Wayne Gretzky, Alex Ovechkin speak after latter’s record-breaking night
Alex Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky for the most goals scored all time in NHL history and both legends spoke to fans after the accomplishment.
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Defenseman Matthew Schaefer is the top-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings of 2025 draft prospects, despite not playing since the world junior hockey championship in December.
He scored 22 points in 17 games with the Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters and had two points in two games at the tournament before breaking his collarbone and missing the rest of the tournament and the season.
“He is the complete package playing a dynamic style that generates results and influences the outcome of games,” said Dan Marr, vice president of NHL Central Scouting. “Schaefer easily projects as a future All-Star in the NHL.”
If he goes No. 1 overall, Schaefer would be the first Erie player selected with the top pick since Connor McDavid (2015) and the first defenseman picked at No. 1 since Owen Power (2021).
The San Jose Sharks have the best draft lottery odds.
What to know about the 2025 NHL draft, including lottery odds, top prospects, the date and how to watch:
NHL draft lottery odds
Final odds after end of regular season
The draft lottery winner can move up a maximum of 10 spots, so only the bottom 11 teams have a chance to win the No. 1 pick. The last-place team has an 18.5% chance of winning outright, plus would retain the first overall pick if a team that finishes 12th to 16th from the bottom wins the lottery. The Rangers traded their pick to Vancouver in the J.T. Miller trade but it’s top-13 protected.
San Jose Sharks – 25.5% (18.5% outright)Chicago Blackhawks – 13.5%Nashville Predators – 11.5%Philadelphia Flyers – 9.5%Boston Bruins – 8.5%Seattle Kraken – 7.5%Buffalo Sabres – 6.5%Anaheim Ducks – 6.0%Pittsburgh Penguins – 5.0%New York Islanders – 3.5%New York Rangers – 3.0%Detroit Red Wings – 2.5%Columbus Blue Jackets – 2.0%Utah Hockey Club – 1.5%Vancouver Canucks – 0.5%Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames) – 0.5%Top North American skatersErie (OHL) defenseman Matthew SchaeferSaginaw (OHL) center Michael MisaBoston College center James HagensBrantford (OHL) center Jake O’BrienSeattle (WHL) defenseman Radim MrtkaBrampton (OHL) right wing Porter MartoneMoncton (QMJHL) center Caleb DesnoyersBrandon (WHL) center Roger McQueenBarrie (OHL) defenseman Kashawn AitchesonEverett (WHL) left wing Carter BearTop international skatersDjurgarden (Sweden) center Anton FrondellDjurgarden (Sweden) right wing Victor EklundModo Jr. (Sweden) Milton GastrinKarlovy Vary (Czechia) left wing Vojtech CiharUfa Jr. (Russia) right wing Alexander ZharovskyWhen is the NHL draft?
The 2025 NHL draft will be held June 27-28. The first round will be on the 27th and rounds 2-7 will be held the next day. The times haven’t been announced yet.
Where is the NHL draft?
The 2025 NHL draft will be held in Los Angeles at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater. Top prospects will be there, but not team representatives, who will take part virtually.
How to watch the NHL draft
The first day of the 2025 NHL draft will be broadcast on ESPN. The second day will be aired on NHL Network.
How to stream the NHL draft
ESPN+ will carry both days. Fubo and Sling carry ESPN and NHL Network.