The highest of the 2025 NHL Draft is ready with the New York Islanders successful the lottery on Monday night time with a 3.5 % probability.
There shall be loads of time to pore over the draft class and dive deeper into these prospects, however listed below are the snap selections in a lottery-only mock draft now the order is ready.
No. 1: New York Islanders: C Michael Misa — Saginaw (OHL)
Probably the most 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 staff drafting Misa. He’ll want just a little time to bulk as much as be an NHL-caliber forechecker, however there’s lots to love right here.
For the Islanders he’s the suitable selection. There isn’t a large hole between Misa and Matthew Schaefer, however Misa affords 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 probably be projected, and it seems like it could take one thing monumental to derail his NHL profession. Immensely excessive ground, good ceiling — and a participant who won’t 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 type 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 objective scoring prowess and is a superb finisher, however his all-around play made huge steps for Brampton this season.
Martone is a superb choose to place alongside Connor Bedard and begin to make Chicago a strong staff once more.
No. 4: Utah Hockey Membership: C James Hagens — Boston Faculty (NCAA)
A strong, dependable chief who at worst seems like an unbelievable third-line heart. There may be some questions on Hagens’ measurement, however he performs greater than his body and affords big 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 big flashes of playmaking capability. The staff 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 could possibly 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 very best wings on this draft class. There’s some main edge to his sport that can make him a fan-favorite as he eschews doubt about his measurement to be a remarkably arduous hitting, grindy participant who loves enjoying 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 heart lets his presence be recognized on the ice and provides me main Joe Thornton vibes within the center. Which may appear to be extremely excessive reward, however the potential is there. McQueen might grow to be a vert particular participant.
No. 8: Seattle Kraken: C Anton Frondell — Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Of the 2 huge Swedes on this draft I’ve Frondell barely behind his teammate Eklund largely due to the log jam at heart on this class. Frondell is a improbable forechecker, and strong distributor who might take the subsequent step offensively and grow to be an enormous 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 mission. He got here alive within the Canada U18s by scoring 4 targets in seven video games, and that might point out offensive potential nonetheless to be unlocked that might 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 couple of low ceiling, however he has the requisite measurement and magnificence to grow to be a strong NHL rotation participant.
No. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins: C Brady Martin — Soo (OHL)
Martin brings lots to the desk at heart to love. Whereas he won’t mission to achieve the heights of being an elite, top-line heart — there’s additionally not a large danger right here that could possibly 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 possibly can’t have a 6’6 defenseman who relishes obliterating individuals on the verify and never love him. There’s probability he might go sooner than this choose, however I don’t love his choice making with the puck on his stick — and he must develop a greater shot. That could possibly be nurtured, but in addition 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 objective scorer with all of the instruments when the puck is in his arms. Confirmed main playmaking splashes from the wing final season which might point out that he’ll be a significant risk, particularly if paired with a goal-scoring heart. 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 heart and wing for Everett at occasions, making his NHL place just a little troublesome to outline. I don’t fairly see the pace and ending capability to be a wing, however assume Bear could possibly be a strong inside distributor on a finesse line.
No. 15: Vancouver Canucks: C Lynden Lackovic — Moose Jaw (WHL)
May appear just a little low for Lackovic, however I’m not as huge on him as others appear to be. The bodily instruments are there, however his off-puck play leaves lots to be desired. A case the place his athletic talents outstrip his psychological acuity. If these have 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 received’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 heart he could be a distinction maker on a staff searching for physicality on a 3rd line.