NHL mock draft: Final projections for class of 2025

With the 2025 NHL Draft beginning Friday in Los Angeles, theScore's Kyle Cushman, John Matisz, and Josh Wegman make their final first-round projections.

Schaefer hasn't played a game in 2025, yet he's the easy pick for the Islanders at No. 1. No other prospect in the class offers the top-of-the-lineup upside Schaefer has with his elite skating, competitiveness, and developmental runway. He was a beast in nearly every game he played this season, and he's almost a full year younger than other top-15 prospects. Schaefer projects as New York's No. 1 defender for the next decade or more.

While the Sharks would have loved to add Schaefer, Misa is a fantastic consolation prize. The consensus top forward in the class, he received high marks in virtually every scouting category. He's a dynamic dual-threat center who possesses elite hockey sense, plays with pace, and can be trusted in all three zones. Misa racked up a whopping 62 goals and 134 points in 65 OHL games this past season. A one-two punch of Macklin Celebrini and Misa, plus Will Smith on the wing? The Sharks are in tremendous shape.

The draft really starts here, and there's a number of ways the Blackhawks could go. Porter Martone and Anton Frondell are both legitimate options. But we landed on Desnoyers, who's arguably the most well-rounded forward in the draft. This could be a player who contends for Selke Trophies one day. Having him play a shutdown role while Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar cook offensively is how you build a proper team.

The Mammoth consider Brady Martin but instead go for the size and offensive profile of Martone. The 6-foot-3 winger is one of the best playmakers in the class and has immense potential as a first-liner. He also brings a physical element and adds to an exciting young forward core in Utah.

The Predators pass on tantalizing forward James Hagens for a physically mature two-way center with a bullet of a shot. Frondell's fresh off posting the highest points-per-game rate ever for an 18-year-old competing in Sweden's second-best league. His details off the puck are exemplary for a teenager, and he loves to throw his weight around. Frondell's been compared to the Panthers' Anton Lundell, and Lundell 2.0 would be a pretty good outcome for Nashville.

The Flyers need to add an impact center to their organization. 2024 first-rounder Jett Luchanko is a nice piece, but he projects as more of a third-line pivot. We thought long and hard about Martin, but ultimately settled on the upside of Hagens, whose dynamic playmaking abilities could make him an exciting running mate for Matvei Michkov down the line.

Martin is a battering ram on skates who also possesses the skill to become a top-six, impactful center. The Bruins are tempted by Jake O'Brien in this slot, but they're too infatuated with Martin's playoff style after Sam Bennett's Conn Smythe run.

In their four-year existence, the Kraken have picked only forwards in the first round, but they snag a defenseman this time around. Smith and Radim Mrtka are the main options, and general manager Jason Botterill opts for the Alberta kid. Skating is Smith's standout skill. He's the type of blue-liner who might lead the rush offensively one moment then break up the rush defensively the next.

Drafting for need isn't recommended in the NHL, but Mrtka is a dream fit for the Sabres and arguably the best player on the board. The towering 6-foot-6 right-shot defenseman could be the perfect complement to lefties Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson, who are all signed until at least 2030. Mrtka's skill and mobility are impressive for his size.

The Ducks take a home-run swing on McQueen. The 6-foot-5 center has arguably the highest potential in the draft with his blend of size, legit skill, and speed. A back injury is the major concern after he played just 17 games this season.

Pittsburgh simply can't justify passing on O'Brien with two consecutive picks in the early teens. It's unbelievable value. The Brantford Bulldog is a creative center with incredible vision. He's arguably the class' best passer and could find himself running the Penguins' top power-play unit one day.

The Rangers decided Tuesday to transfer this pick to the Penguins rather than an unprotected 2026 first-rounder as part of the J.T. Miller trade. Pittsburgh should be pleased with that decision if the draft plays out this way. Aitcheson is the ultimate throwback defenseman, capable of dishing out huge open-ice hits, dropping the gloves, and scoring big goals.

Bear plays with an intensity and relentlessness that endear him to anyone watching. He has top-six scoring upside and is worth the risk after sustaining a partially lacerated Achilles in March.

Carbonneau and Victor Eklund are the best players available. Columbus opts for more upside. Carbonneau scored 46 goals in 62 QMJHL games this past season thanks to a wicked shot, excellent puck skills, and strong skating. Some scouts are concerned about his decision-making chops, but the Blue Jackets see a ton of value in picking a potential top-line winger here.

The Canucks would love to see Eklund - the No. 2-ranked international skater who was once thought to be a top-10 lock - fall into their lap. They've used their first pick on a Swede in each of the last three drafts under Swedish GM Patrik Allvin. The brother of Sharks winger William Eklund, Victor is a fiery competitor at 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, with more than enough offense in his game to be an effective top-six winger.

Reschny was lights out to end the campaign with 25 points in 11 playoff games, then helped Canada to gold at the Under-18s. He's an undersized center, but his effort and two-way commitment make him projectable long term at the position.

Lakovic makes it back-to-back forward picks for Montreal. GM Kent Hughes pulls the trigger in part because Lakovic profiles differently than Reschny. He's a 6-foot-4 play-driving winger with strong playmaking and finishing. He posted 58 points in 47 WHL games for a terrible Moose Jaw team.

Center is a major need for the Flames - not only at the NHL level, but throughout the organization. Cootes should have no issues sticking down the middle in the pros thanks to his high motor and notable two-way game.

Reid projects as an all-around top-four defender with his skating and two-way ability. He adds to a growing young core of blue-liners in St. Louis that includes Philip Broberg, Adam Jiricek, and Theo Lindstein.

A big, athletic right-catching goalie, Ravensbergen immediately becomes the crown jewel of Columbus' goaltending depth chart. While he's a work in progress like all young netminders, the North Vancouver, B.C., native has starter potential. The pick complements the Carbonneau selection nicely.

The Senators are deep down the middle, but you can never have too many centers - especially ones that stand at 6-foot-4 like Nesbitt. He's a strong, physical player with good hands around the net.

Boumedienne was the youngest defenseman in the NCAA last season and set the scoring record for blue-liners at the Under-18s this spring. He's a mobile option on the back end with room for physical development at just under 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds.

Nashville's thrilled Fiddler and fellow right-shot blue-liner Logan Hensler are still available. The team opts for the son of former Predators forward Vern Fiddler. The younger Fiddler is a 6-foot-4, 209-pounder who on his best day blends fluid skating and puck-moving chops with shutdown abilities. His game is pretty raw. If he hits, though, he could spend a decade on the Preds' blue line.

A 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman with above-average mobility, Hensler projects to have a long NHL career. He'd make for a stellar first pick under the Ken Holland regime in Los Angeles.

The Blackhawks have targeted speed in recent drafts by snagging the likes of Oliver Moore, John Mustard, and AJ Spellacy, among others. GM Kyle Davidson can't help himself when it comes to the fastest player in the draft in Potter, even if he is another undersized forward.

Spence, who's off to the University of Michigan this fall following three seasons in the OHL, is a smart, physical winger with a large frame and a motor that never stops. Predators GM Barry Trotz leaves Round 1 with a bit of everything: a potential top-six center (Frondell), a potential top-four defenseman (Fiddler), and a potential middle-six winger (Spence). Not bad.

The Capitals are unafraid of dipping into the Russian prospect pool this early, as they did at No. 20 in 2022 with Ivan Miroshnichenko. Prokhorov is a hulking 6-foot-6, 218-pound winger who potted 20 goals in 43 games in Russia's top junior league this past season.

Kindel led all draft-eligible WHLers in scoring with 99 points this season. He's on the smaller side (5-foot-10, 181 pounds) and is likely to shift to right wing, yet he offers big upside for Winnipeg this late in the first round.

The Hurricanes have managed to simultaneously contend and build out a formidable prospect pool. They're known for taking chances on undersized forwards with high upside and Russian prospects who may never come over to North America. This year, they keep it simple with a high-floor player like Gastrin. The tenacious Swede may eventually blossom into a third-line center.

The Sharks could stand to add some size to their crop of young forwards, and the 6-foot-4 Horcoff's stock has been ascending since he joined the University of Michigan midseason. There's some familiarity here too: Horcoff's father, Shawn, and Sharks GM Mike Grier were teammates for two seasons with the Oilers.

The Flyers are all in on high-end skill with Michkov, Trevor Zegras, and now Hagens and Zharovsky. The 6-foot-1 Russian has some of the best hands in the class and is a boom-or-bust selection with Philadelphia's third pick in the round.

After taking a forward at No. 18, the Flames cap off the first round by picking a well-rounded right-shot D-man. Brzustewicz's brother Hunter, another RHD, was acquired by GM Craig Conroy in last year's Elias Lindholm trade.