We’ve barely had enough time to sit back and relax from the wild weekend that was the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. But there’s no time for sleep. The next wave of NHL talent is already preparing for a big year ahead.
It’s hard to get a real grasp on the identity of the 2025 NHL Draft right now, but there’s a lot of intrigue. The 2023 draft was all about the high-end skill, while 2024 was highlighted by future top-pairing defenders. If I had to take a wild guess, this year will be about how well-rounded things are, with some good options at every position early on – even between the pipes.
The 2025 NHL Draft doesn’t have a date, location or format just yet. But it’s never too early to look at the next wave:
1. James Hagens, C (Boston College, NCAA)
Hagens is the clear No. 1 dog in this draft and would have had a realistic chance at challenging for the top spot in 2024 had he been born a few months earlier. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program product set the record for the most points at both the U-17 World Challenge and U-18 World Championship while being a driving force every time he hit the ice. He reminds scouts of Jack Hughes due to the way he combines skill and skating and he’s easily one of the most dynamic centers I’ve seen in a while. He’ll have a chance to replace Will Smith as Boston College’s top center next year, which will be a big step forward for him.
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2. Porter Martone, RW (Brampton, OHL)
I really like Martone, who is truly a difficult player to contain. He helped Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August before embarking on his first full-time season with the Steelheads. Martone led the team with 33 goals and finished second with 71 points in 60 games, and had another six points in five games. The U-18 World Championship was icing on the cake as he kept himself in MVP contention from the start as Gavin McKenna’s right-hand man. Martone knows a thing or two about putting pucks in the back of the net – expect him to chase 50 on a competitive Steelheads squad next year. But he also continued to show his aggressive side, something that, on the surface, feels so odd the more you get to know him. His teammates consider him to be such a great guy, but he goes out there trying to rip people’s flesh off. He’s fun.
3. Anton Frondell, C (Djurgardens, Sweden U-20)
It was a shame we didn’t get to see Frondell at the U-18s because Sweden might have seriously had a shot at the gold medal game with him. Frondell has been fascinating to watch at the Swedish U-20 level, putting up about 1.6 points per game. Frondell was one of Sweden’s most productive junior players this year and even saw some pro action with Djurgardens’ Allsvenskan team. He only produced a single assist, but he showed he could hang with high-quality players all season long. Expect him to tear apart the Swedish U-20 league next year, assuming he doesn’t play a full year with Djurgardens’ senior squad.
4. Ilya Ryabkin, C (Dynamo Moscow, MHL)
After Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov made waves before him, Ryabkin is ready to shine. No U-17 player has ever outscored Ryabkin’s 58 points in the MHL that he put up this year, edging Matvei Michkov by two points from his Draft-2 year. He’s got a fantastic shot release and has some of the best hands in this class, allowing him to dangle opponents with ease. He’s got a contract until 2027, so get ready to hear the same conversations we’ve heard about Michkov, but the six-foot center is so fascinating.
5. Matthew Schaefer, LHD (Erie, OHL)
Drafted first overall by the Erie Otters last spring, the 6-foot-1 defender is an incredible skater and is always actively engaged at both ends of the ice. Offensively, Schaefer has real potential, but he’s also positionally sound and aggressive in his own zone. He had a decent first year with Erie, registering 17 points, but there was still a lot of feeling out to be done. I feel like he showed he can be a consistent threat at the U-18 World Championship and helped renew the belief that he can be a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL. I’m not sure he’s a lock to be the first defender taken, but I think he’s got the upper edge in a year that won’t be as dominated by high-end blueliners as 2024 was.
6. Michael Misa, LW (Saginaw, OHL)
Granted exceptional status to the OHL back in 2022, Misa had a productive year. He helped Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup to kick things off and capped it off by winning the Memorial Cup on home ice with the Spirit. A smart forward who skates like the wind, Misa is so dangerous in open ice and can score from just about everywhere. He’s not overly strong, and I feel like I still want to see another big step offensively, but Misa has all the talent to become a legitimate top-line threat in the NHL. Given he’s set for his third year of junior when everyone else his age is about to start their second, Misa is already a step ahead.
7. Jakob Ihs Wozniak, RW (Lulea, Sweden U-20)
I really liked what I saw from the Woz this past season. Whether it be the U-17 World Challenge, the U-18 Five Nations in Michigan or the U-18s in Finland, Ihs Wozniak almost always stood out. At 6-foot-3, he has a good frame, and he’s not afraid to use it. A strong playmaker, he had 50 points in 36 games with Lulea’s U-20 team and even skated in two SHL games, as well. Magic seems to happen when he gets the puck on his stick, and I think he could push himself into the top-five conversation if next year goes swimmingly.
8. Malcolm Spence, LW (Erie, OHL)
Canada’s hero at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, Spence might be a bit underrated heading into the draft. I’ve followed him closely since his GTHL days, and the one thing that he has managed to do so well is take over games physically. He gets in the way of just about everyone, has some of the best chirps in the class and then will make you pay with a nice goal. As one of the older players in this draft class, Spence had a 62-point sophomore campaign this season while donning an “A” with Erie. Spence is an excellent skater with smooth, natural strides and he thinks and acts quickly on the rush to make a play.
9. Roger McQueen, C (Brandon, WHL)
McQueen made significant noise at the Hlinka to kick off the year, scoring four goals and seven points in five games. He followed it up with a big year with the Brandon Wheat Kings, scoring 21 goals and 51 points in 53 regular season games before scoring four goals in five postseason outings. After a quiet rookie season last year, McQueen took on extra responsibility head-on and didn’t disappoint. At 6-foot-5, he’s hard to miss out there. Maybe a team will find their own Cayden Lindstrom next June.
10. Logan Hensler, RHD (Wisconsin, NCAA)
One of the top defensive prospects already for 2025, it’s hard to miss the slick-skating, 6-foot-2, 194-pound defender. He moves so well, takes away space and is a competent puck-mover, even if the numbers seem a bit lackluster. The University of Wisconsin commit uses his agile footwork to take away space, and if he gets beaten, he has the stick work to retrieve the puck. Hensler has also taken positive steps forward with his creativity, allowing him to make more advanced plays under pressure. I see top-four potential in him, but like Zeev Buium before him, I feel like he can advance that with a great run in college because the raw skillset is there.
11. Caleb Desnoyers, C (Moncton, QMJHL)
I really like Desnoyers, who was taken first overall in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. He made an immediate impact, playing around 20 minutes a night as a rookie while showing speed, skill and two-way smarts. He’s not someone who’ll get caught slacking off and just floating around – he’s fully committed to getting the puck every time he can. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, he put on some serious muscle since his QMJHL Draft year. There’s a lot to like about Desnoyers, who could give the Q a much-needed top prospect after very little representation in 2024.
12. William Moore, C (USNTDP)
Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Moore made the move to join the USNTDP U-17 team last year and it felt like the right decision. He was so good at the U-17 World Challenge and was the leading goal-scorer all season long. I was surprised he wasn’t called up for the U-18 World Championship because he has the physical maturity and raw hockey IQ to handle older competition. Still, I think there’s a lot to like here, but I want to see him truly take over in Cullen Potter’s absence next year.
13. Charlie Trethewey, RHD (USNTDP)
Trethewey got off to an extremely strong start, making his presence known as one of the best two-way defenders in the 2025 Draft. But he has much more than just raw skill – he’s physical and brings a ton of power to his game. The Boston University commit was my favorite player at the U-17 World Challenge because it felt like he was USA’s best playdriver. We’ll see if he can take his game up a notch next year.\
14. Cole Reschny, C (Victoria, WHL)
Reschny was one of the most impressive rookies in the CHL, moving about at a near point-per-game pace throughout the season. A stout playmaker, Reschny has quick feet, an active motor, and is great at getting himself in spots to pick up rebounds. He’s small at 5-foot-9 and that often leads to bigger defenders drawing to him, but Reschny is smart enough to get him out of trouble often. His play at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge was fantastic, too. I just wish he was an inch or two taller.
15. Sascha Boumedienne, LHD (Youngstown, USHL)
The Boston University Terriers commit is one of the more fascinating defenders in this class. He had a good year with Youngstown in the USHL and put up a ton of points and showed more than his fair share of physicality with Sweden’s U-17 team. The Finnish-born but Swedish-flagged defender has a good 6-foot-2 frame, skates well, and is one of the better puck distributors in this class.
16. Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD (Barrie, OHL)
Aitcheson was a minutes-eater at the U-18s, playing around 25 minutes in some games. He’s physical, plays a ton on the penalty kill, moves well, and takes away space as well as anyone. I don’t see him being much of a point producer in the NHL, but he’s just a mean dude out there. If he can round out the offensive side of his game, I can see a team taking him higher.
17. Justin Carbonneau, RW (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)
It feels like it’s hard to watch Carbonneau and not be impressed with his play most nights. He’s a solid power forward with a good head on his shoulders and excellent vision. He’s a high-end skater who uses that speed to his advantage to generate offense. He had 31 goals and 59 points this year, and I’m expecting a breakout next season.
18. Jackson Smith, LHD (Tri-City, WHL)
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Smith already has an excellent frame for his age. He had a decent first full year with 29 points and 41 penalty minutes, but I feel like he’s trending more toward becoming a shutdown defender. He’s a pain in the rear end to try and beat in 1-on-1 situations because he loves getting in your face as much as possible.
19. Cole McKinney, C (USNTDP)
While he didn’t do a ton offensively when I watched him, McKinney was one of USA’s better two-way threats. McKinney, a University of Michigan commit, is dedicated to making the most of every situation around his own net and has the speed to make things happen at the other end, too. He’s not big, but he’s strong, and he’s excellent on the penalty kill, blocking shots whenever possible.
20. Conrad Fondrk, LW (USNTDP)
One of the USNTDP’s most skilled players, Fondrk was among their points leaders all season long. He’s creative, smart and can shoot from just about anywhere with confidence. I was concerned with how many puck battles he lost along the boards due to pure lack of strength, but I can see him rising up the board if he can add some muscle and toughness to his game.
21. Jake O’Brien, C (Brantford, OHL)
O’Brien turned heads this year with Brantford thanks to the way he sees the ice. He already looked like a veteran, with his playmaking, especially under pressure, being advanced for his age. O’Brien isn’t big or physically strong, but he does an excellent job of keeping the puck on his stick and his 51 assists is a good start. The 2024 OHL rookie of the year is only just getting started.
22. Artyom Vilchinsky, LHD (SKA St. Petersburg, MHL)
Do we have our next Anton SIlayev? Vilchinsky missed the 2024 Draft cutoff by a day, so now he’s going to take it out on the competition next year. He’s a hulking 6-foot-6, 240-pound defender who can skate well for his size and never takes things too far with his physicality. His decision-making can use some work, both with and without the puck, but I like a guy who makes it his mission to separate you from the puck while also showing enough puck skills to be more than just a big body.
23. Cullen Potter, LW (Arizona State, NCAA)
Potter took the Celebrini route and will head to college a year early. It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts after showcasing himself as one of the top USNTDP players this year thanks to his speed and two-way play. At 5-foot-9, he’s quite small, but I feel like he’s physically stronger than his build might suggest. We’ll see if going to college early is the right move for him or not, but early opinions suggest he’s ready. I’m excited to see what’s next.
24. Victor Eklund, LW (Djurgardens, Sweden U-20)
Eklund has some similarities to his brother, San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund. The Djurgardens winger likes to use his skating to create plays and competes his tail off. He was one of the top Swedish U-18 national team players thanks to the way he rushed to the net and generated offense, and he also played against men in the Allsvenskan, too. He’s not physically strong, though.
25. Lynden Lakovic, LW (Moose Jaw, WHL)
He’s big. He’s strong. He takes up space. While I don’t think Lakovic is going to be a point producer in the NHL, he’s a typical power forward with a 6-foot-4 frame. He’s an older player in this draft so he’ll need to find other ways to stand out, but Lakovic showed real chops as a goal-scorer this past season.
26. Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, LHD (USNTDP)
While it was easy to overlook DRM at times with the USNTDP, he did show some raw skills that I think will make him a decent third-pairing defenseman in the NHL. Rheaume-Mullen is a tremendous skater with great acceleration and plays a nice transition game. I’d like to see him do more with the puck but he’s smart enough to make things happen at both ends.
27. Luka Radivojevič, RHD (Orebro, Sweden U-20)
Radivojevič was a standout at the U-18 World Championship, earning some consideration for the top defenseman award despite missing the first game. The 17-year-old son of former NHLer Branko, Radivojevič had a good showing at the World Juniors at just 16 years old this season. He’s a bit undersized, but he’s skilled, quick and thinks the game at a high level. He was fourth in the Swedish U-20 league defensive scoring, losing out to a trio of top 2024 NHL Draft prospects instead. He also has experience with Orebro’s men’s team, too. Slovak fans are excited about his potential internationally, and he looks destined to go in the first round. As a smaller defender, though, it feels like he’s a boom/bust guy.
28. Joshua Ravensbergen, G (Prince George, WHL)
A goalie? In the first round? It feels like it’s about to happen again. Ravensbergen is a 6-foot-4 goaltender coming off an incredible Draft-1 season with the Cougars and has all the makings of the next star goalie prospect. Stylistically, he reminds me a bit of Yaroslav Askarov, maybe without all the flash. Netminders are difficult to project, given how wild the position can be, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen a goaltender make as big of an impact a year before their draft season. Ravensbergen has received some rave reviews.
29. LJ Mooney, RW (USNTDP)
Man, watching Mooney play is so much fun. He’s energetic, explosive and has some incredible hands that allow him to create highlight-reel plays. Watching him create magic with Trevor Connelly at the U-18 World Championship as USA’s youngest player was so much fun, and he showed how dangerous he could be with the puck He reminds me of Alex Zetterberg this year – who ultimately didn’t get drafted due to his 5-foot-7 frame. And that’s the thing – Mooney is also listed as just 5-foot-7, so the lack of size is playing against him. We’ll see if he grows, sort of like Teddy Stiga did, but Mooney has a long way to go for me to feel safer about putting him higher in my rankings. With his pure skill, Mooney – a University of Minnesota commit – can be a real burner. Two fun facts, though: he’s Logan Cooley’s cousin, and LJ stands for Little John. I’m not kidding.
30. Bill Zonnon, LW (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)
Zonnon impressed me at the U-17s, even though he didn’t produce much. But what he did show with the Huskies is that he is a force to be reckoned with, using his frame and hockey smarts to win battles consistently. He’s a great playmaker, and I expect him to get around 75 points next year.
31. Milton Gästrin, C (MoDo, Sweden U-20)
A leader already at 17, Gästrin does a lot that the lack of stats playing at home might not show. The two-way center has a good 6-foot-2 frame that he’s still trying to figure out, and he’s a strong playmaker, too. While I don’t expect him to be a big goal-scorer in the NHL, he’s well-rounded enough to make himself valuable in plenty of situations.
32. Adam Benák, C (Youngstown, USHL)
Benák has been a standout at most international tournaments he has participated in, highlighted by his 10 points in five games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The skilled playmaker has already seen time with HC Plzen’s men’s team in the top Czech league and has proven time and time again he can dominate older competition. He’s the future of Czech hockey, as long as he can outgrow his 5-foot-7 frame. On skill alone, Benak is a top-10 prospect.