2025 NHL Mock Draft: Projecting the first 10 picks, including Michael Misa to the Sharks

USA Today

06-05-2025

2025 NHL Mock Draft: Projecting the first 10 picks, including Michael Misa to the Sharks
The first half of the 2025 NHL Draft order is set, and the league can now look to what prospects it wants to add in the first round.
As we survey the players who could go in the first 10 picks, it's clear this is a good draft for teams that want to add centers and wingers. Ironically, the best player might be a defenseman despite the good depth up top for offensive players.
MORE: The live 2025 NHL Draft Lottery was an absolutely confusing disaster.
We'll bookend our mock draft of the top-10 picks with two defenders and smash eight offensive players in-between. The New York Islanders hold the first pick, and they'll add one of those defensemen.
The San Jose Sharks will pick second, nabbing the primary offensive prospect in this draft. Let's see how the rest of the top 10 picks play out in this May mock draft.
10. Anaheim Ducks: D Radim Mrtka (WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds)
The Ducks get promising defensemen Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov a new running mate for the future in Mrtka, who projects as a top-line defender at the next level. Anaheim could turn its defense into a real strength for the future by adding Mrtka into the mix, and it wouldn't have to rush him to the NHL, either.
9. Buffalo Sabres: C Jake O'Brien (OHL's Brantford Bulldogs)
O'Brien would be a steal at this point in the draft, as Buffalo could try to replace center Dylan Cozens for the long haul with the sharpshooting O'Brien. He's coming off a 32-goal, 66-assist season in the OHL.
8. Seattle Kraken: LW Victor Eklund (Hockeyallsvenskan's Djurgårdens IF)
The Kraken should be thrilled to see Eklund fall into their laps. His dad, Christian, played professional hockey, and his brother, William, plays for the San Jose Sharks. That should bode well for his NHL future to have so much professional hockey success in his family. He would be a long-term starter on the wing in Seattle.
7. Boston Bruins: C Roger McQueen (WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings)
The Bruins need more offense, and McQueen has a high ceiling. He could technically go higher than this in the top 10, and he could fall altogether. However, Boston takes him here and hopes he can pad the scoresheet for years to come. We know the fans at TD Garden would love to see a guy like McQueen in a Boston uniform.
6. Philadelphia Flyers: C Anton Frondell (Hockeyallsvenskan's Djurgårdens IF)
The Flyers have a lot of intriguing young talent, and Frondell would add to that group. Yet another impressive player from Hockeyallsvenskan's Djurgårdens IF goes in the top-10 of this year's NHL Draft. Philadelphia could set itself up well for years to come with a guy like Frondell on the roster.
5. Nashville Predators: C Caleb Desnoyers (QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats)
The Predators miss out on a top-3 pick, but they still land a promising scorer for the future in Desnoyers. Nashville needs more offense, and Desnoyers could join Smashville right away and boost depth until he's ready for a more official role on the ice.
4. Utah Hockey Club: RW Porter Martone (OHL's Brampton Steelheads)
Utah adds arguably the best offensive player on the board at four in Martone, as the team just needs good building blocks for future contention. Martone can add offensive firepower on the wing when he joins the NHL, which could hypothetically be right away if Utah feels he's ready.
3. Chicago Blackhawks: C James Hagens (Boston College)
Even if he's not coming off his best season, Hagens is still a pro-ready center that could boost a Chicago team needing more star power to pair with Connor Bedard. He could play right away and add to the Blackhawks offensive attack. It wouldn't be a shock to see his numbers rise by playing next to better talent in the NHL.
2. San Jose Sharks: C Michael Misa (OHL's Saginaw Spirit)
Sharks center Tyler Toffoli just turned 33, and it's definitely possible San Jose dangles him as a trade prospect this summer. Misa could join centers Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith to give the Sharks an absolutely lethal trio of offensive weapons for the future. Even if the team doesn't trade Toffoli, Misa would be excellent depth right away for a rebuilding San Jose.
1. New York Islanders: D Matthew Schaefer (OHL's Erie Otters)
The Islanders lucked out with winning the top pick, and the reward will most likely be the consensus best target in this draft. With the pick, New York finds a new star defender for the future as Schaefer could step in right away and play a substantial role on the Islanders defense. He projects as a future top defensive lineman.