Updated NHL 1st-Round Mock Draft After the 2025 Draft Lottery

The NHL's annual draft lottery was held on Monday at NHL Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.

For the first time, the draw was held live in-studio, allowing viewers to see the results at the same time as the 16 lottery participants.

The lottery balls bounced in favor of the New York Islanders in the first draw, who moved up from 10th to first overall. They will have several options to choose from among this year's prospects. They include defenseman Matthew Schaefer and forwards Michael Misa, Anton Frondell and James Hagens.

That moved the San Jose Sharks, who finished last overall, into the second-overall spot on the draft board, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks in third and the Utah Hockey Club in fourth from 14th.

The final order for the 16 teams that weren't part of the lottery will be determined by the end of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The last four picks will belong to the final four playoff clubs regardless of their finish in the regular-season standings, with the 32nd pick going to the Stanley Cup champion and the 31st to the other finalist. For now, we're using the four division finalists in those spots.

We conducted a mock draft on April 23 based on the NHL standings at the end of the regular season. We're updating it to reflect those changes and to revisit our picks for the other teams and why they might benefit each club.

Player info is via Elite Prospects. Each club's needs are based on The Athletic's Scott Wheeler's 2024 prospect pool rankings.

1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer (Defense, Erie Otters)

Despite missing the second half of the season with a broken collarbone, Schaefer is the consensus top prospect among most evaluators. NHL Central Scouting praised the 6'2”, 183-pounder's size, speed and skills. The Islanders could use a right-shot defenseman, but Schaefer could be too tempting to pass up.

2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa (Center, Saginaw Spirit)

The Sharks are well-set at center with 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini and 2023 first-rounder Will Smith, but the latter can also play right wing. That would give them flexibility to choose the 6'1”, 185-pound Misa, whose high-end talent made him the OHL's leading scorer with 132 points.

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Porter Martone (Right Wing, Brampton Steelheads)

Martone could address Chicago's lack of a true right wing among its top-seven prospects. The 6'3”, 207-pound winger is a good mix of size, strength and game-changing talent who led the Steelheads with 98 points. He could become a solid power forward alongside franchise center Connor Bedard.

4. Utah Mammoth: James Hagens (Center, Boston College)

NHL Central Scouting compared Hagen's skills to those of Utah's Clayton Keller, so why not have them on the same team? The newly christened Mammoth lack a center among their top-five prospects, and the 5'11", 176-pound Boston College star could be their prime target after moving up in the draft order.

5. Nashville Predators: Jake O'Brien (Center, Brantford Bulldogs)

The Predators could use a right-shot defenseman, but they may opt to select a quality center with the first of their three picks in this round. O'Brien finished third among the Bulldogs with 98 points in 66 games. The 6'2", 170-pound center is considered among the best playmakers in this draft class.

6. Philadelphia Flyers: Anton Frondell (Center, Djurgårdens IF)

The Flyers also have three picks in this round and possess one center among their top-10 prospects. They could choose Frondell, ranked the top international skater by NHL Central Scouting. The 6'0”, 196-pound Swede is considered a strong-skating, skillful two-way forward.

7. Boston Bruins: Victor Eklund (Winger, Djurgårdens IF)

Ranked second among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting, the 5'11", 161-pound Eklund is a speedy, creative playmaker who can play either wing. The younger brother of the Sharks' William Eklund, he could address the Bruins' need to add another right wing among their top-10 prospects.

8. Seattle Kraken: Radim Mrtka (Defense, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Mrtka transferred from Czechia earlier this season and quickly adapted to the North American game. The 6'6", 198-pound blueliner logged big minutes for the Thunderbirds and possesses a wide-ranging skill set. He would address the Kraken's need for a right-shot rearguard among their top-10 prospects.

9. Buffalo Sabres: Caleb Desnoyers (Center, Moncton Wildcats)

The Sabres could use a right wing among their top prospects and could choose Martone or Eklund if one of them remains available. Otherwise, they could select a playmaking center like the 6'2", 172-pound Desnoyers, who also plays a solid, two-way game. He led the Wildcats with 84 points in 56 games.

10. Anaheim Ducks: Carter Bear (Forward, Everett Silvertips)

A versatile forward who can play center or left wing, Bear led the Silvertips with 40 goals and 82 points. The 6'0", 176-pounder's feisty, physical style and offensive skills could draw the interest of the Ducks, who lack a left winger among their top-10 prospects.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Roger McQueen (Center, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Despite missing most of this season due to a back injury, the 6'5", 192-pound McQueen's game has been compared to Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings by NHL Central Scouting. His blend of size, strength and offensive skills could tempt the Penguins, who have one center among their top-10 prospects.

12. New York Rangers: Brady Martin (Center, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

The Rangers have until June 25 to retain this pick or send it to the Penguins. They could keep it to add more depth among their prospect centers by selecting the 6'0", 174-pound Martin. He's a competitive, energetic forward with terrific one-on-one skills who leads by example.

13. Detroit Red Wings: Justin Carbonneau (Right Wing, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

The 6'1", 192-pound Carbonneau led the Armada with 46 goals and 89 points in 62 games. He had the offensive skills that make him a potential top-six NHL forward. He would also address the Red Wings' need for right-wing depth among their top-10 prospects.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Lynden Lakovic (Left Wing, Moose Jaw Warriors)

With the first of their two picks in this round, the Blue Jackets could address their need for left-wing depth among their top prospects. The 6'4", 190-pound Lakovic is a strong-skating forward with a long reach and offensive creativity.

15. Vancouver Canucks: Malcolm Spence (Left Wing, Erie Otters)

The Canucks are another team lacking depth in left wingers among their top prospects. Spence is a 6'2", 201-pounder who finished third among Otters scorers with 71 points. He plays a strong two-way game in a tenacious, competitive style.

16. Montréal Canadiens (via Calgary Flames): Kashawn Aitcheson (Defense, Barrie Colts)

The Canadiens' playoff series against the Washington Capitals highlighted their need for big, skilled defensemen. At 6'1" and 198 pounds, Aitcheson could be just what they're looking for. He led the Colts with 56 points, plays a physical game and projects as a future top-four NHL defenseman.

17. Montréal Canadiens: Benjamin Kindel (Forward, Calgary Hitmen)

With their second pick in this round, the Canadiens could add a versatile forward like Kindel, who plays right wing or center. The 5'10", 176-pounder finished second on the Hitmen with 99 points. His vision and playmaking ability made him one of the best forwards in the WHL this season.

18. Calgary Flames (via New Jersey Devils): Jack Nesbitt (Center, Windsor Spitfires)

This is the first of two picks for the Flames in this round. They could add more center depth to their prospect pool. The 6'4", 183-pound Nesbitt is a big, skilled center whose style of play is comparable to that of Tomas Hertl of the Golden Knights.

19. St. Louis Blues: Joshua Ravensbergen (Goaltender, Prince George Cougars)

Ravensbergen was ranked the top North American goalie by NHL Central Scouting. The 6'5", 192-pound goalie has a big net presence, possessing plenty of athleticism and a willingness to challenge shooters. He would address the Blues' lack of a goaltender among their top-15 prospects.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Minnesota Wild): Bill Zonnon (Left Wing, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

With their second pick in this round, the Blue Jackets could continue stocking up on left wingers. The 6'2", 190-pound Zonnon can also play center. He finished second among the Huskies with 83 points. He is a swift-skating, hard-working forward who can create offense on the move.

21. Ottawa Senators: Jackson Smith (Defense, Tri-City Americans)

The Senators must restock their depleted prospect pool. They chose Carter Yakemchuk with their first-rounder last season and could opt for another defenseman this year. The 6'3", 190-pound Smith is a smooth-skating blueliner who can play in all situations. He finished on the Americans with 54 points.

22. Calgary Flames (via Florida Panthers): Cole Reschny (Center, Victoria Royals)

With their second pick in this round, the Flames could continue to bolster their forward depth among their top-10 prospects. Reschny led the Royals in scoring this season with 92 points. The 5'10", 187-pound center is a highly skilled playmaking forward with good hockey sense.

23. Carolina Hurricanes: Braedon Cootes (Center, Seattle Thunderbirds)

The Hurricanes could select Cootes to address their need for a skilled center among their top-10 prospects. He led the Thunderbirds with 63 points this season. The 6'0", 183-pounder is considered a competitive, lead-by-example forward with all-around hockey skills.

24. Philadelphia Flyers (via Edmonton Oilers): Cameron Reid (Defense, Kitchener Rangers)

With the second of their three picks in this round, the Flyers could add a left-shot defenseman to their prospect pool. The 6'0", 174-pound Reid is considered a smart, competitive blueliner with strong skating ability and good offensive skills.

25. Philadelphia Flyers (via Colorado Avalanche): Milton Gästrin (Center, MoDo Hockey)

Gästrin was ranked at No. 3 among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting. A versatile forward who can play center or left wing, the 6'1", 185-pound Swede plays a responsible two-way game. He could draw the interest of the Flyers with their third and final pick in this draft.

26. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay Lightning): Logan Hensler (Defense, University of Wisconsin)

With their second of three picks in this round, the Predators could address their need for a right-shot defenseman among their top-10 prospects. The 6'2", 196-pound Hensler is a good mix of size and skating ability who can play in all situations on the blue line.

27. Los Angeles Kings: Sascha Boumedienne (Defense, Boston University)

Boumedienne had a slow start to his NCAA debut but improved as the season progressed. The 6'2", 183-pounder is considered a promising two-way defenseman. He could help the Kings bolster their prospect blue-line depth.

28. San Jose Sharks (via Dallas Stars): Henry Brzustewicz (Defense, London Knights)

This is the second pick for the Sharks in this round. They could use it to add a right-shot defenseman among their top-10 prospects. The 6'1", 194-pound Brzustewicz is a two-way blueliner who plays a solid game at both ends of the rink.

29. Chicago Blackhawks (via Toronto Maple Leafs): Cullen Potter (Left Wing, Arizona State University)

This is the second pick for Chicago in this round, and they could use this to add a left wing among their top prospects. The 5'10", 172-pound Potter is a versatile forward who can also play center. He's a fine skater with solid one-on-one skills.

30. Nashville Predators (via Vegas Golden Knights): Blake Fiddler (Defense, Edmonton Oilers Kings)

The son of former NHL forward Vernon Fiddler, Blake is a big, strong blueliner (6'4", 209 pounds) who skates well for a player of his size and can play in all situations. He could be a worthwhile selection for the Predators with their third and final pick in this round.

31. Washington Capitals: Ivan Ryabkin (Center, Muskegon Lumberjacks)

The Capitals possess only one center among their top prospects. Ryabkin could be an option to address that issue. The 6'0", 198-pounder had an up-and-down season, including joining the Lumberjack from the KHL in midseason, but he has the offensive skills that could make him a solid middle-six NHL forward.

32. Winnipeg Jets: William Moore (Center, United States National Team Development Program)

The premature retirement of prospect Chaz Lucius could put the Jets in the market for another prospect center. Moore had a slow start to this season, but the 6'2", 174-pound center improved as the season progressed. He possesses the potential tools (speed, hockey IQ, skills) to become a top-six NHL forward.