5 Early Predictions for the 2025 NHL Draft
The 2025 NHL draft opens June 27 with Round 1, followed by Rounds 2-7 on June 28 in Los Angeles.
On May 5, the order of the top 16 selections was determined by the NHL Draft Lottery, with the New York Islanders winning the first-overall selection. The order for the remaining 16 picks will be decided following the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
While the second round of the playoffs is ongoing, the non-playoff clubs are making their offseason preparations, including their plans for the draft weekend in six weeks.
Those plans will include determining which prospects they'll choose with their respective picks. Teams with multiple picks, especially those in the first round, will decide if they'll retain them or use them as trade capital to move up in the draft order, or to acquire more immediate roster help.
The draft weekend is usually when the movement of NHL players occurs as the trade market returns to life following the postseason. Few things stir fan excitement more during the first round than NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stepping to the podium to declare, “We have a trade to announce.”
Considering how much time there is until the draft weekend, we felt it was worthwhile to get ahead of the game and make some early predictions for the 2025 NHL Draft.
New York Rangers Send Their 1st-Rounder to the Pittsburgh Penguins
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On Jan. 31, the New York Rangers' 2025 first-round pick was shipped to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return in the J.T. Miller trade. The following day, the Canucks included that pick as part of the return to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Marcus Pettersson.
That pick was top-13 protected. The Rangers can send that pick to the Penguins or keep it and send them their unprotected 2026 first-rounder.
The Rangers have until June 25 to decide if they'll part with that first-rounder or retain it. We predict they'll let the Penguins have it.
Next year's draft is supposed to be deeper than this year's. The prize is young forward Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League. NHL scouts are raving about the 17-year-old's offensive skills, projecting he'll become the top prospect in 2026.
The last thing the Rangers want is to risk that pick becoming the winner in next year's draft lottery. They would be handing their division rival a generational talent who could succeed Sidney Crosby one day.
Predators and Flyers Trade 1 of Their 3 First-Rounders for Immediate Help
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Two teams enter the 2025 NHL draft carrying three picks in the first round.
The Nashville Predators have their pick, the Vegas Golden Knights' first-rounder (acquired from the San Jose Sharks), and the Tampa Bay Lightning's. The Philadelphia Flyers have their own first-round pick, and the first-rounders they acquired from the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche.
Both clubs could keep those picks for themselves and use them to continue stocking up their prospect pool. However, they could use at least one of their picks as trade bait to bring in more immediate help for their rebuilding rosters.
The Predators need a more reliable defense partner for top blueliner Roman Josi. They could also seek some experienced depth at center.
Meanwhile, the Flyers need help at all positions. Their primary focus could be on adding depth among their centers and defensemen.
Montreal Canadiens Trade 1 of Their First-Rounders for a 2nd-Line Center
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The rebuilding Montreal Canadiens exceeded expectations this season, making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. That has generated excitement among their fans, but also raised expectations for better things next season.
To clear that bar, the Canadiens need a reliable second-line center. Kirby Dach was supposed to have filled that role by now, but injuries have sidelined him and stalled his development. They could address that need in the trade market.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes acquired Dach during the first round of the 2022 draft by swinging trades with the New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks. This time, he could peddle one of his two 2025 first-rounders (16th and 17th overall) in a trade package for a second-line center.
Hughes could pursue a center in his early-to-mid twenties who would fit within the age group of the Canadiens' young core. Possible targets could include Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, or Dawson Mercer of the New Jersey Devils.
Some Notable NHL Stars Could Be on the Move
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Trades often occur during the NHL Draft at various rounds. Most deals involve swaps of draft picks, but sometimes NHL players also change teams.
Two notable examples occurred during last year's draft. The Utah Mammoth acquired defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Vegas Golden Knights shipped goaltender Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals. Both played significant roles for their new clubs this season.
This season could see two good young players changing teams. Trade speculation has swirled recently about Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.
Two veterans who've frequently appeared on our NHL Trade Boards could also be on the move. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson was listed at No. 3 on our May 2025 board. Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson was part of our April 2025 Trade Targets board.
The New York Islanders Select James Hagens 1st Overall
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Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League is the consensus among NHL scouts and draft experts as the top prospect in this year's draft class. It wouldn't be shocking if the New York Islanders select the 18-year-old defenseman with the first-overall pick.
Gazing into our crystal ball, we believe the Islanders will surprise everyone by choosing Boston College center James Hagens. He was our 2025 Way-Too-Early Mock Draft last August. Several notable draft pundits also had him as their top prospect at that time.
Hagens was born and raised in Hauppauge, Long Island, and grew up an Islanders fan. However, we're basing our prediction mainly on the fact winger Cole Eiserman is among the Isles' top prospects. He's also a friend and former teammate of Hagens with the US National Team Development Program.
Eiserman believes Hagens will become an Islander. The club's management could make that a reality by reuniting Hagens and Eiserman as future linemates, forming a potentially potent one-two punch on their top line in a few years.
Prospect info via Elite Prospects. Draft and trade info via NHL.com and PuckPedia.
