NHL Mock Draft 2025: Top 10 First-Round Picks

The NHL Draft kicks off Friday night in Los Angeles, where 32 young hockey stars will see their dreams come true in the first round. This year’s draft is loaded with talented forwards, making it anyone’s guess how things will shake out.

Two teams hit the lottery jackpot this year. Utah jumped up 10 spots to grab the 4th pick, while the New York Islanders landed the top spot after moving up nine places.

Here’s how the first 10 picks could play out:

The Islanders are likely to take Matthew Schaefer, a smooth-skating defenseman from the Erie Otters. Though he only played 17 games last season, his offensive skills make him the clear top choice. He’ll join forces with young star Noah Dobson on New York’s blue line.

At No. 2, the San Jose Sharks are eyeing Michael Misa from Saginaw. This kid’s so good, they let him play in the CHL a year early. He put up a ridiculous 134 points in 65 games last season.

The Chicago Blackhawks sit at No. 3, where Swedish center Anton Frondell makes perfect sense. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, he’s got the size and skill to complement Connor Bedard down the middle.

Utah’s sitting pretty at No. 4 after their lottery luck. They’re probably looking hard at Caleb Desnoyers, who lit up the Quebec league with 84 points in 56 games.

Nashville needs immediate help after missing the playoffs, and Porter Martone could be their guy at No. 5. At 6-foot-3, he’s NHL-ready and could jump straight into their lineup.

The Flyers just landed Trevor Zegras in a blockbuster trade, and they might pair him with James Hagens at No. 6. Once considered a potential top pick, Hagens could be a steal here.

Boston’s retooling at No. 7, and Roger McQueen fits their style perfectly. He’s huge at 6-foot-5 and skilled, though a back injury limited his playing time last year.

Seattle might keep it local at No. 8 with Radim Mrtka, who played junior hockey right in their backyard. At 6-foot-6, he’s a towering presence on defense.

Buffalo’s looking to replace JJ Peterka at No. 9, and Brady Martin brings the kind of high-energy game they love, even if he’s not the biggest guy out there.

Rounding out the top 10, Anaheim could snag Victor Eklund to help fill the void left by Zegras. He’s on the smaller side but plays with incredible smarts and skill.

The draft continues Saturday with rounds 2-7, starting at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN+ and Disney+.