The summer has slowed down with new staff hires and final additions marking an otherwise quiet free agency.
But there’s a lot of buzz about the 2025 NHL Draft, which promises to be exciting. This draft is part of a series of strong classes from 2023 to 2027, featuring top forward prospects and unique defenders. Let’s explore the big questions surrounding this upcoming draft.
James Hagens stands out as a top prospect for the first overall pick. He led last season’s U18 NTDP roster with 102 points in 58 games, outperforming his teammates by 13 points. Now, he will take over from Will Smith as the centerman between Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard, setting him up for success.
However, many other players are vying for attention. Swedish centerman Anton Frondell has made a name for himself with strong playmaking skills in HockeyAllsvenskan. He faces competition from Conrad Fondrk and Will Moore at NTDP and Russian player Ivan Ryabkin. Defenders like Sascha Boumedienne and Logan Hensler could also challenge these forwards depending on team preferences.
Who Is Canada’s Top Forward?
Despite an American being a top contender, Canadian hockey still shines in the 2025 NHL Draft. Michael Misa and Porter Martone are leading prospects expected to go high in the draft. Misa had an exceptional rookie year in OHL with 56 points in just 45 games , earning him Rookie of the Year despite missing six weeks due to injury. He followed up with another impressive season scoring 75 points in 67 games.
Martone is known for his hard work on the ice. He scored more than Misa this season with 71 points in 60 OHL games and captained Team Canada to gold at the World U-18 Championships with an outstanding performance of 17 points in seven games. His leadership qualities and physical attributes make him appealing to NHL teams.
Behind these two stars are other promising talents like Malcolm Spence, Cole Reschny, Cameron Schmidt, Caleb Desnoyers, Roger McQueen, Justin Carbonneau, Jake O’Brien, Jordan Gavin, and Emile Guite. Each brings something unique that could push them into first-round consideration next year.
Fans might think it’s thrilling to see so much talent competing for top spots.
Which Defender Emerges on Top?
The previous class had many strong defenders but next year offers more opportunities for teams that missed out before. Sascha Boumedienne provides powerful drive while Logan Hensler excels at smooth skating and passing; both will face off collegiately—Boumedienne at Boston College aiming for a National Championship while Hensler takes center stage at University of Wisconsin under new coach Mike Hastings.
Luka Radivojevic is another intriguing prospect; son of former NHL defender Branko Radivojevic he’s shown great athleticism despite his smaller frame (5-foot-10). With impressive performances in Sweden’s U20 league (33 points in 43 games), he prepares for his first professional season with SHL’s Orebro HK instead of joining Team Slovakia at Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Other potential top defenders include Canada’s Kashwan Aitchenson or Reese Hamilton who could steal titles amidst scrutiny against talented forwards’ endless list!
What do you think? Who will come out on top?
