The NHL is stepping up its game with the upcoming draft. Monday night will feature the first-ever live NHL Draft Lottery on ESPN.
Unlike baseball, where fans can glimpse future stars, hockey’s draft focuses more on identifying players who might shine in a few years. Sure, top picks often make an immediate impact, as seen with players like Connor Bedard and McClin Sekreini, but most prospects typically transition through juniors, minors, or NCAA hockey before hitting the NHL.
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect from the NHL Draft Lottery.
When is the NHL Draft Lottery?
Catch it live on ESPN at 7 PM from the NHL Network Studios in New Jersey.
What is the NHL Draft Lottery format?
Similar to the NBA, the NHL uses a weighted lottery system to determine the top 16 teams based on their performance from the previous season. Interestingly, the NHL’s format still favors the worst-performing teams, even though the NBA has found ways to mitigate tanking by equally weighting the bottom three teams.
The worst team can’t pick lower than third overall, and those finishing 11th or higher might snag the No. 1 pick.
Here’s how each team stacks up for Monday night.
Picks by odds in the NHL Draft Lottery
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Sharks | 25.5 | 18.8 | 55.7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 13.5 | 14.1 | 30.7 | 41.7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nashville Predators | 11.5 | 11.2 | 7.8 | 39.7 | 29.8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 9.5 | 9.5 | 0.3 | 15.4 | 44.6 | 20.8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Boston Bruins | 8.5 | 8.6 | 0.3 | – | 24.5 | 44 | 14.2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Seattle Kraken | 7.5 | 7.7 | 0.2 | – | – | 34.1 | 41.4 | 9.1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Buffalo Sabres | 6.5 | 6.7 | 0.2 | – | – | – | 44.4 | 36.5 | 5.6 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Who will be the star this year?
While the 2025 Draft class may not feature a game-changing center like Connor Bedard or a future cornerstone like Macklin Celebrity, there are still promising players to watch.
The top prospect is defensive player Matthew Schaefer. At 17, he stands 6’2″ and weighs 183 pounds with potential to bulk up to around 200. He combines smooth skating with a high hockey IQ, making him a versatile defender.
Schaefer’s all-around skills have drawn comparisons to Jaccob Slavin, a reliable figure for the Carolina Hurricanes since his draft in 2012. Teams are looking for elite NHL defenders like Schaefer, who can be a stable presence for years ahead.
Another exciting candidate is Michael Misa, a forward who had a breakout season with Saginaw in the OHL. With a solid build and a powerful left shot, he garnered 62 goals and 72 assists in just 65 games. Depending on which team secures the pick, he could become an elite two-way center.
