BUFFALO — Although a defenceman is widely expected to be the first overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, the event might ultimately be defined by teams picking high in the order who are in desperate need of a top centre and hoping to finally secure one.
Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer arrived at the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo as the projected first pick. His confident and engaging personality only reinforced the belief that he will become just the fifth defenceman in the last 20 drafts to be taken first overall. While the Islanders hold that pick, Schaefer seems like a strong candidate.
What happens after the first pick is where things get interesting. Defence and centre are considered premium positions in the NHL, and it`s possible that after Schaefer, no other defenceman will be taken in the top 10.
Instead, we could witness a series of teams addressing a significant need down the middle. Specifically, the picks held by Nashville (fifth), Philadelphia (sixth), and even Boston (seventh) are intriguing, considering the long-standing need for a top centre in some of these organizations.
Let`s consider some of the players who could be available to these franchises, depending on how the early picks unfold.
If Michael Misa and Caleb Desnoyers—two players we`ll discuss further—are already gone by pick No. 5, it likely means prospects like James Hagens and Anton Frondell will be available when the Predators step up to the podium.
James Hagens was frequently ranked atop mock drafts earlier in the season but has since slightly dropped. Nevertheless, he`s a player often compared to Jack Hughes and, despite average size, consistently plays with an edge. Hagens, 18, attributes this trait to his upbringing. “It`s kind of blue-collar [on Long Island], nothing has ever been given to me, everything has been earned, so I`m glad I have that trait. You need it to be able to last and survive in the NHL. It`s a good trait to have,” he said.
Then there`s Anton Frondell, a six-foot-one, 198-pound Swede often compared to Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, whom he openly models his game after. When asked what NHL record he`d most like to own, the 18-year-old responded, “Is there a record for most killed penalties?”
Viktor Klingsell, who played with Frondell at the U-18 World Championship, described his countryman as “an amazing player” with “every tool in his game,” including size, puck control, and off-ice skills. Klingsell also fondly recalled Frondell juggling floorball balls in hotels, calling him “such a crazy guy” and adding, “He`s for sure going to be a star in the NHL one day.”
Considering what Hagens and Frondell offer, it`s easy to see them fitting in with Nashville and Philly. The Flyers landed winger Matvei Michkov two years ago but could greatly benefit from a top centre to boost their rebuild. Nashville has seemingly been searching for a true No. 1 centre throughout their 25-year history.
And then there are the Bruins, a team currently retooling and still looking to fill the void left by the retirements of long-time star centres Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci two years ago.
Assuming the highest-ranked centres—Desnoyers, Misa, Hagens, and Frondell—are off the board by pick No. 7, fast-rising Brady Martin could still be available. The Soo Greyhound isn`t the biggest player, but his six-foot, 178-pound frame is fully committed to competing. Kris Mallette, who coached Martin and saw him improve steadily, called him “What a kid,” noting, “He just doesn’t stop, his motor doesn’t stop and he does have very good individual skill. He had the ability to take a guy one-on-one and dance through him and get an opportunity.”
Of course, where players are selected in the latter half of the top 10 will significantly depend on how the first few picks unfold. There`s always discussion about where the true uncertainty in the draft begins. This year, that point is arguably the No. 2 slot, held by the Sharks. While Hagens and, to a lesser extent, Frondell have been mentioned in this range in mock drafts, Sportsnet`s Jason Bukala suggests there`s a chance both Desnoyers and power winger Porter Martone could be top 3 candidates. If Desnoyers and Martone go second and third, Michael Misa—a centre who scored 62 goals this year—could slide to No. 4, where the Utah Mammoth would likely be thrilled to potentially pair him with Logan Cooley down the middle.
Caleb Desnoyers` recent rise in the rankings is due to his well-rounded, 200-foot game, which looks increasingly impressive under scrutiny. Combined with his reputation as a strong leader, it`s easy to see how Desnoyers—who played through wrist injuries in the playoffs and skipped combine testing—could be an ideal fit behind a star like Macklin Celebrini in San Jose or even Connor Bedard in Chicago.
Mallette, who also coached Desnoyers, described him as “Very mature, very dedicated” and “a gamer.” He added, “He’s a player who might not flash — his point total in the Quebec League was obviously very good — but he’s not an overly flashy player; he’s a player who just does a lot of things very well. His competitiveness, his physicality — his ability to finish is very good — but his leadership qualities are great.”
Even outside the top 10, teams could find potential long-term centre solutions. The Pittsburgh Penguins, picking 11th, built a dynasty around having Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as their top centres for two decades. As those players near the end of their careers, there`s a huge need for new talent.
Could they take a chance on a big player like Roger McQueen? The Brandon Wheat King was limited to only 20 games this season due to a back injury and muscle strain. However, the six-foot-five, 197-pound centre participated in physical testing at the combine and spoke with relief about being pain-free for the past six weeks. “Just being able to come here and have that back issue [behind] me now, it’s so nice to have that in my past,” he said. “Having that in the past and being able to come here and compete with my buddies is awesome.” McQueen likes to model his game after other big centres like Tage Thompson and Ryan Getzlaf.
If McQueen isn`t Pittsburgh`s target, perhaps Jake O`Brien is a perfect fit. The six-foot-two Brantford Bulldogs centre could potentially be a top 10 pick, but he grew up a Penguins fan and possesses the offensive talent to drive a new era of Pittsburgh offense. Misa praised O`Brien`s playmaking ability, calling him “One of the best playmakers in the draft, the way he’s able to find other players. It’s pretty impressive.”
This year, more than usual, it`s difficult to predict how the draft board will unfold after the first selection. However, when the dust settles in three weeks, several teams might find themselves with a more optimistic outlook on their centre depth than they`ve had in quite some time.
Making the NCAA Leap
The relatively new option for major junior players to transition to NCAA hockey was a significant topic at the combine. Most top prospects like Schaefer, Misa, and Desnoyers were hesitant to discuss their future plans, stating their focus was on reaching the NHL next year.
However, some players have already made their intentions clear. Malcolm Spence, formerly of the Erie Otters, is one such player. The winger, known for his rugged play, confirmed that many teams he interviewed with in Buffalo inquired about his decision—announced in mid-May—to commit to the Michigan Wolverines. “For sure, they were wondering [what the] decision-making process [was] and why,” he said. “I explained, obviously, a lot has to do with physical attributes. For the NHL, I’m going to have to play at a heavier weight, so for me to go to Michigan [where there is more training time and fewer games], it made more sense.”
