2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock Draft 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 17-32

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 27, 2025.

17. New York Islanders: Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters (OHL)
    
    
    New York gets a left winger with this pick at 17. Erie Otters left winger Malcolm Spence is a player I mocked to Montreal back in August, and in this mock the Montreal Canadiens still get Malcolm Spence at 17. Now the New York Islanders get Malcolm Spence thanks to the Noah Dobson trade.
    
    
    
    My best player available at 17 for New York is Malcolm Spence the left winger on the Erie Otters. Malcolm Spence was drafted second overall behind Michael Misa in the 2022 OHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 192 lb Malcolm Spence had 16 goals, 26 assists, and 42 points in 64 OHL games in 2022-2023. Malcolm Spence had 19 goals, 43 assists, 62 points, 26 penalty minutes, and a +11 +/- ratio in 66 OHL games in 2023-2024. Malcolm Spence had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 6 games in the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Malcolm Spence had 32 goals, 41 assists, 73 points, 57 penalty minutes, and a +10 +/- ratio in 65 OHL games in 2024-2025. Malcolm Spence had 4 goals, 5 assists, and 9 points averaging a point per game in the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Malcolm Spence has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the sixteenth player with potential to be a first line player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Malcolm Spence and Cole Eiserman can comepete to be the successor to Anders Lee potentially as early as next season with the New York Islanders captain in a contract year.
    
    
    
    Malcom Spence needs to develop a slap shot with shooting power and shooting accuracy. Malcolm Spence also needs to improve as a playmaker too. Malcolm Spence could have success as a second line left winger when Laine and Brendan Gallagher's contracts expire in 2027 if Kent Hughes keeps Malcolm Spence on the Erie Otters in the OHL for two more seasons after this year allowing him to spend 2025-2026 improving his slap shot power while refining his playmaking while refining his slap shot accuracy in 2026-2027 before making the jump to the NHL in 2027-2028. Malcolm Spence accepted an NCAA hockey scholarship to Michigan this Fall.
    
    
    
18. Calgary Flames: Benjamin Kindel, RW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
    
    
    Calgary has Jonathan Huberdeau as their first line left winger, Nazem Kadri as their first line center, and Matthew Coronato their 2021 first round pick as their first line right winger with all three of these top line forwards under contract until 2029. Blake Coleman is the second line left winger, Morgan Frost is the second line center, and Adam Klapka as their second line right winger. Yegor Sharangovich is the third line left winger, Mikael Backlund is the third line center in a contract year, and Joel Farabee is the third line right winger. Aydar Suniev is the fourth line left winger, Connor Zary their 2020 first round pick is the fourth line center, and Ryan Lomberg is the fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Calgary has some forwards from the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in their prospect pool too along with four good lines for next season with Craig Conroy back as GM and Calgary's head coach back too. Matvei Gridin their 2024 first round pick went to the QMJHL is a right winger of the future and Andrew Basha their second round pick is a left winger of the future. Jacob Battaglia a 2024 second round pick at right winger improved after getting drafted. Trevor Hoskin a 2024 fourth round pick is a future center prospect on Calgary. Luke Misa the older brother of Michael Misa was Calgary's 2024 fifth round pick and he plays center. Hunter Laing their 2024 sixth round pick looks good too. Calgary was one of three teams along with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings to get an A+ grade on every player they drafted in 2024 which gives the Calgary Flames more flexibility than you would think when it comes to drafting the best player available.
    
    
    
    Calgary drafted Zayne Parekh ninth overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He dominated in the season finale as the number one defenseman on the first line meaning Zayne Parekh will be that Miro Heiskanen, Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes point generator that defends well while playing with a lot of physicality. Kevin Bahl, the defenseman Calgary got from New Jersey in the Jacob Markstrom trade complimented Zayne Parekh on the first line giving Calgary a good first line defense. MacKenzie Weegar and Daniil Miromanov are the two second line defensemen. Rasmus Andersson and Jake Bean are the two third line defensemen. Miromanov, Andersson, and Bean enter contract years.
    
    
    
    Calgary drafted three defensemen in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Zayne Parekh is in the NHL. Henry Mews their 2024 third round pick and Eric Jamieson thier 2024 sixth round pick are in Calgary's prospect pool. If Calgary's UFA's on defense walk, we could see those two in the NHL next season.
    
    
    
    Dustin Wolf is the starting goalie and Devin Cooley will be the backup goalie taking over for Daniel Vladar whose a UFA. Dustin Wolf was a finalist for the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year along with Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson. Kirill Zarubin could end up on the Calgary Wranglers in 2025, but if he returns to Russia he could end up as the backup to Dustin Wolf down the road after being the Calgary Flames 2024 third round pick.
    
    
    
    Calgary can go for best player available over need. When you hit on all your draft picks in rounds 1-7 of the NHL Entry Draft like Calgary did in 2024, you can go for value over need by trusting your big board in the first round. Benjamin Kindel is a hometown guy that the Calgary Flames might fall in love with leading up to the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 176 lb Benjamin Kindel was the Calgary Hitmen's 2022 second round pick with the Calgary Hitmen WHL team and Calgary Flames sharing the same stadium that gives Calgary a ton of intel when it comes to the Calgary Flames scouting locals on the Calgary Hitmen. Benjamin Kindell had 15 goals, 45 assists, 60 points, 14 penalty minutes, and a +2 +/- ratio in all 68 WHL games in 2023-2024. Benjamin Kindel had 35 goals, 64 assists, 99 points, 39 penalty minutes, and a +39 +/- ratio in 65 WHL games in 2024-2025. Benjamin Kindel had 8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points, and 8 penalty minutes in 11 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Benjamin Kindel has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Benjamin Kindel took the first line right winger job from Carson Wetsch the San Jose Sharks 2024 third round pick. Benjamin Kindel is the seventeenth player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with first line potential.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
    
    
    
    
19. St. Louis Blues: Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues were my wild card 1 in the Western Conference edging out the Vegas Golden Knights for the top wild card in the preseason. St. Louis hired Jim Montgomery as their interim head coach midseason and Doug Armstrong is still the GM. My preseason prediciton for the Blues was spot on except I had them picking at 20 instead of 19.
    
    
    
    St. Louis has Pavel Buchnevich as the first line left winger, Robert Thomas as their first line center, and Jordan Kyrou as their first line right winger. St. Louis has everyone on that trio until 2031 when all three players are UFA's. St. Louis has Dylan Holloway as their second line left winger, Brayden Schenn is their second line center, and Jimmy Snuggerud their 2022 first round pick is the second line right winger with St. Louis having Holloway as an RFA next year after he finished third on the team in points. St. Louis has Jake Neighbours their 2020 first round pick as their third line left winger, Oskar Sundqvist as their third line center in a contract year, and Zachary Bolduc their 2021 first round pick as the third line right winger as Bolduc is an RFA in 2026. St. Louis has Alexei Toropchenko as their fourth line left winger, Alexandre Texier as their fourth line center with Radek Faksa set to be a UFA, and Nathan Walker as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    St. Louis has Cam Fowler and Colton Parayko as their two first line defenseman as acquiring Cam Fowler was a huge addition for the St. Louis Blues with Anaheim's 2010 first round pick finally returning to the playoffs this past season. Justin Faulk and Phillip Broberg Edmonton's 2019 first round pick as their second line defensemen. St. Louis has Nick Leddy and Torey Krug as their two third line defenseman. Tyler Tucker and Corey Schuenerman provide insurance, but both feel like AHL prospects at this point.
    
    
    
    St. Louis has Jordan Binnington as their starting goalie and Joel Hofer as their backup goalie. St. Louis has a good supporting cast for the short-term.
    
    
    
    St. Louis drafts a two-way defenseman here. St. Louis has three defenseman in contract years next season in Cam Fowler, Nick Leddy, and Corey Schuenerman. Both Justin Faulk and Torey Krug are 2027 Free Agents as Krug missed all of this season with a season ending injury. St. Louis has Theo Lindstein one of their three 2023 first round picks at defenseman and Adam Jiriceck their 2024 first round pick fill two of those voids if Fowler and Leddy leave. Drafting one more defenseman to bring in as a potential replacement when Justin Faulk and Torey Krug become UFA's makes total sense here. In this mock draft, St. Louis will draft Krug's replacement here. The defenseman I'm going with here is Kitchener Rangers defenseman Cameron Reid.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 193 Cameron Reid was drafted tenth overall in the 2023 OHL Draft. Cameron Reid had 2 goals, 21 assists, 23 points, 17 peanlty minutes, and a +18 +/- ratio in 49 games as a rookie in 2023-2024. Cameron Reid had 0 goals, 5 assists, and 5 points in 10 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Cameron Reid had 14 goals, 40 assists, 54 points, 44 penalty minutes, and a +39 +/- ratio in 67 OHL games in 2024-2025. Cameron Reid had 0 goals, 5 assists, and 5 points in 14 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Cameron Reid has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Cameron Reid is the eighteenth player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Cameron Reid checks off a lot of boxes as I saw one of his interviews on Youtube. That opened me up to the possibility of mocking Cameron Reid to an NHL team in the first round.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals (WHL)
    
    
20. Columbus Blue Jackets: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin
    
    
    I heard Columbus is looking at a college player at 20 with the draft pick Columbus acquired from Minnesota in the trade that sent David Jircek the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft to Minnesota. I'm giving the Columbus Blue Jackets the top college player on the board after James Hagens in the first round. Wisconsin defenseman Logan Hensler is considered the best college player outside of James Hagens. Logan Hensler entered the preseason as the top defenseman in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with some giving him a slight edge over Matthew Schaefer as the top defenseman in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 196 lb Logan Hensler played with Cole Hutson on the first line defense for the United States National Team Developmental Program where he had 3 goals, 13 assists, 16 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Logan Hensler played both the number two and number one defenseman roles on the top line in his plus one draft year. Logan Hensler had 2 goals, 10 assists, 12 points, 27 penalty minutes, and a -13 +/- ratio in 32 games in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Logan Hensler has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, can play the power play on the first line, can play a penalty killing unit on the first line, has the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL if you look at his tape from the United States National Team Developmental Program along with his best moments at Wisconsin. Logan Hensler began the year as Wisconsin's number one defenseman, but he got demoted to the second line following Wisconsin's 4-2 loss to Ohio State on February 15, 2025. Wisconsin was tied with Ohio State 1-1 after one period and 2-2 after two periods before Ohio State won that game in the third period. Logan Hensler is the ninteenth player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, but I am not sure he reaches that ceiling. You might be looking at a guy with the floor of a number one first line defenseman in the AHL and the ceiling of a number three defenseman on an NHL team once he develops. We'll see what happens with Hensler following an underwhelming freshman season at Wisconsin.
    
    
    
    Columbus also has Samuel Knazko a 2020 third round pick on the Cleveland Monsters. Corson Ceulemans their 2021 first round pick regressed on the Cleveland Monsters in his third AHL season and final season with a two-way contract. Andrew Strahmann the former number one defenseman on the Youngstown Phantoms team that won the 2023 Clark Cup finished his freshman year at North Dakota after being drafted as a 2023 fourth round pick by Columbus. Charlie Elick the Blue Jackets 2024 second round pick that was a consensus first round pick in most 2024 NHL Mock Drafts is also in the prospect pool. Logan Hensler will develop at Wisconsin, but also may have the highest ceiling of any defenseman in this group with most of the defenders in this group struggling on the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL while Strahmann struggled in the NCAA. Elick has one more year of WHL eligiblity, but my gut is telling me he will have to go to the Cleveland Monsters rather than the NHL. Logan Hensler will have to compete with these guys for an NHL roster spot, but I like Hensler's odds over this group if Erik Gudbransson leaves as a UFA in 2026. I'm also certain that Columbus will not rush Logan Hensler when it comes to developing him.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State
    
    
    
    
21. Ottawa Senators: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
    
    
    The NHL is gonna strip Ottawa of a first round pick in 2024, 2025, or 2026 because they didn't give the Vegas Golden Knights Evgeni Dadonov's 10 team no trade list when he had a no trade clause back in 2021 before Ottawa traded Dadonov to Vegas. The NHL considers that tampering by their rules and since Ottawa didn't cooperate they get to pick the year they lose that draft pick. Ottawa kept the seventh pick in 2024 and chose to keep this years draft pick hoping they could take the NHL to court and win a lawsuit against the NHL allowing them to keep their pick in 2026. That is how stubborn the Ottawa Senators are. This means Ottawa loses their 2026 first round pick in next years NHL Draft. If Ottawa regresses rather than them biting than bullet and losing a first round pick this year when the odds of them drafting above 21 aren't great next year, they would lose a pick next year in the year Gavin McKenna becomes draft eligible even if that pick turned out to be a lottery pick in the bottom eleven.
    
    
    
    Ottawa has Brady Tkachuk Ottawa's 2018 first round pick and team captain as their first line left winger, Tim Stuztle Ottawa's 2020 first round pick drafted third overall is their first line center, and Drake Batherson their 2017 fourth round pick was their first line right winger as their first line right winger with all three of those top line players locked up until 2027. Ottawa has David Perron as their second line left winger in a contract year, Dylan Cozens the Buffalo Sabres 2019 first round pick as their second line center, and Fabian Zetterlund as their second line right winger. Ottawa has Ridly Greig their third 2020 first round pick behind Tim Stuztle as their third line left winger, Shane Pinto as their third line center, and Michael Amadio as their third line right winger. Ottawa could have Xavier Bourgault Edmonton's 2021 first round pick as their fourth line left winger, Stephen Halliday Ottawa's 2022 fourth round pick had 51 points on the Belleville Senators in the AHL last year, so Stephen Halldiay could be Ottawa's fourth line center, and Zack MacEween is Ottawa's fourth line right winger entering a contract year. Tyler Boucher Ottawa's 2021 first round pick could take over for Zack MacEween in 2026.
    
    
    
    Ottawa will have Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub as their two first line defensemen. Ottawa also has Thomas Chabot their 2015 first round pick and Nick Jensen as their two second line defensemen. Ottawa has Tyler Kleven a 2020 second round pick and Nikolas Matinaplo as their two third line defensemen. Ottawa also has Carter Yakemchuk their 2024 first round pick drafted seventh overall in their prospect pool as a defenseman that the Ottawa Senators can develop for the future.
    
    
    
    Ottawa has Linus Ullmark as their starting goalie under contract until 2029. Mads Sogaard Ottawa's 2019 second round pick had a breakout season with the Belleville Senators in the AHL in 2023-2024, but he regressed significantly in 2024-2025. Anton Forsberg the backup goalie is a UFA. Ottawa doesn't have a 2026 first round pick for tamerping. Linus Ullmark is 31-years-old and the goalie of the future isn't on this roster. Drafting Joshua Ravensbergen the top goalie in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft to be the goalie of the future with a new stadium set to open in 2027.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 190 lb Joshua Ravensbergen went 26-4-2 starting 32 of 38 games for the Prince George Cougars in the WHL this past season with 2,072 minutes on the ice, 85 goals allowed, 6 shutouts, a 2.46 goals against average, 832 saves, and a .907 save percentage in his rookie WHL season helping the Prince George Cougars get the number one overall seed in the WHL's Western Conference in 2023-2024. Joshua Ravensbergen did even better in the postseason with a 9-2-1 record in 12 starts where he posted 3 shutouts, 1.98 goals against average, 309 saves, and a .931 save percentage guiding the Prince George Cougars to the 2024 Western Conference Finals where the Prince George Cougars lost to the Portland Winterhawks in double overtime in game 6 which was in Portland, Oregon outside of Canada where the Prince George Cougars play. Ravensbergen did that as a 16 year old turning 17 in his rookie year.
    
    
    
    Joshua Ravensbergen had a 33-13-4 starting 50 of 51 games for the Prince George Cougars as a sophomore with 2,964 minutes played on the ice, 148 goals allowed, 0 shutouts, a 3.00 goals against average, 1,352 saves, and a .901 save percentage as a sophomore in 2024-2025. Joshua Ravensbergen went 2-3-1 in 6 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs with a 3.60 goals against average and a .896 save percentage in the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Joshua Ravensbergen did that with a Prince George Cougars WHL team that had more talent and NHL Draft Eligible prospects under his predecessor at goalie Tyler Brennan. That says a lot about Ravensbergen as Brennan couldn't even get Prince George out of the first round of the WHL Playoffs. Ravensbergen got his team to the Western Conference Finals with a weaker supporting cast as a rookie, but could not build on that in year two. He did interview well. I do believe he checks off all ten boxes you want in a starting goalie.
    
    
    
    Style, Post Integration, Glove, Blocker Pad, Reading The Puck By Tracking, Rebound Control, Post Save Recovery, Quickness, Footwork, and Puckhandling. Those are ten different categories that NHL Draft Scouts use to evaluate goalies. Joshua Ravensbergen is the best goalie in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and he checks off all ten boxes. He also interviewed well which is why I mocked him to Ottawa in the first round at 21. I believe he's gonna be an NHL starting goalie.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL)
    
    
22. Philadelphia Flyers: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
    
    
    The 6-4 190 lb Lynden Lakovic has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger on the first line. Lynden Lakovic had 18 goals, 21 assists, 39 points, 14 penalty minutes, and a +4 +/- ratio in 68 WHL games in 2023-2024. Lynden Lakovic had 5 goals, 3 assists, and 8 points in 20 games when the Moose Jaw Warriors won the 2024 WHL Cup making the Moose Jaw Warriors the 2024 WHL Champions. Lynden Lakovic had 27 goals, 31 assists, 58 points, 4 penalty minutes, and a -25 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Lynden Lakovic and the Moose Jaw Warriors missed the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Lynden Lakovic has the versatility, skating, foot speed, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the twentieth player with first line potential if we're just looking at skaters with top line potential. You'd like to see him get faster and refine his shot, but Lynden Lakovic interviewed very well. He's got a good chance to be a top 6 winger on the team that drafts him as a left winger or a right winger on a first or second line in the NHL five years from now.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Luka Radivojovec, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
    
    
23. Nashville Predators: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
    
    
    Nashville drafts the son of Vernon Fiddler. Blake Fiddler is the son of former NHL player Vernon Fiddler. Vernon Fiddler also began his NHL career with the Nashville Predators.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 209 lb Blake Fiddler had 10 goals, 23 assists, 33 points, 36 penalty minutes, and a +6 +/- ratio in 64 WHL games in 2024-2025. Blake Fiddler had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 7 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Blake Fiddler has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the twenty first player with first line potential if we're just looking at skaters with top line potential.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
    
    
24. Los Angeles Kings: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings lost to the Edmonton Oilers for the fourth year in a row. Ken Holland the former Edmonton Oilers GM replaces Rob Blake as General Manager.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have Kevin Fiala as their first line left winger, Anze Kopitar as their first line center, and Adrian Kempe as their first line right winger with both Kopitar and Kempe entering contract years next season. Los Angeles has Warren Foegele as their second line left winger, Quinton Byfield their 2020 first round pick as their second line center, and Phillip Danault as their second line right winger. Los Angeles has Alex Laferriere their 2020 third round pick as their third line left winger, Alex Turcotte a 2019 first round pick as their third line center, and Trevor Moore as their third line right winger. Los Angeles has Andre Lee a 2019 seventh round pick as their fourth line left winger, Akil Thomas a 2018 second round pick as their fourth line center, and Liam Greentree their 2024 first round pick as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson as their two first line defenseman. Los Angeles has Jordan Spence their 2019 fourth round pick and their 2021 first round pick Brandt Clarke taking over for Matt Roy as Brandt Clarke led defensemen on the Los Angeles Kings with 33 points as a rookie playing on the top line as the number one defenseman when Drew Doughty was injured. Los Angeles has Joel Edmundsson and Kyle Burroughs as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have two goalies in Darcy Kuemper as their starting goalie. David Rittich the backup goalie is a UFA. The Los Angeles Kings spent a 2024 second round pick on Carter George who will probably be the Los Angeles Kings goalie of the future at some point.
    
    
    
    Los Angeles goes for a center that can play on the first or second line when Anze Koptar retires. This would give the Los Angeles Kings another center to compliment Quinton Byfield on the first or second line down the road.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 183 lb Braeden Cootes was drafted tenth overall in the 2022 WHL Draft. Braeden Cootes has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger with the ability to play all three forward roles.
    
    
    
    Braeden Cootes had 14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points, and a -22 +/- ratio in 64 WHL games with the Seattle Thunderbirds 2023-2024. Bradeden Cootes had 26 goals, 37 assists, 63 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 60 WHL games in 2024-2025. Braeden Cootes had 2 goals, 6 assists, and 8 points 6 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Braeden Cootes has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the twenty second player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University
    
    
    
    
25. Chicago Blackhawks: Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals (WHL)
    
    
    The Chicago Blackhawks use this 2025 first round pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs on a center for the future. Cole Reschny is a steal at this point in the first round.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 161 lb Cole Reschny was drafted third overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2022 WHL Draft. Cole Reschny had 21 goals, 38 assists, 59 points, 14 penalty minutes, and a +3 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Cole Reschny had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 4 games in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Cole Reschny had 26 goals, 66 assists, 92 points, 44 penalty minutes, and a +42 +/- ratio in 62 WHL games in 2024-2025. Cole Reschny had 9 goals, 16 assists, and 25 points in 11 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Cole Reschny has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Cole Reschny is versatile enough to play left winger or center. He is the twenty third player with first line potential. Cole Reschny committed to North Dakota for college hockey.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cullen Potter, LW, Arizona State
    
    
26. Nashville Predators: Benjamin Kevan, RW, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
    
    
    The San Jose Sharks traded this first round pick that they acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights to Nashville. Nashville gets a right winger for the future.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 173 lb Benjamin Kevan began as a left winger before converting to right winger after being drafted fifth overall by the Des Moines Buccaneers in the 2023 USHL Draft. Benjamin Kevan had 24 goals, 33 assists, 57 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 59 games with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL in 2023-2024. Benjamin Kevan had 13 goals, 30 assists, 43 points, and a -18+/- ratio in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Benjamin Kevan has one more year of eligibility in the USHL before he enrolls at Arizona State in 2026 as he was the Des Moines Buccaneers first line right winger each of the last two years after being a first line winger in bantam. Benjamin Kevan should be ready for the NHL by 2027, 2028, or 2029 depending on how long he stays in college.
    
    
    
    Benjamin Kevan has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, versatility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Benjamin Kevan has the versatility to play left winger or right winger. He is the twenty fourth player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Conrad Fondrk, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    
    
27. Washington Capitals: Ryker Lee, RW, Madison Capitols (USHL)
    
    
    Washington has Alex Ovechkin the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft drafted by the Washington Capitals as their first line left winger, Dylan Strome as their first line center, and Tom Wilson as their first line right winger. Washington has Aliaksei Protas as their second line left winger, Pierre-Luc Dubois as their second line center, and Ryan Leonard their 2023 first round pick as their second line right winger. Washington has Sonny Milano as their third line left winger, Connor McMichael as their third line center, and Brandon Duhame as their third line right winger. Ivan Miroshnichenko Washington's 2022 first round pick should be the fourth line left winger after two strong seasons with the Hershey Bears in the AHL, Nic Dowd as their fourth line center, and Terik Parascak Washington's 2024 first round pick as a fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Washington still has Henrix Lapierre a 2020 first round pick and Andrew Cristall a 2023 second round pick that was eleventh on my big board in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft set to be promoted to the Hershey Bears next year in the prospect pool with Cristall most likely taking over for Alexander Ovechkin. Ilya Protas a 2024 third round pick at left winger and Eriks Mateiko a 2024 third round pick at right winger.
    
    
    
    Washington has John Carlsson and Jakob Chychrun as their two first line defensemen. Washington has Rasmus Sandin and Martin Fehervary a 2018 second round pick as their two second line defensemen. Washington has Trevor Van Riemsdyk nad Dylan McIlrath as their two third line defensemen. Washington Cole Hutson, Washington's 2024 second round pick is a defender in the prospect pool for the Washington Capitals.
    
    
    
    Washington has two capable goalies that can start in Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren. Both goalies can be effective starting goalies, but Logan Thompson is the starter and Charlie Lindgren is the backup.
    
    
    
    Washington drafts the best player on the board at 27. One player with first line potential still on the board is USHL right winger Ryker Lee.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Ryker Lee had 31 goals, 37 assists, 68 points, 18 penalty minutes, and a +9 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Ryker Lee had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 6 points in the 2025 USHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Ryker Lee has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, can play the power play on the first line, can play a penalty killing unit on the first line, has the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ryker Lee is versatile enough to play right winger or left winger with his versatility on the wing. Ryker Lee is the twenty fifth player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin
    
    
28. Winnipeg Jets: Haoxi Wang, D, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
    I wanted to give Winnipeg a defenseman, but there's not a first line defenseman on the board which is what the Winnipeg Jets really need. The only first line player left in this 2025 NHL Mock Draft is Everett Silvertips left winger Carter Bear. If Winnipeg doesn't want to pay Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers, they can just develop Colby Barlow and Carter Bear into their replacements reloading at left winger while spending salary cap space in Free Agency on a second line center and some defensemen that will actually help their Vezina Winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
    
    
    
    Winnipeg managed to extend their first line center Mark Scheifele a 2011 first round pick and their starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck a 2012 fifth round pick as those two pieces, the most important pieces on the Winnipeg Jets are locked up until 2031 as both players signed seven year extensions entering their contract years last year.
    
    
    
    Kyle Connor Winnipeg's 2015 first round pick is still the first line left winger, Mark Scheiefle their 2011 first round pick is the first line center, and Gabriel Vilardi the first line right winger is a RFA in 2025 meaning that Winnipeg will probably try to retain both of those two for the right price.
    
    
    
    As much as I want to see Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg's 2014 first round pick whose the Winnipeg Jets second line left winger stick around, Connor as well as Vildardi will take priority over him as the current first line wingers during contract negotiations. I believe Colby Barlow Winnipeg's 2023 first round pick takes over for Ehlers as the second line left winger if Ehlers leaves in Free Agency. Vladislav Namestinkov is the second line center and Winnipeg's second line right winger Cole Perfetti is a 2020 first round pick. Nino Neideretter is thw third line left winger, Adam Lowry the team captain is the third line center, and Alex Iafallo will be promoted from fourth line right winger to third line right winger if Mason Appleton signs elsewhere. David Gustafsson is the fourth line left winger, Jonathan Toews is the fourth line center, and Morgan Barron should be the fourth line right winger. If Winnipeg manages to retain Ehlers, Colby Barlow becomes the fourth line left winger with Gustafsson as the fourth line right winger with Morgan Barron as the fourth line center.
    
    
    
    Winnipeg has Josh Morrisey their 2013 first round pick on the blue line and Neal Pionk on the first line defense. They don't have another defender on the blue line that I fear or respect. Fixing this area for starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck is paramount. Winnipeg will also need a backup goalie with Connor Hellebuyck.
    
    
    
    I'm mocking Winnipeg the best defenseman on the board. I will probably load up on defensive prospects for the future with Winnipeg's draft picks in this mock draft. Haoxi Wang also known as Simon Wang is the best defenseman available at this point in the first round. This means Winnipeg gets the Wang.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 212 lb Haoxi Wang had 4 goals, 1 assists, and 22 points with the King Rebellion as their number one defenseman in the OJHL in 2024-2025. He was so dominant in the OJHL that he earned a promotion to the OHL where he had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 32 games with the Oshawa Generals as their number six defenseman on the third line in 2024-2025. Haoxi Wang had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 21 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Haoxi Wang has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He hits like Lian Bichsel on the Dallas Stars, but his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy needs refinement. He's going to Boston University to develop further. Haoxi Wang is the twenty sixth player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
    
    
    
    
29. Carolina Hurricanes: Carlos Handel, D, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
    
    
    The Carolina Hurricanes have Andrei Svechnikov their 2018 first round pick as their first line left winger, Sebastian Aho their 2017 second round pick as their first line center, and Seth Jarvis their 2020 first round pick as their first line right winger with everyone on this top line locked up until 2029. Carolina has Taylor Hall as their second line left winger, Jasperi Kotkaniemi is their second line center, and Logan Stankoven is their second line right winger. Jordan Marinook is their third line left winger, Jordan Staal their team captain is their third line center, and William Carrier is their third line right winger. Carolina could have Mark Jankowski as their fourth line left winger, Ryan Suzuki their 2019 first round pick as their fourth line center, and Jackson Blake their 2021 fourth round pick as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Carolina does need an idenity on defense. Jaccob Slavin is the only first line defenseman coming back with Brent Burns set to be a UFA. Their number three defenseman Dmitri Orlov is also a UFA. Alexander Nikishkin their 2020 third round pick is the number four defenseman on the second line. Sean Walker and Shayne Gostibehere are the two third line defensemen. Carolina has guys like Jalen Chatfield and Ty Smith that could play on the third line defense with the two third line defensemen getting promoted to the second line and Alexander Nikishkin on the top line with Slavin if both Brent Burns and Dmitri Orlov leave in Free Agency.
    
    
    
    Carolina has Frederik Andersen as the starting goalie and Pyotr Kochetkov a 2019 second round pick is the backup goalie. Both of those goalies are back.
    
    
    
    Carolina needs defense in the worst way possible. If they can keep this core group of forwards and the goaltending, Carolina can draft defensemen to build around Jaccob Slavin. This feels like the best way for the Carolina Hurricanes to create a long-term Stanley Cup window. The best defenseman available at 29 is Carlos Handel, so he will be the player I mock to Carolina.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 170 lb Carlos Handel was the Halifax Mooseheads first round pick in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. He was born in Germany, but played hockey on Adler Mannheim's Under 17 Team in Germany as well as the Malmo Redhawks Under 20 Team in Sweden before being drafted by the Halifax Mooseheads in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    Carlos Handel had 3 goals, 23 assists, 26 points, and 20 penalty minutes in 52 games with the Halifax Mooseheads in 2024-2025. Carlos Handel also had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 4 games as Germany's team captain at the World Junior Championships back in December. Carlos Handel had 1 goal, 3 asissts, and 4 points in 10 games during the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs. Carlos Handel had a game-winning goal in game 7 against the Drummondville Voltigeurs in a 1-0 shutout where the Halifax Mooseheads beat the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
    
    
    
    Carlos Handel has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carlos Handel is the twenty seventh different player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
30. San Jose Sharks: Bill Zonnon, C, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
    
    
    San Jose uses this 2025 first round pick from Dallas to draft a future fourth line player. The best player available at 30 is Bill Zonnon, who I actually mocked to Dallas at 30 back in the preseason. Bill Zonnon was drafted sixth overall in the 2022 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    My best player available at this spot is Bill Zonnon a second line left winger on the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL. Not only was his game film good, he interviewed really well showcasing his maturity for a skater. He made the transition to center and was the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies first line center.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 188 lb Bill Zonnon had 16 goals, 23 assists, 39 points, and a -3 +/- ratio as a rookie in 2022-2023. Bill Zonnon had 2 goals, 5 assists, and 7 points in 9 games during the 2023 QMJHL Playoffs. Bill Zonnon had 18 goals, 40 assists, 58 points, and a +27 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Bill Zonnon had 6 goals, 4 assists, and 10 points in the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs. Bill Zonnon had 28 goals, 55 assists, 83 points, 32 penalty minutes, and a +5 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Bill Zonnon had 8 goals, 8 assists, and 16 points in 13 games during the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Bill Zonnon has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Bill Zonnon is the twenty eighth player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Draft. San Jose can play Bill Zonnon at left winger, center, or right winger as he will have the versatility to play all 3 forward roles.
    
    
    
    I'm keeping Bill Zonnon at center. This gives San Jose Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, Will Smith, and Bill Zonnon as their top four centers which is a pretty deadly tandem.
    
    
    
    
    
31. Philadelphia Flyers: Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts a right winger that they can stash and develop. Shane Vansaghi might be an option at 31.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 207 lb Shane Vansaghi had 5 goals, 5 assists, and 10 points in 25 USHL games in 2023-2024. Shane Vansaghi is going to Michigan State this Fall. Shane Vansaghi had 6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points, and a +10 +/- ratio in 37 games as a freshman at Michigan State.
    
    
    
    Shane Vansaghi has the speed and forechecking you want. He's also versatile enough to play left winger, center, and right winger. Shane Vansaghi improved his passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy at Michigan State. These were question marks on the USNTDP team with these areas of his game before he enrolled at Michigan State. He was mainly a back 6 guy at Michigan State, but he played on Michigan State's first line at right winger when a teammate got ejected. I guess he could play on a top line in emergency situations, but I see more of a back 6 in the NHL and possibly a top 6 player in the AHL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ondrej Stebetak, G, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
    
    
32. Calgary Flames: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
    Calgary can go with the best player on their board rather than draft for need. Ivan Ryabkin is a player that I can see Calgary drafting as a future center on this roster.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Ivan Ryabkin had 24 goals, 34 assists, and 58 points in 44 games as the second line center on MHK Dynamo Moskva the official MHL team of HC Dynamo Moscow in 2023-2024. Ivan Ryabkin got sent to the Muskegon Lumberjacks midway through the season where he posted 19 goals, 11 assists, 30 points, 70 penalty minutes, and a +6 +/- ratio in 27 USHL games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2024-2025. Ivan Rybakin had 7 goals, 9 assists, and 16 points in 14 games during the 2025 USHL Playoffs helping the Muskegon Lumberjacks win the 2025 Clarke Cup.
    
    
    
    Ivan Ryabkin has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He can use his stick to catch a pass with the puck and redirect the puck towards the net which is hard for younger players to do. Ivan Ryabkin can defend with his stick or his body as he will protect the puck in the net the way a secret service agent protects the president from an assassination as Ivan Ryabkin's dedication and committment to hockey is that strong. He also made a goal trailing by one in the clutch when MHK Dynamo Moskva pulled their goalie. He also made a game-winning goal in a penalty shootout. He can play on the power play as well as the penalty killing unit too. He showcased these qualities in Russia and in the USHL.
    
    
    
    Some scouting services had this guy as high as fifth on their big board despite the fact that he's a second line center in the MHL at the beginning of the year before he went to the USHL. Ivan Rybakin actually met Alexander Ovechkin this past summer too.
    
    
    
    There's a few improvements I want to see like seeing him play on a top line which he didn't do in the MHL or USHL, seeing him get stronger add 5-10 of muscle. Sometimes he's too fast one play he crashed into the boards with nobody defending him. He took a penalty for roughing. He also took off his helmet when seeing a teammate and opponent get into a fight before another teammate restrained him from getting involved in the fight. Tweaking these areas of his game by improving these minor weaknesses is really all Ivan Ryabkin has to do to succeed. He ended up regressing in Russia before rebounding in the USHL and that has taken him from once a dark horse to go into the top 10 to a fringe first round prospect.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jakob-Ihs Wozniak, C, Lulea HF (Elitserien)