Caleb Desnoyers – 2025 NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profile

Desnoyers is able to put up these numbers largely because of his extremely deceptive playmaking. He can pass from anywhere on the ice, constantly looking to find his teammates in high-danger areas. The only slight knock on him here is that he can work to improve his passing efficiency. He’s a risk-taker in this way, but his failures usually just lead to clears to the neutral zone. Nevertheless, Desnoyers is super smart and skilled as a passer, both inside the offensive zone and off the rush. He could seriously flourish in this area at the professional level.

It’s not just passing that makes Desnoyers an offensive threat. His shot isn’t that powerful, but converting at almost 20% efficiency in both the regular season and playoffs must mean something. It does, as his hockey IQ shines a bit here as well. He jams home loose pucks in the net front and presents himself as a target when the defense breaks down.

While Desnoyers’ offense is easy to rave about, he holds his own in all three zones. He’s strong in transition and capable as a puck-carrier, and is involved defensively. While his frame could use a bit of rounding out, he still wins board battles, shows physicality, and forces turnovers. He could be more dominant, but as is, these are areas to feel good about. Desnoyers is an elite play-driver, as well.

There’s some belief that Desnoyers isn’t a high-upside prospect. This is not the case. He has arguably the brightest mind in the 2025 class, which has made him very productive offensively and effective in all three zones.

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Caleb Desnoyers – NHL Draft Projection

With the upside he has and the surge in production that’s taken place in the QMJHL postseason, Desnoyers is likely to be a top-five pick.

Quotables

“Desnoyers thinks the game at an elite level. He’s calculating off the rush and displays an ability to attack with speed or pull up, take stock of his options, and distribute. It’s nearly impossible to teach forwards to play the game the way Desnoyers does.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet

“Desnoyers is competitive and has great habits. He’s committed to playing defense, supporting pucks, staying in good positions and not cheating for offense. He’s opportunistic and gets open really well.” – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic (from ‘2025 NHL Draft prospects: Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa pull away in Wheeler’s March top 64 ranking,’ The Athletic – March 25, 2025)

“An adept passer and very smart offensive zone player who also initiates contacts and resists physical pressure remarkably well, Desnoyers fills most of the boxes when it comes to what NHL teams look for in a center. To us, him being sold as this two-way force doesn’t really track, as he’s often not as involved as he could be in defensive zone, and we also don’t think the skill level is at a top 10 level.” – SMAHT Scouting

Strengths

Under Construction – Improvements to Make

NHL Potential 

Desnoyers has the potential to be a high-end first-line center in the NHL. He can be a primary play-driver.

Risk-Reward Analysis

Risk – 3/5, Reward – 5/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense – 9/10, Defense – 6.5/10

Awards/Achievements

Interviews/Links

Caleb Desnoyers Stats

Videos