Ben Kindel, the 2025 No. 11 pick, has 19 points in 42 games for the Penguins, Jerome Miron / Imagn Images
It’s been over six months since the 2025 NHL Draft took place in Los Angeles. Looking at my updated U23 NHL board, there has been some notable movement within the class since draft day.
Here’s how I view the top of the 2025 class today.
The undisputed No. 1
Matthew Schaefer has been one of the best 18-year-old NHL defensemen of the modern era. As a player only days away from being eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, he’s become an immediate impact player for the Islanders. Schaefer’s skating and hockey sense are both fantastic. He projects as a true franchise No. 1 defenseman who will tilt the ice for 25 minutes per game. He’s currently the best player in this draft class by a rather massive margin, despite any lingering debate there may have been about this pick last summer (i.e. Michael Misa or James Hagens).
McQueen delivering
Roger McQueen was one of the most debated players in last year’s class due to his unique toolkit and because he missed a lengthy portion of the season due to a back injury. He started off slowly in his freshman season at Providence, but has been excellent of late. McQueen’s combination of size, high-end hands and skating ability is exceptionally rare, especially when you consider that he’s developed a legit mean streak as well in recent years. Now that he’s been healthy and productive, he’s looking like a potential top-six forward who could fill a unique power forward role for the Ducks.
Zharovsky’s rise
Alexander Zharovsky has been the revelation of the 2025 class. It’s not normal for an 18-year-old to step into the KHL and produce offense the way he has this season. His skill level and ability to make plays at pace are high-end. He’s a good enough skater and competitor to project currently as a top-six scoring forward who can run a power play. His skill level stood out as a junior in his draft season, but the way it has seamlessly transitioned to pro hockey has Zharovsky looking like a premium prospect as opposed to the high second-round pick he was six months ago.
Kindel immediately helps Penguins
Ben Kindel has defied the odds as the No. 11 pick to become an immediate contributor for Pittsburgh. Despite concerns about his size and not being a truly elite skater for his frame on draft day, his great skill, hockey sense and motor have allowed him to translate his game instantly to the NHL level. He competes hard on every puck and processes the game faster than his opponents. He projects as a quality top-six forward who drives play and makes his teammates better.
Best of the rest
Michael Misa (San Jose) remains a very strong prospect at No. 2. He’s been in and out of the Sharks’ lineup but his great tools, including his high-end skating and skill, still have him projected as a very good top-six center who will drive possession.
James Hagens (Boston) was the most debated player of the draft class after falling from a potential No. 1 pick to seventh in his draft class. He’s been quite good this season, competing harder than he did in his draft season and showing more ability to get inside to go with his great feet, skill and vision.
Kashawn Aitcheson (Islanders) has been arguably the best defenseman in the OHL this season. He brings a highly physical element that every team covets, but his offensive touch has been better than expected, scoring at a near-goal-per-game pace. He projects as a unique top-four defender.
Joshua Ravensbergen (San Jose) is tracking as a potential starting NHL goaltender after an up-and-down draft season. His athleticism for a 6-foot-5 goalie is excellent, and he has been the difference-maker in games consistently this season in the WHL for Prince George.
Here’s how I would currently order the top 16 from the 2025 draft:
Matthew Schaefer, LHD
Michael Misa, C
James Hagens, C
Roger McQueen, C
Porter Martone, RW
Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD
Jake O’Brien, C
Alexander Zharovsky, C
Ben Kindel, C
Joshua Ravensbergen, G
Anton Frondell, C
Brady Martin, C
Victor Eklund, RW
Caleb Desnoyers, C
Cole Reschny, C
Radim Mrtka, RHD