The 2025 NHL draft kicks off Friday evening, so it’s time to get in the spirit by conducting the final mock draft of the season.
Since it’s almost NHL draft day, the mock draft can incorporate any buzz and rumors into the order of things. It’s been a fun and exciting draft year, and the festivities won’t disappoint.
Without further ado, let's get to the final first-round mock of the season. The actual NHL draft starts Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m. ET in Los Angeles.
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)
After questions about whether the Isles would take the hometown kid, James Hagens, they go with the player at the top of most boards and take the dynamic do-it-all defenseman Matthew Schaefer. He can make an impact in all facets of the game, using his skating and cerebral mind to make a difference. He should be a top-pair defender on Long Island down the road.
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)
The Sharks get the top forward in the draft with Misa, who should help form one of the most formidable one-two punches down the middle in the NHL with last year’s first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini. Misa is the most complete center in the draft. With two dynamic, intelligent and tactical forwards who are first-line caliber centers in their top six, the Sharks are well on their way to building something special.
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C/W, Djurgarden (Swe.2)
After some debate over whether Frondell goes ahead of Misa, the Hawks get Frondell, a powerful center who boasts an excellent shot and plenty of potential as a very good two-way center. With Connor Bedard on the top line and Frondell taking the second-line center role, Chicago could look to give San Jose a run for its money for the best young center tandem in the NHL.
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
This will be one of the most interesting points in the draft, but here, we have the Utah Mammoth taking Desnoyers out of the QMJHL. They’ll hope he brings his two-way game and winning pedigree to the Mammoth. Desnoyers is a tactician who is one of the better play connectors in the class.
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5. Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Coming into the year as the No. 1 prospect on the board, Hagens fell a bit, but he remains a top-five prospect. Now, he will be considered the centerpiece of the Predators' next generation. He has a chance to be the most dynamic center that Nashville has had in its franchise history. Hagens' playmaking, skill, and speed will be fun to watch in the Music City.
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)
With Matvei Michkov looking fantastic as a rookie and the recent acquisition of Trevor Zegras, adding a player with a bit more size makes some sense. That’s why Martone makes a ton of sense here. He’s not your traditional power forward, although he has the strength when needed and even a mean streak at times. Rather, Martone is a power playmaker who holds off defenders and makes passes with ease. Pairing him with Michkov could be a ton of fun if they can get a steady 200-foot center between them.
7. Boston Bruins: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)
The Bruins must kick off this retool with a solid prospect, and drafting O’Brien helps do exactly that. His upside is enticing because he has arguably the best vision and passing in the class, but he needs to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame a bit. If any team will get him to bulk up, Boston makes a ton of sense.
8. Seattle Kraken: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)
Seattle has often drafted the smaller, high-skill players up front and on the back end, so the chance to take Smith here gives them a defender with the upside to be the second-best blueliner in the class. Smith is big and mobile with the potential to grow into an impact defender at both ends of the ice. His rush defense is the best in the class, and his flashes of puck skill are intriguing.
9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)
The Sabres desperately need a right-handed defenseman to come in and play alongside their offensively minded left-shot guys, such as Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Mrtka falls right into their laps. The big Czech defender has a very solid defensive base and some upside offensively. He fits right into what the Sabres need.
10. Anaheim Ducks: Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL)
With Zegras sent out of town, the Ducks have an opening up front in the long term, and they love a tenacious, physical forward who plays unafraid. Martin is exactly that. A human missile, Martin constantly seeks to impose himself physically.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)
With back-to-back picks just outside of the top 10, there is a legitimate chance the Penguins look to trade up. If they don’t, then they look poised to go for a couple of upside plays here. There is no more boom-or-bust prospect in the class than McQueen. The injury concern and pace issues are legitimate, but the skill, shot and physicality are all tantalizing for NHL scouts.
12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from NYR): Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.2)
Swing No. 2 for the Penguins comes in the form of the tenacious Swede, Victor Eklund. He plays the game as if he’s constantly trying to prove he belongs, going into every battle to outwork and outmaneuver his opponent. His tenacity and speed make defenders' lives difficult, and he has a very good shot to go with it. Eklund is a high-octane winger, exactly the kind you need alongside a guy like McQueen.
13. Detroit Red Wings: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Detroit has opted for the “safe” pick the last few years, but this is the year they finally take a bit of a swing and grab a player who brings incredible skill and mobility in Lynden Lakovic. With a big frame, he fits what GM Steve Yzerman typically likes, but he isn’t the physical presence that his frame would suggest. Instead, he plays with finesse and fluidity. Lakovic could be the kind of high-upside player the Wings need.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)
The Blue Jackets look to take the next step while continuing to build their prospect pool so that there’s sustained success. After moving out David Jiricek this past season, they left a vacancy in their pipeline where they could use a physical, mean presence, and there is no better defender in the class to fill that void than Aitcheson. Between the whistles, after the whistles and even pre-game, Aitcheson will get under his opponents' skin.
15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL)
The Canucks have needs all over their pipeline, and building through the middle is a smart idea. Cootes would give them a player they know will play in the NHL, provide some solid middle-six minutes at center and fit whatever coaching system is in place when he gets to The Show. He’s responsible, versatile, and hard-working.
16. Montreal Canadiens (from CGY): Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL)
With back-to-back picks, Montreal can look to bolster an already loaded pipeline, or it can trade for an NHL player. If the Canadiens do make the picks, grabbing the best players available would make a ton of sense. Bear would fit that bill while bringing a level of physicality and tenacity they would love to add to their top-six. He has the speed to keep up with their best players and the fearless play style that would help make life easier on them.
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17. Montreal Canadiens: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)
The Habs have plenty of solid blueliners coming through the system, but Fiddler can play alongside some of their more offensively gifted blueliners. Fiddler is a big, mobile defenseman who brings an air of calm to the ice. He makes simple, smart and effective plays, rarely looking to play out of his comfort zone. He has the poise to calm everything down and just advance play.
18. Calgary Flames (from NJD): Logan Hensler, D, Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA)
With the Flames in the middle of a bit of an awkward retool, they must start building up their prospect pool with potential impact players at the next level. Hensler could be a fixture on their blueline for a decade or more because of his versatility. He’s become a reliable blueliner for Wisconsin, using his skating to play in any situation asked of him. He’s just a steady defender in all three zones.
19. St. Louis Blues: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
The Blues haven’t been afraid of drafting players from the QMJHL, and Carbonneau lasting to this point would give them another reason to go back to the well. A supremely skilled offensive talent, Carbonneau has a heavy shot and slick hands. He can handle physical pressure quite well and get to scoring areas. He has some work to do in his own zone and as a play driver, but Carbonneau has a scorer’s touch.
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from MIN): Cole Reschny, C, Victoria (WHL)
The Blue Jackets have never been afraid to go after players who have big upside but some potential flaws, and they nab Reschny here. He’s a feisty, skilled center who is a bit undersized, but he plays bigger than he is. The biggest question is whether he will be able to continue doing that at the next level. Reschny is one of the purest playmakers in the class with excellent vision and slick hands.
21. Ottawa Senators: Malcolm Spence, RW, Erie (OHL)
The Senators love a player who puts in a ton of effort with a physical edge, and Spence is an excellent fit for that. Once considered a potential top-10 prospect, Spence has fallen out of favor a bit as one of the older prospects in the class. He plays a pro-style game, bringing structure and translatable habits. Spence can play up and down a top nine, depending on where you need him.
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from COL): Jack Nesbitt, C/W, Windsor (OHL)
Continuing on the theme of adding more size, Jack Nesbitt will bring another element to the Flyers' forward core. He has a great shot, and he’s developed into a more versatile offensive threat, expanding his playmaking and becoming a more mobile threat.
23. Nashville Predators (from TBL): Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda
The Preds snag one of the hardest-working, most engaged players in the draft class by selecting Zonnon. His energy and work rate are as high as anyone in the class, and he brings a nifty playmaking edge to his game as well. He’s the kind of player who becomes a fan favorite while playing in the middle six.
24. Los Angeles Kings: Shane Vansaghi, W/C, Michigan State (NCAA)
Vansaghi is a forechecking machine who gets in on defenders quickly and throws his weight around at will. He has a well-rounded offensive game based on going to the net and making things happen from the high-danger areas. Vansaghi isn’t a dynamic presence, but he has functional skill that allows him to advance play in a positive way.
25. Chicago Blackhawks (from TOR): Eric Nilson, C, Djurgarden (Swe. Jr)
The Hawks add to their forward depth as they take a supremely intelligent center who facilitates play and consistently ensures things are moving in a positive direction. Nilson’s biggest flaw is that he is a bit on the thin side and needs to beef up, but the processing and dual-threat offensive skill make him a subtly effective player.
26. Nashville Predators (from VEG via SJS): Semyon Frolov, G, Togliatti (Rus.Jr)
The first netminder off the board isn’t the one many expect as the Predators, which are on their third pick of the round, take Russian netminder Semyon Frolov. The Preds have a need in their pipeline after moving Yaroslav Askarov, and Frolov has been gaining steam in the leadup to the NHL draft.
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27. Washington Capitals: Daniil Prokhorov, RW, St. Petersburg (Rus. Jr)
The Capitals have never been afraid of drafting Russians, and selecting a big, violent winger with a big shot seems like an excellent fit for Washington. They could use a goal-scorer in the coming years, as a pretty notable one is on his last few trips around the NHL. Prokhorov has risen up the boards as the season came to an end.
28. Winnipeg Jets: Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)
The Jets need some depth on the back end. Reid is a smooth-skating, offensively skilled defender who could provide them with some puck-moving ability when he gets to The Show. Reid must work on his defensive game, but the Jets have room to be patient as he develops.
29. Carolina Hurricanes: Cullen Potter, C/W, Univ. of Arizona (NCAA)
The Hurricanes are always willing to take the player who falls, and this year, it’s Cullen Potter who falls into their lap. His speed, skill and offensive creation make him one of the most dangerous players in the class. Potter is a speedy, undersized winger who drove excellent results at the NCAA level.
30. San Jose Sharks (from DAL): Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston Univ. (NCAA)
The Sharks have a need on the back end, and GM Mike Grier loves his Boston University alum, so this works out wonderfully. Boumedienne is an incredibly mobile blueliner who has grown into one of the more impressive rush defenders in the class. He has some untapped offensive potential as well, which was on full display at the U-18s.
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31. Philadelphia Flyers (from EDM): Mason West, C/W, Edina H.S. (USHS-MN)
With the opportunity to take a swing at the end of the first round, the Flyers go after one of the best athletes in the class, Mason West. He’s a dual-sport athlete who plans to finish his high school football career next season while playing hockey there as well. West is on the long path toward the pros, but the potential is unreal. He moves well, shows excellent hands and slick tools as a scorer. High risk, high reward.
32. Calgary Flames (from FLA): Cole McKinney, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
McKinney is one of the more underrated players in the class, but he’s a solid pick at the tail end of Round 1 for the Flames. He works his tail off every shift, and he brings a level of detail that isn’t common from a player at this stage of their career. His upside may be a bit limited, but he has utility in just about any situation thanks to his defensive acumen and his soft hands around the net.
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