a power-play unit.
Schaefer has all the talent and skill to become a top-10 defender in the NHL, and Sharks fans should expect him in the lineup next season.
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)
The Blackhawks passed on Ivan Demidov in last year’s draft in favor of defenseman Artyom Levshunov, and are lucky that Michael Misa is there for the taking in 2025. Misa, a player of exceptional status in the OHL, had one of the best goal-scoring seasons in the league with 62 goals in 65 games. No, that is not a typo. Misa is projected to be a top-line forward, and certainly someone who could form a formidable attack with Connor Bedard.
Misa possesses incredible offensive talent. He thinks about the game at an elite level and plays it at a blistering speed. He’s ready to step into Chicago’s lineup, and he has the talent to be an elite center if he continues his current development trajectory.
Without the puck, Misa finds open spaces and has knack for scoring at the most critical times. His playmaking and scoring ability are equally dangerous and make him a dual offensive threat. Misa’s battle level has steadily improved with better backchecking, covering for teammates and playing a well-rounded game. Combine that with dynamic speed and offensive skill, and the Blackhawks are getting another foundational piece.
3. Nashville Predators
James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)
The Predators need skill, and they need centers. Hagens fits both of those categories.
He’s not dynamic the way that Misa or Victor Eklund are, but he’s highly effective. He is a two-way player who will provide value on both side of the puck at the NHL level. He brings a high-end motor and speed, and has the ability to drive play. He supports the puck well, wins battles and understands spacing. The professional details of his game will translate nicely to the NHL.
His playmaking qualities were on display at the U.S. national team development program last season, but he was inconsistent with dynamic playmaking at BC. Hagens likely needs another season at BC to take another step forward and regain some of his dynamic skill to be a true difference-maker in the NHL. Without Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard flanking him, Hagens will be relied upon to drive a line, carry the load offensively and remain defensively responsible.
Hagens has the potential to be the complete package in the NHL if he can develop his offensive traits further. The ceiling is very high, and given Nashville’s propensity to swing, he makes a ton of sense for the Predators.
4. Philadelphia Flyers
Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)
Martone projects as a high-end, second-line forward with a mean streak. He is a dual-threat offensive player with ability to score on his own and facilitate for his teammates. He is not going to be the prototypical power forward, despite his size, but there’s some Tom Wilson in him. He’ll be a great Flyer in that he’s an agitator, and he physically imposes himself on opponents. As his game matures, he will learn to pick his spots to more effectively use that skill.
Martone’s ability to score and facilitate will make him a difficult player to defend in the NHL. Some are concerned about his lack of foot speed, but skating can be improved significantly, and he’s come a long way from the beginning of the season. If Martone were to add explosiveness to his skating, he can be a first-line, point-producing player for a long time in the NHL. He’s the type of player who possesses the hard skill that the Flyers love and the soft skill that gets fans excited.
There is every reason to believe Martone can be a quality top-six forward with some bite to his game, and watching him with Matvei Michkov would be a lot of fun.
5. Boston Bruins
Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
Get ready to hear “He could be the next Patrice Bergeron” on the broadcast. While those are astronomically high expectations, Desnoyers has special traits. The big two-way center out of Quebec is a coach’s dream in that he understands any assignment. In tight games, he makes smart, simple plays, forechecks with physicality and makes life difficult for opponents. He leads by example on both sides of the puck, and he is an all-situations player.
Desnoyers projects to be a quality second-line center with a decent chance of becoming a first-line player. He’s cerebral, with excellent playmaking ability. Typically, he isn’t flashy, but he is consistently effective and makes intelligent plays with the puck. In other words, he’s reliable. He’s at his best when he’s in pressure-packed games because he finds a way to make the necessary plays to win.
6. Seattle Kraken
Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)
The Kraken add a big, physical defenseman who is the consensus second-best defender in the draft class.
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As a pure defender, Smith possesses all the qualities of a top-four, matchup guy. He defends the rush very well, closes gaps and steers the play in transition. His offense started to develop more towards the end of the season, but the lack of it throughout the campaign lowers the confidence in his projection to a No. 4/5 D-man. Given the importance of transition defense in the matchup role, it is likely that Smith develops into a shutdown minutes-muncher for the Kraken in the No. 3 role.
Smith fills a need for Seattle after the Kraken used lottery picks to draft centers Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. Smith brings a nice blend of skating, size and an aura of poise to the Kraken prospect pool. The Kraken have quite a few skilled forward prospects with Berkly Catton, Eduard Sale and Carson Rehkopf, but they lack a projectable top-four defender. There’s a chance one of Caden Price or Lukas Dragicevic become a second-pairing defender, but Smith immediately vaults to the top of the defensive prospect pyramid.
7. Buffalo Sabres
Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
The Sabres are known for swinging on skill and using analytics to evaluate draft-eligible players. Eklund has great underlying numbers, including a productive season in the Allsvenskan, and his game has all the hallmarks of being very translatable to the NHL, despite his smaller stature. He plays a lot bigger style than his measurements suggest, with a high-end motor and excellent forechecking ability.
Eklund excels in transition and attacks defenders with tenacity and fearlessness, darting to the inside, and getting his body into positions to win pucks. His off-puck play is very mature and will blend well with the skill on Buffalo’s roster.
The Sabres need a player to come in and find chemistry with their soft skill, and Eklund fits as a player who brings hard skill. He has all the making of a top-line forward who can be a difference-maker in the next few years.
8. Anaheim Ducks
Anton Frondell, C/RW, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
The Ducks land another quality player up front with Frondell, a versatile two-way forward that plays both center and right wing. His flexibility is attractive to Anaheim with their plethora of young players at forward.
Frondell is coming off one of the most productive seasons by an under-18 player in Allsvenskan history, bouncing back from early-season injury with authority. He shoots the puck very well and makes intelligent plays on and off the puck. A tactician of sorts, he plays with pro details, forechecking well, attacking the middle of the ice and showing strength in the hard areas.
Frondell has shown play-driving capabilities against men in the Allsvenskan, which bodes well for NHL projection. He’s projected to become a second-line player at the NHL level who produces around 70 points per season. His play style translates well, and he might be only a year away from playing meaningful NHL minutes. The Ducks have a ton of skill, particularly up the middle, and Frondell will add a two-way, versatile dimension making him easy to move around the lineup.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)
The Penguins get a right-handed center who is projected to be a high-end, second-line center in the NHL, with potential to play on the first line.
He’s one of the best playmakers in the draft, creating high-danger chances with regularity. He manipulates defenders, distributes the puck on the forehand and backhand, and uses fakes to freeze defenders and goalies. He has some junior habits like holding the puck too long while hunting for the perfect play. If O’Brien can simplify his game and add a step to his skating, there’s real top-line potential.
The Penguins are a couple years away from having two Hall of Fame-sized holes at the center position. Bringing a player like O’Brien — or perhaps Roger McQueen — into the fold to learn under Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin could provide a smoother transition. O’Brien’s two-way ability has improved dramatically over the season, filling lanes, deflecting pucks, and supporting the puck all over the ice. His defensive tracking has improved, and there is a projectable two-way game at the NHL level.
His high-end playmaking abilities give him real upside and while there is risk because he’s slighter than other players available, O’Brien is a swing worth taking for the Penguins.
10. New York Islanders
Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)
The Isles need to continue to stockpile elite talent after landing Cole Eiserman in the 2024 draft, and while McQueen comes with injury risk, he is a talent they cannot pass up.
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McQueen is a unicorn in that he’s a 6-5 center who skates with the speed and agility of someone who is 5-10. He’s a modern-day power forward, and while his projection lacks confidence due to lack of gameplay this season, he has upside as a superstar two-way center. The right-handedness and size add significant value, as does his willingness to impose himself physically. He’s a quality two-way player and owns significant offensive upside.
Were it not for injuries, we might be discussing McQueen in the top five of this draft class because his package of skating, skill, physicality and size is very rare. He dominates the cycle game, is a plus transition player and has the skill to create offense off the rush. He’s the total package.
He is the very definition of high-risk, high-reward, and he could be a two-way force in the NHL for years if he can stay healthy — particularly for a team that can take the time for him to develop properly. The Islanders need that kind of player in their system and should take a swing with McQueen.
11. New York Rangers
Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)
The Rangers drafting a 6-6, right-handed defenseman with good mobility makes a lot of sense.
He’s very difficult to get around, routinely stopping offensive players in their tracks. He projects as a shutdown defenseman because of his excellent stick work and angling ability. Mrtka has the tools to become a second-pairing defender and is most likely to fit in the No. 4/5 range. Mrtka uses his mobility to escape pressure and make quality first passes without overcomplicating the play.
The Rangers are unlikely to be in the same drafting position next season, and these types of defenders do not come around often. Mrtka should develop into a strong transition defender and a dependable penalty killer. He should also be reliable for 20 minutes per game. He lacks offensive prowess, but his skating, size and intelligence give him the tools to develop into a big, shutdown defender in the NHL.
12. Detroit Red Wings
Carter Bear, C/LW, Everett (WHL)
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman likes to swing on skill, and Carter Bear is exactly the type of player that fits the bill.
Before a season-ending injury in March, Bear was one of the CHL’s most dangerous offensive players. He’s a quality playmaker using different pass types to get the puck to dangerous areas. He has also got excellent hands around the net and is consistently in the middle of scoring-chance creation. He’s versatile in that he plays center and the wing, and he projects as a point-producing, second-line player.
On top of his offensive gifts, Bear has good defensive habits. He gets his stick in lanes, tenaciously forechecks, tracks well on the backcheck and finishes hits. The Red Wings taking a player with hard skill who is reliable defensively is perfect for their middle six, and Bear is going to be ready for NHL action sooner than later.
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
In Martin, the Blue Jackets add an absolute blue-collar player who brings a blend of physicality and hard skill. He’s a nightmare to contain with his brute strength and will to win the puck. Martin projects as a middle-six forward capable of scoring 20 goals. He’s a wrecking ball who sets the tone and drags opponents into the fight. The Blue Jackets have a plethora of young talent, but Martin is unique with his Swiss army knife capability.
Most top prospects are invisible if their A game isn’t there, but Martin finds ways to get involved physically, and those traits are translatable to the NHL level. There is a real chance Martin ends up as a second-line player, but if his scoring doesn’t translate, he’d be a valuable member of a third line who can chip in offensively.
The hard-nosed style is rare in today’s NHL, and Martin will create space and make it easier for the likes of Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson to work their magic.
14. Utah Hockey Club
Lynden Lakovic, C/LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
The 6-4 left winger has translatable scoring ability and plus skating for his size. He attacks with linear crossovers using his big frame to protect the puck and makes plays using good deception. He has the potential to be a dual-threat winger and gives Utah another scoring threat in its prospect pool. Lakovic projects to be a middle-six winger with fair confidence because of his tools and size.
For someone with that size, his development will come on the physical side. He needs to be more physically involved, learn to use his body to protect pucks, lean on defenders and force his way to the middle of the ice. With his offensive tools, he would become a significantly more dangerous scoring threat if he were more physically engaged. That is certainly a developable skill and would make him more difficult to manage defensively.
Utah can swing on prospects given its pipeline quality, and Lakovic has offensive upside that is worth a shot.
15. Vancouver Canucks
Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)
There’s a very real chance that Aitcheson is gone before Vancouver’s pick, given the type of game he plays.
Aitcheson has all the tools to be a physical force on an NHL blue line. Whether it is a preseason game or the playoffs, Aitcheson plays the same rough style and is unafraid of lowering the boom on opponents. The type of player that requires the opponents to be aware when he’s on the ice because of his open-ice hitting ability and willingness to finish checks with authority.
The belief is that scouts and management in Vancouver want to add these qualities to their blue line, and Aitcheson is the perfect fit. He needs development time — his skating and playmaking are very raw — but the competitive attributes and his development curve this season are very promising. Aitcheson’s involvement offensively developed as the season progressed, rotating with his teammates, diving down towards the high-danger area, and he has become more dangerous with open ice.
He projects as a bottom-pairing defender based on his current statistical profile, but a player like him is more likely to play a minute-eating role on a second pair and physically impose his will on the game.
16. Montreal Canadiens (from CGY)
Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
The French Canadian born Carbonneau ticks a lot of boxes for the Canadiens, including his roots. Carbonneau has a ton of NHL attributes that teams covet, including powerful skating and dynamic attacking prowess. He drives offense with his playmaking and skating ability and has the potential to become a well-rounded offensive threat in the NHL. The top-six potential is present, though the projection is less confident in that outcome.
Montreal has shown a willingness to take chances on players who have high upside, and it has worked out very well (see: Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson). They have an excellent development staff that has been instrumental in helping young players reach their potential. Carbonneau has a physically mature body, but he’ll need some time to adjust to the speed of the professional game and learn to make plays in tighter areas. Either way, the Canadiens should be thrilled to get him with Calgary’s pick.
