Ranking the top-32 hockey prospects ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft
The next wave of young NHL talent is here.
At the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday, hockey fans will witness the first steps of the newest crop of talent to enter the league. With the Stanley Cup awarded, all eyes in the hockey world are now on the NHL Draft and the upcoming start of free agency on July 1. The beginning of summer has always been a busy time in hockey and it seems as if 2025 is no exception with a busy draft period upcoming.
To kick things off this summer is the first round of the NHL Draft set for Friday night. While the top of the 2025 draft class doesn't have the generational star power we've had in years past, there are still numerous high-quality players who will become key parts of NHL rosters for seasons to come. And if the draft options aren't the most interesting for teams, we very well could see a major trade or two come down the pipe to shake things up.
With that being said, you might be wondering who the top prospects are ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. If your favorite team has a high draft pick this season, you might be curious as to which players are on their radar.
If so, you're in luck! Ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, let's take a look at the top-32 prospects to keep an eye on.
1. D Matthew Schaefer
Position: DefenseTeam: Erie Otters (OHL)
As the projected No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Schaefer will likely become a cornerstone defenseman at the NHL level. Schaefer has the tools to be a top-tier defenseman in the league with his dynamic play, elite defensive tools and overall high hockey IQ. While Schaefer sustained an injury at the World Juniors that caused him to play just 26 games this past season, the pros far outweigh the cons in his case as he projects to be a true No. 1 defenseman for years to come.
2. F Michael Misa
Position: Center/left wingTeam: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Billed as the best forward of the 2025 NHL Draft class, Misa was given exceptional status in the OHL in 2022 for his play as an elite offensive talent. Last season, Misa posted 62 goals and 134 points in 65 OHL games and is considered to be a NHL-ready center talent with incredibly high offensive upside to his game.
3. F Porter Martone
Position: Right wingTeam: Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
After Schaefer and Misa, the rest of the second-tier prospects are a bit of a tossup in terms of projected talent and NHL readiness. Martone is a NHL GM's dream player, as he plays hard and can beat players with pure skill. A combination like that is rare to find, indeed, and while Martone isn't the fastest skater of the bunch, he's going to draw attention with his attractive skillset.
4. F Anton Frondell
Position: Center/right wingTeam: Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Frondell is a utility knife of a hockey player, as his flexibility and two-way play have been cited as his best attributes coming into the 2025 NHL Draft. That's not to say that Frondell doesn't have offensive upside to him, he does, but he's not going to shoot the lights out compared to others on this list. Still, Frondell's style of play will translate extremely well to the NHL as an offensive facilitator and a cerebral hockey player.
5. F James Hagens
Position: CenterTeam: Boston College (NCAA)
Hagens has fallen a bit in the eyes of the hockey world, but not through fault of his own. Not that long ago, Hagens and his high-end play-driving skills looked to be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick, but the emergence of Schaefer and Misa made the Boston College center fall down the draft boards. While his smaller size might worry some NHL general managers, Hagens has offensive stud potential and could be a steal of the draft depending on how far he falls.
6. F Caleb Desnoyers
Position: CenterTeam: Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
There's a lot to like about Desnoyers' game. Billed as a second-line center with first-line potential, Desnoyers has a high hockey IQ and a physical style of play that NHL general managers and coaches love. When all is said and done, Desnoyers could be the best two-way player in this draft, so don't be surprised if he gets taken higher on Friday.
7. F Jake O'Brien
Position: CenterTeam: Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
O'Brien is a textbook playmaking center with first line upside. It's hard to say where he ends up in this murky second tier of players, but NHL scouts have him pegged as a hardworking playmaker who is a bit undersized and needs to fill out his frame more in order to be a true elite talent at the highest level.
8. F Roger McQueen
Position: CenterTeam: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
It feels like McQueen is going to be the biggest boom or bust prospect in this draft class. At 6-foot-5, you wouldn't expect McQueen to move as well has he does, but he's an incredibly big player with high speed and mobility. The only downside and the reason why he's not higher on draft boards? A back injury sidelined McQueen for a good portion of the season and NHL scouts are skeptical that he'll be able to return to form. Talk about a high-risk, high-reward pick.
9. F Brady Martin
Position: CenterTeam: Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
Martin might not have the flashy talent others in this draft class have, but he's billed as an incredibly hardworking player with a middle-six projection. NHL scouts love his play across all three zones and his physicality as a power forward makes him stand out against his peers. There's offense in Martin's game for sure, but his hard-nosed style of play is certainly the attention grabber here.
10. F Victor Eklund
Position: Left wingTeam: Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)
While Eklund might take a few years to get to the NHL, when he does he's likely going to be a force to deal with. Even though he isn't very big physically, Eklund is a player with a high drive and motor and he could still fill out as time passes. NHL scouts also say he's got a solid shot and his overall skill should win out versus his size.
11. D Jackson Smith
Position: DefenseTeam: Tri-City Americans (WHL)
12. D Radim Mrtka
Position: DefenseTeam: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
13. F Carter Bear
Position: Center/left wingTeam: Everett Silvertips (WHL)
14. D Kashawn Aitcheson
Position: DefenseTeam: Barrie Colts (OHL)
15. D Logan Hensler
Position: DefenseTeam: Wisconsin (NCAA)
16. F Justin Carbonneau
Position: Right wingTeam: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
17. F Braeden Cootes
Position: CenterTeam: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
18. F Lynden Lakovic
Position: Left wingTeam: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
19. D Cameron Reid
Position: DefenseTeam: Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
20. F Cole Reschny
Position: CenterTeam: Victoria Royals (WHL)
21. F Jack Nesbitt
Position: CenterTeam: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
22. F Malcolm Spence
Position: Left wingTeam: Erie Otters (OHL)
23. D Sascha Boumedienne
Position: DefenseTeam: Boston University (NCAA)
24. F Cullen Potter
Position: Left wingTeam: Arizona State (NCAA)
25. G Joshua Ravensbergen
Position: GoaltenderTeam: Prince George Cougars (WHL)
26. F Benjamin Kindel
Position: Right wingTeam: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
27. D Blake Fiddler
Position: DefenseTeam: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
28. F Bill Zonnon
Position: Left wingTeam: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
29. F Milton Gästrin
Position: Center/left wingTeam: MoDo Hockey J20 (J20 Nationell)
30. F Jack Murtagh
Position: Center/left wingTeam: United States National Team Development Program
31. D Henry Brzustewicz
Position: DefenseTeam: London Knights (OHL)
32. F Ryker Lee
Position: Right wingTeam: Madison Capitols (USHL)
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