The first round of the playoffs is not going to be a spring walk in the park for anyone in the NHL, regardless of where they finish in the regular season.

But you have to wonder how badly the top three teams in the Atlantic Division – the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning – actually want to finish first, given their recent play.

It's not that they've been terrible, but anytime they've had an opportunity to separate from the other two, they come up short. All three are projected to finish with at least 100 points, and the Atlantic could very well have five playoff participants, but unless somebody among the Panthers, Leafs or Lightning decides to go on a run, it will come down to the last day of the season.

Today's video column has more.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Saturday’s busy 14-game NHL slate started off with a bang as the New York Rangers snapped a three-game losing skid with a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square Garden.

Both teams came in just below the playoff cut-line, and the matchup carried extra weight because it was J.T. Miller’s first game against his old team since he was traded back to the club that drafted him on Jan. 31.

After logging seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 20 games with the Rangers, Miller was all over the action on Saturday. The Rangers were badly outplayed during the first two periods, outshot 24-6. But after the Canucks opened the scoring on a first-period goal by Dakota Joshua, Miller helped his team draw even midway through the second, on the ice when Adam Fox tipped a point shot by Braden Schneider past Kevin Lankinen. 

Then, early in the third, he dug out the puck from the end boards and fed Jonny Brodzinski, putting the home side ahead for the first time in the game and sparking a frenetic third period that saw the Blueshirts outscore the Canucks 4-2. After Brodzinski broke a 3-3 tie with less than five minutes remaining, the dagger came off Miller’s stick, 176 feet into the empty net, with 17 seconds left on the clock.

Who else but JT Miller to ice the game against the Canucks! pic.twitter.com/DUDqs3DHVb

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 22, 2025

Shesterkin Shines

Miller earned third-star honors for the day, and Brodzinski’s two goals gave him the first-star award. But the Rangers wouldn’t have been in a position to mount their comeback without Igor Shesterkin. He held steady while under siege through the first 40 minutes, stopping 1.96 goals saved above expected in all situations according to Natural Stat Trick as Vancouver outshot New York 24-6.

The final shots were 39-12 for the Canucks, Vancouver’s highest shot total of the year. By himself, Quinn Hughes challenged the output of the entire Rangers team, with nine shots on goal to go along with four misses and two blocks. He finished with one assist, breaking the ankles of Matt Rempe before setting up Joshua’s opening goal.

Quinn Hughes putting Matt Rempe in the spin cycle will never get old 😆

🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Canucks#NYRpic.twitter.com/kdH3BXqE5S

— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) March 22, 2025

Pettersson, Hoglander Injured

The Canucks didn’t just lose the game on Saturday. They also lost two of their hottest offensive players — both Swedes, no less, on the first-ever ‘Hockey Day in Sweden.’

Elias Pettersson appeared to suffer an injury on a second-period face-off play against Vincent Trocheck. 

Bad news for the Canucks as Elias Pettersson has gone to the dressing room after an awkward play in the faceoff circle.

🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Canucks#NYRpic.twitter.com/kRwrsXW9Pi

— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) March 22, 2025

He returned for two short shifts but was ruled out for the third period. Hoglander’s last shift came late in the second.

Both players had been piling up the points of late. Pettersson had three goals and six assists in his last six games, and Hoglander had six points in his last five games. 

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet did not have an update on either player after the game but mentioned that a center may need to be recalled from AHL Abbotsford — which doesn’t bode well for Pettersson. 

After the Canucks opened their six-game road trip on Thursday with an overtime loss to one of the teams they’re battling for a playoff spot, the St. Louis Blues, they’ll continue on the road for another eight days — visiting New Jersey, Long Island and Columbus before finishing off in Winnipeg. 

Soucy, Mancini Tally Against Old Teams

Miller wasn’t the only traded player to chip in offensively on Saturday.

The Canucks also dealt defenseman Carson Soucy to the Rangers just before the trade deadline. He played 16:22 and finished at plus-one, with the second assist on Brodzinski’s game winner. 

On the Vancouver side, former Ranger Victor Mancini picked up the second assist on Drew O’Connor’s third-period goal, which tied the score 2-2. O’Connor was also an indirect acquisition from the Miller trade, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for the first-round draft pick that Vancouver received from New York.

Defenseman Marcus Pettersson also came to Vancouver as part of that deal. He had a quiet game, finishing at minus-1 in 20:10 of ice time. 

Filip Chytil, another former Ranger, did not play on Saturday. After putting up six points in his first 15 games with Vancouver, the 25-year-old missed his fourth game after suffering a concussion from a hit by Jason Dickinson of the Chicago Blackhawks one week ago.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The NHL’s coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever, with multiple teams changing coaches – including the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues – during the current regular season. But the way things are shaping up, there are going to be more changes we should expect to see once this season is over. 

With that in mind, here are four coaches likely to part ways with their team this summer. In alphabetical order:

1. Andrew Brunette, Nashville Predators

The Predators have been one of the biggest disappointments this season, posting a 25-35-8 record that puts them in 14th place in the Western Conference. Consequently, the spotlight is squarely on Brunette, who has been on the job in Nashville since May of 2023. That may not sound like a long time for a coach to leave their mark, but if Preds GM Barry Trotz isn’t going to make material changes to his team’s roster, the thing he can change is his coach.

It’s certainly not solely Brunette’s fault that Nashville is where they are in the standings. However, the Predators may opt for a new voice behind the bench. And that would leave Brunette looking for work after this season concludes.

2. Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres

Many eyebrows were raised when greybeard veteran Ruff was hired for his second tour of coaching duty in Buffalo last April. But the Sabres have been unable to improve in Ruff’s latest tenure, generating the Eastern Conference’s worst record at 27-35-6. The 65-year-old Ruff may see his tenure come to an end this coming off-season – especially if the Sabres dismiss GM Kevyn Adams at season’s end. A new GM will want their own coach in place, so Buffalo could be looking for a new bench boss very soon.

Ruff’s near-lifelong connection to the Sabres hasn’t translated into many wins this year, and in the zero-sum business of NHL coaching, that’s all that really matters. Buffalo has to chart a different course as soon as possible, and that’s why we believe Ruff will be sent packing in favor of a younger coach with a different vision for this constantly-changing Sabres roster.

3. Joe Sacco, Boston Bruins

The Bruins were accustomed to performing well in recent years, which is why their sub-par performance this season is such a downer for Boston fans. Jim Montgomery was fired in mid-November, and Sacco was inserted as an interim replacement for him. But that hasn’t done much good at all, and we don’t see Sacco staying on the job once this year comes to an end.

Who will replace Sacco? Well, we see another coach currently employed by another Eastern Conference team – Penguins bench boss Mike Sullivan, who we’ll discuss below – being the choice in Beantown as the Bruins attempt to retool on the fly. Hiring Sullivan for his second stint as Boston’s coach would give the Bs the structure and discipline they’re in dire need of. Sometimes a return to a familiar face makes sense for a team, and that’s where we think the Bruins will be at with Sullivan if and when he becomes a coaching free agent.

4. Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins

Sullivan has been Pittsburgh’s coach since December 2015, and he’s led them to two Stanley Cup championships, giving him a lot of leeway in the nine years he’s been on the job with the Penguins. But every coach eventually reaches his "best before" date, and considering that Sullivan’s Pens have failed to make the playoffs for this season and the previous two seasons, the Penguins need a change behind the bench.

Only Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper – another multi-time Cup winner – has more current tenure than Sullivan, and we expect Sullivan would quickly be picked up by another team once the Penguins let him go. But the Penguins need a different voice now, and it’s time for both Sullivan and the Pens to mutually agree to part ways. All good things eventually come to an end, and it’s high time for the Penguins to move on from Sullivan.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the most impressive NHL teams in the 2024-25 regular season. Currently, they’re the Western Conference’s best team – and the second-best team in the league – with a record of 48-18-4. But there’s a nagging element to the Jets – and that’s their sub-par Stanley Cup playoff performances in recent memory. Since 2018-19,  Winnipeg has won exactly one playoff round, and they have yet to win a single second-round series game in that span.

It should be clear, then, that there are skeptics with legitimate cause for concern that the Jets will be able to change that in the upcoming playoffs. Winnipeg is probably going to get a showdown against the second and final wild-card team in Round One, but they haven’t been perfect against any of their likely first-round opponents.

For instance: the Jets are 2-1-0 against St. Louis this season, with one of their two wins coming in a shootout. Winnipeg is 1-1-0 against the Vancouver Canucks this year, 2-1-0 against the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg is 2-1-0 against Utah. Clearly, the Jets have been a mortal group, and that could spell doom for them in the opening round.

But here’s the bigger problem with Winnipeg’s playoff aspirations this spring – in the second round, they’re almost certainly going to be pitted against the mighty Dallas Stars or Colorado Avalanche. The Jets are 2-1-0 against Dallas this season, and they’re 3-1-0 against the Avalanche – although one of those wins against the Avs was a 1-0 shutout on Nov. 7, and another win against Colorado came in a 3-2 overtime win.

But forget about the Jets’ regular-season record against Central Division teams. Instead, just bear in mind the fact that both Dallas and Colorado have made major roster improvements since their early-season games against Winnipeg. If the playoff series against the Stars or Avalanche began right now, do you think the Jets would be a heavy favorite to win it? Or any kind of favorite, for that matter? No, we’re betting Winnipeg would be an underdog against Dallas or Colorado. And that’s because their performance in the post-season with their same core of talent simply hasn’t been up to snuff. 

This isn’t to say the Jets absolutely aren’t going to shake off the demons of the past and figure out a way to go on a deep playoff run. Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff doubled down on his roster last summer, and at this year’s NHL trade deadline, he added only a bottom-six forward in Brandon Tanev and a third-pairing defenseman in Luke Schenn. And we agreed with Cheveldayoff’s minor tinkering; the Jets have been so dominant that they didn’t need drastic changes to the lineup.

Still, that nagging element is going to be there with Winnipeg until they show they’re a different group than the disappointing team that was flushed out with ease in recent years. Remember, in the past two post-seasons, the Jets couldn’t even put up an admirable fight in the first round, winning just one game against Vegas two years ago, and winning only a single game last year against Colorado. Winnipeg’s defeats were quick and painful, and we’re still unsure whether anything is going to be different in that regard this time around.

Being an excellent regular-season team has its benefits. The Jets are going to have home-ice advantage as long as they’re alive in the Western Conference playoffs. And Winnipeg’s 25–5-4 home record will be something to draw on as the Jets try to get at least as far as the Western Conference final. Nevertheless, Winnipeg could once again falter early on in this year’s playoffs. And if they do, Cheveldayoff will no longer have any reason to keep coming back with the same core year after year. And massive changes will be in order if they let down their fans yet again.

It’s the Western Conference final or bust for this Jets team. They’re either going to make people forget about their sub-par past or underscore it as they fizzle out and the biggest fears of their fan base and management become reality.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Patrick Maroon made an announcement that he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 season. The Chicago Blackhawks left winger said this ahead of their game against the St. Louis Blues.

An emotional Pat Maroon tells @Panger40 before his final game in St. Louis that he will retire at the end of the season. #Blackhawkspic.twitter.com/hmrJDAjD1f

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 22, 2025

He got emotional in a pre-game interview with Darren Pang when he made this statement. This is also his last game in his hometown of St. Louis.

“I just know it’s time for me, it’s time for my family to go start a new chapter in our lives,” Maroon said.

Maroon was drafted in 2007 by the Philadelphia Flyers 161st overall in the sixth round, but after a few seasons in the OHL and AHL, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks.  Since then, he’s played in nearly 14 seasons.

Chicago’s clash against St. Louis is Maroon's 840th game of his NHL career. In that time, he’s scored 125 goals and 320 points. The left winger played for eight different teams in his career, including the Blues.

This season, he’s made 59 appearances for the Blackhawks and has four goals and 16 points. The grinder also has seven fights this season, his last one came in Tuesday's game against the Seattle Kraken in a tilt with John Hayden. According to HockeyFights, Maroon has 138 fights in his career.

Maroon is seventh among active skaters in penalty minutes, and over the course of his 14-year career, he’s racked up 1,071 total.

The 36-year-old veteran won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in the single season that he played with them in 2018-19. Following that season, Maroon secured another two championships with the Tampa Bay Lightning, completing a three-peat.

In his career, Maroon has featured in 163 playoff games, scoring 23 goals and 53 points, while also having a plus-six rating. He’s played playoff games for the Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Blues, Lightning and Boston Bruins. 

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman indicated at the conclusion of the GM meetings in Florida on Wednesday that the league is reevaluating the format of the 2026 All-Star Game at UBS Arena next February, which will be just prior to the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Bettman did not specify what exactly the league has in mind in terms of changes, but here are three possible options:

Gary Bettman not committing to classic #NHL All-Star game for next year. Says the Islanders will get “an event.” But what that is, he won’t be “pinned down” on yet.

4 Nations raised the bar on what the league wants for its signature showcases.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 19, 2025

Expanded Skills Competition 

One undeniable fact that resulted from the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off was how injuries that occurred in the tournament (such as the loss of Charlie McAvoy, Shea Theodore and Matthew Tkachuk) affected NHL clubs after the break. With the likelihood of two weeks of hard-fought competition in Italy, the league may want to minimize the workload and risk of injury in the All-Star Game. One way that they could do that – while increasing the entertainment value of the weekend – is to eliminate the game altogether and expand the number of events in the skills competition, which fans seem to find more interesting than a no-contact game of shinny. 

Teams Based On Nationality, Not Division

The game in recent years has been a round-robin of teams made up by division. With all eyes looking forward to the Olympics, the NHL should want to take advantage of that and have teams made up of individual countries. In this instance, you could have as many as eight separate squads (Canada, United States, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Germany) playing in a skills competition or round-robin.   

Teams Based On Age Range

The most exciting team at the 2016 World Cup was Team North America, made up of players aged 23 or younger. Squads could be assembled by age range, 18-24, 25-31, and 32 and older, which would allow youngsters like Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini to participate since the odds of them making Team Canada are slim. The All-Star Game may be the only opportunity for Alex Ovechkin to play, since Russia will likely be prevented from participating due to the IIHF ban.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The NHL’s Eastern Conference race for the final wild-card berth is coming down to a select few teams, and two of those teams are headed in different directions: the New York Rangers, who have lost their last three games and are 3-5-2 in their past 10 games, and their arch-rivals, the New York Islanders, who have won three straight games and are 6-3-1 in their past 10 games. The Rangers look to be out of gas as they attempt to edge out the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card spot. At the same time, the Islanders are one spot closer to ousting the Canadiens, sitting an identical two points behind Montreal but with a superior point percentage to the Rangers.

Not all the news is good news in the Isles’ favor. As per Tankathon, the Islanders have the fifth-toughest remaining schedule, while the Rangers have the 14th-toughest schedule. But it’s the way the Rangers have lost of late that is so disheartening for Blueshirts fans. The Rangers have generated just five goals in their past three losses to Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto, and their loss to the Maple Leafs came on the second night of a back-to-back series of games for the Leafs. The Rangers were rested and in their home building against Toronto, but they came out flat and unable to take advantage of the Leafs. And while they’re only two points behind Montreal, the Rangers don’t look like a team that believes in itself right now.

The Islanders, on the other hand, have beaten the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Canadiens in their current win streak. And the Isles have scored four goals in each of their past three wins – a good harbinger of what they’re capable of as they try to sneak into the playoffs for the second-straight season.

There are others still in the race for the final wild-card spot, but like the Rangers, they’re all struggling to be at their best currently. The Columbus Blue Jackets are 2-7-1 in their past 10 games, the Detroit Red Wings are 2-8-0 and the Boston Bruins are 3-6-1. None of those teams look like they’re hungry enough and focused enough to rise through the ranks and land the last wild-card berth. And that’s why it could prove to come down to the Rangers and Islanders.

The NHL’s schedule-maker has set the table for what could be a season-defining game between the Rangers and Isles. On April 10, the Islanders and Rangers square off against each other at UBS Arena – and considering the Isles have a 0-3-0 record this season against the Rangers, you’d think the Rangers would have the psychological advantage heading into that game. But if the Rangers continue to falter in the games leading up to that final showdown, that game may not matter.

In any case, the wild-card race could come down to the final week of the regular season. And while it could be a case of someone – maybe the Islanders or Rangers – backing into a wild-card berth, there could be a team that seizes the opportunity now before them and finds a way to thrive the rest of the way this season en route to a playoff spot.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

On Thursday night, Connor Hellebuyck became the first NHL goalie to reach 40 wins in the 2024-25 NHL season when the Winnipeg Jets beat the Edmonton Oilers in overtime.

It’s the second time in his career that the 31-year-old has reached that plateau, and it’s quite a feat. The only other active netminder with multiple 40-win seasons is Marc-Andre Fleury, whose career has been 11 years longer. 

One other challenger could also get to 40 this season: the goalie who was also drafted 111 picks ahead of Hellebuyck in 2012, Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Tampa Bay Lightning have 14 games remaining, and Vasilveskiy currently sits at 33 wins. 

Look back at the last decade, and Vasilevskiy is the only goalie whose body of work comes close to touching Hellebuyck’s. He won 44 games in 2017-18 and hit 39 in two other seasons, and their career performances have been almost identical. Both have save percentages of .917, and while Vasilevskiy’s career goals-against average is 2.53, Hellebuyck’s is just a few ticks higher, at 2.57.

When it comes to Vezina voting, Hellebuyck holds the edge. He already has two wins under his belt, from 2020 and from last season, when he collected 31 of 32 first-place votes from the league’s GMs. As well as his strong lead in the win category, which the GMs value highly, Hellebuyck is also first with his .924 save percentage, which ties his career high, along with his career-best 2.06 GAA and his 34.4 goals saved above expected per moneypuck.com. 

Washington’s Logan Thompson is the only other stopper over 30 GSAE, and Hellebuyck nearly doubles Vasilevskiy’s 18.1.

Hellebuyck and Sergei Bobrovsky are the only active goalies with two Vezina wins. If the voters reward Hellebuyck again this spring as expected, he’ll be just the 13th goalie in NHL history to win three times and the first to collect back-to-back awards since Martin Brodeur did it in 2007 and 2008.

But there’s one notable achievement missing from Hellebuyck’s resume: a Stanley Cup. 

To date, his best playoff run was his first. In 2018, the Jets bested the Nashville Predators in a seven-game second-round slugfest before losing to Fleury and the first-year Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference final. 

After last year’s chaotic first-round loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Jets look like they’ve done everything right in preparing to erase that memory. Thursday’s win in Edmonton got them to 100 points for the second-straight year, and they’re on their way to clinching their first division title since returning to Winnipeg and the first conference championship in the history of the Jets/Thrashers franchise.

That positioning will protect them from a first-round matchup against one of the Central’s other strong contenders. Instead, they’ll meet whichever bubble team ultimately snags the second wild card in the West. 

Having home-ice advantage for at least three rounds should also pay big dividends. The Jets’ record of 25-5-4 at Canada Life Centre is one of the best in the NHL, and that’s also where Hellebuyck has played his best hockey. He’s 22-3-3 on home ice this year, with a save percentage of .934 and a 1.74 GAA.

While most NHL players were re-charging their batteries in February, Hellebuyck was logging some of the most intense minutes of his career with Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off. And while there’s always a risk attached when top teams shift into cruise control in an attempt to rest up for the playoffs, the Jets are comfortable enough that they don’t need Hellebuyck to stand on his head over the next four weeks. 

Right now, he’s near the top of the list of total minutes played — as usual. But the Jets are one of nine teams that have already completed 70 games.

And while Eric Comrie’s record is a moderate 8-8-1, he has delivered quality minutes, with a .914 save percentage, 2.39 GAA, and 2.4 GSAE.

Other than a 10-minute pull by the concussion spotter in Seattle last weekend, Comrie has delivered complete games in all his other starts this year — helping to keep Winnipeg’s rotation stable and predictable, which Hellebuyck appreciates.

“The way that I usually handle it is telling the other guy, ‘You’re not coming out, no matter what,’ ” he said. “Make him feel good, that no matter what’s gonna happen, he’s in.”

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Welcome to The Hockey News Big Show, where we explore some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics

Which NHL Team Could Pull Off A Cinderella Run? by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

0:54: Michael revisits his top eight Stanley Cup contenders list from last week and explains his new Nos. 5 to 8 teams this week.

2:59: Ryan also goes over the changes in his list from last week.

6:14: Ryan has the Washington Capitals in his top four, while Michael has them in his bottom four. What's the argument for both of your reasoning? 

10:51: Who should be the starting goalie for Game 1 of the playoffs for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

14:58: How does the addition of a healthy Evander Kane and Trent Frederic change the complexion of this Oilers team in the playoffs?

18:03: How does Miro Heiskanen potentially missing the first round affect your opinion on the Dallas Stars beating the Colorado Avalanche?

21:20: The New York Islanders are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and are very much in the mix again for the second wild-card spot. Do we buy them as a real threat to earn that spot?

23:54: Who is your front-runner for the Calder Trophy race?

26:35: The Top 10 Hobey Baker nominees were recently released. Who are your picks for the top three finalists for the NCAA’s men’s hockey player of the year?

31:09: March Madness is officially underway. Which NHL team would be the best "Cinderella story" to shock the world and make a run, even if they don’t win the Cup?

33:05: Gary Bettman said the playoff format is not changing. Are you GLAD because you like the current format or SAD because you want the 1 vs. 8 format?

35:19: The New York Rangers released their Centennial logo for next season, and people online aren't super impressed. Yay or nay to the logo? 

37:17: Josh Morrissey becomes the top scorer among defensemen in Jets 2.0 history, passing Dustin Byfuglien. Has he been a better blueliner for Winnipeg than Byfuglien?

39:23: Alex Ovechkin is now seven goals away from breaking Gretzky's 894 all-time goals record with 13 games left. Will it take him all 13 games, or will he do it with games to spare?

Watch the full episode here.   

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

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.

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Mid-Season Top 64It's 2025 NHL draft rankings time again as we're about to see the class playing some of its highest-level hockey.

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.

Future Watch: The NHL's Top Rising And Falling Prospects In 2025The anticipated Future Watch issue is when The Hockey News looks at the future of the game, including the top 100 prospects in hockey.

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.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.