The NHL Draft is one of my favorite times of the year. This page will be my NHL mock draft. This will be updated as developments happen throughout the year and things will change based on the standings and player performances.
Gunner’s 2025 NHL Mock Draft
| 1) | Chicago Blackhawks | James Hagens | Center | USA |
James Hagens is one of the favorites to go first overall in this draft (along with Matthew Schaefer).
At the 2024 Under-18 World Championships, Hagens broke the record for most points in a single tournament, where he had an impressive 22 points in only 7 games. This broke the record that was previously held by Nikita Kucherov, who had 21 points during the 2011 tournament. Nothing is guaranteed with prospects but if he is anything close to Kucherov, the team drafting first is going to be very happy.
The Chicago Blackhawks are likely going to be at the bottom of the league again. It should take a few more years before they are fighting for a playoff spot. I could see them getting the first overall pick again this year.
Hagens is a center, so 10+ years of him and Connor Bedard as the 1-2 punch down the middle would be great for the Blackhawks. Or, they can play them together if that makes more sense. Either way, they can’t really go wrong here.
Speaking of elite talent from the United States, make sure to check out my predictions for Team USA at the next Olympics.
| 2) | San Jose Sharks | Matthew Schaefer | Left Defense | Canada |
Matthew Schaefer could go number one overall in this draft and it seems to be between him and James Hagens. I am going Hagens first, followed by Schaefer but that might change as we get closer to the draft.
The San Jose Sharks are going to be bad again. I am going to assume that they will have a top 3 pick for the second year in a row. They already have Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini, so they will be adding another elite prospect to the mix.
I think adding an elite defenseman like Schaefer makes sense here. A trio of Smith, Celebrini and Schaefer would be pretty great for them for the next decade.
| 3) | Nashville Predators | Anton Frondell | Center | Sweden |
Anton Frondell is the top Swedish prospect in this years class. He seems to have a lot of offensive talent and I am excited to see how he progresses. I see him having a fantastic draft year and finding his way into the top 5 of this draft.
| 4) | Anaheim Ducks | Michael Misa | Center/ Left Wing | Canada |
Michael Misa is a really interesting prospect. He was granted exceptional status in the OHL. This is something that guys like Connor McDavid, John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, and Connor Bedard did, and they all went first overall in the NHL Draft. Exceptional status isn’t a guarantee though as names like Sean Day, Shane Wright, and Joe Veleno didn’t end up getting picked first overall after being granted the status. This just tells us that the potential for Misa is really high.
I think Misa will go in the top 5 with a chance to go 3rd overall if he has a monster draft year. He has the talent to do it.
Speaking of McDavid and Bedard, make sure to check out our predictions for the Canada hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.
| 5) | Buffalo Sabres | Porter Martone | Right Wing | USA |
Porter Martone has some great size at 6 foot 3. He also plays physical and can score goals. I think the combination of size, physicality and skill will be hard for a lot of GM’s to pass up on. I see him going in the top 5 unless he has a terrible year.
| 6) | Seattle Kraken | Roger McQueen | Center | Canada |
Roger McQueen is another guy with great size who I think will be hard to pass up on in the top 10. McQueen stands at 6 foot 5 and should be someone who GM’s will be very interested in. His skating seems to need work but if he can put everything together, he has a lot of upside.
| 7) | Philadelphia Flyers | Ivan Ryabkin | Center | Russia |
Ivan Ryabkin is the top-rated Russian player in this year’s draft class. Russians are always major wildcards in drafts, and that is heightened based on the current political climate. I just don’t know if GM’s will want to take the risk, so that moves him out of the top 5 for me.
| 8) | Utah Hockey Club | Caleb Desnoyers | Center | Canada |
Caleb Desnoyers has been moving up the rankings over the past several months. Looks like he could be going in the top 10 if he keeps it up.
| 9) | Pittsburgh Penguins | Malcolm Spence | Left Wing | Canada |
Malcolm Spence is a guy who seems like he could go in the top 10. He has nice size at 6 foot 2 and has a lot of offensive talent. If he has a strong finish to the year, he should crack the top 10.
Spence has also proven that he is someone who can come up in the clutch as he scored the overtime goal to help Canada win the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
| 10) | New York Islanders | Victor Eklund | Left Wing | Sweden |
Victor Eklund is the second Swede on this list behind Anton Frondell. I could see this Left Winger moving into the top 10.
What are your predictions for the NHL Draft? Make sure to let me know in the comments or Tweet me your top 5.