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NHL mock draft 2025: Projecting the first 10 picks
Thirty-two prospects will hear their name called in the first round of the NHL Draft on Friday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN+, Disney + from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles).
With many elite forwards available, this draft could go in many directions. Two teams moved up significantly in the draft lottery: Utah 10 spots up, to No. 4, and the New York Islanders up nine spots, to No. 1.
Here's a mock of the first 10 picks.
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters), Defense |
Schaefer, the consensus No. 1 pick, only played 17 games in the Ontario Hockey League this season but is an elite skater who can produce offensively. He’ll shore up a blue line that, for now, also features young star Noah Dobson. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit), Forward
Misa was granted exceptional status to play in the CHL a year early and hasn’t disappointed. The forward had 134 points in 65 games last season and would be a great fit alongside the Sharks’ elite, young forward core. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, he has room to fill out, but given San Jose’s rebuild, Misa will have plenty of time to develop. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell (Djurgardens IF), Forward
Frondell is rising up draft boards and reportedly eyed by San Jose at No. 2. The Swedish center has good size (6-foot-1, 205 pounds), playmaking ability and defensive prowess. He’ll add to the team's center depth behind budding superstar Connor Bedard. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats), Forward
With Schaefer, Misa and Frondell seemingly locked into the top three, Utah can shape the rest of the draft with this pick. After sending defenseman Michael Kesselring to Buffalo in the trade for winger JJ Peterka, the Mammoth might be obligated to go defense here. However, in this draft, the defensive group is thin, so Utah might shift its attention to a center.
Desoyners produced 84 points in 56 Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League games last season and is rising up draft boards. He should help Utah's up-the-middle depth, which is weak after top center Logan Cooley. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
5. Nashville Predators: Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads), Forward
Martone is probably the best pure winger on the board and projects as a high-end power forward. He has NHL size (6-foot-3 and 205 pounds) and could be in the league as early as next season. For Nashville, a big 2024 offseason didn't translate to a playoff appearance. It will look to add an elite prospect who can move the needle sooner than later. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
6. Philadelphia Flyers: James Hagens (Boston College), Forward
Philadelphia has already made one big trade by landing former Ducks forward Trevor Zegras. Hagens, who grew up an Islanders fan, was once projected as the top pick in this draft but has fallen. The Islanders may be interested in the hometown prospect, however, if Hagens is available at six. But there's no doubt Philadelphia would love to have him rather than moving the pick.
With Zegras playing more winger in recent seasons, Hagens would be a top-six center supplementing a young forward core that includes star Matvei Michkov. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
7. Boston Bruins: Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings), Forward
After selling at the trade deadline, Boston aims to retool a team that already has franchise cornerstones in winger David Pastrnak and defenseman Charlie McAvoy. At 6-foot-5 and nearly 200 pounds, McQueen has size, physicality and elite skill.
A stress fracture in his back limited him to just 17 games this season, but for Boston, his unique physical attributes may be too hard to pass up. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
8. Seattle Kraken: Radim Mrtka (Seattle Thunderbirds), Defense
Mrtka had good size (6-foot-6 and 218 pounds) and is the second-best defenseman in this draft after Schaefer. While he may not be the elite offensive player Schaefer is, Mrtka defends well and is adept making plays from the blue line. After playing his junior hockey in Seattle, Kraken fans would love to see the rangy defenseman stay home. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
9. Buffalo Sabres: Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds), Forward
Buffalo landed defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan in the JJ Peterka trade and may be looking to add a forward to replace Peterka. Despite being a bit undersized (6-foot and 187 pounds), Martin plays a physical and two-way game. He'll be a good addition to a team that could use a prospect with a high motor. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
10. Anaheim Ducks: Victor Eklund (Djurgardens IF), Forward
Eklund is a player many teams picking in the 10-15 range are hoping will fall. Like Martin, he's not big (5-foot-11 and 170 pounds), but he has a high-end motor and excellent hockey IQ. After dealing forward Trevor Zegras, Anaheim may look to replace him in the top six with another winger who has elite skill. If Eklund falls to 10th, it's unlikely Anaheim will pass on him. (More from eliteprospects.com.)
Rounds two through seven are Saturday (11 a.m. ET, ESPN+ and Disney+).
More must-reads:
- Three NHL teams confirmed to have had trade talks with Blackhawks for third overall pick
- Best NHL fits for Boston College star James Hagens
- The 'Multiple 100-RBI MLB seasons' quiz
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