Scouts will pound the table to get their guy when it comes to these 2025 NHL Draft eligibles.

The team at FCHockey is no different.

With the 2025 draft approaching, we asked our scouts which player they’d personally vouch for the most — especially on players they’re higher on than the general consensus.

Here are those results:

Alex Huang | D | Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
FCHockey rank: 102

Alex Huang is an intelligent, smooth-skating defenseman known for his fluid mobility, strong decision-making, and refined hockey sense. His edgework and lateral agility allow him to evade pressure, manipulate forecheckers, and maintain offensive zone time through smart movement along the blue line. He excels at initiating breakouts with accurate stretch passes and supports transition play with quick, poised puck distribution. Offensively, Huang favors puck movement over shooting, using fakes and subtle shifts to create passing lanes, especially on the power play. While he lacks a high-volume shot, his wrister is accurate and well-placed when used. Defensively, he positions well, breaks up plays with an active stick, and ties up sticks around the net.

“I like his combination of high-end mobility, poise, decision-making, and positional awareness,” FCHockey chief Eastern scout Joey Fortin Boulay said. “He’s highly effective at exiting the zone, whether by skating it out or delivering a clean breakout pass. His calm and composed play brings a steadying presence to his teammates.”

Though he’s improved in board battles, his finesse-first style limits his impact in more physical situations, and increased assertiveness would benefit his net-front play. With further physical development and a more aggressive mindset, Huang projects as a versatile, top-four puck-moving defenseman.

“His production was limited this season, partly due to being snakebitten a bit, but he looked noticeably steadier and more confident in the second half with a bit of a production uptick in February,” Fortin Boulay said. “He emerged as Chicoutimi’s most reliable defenseman, and I believe he’s poised to take major strides next season. Long-term, I see him developing into a dependable two-way, No. 4–5 defenseman at the NHL level.”

Kurban Limatov | D | MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)
FCHockey rank: 25

Kurban Limatov is a big, mobile defenseman with a modern two-way profile, combining poise, physical tools, and solid skating mechanics. His powerful stride and edgework allow him to defend against speed and transition the puck efficiently, often evading pressure with smart movement and accurate breakout passes. Defensively, he leverages a long reach, sound gap control, and anticipation to disrupt plays, while his strength in board battles and positional discipline make him difficult to beat. Offensively, Limatov contributes secondary scoring, shows vision at the blue line, and can join rushes with confidence. He plays in all situations –including special teams — and has adapted well to varying pairings and roles, even handling his off side reliably.

“What I love about his game is the combination of size, reach skating prowess, puck-moving efficiency and the ability to just play his game despite pressure on him,” FCHockey chief European scout Samuel Tirpak said. “He can also play both sides as a left shooting defenseman.”

Though not overly physical, he competes assertively and uses leverage effectively. Inconsistencies in his defensive reads and occasional risky decisions under pressure suggest areas for development. With improved awareness and decision-making, Limatov projects as a reliable, middle-pair defenseman with upside.

“If you are going to get a defender, get a guy who can skate and play as well as this guy under pressure,” Tirpak said. “His game screams second pair shut-down NHL defender and I love it. There is no extra anything in his game. He projects to be a modern-day shutdown defender in the future.”

Brady Martin | C | Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 14

Brady Martin is a high-motor, two-way forward who plays with relentless physicality, energy, and skill. He thrives on heavy forechecking, aggressive puck pursuit, and persistent engagement in net-front and board battles. Known for his intimidating presence and pest-like demeanor, Martin consistently finishes checks and disrupts opposing defenders. His explosive first step and powerful skating base enable him to pressure effectively and drive play wide with control. Offensively, he boasts a heavy, accurate shot that is effective from dangerous areas and complements it with functional passing and flashes of seam-threading ability. He supports play well in the dirty areas, often extending possessions and doing the little things that contribute to team success.

“How hard he plays the game, and his lead by example approach is what I like most about Martin,” FCHockey regional scout Mike Kennedy said. “He is a leader and the type of player that excels when the game is on the line.”

Defensively, Martin shows awareness and positioning, often sagging low in support and adapting in transition. While his agility, vision under pressure, and stickhandling can still improve, his competitiveness, finishing touch, and positional versatility make him a strong candidate for a bottom-six NHL role with middle-six potential.

“I’d slam my fist on the table for this player because he is a player that you win championships with in your lineup,” Kennedy said. “His skating, hockey intelligence, and urgency all stand out. The competitive drive and intangibles he brings though are what truly would make me want to select this player ahead of others.”

Alexei Medvedev | G | London (OHL)
FCHockey rank: 63

Alexei Medvedev is a technically sound, composed goaltender whose game is built on elite positioning, anticipation, and structured movement. His calm presence under pressure helps stabilize play, while his athleticism allows him to move fluidly through his crease and maintain balance. He tracks pucks well, especially in tight areas, staying square to shooters and setting his depth effectively. His rebound control stands out, as he regularly absorbs shots or directs them to safe areas. Medvedev’s edgework and foot control are excellent, enabling him to make quick, efficient lateral adjustments and reset with poise after initial saves. His glove hand is a reliable strength, marked by quick reactions and strong tracking.

“I think Medvedev is a really refined goalie,” FCHockey chief goaltending scout David Phillips said. “He excels at setting his feet and playing a technically sound game based around good habits and strong positional skill. Medvedev is also really well rounded, without any certain trait really sticking out as below average. His well rounded technical skillset and under-the-radar athletic ability make him a really intriguing goalie prospect to me.”

Though consistent in structure, he occasionally struggles with tracking pucks through traffic, particularly on long-range shots with screens. Nonetheless, his compact stance, smart scanning habits, and strong post coverage give him a well-rounded, professional foundation. Medvedev projects as a high-upside, mentally mature goaltender with starter potential.

“When you also factor in how young Medvedev is for this draft class, he’s got more time to catch up in physical development in relation to his peers,” Phillips said. “I think his profile is uniquely impressive because of how young he is compared to others, and how refined his game already is. A few years down the line I think a team will be laughing at where they took Medvedev in relation to other goalies in the draft.”

Hayden Paupanekis | C | Kelowna (WHL)
FCHockey rank: 74

Hayden Paupanekis is a powerful, physically dominant forward who utilizes his size to protect pucks, win battles, and create offense in tight areas. His puck-handling is advanced for a player of his stature, allowing him to maintain possession under pressure and control play along the boards. He thrives when driving the net, shielding defenders and finishing around the crease. His ability to retrieve pucks, apply second efforts, and make smart, short passes under duress enhances his forechecking presence. While not a natural playmaker, he contributes to transition with competent zone exits and flashes of offensive creativity.

“The overarching thing about his game that I like is the mix of tools he has,” FCHockey regional scout Kareem Elshafey said. “The frame is obvious and he can use it to play a physical game, but I’m also impressed with other skill attributes he possesses. It demonstrates to me that there’s some untapped offensive play which would go along with his physical qualities really well.”

Paupanekis’s skating — particularly acceleration and footwork — remains a work in progress, though he moves well at top speed and is strong on his skates. Defensively, his play can be inconsistent, with lapses in awareness and discipline, especially during puck retrievals and net-front coverage. However, his size, strength, and compete level suggest room for growth, projecting him as a valuable depth or matchup piece.

“There are a couple things that make me back Paupanekis as much as I do,” Elshafey said. “He’s the type of prospect that has so much room to improve as he grows into his body. He may be a bit raw, but with more opportunity and development, I think the characteristics of his game can be further uncovered.”

Daniil Prokhorov | RW | DYNAMO ST. PETERSBURG JR. (MHL)
FCHockey rank: 79

Daniil Prokhorov is a powerful, hard-driving winger who combines size, explosive skating, and a heavy shot to present a rare north-south offensive threat. Built for a physical game, he thrives on punishing forechecks, energetic backchecks, and disruptive physical play, consistently delivering hits that swing momentum and wear down opponents. He excels at gaining separation with speed and generating scoring chances off the rush by driving the net with force. Around the crease, he uses his strength effectively to screen goalies, win position, and finish with confidence. Though not a natural playmaker, Prokhorov flashes soft hands in one-on-one situations and finishes well.

“I know he’s a project… he’s a project no matter what you’re trying to turn him into in your NHL lineup,” FCHockey crossover scout Greysen Goudy said. “But if you’re patient the tools that are there scream elite middle sixer in my opinion. The size, the speed, the tenacity and strength, the scoring ability, the drive for the middle of the ice, it’s all there. You’ve just got to drill the bad habits out of him and help him refine and mature his game.”

Prokhorov’s decision-making under pressure and off-puck awareness, however, need refinement; he can miss opportunities by forcing plays and loses coverage defensively in fast-paced situations. His physical dominance may be inflated by weaker competition, but his raw tools—size, skating, tenacity, and a dangerous shot—suggest enticing upside as a high-energy, physically imposing winger at the pro level.

“He is a ‘slam my fist on the table’ type prospect for me for a few reasons,” Goudy said. “One, his combination of size, speed, and puck skills is incredibly intriguing to me. Big guy like him shouldn’t be able to move as well as he can. That’s a rare combination that I value very highly. He shows flashes of high end creativity with his puck skills all over the ice, using his hands and size to quickly attack the net. The offensive tools are there, that’s unquestionable.”

Luka Radivojevic | D | Muskegon (USHL)
FCHockey rank: 33

Luka Radivojevic is a poised, offensive-minded defenseman who excels through elite edgework, intelligent puck movement, and high-end spatial awareness. His ability to elude pressure with sharp cutbacks, deceptive skating posture, and clever transitions allows him to retrieve pucks under duress and initiate clean breakouts. An exceptional lateral skater, he creates time and space at the offensive blue line, where he reads coverage well to open lanes for crisp passes or a developing but accurate shot. His mobility, vision, and stretch-passing ability make him a major asset in transition and on the power play.

“”His skating, absolutely, is what I appreciate most about his game,” FCHockey regional scout Kyle Pereira said. “His skating, speed, edges, ability to walk the line is outstanding.”

Though undersized, he competes hard, using technique and a low center of gravity to handle physical confrontations better than expected. Defensively, he maintains strong gap control and breaks up plays with smart reads and an active stick, though his risk-taking can occasionally lead to breakdowns. With added strength and refined positioning, Radivojevic projects as a modern, top-four puck-moving defenseman capable of contributing in all situations.

“His skating ability and smarts with the puck at the blue line is, in my opinion, similar to Lane Huston,” Pereira said. “Of course he isn’t as dynamic with the puck, but his ability to walk the line and create lanes for himself and teammates, is very reminiscent.”

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