2025 NHL Draft prospect rankings: Centers

The 2025 NHL Draft is quickly approaching. Familiarize yourself with the top players in the class with theScore's prospect rankings series.

First up are centers, with wingers following on June 9, D-men on June 16, and goalies on June 23.

1. Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit

Misa burst onto the scene in 2022 when he broke Connor McDavid's scoring record at the OHL Cup. That performance played a big role in Misa attaining exceptional status, allowing him to enter the OHL a year early.

After two strong seasons on the wing with Saginaw, Misa shifted back to his natural position down the middle this year, and he flourished. Only Patrick Kane has scored more points than Misa's 134 as an OHLer in a draft year since 1995.

Misa brings an exciting blend of traits. He's an impressive skater with breakaway speed. He's a quality shooter, as evidenced by his massive goal total, though he isn't an outright sniper. His production comes more from his intelligence, timing, and puck skills rather than a blistering shot. Misa has the makings of a legit top-line, dual-threat center.

2. James Hagens, Boston College

Hagens entered the draft cycle as the projected No. 1 pick after he broke Nikita Kucherov's scoring record at the 2024 Under-18s.

The Long Island native was excellent at the world juniors this year, and he led Team USA forwards in ice time in the gold-medal game. He didn't blow people away this season at Boston College, which has resulted in a slight slip down the board.

Hagens is an excellent playmaker who has shown an ability to drive play at the U.S. NTDP but also act as more of a facilitator at Boston College. He's a superb skater with speed, elusiveness, and puck skills. He underwhelmed as a goal-scorer this year and struggles at times against older, more physical NCAA teams, which have drawn concerns. Still, Hagens' skill and smarts make him a high-end prospect and a player who can stick down the middle despite his lack of size.

3. Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton Wildcats

Desnoyers was the first overall pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft, and he's lived up to that billing as the best prospect to come through the league since Alexis Lafreniere. He was the top player on the top QMJHL team this year and was named the league's playoff MVP despite being the youngest member of the Wildcats.

There's a lot to like in Desnoyers' game. He's a mature player with a commitment to defensive play. The promise of future Selke Trophy votes will always draw the attention of NHL teams. He's very smart, and that lends itself to his strong playmaking. Desnoyers is slight, and as he fills out his 6-foot-2 frame, he'll use his size more advantageously at both ends of the ice.

4. Anton Frondell, Djurgarden

Frondell had an up-and-down campaign in Sweden's second-tier pro league. He enjoyed a 12-game stretch from late January through mid-March where he registered nine goals and 21 points but also had just four points in his other 17 contests. Still, his 0.86 points per game in the league ranks second to Elias Pettersson among players in their draft year and ahead of the likes of William Nylander and David Pastrnak.

The Swede has a lethal shot, both a wicked wrister and bomb of a one-timer, and it should be a weapon on the power play. There's a strength and heaviness to his game that should make him a sturdy center after primarily playing on the wing this season against men. Pace and playmaking could be limiting factors at the next level.

5. Jake O'Brien, Brantford Bulldogs

O'Brien has surged with a superb sophomore campaign in the OHL, where he tallied more assists (66) than he had points (64) as a rookie with Brantford. On the younger side of the class (yet to turn 18), the right-handed pivot has quite a bit of room for physical development at 6-foot-2 but only 172 pounds.

The Toronto native is a fantastic playmaker with some of the best vision in the class. O'Brien led the OHL in power-play scoring this season, routinely manipulating opposing penalty kills with his creativity. He's immensely skilled with the puck on his stick. His shot doesn't stand out from this group, but his craftiness in possession makes up for his lack of a pure goal-scoring threat.

6. Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Every draft has late risers, and Martin might be top among them this year. He surged down the stretch with 17 goals and 37 points in his last 22 games and then was Canada's best player en route to a gold medal at the Under-18s.

Martin plays a punishing game. He's a monster on the forecheck and lays crushing hits with regularity. He plays much bigger than his frame and is significantly more physical than some other projected first-rounders who are 4 or 5 inches taller. And while his physicality is his most enticing trait, he has legit skill and progressed as an impact offensive player over the campaign. Martin is the type of player who general managers will watch and want to have for future playoff runs.

7. Roger McQueen, Brandon Wheat Kings

McQueen is one of the draft's biggest wild cards. He's among the tallest centers in the class and has skill to go with it, but he's also on the older side and was limited to 17 games with a back injury. It doesn't help McQueen's case that Cayden Lindstrom, the No. 4 pick in 2024, missed almost the entire NHL season with a back injury.

Still, McQueen has a tantalizing toolkit. When available, he can hit an impressive top gear, especially considering his size. He's highly skilled and plays with an edge. McQueen is a top-five talent in the draft on pure upside. His injury, plus the limited sample size this campaign, will certainly make teams hesitant.

8. Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals

Reschny left a lasting impression on scouts in his final games of the year. He racked up a whopping nine goals and 25 points in 11 WHL playoff games before heading to the Under-18s, where he notched five goals and eight points in five contests as Canada captured gold.

The Saskatchewan native is a deft passer with quick hands, placing him among the draft's best playmakers. Reschny's compete level, intelligence, and defensive play should allow him to stick down the middle in the pro ranks despite being undersized. He's a good skater but not the all-out burner that's ideal for a sub-6-foot center.

Reschny is among the first of the touted prospects in this year's class to make the switch from the CHL to the NCAA. He's headed to the University of North Dakota in the fall.

9. Braeden Cootes, Seattle Thunderbirds

Cootes not only captained the Thunderbirds, but he also wore the "C" for Team Canada at the Under-18s this spring. He led the Canadians with six goals and 12 points, firming his position in the middle part of the first round to close out his campaign. His numbers aren't as flashy as some other WHLers in this class, but he still led Seattle in scoring and posted strong defensive metrics.

The Alberta native plays hard and fast. The energetic, right-handed pivot likely won't be a high-impact offensive player at the next level but is well-rounded and does enough to become a useful top-nine option. If his offense takes a step forward, there's top-six upside.

10. Jack Nesbitt, Windsor Spitfires

Nesbitt enjoyed a massive leap as an OHL sophomore, going from 18 points and a minus-32 rating as a rookie to 64 points and a plus-12 rating this year.

He has a huge frame and can become much more imposing as he fills out. Nesbitt has surprisingly good hands and one-on-one skill, but his skating is a definite weakness. His lack of pace limits his ceiling, but he could become a useful top-nine center with grit and two-way acumen.

(Stats source: Elite Prospects)