NHL
We don’t have a draft order yet, but why should that stop us from doing a mock draft? This is based on the standings, but as the playoffs get deeper and the draft lottery occurs, this will change, and we will update accordingly in the coming weeks. This mock is my best attempt to project how I think the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft will transpire on June 27.
Schaefer was tremendous, when healthy, this season for Erie. He’s a big, mobile defender with offensive touch and projects as a potential top-pairing guy. With the Sharks light on young blue-line talent, he fills a clear long-term need as a potential No. 1 defenseman.
Misa is a dynamic skater with top-end skill and playmaking ability who dominated the OHL this season. Chicago adds a top-end offensive piece to grow alongside Connor Bedard.
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Desnoyers was one of the best players in the QMJHL this year and has been trending up all season. He’s not flashy but makes a ton of plays and has a well-rounded game built for pro hockey. Nashville adds a crucial piece down the middle by picking Desnoyers.
Hagens played well for Boston College this season in a support role behind a loaded forward group. He has elite speed and skill, and he could be a dangerous top-six center. The Flyers continue to swing on upside at the top of the lineup, adding a much-needed premium center piece, although not every scout is convinced Hagens is a center in the NHL.
Frondell’s season started off slow, in part due to injury, but he looked the part late in the year. He’s a smart, toolsy center with pro habits and great scoring ability. Boston’s center depth makes this a much-welcome addition.
O’Brien has been an excellent junior player as a big center with great hands and vision. Seattle continues to build a great young group of forwards, even if ideally it would prefer a defenseman.
Martone was a top player in the OHL this season and brings a power-forward style with touch around the net. He’s not a burner, but the IQ and scoring ability are real. Buffalo gets size and finish on the wing, which complements its skill-heavy pipeline.
Mrtka didn’t crack the Czech WJC team, but he settled in nicely in Seattle and flashed significant ability at both ends of the ice. The way he skates for his size, to go with reliable puck-moving, gives him top-four upside for Anaheim.
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Eklund, the younger brother of Sharks winger William, showed high skill and tempo playing against men this year. His motor and puck touches pop. Pittsburgh needs young offensive help badly, and Eklund offers both upside and NHL traits.
McQueen got off to a great start to the season before a back injury sidelined him. This is a risky pick, but the Islanders need talent and McQueen is a top-five player in this draft on pure ability.
Aitcheson was one of the better defensemen in the OHL this season, showing great physicality and offense. He’s the kind of player the Rangers have shown to covet.
Nesbitt is a big, competitive two-way center who has enough offense to justify a top-15 pick. Detroit has picked a lot of centers recently, though, so I could see it go toward someone like Jackson Smith alternatively.
Smith is a mobile, competitive defender with legit offense who projects to play a lot of minutes as a pro. Columbus adds a significant defense piece, which is ideal after David Jiricek didn’t work out.
Bear is a powerful winger who can get to the interior and plays hard and also showed a lot of offense this season. Utah adds him to a great forward group. If either Aitcheson or Smith drop to here, I could see them go in that direction, though.
Martin had a productive season to go along with displaying a tremendous motor and a lot of physicality. Vancouver needs depth at center, and Martin brings two-way value in that role.
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Carbonneau is a skilled winger who showed strong production in the QMJHL. He has legit finishing ability to go with a very high compete level.
Reid is a smooth-skating defenseman who played big minutes and showed legit offense this season. He has the potential to be a top-four defenseman for the Habs.
Reschny is a competitive center who has a ton of skill and offensive IQ. He’s a bit undersized, but the motor stands out and he’s in the midst of a great postseason. Calgary has a major need to upgrade the centers in its pool as well.
Hensler played legit minutes as a freshman and looked composed at the World Juniors. He doesn’t project high-end offense but has NHL tools. St. Louis grabs a steady right-shot D with a clear pro projection.
Ravensbergen was one of the top goalies in Canadian junior hockey this season. He’s big and athletic and tracks pucks well. Columbus, with no clear future No. 1 in the system, takes a swing on upside in net.
Lakovic is a big, fast winger with a great shot. He’s a bit inconsistent, but he has legit top-six forward upside for Ottawa.
Spence has the skill and compete combo that intrigues scouts, though his production has been inconsistent after coming into the season as a potential top-10 pick. He could still be a very likable middle-six winger.
Potter had a solid year at ASU as a 17-year-old, showing dynamic speed and skill. He’s the typical type of player Carolina swings on.
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Prokhorov brings a mix of size, skill and nasty from the MHL and can be dangerous off the rush. He’s still raw but flashes clear NHL traits. Philly adds a higher-ceiling winger with one of its three first-round picks.
Gastrin is a steady two-way center who played big minutes in Sweden’s junior circuit. He’s a good skater and puck handler who can score but also plays hard and is a leader on the ice.
Cootes is a reliable center with a good motor and some offense. He’s not dynamic, but he’s smart and works hard. Nashville keeps stacking center depth in this draft.
Boumedienne didn’t post big numbers at BU but showed flashes with his skating and puck play as the youngest defenseman in college hockey.
Fiddler is a big right-shot D who defends well due to his size and mobility. He’s not flashy but could develop into a shutdown type.
Zonnon has good skill and scoring ability, to go with size and pace. He fits the mold of a forward who plays fast that Chicago tends to covet.
West impressed toward the end of the season. He’ll need time, but the traits are there as a 6-foot-6 forward who can skate and has skill. Nashville takes a high-upside long-term project who they hope chooses hockey over football.
Brzustewicz is a steady right-shot D who skates well and moves pucks cleanly. He’s not going to run a power play, but he could eat reliable minutes and play hard. Washington needs to add a defenseman to its pool as well.
Wang is a mobile, competitive defender who is huge. He’s not an offensive driver but has clear NHL traits.
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Photos: Michael Miller / ISI Photos, Dale Preston / Getty Images)
Corey Pronman is the senior NHL prospects writer for The Athletic. Previously, Corey worked in a similar role at ESPN. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreypronman
