Top NHL Draft Prospects 2025: Insights and Analysis

An in-depth look at the top prospects for the 2025 NHL draft, their skills and potential.

Matthew Schaefer: The Erie Otters defender is projected to be a future elite NHL defenseman. A dynamic presence at both ends of the ice, with ease in skating and offensive capabilities. Michael Misa: Had a remarkable goal-scoring season in the OHL. Confidently projects as a top-line forward with potential to exceed a point-per-game pace. James Hagens: A skilled center with good work rate and two-way ability. Projected to be a top-line or one of the best second-line centers. Porter Martone: A 6-3 right winger with a competitive streak. Projects as a high-end second-line player or potentially a top-line winger. Roger McQueen: A 6-5 center with speed and mobility despite some mechanics concerns. High risk but high reward potential. Anton Frondell: A versatile two-way forward with play-driving capabilities and translatable skills. Jackson Smith: A big, physical defenseman with potential to be a top-four matchup guy. Victor Eklund: Projects as a top-six forward with play style translatable to the NHL. Caleb Desnoyers: One of the best two-way players in the draft. Projected to be a quality second-line center. Jake O'Brien: A point-producing center with a chance to become a top-line player and improving two-way ability. Carter Bear: A versatile player with offensive gifts and professional defensive habits. Brady Martin: A workhorse with physicality and hard skill. Projects as a middle-six or potentially a second-line forward. Justin Carbonneau: Possesses attributes teams covet. Projects as a top-six or complementary middle-six player. Radim Mrtka: A 6-6 defenseman with mobility. Projects as a top-four shutdown defenseman. Logan Hensler: A 6-2 defender with potential as a second-pairing defenseman. Lynden Lakovic: A 6-4 left winger with translatable scoring ability and speed. Braeden Cootes: A right-handed center with speed and anticipation. Projects as a middle-six player. Kashawn Aitcheson: A truculent and aggressive defender with potential as a No. 4 defender. Cameron Schmidt: A small but fast and skilled winger with boom-or-bust potential. Benjamin Kindel: A right-winger with skill and hockey sense. Projects as a middle-six or third-line winger. Cameron Reid: A fast and agile skater with upside as a top-four defender. Cole Reschny: Rose in projections after standout performances. Anticipation and reads are among the best. Cullen Potter: A strong freshman with NHL-level speed and dynamic skating skills. Malcolm Spence: A tenacious and two-way forward with a high floor as an NHL regular. Ivan Ryabkin: A debated prospect with potential to be a depth or middle-six player. Joshua Ravensbergen: A goalie with a 6-5 frame and good flexibility. Has issues with layered screens. Blake Fiddler: A right-handed defender with NHL bloodlines and size. Projected as an NHL player. Jack Murtagh: A versatile forward with a high-motor game. Needs to develop creativity. Sascha Boumedienne: A young defenseman with offensive skills but needs to improve defensive transition. Jack Nesbitt: A 6-4 center with physical and defensive play. Needs to show more offensive playmaking. William Moore: A long-term project with potential to be a middle-six player. Bill Zonnon: A raw prospect with high motor and work ethic.

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