The mock draft scenario for next year's NHL Entry Draft on June 27 is finally here, with the fans and analysts alike speculating prematurely over the first round even before the draft's official results are released. The mock draft also provides an educated guess as to what will suit the projecting teams best based on today's relevant and anticipated team needs, potentially launching them into a strong future franchise reconstruction. Clearly, the teams are receiving a deep talent pool from the OHL, WHL, and Europe, and then working on positional needs to continue bolstering their scoring upside in player development for the future.
Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa headline the 2025 Group of future first-round draft choices
The San Jose Sharks are expected to go for a defense-first approach by selecting a big defenseman who also presses the attack: Matthew Schaefer, the left defenseman from Erie in the OHL. Schaefer, with good size and mobility and with offense in mind, could theoretically serve as the cornerstone of the top pairing.
In close behind, the Chicago Blackhawks would do very well by selecting the high-scoring “Michael Misa” from Saginaw in the OHL. An incredible skater and all-across-the-rink playmaker, a player like Misa stands to blend nicely with the recently acquired rising star Bedard.
Nashville could look not beyond No. 3 and choose “Caleb Desnoyers”, a steady, platformed center out of Moncton (QMJHL), whose all-around game would provide immediate impact to a team building depth through center.
“James Hagens” out of Boston College, despite a lesser role this season, has the type of explosiveness and skill to become a top-six NHL center for Philadelphia as he becomes an offensive catalyst down the road.
Boston itself, always winning for some scoring depth, could select “Anton Frondell”, the Swedish center with keen hockey instincts and excellent goal-scoring power, while Seattle might go for another center from the OHL in the big Jake O'Brien, who adds more creativity and vision to their front line.
Wingers like “Porter Martone” (Brampton) and “Victor Eklund” (Djurgarden), scoring and defense loads, seem like the best fits for teams like Buffalo and Pittsburgh in need of scoring Pentland.
With numerous defenseman contracts in the mix, players like “Radim Mrtka” and “Jackson Smith” make perfect, future fits for a defensive top four. On the other hand, goalies such as “Joshua Ravensbergen” can be invaluable investments for enduring goaltending draft choices.
Also Read: NHL Playoff History: How 32 teams, among them the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, have stunned the league with 3–1 comebacks
Until we have a determined order of selection, this draft gives us a look at what kind of crafting NHL franchises could do by last June; because of all players they might wish for being laid out in an abundant pool of players to choose from, such franchises will hopefully find possible bedrock players for decades to come, spearheaded to the former with Schaefer and Misa.
Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa headline the 2025 Group of future first-round draft choices
The San Jose Sharks are expected to go for a defense-first approach by selecting a big defenseman who also presses the attack: Matthew Schaefer, the left defenseman from Erie in the OHL. Schaefer, with good size and mobility and with offense in mind, could theoretically serve as the cornerstone of the top pairing.
Matthew Schaefer is the unanimous choice to be the first defenseman taken at the 2025 #NHLDraft.
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) April 24, 2025
But who's next? Meet Jackson Smith, the @TCAmericans star who looks like a future top-pairing defenseman in the NHL.@SEllisHockey has more:https://t.co/KIE9RTvoG1
In close behind, the Chicago Blackhawks would do very well by selecting the high-scoring “Michael Misa” from Saginaw in the OHL. An incredible skater and all-across-the-rink playmaker, a player like Misa stands to blend nicely with the recently acquired rising star Bedard.
Next on the 2025 BSH Community Draft Board is Michael Misa.
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) April 23, 2025
There is seriously so little you can complain about a player. One of the rare complete centers we see at an NHL Draft.https://t.co/WyL5sQkad4
Nashville could look not beyond No. 3 and choose “Caleb Desnoyers”, a steady, platformed center out of Moncton (QMJHL), whose all-around game would provide immediate impact to a team building depth through center.
“James Hagens” out of Boston College, despite a lesser role this season, has the type of explosiveness and skill to become a top-six NHL center for Philadelphia as he becomes an offensive catalyst down the road.
Boston itself, always winning for some scoring depth, could select “Anton Frondell”, the Swedish center with keen hockey instincts and excellent goal-scoring power, while Seattle might go for another center from the OHL in the big Jake O'Brien, who adds more creativity and vision to their front line.
Wingers like “Porter Martone” (Brampton) and “Victor Eklund” (Djurgarden), scoring and defense loads, seem like the best fits for teams like Buffalo and Pittsburgh in need of scoring Pentland.
With numerous defenseman contracts in the mix, players like “Radim Mrtka” and “Jackson Smith” make perfect, future fits for a defensive top four. On the other hand, goalies such as “Joshua Ravensbergen” can be invaluable investments for enduring goaltending draft choices.
Also Read: NHL Playoff History: How 32 teams, among them the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, have stunned the league with 3–1 comebacks
Until we have a determined order of selection, this draft gives us a look at what kind of crafting NHL franchises could do by last June; because of all players they might wish for being laid out in an abundant pool of players to choose from, such franchises will hopefully find possible bedrock players for decades to come, spearheaded to the former with Schaefer and Misa.
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