The first-round of the 2025 NHL Draft is tonight and the Carolina Hurricanes currently hold the 29th overall pick.

While it feels more likely that the Canes trade the pick either for a player or for more picks later in the draft, there's still the chance that they make the selection.

So who are the Hurricanes projected to take at 29?

Here's a look at what some draft experts are saying:

*Scout quotes are from The Hockey News' 2025 Draft Issue. Be sure to check it out here.

TSN - Bob McKenzie / The Hockey News - Ryan Kennedy

Bill Zonnon
RW, QMJHL - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
28g, 83pts, 64gp

The 6-foot-2, 187lb winger is a player that brings a lot to the table that teams like. 

One scout told The Hockey News: “He’s a lock to play, and anyone who is a lock to play is someone you should draft. 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.”

However, he is also viewed as a player with a lack of dynamism and potentially a low-ceiling.

“I like him just because of his size and compete," said another scout to THN. "He has the size and skating ability, but whether he can play in the top six, I’m not sure.”

TSN - Craig Button

Joshua Ravensbergen
G, WHL - Prince George Cougars
0.901 Sv%, 3.00 GAA, 51gp

Ravensberen is the consensus top-rated goaltender in this year's draft, and it's never a bad thing to stock up on goalies, especially with Carolina having a weak pipeline there.

“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. He gets above the crease on long shots and cuts the angle on shooting lanes on the side. He demonstrates a lot of good awareness in his game and has developed very well.”

Another scout said: “The things he’s good at, his length, his speed and his compete, are the hardest things to teach,” said another scout. “There’s definitely some technical and structural refinement that needs to happen, but it’s a late-developing position.”

The Hockey News - Tony Ferrari

Gustav Hillstrom
C, U20 Nationell - Brynas IF J20
16g, 38pts, 43gp

While not very high on a lot of other mock drafts and lists, Ferrari has the 6-foot-2 Swedish center fairly high up on his list.

Here's an excerpt from Ferrari: "Hillstrom is a solid 200-foot center who moves quite well and plays with excellent instincts. His offensive tools are still developing, but he always finds himself in an excellent position to score or make plays because of his intelligence.

"Whether he is cleaning up rebounds around the net or picking up a loose puck and firing a pass to a teammate in the slot, Hillstrom finds ways to make things happen. The upside may not be at the high end, but he brings a package you want for a third-line center who could help in the top six in a pinch."

The Athletic - Cory Pronman

Cullen Potter
LW, NCAA - Arizona State
13g, 22pts, 35gp

A smaller-set winger at 5-foot-10, the 18-year-old was an impactful player in college hockey this season. There's a lot to like in terms of his skating and his offensive abilities.

“He didn’t have a big supporting cast, but he can play against big guys,” a scout told THN. “He goes to the hard areas and beats guys by changing speeds. He’s a dawg. He hunts pucks. He’s on the slighter side, but he doesn’t play that way.”

FloHockey - Chris Peters

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak
RW, U20 Nationell - Lulea HF J20
23g, 57pts, 40gp

The 6-foot-2 winger broke the 17-year-old scoring record in the Swedish Junior league last season, but his production didn't really keep up the way many had expected this year.

Ihs-Wozniak is a player some scouts have questioned the compete level of, but he has the tools to be a successful player.

“When he decides to compete and work, he is very hard to stop,” one scout told The Hockey News. “I find him wildly inconsistent, particularly with his compete. When he’s using his body, he’s really good. I just haven’t seen him do it that often.”

eliteprospects.com

Jack Murtagh
C/LW, U.S. National Team Development Program
22g, 53pts, 56gp

The forward was regarded by many as one of the top players on the US NTDP this past season. A good skater with a high compete level, his talent jumped off the page quite a bit in comparison to his peers there.

“He’s a talented kid with a good shot,” one scout said. “He can skate, and he’s competitive.”

Another said: “Jack’s been interesting on that team because he has a little bit of hardness to his game. He takes pucks to the net and plays around in those hard areas. On a team that hasn’t been overly successful and doesn’t have a lot of high-end skill, his game has jumped out for people.”

Daily Faceoff - Steven Ellis

Ryker Lee
F, USHL - Madison Capitals
31g, 68pts, 58gp

Lee was the USHL's rookie of the year this season and a top scorer for most of the year.

The 6-foot winger has question marks regarding his skating, but his compete level and willingness to go to the hard areas has impressed scouts.

“He’s an offensive player with soft hands who goes to the hard areas and has a great shot and release,” one scout told THN. “But he’s never going to be the first guy back. He cheats for offense, and he’s an average to below-average skater. He’s not a go-to guy.”

He's committed to Michigan State next season.

McKeen's

Milton Gastrin
C/LW, U20 Nationell - MoDo Hockey J20
18g, 42pts, 40gp

The 6-foot Swedish center is a responsible two-way player who doesn't cheat the game. Gastrin plays hard, competes and also served as the captain of Sweden's U18 World's and Hlinka Gretzky teams.

“There’s a lot of love for him,” a scout told THN. “He has good hands, and he’s a good skater.”

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