The NHL draft lottery went live this year, and the drama was real, with the New York Islanders moving all the way to No. 1 once the balls were read out.

The Utah Hockey Club won the second draw, so they moved up from 14th overall to fourth.

So let's get to the fun part and mock draft the first 16 picks of the 2025 NHL draft, shall we?

1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL): The Islanders could honestly use high-end help at any position for the future, so let's just go with the best player available here. Schaefer is a game-changing defenseman who can do it all, and while he missed most of the season due to injury, it won't take him long to get into an NHL uniform on Long Island.

2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL):The Sharks could probably use a D-man more at this point, but with a pick this high, only a forward would be prudent based on this class. Misa is an incredibly skilled and competitive center who would make for a daunting one-two punch down the middle with Macklin Celebrini. With Will Smith there too, the Sharks have the option of putting one of them on the wing.

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL): Connor Bedard needs help and Martone could be his Tom Wilson or Matthew Tkachuk. Martone has plenty of skill, but he's also big and mean. The Hawks have the luxury of already having Bedard and Frank Nazar at center, but they could use a power forward.

4. Utah Hockey Club: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgarden (Swe.): GM Bill Armstrong likes his players big, though Utah could use more size up front. Frondell gets the nod here over James Hagens because he's bigger and stronger. On his own merits, Frondell also has a wicked shot and has proved he can handle himself against men, helping Djurgarden get promoted to the Swedish League recently.

5. Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA): A bit of a gift here for the Predators, as Hagens brings excellent skill and perhaps the best hockey IQ in the draft class. He's in a great situation at Boston College and should probably stick there another year to get stronger, but Hagens is the type of elite talent Nashville needs.

6. Philadelphia Flyers: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL): Desnoyers would be loved by Flyers fans: He brings skill, leadership and a 200-foot game that doesn't have any holes in it. He's a strong kid playing on one of the best junior teams in Canada and he absolutely racked up the points for Moncton this season.

7. Boston Bruins: Viktor Eklund, RW, Djurgarden (Swe.): If you're going to play for the Bruins, you have to work and Eklund will do that. Eklund plays much bigger than his frame and has an unceasing motor, on top of enough skill to get him onto Sweden's world junior team this past winter. He also helped Djurgarden's pro team get promoted to the SHL.

8. Seattle Kraken: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL): Coming off a scintillating world under-18s with gold-medal Canada, Smith brings a little bit of everything to a Kraken pipeline that is still growing. He's a great skater with size and physicality and the offensive potential was really on display at the World Men's Under-18s.

New York Islanders Win NHL Draft Lottery: Who Should They Pick First Overall?The NHL draft lottery was broadcast live for all to see, and the balls fell in the New York Islanders’ favor.

9. Buffalo Sabres: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL):Sabres fans need a reason to cheer and Aitcheson will lift them out of the seats one way or another. He put up a bunch of points from the blueline this year, but his trademarks come in his own end, where the Colts D-man is a physically punishing intimidator who has no problem dropping the gloves.

10. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL): With so many young players already in the lineup, the Ducks can think more long-term here. McQueen missed much of the season due to injury and scouts worry about his back, but Anaheim can be patient. If he turns out, he's a 6-foot-5 center who can shoot the puck and has top-five skill in the draft class.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL): The Penguins need a center of the future and O'Brien is a whip-smart pivot who can play in all three zones and produce offense at an elite clip. Get him in the same dressing room as Sidney Crosby in a year or two and you've got a perfect mentorship situation.

12. New York Rangers: Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): For a team in need of a culture refresh, Martin would be a great future building block. He's a farm-boy strong center who dazzled at the World Under-18s for Canada and played great for a Soo team that didn't have much else. Great skater who competes and plays the right way.

13. Detroit Red Wings: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL): Scouts absolutely love Cootes, who has the triumvirate of skating, skill and hockey sense. He didn't have much help in Seattle, but still drove the play, contributed in all situations and got results. Another player who made a difference for Canada at the recent World Under-18s.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL): There's a lot of potential in Mrtka thanks to his big frame and length. Coming over to North America from Czechia during the season, Mrtka really found his offense as time went on and while that won't be his calling card, it's nice to know he has it in his quiver.

NHL Draft Lottery Through The Years: From McDavid And Matthews To Bedard And CelebriniThe NHL draft lottery is the most exciting time of the post-season for the clubs that missed out on a playoff spot.

15. Vancouver Canucks: Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL): While he got hurt near the end of the year, Bear showed scouts enough to have them impressed. High compete, a 200-foot game and intense as a competitor, Bear has a very coach-friendly game. The fact he can put the puck in the net regularly doesn't hurt, either.

16. Montreal Canadiens (from CGY): Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA): The Habs have a lot of great young players in the lineup already, so we'll go with potential here. Hensler is a great skater with size and strength and while he didn't put up big numbers as a freshman, he's still pretty young. With time and patience, he could be a solid defender.

The NHL draft lottery was broadcast live for all to see, and the balls fell in the New York Islanders’ favor.

The Islanders had the winning combination that awards them the first overall pick and the chance to improve their franchise moving forward. The Utah Hockey Club won the second draw to move up 10 spots to fourth overall. That means the San Jose Sharks have the second overall pick.

Although most lists are beginning to put Matthew Schaefer at the top spot, there are a few, including my own, that have Michael Misa ranked first. 

Let this officially open the debate as we dig into which top prospect makes the most sense for the Islanders.

Let’s start with the underdog in the race for first overall, Misa. 

Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)

The Saginaw Spirit center was undeniably dominant in the OHL this past season. His 62 goals were second in the CHL, and his 134 points led the entire CHL in scoring. 

Misa showed himself to be one of the most intelligent players in the draft class throughout the year and continually grew his game. Not only was his offensive game a force to be reckoned with, but he was a positive defensive presence as well, even playing on the penalty kill. 

Misa’s ability to elevate those around him was evident all season. He was more than capable of playing any role asked of him on a line. The Spirit captain showed an amazing amount of maturity and mental toughness throughout the season, becoming a more well-rounded player as the season wore on. 

The big separator for Misa compared to most other high-end offensive scorers at the junior level was his attention to detail. From positioning himself on the right side of the puck to understanding his leverage in a board battle, Misa used his strengths in those situations. Misa can be a top-line center with a legitimate two-way impact.

2025 NHL Draft: Michael Misa's Historic Year Has Him Pushing For First OverallTop-level NHL draft prospect Michael Misa tore the OHL apart with a season that rewrote the history books.

Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL) 

Matthew Schaefer is the front-runner in discussions about the first overall pick since at least the world juniors. 

Not only did he make Canada’s U-20 team, but he was its most effective defenseman before his season-ending injury. He pushed the pace, showed offensive prowess and controlled the flow of play as a 17-year-old. 

Unfortunately, the collarbone injury he suffered when he crashed into the net in Canada’s second game kept him out of the lineup for the second half of the season. 

What makes Schaefer special is his fluidity in all aspects of his game. His vision on the ice is incredible. He handles the puck with impressive control and is rarely in a situation where he loses the puck off his stick. His passing is crisp and precise, hitting targets in motion with ease. 

Defensively, Schaefer leverages his skating and play-reading ability to close on puck carriers in transition, and he wins battles in the tough areas by playing through opponents' hands. He doesn’t have the raw strength to throw guys around or blow players up, but he’s no slouch along the boards because he understands how to position his body.

Instant Reaction: NHL Central Scouting Releases Final 2025 Draft RankingsNHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2025 NHL draft.

Who’s The Better Fit?

The biggest question is how Schaefer and Misa would fit with the Islanders and where they would project in the lineup next year and down the line.

It’s an interesting question because the Islanders are entering a new era without former GM Lou Lamoriello after parting ways. The search for a new GM continues.

Looking at the current roster and their prospect pool, there are needs all over the lineup. Center prospect Cal Ritchie was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Brock Nelson trade at the deadline. Ritchie has been electric at times in the OHL, and his development as a two-way forward has been fantastic. He may not project as a true first-line center, but he has top-six talent. 

Cole Eiserman is a scoring left winger who was quite good for Boston University this year. He is a one-shot lethal scorer who could look great alongside Ritchie down the line. 

Danny Nelson has shown some promise in college, playing for the University of Notre Dame, but he projects as a bottom-six center. Outside of those few players, there is still quite a bit of work for the Islanders to do in rebuilding this team back to true contention. 

Notably, all of those players are forwards. Although Misa is a first overall worthy prospect, the logical pick for the Islanders is Schaefer, who would instantly become their top prospect. He would be the centerpiece of their blueline for years to come.

A pairing of Schaefer and current No. 1 defender Noah Dobson would push the pace and create an offensive advantage that most teams would cause most teams a headache or they could opt to spread out the puck-moving ability and consistently have the best defenseman on the ice at any given time.

There is plenty of work to do for the Islanders’ scouting staff, and things could change, or they could opt to load up down the middle.

James Hagens grew up as an Islanders fan and started the year as the top-rated player, so there is always the chance that he comes in as the dark horse. There will be plenty of intrigue heading into the NHL draft in June.

Sharks Get No. 2 Pick

Since a team can only move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the a lottery draw, Utah climbed from 14th to fourth.

That means the Sharks get the second pick and the intriguing possibility of adding Misa to pair down the middle with last year’s first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini. Their fourth overall pick in 2023, Will Smith, played mainly on the right wing this season.

The one-two punch down the middle could make them a force out West for years to come. Two complete centers who have 30-goal, point-per-game potential is a prospect that almost no NHL team has and that could be the Sharks reality for the next decade.

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As the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs continue to unfold, it’s as good a time as any to look at the league’s pending UFAs and examine how they’ve helped or hurt their negotiating leverage this summer. 

Let’s focus on five prominent pending UFAs:

1. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Heading into the post-season, few players were under more pressure than Marner. Unlike last year, when he had one goal and three points in a seven-game loss to the Bruins, Marner came through, posting seven assists and eight points in the six-game win against the Ottawa Senators. 

Marner helped his financial cause greatly in the regular season with a career-best 75 assists and 102 points in 81 games, but his first-round performance is a step toward proving he can rise to the occasion in the playoffs. His strong defensive play also helps.

Most people now understand Marner won’t likely give the Leafs a hometown discount, and he’s almost assuredly going to make $13 million or $14 million per season beginning next year. The further the Leafs go, the more the 27-year-old is assured of an even bigger raise on the $10.9 million he’s currently making – especially if he can help the Leafs get past the Panthers in the second round.

2. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Injuries limited Ehlers to only 69 regular-season games with the Jets, but he still was able to match his career-high in assists (39) and came within one point of equaling his career high in points (64). 

Injuries kept Ehlers out of the first five games of their first-round showdown against the St. Louis Blues. However, he made up for lost time by setting up Cole Perfetti for the game-tying goal that sent Game 7 to overtime.

Regardless of what happens the rest of the way for himself and the Jets, Ehlers will have serious interest from many teams and get a raise on the $6 million he’s earning this season. His combination of speed and finishing skills makes him highly valuable.

3. Mikael Granlund, C, Dallas Stars

Granlund, 33, is no spring chicken. But since Dallas acquired him from San Jose midway through the season, he’s been solid, combining for 22 goals and 66 points in 83 games with the Stars and the San Jose Sharks. Those are his best totals since he was a member of the Minnesota Wild in 2017-18. 

In seven games against the Colorado Avalanche, Granlund put up a goal and two points – nothing earth-shattering but nothing that will see him take a pay cut on the $5 million he’s earning this season. At his age, the contract term will likely be as important to Granlund as the dollar amount he eventually arrives at.

NHL Playoffs 2025: Winners And Losers From Round 1 Feature Rantanen, Necas And MoreJust like that, the NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoff field is cut in half. 

4. John Tavares, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Like Marner, Tavares plays for the high-profile Maple Leafs, so his next contract has been a topic of speculation for the past year. 

Tavares thrived in the regular season with 38 goals and 74 points in 75 games, and he added three goals and five points against the Sens in Round 1. Despite his age, that should only help his negotiating rights this coming off-season.

Tavares, 34, will not earn anywhere close to the $11-millon cap hit he’s been making in Toronto for the past seven seasons. But if he can get a three- or four-year contract from his hometown Leafs, Tavares should be satisfied at the prospect of ending his terrific career for the Blue & White.

5. Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers

Bennett’s skill and sandpaper make him highly regarded to pretty much every team out there, and his current cap hit of $4.425 million makes him one of the better bargains in the NHL.

This year, he’s put up career bests in assists (26) and points (51), but his recent playoff history assures him of a considerable raise this summer. 

The 28-year-old had seven goals and 14 points in 19 games during Florida’s Cup run last year. This spring, he’s put up three goals and five points in the Panthers’ first-round win over Tampa Bay.

Bennett may choose to remain in Florida over the long haul, but if the Panthers want to keep him, they will have to pay him a good deal more than what he’s currently making. Bennett’s skill set is unique, and while he no doubt wants to stay a Panther, there will be no shortage of teams tempting him with a healthy raise.

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Just like that, the NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoff field is cut in half. 

The first round ended with a bang as the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets staged big Game 7 comebacks on home ice to keep their playoff dreams alive. 

In the end, seeding and experience mattered. The only two underdogs to advance were the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers, which also happened to be last year’s Stanley Cup finalists. 

So far, Canada’s hopes of crowning its first champion since 1993 look better than usual. Three Canadian teams are in the second round for the first time since 2004.

After looking at the playoffs’ winners and losers from Week 1, let’s drill down to the best and the worst from Round 1.

Winners

Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars

If hockey fans in Texas were previously unaware of Mikko Rantanen’s reputation as a big-time playoff performer, they know now. 

Their newly acquired superstar put the Stars on his back with a history-making third period in Game 7 and got the injury-riddled squad through to Round 2.

After a tumultuous season, Rantanen rose to the peak of his powers when the series was on the line, posting five goals and six assists for 11 points through Games 5, 6 and 7. 

What has Moose planned for an encore?

Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

As a team, the Maple Leafs are winners for finishing the job against the Ottawa Senators after some tense moments. After last year, no one had more to prove than Mitch Marner, and this time, he answered the bell by chipping in points in five of Toronto’s six first-round games. 

Marner is playing with some extra swagger that may have sparked at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he and his wife, Stephanie, welcomed their first child to the world over the weekend. Can he keep his confidence high in Round 2 with potential new “Dad strength” against the defending Stanley Cup champions? 

Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals

Logan Thompson left Las Vegas looking for an opportunity to be a difference-maker, and he’s earned it in Washington. 

The Capitals look deep and poised, playing with confidence while knowing their netminder continues to make the big save when they need him. 

Thompson didn’t just finish Round 1 with 5.6 goals saved above expected – the highest of any goalie that’s still in the post-season, per moneypuck.com. He also came back looking no worse for wear after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury in Game 3 against Montreal.

In the playoffs, one of the most important abilities for a goaltender is availability. Thompson is bringing it.

NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Which West Teams Will Win In Round 2?It’s time for the second round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs, and that means it’s time to chime in with our series predictions. 

Losers

Martin Necas, RW, Colorado Avalanche

When you’re the key guy on the other side of a blockbuster deal, the spotlight is bright. Now, Rantanen’s Game 7 heroics ratchet up the scrutiny on Martin Necas even further in Denver.

With speed and skill for days, the 26-year-old fit in well with the Avalanche. And while five points in seven playoff games isn’t bad, it’s a far cry from the impact Rantanen had on the other side. 

With a current cap hit of $6.5 million, Necas becomes extension-eligible on July 1 before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2026. Was he effective enough to extract a mega-contract from an Avalanche organization licking its wounds after another early playoff exit?

Brandon Hagel, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning hit another home run when they invested in Hagel in a 2022 trade, turning a sixth-round draft pick into a 90-point winger and Team Canada star at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

But Hagel’s playoffs were a mess – suspended for his Game 2 hit on Aleksander Barkov, then knocked out of the series with a concussion in Game 4 by Aaron Ekblad, who drew a suspension of his own.

Bottom line: one of the Lightning’s most important players was only available for two-and-a-half games in the series and didn’t record a point. A huge loss for Tampa Bay.

'We Owe Vegas A Good Series': Connor McDavid's Oilers Look To Flip The Script From 2023Connor McDavid hasn’t forgotten that the Vegas Golden Knights ended the Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup hopes in 2023.

Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings

There’s a lot of tread on Doughty’s tires. But after rebounding from a pre-season ankle fracture to play well at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the 35-year-old looked poised to make his first real playoff run since his 2014 Cup win for Los Angeles. 

This year’s Kings looked like they were built differently. Stout in goal, with Darcy Kuemper, and with more scoring pop. But after taking a 2-0 series lead, they went down to the Edmonton Oilers again, for the fourth straight year. 

Doughty will keep his name in the mix with Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics. He has two years left on his contract, which he negotiated himself, but is running out of opportunities to make an impact in the post-season.

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It’s time for the second round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs, and that means it’s time to chime in with our series predictions. 

In the first round, we went 4-0 with the Eastern Conference predictions and 2-2 with our Western Conference picks to go 6-2 overall.

Earlier, we posted our second-round Eastern Conference picks. It’s now time for our Western Conference picks. And remember, these are one person’s educated guesses. Let’s get to it.

Winnipeg Jets (C1) Vs. Dallas Stars (C2)

Season series: 3-1 Winnipeg

Why Winnipeg will win:The Jets were the NHL’s best regular-season team, and they narrowly avoided elimination in Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues, tying the game late and winning on overtime. 

The Jets found ways to win, even if they weren’t at their best. They’ve also beaten the Stars in the regular season, so they have confidence they can win this round.

Winnipeg has home-ice advantage in this series, which may come into play – the Jets’ 30-7-4 home record matches up very well compared to Dallas’ so-so 22-16-3 road record. Of course, regular-season stats don’t always translate into the same post-season stats, but the Jets should feel like they can compete with the Stars. 

The Jets are hungry to make it to the Western Conference final for the first time since 2017-18. They’ll need a better showing from goalie Connor Hellebuyck, but if they get that, the Jets will be tough to eliminate.

Why Dallas will win: The Stars have significantly better special teams in the post-season, with a power play at 30.4 percent efficiency (compared to Winnipeg’s 22.7 percent) and a penalty kill rate of 86.4 percent (compared to the Jets’ 76.9 percent). 

Stars goalie Jake Oettinger’s 2.85 goals-against average and .911 save percentage are also vastly better than those of Jets counterpart Hellebuyck, who has a 3.85 GAA and .830 SP. 

Even without injured star blueliner Miro Heiskanen and injured left winger Jason Robertson, the Stars knocked off a Colorado Avalanche squad that is as competitive as Winnipeg. That said, Stars coach Peter DeBoer said he expects Robertson and Heiskanen to be back at some point in the second round, which would be a huge boost to Dallas’ fortunes. 

The Stars’ depth, speed and high-end skill will help them beat a Jets team that barely got by the second wild-card team. The Stars are well-constructed, well-coached, and determined to get back at least to the Western final for the third straight season.   

Prediction: Stars in five games

Are we disrespecting the Jets by predicting they’ll only win one game against the Stars? No, we’re just being more respectful to a Stars team we predicted would win the Central Division and this year’s Cup before the season. Yes, we did lose a bit of faith in Dallas after it was known Heiskanen and Robertson would be out of action in the first round, but the team’s resilience in their absence makes it all the more impressive.

Adding star right winger Mikko Rantanen, who was Dallas’ Game 7 hero against the Avs, really puts the Stars over the top. If the Jets don’t have star center Mark Scheifele for any period, Winnipeg will be in trouble.

NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Which East Teams Will Win Round 2? Expect A Leafs And Panthers Game 7The second round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs starts Monday, so it’s time to predict them.

Vegas Golden Knights (P1) Vs. Edmonton Oilers (P3)

Season series: 2-2 tie

Why Vegas will win: The Golden Knights were the Pacific Division’s top team in the regular season, and they overcame a 2-1 series deficit to the Minnesota Wild by winning two overtime games and a tight Game 6 to advance to the second round.

Vegas’ heavy grind proved too much for Minnesota, and the Edmonton Oilers are in serious trouble taking on a Golden Knights team that is confident and expertly coached, which limits its mistakes.

The Knights must contain Edmonton’s elite forwards, as the Oilers had the best first-round offense, averaging 4.50 goals-for per game. However, Vegas can and will exploit Edmonton’s porous defense, which surrendered a bloated 4.00 goals against per game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Vegas got to the second round without much offense, with no Golden Knights player averaging at least a point per game against the Wild. But Knights star center Jack Eichel, right winger Mark Stone and center Tomas Hertl should feast on the Oilers’ defense and goaltending. 

Why Edmonton will win: The Oilers stormed back from a 2-0 series deficit with four straight wins – two of them came despite trailing after two periods – as they generated 20 goals in their victories to beat L.A.

The Oilers got the expected excellent output from superstars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who combined for 21 points in six games. But the supporting cast also contributed meaningfully, with four other Edmonton players generating at least five points. 

Edmonton’s skill at punching back when trailing games is a terrific harbinger of what they could do against a Golden Knights team that sometimes buckled against the Wild.

Calvin Pickard’s 2.93 GAA and .893 SP aren’t especially encouraging, but they compare fine to Vegas goalie Adin Hill, who had a 2.83 GAA and .880 SP. If Pickard can continue battling the way he did against the Kings, Edmonton’s offense can impose its will on the Golden Knights, and the Oilers can return to the Western final for the second consecutive season.

Prediction: Golden Knights in seven games.

The Oilers aren’t a subpar team by any means, and we expect them to put up a valiant effort against the Golden Knights. When you pick a team to win in seven games, you’re essentially saying the series is a toss-up. That’s exactly the case in this series. But we still believe the Oilers’ defense is their Achilles’ heel.

Vegas comes at its opponent in waves. They also defend very well.

Edmonton has the two best players in the series, McDavid and Draisaitl, but the absence of injured defenseman Mattias Ekholm will continue to impact the Oilers’ ability to defend.

And considering that Edmonton gave up 24 goals to the Kings, the Golden Knights will have an excellent opportunity to put the Oilers on their heels in their own zone. And so, in what will almost assuredly be a seven-game series, we like Vegas just a little bit more than we like the Oilers.

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Welcome to a new episode of The Hockey News Wraparound, where we discuss NHL and hockey topics in rapid-fire segments.

Burning NHL Questions Ahead Of Round 2 by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:00: Could the Winnipeg Jets’ Game 7 historic victory vs. the St. Louis Blues propel them to a deep run?

4:15: Was Mikko Rantanen’s Game 7 performance vs. the Colorado Avalanche one of the best playoff performances ever?

9:04: Which Toronto Maple Leafs player needs to reach another level to defeat the Florida Panthers?

13:50: Should the Edmonton Oilers stick with Calvin Pickard against the Vegas Golden Knights?

17:38: Will Frederik Andersen’s availability be the biggest factor for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Washington Capitals?

19:45: What to make of the Hurricanes’ recent extensions

22:23: Could Matt Coronato’s seven-year extension end up being a steal for the Calgary Flames?

24:05: Breaking down the Jack Adams finalists

26:55: Can Mike Sullivan lead a turnaround with the New York Rangers?

29:45: Did the Los Angeles Kings make the right decision by parting ways with GM Rob Blake?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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Although his NHL career ended, Marc-Andre Fleury is reuniting with Sidney Crosby.

Team Canada added another Stanley Cup champion, Fleury, to the men’s World Championship squad.

Fleury retired from the NHL when the Minnesota Wild were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights. He left the ice for the last time, saluting the crowd.

However, that won’t be the last moment in his hockey career, as Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh, said Fleury accepted an invitation to join the Canadians. 

This will be Fleury’s first World Championship during his 21-year NHL career. The 40-year-old hasn’t played a game for Canada in a tournament since he played in the World Junior Championship in 2002-03. Despite playing in two world junior tournaments, Canada only earned silver in both competitions.

Fleury was selected for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, but he didn’t play since Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur were ahead of him on the goaltending depth chart. Canada took home the gold medal in those Olympics.

Not only will this likely be Fleury’s last dance, but he’ll be doing it with longtime teammate and friend, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. It was announced on Sunday that Crosby will join Canada for the World Championship after multiple weeks of consideration.

The two were teammates for 12 seasons with the Penguins between 2005 and 2017. They won the Stanley Cup together in 2009, 2016 and 2017.

The IIHF World Championship begins on May 9, and Canada’s first game is on May 10. They’ll take on Slovenia to kick off their campaign.

Canada played their first exhibition game on Sunday, defeating Austria 5-1. New York Rangers prospect Dylan Garand stopped 22 of 23 shots in net for the Canadians. Their next and final pre-tournament game is on Tuesday, when they visit Budapest to take on Hungary.

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Rob Blake’s time with the Los Angeles Kings has come to an end.

The GM and club mutually agreed to part ways on Monday, the Kings announced Monday.

The Kings will search for a replacement immediately.

Blake was on an expiring contract after deciding to play out the season and not sign an extension last summer, according to TSN and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.

The decision comes four days after the Edmonton OilerseliminatedLos Angeles from the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Kings had a 2-0 series lead before the Oilers won the next four games to win the series in Game 6 on Thursday.

To add to the Kings’ wounds, this was the fourth straight year of losing to Edmonton in the first round of the playoffs.

“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Rob for his dedication to the LA Kings and the passion he brought to his role,” team president Luc Robitaille said in a statement. “Reaching this understanding wasn’t easy, and I appreciate Rob’s partnership in always working toward what is best for the Kings.”

Blake was the Kings’ GM for eight seasons, earning the job ahead of the 2017-18 season. Before that, he was the assistant GM for Los Angeles and the GM for its AHL affiliate in Manchester and Ontario. He was also the VP of hockey operations for the Kings and held that title since 2013-14.

Throughout Blake’s time as the Kings' GM, the team has never advanced past the first round in five post-season appearances. They finished third in the Pacific Division in the last three seasons.

In terms of regular-season results, this was Blake’s best campaign as his team finished second in the Pacific. They capped off the year with a 48-25-9 record and 105 points. It was the first time they earned home-ice advantage in the first round since the 2016 playoffs.

The Kings had the best home record in the NHL in the regular season, giving the team a chance to put away the Oilers once and for all. They also went 17-7-1 in the last 25 games of the year, tied for the most points in the NHL in that span.

Los Angeles also missed the playoffs from 2019 to 2021 but added talent at the NHL draft. They selected center Alex Turcotte fifth overall in 2019, Quinton Byfield second overall in 2020 and defenseman Brandt Clarke eighth overall in 2021. They also drafted defenseman Brock Faber but traded him to the Minnesota Wild with a 2022 first-rounder in exchange for Kevin Fiala in 2022.

“Rob deserves a great deal of credit and respect for elevating us to where we are today,” Robitaille said. “He has been an important part of the Kings and will always be appreciated for what he has meant to this franchise.”

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The NHL draft lottery is the most exciting time of the post-season for the clubs that missed out on a playoff spot.

Heading into the 2025 NHL draft, it’s been 10 years since Connor McDavid was drafted. Widely considered the best player in the NHL today, we’ve seen the draft lottery change a few times since then.

There was one lottery draw in McDavid’s draft year. From 2016 to 2020, there were three lottery draws for picks Nos. 1 through 3. After that, it went down to two draft lotteries. 

The odds were tweaked each time, and the NHL has tried to deter tanking, but teams have continued to tank. While they aren’t tanking at the same level as the Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres were that McDavid year, we still get, as some like to call it, strategically losing.

Before we head into the 2025 NHL draft lottery Monday at 7 p.m. ET, where we will see the numbers drawn live, let’s look at the last decade of the draft lottery, starting with McDavid going to the Oilers in 2015.

2015: The Oilers Nab McDavid

After toiling at the bottom of the NHL despite getting some high-end picks, including three straight first overall picks between 2020 and 2012, the Oilers were once again praying for a lottery miracle.

In what was set up to be the biggest draft since Sidney Crosby came into the NHL, the Oilers finished third-last in the NHL with 62 points, ahead of super tankers Arizona (56 points) and Buffalo (54).

McDavid has more than lived up to the hype, asserting himself as the game’s best player with three Hart Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards, five Art Ross Trophies, a Rocket Richard and even a Conn Smythe in a losing effort as playoff MVP.

2016: Matthews Is A Maple Leaf

After narrowly missing out on McDavid the year before in the lottery, the Hockey Gods had something different in store for the Maple Leafs.

Toronto finished last in the standings, but it was the first year in which three lotteries would be held to determine the top three picks. 

The Leafs had 67 points, which was a very respectable number for a last-placed team, and the team was happily gifted with the lottery win. They took their franchise center, arguably a top-three player in the world and the league's best goal-scorer since he stepped into the NHL. Matthews has a Calder Trophy, a Hart, three Rocket Richards and a Ted Lindsay, and he’s become one of the best two-way centers in the world.

 

NHL Sour Rankings: What Lies Ahead For Every Non-Playoff TeamThe NHL is so often focused, for good reason, on the races at the top of the standings, but the NHL Sour Rankings looks at the bottom. 

2017: New Jersey, Philadelphia And Dallas Win Lotteries In Chaotic Results

The 2017 draft lottery was a wild one. 

Colorado had one of the worst seasons in recent history with 48 points, while Vancouver (69) and Arizona (70) each had terrible years in hopes of getting first overall.

There was no surefire bet like McDavid or Matthews in the class, but Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick were both promising young players. 

On lottery night, we saw pure chaos. 

The New Jersey Devils moved from fifth to first, the Philadelphia Flyers moved from 13th to second, and the Dallas Stars moved from eighth to third. 

Hischier went first overall, and he’s become one of the NHL’s top two-way centers. Colorado and Vancouver were both rewarded with Cale Makar and Elias Pettersson at fourth and fifth overall, arguably the top two players in the class.

2018: Sabres Finally Get First Overall Pick, Carolina Takes Massive Jump

After years of toiling near the bottom of the standings, including their former GM Tim Murray openly being displeased with “only” getting the second overall pick in 2015, the Sabres won the lottery.

It was a very good year to get the top pick because Rasmus Dahlin was the top prospect, and he was a virtual can’t-miss blueline prospect. His career has had some ups and downs because Buffalo has continued to toil near the bottom of the league, but Dahlin has been one of the most prolific offensive defenseman to come out of Europe ever.

2019: New Jersey Wins The Hughes Lottery

Two years after getting the Hischier pick, the Devils were back in the lottery, finishing third-last in the NHL. They were fortunate to move up three spots to first, but the chaos that ensued after that was fun for fans. 

The Ottawa Senators finished at the bottom of the NHL and moved down to fourth overall, while the Los Angeles Kings fell from second-last to fifth. The New York Rangers jumped from sixth to second, and the Chicago Blackhawks went from 12th to third overall. 

Hughes has been a stud for New Jersey when healthy, becoming one of the most dynamic and entertaining centers in the NHL. 

2020: Rangers Lose In The Play-In, Win The COVID Lottery

The COVID-19 year was certainly a weird one. After the NHL shut down in early March, it resumed the season in the summer but chose to just do an extended post-season, including the top 24 teams instead of the top 16.

The league held a lottery with the eight teams out of the extended playoffs, as well as eight teams designated as Team A through Team H. Team E won the first overall pick, followed by the Kings and Senators. 

Once the play-in round was held and the initial eight teams were eliminated, they held a second lottery for those teams to see who would be granted the distinction of being Team E and winning the first overall pick.

The Rangers won that lottery and picked first overall in one of the oddest drafts in league history, with so many players worldwide playing limited games because of the global pandemic.

The Rangers selected Alexis Lafreniere, who has been a solid scoring winger, but he’s been overshadowed by Tim Stutzle (third overall), Lucas Raymond (fourth) and Jake Sanderson (fifth overall) among others to this point in the careers of the 2020 draft class.

2021: Buffalo Tanks Successfully By Accident, Seattle Joins The League At Second Overall

In what would be an even weirder draft, the Sabres won the second COVID-19 lottery as the NHL went down to two lotteries instead of three to help offset the odds of a team finishing last and picking fourth.

Buffalo retained its first overall slot, and it took Owen Power in a year that was horrible for scouts. 

Players played limited games, and the OHL shut down for the year. It was an incredibly tough year to evaluate, as almost all scouting was done on video, which put NHL scouts out of their comfort zone. 

Power returned to the University of Michigan immediately after being drafted, but he would join the Sabres shortly after his season ended, and he’s been a solid defenseman, albeit a work in progress.

The Seattle Kraken, meanwhile, received the second overall pick in their inaugural draft. They took Matty Beniers, who won the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in 2022-23.

2022: Montreal Wins The Wright-Slafkovsky Sweepstakes

As the hockey world – and real world – began to return to normal after COVID, the NHL draft world was hyper-focused on Shane Wright in the OHL, returning to play after losing a full season to the pandemic. 

Wright was very good, but some scouts had questions about the developmental lapse the time off would have and his lack of dynamism. Montreal won the lottery after finishing last in the league. 

The Habs hosted the draft that year, and although fans outside of the arena were already wearing Canadiens jerseys with Wright’s No. 51 on the back, they instead took hulking Slovak winger Juraj Slafkovsky. 

While Wright has slowly worked his way into the NHL and looks poised for a breakout next season in Seattle, he fell to fourth overall. The Habs have been ecstatic with the development of Slafkovsky as he’s found chemistry with their top players and become an integral part of their future.

2025 NHL Draft Lottery Day Announced: How It Works, And What Are The Odds?The 2025 NHL draft lottery is scheduled for Monday, May 5, when we will know which team has the top pick in June.

2023: Chicago Is Bad For Bedard

Chicago fully embraced its new reality as a bottom-feeder rather than a Cup contender, and it paid off. 

The Hawks moved from third to first in the lottery, giving them the chance to select WHL superstar Connor Bedard, a player many deemed generational. There was plenty of tanking in the NHL because of the prospect of drafting Bedard, but with Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli and Matvei Michkov also available, this draft was loaded with talent up top for anyone who missed out on first overall. 

Chicago has a bright future because of Bedard, but growing pains in Year 2 after winning the Calder as a rookie showcase Chicago’s need to do more for their franchise star. 

2024: San Jose’s Tank Pays Off With Celebrini

The Sharks committed fully to tanking, and they’ve done a masterful job. It’s only been a year since they retained the first overall pick and selected Macklin Celebrini, but the spirits in San Jose have been sky-high because of how complete of a player he’s been since stepping foot in the NHL. 

They are once again in position to select first overall as they finished dead last for a second straight year. They could have back-to-back franchise-altering picks that shape their franchise for the next 15 years with Celebrini as their No. 1 center and a possible future top-pair defender in Matthew Schaefer or a second franchise center in Michael Misa.

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Montreal Canadiens left winger Patrik Laine missed his club's final three playoff games against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old suffered a series-ending broken finger in Game 2.

Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette believes it doesn't matter that Laine was sidelined because he felt the Canadiens were better without him. He thinks the power-play specialist would've been in the lineup if the Habs needed him, busted finger or not.

Hickey suggested Laine is reaching a crossroads in Montreal after only one season. Calling him “a one-trick pony,” he claimed teams have to hope his “rocket shot” compensates for his poor play in the defensive zone. He felt Laine doesn't fit into coach Martin St-Louis' system and has to go.

Likewise, The Hockey News' Jim Parsons said Laine hasn't kept pace with the Canadiens' fast-paced, high-pressure system.

Laine's return from a knee injury last December played a key part in the Canadiens' rallying from last place in the Eastern Conference into a playoff contender. However, 15 of his 20 goals this season came on the power play, as did 19 of his 33 points. His production also declined down the stretch, netting just two goals during the Habs' last 10 regular-season games.

Trading Laine will be difficult. PuckPedia indicates he has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade list. 

Hickey believes the Canadiens might have to package him with a draft pick and retain part of his salary. Failing that, he suggested they buy out his contract.

Canadiens Face Tough Questions About Patrik Laine’s FutureThe off-season has officially arrived for the Montreal Canadiens, a team that proved they are closer to being contenders, and one that gave the Washington Capitals a decent fight in Round 1. However, one player who wasn’t memorable in the series was forward Patrik Laine. He was not involved in Wednesday's Game 5, and speculation has surfaced about his future with the team. 

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres must find a steady, right-shot defense partner for Owen Power. 

Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo Newsobserved that Power already has 242 NHL games under his belt, but his defensive game remains consistent. The 22-year-old blueliner could benefit from being paired with a veteran mentor. 

The Sabres could turn to the free-agent market to address that issue. However, Lysowski suggested dangling rearguard Bowen Byram as trade bait.

Byram was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche last season in exchange for center Casey Mittelstadt. They won that deal, as the 23-year-old defenseman had a career-best performance this season with 38 points in 82 games and a plus-minus of plus-11. 

Completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.85 million, Byram can become an RFA with arbitration rights on July 1. Lysowski believes he will be expensive to re-sign, claiming the Sabres would rather put that money toward signing forwards Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka and Ryan McLeod to contract extensions. 

Lysowski listed several possible trade targets, including the New York Islanders' Noah Dobson and the Calgary Flames' Rasmus Andersson. Dobson is also an RFA with arbitration rights this summer, while Andersson is a year away from UFA eligibility.

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