The 2025 NHL Draft is coming up, and the New York Islanders have a 3.5% chance of snagging the top pick in the lottery on Monday night.
While there’s still plenty of time to analyze the draft class and speculate, here’s a quick snapshot of a mock draft based solely on the lottery order.
No. 1: New York Islanders: C Michael Misa – Saginaw (OHL)
Misa is one of the most promising two-way centers we’ve seen in a while. He brings a little bit of everything to the game, reminiscent of Brayden. He’ll need to beef up a bit to fully shine at the NHL level, but there’s a lot to like about him.
For the Islanders, he seems like a solid pick. There’s not much separating him from Matthew Schaefer, but Misa provides the scoring that New York urgently needs.
No. 2: San Jose Sharks: D Matthew Schafer – Ellie (OHL)
Schafer feels like the safest bet here. It would take something extraordinary to derail his NHL potential. With solid fundamentals and high expectations, he might not be an immediate fan favorite, yet he could certainly stabilize their defense for years.
He draws comparisons to Jaccob Slavin from Carolina, which is just the type of talent the Sharks could use.
No. 3: Chicago Blackhawks: RW Porter Martone – Brampton (OHL)
Martone already has an NHL-ready physique at 6’3″ and 200 pounds. He possesses great scoring skills and is an excellent finisher, but his overall game has really blossomed this season in Brampton.
Pairing him with Connor Bedard could be just what Chicago needs to become competitive again.
No. 4: Utah Hockey Club: C James Hagens – Boston College (NCAA)
Hagens is a dependable leader and, at worst, looks like a solid third-line center. There might be some concerns about his size, but he plays bigger than he is and could really contribute to team culture.
No. 5: Nashville Predators: C Caleb Des Noyers – Moncton (QMJHL)
Caleb is from a hockey family and shows a ton of potential with his playmaking skills. The team that drafts him should understand he might not compete at the same level as others in this class, so it requires some faith. Still, he could develop into something special over the years.
No. 6: Philadelphia Flyers: LW Victor Eklund – Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Eklund stands out as one of the top prospects in this draft. His size may put him at a disadvantage, but he plays aggressively and isn’t afraid of the rough parts of the ice. He’s also an impressive skater with great puck control.
No. 7: Boston Bruins: C Roger McQueen – Brandon (WHL)
McQueen is a significant presence on the ice at 6’5″. His style may remind some of Joe Thornton, which is high praise, but he definitely has the potential to be something special.
No. 8: Seattle Kraken: C Anton Frontell – Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Among the two major Swedish players in this draft, I see Frontell slightly trailing his teammate Eklund. He’s a strong forechecker and capable distributor who could evolve into a significant player.
No. 9: Buffalo Sabres: D Jackson Smith – Tricity (WHL)
Smith is a well-rounded defenseman with substantial offensive upside. His performance in the Canadian U18 tournament, where he scored four goals in seven games, hints at his potential for becoming a solid top-pair defender with power-play capabilities.
No. 10: Anaheim Ducks: C Jake O’Brien – Brantford (OHL)
O’Brien is a prolific scorer with 98 points this season, including 66 assists. While there are concerns about his ceiling, he has the necessary size and attributes to be a reliable NHL player.
No. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins: C Brady Martin – S (OHL)
Martin brings a lot to the table as a center. You might question whether he’ll reach elite status, but he’s a low-risk player with NHL-ready skills that could make him a long-term third-line contributor.
No. 12: New York Rangers: D Radim Mrtka – Seattle (WHL)
Mrtka is fun to watch; a 6’6″ defender who isn’t shy about using his size. His decision-making and shooting need improvement, which may hold him back from being a top 10 pick, but there’s still room for him to grow.
No. 13: Detroit Red Wings: RW Justin Carbon – Brainville – Boycebrian (QMJHL)
Carbon is an impressive goal scorer with a knack for playmaking. Pairing him with a capable center could make him a significant threat. While he’ll need a few years to develop, the upside is promising.
No. 14: Columbus Blue Jackets: C Carter Bear – Everett (WHL)
Bear has played both center and wing, which complicates his potential NHL role. While I have some doubts about his speed and finishing skills as a winger, he could be a strong distributor in a finesse-based line.
No. 15: Vancouver Canucks: C Lynden Lackovic – Moose Jaw (WHL)
This might seem low for Lackovic, but I’m not as high on him compared to some others. He possesses the physical tools, but his play off the puck needs improvement. If he aligns his athletic ability with his game vision, he could be a top eight pick after some coaching.
No. 16: Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary Frame): LW Malcolm Spence – Ellie (OHL)
Spence is a large winger who enjoys forechecking, which is somewhat rare for younger players. He doesn’t necessarily create his own opportunities, but paired with a pack-oriented center, he could become a valuable asset for teams seeking physicality in a third-line role.
