The highest of the 2025 NHL Draft is ready with the New York Islanders profitable the lottery on Monday night time with a 3.5 p.c likelihood.
There will likely be loads of time to pore over the draft class and dive deeper into these prospects, however listed here 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)
One of the 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 workforce drafting Misa. He’ll want a bit time to bulk as much as be an NHL-caliber forechecker, however there’s so much to love right here.
For the Islanders he’s the best alternative. There isn’t an enormous hole between Misa and Matthew Schaefer, however Misa presents 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 protected 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 form 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 good finisher, however his all-around play made large steps for Brampton this season.
Martone is a good choose to place alongside Connor Bedard and begin to make Chicago a strong workforce once more.
No. 4: Utah Hockey Membership: C James Hagens — Boston School (NCAA)
A strong, dependable chief who at worst seems like an unimaginable third-line middle. There may be some questions on Hagens’ dimension, however he performs greater than his body and presents 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 workforce taking him wants to know 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 just a few 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 one of the 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 dimension to be a remarkably onerous hitting, grindy participant who loves enjoying on soiled elements of the ice when wanted. Within the open he’s a sophisticated 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 identified 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 may 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 may 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 venture. He got here alive within the Canada U18s by scoring 4 objectives 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 few low ceiling, however he has the requisite dimension and elegance to develop into a strong NHL rotation participant.
No. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins: C Brady Martin — Soo (OHL)
Martin brings so much to the desk at middle to love. Whereas he won’t venture to achieve the heights of being an elite, top-line middle — there’s additionally not an enormous threat 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 verify and never love him. There’s a very good likelihood he may go sooner than this choose, however I don’t love his resolution making with the puck on his stick — and he must develop a greater shot. That may very well be nurtured, but in addition what I feel 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 fingers. Confirmed main playmaking splashes from the wing final season which may point out that he’ll be a serious risk, particularly if paired with a goal-scoring middle. Will want just a few years of growth, 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 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 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 so much to be desired. A case the place his athletic skills 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 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 workforce in search of physicality on a 3rd line.
