2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock Draft 7 Rounds

Round 3

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

65. Vancouver Canucks: Caeden Herrington, D, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
    
    
    Vancouver gets a defensemen with this third round pick from the San Jose Sharks. One of my gems in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and my biggest gem is Caeden Herrington the number one defenseman on the Lincoln Stars top defensive line in the USHL. The Lincoln Stars had the best USHL regular season record and Caeden Herrington was a big reason why.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 185 lb Caeden Herrington had 16 goals, 18 assists, 34 points, 67 penalty minutes, and a +18 +/- ratio in 56 USHL games in 2024-2025. Caeden Herrington had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 7 games during the 2025 USHL Playoffs. Caeden Herrington is going to Vermont on a hockey scholarship this Fall.
    
    
    
    Caeden Herrington 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. Caeden Herrington is the forty fifth player with experience on a first line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
66. Chicago Blackhawks: Jacob Rombach, D, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
    
    
    The Chicago Blackhawks use their third round pick on a defenseman. Jacob Rombach is a player that Chicago could stash and develop in the NCAA.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 201 lb Jacob Rombach was the Lincoln Stars first round pick in the 2023 USHL Draft. Jacob Rombach had 3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points, and a -8 +/- ratio as a rookie in 59 games in 2023-2024. Jacob Rombach had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 5 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs. Jacob Rombach had 3 goals, 15 assists, 18 points, and a +29 +/- ratio in 57 USHL games in 2024-2025. Jacob Rombach had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 7 games during the 2025 USHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Jacob Rombach has the skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Jacob Rombach needed to develop his slap shot power and slap shot accuracy coming out of the 2023 USHL Draft despite having the wrist shot down and that still hasn't been refined after two years. He got promoted from the Lincoln Stars third line as a rookie to their second line this season. Jacob Rombach is enrolling at Minnesota in the NCAA this Fall.
    
    
    
    
    
67. Nashville Predators: Theo Stockselius, C, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    The Nashville Predators draft another player from Sweden. Theo Stockselius iss a great addition here.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Theo Stockselius had 22 goals, 29 assists, and 51 points on the Djurgradens IF Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. Theo Stockselius is a cerebral tactition.
    
    
    
    Theo Stockselius has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, and offensive awareness to succeed in the NHL. He's got to improve his shot in terms of both shooting power as well as shooting accuracy on both wrist shots in addition to slap shots, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ are also areas of improvement.
    
    
    
68. Philadelphia Flyers: Artyom Vilchinsky, D, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts for value in the third round. Artyom Vilchinsky is a player that was a first round prospect in the preseason, but slid to the third round.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 193 lb Artyom Vilchinsky had 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points, and a +32 +/- ratio as a first line defenseman on SKA Saint Petersburg's MHL team despite not playing in the KHL in 2023-2024. Artyom Vilchinsky had 0 goals, 12 assists, and 12 points in 51 MHL games in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Artyom Vilchinsky has the 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. Artyom Vilchinsky is the forty sixth player with experience on a first line in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
69. Boston Bruins: Luka Radivojovec, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
    The 5-10 161 lb Luka Raivojovec had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 6 games with Orebro HK against men his own age in 2023-2024. Luka Radivojovec went to the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL and had 3 goals, 19 assists, 22 points, and a +13 +/- ratio in 38 USHL games in 2024-2025. Luka Radivojovec had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 4 games during the 2025 USHL Playoffs on the eventual 2025 Clarke Cup Winner in the USHL.
    
    
    
    Luka Radivojovec has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Luka Radivojovec needs to develop his shot, but he could be in the NHL by 2027 or 2028 with the right development path as Luka Radivojovec is going to Boston College this Fall.
    
    
    
70. New York Rangers: Cole McKinney, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    New York drafts a center for depth. Cole McKinney makes a lot of sense at this point in the third round.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 198 lb Cole McKinney had 15 goals, 11 assists, and 26 points in 23 games with the USNTDP team in the USHL in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Cole McKinney 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. Cole McKinney needs to develop his slap shot power and slap shot accuracy. He's excellent at winning face offs and was the first line penalty killer on the USNTDP. Cole McKinney is enrolling at Michigan this Fall.
    
    
    
    
    
71. Buffalo Sabres: Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
    
    
    Buffalo drafts a winger here. Alexander Zharovsky is the consensus best prospect from Russia that plays in the MHL, VHL, and KHL in Russia in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 163 lb Alexander Zharovsky had 25 goals, 25 assists, and 50 points in the MHL in 2024-2025. Alexander Zharovsky has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger.
    
    
    
    Alexander Zharovsky has the skating, foot speed, and versatility. He did not impress me as a passer, shooter, or defender when watching his tape.
    
    
    
72. Anaheim Ducks: Eric Nilson, RW, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    Anaheim goes with a right winger they can stash and develop. Eric Nilsson played in Sweden, but accepted a hockey scholarship to Michigan State this Fall.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 154 lb Eric Nilson had 12 goals, 24 assists, and 36 points on the Djurgardens IF Under 20 Team. Eric Nilson has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger. Even though he projects as a center, Eric Nilson mainly played right winger in the tape I saw. He is taking the NCAA route and will enroll at Michigan State this Fall.
    
    
    
    Eric Nilson has the skating, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, and passing. Outside of his skating, and passing, his shooting and defense is a project. You could be looking at a bottom six right winger in the NHL, if you can fix his weaknesses, but at this point, he's a project who will need to prove himself at Michigan State and in the AHL by the NHL team that drafts him.
    
    
    
    
    
73. Pittsburgh Penguins: Mateo Nobert, C, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
    
    
    Pittsburgh gets a center prospect for the future. Mateo Nobert was drafted third overall by Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the 2023 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 166 lb Mateo Nobert had 28 goals, 39 assists, 67 points, 24 penalty minutes, and a +1 +/- ratio in 57 QMJHL games in 2024-2025. Mateo Nobert had 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points in 4 games during the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Mateo Nobert has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the NHL. He's got to add some muscle while improving as a skater too, but most of the traits you want from a playmaker are there. Mateo Nobert is the forty seventh player with experience on a first line in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as he was linemates with first round prospect Justin Carbonneau.
    
    
    
74. New York Islanders: Will Horcoff, LW, Michigan
    
    
    The New York Islanders get a left winger to stash and develop. Michigan third line left winger Will Horcoff has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 181 lb Will Horcoff had 4 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points as a freshman at Michigan in 2024-2025. Will Horcoff projects as a center in the NHL, but mainly played left winger at Michigan.
    
    
    
    Will Horcoff has the 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. Will Horcoff had a 1 goal and 1 assist in his debut with Michigan against Ohio State.
    
    
    
    
    
75. Detroit Red Wings: Ethan Czata, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
    
    
    Detroit owns the New York Rangers third round pick. Detroit drafts another center to stash and develop for the future.
    
    
    
    Ethan Czata was drafted fifth overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2023 OHL Draft. The Niagara IceDogs drafted two centers in the top 5 that year in Ryan Roobroeck the top center in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and Ethan Czata.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 175 lb Ethan Czata had 21 goals, 34 assists, and 55 points in 68 OHL games in 2024-2025. Ethan Czata had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 5 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Ethan Czata has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ethan Czata's shooting is good enough to make an impact in the OHL, but it still needs refinement as this playmaker center has an NHL ready pass, but not an NHL ready shot. His sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy all needs refinement. The NHL team that drafts Ethan Czata can let him develop these traits in the OHL for two more seasons.
    
    
    
    Ethan Czata was a second line center behind Ryan Roobroeck. When Ryan Roobroeck moved over to first line left winger, Ethan Czata was the Niagara IceDogs first line center. His floor is a second line center in the AHL and his ceiling is a first line center in the NHL, so realisitically you are probably getting a third line center in the NHL if he develops. Ethan Czata is the forty eighth player in the 2025 NHL Draft with experience playing on a first line.
    
    
    
76. Detroit Red Wings: L.J. Mooney, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Detroit gets a right winger here. L.J. Mooney's main position is right winger, but he has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. He actually won a faceoff in the game I watched where the USNTDP played the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. He also intercepted a pass intended for Tynan Lawrence a 2026 first round prospect on the 2025 USHL Clarke Cup Champion Muskegon Lumberjacks.
    
    
    
    The 5-7 157 lb L.J. Mooney is from West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. L.J. Mooney dominated with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Under 16 AAA Team at the UPMC Mario Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, PA with 33 goals, 47 assists, and 80 points in 2022-2023. L.J. Mooney got invited to the United States National Team Developmental Program after his dominant season on the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Under 16 AAA Team.
    
    
    
    L.J. Mooney had 10 goals, 13 assists, and 23 points in 32 USHL games in 2023-2024. L.J. Mooney had 5 goals, 23 assists, and 28 points in 2024-2025. L.J. Mooney has one more year of eligibility with the United States National Team Developmental Program in 2025-2026 before he heads off to College at Minnesota in 2026-2027.
    
    
    
    L.J. Mooney has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. L.J. Mooney was the first line right winger on the USNTDP in the USHL and is the forty ninth player with experience on the first line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
77. Colorado Avalache: Emile Guite, LW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche have Gabriel Landeksog their team captain as well as their first round pick drafted second overall in the 2011 NHL Draft as their first line left winger, Nate MacKinnon Colorado's first overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, and Martin Necas as their first line right winger. Colorado could have Arturri Lehkonen as their second line left winger, Brock Nelson as their second line center, and Valeri Nichushkin as their second line right winger. Colorado could have Parker Kelly as their third line left winger if Jonathan Drouin leaves, Jack Drury as their third line center, and Logan O'Conner as their third line right winger. Colorado has Oskar Olausson their 2021 first round pick and Gavin Brindley competing for the fourth line right winger job.
    
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche have Cale Makar their 2017 first round pick drafted fourth overall and Devon Toews as their two first line defensemen. Colorado has Samuel Girard and Josh Manson as their two second line defensemen. Colorado could have Keaton Middleton and John Ludvig as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    Colorado has Mackenzie Blackwood as their starting goalie. Scott Wedgewood is the backup goalie.
    
    
    
    Colorado needs a fourth line left winger and a fourth line center to round out their lineup in the worst way possible with the worst prospect pool in the entire NHL. Emile Guite was a preseason first round prospect and could be an option for Columbus in the third round. Emile Guite was drafted second overall by the Chicoutimi Sagueens and was drafted right after Caleb Desnoyers in the a 2023 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 176 lb Emile Guite had 25 goals, 32 assists, 57 points, and a -7 +/- ratio in 61 games winning QMJHL Rookie Of The Year over Caleb Desnoyers in 2023-2024. Emile Guite had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs. Emile Guite had 16 goals, 14 assists, 30 points, and a +7 +/- ratio in 59 QMJHL games in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Emile Guite has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, vision, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy. offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Emile Guite has most of the first round traits you want in a winger as he's versatile enough to play both left winger and right winger. The big knock with Emile Guite entering his draft year was he needed to develop his shot. He successfully managed to refine his shooting power as well as shooting accuracy on both wrist shots and slap shots despite a going from 57 points as a rookie to 30 points in his draft year.
    
    
    
    Emile Guite was a second line left winger as a rookie. He showed enough potential as a rookie to get promoted to the first line. He ended up getting demoted to third line left winger. He was on the Chicoutimi Sagueneens power play this year where he scored a goal on the Quebec Remparts. Emile Guite is not a player with first line experierence, but he can be a power play ace at left winger or right winger on an NHL teams first or second line power play.
    
    
    
78. Utah Mammoth: Vojtech Cihar, LW, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Extraliga)
    
    
    Utah drafts a forward to stash and develop. Vojtech Cihar has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Vojtech Cihar had 4 goals, 5 assists, and 9 points in 43 games for HC Energie Karlovy Vary in Extraliga against men in the Czech Republic in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Vojtech Cihar has the skating, foot speed, versatility, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Vojtech Cihar needs to develop his slap shot power and slap shot accuracy.
    
    
    
    
    
79. Montreal Canadiens: Lasse Boelius, D, Assat (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Montreal drafts a defenseman to add to their prospect pool with the third round pick they got from Vancouver. Lasse Boelius is the top skater from Finland in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Lasse Boelius had 4 goals, 14 assists, and 18 points in 34 games with the Assat Under 20 Team before he got promoted to Assat's main roster in 2024-2025. Lasse Boelius had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 7 games with Assat in in Ligga once known as SM Liiga in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Lasse Boelius has the skating, playmkaing, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ. He can get physical with forwards by hitting them and and can also block shots effectively. He has more experience on the power play versus the penalty killing unit. Lasse Boelius will be under contract with Assat until 2026-2027. The NHL organization that drafts Lasse Boelius does not have too sign him to an entry level contract until 2027.
    
    
    
80. Calgary Flames: Philippe Veilloux, LW, Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
    
    
    Calgary drafts a forward. Philippe Veilloux was the Val-d'Or Foreurs first of two first round picks that was drafted eleventh overall in the 2023 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 168 lb Philippe Veilloux was a center entering the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He mainly played left winger and right winger on the Val-d'Or Foreurs in the QMJHL. Philippe Veilloux has the versatility to play all three forward spots at left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    Philippe Veilloux had 14 goals, 33 assists, 47 points, 12 penalty minutes, and a -37 +/- ratio in 68 QMJHL games in 2023-2024. Philippe Veilloux had 40 goals, 47 assists, 87 points, 16 penalty minutes, and a -9 +/- ratio in 64 QMJHL games in 2024-2025. Philippe Veilloux had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 6 points in 5 games during the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Philippe Veilloux 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. Philippe Veilloux is the fiftieth player with experience on the first line in the 2025 NHL Draft. I think Philppe Veilloux has a similar skill set to former Calgary Flames left winger Johnny Gaudreau.
    
    
    
    
    
81. Montreal Canadiens: Zachary Morin, RW, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
    
    
    Montreal drafts a highly upside prospect that slipped through the cracks. Zachary Morin has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger in all three forward roles. Zachary Morin had 58 goals, 72 assists, and 130 points in 77 games on the Little Ceasar's Under 15 AAA Team in 2022-2023. Zachary Morin was a first round pick by the Youngstown Phantoms in the 2023 USHL Draft. He also got drafted by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada ninteenth overall in the first round of the 2023 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Zachary Morin signed a tender with the Youngstown Phantoms. The 6-1 181 lb Zachary Morin had 8 goals, 11 assists, 19 points, 114 penalty minutes, and a +0 +/- in 2023-2024. Zachary Morin had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 7 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    The Saint John Sea Dogs drafted Zachary Morin in the eighth round of the 2025 QMJHL Draft. Zachary Morin only had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 4 USHL games in 2024-2025 before signing his QMJHL contract with the Saint John Sea Dogs. Zachary Morin posted 16 goals, 20 assists, 36 points, 21 penalty minutes, and a -15 +/- ratio in 56 QMJHL games working his way up to first line left winger on the worst team in the entire QMJHL in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Zachary Morin 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 fifty first player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with experience on a top line.
    
    
    
82. Montreal Canadiens: Tomas Poletin, C, Lahti Pelicans (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Montreal uses this third round draft pick from the New Jersey Devils to draft another forward to stash and develop. Tomas Poletin was born in the Czech Republic, but he has the versatlity to play left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 196 lb Tomas Poletin had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in SM Liiga in 2024-2025. He did well against players his own age, but struggled against older players. This is often an inndicator of an AHL player versus a prospect with upside to develop into an NHL prospect.
    
    
    
    
    
83. Edmonton Oilers: Shamar Moses, RW, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
    
    
    Edmonton got this pick from the St. Louis Blues in the trade that sent their 2019 and 2020 first round picks Phillip Broberg and Dylan Holloway to the St. Louis Blues.
    
    
    
    The Edmonton Oilers have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins their first overall pick from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft as their first line left winger, Connor McDavid their team captain was the first pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft with McDavid being Edmonton's first line center, and Zach Hyman as their first line right winger. Edmonton has Matthew Savoie as their second line left winger, Leon Drasaitil their 2014 first round pick drafted third overall as their second line center, and Vasily Podkolzin as their second line right winger. Edmonton hase Matias Janmark as their third line left winger, Trent Frederic as their third line center after being the second center to agree to an eight year deal along with Leon Drasaitl, and Viktor Arvidsson as their third line right winger. Edmonton has Max Jones their fourth line left winger, Noah Philp as their fourth line center, and David Tomasek as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Edmonton has Evan Bouchard their 2018 first round pick as their first line defenseman who should be back despite being an RFA and Darnell Nurse their 2013 first round pick is still under contract as the other first line defenseman. Matias Ekholm and Troy Stetcher will be the two second line defensemen. Jake Walman and Brett Kulak willbe the two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    Stuart Skinner, Edmonton's 2017 third round pick began the season as the starting goalie. He got benched for Calvin Pickard in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Both goalies will be back for Edmonton next season with Pickard entering a contract year and Skinner with two years left on his contract.
    
    
    
    Edmonton will need more bodies at right winger, but it looks like the Edmonton Oilers remain a force in the Western Conference as long as they can give their core guys long-term contracts.
    
    
    
    Shamar Moses was drafted ninteenth overall by the Barrie Colts in the 2023 OHL Draft. Shamar Moses got traded to the North Bay Battalion early into this season where he emerged with the North Bay Battalion finishing third on the team in points.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 200 lb Shamar Moses had 12 goals, 36 assists, and 48 points in 61 OHL games in 2024-2025. Shamar Moses had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 5 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Shamar Moses has the passing, playmaking, 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. Shamar Moses was a former first baseman that was his teams cleanup batter batting fourth in baseball. Shamar Moses is the fifty second player with experience on the first line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
84. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jan Chovan, C, Tappara (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Pittsburgh goes for value over need with Minnesota's third round pick. Jan Chovan is one of the top prospects from Finland in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 187 lb Jan Chovan had 11 goals, 12 assists, and 23 points on the Tappara Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. He could be on an AHL team of the NHL team that drafts him as early as 2026. Jan Chovan has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    Jan Chovan has the skating, versatility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Jan Chovan could be a decent bottom six center down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
85. Pittsburgh Penguins: Brandon Gorzynski, LW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
    
    
    Pittsburgh owns Ottawa's third round pick. Brandon Gorzynski is a player that played at the Mario Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry prior to the 2022 WHL Draft. Pittsburgh has more intel on him than any other NHL team and they might roll the dice on Brandon Gorzynski with one of their third round picks.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 181 lb Brandon Gorzynski was drafted fifteenth overall by the Calgary Hitmen in the 2022 WHL Draft. Brandon Gorzynski had 17 goals, 25 assists, and 42 points in 68 WHL games in 2024-2025. Brandon Gorzynski had 4 goals, 4 assists, and 8 points in 11 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Brandon Gorzynski 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. Brandon Gorzynski is the fifty third player in the 2025 NHL Draft with experience on a top line as Brandon Gorzynski complimented Benjamin Kindel on the Calgary Hitmen's first line.
    
    
    
86. San Jose Sharks: Reese Hamilton, D, Regina Pats (WHL)
    
    
    San Jose gets another defensemen that can potentially compete for a second or third line role on the San Jose Sharks defense. Reese Hamilton was drafted fourth overall by the Calgary Hitmen in the 2022 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Reese Hamilton had 8 goals, 23 assists, and 31 points in 2023-2024. Reese Hamilton had 4 goals, 10 assists, and 14 points after getting traded from the Calgary Hitmen to the Regina Pats in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Reese Hamilton has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Reese Hamilton has to develop his shot.
    
    
    
    
    
87. Carolina Hurricanes: Arvid Drott, RW, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    Carolina gets a right winger. Arvid Drott could go as early as the second round and as late as the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Arvid Drott had 18 goals, 18 assists, and 36 points with the Djurgardens IF Under 20 Team in 40 games in 2024-2025. Arvid Drott scored the game winning goal in overtime against the Farjestads BK Under 20 Team scoring against a line that featured Malte Vass.
    
    
    
    Arvid Drott has the skating, foot speed, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Arvid Drott needs to develop a slap shot, but has the other traits you want a forward to have at the NHL level. You are looking at a player with the floor of a fourth line NHL right winger and the ceiling of a second line right winger meaning he could be a future third line right winger on the NHL team that drafts him.
    
    
    
88. Los Angeles Kings: Malte Vass, D, Farjestads BK (Elitserien)
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings draft a defenseman. Malte Vass makes a lot of sense here.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 185 lb Malte Vass had 2 goals, 9 assists, and 11 points on the Farjestads BK Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. Malte Vass had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 5 SHL games in 2024-2025. Malte Vass was known for his skating and passing on film.
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89. New York Rangers: Bryce Pickford, D, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
    
    
    The New York Rangers go for value over need in the third round. New York can draft the best player available. Bryce Pickford led the Seattle Thunderbirds and Medicine Hat Tigers to the Ed Choynoth Cup winning two WHL Championships with two different teams.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 190 lb Bryce Pickford had 20 goals, 27 assists, 47 points, and a +34 +/- ratio in 48 games played in 2024-2025. Bryce Pickford had 13 goals, 11 assists, and 24 points in 18 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Bryce Pickford has the skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, 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. Bryce Pickford was the number three defenseman anchoring the Medicine Hat Tigers second line, but he was the number one defenseman on the power play playing on the top line with Gavin McKenna on the Medicine Hat Tigers power play as the 19 year old defenseman broke out this past season. Bryce Pickford only has one more WHL season left and will be ready to make an impact with the NHL team that drafts him in the AHL by 2026.
    
    
    
90. New Jersey Devils: Tomas Pobezal, C, HK Nitra (Tipos)
    
    
    The New Jersey Devils use this third round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights to get the best player on their board. Tomas Pobezal is the best player playing in Tipos, the professional hockey league in Slovakia. This is the same place Simon Nemec the New Jersey Devils 2022 first round pick that was drafted second overall played.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 179 lb Tomas Pobezal had 15 goals, 8 assists, and 23 points in 42 games for HK Nitra in the Tipos league in 2024-2025. Tomas Pobezal was also the team captain for Slovakia at the World Junior Championships each of the last two seasons.
    
    
    
    Tomas Pobezal has the skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, 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 is the one player that has proven to me he can score in a penalty shootout, so he might be the best penalty shot player in the entire 2025 NHL Draft. He is an international player that could go straight to the AHL as early as this season.
    
    
    
    
    
91. Vegas Golden Knights: Michal Pradel, G, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
    
    
    Vegas got this third round pick from the Washington Capitals in the Logan Thompson trade. Vegas got two third round picks in that trade and drafted Pavel Moysevich a goalie from Russia with the first of those two second round picks. He regressed though and Vegas might draft another goalie for insurance in case Pavel doesn't break through.
    
    
    
    There are still four more goalies that check off all ten boxes on film still on the board after six goalies were drafted in the first two rounds of my 2025 NHL Mock Draft. None of those goalies have a save percentage of .900, but Michal Pradel has an .899 save percentage which is by far and away the best save percentage of the three goalies left that check these boxes.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 194 lb Michal Pradel had a 2.41 goals against average, a .899 save percentage, 1 shutout, and went 9-4 in 13 starts with 1 game played as a backup wih only 33 goals allowed in 14 games on the Tri-City Storm in 2024-2025. Michal Pradel posted a 2.06 goals against average and a .944 save percentage in his one game where he started for the Tri-City Storm in the 2025 USHL Playoffs where the Tri-City Storm lost.
    
    
    
    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. Michal Pradel checks off all ten boxes just like the other six goaies in the 2025 NHL Draft that I ranked ahead of him in Joshua Ravensbergen, Jack Ivankovic, Pyotr Andreyanov, Alexei Medvedev, Lucas Beckman, and Elijah Neuenschwander.
    
    
    
    Michal Pradel hasn't decided what college to go to. The only thing that needs improvement in his game is save percentage in the regular season, and with another season on the Tri-City Storm before he goes to college in 2026, he probably gets it. Also, Vegas will not have to sign Michal Pradel to an NHL entry level contract until 2029, maybe 2030 if Pradel plays all four years in College, but my guess is he plays one more year of USHL and 2 or 3 years of College Hockey.
    
    
    
92. Winnipeg Jets: Sam Laurila, D, Fargo Force (USHL)
    
    
    Winnipeg continues to load up on defense. Sam Laurila is one of the better players in the USHL that was a first line defensemen in the USHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 184 lb Sam Laurila spent two sesasons on the United States National Team Developmental Program where he started out as a third line defenseman in 2022-2023 before being promoted to a second line defenseman in 2023-2024. He finally left the USNTDP and spent this past season on the Fargo Force where he was the number two defenseman on the Fargo Force first line. Sam Laurila had 8 goals, 33 assists, 41 points, 46 penalty minutes, and a +0 +/- ratio in 57 USHL games with the Fargo Force in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Sam Laurila has the speed, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He is fundamentally sound defensively described by scouts as a defensive defender. Sam Laurila is the fifty fourth player with experience on a first line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
93. Washington Capitals: Hayden Paupanekis, C, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
    
    
    The Washington Capitals own the Carolina Hurricanes third round pick. Washington goes with the best player available.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 203 lb Hayden Paupanekis had 22 goals, 21 assists, and 43 points in 2024-2025. Hayden Paupanekis started out on the Spokane Chiefs before getting traded to the Kelowna Rockets midseason.
    
    
    
    Hayden Paupanekis has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, 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.
    
    
    
    Hayden Paupanekis had more goals than assists, but his passing is more refined than his shot. Hayden Paupanekis is the fifty fifth player with experience playing on the first line in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
94. Dallas Stars: Jimmy Lombardi, C, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
    
    
    The Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill won the Jim Gregory Award for NHL GM of the Year for the third year in a row with Peter DeBoer getting fired for pulling starting goalie Jake Oettinger. Edmonton Oilers assistant head coach Glen Gulutzan who coached the Dallas Stars from 2011-2013 is the new Dallas Stars head coach as Glen Gulutzan was the Edmonton Oilers assistant head coach from 2018-2025.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Jason Robertson a 2017 second round pick as their first line left winger, Roope Hintz a 2015 second round pick as their first line center, and Mikko Rantanen who the Dallas Stars got at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline as their first line right winger. Dallas has their team captain Jamie Benn as their second line left winger, Matt Duchene as their second line center, and Tyler Seguin, the first player Jim Nill traded for as the Dallas Stars GM as their second line right winger. Dallas has Oskar Back a 2018 third round pick as their third line left winger if he's not traded, Wyatt Johnston as a 2021 first round pick, as their third line center, and Maverick Bourque their 2020 first round pick as their third line right winger. Dallas has Antonio Stranges their 2020 fourth round pick that I was high on as a fourth line left winger, Sam Steel as their fourth line center, and Matej Blumel as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Miro Heiskanen the Dallas Stars 2017 first round pick who was drafted third overall anchoring the blue line with Thomas Harley the Dallas Stars 2019 first round pick complimenting Miro Heiskanen on the Dallas Stars first line. Dallas has Esa Lindell a 2012 third round pick that got extended and Lian Bichsel their 2022 first round pick on the second line. Ilya Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba will be the third line defenseman with Alex Petrovich and Nils Lundqvist as a defenseman for insurance as an RFA in 2025-2026. Dallas also still has Christian Kyrou and Tristan Bertucci their two second round picks from 2022 and 2023 in the prospect pool developing and one of those guys could end up supplanting Nils Lundqvist if Dallas lets Brendan Smith l walk like I them too. Aram Minnetan was the Dallas Stars 2023 fourth round pick and he enters his junior year at Boston College.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Jake Oettinger their second 2017 first round pick as the starting goalie. Casey DeSmith is the backup goalie.
    
    
    
    Dallas only has 0.98 million for this upcoming season after extending Duchene, Benn, Bourque,and Lundqvist. Dallas traded Mason Marchement and reloaded.
    
    
    
    My best player available at this spot is Flint Firebirds first line center Jimmy Lombardi. The Flint Firebirds 2023 second round pick is better than advertised.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 175 lb Jimmy Lombardi had 7 goals, 13 assists, 20 points, 12 penalty minutes, and a -11 +/- ratio in 62 OHL games as a rookie in 2023-2024. He had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 4 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Jimmy Lombardi had 13 goals, 32 assists, 45 points, 42 penalty minutes, and a -4 +/- ratio in 63 OHL games in 2024-2025. Jimmy Lombardi had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 5 games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Jimmy Lombardi 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. Jimmy Lombardi won faceoffs against Michael Misa consistently going 9/13 on face offs againt Michael Misa whose projected to go second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. He can crash the boards, hit forwards, or block shots defensively. He had 3 assists with 2 coming on the power play with the other assist coming on a short handed goal and is a dominant penalty killer. Saginaw led Flint 3-1 and he led the Flint Firebirds to a comeback win defeating Saginaw 6-3. Jimmy Lombardi is the fifty sixth player with first line experience in the 2025 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Jimmy Lombardi is going to Michigan this fall to play college hockey. That will not stop the Dallas Stars from drafting him with Roope Hintz, Matt Duchene, and Wyatt Johnston locked into the top 3 lines. I think Jimmy Lombardi could be an eventual replacement to Sam Steel when he becomes a UFA in 2027.
    
    
    
    
    
95. San Jose Sharks: Ondrej Stebetak, G, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
    
    
    San Jose owns Edmonton's third round pick. San Jose gets a goalie for the future in case Yaroslav Askarov doesn't work out.
    
    
    
    There are still three more goalies that check off all ten boxes on film still on the board. Those three goalies are Ondrej Stebetak, Patrik Kerkola, and Gabriel D'Aigle. Ondrej Stebetak made the first round of my preseason NHL Mock Draft, so he will be the guy that gets penciled into San Jose at 95.
    
    
    
    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. Ondrej Stebetak led the Czech Republic to a shutout over Canada at an Under 18 World Tournament game back in 2024 and he checked off all ten boxes in that upset win over Canada.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 176 lb Ondrej Stebetak posted a 3.20 goals against average and a .920 save percentage in 2023-2024. Ondrej Stebetak got drafted by the Portland Winterhawks in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Ondrej Stebetak had a .891 save percentage, a 3.72 goals against average, 155 goals allowed, 1,263 saves, and posted a 23-18-3 record in 47 games as the Portland Winterhawks starting goalie in 2024-2025. Ondrej Stebetak had a .887 save percentage, a 4.21 goals against average, and went 12-5 in his 17 starts in the 2025 WHL Playoffs helping the Portland Winterhawks eliminate the Everett Silvertips who had the WHL's best record in the regular season before losing to the Spokane Chiefs in the Western Conference Finals of the WHL.
    
    
    
    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. Ondrej Stebetak checks off all ten boxes just like the other seven goaies in the 2025 NHL Draft that I ranked ahead of him in Joshua Ravensbergen, Jack Ivankovic, Pyotr Andreyanov, Alexei Medvedev, Lucas Beckman, Elijah Neuenschwander, and Michal Pradel.
    
    
    
    Ondrej Stebetak has two more years of time to develop in the WHL. Then he will go to the AHL for the NHL team that drafts him.
    
    
    
96. Ottawa Senators: Daniil Prokohorov, RW, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL)
    
    
    Ottawa grabs a right winger to add to their prospect pool. Some believe Danill Prokhorov could be the second best player from Russia in the 2025 NHL Draft, so drafting Danill Prokhorov this late in the third round is incredible value.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 209 lb Danill Prokhorov had 20 goals, 7 assists, and 27 points in the MHL in 2024-2025. Some have a second round grade on Prokhorov, but I wasn't very impressed with his tape. He might fall to the third round due to his inconsistent play, but I don't see him dropping all the way to the fourth round. Nothing really impressed me about Danill Prokhorov when watching his MHL tape.