As major junior playoffs and the NCAA tournament are about to begin, and European league playoffs are nearing their end, the 2025 NHL Draft is approaching. This is an exciting period for hockey enthusiasts and the scouting community.
My colleague, Sam Cosentino, recently shared his draft rankings. Now, it`s my turn to present my personal list, highlighting the players I currently value most within the top two rounds of this draft class.
The Top Five
No. 1: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
NHL Projection: Two-way, transitional, top-pairing defenseman. Complete player.
Despite participating in only 17 regular season games for the Erie Otters, Schaefer remains my top prospect. Canadian hockey fans may remember his collarbone fracture at the World Juniors, which required surgery. Reports indicate he is recovering well and is determined to return even stronger.
Schaefer is known for his work ethic. He averaged over 28 minutes of ice time per game for the Otters this season, playing in all situations. He recorded 7 goals and 15 assists, took an impressive 519 shifts, registered 72 shots on goal, and had a plus-20 rating. He also played a key role for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August and was expected to have the same responsibility at the U20 World Junior Championship.
Schaefer is a well-rounded player. He poses a significant threat on the rush with his speed and puck handling skills and demonstrates excellent vision on the power play. Defensively responsible, he is among the most competitive and mature prospects in this draft class.
Given his absence for an extended period, here’s a reminder of what Schaefer can bring to the NHL team fortunate enough to draft him this summer:
No. 2: Michael Misa, C, 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
NHL Projection: Top line forward. Point producer. Majority of ice time at even strength and PP1.
Misa has had a remarkable season, leading the CHL in scoring with 62 goals and 72 assists in 65 games. Granted exceptional player status in 2022, he has now completed three full major junior seasons.
Moving to center this year suited Misa`s skills well. He utilizes the entire width of the ice with his speed and drives play with the puck in transition. Misa has developed into one of the most dangerous shooters in the draft class. Previously known more as a playmaker, his goal scoring has more than doubled from last season`s 29.
Misa averaged over 23 minutes per game in Saginaw and, like Schaefer, was used in all situations. His defensive play is reliable. Like any developing offensive star, he occasionally needs to maintain foot movement and engage his check quicker in his own zone, but this is not a significant concern. Misa finished the season with a plus-43 rating.
No. 3: Anton Frondell, C, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
NHL Projection: Top line scorer. Shooter. Power play specialist.
Frondell is rising on my draft list, rightfully earning momentum. I believe he is the most elite pure shooter in this draft. His skill set, hockey sense, and pace allow coaches to use Frondell at center or wing. He is already physically prepared for professional hockey.
Playing professionally in Sweden has benefited Frondell. He averages about 14 minutes of ice time per game, playing at even strength and on the power play, and has scored 11 goals and 14 assists in 29 games with Djurgardens in the Allsvenskan. In his last 25 games with the U18 National Team, Frondell has contributed 14 goals and 17 assists. He is an offensive difference-maker and a game-changer who thrives with the puck in crucial moments.
No. 4: James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)
NHL Projection: Top line forward. Play driver and playmaker. Power play specialist.
Hagens has had a strong freshman year at Boston College, playing on their top line with Gabe Perreault (NYR) and Ryan Leonard (WSH). He averages nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game, primarily at even strength and on the power play.
Hagens is constantly in motion, making him exceptionally difficult to check and contain. On the power play, he moves around the offensive zone to find open ice and get pucks to the net. In all situations, he relentlessly pursues the puck along the boards, working to regain possession.
Hagens finished the regular season with 10 goals and 25 assists. He also played a significant role in Team USA`s gold medal at the World Juniors, contributing 5 goals and 4 assists in seven games. His elite offensive abilities point to a top-line, scoring forward in the NHL who drives play with speed and skill.
No. 5: Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
NHL Projection: Top six forward. Trending towards a complete player. Deployed in all situations.
Desnoyers is versatile and can excel in various roles. He takes pride in competing and delivering positive results in all three zones. His regular season stats show his potential contribution to a team. In 54 games, Desnoyers scored 35 goals and 49 assists, with a plus-51 rating. He averaged 20 minutes of ice time per game, playing in all situations.
Desnoyers has elite hockey sense. He is strategic on the rush, able to attack with speed or slow down, assess options, and distribute the puck. Teaching forwards to play like Desnoyers is nearly impossible. He is naturally gifted offensively but also chooses to compete effectively defensively.
Lottery Picks: 6-16
No. 6: Porter Martone, RW, 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
NHL Projection: Top-six power forward. Natural goal scorer.
Martone uses his size effectively in tough areas, extending plays along the boards and driving to the net. When he gets the puck in high-danger areas, it often ends up in the net. Martone has a quick release, wasting no time shooting. He is a strong skater for his size and played in all situations for the Steelheads, averaging over 19 minutes of ice time and recording 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 games.
Martone has a late birthday (Oct. 26, 2006), making him ineligible for the U18 World Championship this spring. Scouts will be closely watching Martone in the OHL playoffs.
No. 7: Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 208 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
NHL Projection: Top six forward. Equal parts shooter/distributor.
McQueen missed much of the year due to a back issue but has returned strong for the Wheat Kings. He is physically imposing and makes his presence felt. McQueen is equally capable of shooting, using his size and strength to protect the puck, or making plays and distributing it.
In his last 10 games, McQueen averaged 16 minutes of ice time, scoring 2 goals and 7 assists. He primarily plays at even strength and on the power play. His puck skills and vision with the man advantage are particularly notable. He can move from the weak side and rotate up top to create shooting and passing lanes.
No. 8: Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
NHL Projection: Top six skill forward. Quick striker. Play driver.
Eklund is a dynamic forward, quick off the mark, attacks with speed, and is elusive and hard to defend in the offensive zone. Playing with Frondell on Djurgardens, he also had a productive World Junior tournament for Sweden (2 goals, 4 assists).
Eklund is persistent. Despite being undersized, he is always involved. Primarily a goal scorer, he also has the vision to distribute. His 19 goals and 12 assists at the professional level in Sweden are impressive for a draft-eligible prospect. He averaged over 15 minutes of ice time, mostly at even strength and on the power play. While average defensively, he can produce dynamic offensive results.
No. 9: Carter Bear, LW, 6-feet, 179 pounds, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
NHL Projection: Top six forward. Equal parts shooter and distributor. Deployed in all situations.
Bear unfortunately suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in early March. Up to that point, he had 40 goals and 42 assists and averaged over 16 minutes of ice time per game.
Bear is a player who can be counted on for timely goals and reliable play in all three zones. The Silvertips play a physical style, and Bear fits that mold. He is always engaged and highly competitive.
No. 10: Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 207 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
NHL Projection: Top pairing, two-way defenseman.
Mrtka logs significant minutes for the Thunderbirds, averaging over 25 per game in all situations. This large, right-shot defenseman offers a broad skill set. He has shown potential for more than secondary offense (3 goals, 32 assists in 43 games) and can block shots and disrupt plays defensively with his size and reach. His agility needs to improve, but he has adapted well to the smaller North American ice compared to Czechia.
No. 11: Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
NHL Projection: Top six forward. Deceptive playmaker.
O’Brien is a skilled playmaker. He anticipates plays in the offensive zone and finds opportunities in the slot and around the net. He is effective on the weak side of the power play and has improved his defensive game. He recorded 32 goals and 66 assists for the Bulldogs and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time.
O’Brien’s skating mechanics are good, but he needs to build strength to improve separation speed and play effectively across the entire ice.
No. 12: Brady Martin, C, 6-feet, 178 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
NHL Projection: Top six forward. Relentless competitor. Deployed in all situations.
Martin could be considered the most competitive player in the draft class. He is a relentless, lead-by-example forward for the Soo Greyhounds. In his last 10 games, Martin had 8 goals and 11 assists, averaging over 24 minutes of ice time in all situations. He finished the regular season with 33 goals and 39 assists.
Martin never takes shortcuts. Despite weighing 178 pounds, he plays much bigger. He finishes checks, battles hard, drives to the net, and generally makes life difficult for opponents.
No. 13: Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
NHL Projection: Middle/potential top pairing two-way defenseman. Deployed in all situations.
Smith is a versatile prospect. He averages over 26 minutes of ice time in all situations and is tasked with shutting down top forward lines nightly. Smith is an excellent skater, able to escape pressure and lead rushes, and agile enough to move along the blue line to open up passing and shooting lanes. His offense improved significantly this season (11 goals, 43 assists), but his size and strength in the defensive zone are also impressive.
No. 14: Logan Hensler, D, 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Wisconsin (NCAA)
NHL Projection: Middle pairing two-way defenseman. Skill set for all situations.
Hensler is an intriguing prospect. He is a sought-after right-shot defenseman with a combination of size and skating ability suitable for the NHL. He played in all situations at Wisconsin and provided secondary offense (2 goals, 10 assists in 32 games). Hensler defends purposefully and is willing to block shots.
He seems to be just scratching the surface of his potential. While he might only provide depth offense in the pros, his speed, size, and work ethic suggest he could be a shutdown defender at minimum.
No. 15: Ben Kindel, C, 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
NHL Projection: Top six forward. Playmaker.
Kindel’s rapid improvement recently is hard to ignore. The Calgary Hitmen forward finished the regular season with 35 goals and 64 assists. He averages about 19 minutes of ice time per game, primarily at even strength and on the power play.
Kindel quarterbacks the power play, highlighting his vision and playmaking ability.
Tristan Blackwood