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The Stanley Cup Finals will be decided in the coming days, which means the 2025 NHL Draft is rapidly approaching. This year's edition of the entry draft features another exciting crop of prospects and several major questions looming. What's stood out over recent weeks is the variety in rankings and mock drafts. Establishing a consensus top-10 is nearly impossible with so many split opinions. With the first round looking like a crap shoot with the exception of a few picks, let's explore how the first 10 picks of the 2025 NHL Draft could go.
1. New York Islanders - Matthew Schaefer, Defenseman (Erie Otters, OHL)
The only pick I'm willing to bet on in the top-10 is this one. The Islanders will be tempted by multiple other options, particularly the allure of drafting the hometown boy, James Hagens, but they can't be swayed. The right choice is Matthew Schaefer, who projects to be a game-changing defender at the next level. He can skate like the wind, dissect opposing defenses and has the intelligence on the ice to match some of the game's best players right now. He can give the Islanders a franchise defenseman in a way that their current best defenders, Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock, simply cannot.
2. San Jose Sharks - Michael Misa, Forward (Saginaw Spirit, OHL)
The best forward in this draft class is Michael Misa, and the Sharks can't pass on the future top-line skater. He collected awards in the OHL and CHL like it was nothing this past season after putting up 62 goals and 134 points in just 65 games. Put him, Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund on a line, and good luck trying to catch them. The Sharks have to select Misa if he doesn't go first overall.
3. Chicago Blackhawks - Anton Frondell, Forward (Djurgarden, SWE-2)
My best bet is that Anton Frondell winds up with the Blackhawks. He's the ideal long-term number two center behind Connor Bedard, and they don't need him to hurry to North America to claim the role. He can develop further in Sweden and come over when the organization is ready to truly compete.
4. Utah Mammoth - Caleb Desnoyers, Forward (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)
Desnoyers may be the most complete forward in this class, and the Utah Mammoth would love to add him to their organization. They lack a true center and Desnoyers projects as a top-six center who can play in all situations.
5. Nashville Predators - James Hagens, Forward (Boston College, NCAA)
Nashville dips again into the NCAA and takes advantage of Hagens unlikely availability at the fifth pick. The skilled playmaker had an excellent season learning under some highly touted NHL prospects and scored 37 points in 37 games as a freshman with Boston College. He'd also complement fellow NCAA prospects in the Preds' system like Matthew Wood, Teddy Stiga and Aiden Fink.
6. Philadelphia Flyers - Porter Martone, Forward (Brampton Steelheads, OHL)
Martone hovered around the top prospect spot for parts of the season, and the late surge of the top of the board is Philadelphia's gain. Martone is fresh off a 37-goal, 98-point campaign as the captain of his OHL team. He possesses ideal size (6'3", 205 pounds) that pairs nicely with his innate playmaking ability.
7. Boston Bruins - Roger McQueen, Forward (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)
With new information and outlook on the injury that robbed him of so much of his draft year, the Bruins can add one of the most talented players in the class in McQueen. He's huge (6'5"), has strong skating mechanics, and has high-end vision on the ice. He adds a sorely needed offensive flare to a needy Boston prospect pipeline.
8. Seattle Kraken - Radim Mrtka, Defenseman (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL)
The 6'6 Radim Mrtka may get mislabeled as the next bruiser due to his hulking size, but that would be focusing on the wrong parts of his game. Yes, Mrtka can deliver a check and has an advantage in close puck battles due to his long reach and size, but that is not the best part of his game. Mrtka profiles more like a Brandon Carlo of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a top-4 defender who can kill penalties and play 20+ minutes per night, but also can skate the puck out of a dangerous situation when needed. He'd be an excellent addition to the Seattle stockpile of prospects.
9. Buffalo Sabres - Victor Eklund, Forward (Djurgarden, SWE-2)
Another standout who played in the second-tier Swedish professional league and younger brother of Sharks' winger William Eklund, Victor is an exciting playmaker with a no-quit attitude that any NHL team will admire. The Sabres need more top-of-the-lineup offensive prospects, and Eklund gives them a potential first or second-line winger of the future.
10. Anaheim Ducks - Kashawn Aitcheson, Defenseman (Barrie Colts, OHL)
Aitcheson is another one of those catapulting risers in the latest mock drafts and final rankings, but it's easy to see why. He has all the tools and is coming off a season where he scored 26 goals and finished with 59 points in 64 games. The Ducks need strength at every position, meaning they may take the player with the most upside with their first-round choice, regardless of position. Aitcheson certainly fits the bill if the draft board falls this way.
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Top Insider Expects Maple Leafs to Take Major Swing' to Improve Their Roster
Insider Nick Alberga stated in a report posted on Leafs Nation that the Toronto Maple Leafs will take a 'major swing' to improve their roster next summer. After seeing Mitch Marner sign a long-term contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, it's safe to say that Toronto Maple Leafs fans have seen their favorite team in better shape. Marner scored nearly 100 points a season since joining the team, and won't be easily replaced, this year at least. While there are some interesting names out there, the Leafs don't have many trade assets, and already used the cap space created by Marner's departure to sign three other players: Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli, Michael Pezzetta. Combining all their salaries, along with Roy's, nearly matches the one the Leafs were paying Marner last year. Although these players could play a big role in Toronto next season, they're no Mitch Marner. The insider Nick Alberga revealed in a recent paper published on Leafs Nation that the General Manager of the team Brad Treliving could be waiting for next summer before making a big acquisition that would change the face of his team. Indeed, in less than a year, one of the most impressive free agent classes will enter the market, with names such as Martin Necas, Alex Tuch, Adrian Kempe, Mike Matheson, and many more. Please note that other big picture players such as Connor McDavid and Lane Hutson weren't included in the list because it would be surprising to see them enter the market in spite of their current contracts expiring at the end of the next season. With the raise in the NHL cap, the Leafs will have around $24 million available next summer, indicating a big acquisition isn't off the table for Treliving and Toronto. The expectations will be high in Toronto. The 2026 summer will be a crucial offseason for the Leafs. After the next season, there will only be two years remaining on Auston Matthews' $13M AAV deal. If nothing happens in that window, fans won't be happy, and management will likely take another route, once again.
Knicks Primed to Land Former All-Star in Free Agency as Potential Buyout Looms
Who doesn't love playing in a big market like New York, Los Angeles, and some of the other prime destinations that the NBA has to offer? Kevin Love certainly doesn't mind them. In fact, the former All-Star prefers them. Jake Fischer recently offered insight into where the aging big man may end up as his next destination. The NBA insider reaffirmed previous reports that stated Love prefers a big market. Fischer said, "So with Kevin Love, to my understanding, he really only wants to be in the big glamour markets. I do think it would mostly be something along the lines of Kevin Love going to a New York or a Los Angeles type of situation. So, we'll see if that can materialize for him." With the New York Knicks still in the market for a boost to their depth, Love could be a natural connection for the team to explore. The recently-traded big man will await his buyout from the Utah Jazz. If or when those terms are settled, the Knicks could add the former champion to a spot on the bench. Veteran presence of Kevin Love not without value for New York Love is certainly long past his days as a double-double machine, like he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The floor-spacing big man is not even what he used to be with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, writing him off entirely would be unwise. If there is not key thing Love can still offer to any team, it is undoubtedly his 3-point shooting. The 36-year-old shot 35.8 percent from beyond the arc last season for the Miami Heat. No one is saying to offer Love a prominent bench role, or anything of the sort. However, when the situation calls for an offensive lift and a spaced out floor, the former top five pick can still fit the bill in that scenario.
Steelers rookie Will Howard may have already moved up the depth chart
Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is in full swing, and it’s already been full of excitement. With many new faces on the roster, fans are eager to see how these additions will fit in. After a busy and eventful offseason, training camp serves as the perfect opportunity for all the anticipation surrounding the team to start coming together on the field. One of the most talked-about positions for the Steelers this offseason has been quarterback. The team completely overhauled the position, leading to plenty of uncertainty and speculation early on. While the Steelers were strongly linked to Aaron Rodgers for some time, no official deal had been made by the start of the 2025 NFL Draft. Amid the uncertainty, the team made a bold decision by selecting Will Howard out of Ohio State, bringing in a new face and creating even more talk about the future of the position. Because the Steelers picked Howard late in the draft, there were questions about what his role on the team would be. Even before Rodgers signed, it was clear Howard wouldn’t be the starter. However, during a recent 7 shots drill, Howard unexpectedly took reps with the third team, raising more questions about where he might fit in. Rodgers is clearly locked in as the starting quarterback, with the hope that he can stay healthy throughout the entire season. Earlier in the offseason, he mentioned that this would likely be his final year, though he expressed excitement about the opportunity to play for a franchise like the Steelers. That said, Rodgers has always been unpredictable, and there’s still a chance his career may continue beyond this season. Regardless of what the future holds, his experience and football knowledge are incredibly valuable to the other quarterbacks on the roster, and they’ve made it clear how much they appreciate having him around. Mason Rudolph is expected to be the primary backup behind Rodgers this season. Rudolph was originally drafted by the Steelers and has spent most of his career in Pittsburgh as a dependable backup. However, he’s also shown he can step up when needed, filling in during important games and leading the team when called upon. Rudolph spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, gaining additional experience outside of Pittsburgh. After that brief stint, he re-signed with the Steelers early in the offseason, bringing familiarity, veteran presence and stability to the quarterback room behind Rodgers. Rudolph recently shared that Rodgers has been both incredibly helpful and genuinely friendly since joining the team. Many expected Skylar Thompson, another veteran backup the Steelers signed this offseason, to be next in line on the depth chart. However, with Howard now taking third-team reps, he could move up the depth chart as the season progresses. Rookies bring an element of unpredictability since they’re adjusting to a completely new environment and haven’t yet played in professional games. It’s hard to know how they’ll perform until they get real field experience. If Howard continues to perform well, there’s no reason he shouldn’t climb higher on the depth chart. It’s unlikely that Howard will get much playing time this year, but that doesn’t mean this season isn’t important for him. Learning from a player like Rodgers is incredibly valuable, and Howard has shared how grateful he is to have Rodgers as a mentor. Even if he doesn’t take the field this season, the experience and knowledge he gains behind the scenes could greatly influence his opportunities for playing time down the road. Steelers' future at QB likely isn't on the roster The Steelers were connected to several quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, and the situation drew plenty of attention due to the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers at the time. Although the team eventually signed Rodgers and selected Howard in the later rounds, it seems the search for a long-term franchise quarterback may still be ongoing. Rodgers is only on a one-year deal, and reports have already surfaced that the Steelers are eyeing next year’s quarterback draft class. Opinions on Howard vary, as some view him as a potential career backup, while others are optimistic about his upside and believe he could develop into a solid starting option in the future. Will Howard prove himself and continue to move up the depth chart?
Helsley To Philadelphia? Why Cardinals-Phillies Trade Makes Sense
The St. Louis Cardinals are in a very interesting spot this season as the trade deadline rapidly approaches. They have a few pieces on the roster that they could look to trade away in the next few days, but nobdoy stands out like a trade piece more than closer Ryan Helsley. Helsley sits on an expiring contract and is projected to sign for $81 million in free agency next winter, per Spotrac. At that price tag, it's unlikely the Cardinals will re-sign him, so trading him now makes the most sense. Plus, relievers are typically the most sought-after players at the deadline. Trading Helsley could net the Cardinals a star or two in return. One team that makes a lot of sense as a suitor for Helsley is the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies need to add a closer after Jose Alvarado was suspended for half the season and the entire postseason because of a failed drug test. Beyond closer, the Phillies are stacked with talent. Adding Helsley would be the cherry on top of an excellent year in the City of Brotherly Love. In return, the Cardinals could look to land a deal for talented outfield prospect Justin Crawford. Crawford is a speed and glove-first outfielder with elite athleticism and a solid bat. He's crushed Triple-A pitching this season and is hitting well over .300 with an on-base percentage over .400. The only issue with adding Crawford is that he's very similar to Victor Scott II. While this could be an issue, Scott has been excellent, so adding a younger version that plays the game very similarly to Scott could be a huge addition for the Cardinals.
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