Will the New York Islanders use their first pick on a defender or scorer?
The New York Islanders own the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft after winning the 2025 Draft Lottery.
Sports Pulse
The New York Islanders lucked out when they won the draft lottery and jumped from 10th place to No. 1 overall.
Mathieu Darche was even luckier because he wasn’t even with the Islanders that day. He was hired as the team’s general manager 18 days later.
That’s why he plans to hang on to the pick during the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday, June 27.
“I’ve been pretty fortunate,” he told reporters earlier this week. “Usually when you pick a player at No. 1, you get a special player. I’m going to get a great player who’s going to push our organization forward.”
Darche didn’t tip his hand on his pick. He called Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the top-ranked player, “an impressive young man” but noted that other players he met during the interview process also have been impressive.
Here’s what to know about the 2025 NHL draft, including start time, how to watch, the first-round order and top prospects:
What time does the NHL draft start tonight?
The 2025 NHL Draft will be held June 27-28 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles (team officials will participate remotely). The first round will start at 7 p.m. ET Friday and the second through seventh rounds will start at noon ET Saturday.
What channel is the NHL draft tonight?
The first round will be shown on ESPN and the second day will be shown on NHL Network.
How to live stream the NHL draft
Fubo carries ESPN and NHL Network. Both days can be streamed on ESPN+.
2025 NHL Draft: First-round orderNew York Islanders (won draft lottery)San Jose SharksChicago BlackhawksUtah Mammoth (moved up in second draft lottery)Nashville PredatorsPhiladelphia FlyersBoston BruinsSeattle KrakenBuffalo SabresAnaheim DucksPittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers via Vancouver Canucks)Detroit Red WingsColumbus Blue JacketsVancouver CanucksMontreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames)Montreal CanadiensCalgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils)St. Louis BluesColumbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota Wild)Ottawa SenatorsPhiladelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche)Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay Lightning)Los Angeles KingsChicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs)Nashville Predators (from Golden Knights via Sharks)Washington CapitalsWinnipeg JetsCarolina HurricanesSan Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars)Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers)Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers)
Who are the top prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft?Top North American skaters
As ranked by NHL Central Scouting
Erie (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 ZharovskyHow many rounds are the NHL draft?
There are seven rounds. The first round is on Friday, June 27, starting at 7 p.m. ET. The second through seventh rounds are on Saturday, June 28, starting at noon ET.
2025 NHL Draft: Mock drafts
Red Line Report’s Kyle Woodlief lists Schaefer, Misa, Martone, Hagens and Frondell as his top five picks. Full list
Here is how AI predicts the first round will go.