The Chicago Blackhawks are going to have a high draft pick in 2025. Based on their final record of 25-46-11, it is fair to assume that they will be picking in the top four. Their 61 standings points finished the second-worst in the NHL behind only the San Jose Sharks.
After drafting first in 2023 and second in 2024, they are in line for their third straight top-three pick. The lowest they could pick is fourth, and the lottery would have to go exceptionally bad to be lower than third.
Right now, it appears that the 2025 NHL Draft has some intrigue at the top. Instead of there being a clear-cut number one pick, four guys could go in any order.
Unless the Blackhawks make a decision that nobody saw coming, they will land one of these four players:
Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters
2023-24 was a difficult season for Matthew Schaefer because of an injury. The Erie Otters' star defenseman only played in 17 games, where he had seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points.
Those are wonderful totals for 17 games played when you're only a 17-year-old OHL player. However, the player is hard to evaluate because he was injured for most of the season.
It's obvious that Matthew Schaefer has elite offensive skills with these numbers, but it is fair to have a pause with the injury. Developing on the defensive side of things does often take time, but Schaefer has the skills needed.
There is going to be a team in the top four, perhaps even first, who takes the risk, and it could pay off for them in a big way.
Michael Misa, C/LW, Saginaw Spirit
Michael Misa had a huge season as the captain of the Saginaw Spirit. In 65 games, he scored 62 goals and had 72 assists for 134 points. Those video game numbers put him in the mix to be drafted in the top four.
Misa is fast, has a great ability to put the puck in the net, and is a wonderfully skilled player. He can create chances for himself to score at a high level, but his ability to create for others is also there. Being close to having a goal per game, along with all of those assists, is proof of those skill sets.
Like any other purely offensive force coming out of major junior, there will be some seasoning needed for Misa. With that in mind, he has the tools to be a difference maker.
Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads
Porter Martone is an incredibly skilled player as well. In 57 games, he had 37 goals and 61 assists for 98 points. He may not be on Misa's level in terms of production, but he brings more than those gaudy offensive statistics.
Martone brings a compete level and physical presence that nobody else in the top-four has. He is not afraid to create chaos on the ice.
He isn't the quickest player in the draft, but he has plenty of time to work on his foot speed. His hunger to win and be the best player he can be will drive him to greater heights as a pro hockey player. There might not be a prospect in the top ten with a better motor than that of Porter Martone.
James Hagens, C, Boston College
James Hagens started with the United States National Development Program Team. He then made his way to Boston College, where he was one of the best freshmen in the NCAA.
In 37 games played at BC, Hagens had 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points. Being a freshman and putting up those types of numbers is impressive. He stepped into Will Smith's spot on the top line with Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard and fit right in.
However, he didn't have a Macklin Celebrini type of rookie college season. That is what folks came in thinking they were going to get.
With BC's early exit and people wanting a little more out of Hagens offensively, he probably won't be the top pick in the draft. This is newsworthy because he was the clear-cut number one coming in.
Hagens did do a good job representing Team USA at the World Juniors. They won the Gold Medal for the second year in a row (first with Hagens). That is tremendous big-game experience for him during his draft year. In seven games for Team USA, Hagens had five goals and four assists for nine points.
Despite some of the skepticism, there is no denying the raw talent that he possesses. A strong organization would make sure he goes back to BC for another year with a chance to be a Hobey Baker candidate.
By the time he's ready to turn pro in his mind, he could be a great player under the surface. It is important for anyone who drafts him to handle him the right way. Hagens has the tools of an all-star. It's up to his NHL team to unlock it.
