The 2025 NHL Draft is this week. Are you not a huge prospect junkie and are just learning about all the major names this week? This is your primer for what will happen Friday night in Los Angeles.
How good is the projected top pick, Matthew Schaefer?
Matthew Schaefer barely played this season after contracting mono in the first half and then suffering a broken clavicle at the World Juniors, which knocked him out for the duration of the year. When he was on the ice, though, he looked like a potential star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL. He was the clear best player at numerous international showcases, and he was great in the Ontario Hockey League. Schaefer’s skating is exceptional, which allows him to close gaps quickly and transition play with ease. His puck skills, intelligence and compete level are all notably above NHL average as well, and he makes an impact at both ends of the ice. Schaefer has also overcome significant personal adversity with the recent death of his mother. He is one of the youngest players in this class; he was a few weeks away from being eligible for the 2026 draft, showing the significant runway he has for development.
What’s supposed to happen after Schaefer is picked?
Following Schaefer at No. 1, expect forwards Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers and Anton Frondell to lead the next few picks. Misa has been dazzling as an exceptional-status player in the OHL, showcasing elite creativity and skating. He was the best player in the league this season and has the potential to possibly become a first-line NHL center. He is the favorite to be the No. 2 pick. Desnoyers, the playoff MVP in the QMJHL, brings a rare combination of size, skill and compete level, making him an ideal top-center prospect. Meanwhile, Frondell, despite concerns about how he ended his year, was very good playing against men this year. He has the best shot in the draft, while being a heavy two-way center with significant skill as well.
Wasn’t James Hagens supposed to be the top prospect this year?
Indeed, James Hagens was once widely regarded as the potential top pick in this year’s draft after his great career at the U.S. NTDP and dominating the World Under-18 Championship last spring. His freshman season at Boston College, however, didn’t quite meet those lofty expectations despite still being very productive. He’s a dynamic player with the skating, skill and hockey sense of a premier NHL forward. He’s on the smaller side, but his profile echoes similarities to players like Logan Cooley and Jack Hughes at the same age, although some scouts have concerns on whether he will handle the NHL’s physicality like the other two did. While he may no longer be the consensus top choice, Hagens still projects comfortably as a high-end NHL talent likely to be selected very early.
You mentioned a bunch of forwards. What about the defensemen?
After Schaefer is picked, we expect a run of forwards, and particularly centers, in the top 10. There are good defensemen, but we don’t expect the next defender to be picked until the later parts of the top 10. Radim Mrtka, a towering 6-foot-6 right-handed defenseman from WHL Seattle, is likely the second blueliner off the board. Mrtka combines impressive size and NHL-level skating with capable puck-handling skills. His offensive ceiling isn’t elite, but his ability to shut down plays and transition effectively makes him an appealing choice for teams in need of a reliable top-four defender. The super tough but still skilled Kashawn Aitcheson is a consideration too, as well as the tall, mobile, highly skilled but also at times highly erratic Jackson Smith.
Briefs on the top prospects
Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie: Schaefer is a 6-foot-2 defenseman who is an exceptional skater with legit skill and hockey IQ. He consistently impressed on international stages. He projects as a star No. 1 NHL defenseman whom the Islanders can build around.
Michael Misa, C, Saginaw: Granted exceptional status in the OHL and rapidly became a top player. Misa combines dynamic skating, creativity and excellent vision. He’s a potential cornerstone NHL center.
Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton: The MVP of the QMJHL playoffs, Desnoyers is a complete player blending size, speed, skill, hockey sense and two-way play. He has all the tools as a tough minutes NHL center.
Anton Frondell, C, Djurgarden: Frondell excelled versus men this season in Sweden. He’s highly skilled and smooth as a puck handler with a deadly shot. Frondell is a competitor with versatility and reliability at both ends of the ice. He projects as a valuable top-six forward.
Porter Martone, RW, Brampton: Martone is a big winger who’s highly skilled and creative. His skating pace raises concerns, but his physical presence, compete level and scoring ability point to the potential to be a top-line winger.
Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford: O’Brien has been excellent in the OHL. He’s a patient and creative playmaker who excels at setting up scoring chances. He’s one of the most purely skilled players in the draft who projects as a top-two-line center.
Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie: Martin is a high-energy, competitive center known for his great physical play and impressive puck skills. His pure physical tools don’t stand out like the other top prospects, but he affects games just as much.
James Hagens, C, Boston College: Hagens is the most dynamic player in the class. He has an elite combination of skating, hands and vision, although he’s on the smaller side.
Roger McQueen, C, Brandon: McQueen is a huge, very skilled center who skates quite well for a player his size. He missed almost the entire season due to a back injury, but when healthy and playing hard, he looks like a potential No. 1 center.
Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle: Mrtka is a massive, mobile defenseman with solid puck skills and poise. He’s an effective defender who projects as a quality top-four defenseman with some offensive upside.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Bruce Bennett, Michael Miller / ISI Photos / Getty Images)