It`s that specific time of the year once more. After dedicated work since last August, NHL scouts are finally having their moment – or something akin to it.
For the first time since the pandemic began, the draft will be conducted in a decentralized manner. While media personnel, players, along with their families and friends, will gather at the Peacock Theatre, team General Managers and their scouting staff will remain in their respective home cities. NHL teams chose this format for two primary reasons: to be geographically closer to facilitate planning for free agency and to reduce costs.
I`ve spoken with several scouts whose GMs` opinions on the decentralized draft now differ slightly from when they initially voted in favor of it. From a team`s perspective, conducting business primarily through phone calls and texts is arguably more challenging than the spontaneous, in-person conversations that naturally occur in hotels and dining establishments around the host city.
From the league`s standpoint (and I believe the commissioner shares this view), the NHL Draft is a unique spectacle and arguably the best entry draft among the four major North American sports leagues. Having all teams assembled in one location simultaneously generates an unparalleled atmosphere. Moments like the embraces, the walk to the stage, and the iconic picture of a player in his new jersey surrounded by his team`s scouts are truly invaluable. I anticipate we will eventually return to this format, and hopefully, the experience of a decentralized draft will spark new ideas and creativity to enhance the event further.
My final 2025 draft rankings were released in May, and since then, I`ve been diligently reviewing video footage, exchanging messages, and consulting with a broad network of coaches, GMs, scouts, owners, and anyone else I could think of to construct this mock draft. Predicting the precise order of selections is incredibly difficult. I believe there`s a consensus among most experts on 10-12 players who belong in the top 10, but their specific ranking will vary considerably. Beyond those top prospects, the draft class becomes significantly more unpredictable.
This draft class has faced some unfair criticism regarding the perceived lack of truly elite, high-end talent – players comparable to Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon who could headline the group. However, this class will still produce numerous players destined to play significant roles for their respective NHL clubs.
There is good depth at the center position early in the draft, several intriguing defensemen with diverse skill sets, and a wealth of diligent, hard-working players who are essential components of winning NHL rosters.
The most compelling aspect of tracking players from the 2025 NHL Draft will be observing where and when they land after the draft concludes. Who will sign entry-level contracts? Who will opt for the NCAA route, or join the CHL? We are navigating a new era, influenced partly by the latest CBA, which provides players with options they didn`t previously have.
With all that being said, let`s get to the predictions. Here is my projection for the first round of the NHL Draft:
No. 1 New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
A defenseman with the potential to change a franchise, expected to develop into a leadership figure. His skating and puck-handling abilities are top-tier. Schaefer is projected to log significant minutes, and his character is likely to make him a fan favorite, helping the team connect with its community.
Duncan Priestley