The 2025 NHL draft day is here. Check out the picks and scouting reports of the first round as they come in, as well as draft rankings and much more prospect coverage.
(Click here for The Hockey News' Round 1 Reaction Livestream.)
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Also check out The Hockey News' Draft Preview. Not only does it feature scouting reports on the NHL draft's top 100 prospects, but it also goes further into the stories of some of the top players available, as well as team-by-team reports that cover immediate and long-term needs, cap situation, players in the system, shrewd picks and not so shrewd picks. It's worth a read whether it's during or even after the draft.
Round 1
Refresh this page for the latest updates. All height and weight information are according to NHL Central Scouting.
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL), 6-foot-2, 186 pounds
"Thank you guys, I appreciate you taking a chance on me. I promise I won't disappoint, but especially, just want to say to my mom and all my family and friends, thanks for everything."
Schaefer was in tears as he heard NHL commissioner Gary Bettman call his name and as he put on his Islanders uniform for the first time. He said they were happy tears, but he wishes his late mom was there.
He started the season with mono and ended it with a broken collarbone, but in between, Schaefer established himself as the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 NHL draft. Schaefer’s skating and hockey IQ are elite, and there is a sense of calm when the puck is on his stick. “He’s an exit machine,” said one scout. “He can skate it out or pass it out, and he has the ability to control the play. I’ve never seen a team disintegrate the way Canada did after he got hurt in the world juniors.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
New York Islanders Select Their New Foundational D-Man, Matthew Schaefer, First Overall In NHL Draft
After weeks of excitement, anticipation and speculation, the New York Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer with the first pick of the 2025 NHL draft.
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL), 6-foot-1, 182 pounds
The CHL’s leading scorer and second-leading goal-scorer was simply unstoppable until he was injured in the first round of the playoffs for Saginaw. Misa is one of the most intelligent and tactical players in the draft. His ability to read plays and exploit holes in the defensive coverage or create small advantages for himself in battles is impressive. (Tony Ferrari's final draft rankings)
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgarden (Swe.2), 6-foot-1, 204 pounds
After some debate over whether Frondell goes ahead of Misa, the Hawks get Frondell, a powerful center who boasts an excellent shot and plenty of potential as a very good two-way center. With Connor Bedard on the top line and Frondell taking the second-line center role, Chicago could look to give San Jose a run for its money for the best young center tandem in the NHL. (Ferrari's mock draft)
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL), 6-foot-1, 182 pounds
“He’s a smart 200-foot player with really good details in his game,” said one scout. “He’s getting a ton of ice time with the best team in the league, which tells you something. He plays in all situations, big minutes and against top lines almost every night. I don’t know if there are many guys in the draft as well-rounded as him. He’s a guy you’d want to have on your team.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
5. Nashville Predators: Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL), Six-foot, 186 pounds
Farm-boy strong, Martin is just scratching the surface, and the early returns are already impressive. He was massive for Canada at the World Men’s Under-18s and carried a Soo team that didn't have a lot of other options this season. (Ryan Kennedy's final draft rankings)
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL), 6-foot-3, 204 pounds
If you need a distillation of Martone’s game, just watch the first-ever OHL Top Prospects Game this season. The power forward notched a Gordie Howe hat trick in the all-star showdown, with the goal coming as the OT-winner. “He’s a skilled guy who can play it any way you want,” said one scout. “He’s physical, he’s hard to get away from the net, and he has great hands in close. He gets a lot of goals in a lot of different ways. He can handle it himself 1-on-1, or he can jam the net.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
7. Boston Bruins: James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA), 5-foot-10, 186 pounds
Going into the season, many scouts projected Hagens to be the No. 1 pick. And while he didn’t disappoint, he fell a bit after a slightly underwhelming offensive year. But perhaps that can be forgiven given the quality of NCAA competition. “If Hagens had played in the OHL for London or Kitchener, would he not have scored 55 or 60 goals?” said one scout. “You just wish he were a little bit bigger,” said another scout. “You can be pretty confident he’s going to create offense. He’s performed everywhere he’s been, and he’ll perform in the NHL, too.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
8. Seattle Kraken: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL), 6-foot-2, 177 pounds
O’Brien sees the ice in a way unlike just about any player in the draft class. His touch as a passer is wildly impressive, and he became a much more confident shooter this season. O’Brien simply understands how to advance play. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL), 6-foot-6, 218 pounds
The Sabres desperately need a right-handed defenseman to come in and play alongside their offensively minded left-shot guys, such as Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Mrtka falls right into their laps. The big Czech defender has a very solid defensive base and some upside offensively. He fits right into what the Sabres need. (Ferrari's mock draft)
10. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL), 6-foot-5, 198 pounds
A suspected back injury had scouts a little leery, but a healthy McQueen is a titan-sized center who skates well, drives the net and plays with a lot of skill. (Kennedy's final draft rankings)
When McQueen did play, he was a monster. “The first thing you notice is his size,” said another scout. “He skates extremely well for a big guy, and he can be elusive, especially when he has the puck. He hunts down pucks, drives the net and has a good shot. You can tell he’s a leader by the way he plays, so there’s character, too.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Benjamin Kindel, RW/C, Calgary (WHL), 5-foot-10, 180 pounds
Kindel is an intelligent, tactical forward who moves quickly and has the passing ability right up there with almost anyone in the draft. He pressures puck carriers on the breakout and forces mistakes. Kindel reads the ice so well, exploiting gaps in coverage and small mistakes by finding teammates in prime position to score. If he fills out, he could have some interesting upside. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
12. Philadelphia Flyers (From NY Rangers via Vancouver and Pittsburgh): Jack Nesbitt, C/LW, Windsor (OHL), 6-foot-4, 186 pounds
The Penguins traded pick No. 12 to the Flyers in exchange for the 22nd and 31st picks.
Jack Nesbitt will bring another element to the Flyers' forward core. He has a great shot, and he’s developed into a more versatile offensive threat, expanding his playmaking and becoming a more mobile threat. (Ferrari's mock draft)
13. Detroit Red Wings: Carter Bear, C/LW, Everett (WHL), Six-foot, 179 pounds
Scouts project him as a 60-point top-six forward at the NHL level, and he’ll get there on a combination of skill and compete. “For me, this kid is an easy, easy projection,” said another scout. “He’ll be a guy who will play in all situations. If you’re winning or losing by a goal, he’ll be the type of guy who is on the ice in both of those situations.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL), 6-foot-4, 199 pounds
He's not the most offensive defenseman in the draft nor the most physical, but Smith has shown enough flashes of both attributes to get scouts excited about his potential. “At the end of the day, after some growing pains, you’re going to get a really good skating, defense-first guy with better-than-average transition and skill,” said one scout. “He’s a very good skater, and he can wire the puck in stride. What you’ll see in the NHL is that he’ll tease you with his offense, but it never quite comes to the fore.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL), Six-foot, 186 pounds
The Canucks have needs all over their pipeline, and building through the middle is a smart idea. Cootes would give them a player they know will play in the NHL, provide some solid middle-six minutes at center and fit whatever coaching system is in place when he gets to The Show. He’s responsible, versatile, and hard-working. (Ferrari's mock draft)
16. New York Islanders (from Calgary via Montreal): Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.2), 5-foot-11, 169 pounds
The buzzsaw that is Victor Eklund could be one of the steals of the NHL draft. His season in the Allsvenskan compares to those of William Nylander and David Pastrnak statistically.
Eklund is one of the most exciting players to watch in this class because he will never cheat his team of an honest effort. Eklund leveraged his quickness and skill in board battles, getting under bigger, stronger defenders and coming out with the puck or finding a way to get it to a teammate amid the mess. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
17. New York Islanders (from Montreal): Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL), 6-foot-2, 199 pounds
Coming into the season, Aitcheson looked like a nasty, physical blueliner. He was indeed that this year, but he also exploded offensively, putting up nearly a point per game on a strong Colts team. “He’s a gamer,” said one scout. “This guy is very physical. He loves to join the rush and the attack. He can play in every type of game. He can be competitive and physical or be active and offensive.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey): Cole Reschny, C, Victoria (WHL), 5-foot-11, 180 pounds
Reschny is a highly skilled playmaker who can dish with the best of them. He creates from all over the offensive zone. He can pass from down low or fire passes across the slot on the rush. Reschny is on the smaller side, but he plays a much tougher game than you’d expect. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
19. St. Louis Blues: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL), 6-foot-1, 205 pounds
There's a lot to like in Carbonneau, a power forward who put up impressive offensive numbers in the QMJHL this season. But like a lot of young players, Carbonneau has issues with consistency. “I saw games where he did everything I wanted him to do in terms of showing care and tenacity,” said one scout. “But in the playoffs, I didn’t see him do those things. If he’s the right type of kid, with his body, his powerful skating and his shot, he will be successful at the NHL level.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota): Pyotr Andreyanov, G, Krasnaya Armiya Moscow Jr. (Rus.), Six-feet, 207 pounds
As is the case with almost every Russian prospect, scouts acknowledge that more people would be talking about Andreyanov if he were playing in North America. But Russian stoppers have had plenty of NHL success lately, and the fact they are surrounded by mystery makes them even more intriguing. “I like him, and I get a good feel when I look at this kid,” said one scout. “He’s a wide-bodied kid. I don’t know if he’s fat or just wide-bodied, but the way he moves, I’d be shocked to find out he’s fat.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
21. Nashville Predators (from Ottawa): Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL), Six-foot, 183 pounds
The Ottawa Senators traded the 21st pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for the 23rd and 67th picks.
The modern game features more fast, skilled, offensive-minded defensemen than ever. Reid is that kind of blueliner with high-end skating, very promising puck skill and a desire to get involved on offense. He’s a creative passer, using his evasiveness along the blueline to create space for himself and open up passing lanes. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
22. Pittsburgh Penguins (from Colorado via Philadelphia): Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL), 6-foot-2, 185 pounds
We asked four different scouts about Zonnon, and they all used exactly the same words in their assessments of him. “I love him,” they all said. There are more talented players in the draft and definitely more offensively explosive players, but there are few others who match Zonnon in intangibles. “He’s a lock to play, and anyone who is a lock to play is someone you should draft,” said one scout. “This guy makes it so easy to project him when you watch him. His energy, hustle and compete jump off the page, plus he has a good shot, can score, and his sense is above average.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
23. Ottawa Senators (from Tampa Bay via Nashville): Logan Hensler, D, Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA), 6-foot-2, 196 pounds
After a slow start to his freshman season at Wisconsin, Hensler began to showcase the quality that had some believing he could be the second-best defender in the draft coming into the year. Hensler is a mobile, right-shot blueliner who showed he can be a responsible, two-way defender as the season wore on. On most shifts, he plays mistake-free hockey, but every once in a while, Hensler shows the puck skill and playmaking ability to be a catalyst from the back end. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
24. Pittsburgh Penguins (from Los Angeles): William Horcoff, C, USA U-18 (NTDP), 6-foot-5, 203 pounds
The Los Angeles Kings traded the 24th pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 31st and 59th picks.
Just scratching the surface of his offensive potential, Horcoff is already well regarded as a stout defensive forward who willingly uses his size to gain advantages in puck battles. Horcoff is an interesting player who has a great base to build off, but he will need to work on getting a bit faster and finding a bit more offensive touch. He’d be a pick on the safer side of things. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto): Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, Muskegon (USHL), 6-foot-6, 185 pounds
At 6-foot-5 and 187 pounds, Nestrasil remains an intriguing prospect who could develop into a power forward once he adds more muscle to his lanky frame. He has good skill and improved at the USHL level as the season progressed. “I find he often gets less from his tools than he should,” said one scout. “I find there are times when he does a lot of work with very little results.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas via San Jose): Ryker Lee, RW, Madison (USHL), Six-foot, 185 pounds
Lee is one of the most skilled and interesting offensive talents in the draft, possessing everything you want when in the offensive zone. He is a slick passer and a smooth and creative puckhandler with a very good shot. The issue is that his pace and skating are a work in progress. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
27. Washington Capitals: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL), 6-foot-4, 200 pounds
At his size, you’d want to see Lakovic assert himself physically, but so much of his game is enticing. He is an excellent skater who uses his length to power himself around the ice, but he pairs that with the precise and quick footwork that allows him to work the small-area game as well. He uses his length and skill to deke either outstretched from his body or pulled in tight to his feet. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
28. Winnipeg Jets: Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston Univ. (NCAA), 6-foot-2, 184 pounds
Boumedienne was in tough as the second-youngest player in the NCAA this season. His stock dropped from first-round status as the year went on, but then he went to the U-18 worlds and put up a ton of points for the silver-medal-winning Swedish side. So, what’s the deal? “He’s a lightning rod because the tools are better than the toolbox,” said one scout. “I thought his second half at BU was very good. Now, I know the points are there (at the U-18s), but he’s incredibly careless at times. And it’s not risk-taking; he’ll just go to make an exit and miss the pass.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
29. Chicago Blackhawks (from Carolina): Mason West, C/RW, Edina High School (USHS-MN), 6-foot-6, 218 pounds
The Carolina Hurricanes trade the 29th pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the 34th and 62nd picks as well as a fifth-round pick in 2027.
West may be the biggest X-factor in the draft because he’s also a great football player. The Minnesota high-schooler has multiple Div. I scholarship offers to play quarterback, and there’s big (NIL) money to be had right away there. But teams who passed on West due to that uncertainty do so at their own risk. He’s a physical specimen with hockey sense and a heavy, accurate shot. (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas): Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL), 6-foot-5, 190 pounds
Ravensbergen may not have the best stats, but he was a busy young man in Prince George. Only five WHL goalies made more saves this year, and Ravensbergen tied for second in wins with 33. “He has quickness, and he’s agile and mobile for a big guy,” said one scout. “He has really good balance and control of his movements. I like that, for a big guy, he steps out and challenges shooters effectively instead of always staying deep in his net.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
31. Los Angeles Kings (from Edmonton via Philadelphia and Pittsburgh): Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL), 6-foot-2, 203 pounds
“He’s very well-rounded,” said one scout. “He’s coming along really well in London, and he does all the little things. He’s really composed. It’s almost like he’s been playing in the (OHL) for four or five years.” (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue)
32. Calgary Flames (from Florida): Cullen Potter, C/LW, Arizona State Univ. (NCAA), 5-foot-10, 172 pounds
Although some have concerns about Potter’s size, the speed at which Potter plays the game and the motor he has as an offensive driver leave me satisfied that it won’t be an issue. Potter leverages his speed and agility to open up lanes. Potter tended to skate himself into trouble at times, but it was often because he was just operating at a higher pace than his linemates and lacked support. With the puck, he attacks up ice and consistently looks to create some opportunity. (Ferrari's final draft rankings)
2025 NHL Draft: Best Available Prospects After Round 1
The NHL draft never goes exactly the way anyone thinks. There are always a few surprises and twists that throw everyone for a loop.
Final NHL Draft Rankings
- Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ryan Kennedy's Top 100
- Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Tony Ferrari's Top 80
- Instant Reaction: NHL Central Scouting Releases Final 2025 Draft Rankings
Mock Drafts
- 2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And More
- 2025 NHL Lottery Mock Draft: Where Schaefer, Misa, Hagens And More Could Fall
More Draft Lists
- Top Shooters, Playmakers, Motors And More
- Islanders, Canadiens, Penguins Hold Pivotal Points In Round 1
- Each Team's Picks And Prospect Pool Needs
- Three Candidates To Be Surprising Top Five Picks
- 10 Players Who Won't Go Undrafted Again
- All Draft-Eligible First And Second Teams
- After Schaefer, Who Is The Next-Best Defenseman?
Draft Prospect Profiles
- 'Stick Tap To Mom': Matthew Schaefer Aims To Make Late Mother Proud
- Porter Martone Fights To Win – Literally
- Meet Simon Wang, The OJHL Defenseman NHL Scouts Are Flocking To See
Scouting Notebooks
- NHL Draft Notebook: McKenna (2026 Draft), Desnoyers And Wang Impress In The CHL League Finals
- NHL Draft Notebook: Hagens, Eklund And Osmanis Thrive At World Juniors
- NHL Draft Notebook: Schaefer, Martone, Eklund Shine Ahead Of World Juniors
- NHL Draft Notebook: Highly Rated Hagens, Misa And Eklund Star Early
More NHL Draft Coverage
- Mailbag: Where Misa Would Rank Last Year, Hagens' Drop And More
- Player A Vs. Player B: Debating Between NHL Draft Prospects Including Schaefer, Misa And Desnoyers
- Goalie-Specific Scouts Change The Landscape Of Predicting A Team's Future In Net
- Lessons Learned In Hindsight From Lafreniere, Raymond And The Rest Of The 2020 Draft Class
- Potential No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer On Islanders Bo Horvat, Adam Pelech & Mathieu Darche
- 2025 NHL Draft WHL Prospect Profiles
- Three QMJHLers That May Go First Round In The 2025 NHL Draft
- New York Islanders Win NHL Draft Lottery: Who Should They Pick First Overall?
- Misa And Lakovic Highlight Ferrari's 'My Guys'
- The Kids Chose Violence: An Evening With The OHL's Top NHL Draft Prospects
- James Hagens Takes Center Stage With Team USA
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