2025 NHL Draft Results

Round 1 Picks 1-16

The 2025 NHL Draft is headlined by Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer. There's also some other top talent at center like Michael Misa and Caleb Desnoyers. Porter Martone is the top winger in the 2025 NHL Draft.

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

1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   The New York Islanders failed to meet expectations as I figured this team would win a playoff series. Instead they had the tenth worst record due to Noah Dobson going from 70 to 39 points along with Matthew Barzal dealing with an injury before the New York Islanders traded Noah Dobson for two first round picks. New York did move up from 10 to 1 by winning the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery. This is the first time the New York Islanders are picking first overall since 2009 when the New York Islanders drafted center John Tavares over defenseman Victor Hedman. Tavares left the New York Islanders to go to Toronto and now Tavares will be a UFA once again, so New York could get Tavares back. My point is Hedman had a longer career with the team that drafted him than Tavares. That's why passing on the consensus best player in Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer does not feel like a decision the New York Islanders can make.
   
   
   
   The New York Islanders fired Lou Lammarillo, but hired Mathieu Darche the assistant GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning to be the New York Islanders new GeneralManager. Patrick Roy remains the head coach after taking the New York Islanders to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs after being hired as Lane Lambert's replacement in the midseason. Mathieu Darche will see Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer as his version of Victor Hedman which is why I cannot see the New York Islanders passing on Matthew Schaefer at 1. There's a 10 percent chance Saginaw Spirit center Michael Misa goes first overall with him being the consensus second best plyer, there's a 5 percent chance Brampton Steelheads right winger Porter Martone goes first overall, and a 5 percent chance Boston College center James Hagens, who grew up an Islanders fan, and was the preseason number one prospect ends up being a New York Islander. Those percentages could change depending on which GM the New York Islanders, but right now Matthew Schaefer is going to be the pick and everyone outside of those 4 has pretty much no shot of going first overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   The New York Islanders have Anders Lee as their first line left winger entering a contract year, Bo Horvat as their first line center, and Matthew Barzal as their first line right winger. New York has Jonathan Drouin as their second line left winger, Jean Gabriel-Pageau as their second line center in a contract year, and Simon Holmstrom as their second line right winger. New York has Anthony Duclair as their third line left winger, Casey Cizikas as their third line center, and Pierre Engvall as their third line right winger. New York will have Maxim Tsyplakov back as their fourth line left winger, Marc Gatcomb as their fourth line center, and Kyle Palmieri as their fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   The New York Islanders are doing a complete overhaul of their defense after trading Noah Dobson their 2018 first round pick for Emil Heinenman and Montreal's two first round picks at 16 and 17. Matthew Schaefer will be the number one defenseman, but another defenseman will be needed in Free Agency or the draft on this overhaul. New York has Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech as their two second line defensemen. New York has Alexander Romanov locked up to an eight year extension and Scott Mayfield as their two third line defensemen.
   
   
   
   The New York Islanders have Ilya Sorokin as their starting goalie and Semyon Varlamov as their backup goalie. These two goalies are both good enough to be starters on other NHL teams.
   
   
   
   The New York Islanders have filled most of their short-term needs. The New York Islanders General Manager was the assistant General Manager on the Tampa Bay Lightning as he will see a lot of Victor Hedman in Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 160 lb Matthew Schaefer supplanted Ryan Roobroeck the preseason favorite to go first overall in the 2023 OHL Draft as the top prospect for the 2023 OHL Draft according to Hockey Prospect's 2023 OHL Draft Guide. Erie Otters General Manager Dave Brown saw Matthew Schaefer warm up as the team captain of Team Ontario at the Canada games and loved what he saw. He had personal contact with every single player on the ice and knew in that moment he was going to be the player the Erie Otters drafted first overall. Dave Brown went as far as to tell assistant General Manager Scott Grieve this was our guy on February 18, 2023 when Team Ontario competed in the 2023 Canada Games.
   
   
   
   Team Ontario defeated Team Saskatoon mainly due to Matthew Schaefer's game-winning goal for Team Ontario in the 2023 Canada Games in double overtime. Matthew Schaefer was just that clutch in that moment.
   
   
   
   Dave Brown was wowed by the leadership and maturity Matthew Schaefer displayed. Brown compared Schaefer to Jamie Drysdale, a defenseman the Erie Otters drafted in the first round of the 2018 OHL Draft who got drafted sixth overall by the Anaheim Ducks who made the immediate jump to the NHL at the age of 18. He was drafted first overall 2023 OHL Draft by the Erie Otters.
   
   
   
   Matthew Schaefer had 12 goals, 20 assists, and 32 points in 25 regular season games with the Halton Hurricanes AAA Under 16 Team in 2022-2023. Matthew Schaefer won the Jack Ferguson Award which goes to every first overall pick in the OHL Draft with previous winners of this award including Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Shane Wright, Ty Nelson, Quentin Musty, and Michael Misa. The Erie Otters have already signed Matthew Schaefer to an OHL contract.
   
   
   
   Matthew Schaefer has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's a two-way defensemen with excellent foot speed and athletic traits.
   
   
   
   Matthew Schaefer is someone who projects as a first line defenseman in the OHL and will also play the power play and the penalty killing units which were two things Matthew Schaefer excelled at with the Halton Hurricanes U16 AAA Team. He picks the right slots to take shots. Can play all three zones and skates like the wind. Matthew Schaefer's older brother played for the Niagara IceDogs who had the second overall pick, so you cannot fault the Erie Otters for taking Matthew Schaefer first overall.
   
   
   
   Mathew Schaefer added 14 lbs of muscle during his rookie season to get from 6-1 160 when he was drafted number one in the 2023 OHL Draft to 6-1 174 lbs. Matthew Schaefer also had 3 goals, 14 assists, 17 points, and a -2 +/- ratio in 56 games as a rookie. Matthew Schaefer was eased in at first as a number four defenseman on the second line, but he did well enough by the time the 2024 OHL Playoffs started to get promoted to the first line where he was the top left defenseman on the Erie Otters showcasing his first line potential.
   
   
   
   Matthew Schaefer added 9 more lbs of muscle from his first to second season in the OHL. Matthew Schaefer is now 6-2 183 lbs entering the 2025 NHL Entry Draft after being 6-0 160 lb when he entered the 2023 OHL Draft. Matthew Scahefer only posted 7 goals, 15 assists, 22 points, 8 penalty minutes, and a +21 +/- ratio in 17 regular season games with the Erie Otters
   
   
   
   Cayden Lindstrom providing for his three little sisters with two seperate parents was a pretty inspirational story. Matthew Schaefer not only had a strong rookie year in the OHL, he also had to deal with a tragedy which might light a fire under Matthew Schaefer on the ice this Fall in Erie, Pennsylvania. Matthew Schaefer's mom who always made him laugh growing up as a kid before dying of breast cancer back on May, 4, 2024, also known as May The Forth be with you by Star Wars fans.
   
   
   
   Matthew Schaefer is a huge role model for his younger brother as well. I said in the Fall that Matthew Schaefer is gonna have a huge chip on his shoulder and he could end up supplanting Logan Hensler as the top defenseman in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with a strong season. That ended up happening and not only did he surpass Hensler, he surpassed every other prospect in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. I've seen four of his interviews and if you are willing to look past the medicals he feels like a sure thing with the amount of adversity he's dealt with. Schaefer described himself as a player with Shea Weber's shot, Cale Makar's skating, and Miro Heiskanen's size. Matthew Schaefer played ice hockey, basketball, soccer, football, and roller hockey making Schaefer the first five sport athlete in the NHL Draft since Nathan Gaucher in 2022. His mom played basketball and his dad played football. Matthew Schaefer was a defenseman in hockey, a wide receiver in football, and a striker in soccer as well as a goalie in soccer. Fast, smart, and accountable are three words he used to describe himself.
   
   
   
   Drafting Matthew Schaefer gives the New York Islanders a leader and difference maker not just from a talent standpoint, but from a scheme fit standpoint as well. All 15/15 hockey scouting services including us at Draft Utopia that have Matthew Schaefer going first overall as he's the first player that can develop into a first line player in the 2025 NHL Draft. With Noah Dobson being traded to the Montreal Canadiens, Matthew Schaefer will be the guy on the New York Islanders defense day 1.
   
   
   
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   Before the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, there were rumors that San Jose had already set their top 3 with Matthew Schaefer at 1, Michael Misa at 2, and James Hagens at 3. San Jose ended up dropping one spot after having the leagues worst record. Porter Martone is playing on the same line as San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini in a tournament right now. He could enter the discussion to go second overall if Celbrini pounds the table for him the same way Shaq went to bat for Penny Hardaway back in the day. I'm still mocking Michael Misa at 2 since San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier was asked about Misa, the consensus number two player multiple times in his press conference after the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery. Head coach Ryan Warsofky got named head coach for the IIHF World Tournament and did a good job with the leagues worst roster in his first year as a 36-year-old head coach.
   
   
   
   San Jose gets a player with the versatility to play both left winger and center here at 2. Michael Misa could either be a first line left winger next to Macklin Celebrini or he can be a second line center. The big question is does San Jose want to build a very strong top line at left winger, center, and right winger like Colorado or Dallas or does San Jose want to have two elite centers like Edmonton. That is what GM Mike Greir will have to address. After trading Mikael Granlund and losing Logan Couture to a retirement due to injuries, gettng a third center to compliment Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith is now a need. I do think Misa would be used as a second line center if all of those three played center. San Jose could also have Michael Misa at left winger, Macklin Celebrini at center, and Will Smith at right winger on the top line. I think San Jose will draft Misa as a center, but use Misa, Celebrini, and Smith on the first line power play unit.
   
   
   
   San Jose could have Tyler Toffoli as their first line left winger, Macklin Celebrini as their first line center, and William Eklund as their first line right winger. San Jose could have Quentin Musty as their second line left winger, Michael Misa as their second line center, and Cameron Lund their 2022 second round pick as their second line right winger. San Jose would have Igor Chernysov as their third line left winger and Will Smith as their third line center, and Ty Dellandrea as their third line right winger. San Jose would have Michael Misa at left winger on the first line power play, Macklin Celebrini at first line center on the power play, and Will Smith as the first line right winger on the power play giving the San Jose Sharks a lethal power play.
   
   
   
   San Jose's defense will remain awful unless their second 2024 first round pick Sam Dickinson arrives in the NHL in 2025-2026. If Sam Dickinson does arrive, you'd have Sam Dickinson and Timothy Liljegren, Toronto's 2017 first round pick as your first line defensemen. Mike Grier only gave up a 2025 third round pick and a 2026 fifth round pick to get one of Toronto's top four defensemen who was good enough to play on an NHL teams top line which is a bargain even though Liljegren enters a contract year next season. Yaroslav Askarov the Nashville Predators 2020 first round pick that San Jose traded for may be starting goalie of the San Jose Sharks next season. Alex Nedeljkovic got traded from Pittsburgh to San Jose to push Yaroslav Askarov for the starting goalie job in San Jose.
   
   
   
   San Jose should have 9 quality forwards giving the Sharks three good lines of forwards, a first line defensive pairing of Liljgren plus Dickinson, and Askarov assuming you find a way to keep Liljgren under contract. Dmitry Orlov signed a two year deal with the San Jose Sharks with Orlov anchoring the second line in San Jose the same way he anchored the second line in Carolina. I don't think San Jose will be a bottom five team next season, but they still need more pieces on the back 6 and more defensive players on the second and third lines to contend for a playoff spot.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 175 lb Michael Misa is versatile enough to play left winger, center, and right winger. He was drafted first overall by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2022 OHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Michael Misa had 22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points, and a +7 +/- ratio in 45 games as a rookie in 2022-2023. Michael Misa had 3 goals, 5 assists, and i8 points in 11 games during the 2023 OHL Playoffs. Michael Misa had 29 goals, 46 assists, 75 points, and a +3 +/- ratio in 67 games as a first line left winger on the Saginaw Spirit in 2023-2024. Michael Misa had 4 goals, 7 assists, and 11 points in 17 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs. The Saginaw Spirit hosted the 2024 Memorial Cup and defeated the 2024 OHL Champion London Knights in the finals to win the 2024 Memorial Cup.
   
   
   
   Michael Misa transitioned from first line left winger to first line center in his NHL draft year. Michael Misa had 62 goals, 72 assists, 134 points, 45 penalty minutes, nad a +45 +/- ratio in 65 games as the Saginaw Spirit team captain in 2024-2025. Michael Misa had 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, and 0 penalty minutes in 4 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs where the Erie Otters swept the Saginaw Spirit even with Matthew Schaefer injured.
   
   
   
   Michael Misa has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the second player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL down the road. I've seen three different Michael Misa interviews.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien) B Grade
   
   
   Chicago fell one spot after having the second worst record behind San Jose. Getting a top line player that can be a big time star with Connor Bedard makes a lot of sense for the Chicago Blackhawks ta 3. Kyle Davidson is entering is fourth year as NHL General Manager, but he's hiring his third different head coach in the past four years despite scouting and drafting well enough to rebuild this team. Jeff Blashill, the former Detroit Red Wings head coach under Steve Yzerman got hired to be the Chicago Blackhawks new head coach with last years interim head coach Anders Sorensen remaining on the staff as an assistant head coach along with former NHL center Michael Peca being an assistant head coach on the Chicago Blackhawks.
   
   
   
   Chicago has narrowed the third pick down to 3 players. Caleb Desnoyers the player I mocked to Chicago in the Fall, Porter Martone the player I was going to mock to Chicago, and Anton Frondell who seems like the presumptive favorite to go third overall now to the Windy City.
   
   
   
   Chicago will have Ryan Donato as their first line left winger, Connor Bedard their first overall pick inn the 2023 NHL Draft as their first line center, and Tyler Bertuzzi as their first line right winger. Chicago could have Teuvo Teravainen as their second line left winger, Frank Nazar a player Chicago drafted fourteenth overall in 2022 as their second line center, and Oliver Moore their second 2023 first round pick as their second line right winger their second line right winger. Chicago could have Nick Foligno as their third line left winger, Jason Dickinson as their third line center, and Andre Burakovsky as their third line right winger. Chicago could have Landon Slaggert as their fourth line left winger, Colton Dach as their fourth line center, and Lukas Reichel as their fourth line right winger. You would still have Sacha Boisvert, Marek Vanacker, Anton Frondell, and Nick Lardis in your prospect pool. Martin Misiak is another guy in the prospect pool, but my guess is Frondell replaces Jason Dickinson when he becomes a UFA.
   
   
   
   Chicago could have Artyom Levshunov who they drafted second overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and Alex Vlasic as their two first line defensemen next season. Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski would be the two second line defensemen. Connor Murphy and Wyatt Kaiser Chicago's 2020 third round pick that I mocked to Chicago at 80 in 2020 be the two third line defensemen both entering contract years in 2025 with Murphy being a UFA and Kaiser being an RFA. You also have Noah Allen a 2021 first round pick who could take over for Connor Murphy.
   
   
   
   Spencer Knight will be the starting goalie and Drew Comesso will be the backup goalie. The goaltending for Chicago will be a lot stronger.
   
   
   
   I believe Chicago will have the pieces to be a Stanley Cup Playoffs contender by 2026-2027. I'm not sure how Anton Frondell fits into the Chicago Blackhawks forward group and what exact role he would play. All I have heard is that the Chicago Blackhawks really like Frondell.
   
   
   
   I think Chicago will draft a center and develop him for a year. Anton Frondell is now the favorite to go third overall.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 196 lb Anton Frondell has the defensive awareness you want and skates backwards quite well. He is NHL ready from a defensive standpoint as far as checking people and anticpating the puck with his stick while also skating backwards effectively. He can skate well when he doesn't have the puck. He's also versatile enough to play anywhere at forward at left winger, center, and right winger. He didn't immpress me as a skater on offense, shooter, or passer in the first two periods of the game I watched despite showing some promise on the power play as a passer in the third period. His passing and slap shot improved this year. His wrist shot is still a major project. He can accurate shoot the puck in the upper corners of a net where it is the hardest for a goalie to make a save though. He did this in a practice session versus a game which is a distinction worth pointing out.
   
   
   
   Anton Frondell does have experience on a top line, but he didn't show the traits of a top line forward in 2023-2024 before improving to a degree in 2024-2025. I'd say he has a 95 percent success rate on the fourth line in the NHL, a 80 percent success rate on the third line, a 55 percent success rate on the second line, and a 30 percent success rate on the first line. He's the third player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL down the road despite being raw.
   
   
   
   Anton Frondell had 11 goals, 14 assists, and 25 points in 29 games in 2024-2025. He's gonna be promoted from Allsvenskan to the SHL in 2025-2026. I think Anton Frondell will be drafted by Chicago, but I'm not sure what his role will be 2025-2026.
   
   
   
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   Utah moved up from 14 to 4 following the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Utah Mammoth is now the official team name with a logo that came out on May 7, 2025 after previously being the Utah Hockey Club this past season. I believe the Mammoth take Brady Martin. Utah won the second NHL Draft Lottery draw in the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery allowing them to move up ten spots from 14 to 4.
   
   
   
   Bill Armstrong remains GM after being the assistant GM on the 2019 St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup winning team and Andre Tourigny remains the head coach. Andre Tourigny is now the fourth longest tenured head coach with one team after being hired by Armstrong in 2021 in the NHL trailing only Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche, and Rod Brind'Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes. Utah is looking at James Hagens, Porter Martone, Brady Martin, and Caleb Desnoyers taking all four players to dinner. Caleb Desnoyers ended up going fourth overall.
   
   
   
   Utah has Clayton Keller as the first line left winger, Logan Cooley as their first line center, and Dylan Guenther as their first line right winger Utah could have JJ Peterka, Buffalo's 2020 second round pick that got traded to Utah as their second line left winger, Brandon Tanev as their second line center, and Nick Schmaltz as their second line right winger. Utah has Lawson Crouse as their third line left winger, Barrett Hayton as the third line center, and Daniil But their 2023 first round pick as the third line right winger. Utah could have Tij Iginla their 2024 first round pick that was drafted sixth overall as their fourth line left winger, Jack McBain as the fourth line center whose an RFA in 2025, and Kevin Stenlund the fourth line right winger in a contract year. Utah will have a lethal top six as well as the necessary depth at forward to be a contender.
   
   
   
   Utah will have Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino as their two first line defensemen. Utah will have Sean Durzi and Olli Maatta as their two second line defensemen. Utah will have Nate Schmidt and Ian Cole are the two third line defensemen. Dmitri Simashev Arizona's 2023 first round pick can develop in the AHL for a year, but will be ready for an NHL role by 2026.
   
   
   
   Utah will have the forwards and defense to be competitive in 2025-2026. Karel Vejmelka finally put together a winning record as a goalie while getting his goals against average under 3.00 and save percentage above .900. I still believe Michael Hrabel the Arizona Coyotes 2023 second round pick could be a quality backup goalie on Utah since Hrabel was once considered the best goalie in the 2023 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Caleb Desnoyers the first overall pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft may be a dark horse to go straight to the NHL right out of the gate as an 18-year-old. His tape is that good.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 175 lb Caleb Desnoyers had 20 goals, 36 assists, 56 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 60 QMJHL games as a rookie in 2023-2024. Caleb Desnoyers had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 4 games during the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs before the Moncton Wildcats got swept out of the first round. Caleb Desnoyers had 35 goals, 49 assists, 84 points, 39 penalty minutes, and a +51 +/- ratio in 56 games with the Moncton Wildcats in 2024-2025. Caleb Desnoyers had 9 goals, 21 assists, 30 points, 14 penalty minutes, and a +6 +/- ratio in 13 games in the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs. He also helped the Moncton Wildcats win the 2025 QMJHL Cup and won MVP of the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs. There's even better news for Caleb Desnoyers, NHL scouts will see Caleb Desnoyers in the 2025 Memorial Cup.
   
   
   
   Caleb Desnoyers also won the Paul Dumont trophy which goes to the player with the best personality in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with other previous award winners for that award including Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, Jonathan Huberbeau, Jonathan Drouin, Nikolaj Ehlers, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Thomas Chabot, and Alexis Lafrenierre. Most players that win the Paul Dumont award either get picked in the first round, or in Kris Letang's case become stars down the road. Winning that award definitely leaves scouts with a strong impression of Caleb Desnoyers. Caleb Desnoyers also got named team captain of the Moncton Wildcats next season in the QMJHL.
   
   
   
   Caleb Desnoyers has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the sixth player with potential to be a first line player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Caleb Desnoyers is fourth on my big board behind Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, and Porter Martone in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Nashville Predators: Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Nashville Predators could have Filip Forsberg as their first line left winger, Steven Stamkos as their first line center, and Jonathan Marchessault as their first line right winger if Gustav Nyquist leaves after this season. Nashville could have Michael Bunting as their second line left winger, Ryan O'Reilly as the second line center, and Luke Evangelista, Nashville's 2020 second round pick as their second line right winger. Nashville has Erik Haula as their third line left winger, Fyodor Svechkov their 2021 first round pick as the third line center, and Zachary L'Hereux as their third line right winger. Nashville has Cole Smith as their fourth line left winger who will enter a contract year in 2025, Brady Martin their fifth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft as the fourth line center, and Michael McCarron is the fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   The Nashville Predators could have Roman Josi their team captain and Brady Skeji will probably compliment Roman Josi on the Nashville Predators first line. Justin Barron and Nicolas Hague are going to be the two second line defenseman in a contract year. Tanner Molyndyk and Nick Perbix will be their two third line defensemen.
   
   
   
   The Nashville Predators have Jusse Saros as their starting goalie and he just got an eight year exetension this Summer and Justus Annunen.
   
   
   
   Saulte Ste. Marie Greyhounds center Brady Martin is seventh on my big board for the 2025 edging out top 5 pick James Hagens as the seventh best player on my big board as I got Hagens at 8 on my board with Roger McQueen at 9 and Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Radim Mrtka rounding out my top 10. Brady Martin is a player that Bill Armstrong may fall in love with.
   
   
   
   Brady Martin split reps with Owen Allard and 2026 draft prospect Carson Andrew as the first line center on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Martin spent more games on the second or third line than the first line with his last first line game being on March 7, 2025. Owen Allard won't be back next year which means Brady Martin should see more opportunities to play on the first line next season. Brady Martin will most likely be a second line center in the NHL.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 176 lb Brady Martin was drafted third overall in the 2023 OHL Draft. Brady Martin was the team captain on the Waterloo Wolves AAA Under 16 Team prior to the 2023 OHL Draft. I've seen Brady Martin listed as high as the eleventh best overall player in the 2025 NHL NHL Entry Draft and Elite Prospects currently has Brady Martin as the fifteenth best player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as of April 2023. Brady Martin has been considered the consensus third best player in Canada behind Matthew Schaefer and Ryan Roobroeck dating back to November of 2022 leading up to the 2023 OHL Draft. Two years later, Brady Martin managed to live up to the hype as a top 5 prospect as he prepares for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   Brady Martin had 10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points, 40 penalty minutes, and a +12 +/- ratio in 52 games as a rookie with the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds in 2023-2024. Brady Martin had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 11 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Brady Martin had 33 goals, 39 assists, 72 points, 68 penalty minutes, and a +25 +/- ratio in 57 games as an alternate captain on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2024-2025. Brady Martin had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 5 games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Brady Martin 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. Brady Martin wins faceoffs consistently too. Brady Martin is the fourth player with experience on a first line in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   Philadelphia could have Tyson Foerster their 2020 first round pick as their first line left winger, Sean Couturier their 2011 first round pick as their first line center, and Bobby Brink their 2019 second round pick as a first line right winger thanks to Brink having experience playing right winger on the first, second, and third lines. Philadelphia could have Matvei Michkov their 2023 first round pick as their second line left winger, Trevor Zegras as their second line center, and Travis Konecny their second 2015 first round pick as well as the only 2015 first round pick still on the Flyers a second line right winger. Philadelphia has Trevor Zegras as a third line left winger, Jett Luchanko last years first round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft as the third line center, and Owen Tippett as a third line right winger. Philadelphia has Noah Cates as the fourth line left winger, Jakob Pelletier as a fourth line center, and Garnet Hathaway whose in a contract year as the fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   Philadelphia has Travis Sanheim and Cam York, their 2014 and 2019 first round picks on their first line of defense. Philadelphia has Jamie Drysdale and Nick Seeler as their second line defensemen. Philadelphia has Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen as their third line defensemen. When those two defensemen were injured, Egor Zamula and Emil Andrae a 2020 second round pick that I loved entering that draft filled in for Ellis and Ristoalainen gaining invaluable NHL experience. Oliver Bonk might push for a spot as one of Philadelphia's 2023 first round picks, but is more likely to begin his AHL career with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
   
   
   
   Philadelphia has Samuel Ersson a 2018 fifth round pick that started for Sweden at the 4 Nations Tournament as their starting goalie and Alexei Kolosov a 2021 third round pick as their backup goalie. Both goalies are under contract until 2026 and are RFA's after that.
   
   
   
   Philadelphia takes the best player available. Porter Martone is an amazing player as he was my third best player.
   
   
   
   The 6-3 196 lb Porter Martone was drafted fifth overall by the Sarnia Sting in the 2022 OHL Draft. Porter Martone eventually got dealt from the Sarnia Sting to the Mississauga Steelheads.
   
   
   
   Porter Martone had 33 goals, 38 assists, 71 points, and a +25 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Porter Martone had 1 goal, 5 assists, and 6 points in the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Porter Martone was the first line right winger on the Mississauga Steelheads last year and the Mississauga Steelheads relocated to Brampton where the Brampton Steelheads will play in the OHL now.
   
   
   
   Porter Martone added 11 lbs of muscle to get up to 207 lbs. Porter Martone got promoted to team captain of the Brampton Steelheads. Porter Martone had 37 goals, 61 assists, 98 points, 74 penalty minutes, and a +19 +/- ratio in 57 games played. Porter Martone had 4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points, 10 penalty minutes, and a +3 +/- ratio in the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Porter Martone has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the ninth player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL down the road.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Boston Bruins: James Hagens, C, Boston College A+ Grade
   
   
   The Boston Bruins have Morgan Geekie their first line left winger, Elias Lindholm is the first line center, and David Pastrnak, Boston's 2014 first round pick is the first line right winger. Tanner Jeanot is the second line left winger, Pavel Zacha is the second line center, and Fabian Lysell their 2021 first round pick that I had a top 15 grade on in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft is the second line right winger. Boston has John Beecher their 2019 first round pick as their third line left winger, Casey Middelstadt as their third line center and Viktor Arvidsson as a third line right winger. Boston has Marat Khusniutdniov as their fourth line left winger, Fraser Minton as their fourth line center, and John Farinacci as their as their fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   The Boston Bruins have Charlie McAvoy their 2016 first round pick as their number one defenseman and Hampus Lindholm Hampus Lindholm a former top 10 draft pick who had many good years in Anaheim before being traded to Boston on the top defensive line. Andrew Peeke was Boston's number one defenseman while Charlie McAvoy was injured and he will anchor the second line as the number three defenseman with Nikita Zadorov complimenting him. Mason Lohrei their 2020 second round pick was a number six defenseman the last two years, but finally did enough to earn a promotion to the number five defenseman role that anchors the third defensive line. Boston still needs a number six defenseman to round out this core.
   
   
   
   The Boston Bruins have Jeremy Swayman their 2017 fourth round pick as the starting goalie and Joonas Korpisalo as their backp goalie. Jeremy Swayman will start the bulk of the games moving forward after splitting reps with Linus Ullmark who got traded to Ottawa prior to the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   The 5-10 170 lb James Hagens had 39 goals, 63 assists, and 102 points with the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL in 2023-2024 as their first line center. He heads to Boston College this Fall where he will most likely play on Boston College's first line with both Cutter Gauthier and Will Smith now in the NHL after Gauthier played on Boston College's first line with Will Smith on the second line in 2023-2024. James Hagens had 11 goals, 26 assists, 37 points, 24 penalty minutes, and a +21 +/- ratio in 37 games of College Hockey as a first line center in his freshman season at Boston College. There is a chance he goes back to Boston College rather than signing an NHL contract even though he's good enough to play on the second or third line with Boston right now.
   
   
   
   James Hagens has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He has experience on the first line and is the fifth player in this draft with first line potential, but I see Hagens as a second line player in the NHL despite having the experience to play on the top line at center.
   
   
   
   James Hagens checks every box at center like the last two number one draft picks in Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. At the same time, he doesn't generate as much hype as either of those two and I believe Hagens is the least effective of those three. At the same token, James Hagens broke Nikita Kucherov's record for goals at the 2024 IIHF and won MVP of the 2024 USHL Prospects Game in his plus one draft year. I seee him as a second line center more so than a first line center which is why he fell to five after being the presason favorite to go first overall.
   
   
   
8. Seattle Kraken: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   Ron Francis is now the president of the Seattle Kraken and Jason Boterill is the Seattle Kraken General Manager as Francis has been Seattle's GM since their inception afer previously working with the Carolina Hurricanes before being promoted to team president. Dan Bylsma got hired to replace David Hakstol. Seattle hired Lane Lambert to replace Dan Bylsma.
   
   
   
   Seattle has Jaden Schwartz their first line left winger, Matty Beniers Seattle's 2021 first round pick drafted second overall as their first line center, and Kaapo Kakko the former New York Rangers second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft as the first line right winger with Kakko breaking out taking the first line right winger job from Jordan Eberle. Seattle has Jared McCann as their second line left winger, Chandler Stephenson as their second line center, and Jordan Eberle as their second line right winger. Seattle has Mason Marchement as their third line left winger, Shane Wright Seattle's 2022 first round pick drafted fourth overall is the third line center, and Eeli Tolvanen is their third line right winger. Seattle has Tye Kartye as their fourth line left winger whose an RFA, Frederik Gaudreau, the former Minnesota Wild third line center is now the Seattle Kraken's fourth line center, and Joe Veleno replaces Andre Burakovsky as the Seattle Kraken's fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   Berkly Catton their 2024 first round pick will most likely get another year in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. Jagger Firkus, Seattle's 2022 second round pick that I had a first round grade on at right winger, and Carson Rehkopf Seattle's 2023 second round pick at left winger are also players to watch as those three are good enough to play on Seattle, but the Seattle Kraken have the luxury to let those guys develop for another year.
   
   
   
   Seattle has Adam Larsson and Vince Dunn as their two first line defensemen with Dunn being a UFA in 2027. Brandon Montor and and Ryker Evans their 2021 second round pick as their two second line defensemen. Seattle could have Jamie Oleksiak a former top four defenseman on Seattle now as the number five defenseman and Ryan Lindgren as their two third line defensemen.
   
   
   
   Seattle has Joey Daccord an undrafted goalie from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft as their new starting goalie with him taking the starting goalie job from Phillip Grubauer whose now the backup goalie with Niklas Kokko a goalie they drafted in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft as their backup goalie when Phillip Grubauer's contract is up. Niklas Kokko really broke out with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL as he did well in his rookie season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Kim Saarinen was Seattle's third round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and he made a lot of progress with HPK in Liiga meaning Kim Saarinen might be the backup goalie to Niklas Kokko on Coachella Valley down the road.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 168 lb Jake O'Brien was the OHL Rookie Of The Year despite being the eighth overall pick in the 2023 OHL Draft. Jake O'Brien had 13 goals, 51 assists, and 64 assists in 61 OHL games in 2023-2024. Jake O'Brien had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 6 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs. He also led set Bulldogs rookie records for assists and points after leading all OHL rookies in points, assists, power play goals, power play assists, and points per game. Jake O'Brien had 32 goals, 66 assists, and 98 points in 66 OHL games in 2024-2025. Jake O'Brien had 3 goals, 8 assists, and 11 points in 11 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Jake O'Brien has the 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. Jake O'Brien has the versatility to play left winger, center, right winger, and defenseman on the power play just like Macklin Celebrini in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He's the thirteenth player with potential to be a first line player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   Buffalo underachieved for the second year in a row. General Manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff are both back, but Buffalo did hire former Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal as a special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams which makes me wonder if Staal will end up becoming the eventual Buffalo Sabres future GM. Rasmus Dahlin, the first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft said there need to be changes this offseason after Buffalo's win over the Carolina Hurricanes in a regular season finale. Dahlin went from being Buffalo's number one defenseman as an 18-year-old rookie on a rookie contract, to making $6-million a year for 3 years following his rookie deal, to making $11-million a year for 8 years. Dahlin enters year 3 of that 8 year contract and if the Sabres do not start contending soon, things may get to the tipping point where Dahlin demands a trade like Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhardt did before winning Stanley Cups each of the last two season with Eichel securing a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights before Sam Reinhardt got a cup with the team that lost to Vegas in 2023 a year later with the Florida Panthers.
   
   
   
   The last time Buffalo drafted ninth they took Matthew Savoie who I had a top 5 grade on at 9. Buffalo traded Matthew Savoie to Edmonton where Savoie re-united with his older brother while posting 51 points with the Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton's AHL team in his rookie season of professional hockey following his tenure in the WHL. Three years later they can get another player in my top 5 at 9 in Porter Martone.
   
   
   
   Buffalo has Zach Benson a 2023 first round pick as their first line left winger, Jiri Kulich their last of three 2022 first round picks as their first line center, and Tage Thompson as their first line right winger. Buffalo has Jason Zucker as the second line left winger, Josh Norris as their second line center, and Alex Tuch as their second line right winger. Buffalo has Jack Quinn Buffalo's 2020 first round pick, transitioning from his natural position at right winger to left winger as their third line at left winger as Quinn signed a two year deal for under 4 million preventing him from being an RFA this year, Ryan McLeod at center, and Josh Doan at right winger on the Buffalo Sabres third line. Buffalo has Jordan Greenway as their fourth line left winger, Peyton Krebs as their fourth line center, and Beck Malenstyn as their fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   Isak Rosen their second 2021 first round pick and Noah Ostlund Buffalo's second 2022 first round pick after Matthiew Savoie remain in Buffalo's prospect pool. Whoever Buffalo drafts at 9 should supplant those two as the Buffalo Sabres top prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Buffalo has two number one draft picks on their blue line with Rasmus Dahlin the first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and Owen Power the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and both of those guys could be complimenting each other on Buffalo's top line next season. Bowen Byram and Michael Kesselring who Buffalo got from Utah when trading JJ Peterka away are the two second line defensemen. Buffalo has Matias Samuelsson and Jacob Berard-Docker as their two third line defensemen.
   
   
   
   Buffalo has Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as their starting goalie and Devon Levi as the backup goalie. I'm honestly not sure who Buffalo's long-term starter at goalie is despite a promising group of forwards and defensemen. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo's 2017 second round pick at goalie broke out despite Devon Levi being the favorite to start last year after Levi broke out the year before. As long as either of those two goalies step up, a playoff appearance isn't out of the cards.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 198 lb Radim Mrtka was the Seattle Thunderbirds second round pick in the 2024 CHL Import Draft after playing for HC Ocelari Trinec in the Extraliga in the Czech Republic where Mrtka was so dominant he got promoted to the Extraliga league against grown men in the Czech Republic as a 16-year-old. He dominated against the Czech Republic's best players on HC Ocelari Trinec's Under 16 Team, the Under 18 Team, and the Under 20 Team to earn a promotion where he played professionally against men in the Czech Republic.
   
   
   
   Radim Mrtka slipped through the cracks in the CHL Import Draft and went from a second round pick in the CHL to a top 3 defenseman in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Radim Mrtka came into the Seattle Thunderbirds and managed to win the number one defenseman job on the first line in his first WHL season. Radim Mrkta had 3 goals, 32 assists, 46 penalty minutes, and a +10 +/- ratio in 43 WHL games with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2024-2025. Radim Mrtka had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points, in 6 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Radim Mrtka has skating, speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He can play on the power play, penalty killing unit like Matthew Schaefer. He can also play in 4-on-4 situations. He's got the stamina to play for 35 minutes in an NHL game too.
   
   
   
   Radim Mrtka played for 35 minutes in game 2 of the 2025 WHL Playoffs against the Everett Silvertips, the WHL's best team in the regular season. Everett only scored 1 goal in the first period when he was not on the ice in that game. When Landon DuPont committed a penalty on him, Mrtka showed a lot of intensity by shoving DuPont into the boards after a penalty on DuPont. Not only can he stand up for himself, he will fight for teammates if they get harmed too. Radim Mrtka had the game-tying assist on a power play goal later in the second period. Everett scored in the third period to take the lead. Radim Mrtka was not on the ice when the Everett Silvertips scored either of their two goals in game 2 of the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Radim Mrtka was on the ice when the Seattle Thunderbirds got the game-tying goal with under 30 seconds left in regulation. His skating got a lot better as the game progressed with Mrtka showing some explosion while in overtime. Everett won 3-2 in overtime, but Radim Mrtka was not on the ice when Everett scored all three of their goals and that says something. Radim Mrtka had more hits and blocked shots than Landon DuPont whose the top player in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft as a defenseman in that overtime loss.
   
   
   
   Radim Mrtka has to refine his skating and his release on his shot. Radim Mrtka needs to shoot the puck sooner and quicker. Getting a trainer to skate with him and a shooting coach could go a long way into molding Radim Mrtka into a star defenseman because he checks every other box in a defenseman whether its crashing boards, stealing the puck, blocking shots, or fighting for the puck. He's the eighth player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with potential to develop into a first line player in the NHL.
   
   
   
10. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    It is pretty obvious that Anaheim will draft the best winger or defender on the board and develop them. Anaheim is looking at twenty different players to draft at 10 and should take the best player among that group at 10. Pat Verbeek is back as General Manager and Anaheim hired Joe Quenville as their new head coach. I also heard that Anaheim has four defenseman in their top 10, but Matthew Schaefer is the only defenseman in the Ducks top 6. If that is true, then Anaheim will go for the best player on their board at forward over a defender at 10 if a guy in their top 6 falls. Something tells me Victor Eklund is in their top 6 and with the progress that William Eklund has made with the San Jose Sharks, drafting Victor to compete against his older brother, whose also in the state of California isn't a bad idea.
    
    
    
    Anaheim has Cutter Gauthier as their first line left winger, Leo Carlsson as their first line center, and Alex Killorn as their first line right winger. Anaheim has Chris Kreider as their second line left winger, Mason McTavish as their second line center, and Sam Collangelo, a 2020 second round pick that was a second line right winger on the Chicago Steel became the Anaheim Ducks second line right winger. Anaheim has Frank Vatrano as their third line left winger, Mikael Granlund as their third line center, and Troy Terry as their third line right winger. Anaheim has Brett Leason their 2019 second round pick as their fourth line left winger taking over for UFA Isac Lundstrom, Ryan Strome as their third line center, and Beckkett Sennecke, Anaheim's third overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft could be the fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Anaheim has Jackson Lacombe a 2019 second round pick and Radko Gudas as the two first line defensemen. Pavel Mintyukov and Owen Zellweger are on the second line. Tristan Luneau, the former first pick in the 2020 QMJHL Draft had a great rookie season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls and looks like a third line regular in Anaheim this Fall. I wonder if Tristan Luneau's QMJHL teammate Noah Warren who was also drafted by Anaheim ahead of Luneau in 2022 would be the sixth defenseman if Anaheim declined to draft a defenseman at 10. Anaheim could also get a veteran defender in Free Agency.
    
    
    
    Lukas Dostal their 2018 third round pick got promoted to the starting goalie and Peter Mrazek the goalie Anaheim got in the John Gibson trade is the backup goalie. Anaheim also has Calle Clang and Damian Clara their 2023 second round pick on their AHL team the Springfield Gulls.
    
    
    
    Anaheim will have all of the pieces to be a playoff team if they can hire the right coach. Anaheim hired Joe Quenville, so Anaheim is a team that I can see taking the next step this fall. Anaheim has the flexibility to go with the best player on the board over need at 10.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 192 lb Roger McQueen took a leap in year three on the Brandon Wheat Kings as their second line center with 21 goals, 30 assists, 51 ponts, and a +5 +/- ratio on the Brandon Wheat Kings. Roger McQueen had 4 goals, 1 assist, and 5 points in 4 games in the 2024 WHL Playoffs where the Brandon Wheat Kings got swept by the eventual WHL Champion Moose Jaw Warriors who represented the Western Hockey League in the 2024 Memorial Cup. Roger McQueen had 10 goals, 10 assists, 20 points, and 40 penalty minutes in 17 games as the first line center on the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2024-2025 before a season ending injury.
    
    
    
    The former fourth overall pick from the 2021 WHL Draft was the Brandon Wheat Kings fourth line center in 2021-2022, then got promoted to third line center in 2022-2023, and then got promoted to second line center in 2023-2024. He was the Brandon Wheat Kings first line center in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Roger McQueen has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, foot speed, playmaking and sniping, you want. Roger McQueen could shoot in bantam, but he didn't dominate as a shooter until his draft year in the WHL. Roger McQueen is the seventh player with potential to develop into a first line player in the NHL.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Benjamin Kindel, RW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) A- Grade
    
    
    Pittsburgh kept Kyle Dubas as their general manager. Mike Sullivan got fired and is now on Pittsburgh's division rival which happens to be on deck in this years NHL Draft. Dan Muse a penalty killing specialist that was an assistant head coach on the Nashville Predators and New York Rangers got his first NHL head coaching opportunity with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ptitsburgh has aging stars plus a cubbard of prospects from the last few NHL Drafts. Pittsburgh and Kyle Dubas will continue to stack the black and gold cubbard with more players to enhance the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect pool.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have Rickard Rakell as their first line left winger, Sidney Crosby as their first line center with the first pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft extended sometime before training camp, and Bryan Rust as their first line right winger and those three remain on Pittsburgh's top line until 2027 after Crosby's 2 year extension with Rakell and Rust being UFA's in 2028. Pittsburgh has Danton Heinen as their second line left winger in a contract year heading into next season, Evgeni Malkin as their second line center after being drafted second overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft behind Alexander Ovechkin, and Philip Tomasino as their second line right winger. Connor Dewar is the third line left winger, Rutger McGroady as the third line center, and Valtteri Puustinen a 2019 seventh round pick as the third line right winger. Pittsburgh has Samuel Pouin as a fourth line left winger as Pittsburgh's 2019 first roudn pick, Kevin Hayes as a fourth line center, and Noel Acciari as their fourth line righ winger in a contract year.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have Kris Letang their 2005 third round pick anchoring the blue line with Erik Karlsson last years Norris Trophy Winner for top defenseman in the NHL on the first line of the blue line. Pittsburgh could have Ryan Graves and Owen Pickering their 2022 first round pick on the second line. Pittsburgh could have Sebastian Aho the former defensemen on the New York Islanders and Ryan Shea, the Chicago Blackhawks 2015 fourth round pick complimenting Aho.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have Tristan Jarry as their starting goalie. Joel Blomqvist, Pittsburgh's 2020 second round pick is now the backup goalie.
    
    
    
    Before I reveal who I mocked to Pittsburgh Penguins at 11, I do believe we will see a lot of prospects come up to Pittsburgh Penguins by 2025. Prospects that could be promoted to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025 include Tristan Broz a 2021 second round pick who I had a first round grade on in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft could replace Michael Bunting in 2026, Owen Pickering, Pittsburgh's 2022 first round pick as well as the two year captain of the Swift Current Broncos in the WHL as he's someone who could replace Marcus Petersson as well as a guy who can be groomed to be Kris Letang's successor.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 176 lb Benjamin Kindel was the Calgary Hitmen's 2022 second round pick with the Calgary Hitmen WHL team and Calgary Flames sharing the same stadium that gives Calgary a ton of intel when it comes to the Calgary Flames scouting locals on the Calgary Hitmen. Benjamin Kindell had 15 goals, 45 assists, 60 points, 14 penalty minutes, and a +2 +/- ratio in all 68 WHL games in 2023-2024. Benjamin Kindel had 35 goals, 64 assists, 99 points, 39 penalty minutes, and a +39 +/- ratio in 65 WHL games in 2024-2025. Benjamin Kindel had 8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points, and 8 penalty minutes in 11 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Benjamin Kindel has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Benjamin Kindel took the first line right winger job from Carson Wetsch the San Jose Sharks 2024 third round pick. Benjamin Kindel is the seventeenth player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with first line potential.
    
    
    
12. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires C Grade
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Detroit Red Wings: Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Detroit has Alex Debrincat as their first line left winger, Dylan Larkin their 2014 first round pick as well as the team captain as their first line center, and Lucas Raymond their 2020 first round pick as the first line right winger with all three first line players under contract until 2027 with all three players producing 67 points on Detroit's top line in 2023-2024 before improving in 2024-2025. Carter Bear could be the Detroit Red Wings second line left winger, Marco Kasper, Detroit's 2022 first round drafted eighth overall pick finished in the top 6 in points as the second line center despite only having 19 goals, 18 assists, and 37 points as a rookie in the NHL, and Detroit has Patrick Kane as their second line right winger. Steve Yzerman said there is mutual interest from both parties to get a deal done and Kane finished fourth on Detroit in points ahead of Tarasenko and Kasper leading Detroit's second line in points. Michael Rasmussen Detroit's 2017 first round pick is the third line left winger, J.T. Compher is Detroit's third line center, and Jonatan Berggren the Detroit Red Wings 2018 second round pick is expected to be the third line right winger. Nate Danielson Detroit's 2023 first round pick drafted ninth overall is a two-way center with the versatility to play center and left wing allowing Danielson to slide over to the fourth line left winger role, Andrew Copp would be Detroit's fourth line center, and Austin Watson is Detroit's fourth line right winger in a contract year. Michael Brandseeg-Nygard, Detroit's 2024 first round pick will have to play right winger on Detroit if Patrick Kane isn't re-signed and he only played 2 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL producing 0 points, so he needs a season in the AHL, but he could be ready for the NHL in a year from now when Watson becomes a UFA in 2026.
    
    
    
    Detroit has Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson their two first round picks from the 2019 and 2021 NHL Drafts as their two first line defensemen. Erik Gustafsson and Ben Chiarot are the Detroit Red Wings two second line defensemen with both of those defensemen in contract years. Albert Johansson Detroit's 2019 second round pick is the number five defenseman on the third line with Justin Holl complimenting him on the third line in a contract year. Axel Sandin Pellikka Detroit's second 2023 first round pick could be on Detroit by 2026-2027. Detroit could draft a defenseman at 13 if a guy they love falls to their lap as the 2025 NHL Entry Draft has four defensemen with experience on the first line that should go in the first sixteen selections.
    
    
    
    Detroit has John Gibson as their starting goalie and Cam Talbot as the backup goalie. Detroit's second 2021 first round pick Sebastian Cossa will get one more season on the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL before he has NHL responsibilities in 2026-2027.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 176 lb Carter Bear had 25 goals, 32 assists, 57 points, and a +23 + /- ratio in 67 WHL games in 2023-2024. Carter Bear had 0 goals, 4 assists, and 4 points in 9 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Carter Bear had 40 goals, 42 assists, 82 points, and a +33 +/- ratio in 56 WHL games in 2024-2025 before a season ending injury which kept him out of the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Carter Bear has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carter Bear needs to develop his slap shot and score more in the playoffs, but he has the passing, speed, skating, wrist shot, hands, deking, and personality that Pittsburgh could fall in love with. Carter Bear is the eleventh player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with first line potential.
    
    
    
    In one highlight video on Youtube, I saw him screaming fuck yeah before skating on the ice during warm ups. Frankly, I just love the energy and passion he brings to an NHL organization and if you think he brings too much energy someone like Sidney Crosby will take Bear under his wing by taming him and molding him into a Guentzel like left winger for Pittsburgh. He also said he's the voice in the Everett Silvertips locker room in one of the two interviews I saw. I have seen two Carter Bear interviews courtesy of The Prospect Don and SteelFlyers, feel free to dm me your social media handles if you want backlinks to your content. He was humble and very relaxed in the interview Anthony, The Prospect Don posted. I love Carter Bear's character off the ice and compete level on the ice.
    
    
    
    This young man is better than I thought he was, and I had him at 13 last Summer when everyone else in the country had him in round 2 when I only pinpointed 13 first line players in the top 100 of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft when looking at just plus 1 draft tape a year ago with Carter Bear being the final player among that group of 13 when looking at plus 1 tape. His medicals and attitude may scare some teams, but he has fire in spades. He's confident not cocky. He might trick you into thinking he's cocky if cussing rubs you the wrong way. This guy is confident not cocky as this cannot be emphasized enough as Carter Bear has rock star confidence on and off the ice. My gut tells me he's gonna be a big time star. Think Baker Mayfield on skates with a hockey stick instead of a football. One of my former NHL Draft writers actually put Bear in the top five of their NHL Mock Draft too and is a bigger fan of Bear than myself.
    
    
    
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Columbus has team captain Boone Jenner as the first line left winger, Sean Monahan as their first line center, and Kirill Marchenko as their first line right winger. Columbus has Kent Johnson a 2021 first round pick as their second line left winger, Adam Fantilli a 2023 first round pick as their second line center, and Yegor Chinakov a 2020 first round pick as their second line right winger. Columbus has Dmitri Voronkov their 2019 fourth round pick as their third line left winger, Cole Sillinger their second 2021 first round pick as their third line center, and Mathieu Olivier as their third line right winger. Columbus has Miles Wood as their fourth line left winger, Charlie Coyle as their fourth line center, and Luca Del Bel Belluz, a 2022 second round pick as their fourth line right winger with Luca Del Bel Belluz transitoning from center to right winger on the Columbus Blue Jackets fourth line.
    
    
    
    Columbus has Zach Werenski their 2015 first round pick and Ivan Provorov on the first line. Columbus has Damon Severson and Dante Fabbro are their two second line defensemen. Denton Mateychuk the Blue Jackets second 2022 first round pick and Erik Gudbranson are the Columbus Blue Jackets two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    Columbus will have Elvis Merzlikins as their starting goalie. Columbus traded their 2017 third round pick to the Florida Panthers, so they need a backup goalie now.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 190 lb Jackson Smith entered his draft year at 5-11 173 lbs, but he grew four inches and added 17 lbs of muscle prior to the start of the 2024-2025 WHL Season. Jackson Smith was drafted second overall in the 2022 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Jackson Smith had 8 goals, 21 assists, and 29 points in 2023-2024. Jackson Smith had 11 goals, 43 assists, 54 points, 48 penalty minutes, and a +2 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Jackson Smith had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Jackson Smith has moments when he dominates and looks like a top 10 pick, but he also has moments where he vanishes and looks invisble. That kind of inconsistency along with the fact that nobody in the 15 has said anything about him is why he dropped to 16 in my mock. I saw Jackson Smith's interview on SteelFlyers and he's now the number one defenseman on the Tri-City Americans anchoring their first line defense.
    
    
    
    Jackson Smith 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. Jackson Smith is really good at faking slap shots before turning those slap shots into wrist shots. Jackson Smith is the fifteenth player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with first line potential. Jackson Smith is heading to Penn State to play college hockey this Fall.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Vancouver has their GM and president of hockey operations back. Their head coach left, but Vancouver promoted assistant head coach Adam Foote to head coach which I think is a good move.
    
    
    
    The Vancouver Canucks have Jake DeBrusk as their first line left winger, Elias Lindholm their 2017 first round pick drafted fifth overall as their first line center, and Brock Boeser their 2015 first round pick as theri first line right winger back on a seven year deal. Evander Kane is the second line left winger, Filip Chytil will be the second line center if Pius Suter doesn't come back since Suter is a UFA, and Conor Garland last years second line right winger signed a 6 year 36-million dollar deal. Nils Hoglander is the third line left winger, Teddy Blueger is the third line center, and Drew O'Connor is the third line right winger. Dakota Joshua is the fourth line left winger, Aatu Raty is the fourth line center, and Keifer Sherwood is the fourth line right winger entering a contract year. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Vancouver's 2022 first round that was drafted fifteenth overall, only had 6 points in 24 games can develop for one more year and take over for Keifer Sherwood next season.
    
    
    
    Jake DeBrusk, Evander Kane, and Nils Hoglander will all push each other to the limit for that first line left winger job with all three of those guys being deadly as third line left wingers, effective as second line left wingers, and ok, but not great as a first line left winger. Perhaps one of them gets more open chances if Elias Petersson commands some double teams at center. If Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Vancouver's 2022 breaks out and Elias Lindholm rebounds with his eight year contract set to begin, the Vancouver Canucks first line could see success for the first time since the Sedin brothers played in Vancouver. That feels like a what if scenario rather than a sure thing at this point.
    
    
    
    The Vancouver Canucks have Quinn Hughes their 2018 first round pick and team captain as the number one defenseman that anchors the blue line. Filip Hronek is the number two defenseman on Vancouver's first line that compliments Quinn Hughes with both locked up until 2027 when Hughes is a UFA. Carson Soucy, Vancouver's number four defenseman whose under contract for the next two years is set to take over as the number three defenseman and Tyler Myers will compliment him on the Vancouver Canucks second line. Elias Pettersson Vancouver's 2022 third round pick played the number one defenseman role in the season finale with Quinn Hughes sliding over to the left side, so Elias Petersson will be the number one defenseman on the third line with Marcus Petersson complimenting him on the third line. Tom Willander, Vancouver's 2023 first round pick signed his entry level contract with Vancouver, but he might start out in the AHL rather than go to the NHL.
    
    
    
    The Vancouver Canucks have Thatcher Demko a 2014 second round pick out of Boston College as their starting goalie and Arturs Silovs, their 2019 sixth round pick started in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs when both Demko and Casey DeSmith were injured with the starter and backup goalies out. Arturs Silovs did enough to earn a one-way contract as the Vancouver Canucks backup goalie, but struggled this past season as Vancouver's backup. Thatcher Demko signed a three year extension with the Vancouver Canucks.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 183 lb Braeden Cootes was drafted tenth overall in the 2022 WHL Draft. Braeden Cootes has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger with the ability to play all three forward roles.
    
    
    
    Braeden Cootes had 14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points, and a -22 +/- ratio in 64 WHL games with the Seattle Thunderbirds 2023-2024. Bradeden Cootes had 26 goals, 37 assists, 63 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 60 WHL games in 2024-2025. Braeden Cootes had 2 goals, 6 assists, and 8 points 6 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Braeden Cootes has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the twenty second player with first line potential in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
16. New York Islanders: Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 161 lb Victor Eklund is versatile enough to play left winger or right winger. Victor Eklund had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 2023-2024. Victor Eklund had 19 goals, 12 assists, and 31 points in 42 games against men his own age in 2024-2025. Victor Eklund like Anton Frondell is under contract with Djurgardens IF for one more year, but can become an NHL player starting in 2026 if he signs his entry-level contract.
    
    
    
    Victor Eklund has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Victor Eklund has to develop his offensive game more, but in his defense he's a better penalty killer than his older brother William Eklund who was drafted seventh overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. I said this heading into his draft year. He developed his offensive game this season which is why Victor will go in the top 10 like his older brother. Victor Eklund is the tenth different player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with first line potential in the NHL.