The NHL’s playoff picture is coming into focus, which means the bottom-end teams are solidifying their spots in the draft lottery – and the NHL sour rankings.
Whether these teams expected to be at the bottom or not, they must focus on the future. The work to improve will largely begin at the NHL draft, where they will look for prospects to help shape the next era of their franchise.
Let’s mock the top 10 for the 2025 NHL draft based on who could be available for each team and what direction they might go when they are on the clock.
We’re using a reverse order of the standings for the draft order. A key point to remember is that this is a mock draft, not a ranking. This is how the draft could go down, not the order of the best players in my view.
No. 1, San Jose Sharks: Matthew Schaefer, D
The San Jose Sharks have a solid foundation up front with Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund. Quentin Musty and Filip Bystedt are on the way as well.
Their back end has some solid prospects, highlighted by last year’s 11th-overall pick, Sam Dickinson, and the recently recalled Luca Cagnoni. But getting their future No. 1 defender would be a gift if they get to draft first overall for a second straight year. Schaefer has the skating and tools to be a do-it-all defender on both ends of the ice.
No. 2, Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Misa, C
Connor Bedard is the franchise center, but adding Michael Misa would give the Chicago Blackhawks one of the most impressive one-two punches down the middle.
Misa is the most well-rounded forward in the draft. He has an impressive dual-threat offensive upside, a wicked sense of scoring goals in various ways and an excellent vision of play development on the ice. Misa can also insulate Bedard.
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No. 3, Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C
The Nashville Predators weren’t supposed to be this bad, but landing Hagens would be a wonderful way to cap off their season that’s had nothing but disappointment. Hagens would be arguably the most dynamic center the team has ever had. His skill and playmaking would give the Predators a player who can manipulate and dictate play offensively in a way they haven’t had enough of over the years. Hagens is a center who could be the pillar the Preds build around moving forward.
No. 4, Buffalo Sabres: Caleb Desnoyers, C
The first moderate surprise is Desnoyers going to the Buffalo Sabres, which are still looking to find their way out of the basement. The Sabres just traded Dylan Cozens, and while they got Josh Norris back in the deal, they will look to build out their depth up front. Desnoyers could fit as a center in the middle six or play on the wing, but his strength is playing a complementary role. That trait could help the Sabres in a big way as they try to find their way.
No. 5, Seattle Kraken: Porter Martone, RW
The Seattle Kraken have been excellent at drafting the highest-end talent regardless of size. This year, they get the chance to add the best player available and some of the size the team lacks in its young talent. Martone has the kind of functional physicality that thrives in the NHL and an incredible knack for making plays through contact. He also has a very good shot and could complement a player, such as Matty Beniers or Shane Wright, moving forward.
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No. 6, Philadelphia Flyers: Roger McQueen, C
The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves back in the top 10 of the draft, but there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful with the prospects on the way, such as Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk, as well as the arrival of Matvei Michkov this season.
Last year, the Flyers took Jett Luchanko in what was considered a conservative and safe pick. That gives them the room to take a risk this year with McQueen. Despite missing most of the year with a back injury, McQueen’s combination of size, skill and scoring ability is a bet some NHL team will make early. The hulking center could be a big swing if McQueen can stay healthy and avoid long-term injury concerns.
No. 7, Pittsburgh Penguins: Victor Eklund, LW
Like his brother a few years back, Victor Eklund goes seventh overall. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ management group is focused on adding skill and… skill. Eklund brings a ton of that and tenacity to make him an instantly effective player in the NHL who can play up and down the lineup. Eklund would be a great addition to a Pittsburgh prospect pool that has grown over the last couple of years, likely asserting himself as the top prospect instantly.
No. 8, Anaheim Ducks: Kashawn Aitcheson, D
The Anaheim Ducks have added a ton of talent up front, and they have some really intriguing young defensemen who can move the puck on the back end. They love their big, bone-crushing defenders as well. Adding Aitcheson would give them a young blueliner who can act as a foil for the puck-moving guys, such as Pavel Mintyukov or Olen Zellweger. Aitcheson is the kind of player the Ducks love with that throwback to rough-and-tumble hockey.
No. 9, Boston Bruins: Jackson Smith, D
The Boston Bruins aren’t used to drafting this high in the draft, but they will look to add a key piece to the next era of Bruins hockey. While they could certainly use some scoring punch up front, the Bruins pipeline lacks everything. Adding Jackson Smith could be a big deal because he has all of the tools to be a very good two-way blueliner. Coming in and eventually learning under Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm would be a perfect situation for the team and player.
No. 10, Detroit Red Wings: Anton Frondell, C
This isn’t just because the Detroit Red Wings love drafting Swedes or that they seem to love their solid, steady centers. Frondell going to the Wings is the perfect spot because it’s a high-end prospect who has dealt with injuries, and it’s a team that has a couple of really solid young centers in Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper but lacks the higher-end prospect Frondell could be.
If Kasper or Danielson end up on the wing because Frondell comes in and takes the No. 2 center spot behind Dylan Larkin, that’s the perfect scenario. Frondell has the steady game that Detroit loves and the offensive upside they need.
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