Scout’s Analysis: Favourite pick from each round of 2025 NHL Draft

The 2025 NHL Draft has concluded, and newly drafted prospects are now heading to their respective team development camps across North America. This marks the next stage in their journey towards potentially playing in the NHL.

While this year`s draft class might not have been as deep as some previous years, it certainly wasn`t lacking in character. These players are expected to add valuable depth to NHL rosters in the future. Although not all will become top-line stars, many possess the qualities needed to be crucial “glue” players, essential for team success, especially during intense playoff competition.

Here is a breakdown of my personal favorite selection from each round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft:

ROUND 1

Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders, first overall

Having scouted hockey for over 25 years and interviewed hundreds of players, I can say I`ve never encountered a top prospect who has navigated significant personal hardship and still shown the resilience and positive attitude that Matthew Schaefer has. He lost his mother to cancer last year and missed a large portion of this season due to injury, yet he maintained a remarkable positive outlook throughout the draft process and was truly a pleasure to meet.

Schaefer, who plays for the Erie Otters in the OHL, is an elite defensive prospect expected to develop into a well-rounded NHL player. He is projected to handle extensive ice time for the Islanders and be utilized in all game situations. He contributes offensively without compromising his defensive responsibilities. The Islanders appear to have drafted a potential future captain and a cornerstone player for years ahead.

NHL Projection: Top pairing defenceman, All-situations player

ROUND 2

Alexander Zharovsky, Montreal Canadiens, 34th overall

Zharovsky saw a significant rise in my rankings this year and stands out as one of the most compelling offensive prospects to monitor. He possesses exceptional skill and is projected to become a top-six forward in time. His ability to beat defenders in tight spaces and finish chances from high-danger areas is particularly exciting. As Zharovsky matures physically, adding strength and mass to his frame will enhance his speed in open ice and create even more opportunities to leverage his elite puck-handling skills. Zharovsky is currently under contract with UFA Tolpar in Russia for two more seasons.

NHL Projection: Top-six forward, Playmaker

ROUND 3

Cameron Schmidt, Dallas Stars, 94th overall

Schmidt finished the year ranked in my first round, so his drop to the third round was unexpected. It seems teams were hesitant due to his smaller size (5-foot-7, 157 pounds), but Dallas Stars Director of Scouting Joe McDonnell wisely took advantage of his availability at pick 94.

Despite being undersized, Schmidt plays with speed and accelerates through the neutral zone effectively to lead the rush. If he gains an edge on a defender, he will drive towards the net. However, he is most dangerous when shooting pucks on the move or cutting into the middle of the ice from the boards. Schmidt is primarily a shooter rather than a passer. He recorded 40 goals and 38 assists in 61 games for the Vancouver Giants last season.

NHL Projection: Middle-six forward, Shooter, Goal scorer

ROUND 4

LJ Mooney, Montreal Canadiens, 113th overall

Similar to Schmidt, Mooney is also undersized (5-foot-7, 157 pounds) but consistently hard for opponents to play against. The Canadiens selected Mooney at pick 113 after his season contributing 10 goals and 41 assists for Team USA’s U18 national team.

Mooney leans more towards being a distributor than a shooter. He is incredibly quick in tight spaces and adept at evading checks. Defensively, he is reliable and doesn`t shy away from physical play. While his elite offensive skill is his standout trait, he is active in all three zones and possesses a genuine chance of becoming an NHL player due to his dedicated approach on every shift.

NHL Projection: Third line centre/winger, Play driver

ROUND 5

Viktor Klingsell, Winnipeg Jets, 156th overall

Klingsell is projected to be a middle-of-the-lineup winger capable of providing secondary scoring at even strength and possessing the skill set for power play duty. This sturdy, competitive forward registered 17 goals and 22 assists for Skelleftea’s J20 team in Sweden and added 2 goals and 6 assists for Team Sweden at the U18 World Championship. He consistently caught my attention during viewings last season due to his competitive nature.

NHL Projection: Potential third line winger, Power play shooter

ROUND 6

Burke Hood, New York Islanders, 170th overall

The Islanders had a successful draft weekend, highlighted by their three first-round selections, and added Hood to their organization with the 170th pick in the sixth round.

Hood is an intriguing goaltending prospect, possessing both athleticism and size in the net. He moves powerfully side-to-side when tracking the puck and shows better-than-average coverage low and with his glove hand. Hood will require time and coaching refinement. Like many athletic goalies, there are instances where he becomes overly aggressive challenging shooters and can lose his positioning in the crease. However, I admire his competitive spirit, and I believe he has a solid foundation to build upon. Hood posted a 3.13 GAA and a .910 save percentage playing for the Vancouver Giants (WHL) last season.

NHL Projection: No. 2B/NHL backup

ROUND 7

Filip Ekberg, Carolina Hurricanes, 221st overall

I was surprised to see Ekberg fall this far in the draft, ultimately being selected by the Hurricanes with the fourth-to-last pick overall.

Ekberg faced some consistency issues during the regular season but made a strong impression at the U18 worlds at the season`s end. He contributed 16 goals and 29 assists for the Ottawa 67’s (OHL) before leading the U18s in scoring with 10 goals and 8 assists in just seven games. Ekberg will need to demonstrate further development in his all-around game and a consistent willingness to compete hard in difficult areas. Despite this, he was certainly a valuable risk at this stage of the draft and, in my opinion, should have been picked earlier.

NHL Projection: Fourth line, Minor league recall forward