2025 NHL Mock Draft: Ostrower’s Full First-Round Predictions
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is on June 27 and 28, and the first round is as open as ever.
The New York Islanders hold the No. 1 pick, and while Matthew Schaefer is the consensus top prospect, nothing is off the table.
From there, the draft will only get more unpredictable.
With the 2024-25 NHL season now complete, below is my best guess at how Round 1 will go, barring any trades.
My Top-100 Prospects in the 2025 Draft can be found here.
1. Matthew Schaefer, LD to the New York Islanders
All eyes point to the Islanders taking Schaefer, and it is hard to argue they should go another route. Adam Pelech and Alexander Romanov are capable left-handed defenseman, and young talent in Isaiah George, Jesse Pulkkinen, Calle Odelius, Zachary Schulz, and Xavier Veilleux all hold NHL potential, but nobody comes close to Schaefer’s upside. While the Islanders could use a top forward prospect, it is much easier to acquire a first-line forward than it is a top-pair defenseman, making it unlikely GM Mathieu Darche deviates from the consensus.
2. Michael Misa, C to the San Jose Sharks
If Schaefer goes No. 1, it will most definitely be Misa at No. 2. He recorded 134 points (64 goals, 70 assists) in 65 games for the Saginaw Spirit this season, leading the OHL in points and finishing second in goals and assists. While the top few forwards in this class have similar potential, all reports indicate the Sharks view Misa more favorably.
3. Anton Frondell, C to the Chicago Blackhawks
This is where the fun will really begin, as the Blackhawks can dictate how the rest of the top-10 goes. Frondell’s versatility and skillset would fit in Chicago as their long-term 2C, but they could also go with winger Porter Martone if they are confident Frank Nazar can become their 2C, or even James Hagens if they want a more secure selection.
4. Brady Martin, C to the Utah Mammoth
It seems like Martin to the Mammoth is more than just a smokescreen. The betting odds favor the selection, and with the gritty Florida Panthers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with players like Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and AJ Greer, it is easy to imagine a team taking Martin early, similar to how teams overcompensated for taller skaters in 2024.
5. James Hagens, C to the Nashville Predators
Barry Trotz’s strategy has to be to take the best center available at No. 5, and there should be no doubt Hagens is ahead of those still available. He has a great motor and best-in-the-class vision, and he had an overall impressive 2024-25 season at Boston College and the WJC. While Frondell and Martone may better fit Trotz’s ideal draft pick as taller, larger forwards, Hagens should follow suit if still available.
6. Caleb Desnoyers, C to the Philadelphia Flyers
7. Porter Martone, RW to the Boston Bruins
8. Radim Mrtka, RD, to the Seattle Kraken
9. Victor Eklund, W to the Buffalo Sabres
10. Roger McQueen, C to the Anaheim Ducks
11. Jackson Smith, LD to the Pittsburgh Penguins
12. Jake O’Brien, C to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Logan Hensler, RD to the Detroit Red Wings
Carter Bear, C/LW to the Columbus Blue Jackets
Cole Reschny, C to the Vancouver Canucks
Justin Carbonneau, RW to the Montreal Canadiens
Kashawn Aitcheson, LD to the Montreal Canadiens
It is hard to imagine the Canadiens make both of these selections given their abundance of prospects of this caliber, but if they keep them, they probably take a forward and a defenseman.
Benjamin Kindel, RW to the Calgary Flames
A member of the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), the Flames may choose to keep Kindel in the same arena in town he has spent the past two seasons.
Milton Gästrin, C to the St. Louis Blues
I would bet the Blues look to move this pick for NHL-ready talent, but if not, they likely go with a center. GM Doug Armstrong loves drafting out of Sweden, and with questions down the middle, he takes a chance on Gästrin, a projected late-first-rounder.
Joshua Ravensbergen, G to the Columbus Blue Jackets
Lyden Lakovic, LW to the Ottawa Senators
Sascha Boumedienne, LD to the Philadelphia Flyers
Blake Fiddler, RD to the Nashville Predators
Ryker Lee, F to the Los Angeles Kings
The USHL Rookie of the Year, Lee is a projected second-round pick, but GM Ken Holland may make his presence felt in his first draft with the team. With the Kings’ forward core aging and many forwards at this point in the draft offering similar upside, selecting an accomplished player committed to a strong development program like Michigan State could prove to be a smart move.
Cullen Potter, C to the Chicago Blackhawks
Jack Nesbitt, C to the Nashville Predators
Ivan Ryabkin, C to the Washington Capitals
Cameron Reid, LD to the Winnipeg Jets
Jack Murtagh, C to the Carolina Hurricanes
Henry Brzustewicz, RD to the San Jose Sharks
Braeden Cootes, C to the Philadelphia Flyers
Bill Zonnon, LW to the Calgary Flames
You can check out more of Michael’s work at The Hockey News, follow him on X (michaelost13), Instagram (CoreNHL) or contact him directly at Michael.ostrower@gmail.com
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