Prepare for the NHL Season with the 2025 NHL Draft Review
Featuring a strong class of high-end talents and some particularly intriguing players who could make a huge impact on the league down the line, the 2025 NHL Draft provided the pieces to change the fortunes of several teams.
There were a few surprises after the first few picks, but that just added to the excitement for fans hoping their teams would net a steal later in the draft.
Now, with the picks made and some players given their 2025/26 assignments, it’s time for the 2025 NHL Draft review. Below, you’ll get the lowdown on players who could be the most impactful additions out of the gate, as well as the skaters who’ve been hailed as the top talents of the class.
Most Impactful Draft Selections for 2025
Naturally, when the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks picked first and second overall, respectively, they drafted players who they hope will be incredibly impactful this year and in the years to come.
However, the case tends to be that the least impactful teams get the early picks. So, these are the players who look to have landed in more favourable conditions to tee them up for making a bigger impact with their team in the 2025/26 NHL campaign.
James Hagens – Boston Bruins
A fluid skater with superb extended handling and a seemingly bottomless engine, James Hagens has long been on the NHL radar.
Standing 5’10’’ and 185lbs, the two-way center put up 11 goals and 37 points in 37 games for Boston College last season. So, it’s only fitting that Hagens would get picked up by the Boston Bruins with the seventh overall selection. Thus begins a new chapter for the Bs.
With Brad Marchand staying in Florida, the old guard of the Bruins have departed, making way for another potentially swift rebuild in Beantown.
Now, the Bruins are still at long odds in the Atlantic Division odds, but the addition of Hagens now feels timely, given his obvious skill set and skating ability, but somewhat lacking physicality. He can grow into the latter while showcasing his flair for offensive playmaking from the first faceoff.
Given the current situation of the Bruins’ lines and center being a clear area in need of addressing, not only could Hagens make an impact in 2025/26, but he has the ability to become a franchise cornerstone. Throw in that the Bruins love to have a top-tier two-way center and that he came through Boston College, and Hagens already looks to be a great fit for the franchise and fan base.
Jackson Smith – Columbus Blue Jackets
Arguably the next-best defenseman in the Class of ’25 behind the No. 1 overall pick, Jackson Smith proved his offensive credentials from the blueline and then some with the Tri-City Americans in the WHL.
Playing 68 games, he scored 11 goals and 54 points, showcasing his skating and eye for precise cross-ice passes. Smith is tremendously creative with the puck on his stick, but he’s also savvy without it, always finishing his checks.
Likely seen as more of an offensive defenseman than a two-way defenseman from the outset, Smith’s talents could work wonders alongside a solid defensive presence like Zach Werenski.
From there, it wouldn’t be startling to see Smith deployed on the powerplay, ready to take command of situations and cause goaltenders more than their fair share of unease.
His passing and skating will enable Smith to have an immediate impact in the NHL, which makes it quite surprising that he fell to 14th overall. Of course, the Blue Jackets couldn’t believe their luck, especially as the Buffalo Sabres took the bigger (6’6’’ to 6’4’’) two-way defenseman, Radim Mrtka.
Either way, Smith is a great fit in Columbus and will only become more potent as the team builds towards having better Metropolitan Division odds in the years to come.
Cameron Schmidt – Dallas Stars
He may be undersized at 5’8’’ and 161lbs, but as Cameron Schmidt fills out, his incredible offensive talent will only shine all the brighter.
The Edmonton native is absurdly quick off the mark and a proven sniper.
In the WHL with the Vancouver Giants, he posted seasons of 31 goals and 58 points in 59 games and then 40 goals and 78 points in 61 games. It’s right that Dallas Stars fans are excited about this selection.
Likely held back by his size in a league where power forwards and draining check-heavy play is winning championships, the Stars were able to pick up Schmidt with their first pick in the draft. That pick was 94th overall and in the third round.
Dallas will emphasize that he needs to bulk up a bit to deal with the rigours of the NHL, but once he does, he could be a potent addition to their scoring lines.
Already the fifth-favourites in the Stanley Cup odds, the Stars didn’t need a lofty pick in the draft. Their lines are stacked and, on paper, perhaps should be higher up in the futures market.
They got a dark horse in the Rocket Richard Trophy odds in Mikko Rantanen, third in the James Norris Trophy odds, Miro Heiskanen, and Vezina Trophy odds contender Jake Oettinger.
Still, if they need some bottom-six scoring due to injury or to shake things up, Schmidt could come in and make a huge impact.
Most Exciting Prospects from the 2025 NHL Draft
The 2025 NHL Draft was pretty stacked with talent, particularly when it comes to creative, high-scoring forwards.
A few standout defensemen broke into the first round, but for the most part, it was about getting in future difference makers on the wings or through the center.
Starting with the consensus top pick of the draft, these are the most exciting prospects of 2025 going forward.
Matthew Schaefer – New York Islanders
Despite only being 17-years-old, Matthew Schaefer is already capable of taking the game on his own back and commanding the plays.
He loves picking up the puck behind the net, letting the forecheck fall to one side, and then powering up the ice to dictate the action.
An incredibly mobile skater, the two-way defenseman was on the verge of what could have been an incredible OHL season before he broke his collarbone.
In 2023/24, for the Erie Otters, Schaefer put up three goals in 17 points in 56 games. After missing out early and making a brief return before the injury, the defenseman recorded seven goals and 22 points in 17 games.
Even with a season cut short, and despite the efforts of his peers, Schaefer was deemed the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Schaefer was the obvious pick for the New York Islanders, but he also fills their greatest need. The forward lines and goaltender situation are looking alright for the Isles, but the defensive lines were greatly lacking that next-level blueliner.
Schaefer’s skill is a hallmark of the kind of defenseman every Cup-hopeful team needs to succeed. He’ll likely get big minutes in 2025/26, and yet, he’s not the favourite in the Calder Trophy odds.
Michael Misa – San Jose Sharks
With 134 points in the bank with Saginaw Spirit in the OHL, Michael Misa put up a leading CHL tally that hadn’t been exceeded since Patrick Kane’s 2006/07 tally of 145 points.
The speedy playmaker entered the draft as the clear top forward in terms of creativity, passing, and with an eye for goal. Stepping up immensely from his 75 points in 67 games in 2023/24, Misa scored 62 goals in 65 games last season, buoying his mighty +45 rating as team captain.
Since Mike Grier took the post of general manager in 2022, the San Jose Sharks have been in full rebuild mode. They give young players plenty of time on the ice, collect stacks of picks, and are now seeing such moves bear fruit.
Looking at the lines, the natural inclination is to pair Misa with either Macklin Celebrini or Will Smith on the wing, and then have William Eklund line up with the other young center.
From there, the Sharks have two very exciting pairings in their top six.
They’ll need veterans like Jeff Skinner and Tyler Toffoli to flank them, and down the line, elevate them further with some big free agency signings.
Last season, Celebrini, Eklund, and Smith collected between 63 and 45 points. Lining up alongside them, Misa can expect to generate a similar haul.
At this stage, though, the Sharks are still rock bottom of the Pacific Division odds.
Anton Frondell – Chicago Blackhawks
The first European skater taken off the board, and only one of six in the first round, Anton Frondell proved himself in HockeyAllsvenskan last season.
Playing for the Djurgårdens IF men’s team, Frondell skated out 29 times to score 11 goals and 25 points. What was more impressive was his competitiveness, his hard play, and sheer drive to move the puck and get the puck back while up against seasoned professionals.
Taken third overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 6’1’’, 205lbs left-shot center will return to Djurgårdens IF next season to further refine his game.
In 2025/26, he’ll be competing in the SHL, having helped Djurgårdens get promoted to Sweden’s top division. This will give Frondell a season of top-tier competition, furthering his development and getting him even closer to being a potent force in the NHL.
Until then, the Chicago Blackhawks will remain in full rebuild mode, attempting to build to a better season around Connor Bedard. Some are disappointed that they didn’t add some NHL-ready support to go straight into the lines and further their development. Still, this move will be better in the long run, and he’ll be able to move into that second center slot in 2026/27.
For now, the Blackhawks are way back in Central Division odds.
Roger McQueen – Anaheim Ducks
Far more skilful with the puck on his stick than someone of his size deserves to be, Roger McQueen could develop into being the complete package. The center, who’s also happy to play down the wing, stands 6’6’’ before pulling his skates on and is more than happy to throw his 198 lbs around.
McQueen hits heavy, is always on the move, and when the puck finds his tape, he’s also a very adept playmaker.
Given his physicality and versatility along the frontline, McQueen is generally considered to be a power forward. However, with his stick skills and knack for making a creative play, there’s a case to be made for him being more of a natural playmaker.
Either way, with the way the top end of the NHL is going, his size, strength, and willingness to check will be fully utilized in the NHL lines of the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks were in need of another creative forward after trading Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Their ninth overall pick of 2019 had hit a wall, hindered by injuries and an emphasis on developing his two-way game. McQueen fills that void on paper and could grow into a particularly potent power forward down the wing – if he stays fit.
The Saskatoon native could only play 17 games in the WHL for the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2024/25, but in that time, the surprisingly tricky forward put up ten goals and 20 points.
Porter Martone – Philadelphia Flyers
The closer draft day came, the more the hype around Porter Martone started to kick up. It’s very clear that the NHL, right now, is shifting further away from the pure skill-and-speed emphasis and towards bringing back physical players and leaning on them to grind down opponents or to endure the grind placed upon them.
Importantly for Martone, his power forward play was coupled with a superb season of scoring in the OHL.
Playing predominantly on the right wing for the Brampton Steelheeads, Martone put up 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games, as well as 74 penalty minutes. This was a marked improvement on his already strong sophomore OHL season in 2023/24. Here, he nailed 33 goals, 71 points, and 63 penalty minutes in 60 games. At 6’3’’ and 205lbs, the Peterborough native looks ready for the rigours of an NHL season.
Looking to capitalize on his hefty frame and talent for beating the goaltender, the Philadelphia Flyers will almost certainly deploy Martone in their NHL lines straight away, having landed such a steal at sixth overall.
Many expected Martone to be a top-three pick, or even a top-five, given his superb shot, puck skill, hockey IQ, and vision.
In the end, the Nashville Predators – who’d scouted Martone the most – opted for Brady Martin at No. 5.
If the Flyers can encourage him to be more aggressive in all zones and up his physical play further, he’ll soon be making a strong claim to skate in Philly’s top six. As he develops and refines his game for the NHL, the Flyers will see their hockey odds in each game improve little by little.
For now, there’s a lot of anticipation for the rise of a modern Broad Street Bully at Wells Fargo Center.