As major junior playoffs and the NCAA tournament approach, and European league playoffs conclude, the 2025 NHL Draft is nearing. This is an exciting period for hockey enthusiasts and scouts.

Following draft rankings from colleagues, it`s time to present a personal list of top prospects for the first two rounds of the draft.

The Top Five

No. 1: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL)

NHL Projection: Top-pairing, two-way, transitional defenseman. Complete player.

Despite playing only 17 regular season games for Erie, Schaefer remains the top prospect. Recovering from a world juniors injury, he is expected to return stronger. Schaefer is a hardworking player who averaged over 28 minutes per game, playing in all situations, with 7 goals and 15 assists, plus-20 rating. He was also a key player for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament.

Schaefer is a complete player, dangerous on the rush, and a skilled power play distributor. Defensively strong and mature for his draft class, he is a competitive prospect.

As a reminder, Schaefer brings significant value to any NHL team drafting him:

No. 2: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

NHL Projection: Top line forward. Point producer. Primary even strength and PP1 ice time.

Misa had an exceptional season, leading the CHL in scoring with 62 goals and 72 assists in 65 games. Granted exceptional player status in 2022, he has three major junior seasons completed. Moving to center this year enhanced his playmaking, utilizing ice width with speed and puck control. He became a lethal shooter, doubling his previous season`s goal total. Averaging over 23 minutes, Misa is reliable defensively, finishing plus-43.

No. 3: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

NHL Projection: Top line scorer. Shooter. Power play specialist.

Frondell is rising in the draft ranks, considered the draft`s best pure shooter. His skills, hockey sense, and pace allow deployment at center or wing. Playing professionally in Sweden, he averages 14 minutes, producing 11 goals and 14 assists in 29 games for Djurgardens. With the U18 National Team, he added 14 goals and 17 assists in 25 games. Frondell is an offensive game-changer who thrives with the puck in crucial moments.

No. 4: James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

NHL Projection: Top line forward. Play driver and playmaker. Power play specialist.

Hagens had a strong freshman year at Boston College, playing on the top line. He averages nearly 20 minutes, mostly at even strength and power play. Always in motion, he is hard to contain, effective on the power play, and relentless in puck pursuit. Hagens scored 10 goals and 25 assists in the regular season and played a key role in Team USA`s world junior gold medal, scoring 5 goals and 4 assists. He projects as a top-line, scoring NHL forward with speed and skill.

No. 5: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Trending towards a complete player. All situations deployment.

Desnoyers is versatile, competing effectively in all zones. He scored 35 goals and 49 assists in 54 games, with a plus-51 rating, averaging 20 minutes in all situations. Desnoyers has elite hockey sense, attacking with speed or distributing effectively. His offensive talent combined with defensive commitment is rare and highly valuable.

Lottery Picks: 6-16

No. 6: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

NHL Projection: Top-six power forward. Natural goal scorer.

Martone uses size effectively, especially in tough areas, and scores frequently from high-danger zones. He has a quick release and is a strong skater for his size, playing in all situations. Martone recorded 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 games, averaging over 19 minutes. As a late birthday, he is ineligible for the U18 Worlds, making OHL playoffs crucial for scouting.

No. 7: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Equal parts shooter/distributor.

McQueen returned strongly after a back injury, showing great presence. He is skilled at both shooting and playmaking, using his size to shield opponents. In his recent games, he averaged 16 minutes with 2 goals and 7 assists, primarily at even strength and power play. His puck skills and vision are notable, especially on the power play.

No. 8: Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

NHL Projection: Top six skill forward. Quick striker. Play driver.

Eklund is a dynamic, fast forward, quick off the mark and elusive in the offensive zone. He had a productive world juniors for Sweden. Undersized but always involved, he is a goal scorer with playmaking ability. His 19 goals and 12 assists in pro Swedish league are impressive. Averaging over 15 minutes, he provides dynamic offense despite average defensive play.

No. 9: Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Equal parts shooter and distributor. All situations deployment.

Bear suffered a season-ending injury in early March after a strong season with 40 goals and 42 assists, averaging over 16 minutes. He is known for timely goals and tenacity in all zones, fitting Everett`s physical play style. He is highly competitive and always engaged.

No. 10: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

NHL Projection: Top pairing, two-way defenseman.

Mrtka logs heavy minutes for Seattle, over 25 per game in all situations. This large, right-shot defenseman is versatile, providing secondary offense (3 goals and 32 assists in 43 games) and blocking shots effectively. While small-area quickness needs development, he has adapted well to North American ice.

No. 11: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Deceptive playmaker.

O’Brien is a creative playmaker, adept at finding scoring chances. He is effective on the power play and has improved defensively. He scored 32 goals and 66 assists for Brantford, averaging over 20 minutes. While his skating mechanics are good, strength improvement will enhance his open-ice speed and 200-foot game.

No. 12: Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Relentless competitor. All situations deployment.

Martin is arguably the draft`s most competitive player, leading by example for the Soo Greyhounds. In recent games, he produced 8 goals and 11 assists, averaging over 24 minutes in all situations, finishing with 33 goals and 39 assists overall. Despite his size, he plays physically, finishes checks, and battles hard, making opponents` lives difficult.

No. 13: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

NHL Projection: Middle/potential top pairing two-way defenseman. All situations deployment.

Smith is a versatile prospect, playing over 26 minutes in all situations and shutting down top forwards. He is an excellent skater, capable of leading rushes and maneuvering the blue line. His offense increased this season (11 goals and 43 assists), but his defensive size and strength are most impressive.

No. 14: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA)

NHL Projection: Middle pairing two-way defenseman. Skill set for all situations.

Hensler is a sought-after right-shot defenseman with size and skating ability suitable for the NHL. He played in all situations at Wisconsin, providing secondary offense (2 goals and 10 assists in 32 games). Hensler defends purposefully and blocks shots. He is likely still developing, with potential to be a shutdown defender at minimum.

No. 15: Ben Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Playmaker.

Kindel’s consistent improvement made him hard to ignore. The Calgary Hitmen forward ended the regular season with 35 goals and 64 assists, averaging about 19 minutes, mostly at even strength and power play. He quarterbacks the power play, showcasing his vision and playmaking skills.