2025 NHL Draft: Best Prospects Available After Round 1

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6 hours ago

The NHL draft never goes exactly the way anyone thinks. There are always a few surprises and twists that throw everyone for a loop.
Every year, there are players that everyone expects to go in the first round of the NHL draft who fall to Day 2. Let's look at some of the most interesting and intriguing names remaining after the first round.
Eric Nilson, C, Djurgarden (Swe.2)
Nilson is one of the most intelligent and tactical centers in the draft. I've been high on him all year, and it took until the end of the year for the hype to begin to build, but it looks like it was a little too late. Nilson advances play with excellent decisions at both ends of the ice. He needs to bulk up, but the six-foot center has a ton of utility. He could be one of the first names off the board in the second round.
Michal Svrcek, C/W, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)
It's not shocking to see Svrcek's name on the board still, as he's an undersized forward who had a good but not great U-18s. Svrcek always drives excellent results, and he creates for teammates at a very high level. He has NHL-caliber speed and a relentless pace. He will have to continue proving people wrong about his size, but he could be a steal if he falls much more on Day 2.
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Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Another undersized forward, Schmidt is an elite shooter who plays at top speed all the time. He doesn't let his size get in the way of trying to be a pest either, getting into players' faces, pushing guys around after the whistle and even laughing at defenders after he scores on them. The kid has a ton of moxie, and his play style is brash. Someone will get a nice prospect.
Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Fiddler is one of the most understated players in the draft. The defensive blueliner is a perfect complement to a skilled, offensively minded defender. He isn't a flashy or fun pick, but he is an effective and stout defensive player who can take the pressure off his defense partner.
Malcolm Spence (Brandon Soto/OHL Images)
Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters (OHL)
Spence not getting chosen in the first round was one of the bigger surprises. He is a very meat-and-potatoes kind of player. He has had some big moments internationally, and he is a rock-solid contributor in the OHL, but his game isn't consistently flashy. He is a crafty playmaker and a good shooter. Spence plays with a physical edge and understands how to play within a pro-style system. He could be a steal on Day 2.
Shane Vansaghi, LW/C, Michigan State Univ. (NCAA)
A physical, hard-working forward who lays it on the line every shift, Vansaghi is typically the kind of player NHL teams will call in the first round. His production at Michigan State is likely the reason he fell a bit. He was so close, so often when it came to finding the scoresheet in his freshman season, that there is room to believe a big sophomore year is in store. He's a pro-style forward, and someone will be ecstatic to draft him.
Milton Gastrin, C/LW, MoDo Jr. (Swe.)
Gastrin is smart and defensively responsible with legitimate moments of intriguing skill. He was on the edge of the first round on most draft boards, so it's not entirely shocking to not see him go on Day 1, but the versatility as a center and winger is enticing. He could be a sneaky good pick early on Saturday.
Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Ufa Jr. (Rus.)
Zharovsky, one of the most skilled and interesting players in the draft, skyrocketed up boards by the end of the season. There is a ton of risk because he needs some refinement in various parts of his game, but the intrigue had people discussing a possible first-round selection. We will have to see where he ends up because he's a big swing.
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