We’re into the stretch drive for the 2025 NHL Draft. Scouts continue to scour the earth for under-reported gems, while GMs are busy readying for the NHL trade deadline on March 7, which will have draft ramifications. On deadline day, I will be hosting a panel along with Jason Bukala and two special guests during Sportsnet’s broadcast.
Meantime, the draft eligible prospects continue to balance team aspirations with their personal goals while jockeying for position amongst their peers.
This draft class has experienced ebbs and flows like few others in recent times. James Hagens went into the season as the projected first overall pick, but as the season has progressed other names have entered the fold such as Michael Misa, Porter Martone, and Matthew Schaeffer. For a month or so, it looked like a four-horse race for the top spot. Here we are now in February, and the same names are still there, although Schafer, despite being injured, has separated himself from the rest of the group.
I see a few factors why he’s separated from the pack. First, he plays a premium position; it’s extremely difficult to find a top-pairing defenceman. Schaefer projects to have the ability to take games over singlehandedly from the back end. Next, his size. At 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, he’s already a big kid, but with plenty of room to pack weight and muscle on to his frame. If recent times are an indicator, teams have shifted back to drafting for size, especially on defence. Schaefer’s age also factors into this equation. With a September 5, 2007 birthday Schaefer is one of the youngest players in this class. The cutoff date is September 15, meaning that Schaefer will turn 18 just before his first NHL camp begins. That suggests there’s more developmental time that much of the draft class has already experienced. Some of this time, of course, has been mitigated by injury.
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Lastly, this young man has experienced tragedy and adversity like few others his age. He lost his mother to cancer after moving away from home to continue chasing his dream in Erie. While there, he also lost his billet mom which, for CHL players, is akin to losing a third parent.
He’s also endured two injury setbacks from this season, so he’s had to overcome plenty. A bout of mono kept him out of the lineup for the start of the regular season, while most of the country witnessed his clavicle injury while representing Canada at the world juniors. Schaefer’s ability to navigate adversity is a trait that isn’t overlooked by NHL scouts.
To this point, Schaefer has played just 17 games for Erie, two CHL/USA Hockey prospects games, a couple of world junior exhibition games and a little more than one official world junior game. Through his brief career, Schaefer has won four gold medals and captained three of those championship teams. There is some hope that if Erie can hang around in the playoffs, an April return is possible.
Amazingly, he’s done enough in the limited number of games he has played to indicate he is the top prospect of this class.
Looking at the three other players in the conversation, it’s hard to knock any one of them. As a freshman at Boston College, Hagens is up just over a point per game, and who can forget his top-notched performance helping the Americans to win gold at the world juniors?
Martone exhibits the size and style of game that every NHL GM covets. He is big, plays big and produces big numbers. Having been a member of Canada’s world junior team as an underaged player is also a feather in his cap.
Misa has lived up to the expectations of an exceptional player. He’s now the captain of the resurgent Saginaw Spirit, he’s won a Memorial Cup and he’s also now completed the vaunted 50 goals in 50 games milestone. No doubt, he’s been inspired by the world juniors snub.
It’s not just those four players who make the top end of this draft class interesting. There are a few players who may threaten that group and some others who are definitely top-10 material. While we may not see the high-end depth through the later stages of round one, it will be fun to watch how the first half of this draft shakes out.
Caleb Desnoyers is mature beyond his years. Anton Frondell has found his game. And how do teams feel about the health of Brandon’s Roger McQueen? The beauty of this class is that outside of Schaefer, there will be a lot of options for the rest of the teams picking in the first half of the first round. That list includes a few defencemen in Jackson Smith, Logan Hensler and Radim Mrtka, who has fully transitioned to North America.
Keep in mind, there’s still plenty of high-leverage hockey to be played including respective league playoffs and the U18 World Championship in Texas, starting the third week of April.
In the meantime, here are my latest draft rankings for the 2025 class.
No. 1: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Despite limited game action this season, he has shown enough against high-level competition to have separated himself from the rest of the group.
No. 2: Michael Misa, C, 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
His goal scoring element has taken centre stage as he has entered the OHL history books with a goal per game pace through 54 games. Off the rush, on the power play, one-on-one, he can burn defenders in a multitude of ways.
No. 3: James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)
Continues to produce point per game numbers as a freshman at a premium position. Proving he doesn’t always have to play with Gabriel Perreault and Ryan Leonard to be successful.
No. 4: Porter Martone, RW, 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
After a mid-January dip in production, he’s back to producing big numbers with points in 11 of his past 12 games as of writing.
No. 5: Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Relentless compete, high-end skill, and plenty of physical growth potential make Desnoyers a mainstay within the top five.
No. 6: Anton Frondell, C, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
He’s making a lot of noise in the scouting community for his recent play both internationally, but in particular in the Allsvenskan.
No. 7: Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 207 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Hasn’t taken long to adjust to North America. He’s a horse who can eat minutes, lean on opponents and provide a bomb of a shot from the point.
No. 8: Carter Bear, LW, 6-feet, 179 pounds, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Moves well all over the ice to create disturbances and turnovers. Once with the puck, Bear can create for teammates or finish with elite touch.
No. 9: Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Cerebral player who can control the pace of play with delays, quick hands and deception.
No. 10: Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Always in the fight, Eklund is not deterred as a smaller competitor. He anticipates the play well and is aware of where everyone on the ice is at any given moment.
No. 11: Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
An intriguing prospect in that he is a legit two-way defender with a ton of swagger. He can transport the puck and support the rush.
No. 12: Ivan Ryabkin, C, 5-foot-11, 201 pounds, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Can impact the game on multiple fronts. A more consistent effort on the defensive side would put him in a top 10 position.
No. 13: Brady Martin, C, 6-feet, 178 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Knows what he is and is at his best when playing a simple, straight-line game with a dose of heaviness.
No. 14: Justin Carbonneau, RW, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Can manipulate the puck to deceive defenders. Has super slick hands that work well beating defenders one-on-one or at the net-front.
No. 15: Logan Hensler, D, 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Wisconsin (NCAA)
A Steady Eddie type of defenceman who keeps the opposition to the outside with good quick feet, body and stick positioning. Should be able to add layers of offence with age and experience.
No. 16: Jack Nesbitt, C, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Is an all-situations player on a team loaded with talent. Elite hand-eye coordination makes him an excellent net-front option and efficient on draws.
No. 17: Cameron Reid, D, 6-feet, 193 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Continues to make strides towards the top half of this draft class. His elite skating ability makes him a threat on the power play, but also allows him to maintain tight gaps to disrupt plays in neutral ice.
No. 18: Malcolm Spence, LW, 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Not the most dynamic player in this draft class, but his game is still highly effective. He competes in all three zones and has plenty of skill to produce at least mid-level offence at the next level.
No. 19: Ben Kindel, C, 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
A buzz saw type of player who is quick to get on loose pucks and quicker to make things happen with it. He reads the play well and is aware of available options.
No. 20: Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 197 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Based on the latest update, McQueen’s return from injury is imminent and he’s back on the ice in a non-contact jersey. If healthy, there is a top 10 player in him.
No. 21: Lynden Lakovic, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
He’s at the high-end of this draft class in the 3S categories: skating, size and skill. Using all of those elements to become more of an inside presence will help his cause.
No. 22: Braeden Cootes, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
He’s no fun to play against. He’s constantly in the opposition’s grill creating havoc all over the ice. He exhibits the ability to check, which has become a buzzword in NHL circles lately.
No. 23: Sascha Boumedienne, D, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Boston University (NCAA)
Trying to work through the defencemen in this draft class is a challenging task. Boumedienne doesn’t overwhelm you with any one part of his game, yet all the parts together project him to be a mid-pairing defenceman at the next level, with ample seasoning.
No. 24: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, 6-foot-2, 184 pounds, Lulea (J20)
Since mid-January he’s torn up the J20 circuit with 20 points over his past 12 games. He needs skilled players around him to increase his effectiveness.
No. 25: William Moore, C, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, USNTDP
He can make the game look easy when he’s moving his feet and playing with pace. Moore can play an in-tight game with quick hands and slick moves.
No. 26: Cole Reschny, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Victoria Royals (WHL)
He’s been in and out of this space and his game is like a few others in this class in that he gets after it, but also has a finesse to his game to make others around him better.
No. 27: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Barrie Colts (OHL)
An infectious player with a boatload of personality who can play a rough and tumble game with some offensive upside.
No. 28: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
A number of goalies have started to emerge in this class, but the track record, size and raw nature of this prospect speaks to a high ceiling selection.
No. 29: Cole McKinney, C, 6-feet, 200 pounds, USNTDP
The top point producer for the US program has shown steady improvement all season long. The expectation is that he’s at his best now and is set to make a forward push at the U18 worlds.
No. 30: Cameron Schmidt, RW, 5-foot-7, 161 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
There are a number of smaller, skilled forwards in the upper end of this draft class. Why not take a chance on an elite goal-scorer who can get up ice in a hurry?
No. 31: Jack Murtagh, LW, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, USNTDP
The Boston University commit has the enviable combination of will and skill. He’s never afraid to get the puck to the net.
No. 32: Bill Zonnon, C, 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
He left home in Montreal at a young age to attend prep school in the United States, not only to hasten his hockey development, but to be forced into learning English.
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