The primary spherical of the NHL draft is Friday night time in Los Angeles, and for the primary time, workforce personnel is not going to be centralized. Nobody might be reporting on who visited whose desk, who was seen talking at midnight corners of a tunnel or who’s strolling over to central registry. However the gamers might be in attendance, which ought to make for fascinating draft pictures.
Other than Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa, there’s a ton of intrigue on this 12 months’s draft class. There isn’t any consensus after the highest two, and there may be good motive to imagine we’ll see a ton of decide shuffling as early as the primary spherical. With such volatility throughout draft boards, groups would possibly need to transfer up or down relying on who is offered, and groups with a number of first-round picks would possibly elevate eyebrows with their alternatives.
For the ultimate mock draft, we’ll assume the alternatives will stick with their groups, however there might be point out of who could be chosen if the decide is traded. As an illustration, it positive appears as if the Columbus Blue Jackets, Utah Mammoth, Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks might transfer their first-round alternatives for extra fast assist, and people concerns might be made.
In a mock draft, it is not about which participant is the perfect, it’s about how the workforce drafting perceives the gamers obtainable — and who they’re probably to pick out. In different phrases, this is not an train of “who would I decide if I had been GM” as a lot as it’s an train of “who’s probably to be chosen if the decide is not traded.”
With that out of the way in which, here is the ultimate projection of the primary 32 picks:
This isn’t rocket science and nobody must overthink this. The James Hagens story — his being a Lengthy Island native, and an Islanders fan — is a superb one, and we’ll deal with that later, however Schaefer is the clear-cut finest participant obtainable on this draft.
Many scouts imagine he’ll turn out to be a franchise cornerstone defenseman able to driving play at each ends of the ice. The Islanders are in a precarious place on protection with Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov in want of recent contracts. Neither of these gamers will signal low-priced offers, and each have been rumored in commerce discussions. Provided that, the Isles clearly view Schaefer because the defenseman of the long run. Ought to they elect to maintain Dobson, the incoming Schaefer would enable the elder to slip into a task extra suited to him and take away a number of the heavy lifting.
Schaefer misplaced practically his complete draft 12 months to damage, and would nearly actually profit from a 12 months within the NCAA to proceed creating. That appears unlikely. However even with out that, the Isles can safely undertaking him to step into their lineup in a major function as a rookie. It would not shock anybody to see Schaefer operating the facility play, logging top-four minutes and turning into a staple on the Isles’ again finish earlier than snow hits the bottom this season.
2. San Jose Sharks
Michael Misa, F, Saginaw (OHL)
There appears to be some intrigue surrounding the Sharks heading into draft weekend, as they’ve a transparent want on protection and are additionally believed to love Anton Frondell (a middle). However passing on a expertise comparable to Misa for any motive can be ill-advised. The hole between Schaefer and Misa exists, however the hole between Misa and the following tier is even bigger.
Including a dual-threat offensive dynamo with above-average two-way play to a younger lineup that already has Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith could be very thrilling. Misa can play heart or wing, however his two-way play is extra invaluable at heart, and would give the Sharks a major one-two punch for years to return. A top-six group that features Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund and Misa — who’re all 22 or youthful — units up the Sharks with a formidable assault and dependable two-way play drivers in the midst of the ice for years to return.
Misa brings dynamic scoring capacity, glorious velocity, and elite hockey sense to mix with a never-quit model. It is not out of the query that he steps into the lineup this season and has an identical affect to what Celebrini did as a rookie in 2024-25 as a result of he is such a whole participant, with skilled habits all around the ice.
3. Chicago Blackhawks
Anton Frondell, F, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
That is the place issues begin to get very fascinating.
It’s rumored that Chicago might transfer this decide, but when it would not, Frondell or Porter Martone appear to be the probably alternatives. Hagens can be the perfect obtainable, nevertheless it appears as if Chicago desires a extra sizable participant to pair with Connor Bedard.
On this state of affairs, Chicago hopes Frondell can slot into the lineup behind Bedard and supply two-way worth with an elite shot launch and the power to search out open house to get his shot off. Frondell would profit from one other improvement season exterior the NHL earlier than making the soar to turn out to be a extra well-rounded play driver.
When he is prepared, the Hawks can slot Frondell throughout from Bedard on the facility play and have two gamers with elite launch on their flanks. Ideally, Frondell drives a second line as a strong two-way heart and offers Chicago a formidable one-two punch for years to return.
4. Utah Mammoth
Brady Martin, F, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
There’s a very actual likelihood Utah would not make this choice and trades the decide. If it does, I anticipate Hagens to be the choice by the buying workforce. However Utah has made it identified it desires onerous talent, and there are two gamers who match that invoice: Caleb Desnoyers and Brady Martin. Each are professional potentialities for the Mammoth, who need to add some beef to a high six that has Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther.
It’s no secret that Martin is excessive on Utah’s listing, and he cemented that standing by making a superb impression when he met with Mammoth brass on the scouting mix. The farm boy has plenty of groups after him, together with the Flyers and Bruins. Some imagine he might be a Sam Bennett sort of participant who produces nicely under some extent per sport within the common season however is a “mammoth” within the playoffs. Utah believes it wants some jam on the high of its lineup, and nobody this excessive has extra jam than Martin.
No workforce has scouted Martone extra closely than Nashville, and higher administration was within the rink to see him on various events. Martone might need the perfect hockey sense and imaginative and prescient within the draft class, and can be within the dialog for finest puck talent. Tacking on an elite shot together with his playmaking and you have got a 6-foot-3 ahead with each onerous and mushy talent — and a sky-high ceiling.
He won’t be Mikko Rantanen, however Rantanen is his second-closest comparable in my mannequin, together with Cole Caufield — when it comes to NHL potential, not measurement (clearly).
Should you’re Preds GM Barry Trotz, you ask Martone to develop his bodily sport to turn out to be an imposing power and the makings of a dual-threat ahead who might be lots for opponents to deal with. If they do not take Martone, Trotz has been clear he values upside and talent. If he actually desires to do this, Hagens feels just like the man. However there is a sneaky hunch that Nashville might purchase an NHL participant and extra from the Isles in alternate for this choice if Hagens is offered.
6. Philadelphia Flyers
James Hagens, F, Boston School (NCAA)
The Flyers want facilities greater than something, and if Hagens falls into their lap at No. 6, they should observe swimsuit with their Matvei Michkov strategy and take the child who had no enterprise being obtainable to them. The opportunity of including Michkov and Hagens to their high line with out drafting within the high 5 in these years can be astronomically invaluable to the group.
Hagens would instantly turn out to be the Flyers’ finest prospect at heart, and the workforce would not must rush him by way of faculty with Sean Couturier, Noah Cates and newly acquired Trevor Zegras already on the NHL roster. When he is prepared, Hagens can step in to supply a jolt of offense the Flyers sorely want. His velocity, puck talent and glorious playmaking capacity will match properly beside Michkov, particularly if he regains his play-driving capacity in one other season at Boston School. The small print of his sport will enable him to earn the coach’s belief and turn out to be a staple of the Flyers’ offense for years to return.
7. Boston Bruins
Caleb Desnoyers, F, Moncton (QMJHL)
One other decide that might be on the transfer, but when the Bruins make this decide, Desnoyers can be an ideal match for the group. A French Canadian two-way heart with glorious shutdown capacity, and a clutch producer and chief in a Bruins uniform ought to sound fairly acquainted to Bruins followers.
Desnoyers is a serial winner, and he performs his finest when the video games matter probably the most. He is glorious within the powerful areas, is a deft playmaker and has high-end hockey sense. His defensive sport is already NHL-ready, and if he can enhance his velocity, the Bruins can have a professional offensive risk able to dealing with powerful matchups in key conditions.
8. Seattle Kraken
Jake O’Brien, F, Brantford (OHL)
There is a consensus group of six on the high of the draft after Schaefer and Misa, and Seattle in all probability takes whomever is left from that group. However the Kraken want a defenseman, and I might see them buying and selling again just a few spots to the vary of Radim Mrtka and Jackson Smith.
In the event that they keep at No. 8, I believe O’Brien is the decide, except they go for Roger McQueen. Seattle is likely one of the deepest groups in the case of younger facilities with Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and Berkly Catton all age 22 or youthful. O’Brien is a high-end expertise and would possibly enable the Kraken to maneuver Catton to the wing within the high six.
O’Brien brings extra high-end playmaking than Wright and Beniers, and can have time to bodily mature and add velocity to hit his ceiling as a playmaking top-six heart. He ought to turn out to be a playmaking power who quarterbacks the facility play and makes his wingers some huge cash.
9. Buffalo Sabres
Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)
The Sabres have a good prospect pool, however the group actually wants high-end heart and right-handed defensive prospects. Each Mrtka and McQueen needs to be obtainable to them right here, nevertheless it feels as if the large defenseman is their man.
The 6-6, right-handed defenseman has projectable mobility and high quality transition defending, and might be the proper accomplice for Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Energy. Including Mrtka provides the Sabres one other high quality defenseman with projectable shutdown capacity because the group seems to finish the NHL’s longest playoff drought.
10. Anaheim Geese
Roger McQueen, F, Brandon (WHL)
The Geese might very nicely commerce this decide for present NHL assist; GM Pat Verbeek already has been fairly energetic this offseason. But when not, taking a towering heart who’s a top-five expertise within the draft makes a variety of sense.
The Geese took McQueen out to dinner on the mix, and seem to have achieved a major quantity of homework on his again damage. If the Geese imagine it will not be a difficulty shifting ahead, including a strong 6-5 heart who has the potential to be a dominant two-way power is a no brainer. The one restrict on McQueen’s ceiling is his physique’s willingness to carry up. If it does, we’re speaking a few participant who might find yourself because the among the finest to return out of the draft class. That’s well worth the swing for the Geese.
Holding two picks again to again, the Penguins would possibly very nicely attempt to transfer as much as nab an elite prospect — their decide worth mixed is almost similar to the No. 3 decide, so shifting up might be not solely out of the query. Failing that, the Penguins have a chance so as to add two vital gamers to their pipeline.
If McQueen is offered, I believe they take an extended look. However including Smith to their blue-line depth can be tidy enterprise for the Penguins, who presently have Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke there. Smith is large, bodily and has professional offensive upside. He needs to be able to taking part in in a matchup function and driving offense from the again finish. He is poised with the puck and might be near Penguins brass whereas he attends Penn State.
There’s lots to love in regards to the package deal Smith brings and the Penguins might use a participant together with his mix of measurement, skating, poise and offensive upside.
The Penguins land one other top-10 expertise right here with Eklund. Carter Bear and Lynden Lakovic will even be choices on condition that each have excellent offensive expertise.
However as for Eklund, he performs a method that interprets nicely to the NHL and has the potential to supply 70-plus factors in a top-line function. His glorious forechecking capacity, willingness to interact bodily, fearlessness driving to the center of the ice and two-way play give him the instruments to be a Seth Jarvis sort of participant.
He’ll in all probability be NHL-ready before later, and for a workforce with as many veterans because the Penguins, that issues. Having Eklund be taught from the long run Corridor of Famers within the twilight of their profession might have a long-lasting developmental affect that vaults Eklund towards his ceiling as a first-line engine.
The Purple Wings have a sort, and by chance for them, just a few gamers of their vary match the invoice: Bear, Eklund and Justin Carbonneau. No less than two, if not all three, might be obtainable at this spot.
Bear’s elite instincts and playmaking capacity are engaging to many groups, together with Detroit. Mixed with among the finest aggressive engines within the draft class, Bear has all of the hallmarks of a play-driving winger with dependable two-way play, much like Zach Hyman.
The Purple Wings have some high quality younger facilities, and Bear’s mix of playmaking and net-front ending capacity might see him turn out to be a power-play operator and offensive facilitator. He’d be a superb match for the Purple Wings as a projectable top-six contributor.
There is a distinct risk that Columbus trades this decide for fast assist. But when it would not, this seems like the ground for Aitcheson, given the Blue Jackets’ want so as to add defenseman.
Although Logan Hensler is more likely to be a consideration right here — and so they do like him lots — there are only some situations that Aitcheson will get to the Jackets’ second decide at No. 20, so it is sensible they’d take him right here.
In Aitcheson, Blue Jackets are including a uncooked defenseman who might turn out to be a menacing nightmare to play in opposition to whereas offering two-way worth. As one of many extra uncooked prospects, Aitcheson wants time to develop, however there may be each motive to imagine in his talent set to turn out to be a middle-pair defenseman who’s troublesome to play in opposition to, significantly within the postseason.
15. Vancouver Canucks
Braeden Cootes, F, Seattle (WHL)
In what might be the worst-kept secret within the hockey world, Vancouver is after a middle. The Canucks took Cootes to dinner on the mix, have scouted him closely all through the season and had been very impressed by how he dealt with himself all through the mix course of. Jack Nesbitt might discover himself right here as a result of the Canucks love their facilities with measurement, however Cootes and Cole Reschny have increased ceilings.
Cootes ought to turn out to be a middle-six heart with dependable two-way capacity, glorious off-puck instincts and produce 55 to 65 factors every season. If Aitcheson is offered, they may not have the ability to withstand the large, menacing defenseman.
The Canadiens have a dynamic offensive presence on their blue line in Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, and Reid might be an ideal accomplice for him. Montreal brass scouted Reid closely this season, and have many believing it should goal him with one of many workforce’s two first-round alternatives. The Canadiens are one other workforce that might take Aitcheson, however Reid’s capacity to drive play by way of glorious skating capacity and sound decision-making is difficult to go up.
He has the instruments to turn out to be a strong top-four defenseman, and would not must overextend himself on offense to supply worth. He is much less dangerous than a number of the different obtainable defenseman, with projectable offense and glorious mobility to spice up his transition worth.
17. Montreal Canadiens
Justin Carbonneau, F, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
I’ve Carbonneau increased on my private board than most as a result of I imagine he has sky-high potential as an influence ahead. With Juraj Slafkovsky already within the fold, the Habs want some extra measurement to enrich Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Ivan Demidov.
Carbonneau has the potential to turn out to be a dual-threat ahead in a top-six function, with high-end creativity. If all the pieces clicks and his decision-making improves, there’s an opportunity Carbonneau turns into a strong, play-driving ahead. The Habs’ improvement workers is strong and has achieved glorious work. Given Carbonneau’s upside, which is critical, he’s greater than well worth the swing for the hometown workforce.
Calgary wants some depth at heart in its prospect pool, and Reschny is nice worth on this vary. He is a high quality playmaker who facilitates offense, and has the perfect hockey sense of the facilities on this vary. He would not include measurement and might want to play on the within of the ice to hit his potential of a second-line heart, however the offensive instruments are there.
The small print of his sport are practically NHL-ready, with good battle success, connective play and forechecking. There’s potential to turn out to be a dual-threat playmaker and shooter, which is one thing the Flames covet.
19. St. Louis Blues
Jack Nesbitt, F, Windsor (OHL)
The Blues have used a variety of their finest draft capital on protection, and the urgent want for facilities within the pipeline cannot be ignored.
Nesbitt has obtained a variety of love from executives for the reason that scouting mix, and will slide into the highest 20. The large heart is more likely to high out as a third-line, two-way checker however might see elevated offensive potential if he provides velocity. At 6-4, he brings measurement, energy, physicality and the power to close down opponents. That’s engaging to many groups, together with the Blues.
It is not out of the query that the Blue Jackets take one other defenseman with their second first-round decide, and I believe it is extra probably than not. Lynden Lakovic can be a robust consideration if he is obtainable, however Hensler is somebody the Columbus brass extremely covets.
He is a high quality neutral-zone and transition defender due to his glorious mobility, permitting him to make proactive contact and hold a good hole. The precise-shot defender might turn out to be a high quality No. 2 or 3 defenseman if he hits his ceiling and continues to develop his offensive sport.
21. Ottawa Senators
Lynden Lakovic, F, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Lakovic makes a ton of sense for the Sens. Administration appears to actually like the large, dual-threat winger with untapped bodily potential. He is good, strikes very nicely for his 6-4 body, and will have chemistry within the high six, no matter which heart he performs with.
If Lakovic can develop his physicality, the Sens have a professional dual-threat scorer with an influence sport who needs to be a difference-maker.
The freight prepare on skates is gaining a full head of steam heading into Friday night time’s first spherical, and the consensus is that a variety of groups love his model of play and imagine he’ll go within the early 20s. Groups with a number of first-round alternatives are likely to take swings with their picks, and Prokhorov is actually one.
The Flyers are more likely to take an enormous swing with at the least one among their firsts, and a large, violently bodily child who has uncooked offensive talents that may translate into an influence ahead is precisely the sort of expertise somebody like new head coach Rick Tocchet can be very excited to develop.
Given the place the Predators are deciding on at fifth and twenty third, it’s extremely probably they take a ahead at No. 5, if they do not commerce the decide. However on condition that their pipeline is skinny on protection, Boumedienne makes a variety of sense for them right here.
Trotz likes to swing on upside, and Boumedienne has probably the most upside of the defensemen on this vary. He has professional offensive upside, is an efficient breakout passer and is able to taking part in a two-way transition sport on a second pair. If Logan Hensler is offered, he can be a serious consideration, and Blake Fiddler might be within the dialog as nicely, though the primary two are the higher-upside choices.
24. Los Angeles Kings
Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)
As famous in my prospect pool wants story, the Kings have nearly nothing within the defensive prospect cabinet. Fortunately for them, a 6-5 right-handed defenseman with NHL bloodlines is there for the taking on this state of affairs.
Fiddler is a cell skater who eliminates play in transition. He has above-average puck-retrieval expertise, and tasks as a dependable shutdown defenseman on the NHL degree. That is the best vary for Fiddler, and he suits completely with what the Kings want, and can have time to grow to be the large, shutdown man the Kings will rely on within the years to return.
An increasing number of, I hear that groups are excessive on Nestrasil’s potential as a talented energy ahead. At 6-5, he provides some much-needed measurement to the Blackhawks’ prospect pool with out sacrificing potential.
He is a longer-term undertaking, however the mix of passing, hockey sense and playmaking is engaging. There’s high-end upside as an influence ahead that’s tantalizing, as a result of he has a variety of room to fill out his body. If he learns to leverage his physicality, he might be a space-creating winger who’s able to taking part in within the high six in a dual-threat function with a high quality launch. The upside right here is well worth the swing for a Chicago workforce that lacks an enormous energy ahead of their prospect pool.
As soon as considered top-10 prospect, Spence can be a fantastic addition to the Preds’ prospect pool. I might see them taking goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen right here, however the thought is he could also be obtainable after they decide once more at No. 35.
Spence brings mix of velocity, physicality and relentless two-way play. He is the man who will go get pucks, create house, forecheck to create turnovers and play in key conditions. Spence has extra offense to present, and there is a actual likelihood he turns into a pesty, second-line winger who can play powerful matchups. The Preds do not have a prospect like Spence, and he’d be good worth if he can return to final 12 months’s kind.
The Capitals have a sort, and so they like to take swings. Their prospect pool wants a middle badly, and whereas Milton Gastrin is extra of a positive factor, getting Kindel — who notched 99 factors within the WHL this season — at No. 27 is superb worth.
Many undertaking Kindel to be a winger on the NHL degree, however he has the hockey sense, playmaking and velocity to be an NHL heart. Kindel has a really comparable draft-year profile to Brayden Level, and whereas Kindel might not flip into Brayden Level, the prospect of that’s nicely well worth the choice right here.
28. Winnipeg Jets
Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL)
The Jets’ prospect pool is actually skinny on protection, and their scouts have spent a ton of time watching London, so Brzustewicz might be acquainted to them.
Because the season progressed, Brzustewicz confirmed offensive instincts together with his puck motion and rush activation. There’s vital room for offensive development, and he needs to be London’s premier defenseman subsequent season. The precise-shot blueliner provides the Jets a projectable transition defender with good puck-moving and skating capacity who ought to comfortably match on the second pair down the street.
The Hurricanes have a profile, and it’s drafting prospects with high-end talent and projectable upside. It seems like they are going to go together with one among Ryker Lee or Cullen Potter.
Lee’s statistical profile is barely higher, and he owns elite playmaking, puck talent, a bullet of shot and offensive instincts. His capacity to establish quiet areas and launch a shot or make a deft play will translate to the NHL. His skating wants to enhance to make the most of these skills, however on condition that skating is probably the most simply improvable trait, Lee’s talent package deal might make him a house run decide.
If Potter remains to be on the board right here, including the quickest participant within the draft can be nice worth for the Sharks.
Whereas they’d in all probability favor to take a defenseman, Potter is just too good an asset to go up for a rebuilding workforce, and his promising improvement on the NCAA degree might see him turn out to be one other piece of a extremely expert high six in San Jose. There’s room for some development for Potter, and given his two-way improvement, the speedster with a superb launch provides the newborn Sharks one other offensive participant with projectable defensive high quality.
Including a playoff-performing ahead with two-way capacity and a relentless taking part in model seems like the proper Philadelphia Flyer transfer.
Zonnon has a number of the finest particulars within the draft, with glorious forechecking, good defensive instincts and a willingness to get within the soiled areas to win battles. He performs one of many extra translatable video games of the remaining gamers, and by no means cheats for effort.
The Flyers will want gamers who can fill these roles as they appear to contend sooner or later, and Zonnon has projectable offensive playmaking traits. If he can enhance his skating by way of improvement of his stride mechanics, there’s an actual path to being a fan favourite within the center six.
If Calgary will get Reschny with their first decide, it’s probably they take one other heart with this decide.
Gastrin has a comparatively secure projection as a bottom-six heart. He is extra of a play driver than he is given credit score for, and has proven the power to compete with extremely expert gamers. He is a high-floor prospect who confirmed flashes of extra offensive capacity than beforehand thought this season. At a minimal, his instincts and supportive puck play ought to enable him to turn out to be a staple of a checking line {that a} coach trusts in key conditions.
