It’s officially NHL Draft week.
Whether you’ve been locked in on scouting reports all season or are just now tuning in, here’s everything you need to know before the picks start rolling in.
About The 2025 NHL Entry Draft
This year’s draft will be held at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles
The draft will once again be split into two days: Round 1 begins Friday at 5 p.m. (MT), with Rounds 2 through 7 taking place Saturday morning.
How To Watch The NHL Draft
The 2025 NHL Draft takes place on Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28. Round one begins at 5 p.m. (MT). Round two begins at 10 a.m. (MT).
All rounds will be carried on ESPN and Sportsnet.
Television
Streaming
Audio
Other Coverage
In-depth digital coverage on KSLSports.com
These #NHLDraft portraits never get old. 🤩
Catch Round 1 of the 2025 Upper Deck #NHLDraft Friday at 7p ET on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, and @TVASports! pic.twitter.com/hIbQ4jni7J
— NHL (@NHL) June 25, 2025
The NY Islanders won the draft lottery and claimed the No. 1 overall pick back in May. San Jose, Chicago, Utah, and Nashville fill out the top five.
1. NY Islanders
2. San Jose
3. Chicago
4. Utah
5. Nashville
6. Philadelphia
7. Boston
8. Seattle
9. Buffalo
10. Anaheim
11. Pittsburgh
12. Pittsburgh (from VAN via NYR)
13. Detroit
14. Columbus
15. Vancouver
16. Montreal (from CGY)
17. Montreal
18. Calgary (from NJD)
19. St. Louis
20. Columbus (from MIN)
21. Ottawa
22. Philadelphia (from COL)
23. Nashville (from TBL)
24. Los Angeles
25. Chicago (from TOR)
26. Nashville (from VGK via SJS)
27. Washington
28. Winnipeg
29. Carolina
30. San Jose (from DAL)
31. Philadelphia (from EDM)
32. Calgary (from FLA)
Draft Projections
Unlike in recent years when there was a clear name to take above the rest, there is no consensus in this class.
It was Macklin Celebrini in 2024 and Connor Bedard in 2023. Although Matthew Schaefer is the current favorite, anything can happen in the top five.
In NHL.com’s final mock draft, writers Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale were in full agreement on the top four. Schaefer to New York, Michael Misa to San Jose, Anton Frondell to Chicago, and Caleb Desnoyers to Utah.
Will There Be Draft Night Trades?
Trades are a staple of any draft night. But what is the current buzz around the league?
The Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres are two teams to keep your eyes on, both in the draft and in the following free agency period.
The top ten is expected to go chalk, but anything can happen on draft night.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
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