The 2025 NHL Entry Draft commenced in Los Angeles, a city perhaps more synonymous with red carpets and movie premieres than the intricate business of selecting future hockey stars. Yet, inside the Peacock Theater, 32 franchises gathered, each holding tightly to hopes and strategies that would shape their destinies for years to come. The first round, often the most scrutinized and celebrated portion of the draft, unfolded with a mix of expected top selections and intriguing strategic plays.
Laying the Foundation: The Top Picks
With the first overall pick, the New York Islanders, having recently moved Noah Dobson, wasted no time addressing their backend, selecting defenseman Matthew Schaefer from the OHL`s Erie Otters. Projected as a true number one cornerstone, Schaefer`s elite mobility, defensive prowess, and offensive transition game make him a dynamic presence. His emotional response on stage resonated deeply, highlighting the personal weight of this achievement.
Picking second, the San Jose Sharks ended speculation by drafting center Michael Misa from the OHL`s Saginaw Spirit. An exceptional status player with remarkable scoring instincts (62 goals in 65 games), Misa adds another elite two-way center alongside 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini, potentially forming a dominant one-two punch down the middle for San Jose.
The Chicago Blackhawks, picking third, added size and versatility upfront by selecting center Anton Frondell from Djurgarden in Sweden. A cerebral, two-way forward capable of playing center or wing, Frondell`s play-driving capabilities and performance against men in Sweden position him as a confident projection for a first-line NHL forward, adding a skilled complement to Connor Bedard.
The Centerpiece Strategy: Teams Build Down the Middle
A noticeable trend through the first half of the first round was the premium placed on centers, reflecting the critical importance of controlling the middle of the ice in modern hockey. Several teams reinforced or initiated their center depth:
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Utah Mammoth (Pick 4): Caleb Desnoyers, C – Described as a “coach`s dream” and compared quietly to legends like Patrice Bergeron or Jonathan Toews, Desnoyers provides Utah with a highly reliable, intelligent, two-way center who excels in any situation required to win. His selection adds significant defensive and physical presence to their forward group. -
Nashville Predators (Pick 5): Brady Martin, C – A “Swiss Army knife” forward known for his hard-nosed style, Martin brings functional strength and a relentless motor. While needing offensive development, his blend of physicality, hard skill, and competitive fire is highly valued, projecting him as an impactful middle-six player, perhaps reminiscent of Sam Bennett. -
Boston Bruins (Pick 7): James Hagens, C – In what many saw as a steal, the Bruins landed Hagens, a highly cerebral center with a non-stop motor and excellent playmaking ability. His professional details suggest a smooth transition to the NHL, and his high offensive ceiling makes him a potentially franchise-altering center for Boston. -
Seattle Kraken (Pick 8): Jake O`Brien, C – Seattle added an elite playmaker in O`Brien. His vision and deceptive maneuvers make him arguably the best pure creator in the draft. While needing physical development and an improved shot, his high-end playmaking adds significant offensive potential to the Kraken`s forward group. -
Pittsburgh Penguins (Pick 11): Benjamin Kindel, C – Pittsburgh opted for Kindel, a high-end facilitator and playmaker. Despite being undersized, his pace, vision, and relentless motor drive offense. He projects as a middle-six center or winger capable of setting up teammates in dangerous areas, potentially mirroring elements of Brayden Point`s game if he adds size. -
Philadelphia Flyers (Pick 12): Jack Nesbitt, C – In a trade with their state rival, the Flyers acquired the pick to select Nesbitt, a large, intelligent, two-way center. His game is rooted in competitiveness and defensive reliability, utilizing his size effectively. While his skating needs refinement, he offers a confident projection as a dependable third-line center. -
Vancouver Canucks (Pick 15): Braeden Cootes, C – Addressing an organizational need, the Canucks selected Cootes, a high-energy, all-situations player. His relentless compete level and willingness to drive the middle make him a reliable two-way center. While lacking explosive offense presently, his strong skating and hockey sense provide a solid floor as a third-line checking center with potential for more.
Rounding Out the Top 17: Wingers and Defenders
Beyond the focus on centers, teams also added significant talent on the wing and defense:
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Philadelphia Flyers (Pick 6): Porter Martone, RW – The Flyers added size and skill with Martone, a big, cerebral dual-threat winger. His offensive talent, competitive nature, and growing power forward game make him a tough matchup. While needing skating improvement, he projects as a significant scoring winger.
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Buffalo Sabres (Pick 9): Radim Mrtka, D – Buffalo added a much-needed large, right-handed defenseman in Mrtka. His size, mobility, and ability to shut down plays make him a confident projection as a top-four shutdown defender. His development timeline allows for refinement of his offensive game. -
Anaheim Ducks (Pick 10): Roger McQueen, C – Anaheim took a high-risk, high-reward swing on McQueen, a rare combination of size (6-5) and skating ability at center. Described as a “unicorn,” his blend of soft skill, physicality, and defensive habits makes him a potentially dominant two-way power forward if he remains healthy and develops fully. -
Columbus Blue Jackets (Pick 14): Jackson Smith, D – Columbus selected Smith, a big, physical defenseman with significant untapped offensive potential. His excellent transition defense, size, and poise with the puck position him as a potential top-four matchup defender. Developing his offensive consistency will be key to reaching his ceiling. -
New York Islanders (Pick 16): Victor Eklund, RW – With their second pick, the Islanders gained perceived value in Eklund. Despite his size, he plays with tremendous compete and utilizes excellent puck protection and forechecking skills. His blend of hard-nosed play and soft skill makes him a strong candidate for seamless translation to the NHL and a potential difference-maker in the top six.
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New York Islanders (Pick 17): Kashawn Aitcheson, D – Completing a busy first round, the Islanders added “nastiness” to their blueline with Aitcheson. A highly aggressive and physical defenseman, he projects as a reliable, hard-to-play-against defender. While raw offensively, his competitive attributes and physical presence offer significant value, making him a player every coach would appreciate.
Looking Ahead
The first 17 picks of the 2025 NHL Draft showcased teams prioritizing a mix of foundational pieces, high-upside swings, and specific needs. From dynamic defensemen and cerebral centers to physical forwards and shutdown defenders, the selected players represent the diverse skills and attributes required for success in the modern NHL. While their arrival on the big stage may be a few years away for most, these selections mark the crucial initial step in their professional journey, offering a glimpse into the future landscape of the league.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth