2025 NHL Draft: Grading how all 32 teams did

What a first round. It didn’t even matter what happened the rest of the time. Schaefer was the easy pick – hard to go wrong there. They obviously would have loved to package the two picks they acquired from Montreal to get James Hagens. But it might work out better in the end that they got two for the price of one. Eklund is a top-six forward who just needs to pick up his pace and bulk up a bit. Aitcheson is my favorite defenseman in this draft class – an old-school, punishing type guy who doesn’t get enough credit for his offensive reads (and he nearly scored 30 goals). Will it translate? Who knows, but I like it. Prokhorov gives the Islanders a high-end, offensive power forward, while Romano brings a bit more speed and skill to the table. Burke Hood, too? Dang.

2. Philadelphia Flyers: A+

Top Picks: Porter Martone, Jack Nesbitt, Carter Amico

Talk about getting tougher to play against. Nesbitt, Amico, Shane Vansaghi and Matthew Gard are absolute physical beasts, and Martone can flatten guys if he needs to, as well. I love Martone, because while they didn’t get their main positional need at No. 6 – a center – they got the best winger, who happened to be the best player available at the time. Amico could be a graet value pick at No. 38 – he missed most of the season due to an injury, but he’s an absolute unit. Nesbitt can be the team’s No. 3 center, while Vansaghi and Gard are going to be miserable to contain.

3. San Jose Sharks: A+

Top Picks: Michael Misa, Joshua Ravensbergen, Simon Wang

Hard to go wrong with the top forward and the perceived best goaltender. Cole McKinney isn’t a bad pick, either. I’m not convinced he’s going to produce in the NHL, but he’s a solid pickup at 53. The real draw here is Misa, who already looks like a future NHL star. Ravensbergen will either become a perfect tandem piece with Yaroslav Askarov or become a high-value trade chip. Wang is one of my favorite defenders because he’s raw, but the skating and size are absolute killers. I think their top four picks can all become impact players.

4. Chicago Blackhawks: A

Top Picks: Anton Frondell, Vaclav Nestrasil, Mason West

This is a team that bet high on upside, and I like it. Frondell is a good pick at No. 3 – a true power forward who can absolutely dominate the ice. Nestrasil is a tough cookie to beat, and I think he has some legit top-six upside. West was one of the biggest risers this year, and it helps that he moves as well as he does at 6-foot-6. Nathan Behm is a shooter, while Julius Sumpf is a good value pick after showing a ton of potential as a playmaker.

5. Nashville Predators: A

Top Picks: Brady Martin, Cameron Reid, Ryker Lee

The Predators selected a lot of guys that the public scouting sphere loves. Martin is a relentless center who is much better than his numbers suggest – and the numbers are excellent. Reid was one of the better mobile defenders in the first round, and he’s a heck of a puck-mover. Lee continues to physically grow, and he’s still learning to harnass that power. A 31 goal season in the USHL is a great start. Meanwhile, Jacob Rombach is one of the best shutdown defenders in the class, and Jack Ivankovic is my favorite goalie – a rare small goalie who might be able to make it work.

6. Calgary Flames: A-

Top Picks: Cole Reschny, Cullen Potter, Theo Stockselius

The Flames balanced out the two smaller skilled forwards in the first round – Reschny and Potter – by taking two absolute monsters in Stockselius and Mace’o Phillips. With Reschny, you’re banking on his playmaking. With Potter, it’s the shiftiness and defensive play that stands out. Stockselius is a power forward who loves the puck, while Phillips is one of the more physical defenders in this class.

7. Detroit Red Wings: A-

Top Picks: Carter Bear, Eddie Genborg, Michal Pradel

The Red Wings weren’t that busy on the draft floor, but I loved the selections. Carter Bear always felt like a Detroit pick – he’s a fiesty forward who can generate offense. He’s a top-six scoring threat, for sure. Genborg hits everyone in sight, and I think he’ll be a good middle-six threat who can work alongside more skilled forwards. Pradel gives the Red Wings YET ANOTHER high-end goaltending prospect – I love him. He’s 6-foot-5 and quite athletic.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins: A-

Top Picks: Benjamin Kindel, Bill Zonnon, William Horcoff

I don’t hate the players – but I feel like they reached a bit to get the three guys they got in the first round. I still have a hard time believing Kindel had to be taken when he was. I like Zonnon and Horcoff as potential bottom-six guys. But with three first-rounders, it feels like they should have swung a bit bigger here. That being said, I see all three being NHLers. I think Petyton Kettles and Charlie Trethewey are good pickups, especially after moving on from Isaac Belliveau earlier in the day. Ryan Miller is a sneaky good pickup, too.

9. Seattle Kraken: A-

Top Picks: Jake O’Brien, Blake Fiddler, Will Reynolds

Quality over quantity. Some thought O’Brien would go as high as No. 5, so he’s a good pick at No. 8. He’s a tremendous passer who does a lot away from the puck, too. Fiddler, meanwhile, is a big defender who gives the team some much needed help on the blueline. Will Reynolds is a solid shutdown defender who could become a third-pair guy, while Maxim Agafonov has always felt a bit underrated over in Russia.

10. Columbus Blue Jackets: A-

Top Picks: Jackson Smith, Pyotr Andreyanov, Malte Vass

The Blue Jackets wanted a big defender and a goaltender. They got them both in the first round. Smith is one of the best all-around blueliners in this class, while Andreyanov was viewed by some to be the goaltender with the most high-end potential. Vass is a physical, shutdown defender, and Owen Griffin gives the team another shot-generator from the point. Even if just the first two are the only ones who make it to the NHL, this could be a good draft.

11. Utah Mammoth: A-

Top Picks: Caleb Desnoyers, Max Psenicka, Stepan Hoch

The Mammoth had a mix of quality, and quantity. They had Desnoyers has the potential to become a top-six forward, and was the absolute right choice at No. 4. Psenicka was a good find at 46, with many thinking he’d go late in teh first round. There’s a saying in the scouting world: if in doubt, just draft a big Russian goalie. That’s what they did with Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko in the fifth round, and a few scouts seemed to like the pick.

12. Boston Bruins: A-

Top Picks: James Hagens, William Moore, Liam Pettersson

Hagens does a lot of heavy lifting here, but I love it. I can see him becoming Boston’s No. 1 center – especially since he’ll have a chip on his shoulder after falling to No. 7. I think Moore can be a decent third-line center, or at least a solid support winger. Pettersson had a good year in the Swedish U-20 league, so it seems like Boston is betting high. Cooper Simpson disappointed me at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but was so impressive in USHL competition. I’m excited to see him head to North Dakota.

13. Anaheim Ducks: A-

Top Picks: Roger McQueen, Eric Nilson, Lasse Boelius

Both quality and quantity here. They had 10 picks in the top 200, led by the hotly contested McQueen. I think Eric Nilson has a good future as a potential mid-pack lineup guy, and Boelius and Drew Schock both have botom-pairing defensive potential. I also think Elijah Neuenschwander is a bet worth taking in net. Not a ton of high-end talent here, but some decent depth options.

14. Carolina Hurricanes: A-

Top Picks: Semyon Frolov, Charlie Cerrato, Ivan Ryabkin

Now, this one is interesting. Frolov quickly became one of the top goaltenders in the draft, one many expected to go in the first round. Cerrato is one of the best re-entry prospects after a dominant season at Penn State. Ryabkin was previously veiwed as a top five prospect this year, and even though he slipped to 62, I like the pick. I think Kurban Limatov could be a solid third-pairing defenseman for Carolina, and Roman Bausov gives the team a masive 6-foot-5 frame.

15. Washington Capitals: B+

Top Picks: Lynden Lakovic, Milton Gastrin, Maxim Schafer

Snagging Lakovic at 27 could end up being a good pick. He’s a big forward who hasn’t figured out the physical side of the game yet, but he is still difficult to beat down the middle. He’s a good skater who likes to cheat a bit, but it pays off often. I can see Gastrin becoming a reliable two-way center. I also think Schafer is a perfect bottom-six forward – he’s got a big frame, a great shot and good hockey sense.

16. Los Angeles Kings: B+

Top Picks: Henry Brzustewicz, Vojtech Cihar, Kristian Epperson

I didn’t love the Henny B pick at 31, but the Kings needed a blueliner. From there, I thought Cihar was a fine pick in the second round, and Epperson could be a nice re-entry player at 88. Jimmy Lombardi deserves some more love, and I loved Petteri Rimpinen’s game ever since the World Juniors. They could have a few hidden gems here, but I won’t give them an A because I’m not sold on anyone becoming a big impact player.

17. Vancouver Canucks: B+

Top Picks: Braden Cootes, Alexei Medvedev, Kieren Dervin

While I didn’t particularly love Cootes at 15, I feel like the Canucks used their first three picks to get three future NHLers. Cootes is an exceptionally smart forward, and he plays a graet two-way game. Medvedev had a big season in London and will have a chance to shine as the No. 1 goalie next year. Dervin, meanwhile, was one of the biggest risers this year, and someone we considered to be a potential late-round steal. I love the pick at 65.

18. Buffalo Sabres: B

Top Picks: Radim Mrtka, David Bedkowski, Matous Kucharcik

There’s a real potential that oly one pick Sabres pick this weekend – Mrtka – plays in the NHL. Mrtka was one of the best defenders in the draft, using a good mix of size and mobility to dominate competition. Bedkowski is one of the most physical defenders, while Kucharcik is a 6-foot-4, two-way forward who can play both center and the wing. I like those three – it shows Buffalo wanted to get tougher to play against.

19. New York Rangers: B

Top Picks: Malcolm Spence, Sean Barnhill, Artyom Gonchar

Spence was the best player still on the board head into Day 2, so I really liked this. Lots of scouts like Barnhill, who is a huge, defensive defender. Gonchar, the son of former NHLer Sergei Gonchar, was a bit of an odd choice at 89, but I like how he moves the puck. I like Mikkel Eriksen a lot, and I think Lindgren could have a shot at being a replacement-level player who can skate in some NHL games.

20. New Jersey Devils: B

Top Picks: Conrad Fondrk, Benjamin Kevan, Mason Moe

The Devils are hoping Fondrk and Kevan can become decent bottom-six forwards for the team moving forward. Moe is a decent two-way center with a nice frame and he isn’t afraid to push guys around. Gustav Hillstrom, meanwhile, was one of the smarter players taken outside of the third round. The Devils had one of the more off-the-board picks at No. 99, taking Owen Sound Attack third-stringer Trenten Bennett. He played well, but it still seemed like an odd pick. They also picked Sigge Holmgren, who didn’t play a game this season.

21. Montreal Canadiens: B

Top Picks: Alexander Zharovsky, Hayden Paupaneiks, Bryce Pickford

The focus this weekend wasn’t on the draft – it was all about landing Noah Dobson. Zharovsky was linked to Montreal for a while after a big season in the Russian junior league, and he’s a decent pick at 34. Paupanekis is tough to play against and has some bottom-line potential. Pickford was one of the best re-entry prospects, and he’s coming off a simply incredible playoff run. Arseni Radkov is interesting as a big goaltender, too. Watch out for LJ Mooney, someone who has a super small frame, but all the talent in the world.

22. Ottawa Senators: B

Top Picks: Logan Hensler, Blake Vanek, Lucas Beckman

Hensler was a great value pick at No. 23, taking a guy that many thought could have gone in the top 15. They didn’t get a second-rounder, but then took Vanek – the son of former NHLer Thomas Vanek – at 93. I didn’t think that pick made much sense, but I liked the Beckman addition a few picks later. The most interesting guy in the system for me: Bruno Idzan, who showed so much potential this year in the USHL. I think he’ll become another Stephen Halliday – an overage guy who eventually makes an impact.

23. St. Louis Blues: B-

Top Picks: Justin Carbonneau, Mikhail Fyodorov, Love Harenstam

After picking the high-scoring Carbonneau at No. 19, the Blues had to wait until late on Day 2 to select again. Fyodorov had a productive year in the Russian junior league, but I’m not too high on him. The same goes for Harenstam, who seemed to struggle whenever the pressure picked up in national team competition.

24. Winnipeg Jets: B-

Top Picks: Sascha Boumedienne, Owen Martin, Viktor Klingsell

This was a decent draft for the Jets. Boumedienne is the only one I feel will become an NHLer, but his game is still quite flawed at this point. Klingsell has a ton of skill, but makes too many mistakes and isn’t big. Martin and Engle are fine, but still are a long way from becoming NHL Draft picks.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs: B-

Top Picks: Tinus Luc Koblar, Tyler Hopkins, William Belle

While the Koblar pick at No. 64 confused me a bit, I generally liked Toronto’s draft. He could end up becoming a hidden gem – he hits hard, plays hard and is generally smart. Hopkins is a reliable two-way forward, while Belle and Henry Nansi love to knock guys down. Toronto has had a reputation under GM Brad Treliving of taking tough dudes, and that was definitely the case today. Toronto might not be high on this list, but it feels like a decent selection overall. They did well with what they had.

26. Dallas Stars: C+

Top Picks: Cameron Schmidt, Brandon Gorzynski, Atte Joki

The Stars didn’t pick until No. 94, but they made a splash by getting a first-round talent-caliber prospect in Schmidt. He’s small, but he was one of the best goal-scorers in the CHL this year. Gorzynski rose up the ranks because of his toolsy nature, and it was good to see his offense show up, too. Joki is a decent pick in the fifth round, and Mans Goos has potential as a big, athletic goaltender.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning: C+

Top Picks: Ethan Czata, Benjamin Rautiainen, Aiden Foster

The Lightning didn’t have many picks, and I do like the Czata selection. Rautiainen is another decent pick, but I’m worried he’s far too small to be a legit NHL threat. A lot of scouts think Foster is a potential hidden gem thanks to his tremendous skating and offensive zone reads. He isn’t big, so we’ll see what happens.

28. Vegas Golden Knights: C+

Top Picks: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, Mateo Nobert, Alex Weiermair

Ihs-Wozniak could become a good value pick at 55, but he needs to show consistency while being better against tougher competition. Nobert is a sneaky good pick out of the QMJHL, but I’m not sure what type of role he’ll have in the NHL. I’m not sure Weiermair or Gustav Sjoqvist will be NHLers.

29. Minnesota Wild, C+

Top Picks: Theodor Hallquisth, Adam Benak, Lirim Amidovski

I felt like Hallquisth was taken much earlier than he should have, especailly after some disappointing performances to close out the year. We’ll see if he can improve after becoming a full-time SHLer. I love Benak, but at 5-foot-7 and with limited physical ability, I’m not sure he’s going to make things work. Some viewed Amidovski a lot higher than I did because of his forechecking – at the very least, he’s a good pickup at 121.

30. Edmonton Oilers: C+

Top Picks: Tommy Lafreniere, David Lewandowski, Asher Barnett

I’m not convinced any of their top three picks will become NHLers. Lafreniere is an intriguing player that felt like he flew under the radar. Lewandowski is good away from the puck, making him useful when he isn’t scoring. Barnett had a great end to the season with the USNTDP and I’m excited to see how college treats him.

31. Colorado Avalanche: C+

Top Picks: Francesco Dell’Elce, Linus Funck

As is tradition, the Avalanche didn’t have much to do at the draft. But I liked the first two guys they took. Dell’Elce was one of the most promising overage prospects in the draft after having a monster season in the WHL. Funck loves to kill plays, land big hits and rush the puck. He could be a potential late-bloomer, but not everyone is convinced.

32. Florida Panthers: C-

Top Picks: Mads Kongsbak Klyvo, Shea Busch, Shamar Moses 

MBK earned a lot of love internationally this year, and some European sources think he’s a nice value piece at 112. I didn’t get a good read on Busch this year, but he plays with a lot of energy and has a decent shot. I really like Moses, though – someone who plays with a level of brute force that you’ll love deeper on an NHL lineup.