2025 NHL Draft winners, losers: Big night for Islanders but not for the fans

Boston Bruins

There's a chance that, years from now, the Bruins' No. 7 overall selection will be viewed as one of those "How did he fall this far?" picks. Center James Hagens was the preseason favorite to go first overall. Despite finishing with 37 points in 37 games while centering Boston College's top line as a freshman, Hagens watched as he was passed over multiple times because of something out of his control: he's 5-foot-10-inches. Notable top centers to win a Stanley Cup in the last decade include Sidney Crosby (5-foot-11-inches) and Brayden Point (5-foot-11-inches). 

San Jose Sharks

Michael Misa put up massive numbers playing for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, and he was the highest point scorer across every draft-eligible league, according to Elite Prospects. The Sharks forward talent features three unbelievable talents in Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and now Michael Misa, which will allow San Jose to move one of those exceptional players (likely Smith or Misa) to Celebrini's wing. 

Roger McQueen

It's very clear the Anaheim Ducks are aiming to play "bully hockey." McQueen is described as a 6-foot-5-inch player with top-end skill, but one who dealt with a nagging back injury this season. He's not the first big man to fall because of back concerns, but he didn't fall far despite playing in only 20 combined regular-season and playoff games. 

Losers

New York Islanders fans

All night, reporters were sharing Islanders fans cheering every time James Hagens, a Long Island-born prospect, didn't get selected. The Islanders made a major trade earlier Friday to acquire two additional first-round picks (No. 16 and No. 17 overall). Ultimately, the Islanders couldn't move up for Hagens, leaving him and his posse of around 50 guests to make their loyalty switch to Boston complete.

Fans watching on TV

The presentation was, for lack of a better word, simply brutal. A lot of hay was made over the first decentralized NHL Draft, a concept that isn't that different from what other leagues do but seemed completely foreign to the NHL. There was essentially an eight-step process involving a Zoom interview and two other interviewers. The TV product was lacking in the type of analysis, debate and viral moments that have made the NFL Draft such a fun spectacle. 

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers got a legitimately good winger in Porter Martone, who at varying points this season was considered a possibility to compete for the top pick. They then proceeded to trade up using picks 22 and 31 to acquire the No. 12 overall pick from Pittsburgh. 

They spent extra draft capital to trade up for a player who might be an NHLer, but likely isn't a top-of-the-lineup guy, looking at analysis around the draft expert world. Nesbitt is a skilled guy at 6-foot-4-inches, but his skating has been criticized, usually a critical component for a top-of-the-lineup center.  

The Flyers, a center-needy organization, had a chance to add a potential top-of-the-lineup center, but passed on James Hagens, Jake O'Brien and 6-foot-5-inch Roger McQueen at No. 6 overall. The Flyers walking away from yet another draft without a premium center or defense prospect in the midst of a rebuild that has cost the team five seasons without the playoffs feels not at all worth the price.

The NHL Draft's second round begins Saturday at noon EST, on NHL Network and ESPN+. The second day will encompass rounds two through seven.