Top Forward the Jets Must Target With Their First-Round Pick Revealed

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 1:49 PM ET

An NHL analyst has revealed the top forward that the Winnipeg Jets and Kevin Cheveldayoff must absolutely select at this year's NHL Entry Draft.

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is 18 days away, and the Winnipeg Jets are preparing to draft 28th overall. The draft this time is being held in the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

A break from what has come before, the NHL is embracing a decentralized approach with it, as team executives, including Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, will be making the selections remotely, like the NFL.

While it's still too soon to know if the Jets will keep their pick, trade up, or trade down, recent times' draft trends are informative: their last five first-round selections were all forwards.

Jack Murtagh needs to be Winnipeg's first choice

Arguably the most likely choice for Winnipeg at No. 28, per NHL analyst Connor Baldwin, is Jack Murtagh, who is a 6'1', 200-pound center/left wing who signed with Boston University.

NHL Draft contributor Austin Kelly, who does scouting for Dobber Prospects, also has Murtagh listed as a projected 28th overall selection.

Murtagh totaled 18 points in 24 U.S. National Development Team games this season. Prospects are enamored with his pro-ready body, smooth skating, and excellent off-puck vision, and he is a likely late-first-round draft pick.

Should Murtagh be out of the picture by the time the Jets have to make their selection, Baldwin believes Ben Kindel of the Calgary Hitmen or Ivan Ryabkin of Moscow Dynamo Jr. are two others to watch for between the 25-30 picks.

With forwards galore in the first round draft, the Jets have good options lined up as they look to stock their prospect roster. Jets fans will know who's coming to town when the draft takes place June 27-28 in Los Angeles.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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