2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock Draft 7 Rounds

Round 2

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

33. San Jose Sharks: Owen Conrad, D, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
    
    
    San Jose gets a defenseman that can play with Sam Dickinson on the top line in the second round in the event that Timothy Liljegren leaves as a UFA. Owen Conrad the Charlottetown Islanders defenseman has first round tape and honstly he wouldn't be a bad player for San Jose to select at the start of the second round.
    
    
    
    Owen Conrad was a top 10 player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft, but he fell to the Charlottetown Islanders at 20. Owen Conrad not only lived up to the hype he had entering the QMJHL, he also dominated on tape helping the Charlottetown Islanders post a 4-0 shutout against the Saint Joh Sea Dogs.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 214 lb Owen Conrad had 6 goals, 23 assists, and 29 points in 2023-2024. Owen Conrad had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs. Owen Conrad had 7 goals, 19 assists, and 26 points in 2024-2025. Owen Conrad had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Owen Conrad has the skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, release, hands, stick handling, agility, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, power play ability, penalty killing ability, and one-on-one ability you want in a NHL defenseman on both ends. Owen Conrad did a superb job shot blocking on tape and his traits are too good to ignore. I know he's listed as a third round prospect in most mocks, but he dominated on tape.
    
    
    
    Owen Conrad is the twenty ninth player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Draft. I believe Owen Conrad can play with Sam Dickison on San Jose's top line if Timothy Liljegren doesn't stick around in San Jose when his contract is up.
    
    
    
34. Chicago Blackhawks: Cullen Potter, LW, Arizona State
    
    
    The Chicago Blackhawks use their second round pick on a left winger. Scott Wheeler of the Athletic called Cullen Potter the best skater in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 161 lb Cullen Potter had 9 goals, 13 assists, and 22 points with the United States National Team Developmental Program in 2023-2024. Cullen Potter is enrolling at Arizona State this Fall. Cullen Potter had 13 goals, 9 assists, and 22 points in his freshman season at Arizona State in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Cullen Potter has the skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Cullen Potter also took some faceoffs and did a good job winning faceoffs, so the versatility to play both left winger and center is there. Cullen Potter improved his wrist shot power at Arizona State, but his slap shot power still needs some improvement.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Nashville Predators: Jakob-Ihs Wozniak, C, Lulea HF (Elitserien)
    
    
    The Nashville Predators draft another player from Sweden. Jakob-Ihs Wozniak is a great addition here.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 183 lb Jakob-Ihs Wozniak is versatile enough to play all three forward spots at left winger, center and right winger. Jakob-Ihs Wozniak had 22 goals, 28 assists, and 50 points on the Lulea HF Under 20 Team, but had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 2 games with the Lulea HF team in the SHL against men in 2023-2024. Jakob-Ihs Wozniak had 23 goals, 34 assists, 57 points, and a +25 +/- ration in 40 games on the Lulea HF Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. He also had 1 goal, 1 assists, and 2 points on the Lulea HF main roster against men in Sweden versus players in his age group in 2024-2025 in the SHL.
    
    
    
    Jakob-Ihs Wozniak 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 thirtieth player with potential to be a first line player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, but Nashville can mold him into a quality forward on the bottom six at left winger, center, or right winger.
    
    
    
36. Philadelphia Flyers: Nathan Behm, LW, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts for value in the second round. Nathan Behm has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger.
    
    
    
    Nathan Behm was the Kamloops Blazers first round pick in the 2022 WHL Draft. Nathan Behm was the final player in the Elite Prospects Top 32, but he didn't impress me when watching his tape. Still, he's got experience on the Kamloops Blazers top line and he put together a respectable season, so he shouldn't be on the board for very long if he falls to the second round because he entered the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft as a center before converting to winger gaining expereince to play left winger and right winger. Having the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger makes him a valuable forward prospect for any NHL organization.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 192 lb Nathan Behm had 31 goals, 35 assists, and 66 points in 59 games for the Kamloops Blazers in 2024-2025. Nathan Behm 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. Nathan Behm got to learn under Logan Stankoven when he first got to the Kamloops Blazers. Nathan Behm is the thirty first player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
37. Washington Capitals: William Moore, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The 6-2 160 lb William Moore had 14 goals, 11 assists, and 25 points in 35 USHL games on the United States National Team Developmental Program in 2023-2024. William Moore had 10 goals, 11 assists, and 21 points in 25 USHL games without James Hagens and Cole Eiseman transitioning from first line left winger to first line center in 2024-2025. William Moore is heading to Boston College next Fall following the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. William Moore is versatile enough to play anywhere at forward whether it is left winger, center, or right winger.
    
    
    
    Washington drafted Cole Hutson the little brother of Lane Hutson with their 2024 second round pick. I have Washington drafting William Moore the little brother of Oliver Moore with their 2025 second round pick.
    
    
    
    William Moore has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, and offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. William Moore played first line left winger next to James Hagens when Cole Eiserman another USNTDP player that was the New York Islanders 2024 first round pick was on the second line. William Moore is the thirty second player with expereince on a first line in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
38. Seattle Kraken: Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
    Seattle drafts a right winger with a consensus first round grade. Vaclav Nestrail is a good addition for the Seattle Kraken in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 190 lb Vaclav Nestrasil had 19 goals, 23 assists, and 42 points in 61 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2024-2025. Vaclav Nestrasil had 7 goals, 6 assists, and 13 points in 14 games during the 2025 USHL Playoffs helping the Muskegon Lumberjacks win the 2025 Clarke Cup.
    
    
    
    Vaclav Nestrasil has skating, speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Vaclav Nestrasil needs to develop his slap shot power and slap shot accuracy.
    
    
    
    Vaclav Nestrasil projects as a second line right winger. However he can play on the first line as a right winger on special teams whether it is on the power play or as a penalty killer. Vaclav Nestrasil has one more year with the Muskegon Lumberjacks next season before he goes to Massachusetts in 2026.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Buffalo Sabres: Eddie Genborg, LW, Linkopings HC (Elitserien)
    
    
    Buffalo drafts a left winger from Sweden that could be a viable replacement to John Jason Petreka if Buffalo trades him. Eddie Genborg is versatile enough to play both left winger and right winger on the top line.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 194 lb Eddie Genborg had 19 goals, 15 assists, and 34 points on the Linkoping Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. Eddie Genborg also had 2 goals, 0 assists, and 2 points on the Linkopings HC SHL team in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Eddie Genborg has the skating, foot speed, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Eddie Genborg can play left winger or right winger on the first line as he's got an NHL ready shot, but needs to develop his playmaking. Eddie Genborg is the thirty third player with first line potential as well as experience on the top line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
40. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts a goalie here in the second round to develop. Jack Ivankovic is my second best goalie in the 2025 NHL Draft. Jack Ivankovic was a first round pick in the 2023 OHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 179 lb Jack Ivankovic had a 2.27 goals against average, a .915 save percentage, 1 shutout, and a 14-5-4 record as a rookie in 2023-2024. Jack Ivankovic posted a 4.83 goals against average and a .877 save percentage in 4 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Jack Ivankovic had a 3.05 goals against average, a .903 save percentage, 2 shutouts, and a 25-12-5 record in 43 OHL games in 2024-2025. Jack Ivankovic posted a 4.87 goals against average and a .877 save percentage in 5 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Jack Ivankovic is going to Michigan this Fall.
    
    
    
    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. Jack Ivankovic checks off all ten boxes like Joshua Ravensbergen. He interviewed well too, but he's not as tall as Ravensbergen and struggled in the OHL Playoffs which is why Jack Ivankovic fell to the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Montreal Canadiens: Jack Murtagh, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The 6-1 198 lb Jack Murtagh can play left winger, center, or right winger with his versatility. Jack Murtagh had 7 goals, 11 assists, and 18 points with the United States National Team Developmental Program in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Jack Murtagh is the consensus highest ranked player on the USNTDP. Jack Murtagh is going to Boston University this Fall. Jack Murtah has the wrist shot power and wrist shot accuracy you want from a sniper. Heavy shooter, speedster, and work horse are the three words I would use to describe Jack Murtagh's game.
    
    
    
42. New York Islanders: Mason West, RW, Fargo Force (USHL)
    
    
    The New York Islanders need a fourth line right winger down the road. Fargo Force right winger Mason West is the top right winger on the board. Mason West entered the fall with a fifth round grade, but has played his way into the second round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft finishing this years NHL Draft cycle being twenty seventh overall among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting. Mason West was a two sport athlete at Edina High School playing right winger and quarterback before getting an offer to play with the Fargo Force in the USHL. The last athlete to do this as a two sport athlete was New York Islanders captain Anders Lee whose in a contract year.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 207 lb Mason West had 1 goal, 8 assists, and 9 points in 10 USHL games with the Fargo Force in 2024-2025. Mason West will enter his senior year at Edina High School next year, so he is gonna go to Michigan State. Mason West also hasn't decided if he wants a hockey or football scholarship, but the last player from Edina to play hockey and football at quarterback was New York Islanders captain Anders Lee which is why I mocked Mason West here.
    
    
    
    Mason West 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. Mason West is the thirty fourth player with first line potential as well as experience on the first line in the 2025 NHL Draft. Mason West is going to Michigan State starting in 2026.
    
    
    
    
    
43. New York Rangers: Luca Romano, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
    
    
    Chris Drury is back as the New York Rangers general manager after trading Kappo Kako who rebounded in Seattle, team captain Jacob Trouba, and Ryan Lindgren who did well as a third line defenseman on the Colorado Avalanche in this years Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mike Sullivan is the new head coach. If Mike Sullivan can get Drury to a Stanley Cup, that could save Drury's job. One could argue that these trades were enough to warrant not extending Drury, but not enough to get Drury terminated with the New York Rangers making two out of the last three Eastern Conference Finals prior to 2025.
    
    
    
    The New York Rangers could have Artemi Panarin as their first line left winger, Mika Zibanejad as their first line center, and Gabriel Perrault their 2023 first round as their first line right winger on a rookie deal. New York has Brennan Othmann their 2021 first round pick as their second line left winger, J.T. Miller as their second line center, and Alexis Lafreniere as their second line right winger whose a RFA in 2025 after being the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. New York has Johnny Brodzinski as their third line left winger, Vincent Trocheck as their third line center, and Will Cuylle a 2020 second round pick as their third line right winger New York has Adam Sykora their 2022 second round pick as their fourth line left winger, Sam Carrick as their fourth line center, and Jusso Parssinen their 2019 seventh round pick as a fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The New York Rangers have Adam Fox. New York traded their second and third best defensemen heading into the season by being sellers at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. Matthew Robertson a 2019 second round pick finally got some NHL experience playing on the top line with Adam Fox. K'Andre Miller and Will Borgen who signed a five year contract extension are the two second line defensemen. Braden Schneider, New York's 2020 first round pick and Carson Soucy on the thrid line. Even with these younger players having success on this blue-line all of these guys feel like stop gaps outside of Fox, Miller, Borgen, Schneider, and Soucy. New York needs to draft a defender in the first round to push not just the prospects, but some of the guys on their NHL roster, it feels like it is that dire of a need. New York can go best player available, and if their top player is a defender, a defenseman will be selected here.
    
    
    
    The New York Rangers gave Igor Shesterkyn their goalie an 8 year contract extension. After Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevsky, Jake Oettinger, and Sergei Bobrovsky, I'd argue he's still the fifth best goalie in the NHL even after his contract extension. Jonathan Quick got a one year extension. New York's 2020 fourth round pick Dylan Garand has had three good seasons in the AHL now on the Hartford Wolfpack and will probably be the backup goalie on the New York Rangers in 2026 unless Jonathan Quick retires.
    
    
    
    New York needs a first line center for the future. Luca Romano might be the guy to consider here.
    
    
    
    Luca Romano was drafted one spot after teammate Cameron Reid in the 2023 OHL Draft. Luca Romano looked good on film despite getting off to a rocky start.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 177 lb Luca Romano had 10 goals, 12 assists, 22 points, 8 penalty minutes, and a +1 +/- ratio as a rookie in 2023-2024. Luca Romano also had 0 goals, 5 assists, and 5 points in 10 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Luca Romano had 25 goals, 26 assists, 51 points, 22 penalty minutes, and a +5 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Luca Romano had 6 goals, 5 assists, and 11 points in 16 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Luca Romano has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Luca Romano needs to improve his defensive awareness, but he makes up for that with winning faceoffs. Luca Romano is the thirty fifth player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with experience on a first line.
    
    
    
44. Detroit Red Wings: Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University
    
    
    Detroit gets Sascha Boumedienne here. He's a consensus first round prospect in most scouting services, but he plays on a second line defense versus a first line defense. I cannot see Detroit passing on this defenseman from Sweden if he falls to thi point in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 175 lb Sascha Boumedienne had 3 goals, 24 assists, 27 points, 32 penalty minutes, and a +9 +/- ratio on the Youngstown Phantoms in 2023-2024. Sascha Boumedienne is going to Boston University this Fall. Sascha Boumedienne put on 7 lbs of muscle from his traansition from the USHL to the NCAA. Sascha Boumedienne had 3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points, 33 penalty minutes, and a +8 +/- ratio as a freshman at Boston University in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Sascha Boumedienne has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Sascha Boumedienne improved his penalty killing in a big way during his freshman season at Boston University. He fixed his biggest weakness at Boston University which was slap shot power.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Anaheim Ducks: Kristian Epperson, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
    
    
    Anaheim goes with the best player on the board here. Kristian Epperson is the top overager in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and out of every prospect here, Epperson is the 19-year-old with the strongest case to go in the top 32. That being said, I expect Kristian Epperson to get picked somewhere in the top half of the second round.
    
    
    
    The Saginaw Spirit had Kristian Epperson at left winger, Michael Misa at center, and Igor Chernysov the San Jose Sharks 2024 second round pick at right winger on the Saginaw Spirit first line. Zayne Parekh the Calgary Flames 2024 first round pick was the number one defenseman with Guo complimenting Parekh on the blue line. This team won the 2024 Memorial Cup, but failed to repeat getting bounced in the first round of the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 183 lb Kristian Epperson had 27 goals, 53 assists, 80 points, and a +45 +/- ratio in 58 games with the Saginaw Spirit in 2024-2025. Kristian Epperson had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 4 points in 5 games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Kristian Epperson has the speed, skating, 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. Kristian Epperson is the thirty sixth player with experience and potential to play on a top line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
46. Utah Mammoth: Kurban Limatov, D, UHC Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
    
    
    Utah drafts a defenseman in the second round of this years NHL Draft. Kurban Limatov was the only prospect from Russia to make the leap from the MHL to the KHL in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 198 lb Kurban Limatov had 8 goals, 15 assists, 23 points, 44 penalty minutes, and a +7 +/- ratio in 46 MHL games in 2024-2025. Kurban Limatov did well enough to get promoted to UHC Dynamo Moscow in the KHL where he played one KHL game in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Kurban Limatov has the 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. Kurban Limatov may not be a top line defenseman, but he has experience playing on the power play and being an effective penalty killer. Kurban Limatov can be a quarterback or sniper on the power play.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Vancouver Canucks: Pyotr Andreyanov, G, CSKA Moscow (KHL)
    
    
    Vancouver needs to draft a goalie. Arturs Silovs struggled as the backup to Thatcher Demko enters a contract year. I think it is time for Vancouver to draft a goalie that can be groomed to be the future starting goalie if Thatcher Demko tests Free Agency in 2026.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 207 lb Pyotr Andreyanov had a 1.75 goals against average, a .942 save percentage, 64 goals allowed, 1,041 saves, 3 shutouts, and a 23-6-6 record in 37 MHL starts in 2024-2025. Pyotr Andreyanov got promoted to the KHL on CSKA Moscow for 3 games, but did not play in the pipes during any of those three KHL games. CSKA Moscow owns Pyotr Andreyanov's rights until 2026-2027. The NHL team that drafts Pyotr Andreyanov will not be able to sign him to a rookie deal until the 2027 NHL Offseason.
    
    
    
    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. Pyotr Andreyanov checks off all ten boxes just like Joshua Ravensbergen and Jack Ivankovic.
    
    
    
48. Philadelphia Flyers: Max Psenicka, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts a defenseman here. Max Psenicka was drafted by the Kelowna Rockets in the 2024 CHL Import Draft, but he was traded to the Portland Winterhawks and became the Portland Winterhawks number one defenseman.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 177 lb Max Psenicka had 1 goal, 6 assists, and 7 points in 24 games with the Portland Winterhawks in 2024-2025. Max Psenicka had 1 goal, 7 assists, and 8 points in 18 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Max Psenicka 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. There are mainly highlights vs tape when it comes to Max Psenicka, but he helped his team score against Joshua Ravensbergen in the WHL Playoffs this year. Max Psenicka is the thirty seventh player with experience on the first line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Montreal Canadiens: Adam Benak, LW, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
    
    
    Montreal is going to have a really good first line with Juraj Slafkovsky as their first line left winger, Nick Suzuki as their first line center, and Cole Caufield as their first line right winger. All three of those forwards played all 82 games and all three forwards finished this season with 50 points in the regular season in 2023-2024. All three of those guys played 79 games and had 51 points in 2024-2025 with everyone on that top line under contract until 2030. Slafkovsky is versatile enough to play left winger or right winger and Cole Caufield is also versatile enough to play right winger or left winger.
    
    
    
    Montreal could have Patrick Laine their second line left winger under contract until 2026, Jake Evans is the second line center, and Brendan Gallagher as their second line right winger. Montreal has Josh Anderson as their third line left winger, Alex Newhook the second line center is an RFA in 2027 after being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft before being traded to Montreal, and Ivan Demidov their 2024 first round pick drafted fifth overall as their second line right winger after having Demidov first on their big board in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Montreal has a great top 9 with three really strong lines. Montreal has Emil Heineman as their fourth line left winger as Florida's 2020 second round pick was traded to Calgary before being to Montreal, Kirby Dach is the fourth line center, and Joshua Roy as a fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Montreal has Lane Hutson their 2022 second round pick who had 6 goals, 60 assists, and 66 points as a rookie with Hutson putting himself in the drivers seat to take the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year from Macklin Celebrini with Noah Dobson as their two first line defensemen. Montreal has Mike Mathewson and Kaiden Guhle their 2020 first round pick as their two second line defensemen. Alexander Carrier and Arber Xhekaj the number five defensemen on Montreal are now the two third line defensemen. Logan Mailloux Montreal's 2021 first round pick and David Reinbacher who was drafted fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft will remain in Montreal's prospect pool.
    
    
    
    Montreal has Samuel Montembault who went 16-15-9 in 40 games started with a 3.14 goals against average and a .903 save percentage with Montembault under contract until 2027. Cayden Primeau the backup goalie was awful having a goals against average of above 4.00 while posting an .870 save percentage in 11 games with Jakub Dobes a 2020 fifth round pick taking the backup goalie job from Cayden Primeau.
    
    
    
    Jacob Fowler went 61/64 on saves as the starting goalie for the Laval Rocket after leading the Youngstown Phantoms to a Clark Cup before the 2023 NHL Entry Draft following that up with two strong seasons at Boston College. I had a first round grade on Jacob Fowler when he was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Jacob Fowler is gonna be the Laval Rocket starting goalie next year. He could end up beating out Jakub Dobes for the backup goalie job in training camp, but Montreal also has the flexibility not to rush Jacob Fowler too if they want to keep Fowler in the AHL until Samuel Montembault's contract is up in 2027. I do believe Jacob Fowler is the starting goalie of the future and once he is starting for the Montreal Canadiens, the Montreal Canadiens will have a three year Stanley Cup Window from 2027 to 2030 assuming Jacob Fowler is starting by then if Samuel Montembault walks.
    
    
    
    Montreal drafts a forward here to stash and develop. Adam Benak has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger as he has the versatility to play all three forward role. Adam Benak was the Youngstown Phantoms third round pick in the 2024 USHL Draft, but he dominated to the point where he took the first line center job from both the Youngstown Phantoms first and second round picks in the 2024 USHL Draft after previously playing hockey on HC Plzen in the Extraliga league in the Czech Republic prior to joining the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL.
    
    
    
    The 5-7 194 lb Adam Benak had 17 goals, 42 assists, 59 points, 36 penalty minutes, and a +1 +/- ratio in 56 games with the Youngstown Phantoms in 2024-2025. Adam Benak had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in a 3 game series against the eventual 2025 Clarke Cup Champions, the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
    
    
    
    Some NHL scouts think he's one of the few small players that can make it work in the NHL. He got compared to Alex DeBrincat, Logan Stankoven, and Cole Caufield. Montreal's biggest need is at left winger, so Adam Benak gets drafted
    
    
    
    Adam Benak has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, passing, playmaking, 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 thirty eighth player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with experience on a top line.
    
    
    
50. New Jersey Devils: Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
    
    
    New Jersey has Ondrej Palat as their first line left winger, Jack Hughes their first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft as their first line center, and Jesper Bratt New Jersey's 2016 sixth round pick as their first line right winger. Timo Meier is the second line left winger, Nico Hischier the first pick in the 2017 NHL Draft is the second line center, and Stefan Noesen is their second line right winger. Paul Cotter is the third line left winger, Cody Glass is the third line center, and Dawson Mercer one of New Jersey's 2020 first round picks is the third line right winger. Kurtis Macdermid is the fourth line left winger, Shane Bowers is the fourth line center, and Nolan Foote is the fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes New Jersey's 2021 first round pick and the younger brother of Jack Hughes are the two first line defensemen on the New Jersey Devils. Simon Nemec who was drafted second overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and Brett Pesce are the two second line defensemean. Jonathan Kovacevic and Jonas Siegenhaler are the two third line defesneman.
    
    
    
    Jacob Markstrom is the starting goalie Nico Daws New Jersey's 2020 third round pick probably takes over for UFA Jake Allen as the backup goalie.
    
    
    
    New Jersey drafts a fourth line right winger to stash and develop for the future. Cameron Schmidt was drafted seventh overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2022 WHL Draft. Cameron Schmidt has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    The 5-7 161 lb Cameron Schmidt had 31 goals, 27 assists, and 58 points in 59 WHL games in 2023-2024. Cameron Schmidt had 2 goals, 0 assists, and 2 points in 5 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Cameron Schmidt had 40 goals, 38 assists, and 78 points in 61 WHL games in 2024-2025. Cameron Schmidt had 4 goals, 5 assists, and 9 points in the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Cameron Schmidt has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Cameron Schmidt needs to refine his slap shot as it is good enough to be effective at the WHL level, but its not an NHL level slap shot yet. Cameron Schmidt is the thirty ninth player in the 2025 NHL Draft with experience on a first line and some NHL Mock Drafts have him going in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Boston Bruins: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitifires (WHL)
    
    
    The Boston Bruins draft another center to stash and develop. Some have Jack Nesbitt going in the first round and even though I got a second round grade on Nesbitt, I cannot see him slipping any further. Jack Nesbitt was drafted twentieth overall in the 2023 OHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Jack Nesbitt had 25 goals, 39 assists, 64 points, and a +12 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Jack Nesbitt had 1 goal, 9 assists, and 10 points in 12 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Jack Nesbitt has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Jack Nesbitt is a great passer, but he needs to develop his shot.
    
    
    
52. Minnesota Wild: Conrad Fondrk, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Minnesota has Kirill Kaprizov their 2015 fifth round pick as their first line left winger, Marco Rossi Minnesota's 2020 first round pick as their first line center, and Matt Boldy their 2019 first round pick as their first line right winger with everyone on this top line under contract until 2026 when Kaprizov becomes a Free Agent, but Minnesota will probably prioritize Kaprizov and Rossi next Summer by getting their salaries sorted out. Marcus Foligno is the second line left winger, Joel Eriksson-Ek is the second line center, and Mats Zuccarello as their second line right winger. Minnesota has Liam Ohgren a 2022 first round pick is a third line left winger, Ryan Hartman as a third line center, and Vinny Hinostroza is Minnesota's third line right winger in a contract year. Minnesota has Marcus Foligno as a fourth line left winger, Danila Yurov their second 2022 first round pick is the fourth line center transitioning from right winger to center, and Yakov Trenin is their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Minnesota has Jared Spurgeon their team captain returning from a season ending injury and will also have Brock Faber as their two first line defensemen next season. Jonas Brodin, Minnesota's 2011 first round pick could play on the second line of Minnesota's defense with Zeev Buium, Minnesota's 2024 first round pick on Denver the National Champions in College Hockey in 2024. Minnesota's third line defense should feature Jacob Middleton and Zach Bogosian are the two third line defensemen. David Jiricek who Minnesota traded for after Columbus drafted him sixth overall in 2022 is your number seven defenseman in your prospect pool, Carson Lambos a 2021 first round pick, Minnesota also has Ryan O'Rourke a 2020 second round pick, and Aron Kiviharju a 2024 fourth round pick that had a conssensus first round grade in their prospect pool.
    
    
    
    Minnesota will have Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt Minnesota's 2021 first round pick with Wallstedt most likely replacing Marc-Andre Fleury in 2025.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 174 lb Conrad Fondrk had 13 goals, 10 assists, and 23 points in 2023-2024. Conrad Fondrk ony had 6 goals, 6 assists, and 12 points in 2024-2025. Conrad Fondrk is going to Boston University next Fall.
    
    
    
    Conrad Fondrk 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. This is the fortieth player with experience on the first line in the 2025 NHL Draft, but more of a long-term project that is going to take the NCAA route.
    
    
    
    
    
53. San Jose Sharks: Charlie Tretheway, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The 6-1 190 lb Charlie Tretheway had 4 goals, 10 assists, and 14 points in 33 games in 2023-2024. Charlie Tretheway had 2 goals, 7 assists, and 9 points in 24 USHL games in 2024-2025. Charlie Tretheway has one more year on the USNTDP before he enrolls into Boston University next Fall.
    
    
    
    Charlie Tretheway has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Charlie Tretheway has to develop his wrist shot at Boston University since his slap shot is good enough, but can get better. Charlie Tretheway improved his wrist shot power, but wrist shot accuracy remains an issue heading into college.
    
    
    
    Charlie Tretheway is raw, but is the forty first player with experience on a first line in the 2025 NHL Draft. San Jose might be able to develop him into a second line defenseman.
    
    
    
54. Calgary Flames: Carter Amico, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The 6-5 234 lb Carter Amico had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 4 USHL games before dealing with an injury in 2024-2025. Carter Amico has one more year of eligiblity on the United States National Team Developmental Program before enrolling at Boston University in 2026.
    
    
    
    Carter Amico has the versatility, skating, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carter Amico has to develop his shot, but everything else is there as he fights for the puck, can block shots, can steal the puck, and can hit hard.
    
    
    
    
    
55. Nashville Predators: Viktor Klingsell, LW, Skelleftea AIK (Elitserien)
    
    
    Nashville drafts another player from Sweden. Viktor Klingsell may warrant a flyer here.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 183 lb Viktor Klingsell had 17 goals, 22 assists, and 39 points with the Skelleftea AIK Under 20 Team in 43 games in 2024-2025. Viktor Klingsell had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 3 games in the SHL once known as Elitserien in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Viktor Klingsell has the 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. Viktor Klingsell dominated in a lot of hockey tournaments for Sweden.
    
    
    
56. Tampa Bay Lightning: Alexei Medvedev, G, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Lightning got this second round pick from the Los Angeles Kings. Tampa Bay does need defense, but I've also heard the Tampa Bay Lightning may look at one of the Russian goalies in this draft to groom behind Andrei Vasilevskiy.
    
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Lightning have Brandon Hagel as their first line left winger, Brayden Point their 2014 third round pick as their first line center, and Nikita Kucherov a 2011 second round pick as their first line right winger. Tampa Bay has Jake Guentzel as their second line left winger, Anthony Cirelli their 2015 third round pick as their second line center, and Oliver Bjorkstrand as their second line right winger. Tampa Bay has Gage Goncalves their second of two 2020 second round picks their third line left winger, Nick Paul as their third line center, and Darryn Raddysh as their third line right winger in a contract year. Tampa Bay has Zemgus Girgensons as their fourth line left winger, Yanni Gourde as their fourth line center, and Mitchell Chaffee as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Lightning have Victor Hedman their 2009 first round pick drafted second overall as the number one defenseman whose also the team captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ryan McDonagh as their two first line defenseman. Tampa Bay has Erik Cernak and J.J. Moser a 2021 second round pick as their two second line defensemen. Tampa Bay has Emil Martinesen-Lileberg and Maxwell Crosier as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Lightning have two goalies in Andrei Vasilevskiy their 2012 first round pick as their starting goalie. Jonas Johansson is the backup goalie. Tampa Bay also has 2024 seventh round pick Harrison Meneghin, a 2024 seventh round pick, and the MVP of the 2025 WHL Playoffs in their prospect pool after signing Meneghin to a rookie contract.
    
    
    
    Tampa Bay could go defense, but I heard they love the Russian goalies in this years NHL Draft. With the top two goalies on the board being Russian and Andrei Vasilevskiy turning 31 in July, I'm giving Tampa Bay a goalie here. London Knights goalie Alexei Medvedev could be a successor to Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa Bay.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 165 lb Alexei Medvedev had a 2.79 goals against average, a .912 save percentage, 91 goals allowed, 3 shutouts, and a 22-8-2 record in 32 OHL starts with 34 games played in 2024-2025. Alexei Medvedev could end up challenging Jack Ivankovic to be the first OHL goalie off the board in the second round.
    
    
    
    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. Alexei Medvedev checks off all ten boxes just like the other three goaies in the 2025 NHL Draft that I ranked ahead of him in Joshua Ravensbergen, Jack Ivankovic, and Pyotr Andreyanov.
    
    
    
    
    
57. Seattle Kraken: Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
    
    
    The Seattle Kraken go for value over need in the second round. Seattle is in a unique position where they can go for the best available player over need after the first round.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 194 lb Peyton Kettles was drafted sixth overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2022 WHL Draft. Peyton Kettles had 2 goals, 11 assists, 13 points, and a +19 +/- ratio in 61 WHL games in 2023-2024. Peyton Kettles had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Peyton Kettles had 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points, and a +0 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Peyton Kettles had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Peyton Kettles has the skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Peyton Kettles took over for Pittsburgh Penguins 2022 first round pick Owen Pickering as the number one defenseman on the Swift Current Broncos first line, but he needs to develop both his wrist shot and slap shot with both shooting power as well as shooting accuracy on those shots being the big area of improvement. Peyton Kettles is the forty second player with experience on a first line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
58. Vegas Golden Knights: Alex Huang, D, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
    
    
    The Vegas Golden Knights have Pavel Dorofeyev a 2019 third round pick they hit on as their first line left winger, Jack Eichel as their first line center entering a contract year, and Mark Stone as their first line right winger. Vegas has Brett Howden as their second line left winger, Tomas Hertl as their second line center, and Nicolas Roy as their second line right winger. Vegas has Ivan Barbashev as their third line left winger, William Karlsson as their third line center, and Keegan Kolesar as their third line right winger. Vegas has Trevor Connelly their 2024 first round pick as their fourth line left winger, Cole Schwindt as their fourth line center, and Reilly Smith as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Vegas has Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin as their two first line defenseman. Vegas has Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb as their two second line defenseman. Vegas has Zach Whitecloud and Nicolas Hague whose an RFA as their two third line defenseman. If Vegas does not want to give Hague an RFA offer, then Ben Hutton would take over. Vegas should have all six defensemen back next year assuming Hague signs his RFA. Lukas Cormier their 2020 third round pick regressed on the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL for the second year in a row.
    
    
    
    Vegas has Adin Hill as their starting goalie with Hill locked up until 2031. Akira Schmid is the backup goalie. Pavel Moysevich the goalie that Vegas drafted with the 2024 third round pick they got from the Washington Capitals in the Logan Thompson trade took a step back and regressed in the KHL this past season after dominating in his draft year.
    
    
    
    Taking all of the Vegas Golden Knights needs into consideration, I am going with a defenseman here. Alex Pietrangelo is a 2027 UFA. Zach Whitecloud and Brayden McNabb are both 2028 UFA's.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Alex Huang drafted fifth overall by the Chicoutgimi Sagueneens in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. Alex Huang had 8 goals, 28 assists, 36 points, 16 penalty minutes, an a -13 +/- ratio in 61 QMJHL games in 2023-2024. Alex Huang had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 8 games in the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs. Alex Huang had 7 goals, 33 assists, 40 points, 16 penalty minutes, and a +11 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Alex Huang had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 4 points in 11 games during the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Alex Huang has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. His shooting was great entering the QMJHL, but I haven't seen him shoot enough to dominate at the NHL level. He does have two years of experience as the number one defenseman on the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on their top line in the QMJHL. Alex Huang is the forty third player with experience on a first line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
59. Pittsburgh Penguins: Lucas Beckman, G, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
    
    
    Pittsburgh drafts a goalie to push Tristian Jarry, Alex Njelkovic, and Joel Blomqvist their 2020 second round pick that got rushed up to the NHL. Luckily for Pittsburgh, there's still one goalie on the board that checks all ten boxes you want in an NHL goalie.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 194 lb Lucas Beckman had a 1.32 goals against average, a .938 save percentage, 3 shutouts, and went 7-1 in 8 starts playing 9 games in 2023-2024. Lucas Beckman had a 2.65 goals against average, a .914 save percentage, 4 shutouts, a 31-18-2 record in 51 starts while playing 52 games , and 1,437 saves in 2024-2025. Lucas Beckman had a 2.57 goals against average, a .922 save percentage, and 1 shutout in 11 games during the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    I'm surprised that TSN's Craig Button is the only person who has him in the second round as none of the other 14 scouting services outside of Draft Utopia even have him listed in their NHL Draft Rankings with Button being the only other authority to have a second round grade on Lucas Beckman. NHL Central Scouting has him as the number two goalie in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft behind first round prospect Joshua Ravensbergen ranking Beckman as the second best North American goalie in teh 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    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. Lucas Beckman checks off all ten boxes just like the other four goaies in the 2025 NHL Draft that I ranked ahead of him in Joshua Ravensbergen, Jack Ivankovic, Pyotr Andreyanov, and Alexei Medvedev.
    
    
    
60. Anaheim Ducks: Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
    Anaheim can go for value over need in the second round with Winnipeg's second round pick. Henry Brzustewicz is the younger brother of Hunter Brzustewicz as Hunter was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft before being trade to Calgary in the Elias Lindholm trade that sent Lindholm to Vancouver in his contract year before he signed with Boston.
    
    
    
    Henry Brzustewicz was drafted by the Ottawa 67's in the first round of the 2023 OHL Draft. The London Knights gave up a first round pick, two second round picks, and a third round pick in the OHL Draft to acquire the rights to Henry Brzstewicz whose now a second line defenseman on the London Knights.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 203 lb Henry Brzustewicz had 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points, 20 penalty minutes, and a +7 +/- ratio in 52 games as a third line defenseman on the London Knights in 2023-2024. Henry Brzstewicz had 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points in 16 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs helping the London Knights win the 2024 OHL Cup. Henry Brzstewicz had 10 goals, 32 assists, 42 points, 77 penalty minutes, and a +24 +/- ratio in 67 OHL games after getting promoted from the third line defense to the second line defense in 2024-2025. Henry Brzstewicz had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 17 games during the OHL Playoffs helping the London Knights win the 2025 OHL Cup allowing the London Knights to repeat as OHL Champions. Henry Brzustewicz did play on the London Knights first line next to Sam Dickinson in the 2025 Memorial Cup round robin game against the Medicine Hat Tigers where Medicine Hat defeated London 3-1 after London took a 1-0 lead.
    
    
    
    Henry Brzustewicz has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He is fundamentally sound defensively while also being very effective as a penalty killer, but his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy needs refinement.
    
    
    
    
    
61. Boston Bruins: Michal Svrcek, LW, Brynas IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    The Boston Bruins got this second round pick from the Carolina Hurricanes. Drafting a left winger in case Brad Marchand doesn't return in Free Agency isn't a bad idea here.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 176 lb Michal Svrcek had 14 goals, 16 assists, an 30 points on the Brynas IF Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. Michal Svrcek had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points on Brynas IF in the SHL once known as Elitserien in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Michal Svrcek has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger with the versatiity to play all three forward roles. He's already shown he can play against men in Sweden's highest professional league.
    
    
    
    Michal Svrcek has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. His slap shot power and slap accuracy need work.
    
    
    
    He's under contract with Brynas IF until 2025-2026, but there is a +2 option clause in his contract meaning if the NHL team that drafts Michal Svrcek doesn't believe he's ready or if Brynas IF wants to bring him back to the SHL, Brynas has that option and Michal Svrcek could potentially stay in Sweden until 2028. He could also be on an AHL team as early as next season.
    
    
    
62. Chicago Blackhawks: Mace'o Phillips, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Chicago drafts a defenseman here to stash and develop for the future with the Dallas Stars second round pick. Mace'o Phillips is a big physical defenseman with offensive traits that will wow you.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 227 lb Mace'o Phillips had 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points in 25 USHL games. He's going to enroll at Minnesota this fall.
    
    
    
    Mace'o Phillips 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. Mace'o Phillips can go to Minnesota and develop there for a few years until he earns a first line role. Chicago wouldn't have to sign him to an entry level deal until 2028.
    
    
    
    
    
63. New Jersey Devils: Elijah Neuenschwander, G, HC Fribourg-Gotteron (National League A)
    
    
    New Jersey has Edmonton's second round pick. New Jersey drafts a goalie they can develop for the future behind Jacob Markstrom. New Jersey does have Mikhail Yegorov who came over to Boston University from Russia, last years 2024 second round pick. The goalie that New Jersey drafts would compete with Mikhail Yegorov to be Jacob Markstrom's successor down the road.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 192 lb Elijah Neuenschwander had a 2.24 goals against average and a .918 save percentage going 11-5 wih only 37 goals allowed in 17 games on the HC Friborug-Gotteron Under 20 Team. Elijah Neuenschwander will get promoted to National League A where he will play against men in Switzerland next season.
    
    
    
    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. Elijah Neuenschwander checks off all ten boxes just like the other five goaies in the 2025 NHL Draft that I ranked ahead of him in Joshua Ravensbergen, Jack Ivankovic, Pyotr Andreyanov, Alexei Medvedev, and Lucas Beckman.
    
    
    
64. Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthew Gard, C, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
    
    
    Toronto fired President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan two years after he fired GM Kyle Dubas and one year after he fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. Toronto is losing core players to Free Agency on top of this. General Manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube will have bigger roles.
    
    
    
    The Toronto Maple Leafs have Matthew Knies their 2021 second round pick as a first line left winger even though he's an RFA, Auston Matthews the first pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft as their first line center as well as team captain, and William Nylander Toronto's 2014 first round pick as a first line right winger. Toronto has Max Domi as their second line left winger, John Tavares as their second line center, and Pontus Holmberg as their second line right winger. Toronto could have Bobby McMann as their third line left winger, Scott Laughton as their third line center, and Easton Cowan their 2023 first round pick as their third line right winger. Toronto could have Nick Robertson their 2019 second round pick as a fourth line left winger, Roni Hirnoven a 2020 second round pick as their third line center as a fourth line center, and Ryan Reeves as a fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Toronto has Morgan Reilly their 2012 first round pick drafted fifth overall and Chris Tanev as their two first line defensemen. Toronto has Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe as their two second line defensemen. Toronto has Brandon Carlo and Simon Benoit as their two third line defensemen. Toroto has their top four defensemen for the next three years and all six defensemen for the next two years.
    
    
    
    Anthony Stolarz returns as the starting goalie in a contract year. Joseph Woll a 2016 third round pick entered the year as the starting goalie, but got demoted to backup goalie as Joseph Woll has two years left on his contract before he becomes a 2027 UFA.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 194 lb Matthew Gard had 7 goals, 11 assists, and 18 points in 2023-2024. Matthew Gard had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 7 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Matthew Gard had 19 goals, 17 assists, and 36 points in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Mathew Gard has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He is the forty forth player with experience on a first line as he played first line center in the film I watched scoring two goals for the Red Deer Rebels against the eventual WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers.