NHL Mock Draft 2025, Order of Selections and 1st-Round Predictions

Now that the Florida Panthers have hoisted the Stanley Cup for the second, consecutive season, the eyes of the hockey world turn to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for the 2025 NHL Draft.

The top prospects in the sport will find out which team they will call home while organizations in the middle of rebuilding or in need of one key piece to propel them further into championship contention will look to land that player that brightens their future.

Who has the top pick, where does each team pick, and which prospects best fit their needs?

Find out with this preview of the NHL Draft, including the order of selections and predictions for each first round pick.

2025 NHL Draft Viewing Info

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Date: Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28

Time: 7:00 p.m. (Friday), 12:00 p.m. (Saturday)

TV: ESPN

Streaming: ESPN+

Draft Order and First Round Predictions

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The order for the first round of the NHL Draft is as follows:

1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie
2. San Jose Sharks: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgarden
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton
5. Nashville Predators: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford
7. Boston Bruins: James Hagens, C, Boston College
8. Seattle Kraken: Brady Martin, C, Soo
9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle
10. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw
12. New York Rangers: Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Barrie
13. Detroit Red Wings: Victor Eklund, RW, Djugarden
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City
15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle
16. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames): Cameron Reid, LHD, Kitchener
17. Montreal Canadiens: Carter Bear, LW, Everett
18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils): Cole Reschny, C, Victoria
19. St. Louis Blues: Logan Hensler, RHD, Wisconsin
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota Wild): Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand
21. Ottawa Senators: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche): Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg
23. Nashville Predators (from Vegas Golden Knights via San Jose Sharks): Sascha Boumedienne, LHD, Boston University
24. Los Angeles Kings: Simon Wang, LHD, Oshawa
25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs): Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie
26. Nashville Predators: Mason West, C, Edina High
27. Washington Capitals: Cullen Porter, C, Arizona State
28. Winnipeg Jets: Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, London
29. Carolina Hurricanes: Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary
30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars): Max Psenicka, RHD, Portland
31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers): William Horcoff, C, Michigan
32. Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers): Shane Vansaghi, C, Michigan State

Is Schaefer A Sure No. 1?

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It appears so.

The 17-year-old left-handed defender tallied 22 points in just 17 games played for the Eerie Otters, a season cut short by a bout of mononucleosis and a broken collarbone. Still, despite a significantly smaller sample size than his peers in this year's draft, he is as close to a sure-thing No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft.

Scott Wheeler noted in his assessment of Schaefer's draft position for The Athletic's NHL Mock Draft 3.0, "I haven’t heard a single thing in recent weeks that leads me to believe it's not Schaefer here, and haven't spoken with a single scout in months who thinks he's not the No. 1 prospect in this class."

Hockey insider Bob McKenzie reported that one TSN scout, when asked if there was any hesitation given Schaefer's "unprecedented sample size," said, "No. None whatsoever."

Another scout told McKenzie that Schaefer "is clear cut above everyone else" and a third stated, "the gap between No. 1 and 2 is substantial this year."

Projected to be a No. 1 defenseman, Schaefer stands out because of his on-ice intellect. Former coach Jim Nyhuus told NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale, "I've never coached anyone who sees the game like Matt sees the game. I think it's that perspective he has, watching the play as it's developing."

He continued, "If he decides to rush, he knows where the holes are. He's a step ahead of you. He's going to beat you and he's going to take advantage of that opportunity because of what he sees from the back end."

Those are lofty expectations put upon a young player rebounding from a significant injury. If he can live up to them, though, the New York Islanders will have found a star player around whom they can build their future.