Teams with multiple picks (7): CBJ (2), CGY (2), CHI (2), MTL (2), NSH (3), PHI (3), SJS (2)

Teams with 1 pick (16): ANA, BOS, BUF, CAR, DET, LAK, NYI, NYR, OTT, PIT, SEA, STL, UTA, VAN, WPG, WSH

Teams with no picks (9): COL, DAL, EDM, FLA, MIN, NJD, TBL, TOR, VGK

This is Centurion Scouting’s final 2025 NHL Mock Draft. These picks are based on a combination of projected team needs, organizational depth, and prospect availability. While the rankings are based purely on talent, this mock considers team strategy, style, and fit.

1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer (LD)

   Who do the Islanders take here? Matthew Schaefer, a potential elite, all-situations LHD to pair with right-handed Dobson? Michael Misa, a projected long-term 1C? Or the local kid, James Hagens? In the end, the idea of landing a true number 1 defenseman is too good for NYI to pass up. Schaefer’s the pick.

2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa (C)

   I don’t think the Sharks hesitate here. Even with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith in the mix, I think Misa’s talent is too much to pass on. Smith likely shifts to the wing, setting up a dangerous 1C-2C combo with Celebrini and Misa for the next decade or more.

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Porter Martone (RW)

   Chicago has a few options here, but with a smaller forward group, I think they lean toward RW Porter Martone. His mature, well-rounded game and strong playmaking skills should be a great fit next to Connor Bedard.

4. Utah Mammoth: James Hagens (C)

   Like Chicago, Utah needs size and scoring. With Martone off the board, the best option for size is gone unless they consider taking Roger McQueen. I don’t see that happening, however, given McQueen’s injury concerns and limited games played. Instead, Utah leans into skill and takes James Hagens from Boston College. Frondell and Desnoyers get looks as well, but Hagens brings the best mix of scoring and upside.

5. Nashville Predators: Caleb Desnoyers (C)

   With 3 first-round picks, Nashville has options, but center is likely the biggest need. Anton Frondell brings scoring and a heavy shot with solid two-way play. Still, Caleb Desnoyers has been shooting up draft boards thanks to his complete game and standout playoff run. He gets the nod.

6. Philadelphia Flyers: Anton Frondell (C)

   Like Nashville, Philly could use skill at all positions and they have 3 first-round picks to do just that. It’s tough to lock in on one specific player, but I think GM Daniel Brière likely targets a premier center prospect and lands on Anton Frondell.

7. Boston Bruins: Roger McQueen (C)

   Boston has made it clear they want to get bigger and don’t mind taking risks to do so. Last year, they took Dean Letourneau in the first round despite questions about the lower level of competition he played against. This year, they take the skilled 6’5” Roger McQueen despite his injury history.

8. Seattle Kraken: Jackson Smith (LD)

   Seattle has accumulated some solid offensive prospect depth and will likely shift focus to the blue line. I see them picking smooth-skating LD Jackson Smith who projects nicely as a top-4 guy. 6’6” Radim Mrtka, who already plays junior in Seattle, or the physical Kashawn Aitcheson might get looks, but Smith feels like the safer play.

9. Buffalo Sabres: Brady Martin (C)

   Buffalo has a plenty of skill in the prospect pool and on the NHL roster, but they need to get a lot meaner. They could go for Kashawn Aitcheson, but their defense is already stacked with young NHLers and prospects. Instead, they take Brady Martin, who finished the season strong at the U18s, hits everything that moves, and plays with an edge to his game.

10. Anaheim Ducks: Radim Mrtka (RD)

    The Ducks already have one of the NHL’s deepest prospect pools and they’ve had enormous success drafting and developing defensemen over the past years. I think they stick with that formula and pick Radim Mrtka, who will add a lot of size and a much-needed young right-shot D to balance their left-heavy group.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Victor Eklund (RW)

    It looks like Pittsburgh is finally in rebuild territory after years of playoff contention. They’ll want to bolster their overall skill level at all positions, and Victor Eklund fits the bill. He’s 6th on Centurion Scouting’s final prospect ranking and provides good value at the number 11 pick. He does a bit of everything and we expect Pittsburgh will appreciate his nonstop motor, skating ability, and pure skill.

12. New York Rangers: Kashawn Aitcheson (LD)

    A disappointing season for the Rangers puts them in a higher draft slot than expected. They use it to add mobility and physicality to their blue line by selecting Kashawn Aitcheson from the Barrie Colts. Aitcheson is a sturdy, mean defenseman who skates well and will provide help to New York’s blue line within a few years.

13. Detroit Red Wings: Carter Bear (LW)

    Detroit already has a strong young defensive core with Seider, Edvinsson and Sandin-Pellikka. While they could decide to add another D to round out their top-4, I think the offensive talent still on the board is too good to pass up on. Despite concerns about his Achilles injury, Detroit selects LW Carter Bear. He brings energy, skill, and a strong work ethic.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Lynden Lakovic (LW)

    The Blue Jackets benefit from having strong prospect depth at most positions. I do think they’d like to add some depth on D, but they are rather thin at LW at the idea of adding Moose Jaw’s Lynden Lakovic is very appealing. He brings good skating in a big 6’4” frame along with an elite shot and scoring instincts. I don’t expect Columbus to pass on Lakovic should he be available.

15. Vancouver Canucks: Jake O’Brien (C)

    The Canucks lack prospect depth across the board, but I think center stands out as the most glaring hole. Braeden Cootes would be a solid, safe pick. He’s a hard-working and detail-oriented center who plays a lot bigger than his official measurements, and I think he would be a welcome addition to Vancouver’s prospect pool. I do think, however, that Vancouver can’t pass up on Jake O’Brien at 15. He’s big, skilled, and creative, with some of the best vision in this draft class. More of a project than Cootes, but the ceiling is higher. Vancouver swings on O’Brien.

16. Montréal Canadiens (via CGY): Braeden Cootes (C)

    Montréal holds back-to-back picks here. A trade to move up or to get current NHLers is definitely a possibility, but for now, let’s assume they keep both picks. After the Washington series and the Hughes-Gorton pressers, it’s no secret that Montréal is trying to play bigger. The keyword here is play bigger, not get bigger. Montréal is looking for hard-working, high-effort players with never-ending motors. Braeden Cootes checks every box, and Montréal doesn’t let hm get past them.

17. Montréal Canadiens: Logan Hensler (RD)

    After picking up Cootes at center, I think Montréal adds depth to their defense prospect pool. Reinbacher and Mailloux are strong RD prospects, but Reinbacher has missed significant time to injury and Mailloux, although offensively gifted, still has question marks regarding his defensive zone play. Montréal picks Logan Hensler from Wisconsin in the NCAA. He gives the Canadiens another reliable option for the right side, should one of Reinbacher or Mailloux not pan out.

18. Calgary Flames (via NJD): Justin Carbonneau (RW)

    The Flames have built up a strong group of defensive prospects, including offensive talent Zayne Parekh. With that in mind, we believe that Calgary takes a swing on RW Justin Carbonneau. He’s high skilled and creative, though they are occasional questions about team play or tunnel vision. Still, the upside makes him worth the risk here.

19. St. Louis Blues: Cullen Potter (LW)

    St. Louis has solid prospect depth at every position. They could go a number of ways here but we think they’ll gamble on talent. At 19, they pick Cullen Potter who offers some of the best skating in this year’s draft class along with high-end offensive skill, IQ and transition play.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via MIN): Sascha Boumedienne (LD)

    Columbus passed on defensemen earlier to grab Lakovic, but they are thrilled to see that BU’s Sascha Boumedienne is still available at pick number 20. Although many would have liked to see more at the NCAA level, the U18s showcased the full extent of Boumedienne’s talent.

21. Ottawa Senators: Benjamin Kindel (RW)

    Ottawa likely targets high-end talent to complement the skill they already have in their lineup as well as the size they’ve drafted. They return to the Calgary Hitmen with their first-round pick for a second straight year, this time selecting RW Ben Kindel. With 99 points in the WHL this season, he brings strong offensive instincts, high IQ, and reliable play in all 3 zones.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (via COL): Ryker Lee (RW)

    As mentioned earlier, Philly will try to add skill across the board. In terms of raw talent and skill, few players in the 2025 draft class can match Ryker Lee. He boasts high-level creativity, elite hands, and a heavy shot with a deceptive release. Scouts doubt his skating and defensive play, but we have less reservations for these aspects and believe that Philadelphia shares our opinion.

23. Nashville Predators (via TBL): Cole Reschny (C)

    Nashville addressed center depth with the pick of Desnoyers at 5. Beyond this, Nashville lacks a good goaltending prospect after trading away Yaroslav Askarov to the San Jose Sharks. With another pick at #26 however, we think Nashville is confident they’ll still be able to pick this draft’s top goalie prospect, Joshua Ravensbergen, a few picks later. Nashville doubles down on C and picks up Cole Reschny, who is hot off a WHL playoff run above 2 points per game. He’s competitive, smart, and an excellent passer.

24. Los Angeles Kings: Cameron Reid (LD)

    With Brandt Clarke emerging as a top young defenseman, the long-term defensive prospect cupboard gets thin for LA. Cameron Reid fits that need. His skating and offensive instincts provide good value at pick 24.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (via TOR): Milton Gästrin (C)

    After landing Porter Martone at 3rd overall, Chicago keeps on adding offensive depth. We believe Chicago picks Milton Gästrin, who has been been elite for Sweden on the international stage. He’s competitive, smart, and responsible on both sides of the ice. A well-rounded prospect with a high floor.

26. Nashville Predators (via VGK): Joshua Ravensbergen (G)

    With center depth covered after pick Caleb Desnoyers and Cole Reschny, Nashville turns to goaltending. After dealing Askarov to San Jose less than a year ago, they are happy to grab Joshua Ravensberge here. He’s the top goalie in the class and he gives them a strong foundation in net for the future.

27. Washington Capitals: Bill Zonnon (LW)

    The Capitals have done an excellent job drafting and developing players in recent years. As such, there isn’t a glaring need to address. Perhaps goalie prospects are an area of weakness, but the Lindgren-Thompson duo is signed for a couple of years still and it feels early to pick one of Ivankovic, Medvedev, or Andreyanov. Instead, we see Washington going with Quebec winger Bill Zonnon, who brings hard work, high-level passing, and reliable all-situations play.

28. Winnipeg Jets: Blake Fiddler (RD)

    The Jets have plenty of forward talent in the pipeline and on the NHL roster. This feels like a good pick spot to target defense. We see Winnipeg taking RD Blake Fiddler, who’ll add size and strong defensive instincts play to their prospect group.

29. Carolina Hurricanes: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak (RW)

    Carolina has not been shy to draft whoever they think is most skilled, regardless of position or size. We see them adding Cameron Schmidt, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, Ivan Ryabkin, or even Alexander Zharovsky at pick 29. Ultimately, we think they go for Ihs-Wozniak who, despite concerns surrounding his compete level and play-driving ability, completely dominated the Swedish junior league and has always been a strong contributor for Sweden at international events.

30. San Jose Sharks (via DAL): Henry Brzustewicz (RD)

    San Jose has built an incredible stockpile of talent, with players such as Yaroslav Askarov, Sam Dickinson, Quentin Musty, and much more (including Michael Misa in this mock draft). They also have a wealth of young talent already in the NHL, notably most recent 1st overall pick Macklin Celebrini. Even with strong depth on defense, we think San Jose is pleased to add a bit more size and skating to its right side by drafting Henry Brzustewicz, fellow London Knight and frequent D-partner to last year Sharks first-rounder Sam Dickinson.

31. Calgary Flames (via FLA): Alexander Zharovsky (RW)

    This pick depends on the Stanley Cup Final outcome, but whether it’s 31 or 32, we don’t think it changes Calgary’s approach or who’s available. Just like at pick 18, we think Calgary swings for significant upside. Probably the most skilled puckhandler remaining at this point in the draft, Calgary gambles on Russian winger Alexander Zharovsky. He led the MHL in points and goals among draft-eligible players, and he was called up to the KHL for Ufa’s playoff run. The habits need refining, but the skill level is elite.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (via EDM): Malcolm Spence (LW)

    After selecting two-way sniper Anton Frondell at 6 and uber-skilled Ryker Lee at 22, we think Philly rounds out their first round with a different player archetype. They select power forward Malcolm Spence from the Erie Otters. He is hard-working, effective, and brings physicality to the table.