Evaluating a new draft class in the summer is always an exciting time. When a new NHL draft class begins to take shape, one of the first things I get most excited about is who will ultimately end up being classified as “My Guys."

These aren’t necessarily players that finish atop the draft board or players that I view as the best in the class. Players classified as “My Guys” are the players who bring me the most joy when evaluating them. Their game fits in with the style of player I would like to fill my team with or build around. Evaluating them is almost a bit more difficult because you have to actively look for the weak points in their game in order to not overvalue them. 

Although this is a draft class that isn’t quite at the same level as some of the recent groups that were highlighted by players like Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov, or Macklin Celebrini and Ivan Demidov, there are still plenty of players who bring joy. Let’s take a look at a handful of “My Guys” for the 2025 NHL draft class. 

Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)

As I said, this doesn’t have to be about the player at the top of the draft, but in this case, it’s exactly that. Although most have defenseman Matthew Schaefer at number one, Michael Misa has been at the top of my list all season long. The Saginaw center has been one of the most dominant players in junior hockey. His game is well-rounded, and he’s developed into a true top-end center who excels at both ends of the ice. 

Misa had a historic season, putting up 62 goals and 134 points, and he was arguably the most consistent goal scorer in junior hockey all year long. He did so much of the heavy lifting for Saginaw this season, and his game elevated as the season wore on. Misa may not be the most dynamically skilled player, but he’s among the most effective and efficient we’ve seen in a few years. 

Lynden Lakovic, RW, Moose Jaw (WHL)

While there have been a few big, skilled players that have caught the attention of scouts and analysts atop the draft, Lakovic has been a player who has been in the top ten for me most of the season. He brings plenty of size, incredible skill, high-end mobility, and an excellent eye for the game. Lakovic was named captain of the Warriors partway through this season after returning from injury as well. 

For a player who comes in around 6-foot-4, you’d like to see him play with a bit more physicality, but the rest of the package is just so intriguing. There aren’t many players in this year’s draft who have the size, skating and skill of Lakovic. Players like Roger McQueen, Victor Eklund or Caleb Desnoyers all have a couple of those traits, but they lack in one area. Lakovic is a bit raw, but he’s just such an intriguing prospect. 

Carter Bear, C/LW, Everett (WHL)

There are some concerns around his achilles injury, but in general, the game that Bear plays is an honest, hard-working, downhill attacking game. He plays like an NFL running back, bursting through holes and exploiting gaps in coverage with his speed and physicality. Bear is a true dual-threat scorer as well. 

If you want to see a player play with 110 percent effort on his worst nights, Bear is your guy. His motor is non-stop, and he is constantly looking to impact play. He needs to fill out and get a bit stronger to continue playing his game at the next level, but the speed and tenacity that he plays with when the puck is on his stick is such an asset. 

Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)

Typically, teams who want a defensive blueliner go for the hulking, physical monsters who throw big hits and their selling point offenisvely is usually a booming slap shot. With Blake Fiddler, you get those things, but he’s not a player that is consistently chasing physicality and his value with the puck on his stick starts in his own end with crisp, accurate breakout passing and the ability to evade the first layer of forecheckers. 

Fiddler is so much more than just a defensive stopper. He’s a foil to an offensive blueliner who can help alleviate pressure and provide legitimate puck-moving ability. He’s not a dynamic transition player or lethal attacker, but he is an efficient blueliner who is able to make plays when the team needs him to. He’s quietly very solid all-around. 

Michal Svrcek, C/W, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)

Every year, I come across a player who I think is so vastly undervalued, which generally results in me having them a round or two ahead of consensus. In past years, that’s been Scott Morrow, Dmitri Simashev or Nikita Artamonov. This year, that player is Michal Svrcek, the Slovak forward who is playing in Sweden. His pace, skill and ingenuity are all so high-end. 

When he was playing in the Swedish junior league, he was a lethal offensive force who just constantly generated offensive chances. When at the pro level, he was able to adapt his game and become a more well rounded player who used his speed and skill to his advantage at both ends of the ice. Svrcek didn’t have the most productive U18s but he was generating chances all over the ice. Don’t be surprised to see Svrcek go in the second or third round but end up on a top drafted prospects list a year or two from now. 

Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston Univ. (NCAA)

The tools are all there for Boumedienne, it’s just about bringing them all together. As his season at Boston University progressed, his play did as well. He became more confident with the puck on his stick, and his defensive game became more assertive. He wasn’t sitting back and waiting for things to happen, he was beginning to push the puck up ice and kick start transition when he was on the ice. 

Boumedienne is a picturesque skater who can wheel up ice in a support role or with the puck on his stick. His willingness to attack in the offensive zone was on full display at the U18s where he had an incredible tournament, putting up 14 points in seven games. Boumedienne has some size and can get physical as well, but added weight and strength will make him an even more interesting blueline prospect. He was the second youngest player in the NCAA this season, but he often looked mature beyond his years. 

Matej Pekar, C/LW, Seattle (WHL)

This is a deep cut and a player who very well could go in the late rounds or even undrafted. Pekar isn’t the fastest, strongest or most skilled. He’s just incredibly good at timing plays, making decisions with the puck, and generating chances. If he was on a stronger team this year, he likely would have been much more productive because he was a playmaking machine at times, 

Pekar only had 17 goals and 32 points in 64 games, but he was constantly one of the more notable players on the ice for the Seattle Thunderbirds. He times his routes so perfectly and weaves through traffic off the puck to find pockets of space. He’s a player who connects and chains things together. He’s my sneaky late-round steal of the 2025 NHL draft.

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