The National Hockey League is gearing up for a Stanley Cup Final rematch. The Edmonton Oilers are looking for revenge after losing the Final in 2024-25 via a Game Seven heartbreaker.
While the series is going on, the other 30 teams in the National Hockey League will be focused on doing what they can to get to where these last two teams standing are.
One way to build for the future is through the entry draft. The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft will begin on Friday, June 27th, in Los Angeles.
The New York Islanders have the first overall pick. They won the Draft Lottery and have the right to choose any eligible player that they'd like.
The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks stayed at second and third after that, as the Utah Mammoth moved up to fourth overall with the second lottery win.
How will the first round line up without a sure-shot number one pick? Here is a mock draft of the first 32 selections:
1. New York Islanders: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL):
It's a new day in the life of the New York Islanders. They will be looking for more scoring talent with a new front office and likely philosophy. Michael Misa is their guy with the first overall pick.
2. San Jose Sharks: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)
If the Islanders take Misa, that will leave Schaefer (who many believe is the best player in the draft) for the San Jose Sharks to take second overall. He was injured for a lot of the 2024-25 season, but he has shown the ceiling of a top-pair NHL defenseman. With Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith in place up front and Sam Dickinson on his way on defense, a nice core is already forming. Adding someone like Schaefer would be a home run.
3. Chicago Blackhawks: James Hagens, Boston College (NCAA)
The Chicago Blackhawks have a ton of U-24 players on defense in the organization. They will certainly be looking to draft a high-end forward with the third overall pick. James Hagens of Boston University, who was considered to be the number one prospect in this draft for a long time, is the perfect selection for the Blackhawks here. He has the top-level skill needed to play alongside Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, whether that be at even strength or on the power play.
4. Utah Mammoth: Porter Martone, RW, Mississauga (OHL)
The Utah Mammoth has a lot of great players already. With stars like Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, and Logan Cooley already leading the way, a big, mean power forward like Porter Marton makes perfect sense for them. It won't be long before he is in the NHL, ready to make an impact. When he's ready, the Mammoth should be gearing up for a jump in the standings.
5. Nashville Predators: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgardens (SWE)
The Nashville Predators weren't expecting to be drafting in the top five when the 2024-25 season began, but here they are. Anton Frondell, a great center from Sweden, is a wonderful consolation prize.
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
The five players above and Caleb Desnoyers are going to be the first six selected unless there is a major surprise. The Philadelphia Flyers are going to get whoever is left out of the three. Here, they get Desnoyers, who is going to come out of the QMJHL to make an impact at his position.
7. Boston Bruins: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)
The Boston Bruins are trying to develop more forward depth. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are now multiple years removed from being in the NHL, and David Pastrnak is their only elite point-producer. Drafting Jake O'Brien of the OHL may allow them to get going with some new blood offensively.
8. Seattle Kraken: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)
The Seattle Kraken could use some help in every area. Jackson Smith, a defenseman, is someone who could be that guy 8th overall. Playing for a deep Penn State team in 2025-26 will be wonderful for his development as they chase a National Championship.
9. Buffalo Sabres: Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgardens (SWE)
The Buffalo Sabres need new faces in every phase of the game. Victor Eklund of Sweden is someone who could be a guy who helps them move the franchise forward. It is going to take some development from Eklund but the skill is there to be an impact player.
10. Anaheim Ducks: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)
The Anaheim Ducks have one of the best prospect farms in the NHL. They are hoping that this is the last time that they add a top-ten pick for a while. Radim Mrtka, a defenseman out of Seattle, would make for a great defenseman in the system.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Carter Bear, FWD, Everett (WHL)
The Pittsburgh Penguins need help in every avenue when it comes to their future. They are an old team that is entering the early stages of a true rebuild. By the time they come up to select, Carter Bear is going to be one of the best players available.
12. New York Rangers: Roger McQueen, F, Brandon (WHL)
If a back injury wasn't hindering Roger McQueen at this stage of his development, he may be considered for being a top-five pick. The New York Rangers, looking to add some more youth to the organization, are in a spot where they can take this risk.
13. Detroit Red Wings: Brady Martin, C, Soo (OHL)
The Detroit Red Wings are so close to taking a step for the franchise. Brady Martin isn't going to help them right away, no player drafted 13th overall is expected to, but he can be part of a long-term solution.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Lynden Lakovic, F, Moose Jaw (WHL)
The Columbus Blue Jackets, like some of the other teams drafting ahead of them, have a great young farm system intact. This will help them in their quest to leap in the coming years. Lynden Lakovic, a forward, may be able to bring some greatness to the young franchise.
15: Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Coots, C, Seattle (WHL)
The Vancouver Canucks are going to need a little bit of a retool in the coming years. J.T. Miller is already out the door, Elias Pettersson is uncertain in terms of his production, and Brock Boeser may be gone soon. At both center and wing, they need depth in the organization with forwards. Braeden Coots is someone for them to draft 15th overall to add some talent.
16. Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary Flames): Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Brisband (QMJHL)
The Montreal Canadiens are looking for a boost after having a strong season. Many weren't expecting them to be in playoff contention. Now, adding assets to the organization to keep the depth healthy during future runs is the main goal in the draft. Justin Carbonneau, a winger, is someone that they should consider with the selection given to them by the Calgary Flames.
17. Montreal Canadiens: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA)
The Montreal Canadiens won't even have to leave the stage to select Logan Hensler out of Wisconsin. Adding a strong forward and a strong defenseman with their back-to-back selections feels like a move that most teams would make.
18. Calgary Flames (via New Jersey Devils): Malcom Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)
The Calgary Flames have the 18th selection via a trade with the New Jersey Devils. With it, they select Erie Otters left-winger Malcom Spence. Like the Canadiens, they had a surprisingly good year with young players involved so adding more is on their agenda.
19. St. Louis Blues: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)
The St. Louis Blues were one of the worst teams in the NHL during the first half of the season. In the second half, they turned things around enough to make the playoffs. Now, with the 19th overall pick, they will take a player who can help them in the future. Kashawn Aitcheson is an offensive defenseman who also brings a ton of physicality. St. Louis has done a wonderful job developing these types of players over the years.
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Minnesota Wild): Cullen Potter, LW, Arizona State (NCAA)
The Columbus Blue Jackets, using a pick given to them by the Minnesota Wild, select Cullen Potter out of Arizona State. This young forward has the tools that would fit in well with the Jackets, who have signs of life in their system and at the NHL level.
21. Ottawa Senators: Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)
The Ottawa Senators add to the defensive side of their prospect farm by selecting Cameron Reid of the Kitchener Rangers.
22. Philadelphia Flyers (via Colorado Avalanche): Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)
The Philadelphia Flyers select Blake Fiddler out of Edmonton. Another defenseman in the system makes sense for a team that has already selected a forward in the top-six.
23. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay Lightning): Benjamin Kindel, RW, Calgary (WHL)
The Nashville Predators have two picks in the first round as well. This one comes from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Benjamin Kindel is the pick.
24. Los Angeles Kings: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL)
The Los Angeles Kings are the first and only team to select a goalie in this mock draft. Joshua Ravensbergen out of Prince George is the one name that could go on the earlier side of the draft. The Kings are great at working with goalies.
25. Chicago Blackhawks (via Toronto Maple Leafs): Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL)
The Chicago Blackhawks have a second pick in this first round. Jack Nesbitt is another forward who could bolster the prospect farm in that area. It is desperately needed for them.
26. Nashville Predators (Vegas Golden Knights): Cole Reschny, F, Victoria (WHL)
For the third time in this draft, the Nashville Predators will come up to select. Cole Reschny out of Victoria is their pick. That bottom-five finish that they had will pay off if some of these young players turn into impact guys.
27. Washington Capitals: Jack Murtagh, FWD, USDP (USNTDP)
The Washington Capitals have drafted some solid players in the late stages of the first round over the years. Jack Murtagh is hoping to be the next in line. Murtagh is going to be moving to Boston University next season.
28. Winnipeg Jets: Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
The Winnipeg Jets select Bill Zonnon, a winger. Adding depth to the prospect farm is important to Winnipeg, who rely on development more than any team in the NHL.
29. Carolina Hurricanes: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon (USHL)
The Carolina Hurricanes select Ivan Ryabkin out of Muskegon. They are a team still looking for a star and every first-round pick could end up leading to that star.
30. San Jose Sharks (via Dallas Stars): Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)
The San Jose Sharks take another Boston University stud in Sascha Boumedienne. This one is a defenseman looking to become a part of an NHL team.
31. Calgary Flames (via Florida Panthers): Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver (WHL)
Cameron Schmidt wouldn't have to travel far to become a member of the Calgary Flames as he played major junior in Vancouver. This pick was given to the Flames by the Florida Panthers.
32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Edmonton Oilers): Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State (NCAA)
The Philadelphia Flyers have this pick from the Edmonton Oilers. They add a winger in Shane Vansaghi, who has been playing college hockey for Michigan State. Their third pick of the round closes out what will be an impactful night for a ton of teams.
There have been times when drafts considered "weak" surprised the hockey world over the long haul. Nobody truly knows. A player that looks like a mid-first-round pick right now may go on to have the best career of anyone in his class. From the point their name is called, it becomes about the work that they put in and the team's ability to get the most out of them.
This draft has a reputation as a weak class. All of these players will see to it that they put their best foot forward to prove the hockey world wrong.
