NHL trade grades: Report cards on Gibson, Dobson, Peterka, more
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Ryan S. Clark
The NHL’s offseason is off and running, and the trades have been piling up since the Florida Panthers raised the Stanley Cup for a second straight season.
That includes Chris Kreider heading to the Anaheim Ducks, Trevor Zegras joining the Philadelphia Flyers and Noah Dobson being traded to the Montreal Canadiens. During Day 2 of the draft, John Gibson was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.
This page will be your home for report cards on every major trade this offseason, with the most recent deals first.
June 28: Gibson to the Red Wings
No, this is not a drill. After years of speculation, the Anaheim Ducks finally traded goaltender John Gibson.
The Detroit Red Wings landed Gibson, who was with the Ducks for more than a decade, in exchange for goalie Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
Here’s a look at what the deal means for each side.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman had plenty of questions to answer this offseason after the club had missed the postseason for nine seasons. One of them is what he and his front office staff would do about their goaltending situation.
They tried different solutions in recent seasons. Ville Husso went from winning 26 games in his first season with the club (2022-23) to being traded to the Ducks during 2024-25. A tandem of Alex Lyon and Cam Talbot combined for a 0.899 save percentage, which is why the Wings traded for Mrazek before the deadline; he had a .902 save percentage in five games.
Lyon is an unrestricted free agent, whereas Mrazek and Talbot both had a year left on their contracts. It presented the possibly they could turn to Sebastian Cossa, their first-round pick from 2021, who finished with a .911 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average in the AHL. Some believe he could use another year of development as the Red Wings seek to avoid a 10th consecutive season without the playoffs.
Acquiring Gibson now provides them with a chance to have the stability that has eluded them. Injuries — along with the growth of Lukas Dostal — played a role in why Gibson was limited to 28 starts last season. But in that time, he won 11 games while registering a .912 save percentage — a strong figure compared to what the Red Wings experienced with their options in 2024-25.
The Red Wings could use Gibson and Talbot as a tandem while letting Lyon walk in free agency. The 31-year-old has two years left on his contract at $6.4 million annually, which also gives the Red Wings more time to develop Cossa in the AHL.
Per PuckPedia, Detroit now has $18.411 million in cap space to address a roster that has decisions to make regarding UFAs such as Patrick Kane and a three-player restricted free agent class that includes Jonatan Berggren.
Ducks GM Pat Verbeek had to eventually deal with the dynamic surrounding Dostal and Gibson. Building through the draft has been a significant aspect of the Ducks’ rebuild, and Dostal is one of the players who has embodied that movement.
In the past two seasons, Dostal grew from promising prospect to full-time NHL goaltender, with the 2024-25 season showing he could handle the demands of being a No. 1. The 25-year-old finished the season with 23 wins, posting a .903 save percentage in 54 games playing behind a promising but still mostly youthful defense that does include veterans Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba.
Dostal’s age, usage and his performances are all factors that make him vital to the Ducks’ present and future. They will also play a role in what his next contract could look like, given he is an RFA this summer.
It isn’t that the Ducks don’t have cap space. They most certainly do, and a lot of it, which is why they appear to be in play for every major name in free agency. But they also have three RFAs to sign in Drew Helleson, Mason McTavish and Dostal.
The same applies next offseason, when Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger will all be due for new contracts as RFAs still under team control.
Even with the cap space the Ducks possessed at the start of the offseason, they had a chance to create more. That’s part of the reason why they traded Trevor Zegras earlier this week. Trading Gibson, and the last two years of his deal, now pushes their cap space to $38.188 million, per PuckPedia, which is the second most in the league behind the San Jose Sharks.
June 27: Coyle to the Blue Jackets
In need of salary cap space, the Colorado Avalanche created some Friday by trading Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In return, the Blue Jackets traded prospect forward Gavin Brindley, a 2025 third-round pick, and a conditional 2027 second-round pick to Colorado.
Let’s take a quick glance at what it all means for both teams.
The Avs secured a second-line center by signing Brock Nelson — added at the trade deadline — to a three-year contract extension worth $7.5 million annually. But that resulted in the Avs having just $1.2 million in cap space entering Friday, per PuckPedia. Given that the Avs have a six-player unrestricted free agent class — led by Ryan Lindgren — and it meant they needed to do something.
Coyle was one of the strongest candidates for a trade. His arrival at the trade deadline gave the Avs one of the best top-nine center dynamics in the NHL, behind Nathan MacKinnon and Nelson. But when a team is facing a cap crisis, does it make sense to pay a third-line center $5.25 million average annual value when there are more team-friendly options available?
Wood was another potential trade candidate, given he has four years left at $2.5 million AAV. Injuries and inconsistencies led to his scoring only 13 goals the past two seasons with the Avs — the same amount he had in his final full season with the New Jersey Devils.
But that also leaves the Avs needing to address their bottom-six forwards — in addition to possibly retaining Lindgren — along with anything else they seek to accomplish in free agency.
It’s possible Brindley could help with that at some point in the future. The 20-year-old was one of the top prospects in the Blue Jackets’ farm system, which is one of the strongest in the NHL. A second-round pick in 2023, Brindley scored six goals and 17 points in 52 games while playing his first professional season in the AHL. Before that, Brindley starred at Michigan, where he scored 25 goals and 53 points as a sophomore during the 2023-24 season.
At this point, the Blue Jackets have so much cap space that they can pick and choose what deals make sense. Especially if it involves working with a team that needs to create cap space like the Avs.
Coyle and Wood were a luxury in Colorado, but in Columbus they’ll strengthen the bottom six while allowing the front office to focus elsewhere in free agency.
Entering Friday, the Blue Jackets had six unrestricted free agent forwards, while Dmitri Voronkov is a restricted free agent. Adding Coyle gives them a third-line center with Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli on the top two lines. Wood gives them a winger who can be used on the fourth line (or potentially higher); altogether, the Jackets now have 13 forwards who are either under contract or under team control as an RFA.
They also have more than $30 million in cap space, with the idea that some of that could be used on extensions for Dante Fabbro and Ivan Provorov.
Brinkley was one of their best prospects, but the Blue Jackets still have promising forwards in their system, including Cayden Lindstrom, Jordan Dumais and Luca Del Bel Belluz.
June 27: Dobson to the Canadiens
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Noah Dobson capitalizes on the power play
Noah Dobson capitalizes on the power play
Defenseman Noah Dobson was at the center of a trade Friday between the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders with the idea that both franchises are heading in different directions.
The Canadiens got Dobson after he had signed an eight-year contract extension worth $9.5 million annually with the Islanders on Friday. New York got forward Emil Heineman and both of the Canadiens’ 2025 first-round picks, No. 16 and No. 17.
Here’s how both front offices performed and what it means for each side going forward.
If there’s an opportunity to get a 25-year-old, right-handed-shooting, top-pairing, puck-moving defenseman who can play in every scenario — who is also packaged in a 6-foot-4 frame — that’s a move a GM should make.
But, it’s done with the full understanding that it’s going to cost quite a bit, and that’s what makes the decision by Canadiens GM Kent Hughes one that’s rather emphatic because of what it signals about his team.
Specifically, Montreal is serious about making its 2025 playoff appearance a regular occurrence, with the goal of winning a Stanley Cup in the near future.
Future. That’s the word at the heart of what this trade represented for the Canadiens. Having two first-round picks is a benefit. For teams in a rebuild, it’s a chance to build toward what they believe is a stronger future, while playoff teams — or those on the cusp — use them as trade chips to acquire someone who can make them better now.
Hughes took the latter option with this deal, and it provides Montreal with what appears to be one of the more enticing young defensive setups in the NHL.
Dobson, who has scored 10 or more goals in four straight seasons, adds to a group of young Canadiens defensemen that includes reigning Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and Jayden Struble. The Habs also have recent first-round picks Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher in their system.
That’s six defensemen all younger than 25. Four of them are first-round picks, while the remainder were second-round selections (including Hutson). This is what’s called a problem. Or rather, it has the potential to create a problem because of what that collection could achieve over time.
But then there’s the actual “problem” facing Hughes now that he has Dobson under contract, in that the Habs are now $3.394 million over the salary cap (per PuckPedia), while having seven defensemen under contract or team control for 2025-26.
It’s going to force Hughes to decide which defenseman Montreal moves on from to clear cap space, while also having the necessary group to make the aforementioned playoff push. Veteran Mike Matheson has one year left on his contract at $4.88 million before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, while Alexandre Carrier has two years remaining at $3.75 million annually before he hits the open market.
Getting that situation handled sooner rather than later allows the Habs to gain more financial flexibility should they want to do more, although they also have a pair of RFAs in Struble and Jakub Dobes who are in need of new deals.
New Islanders GM Mathieu Darche spent six seasons in the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s front office, allowing him to appreciate the value of certain items. One of them is the value of building a long-term winner through the draft.
GMs running lottery teams need to have a level of honesty and understanding about the direction of their franchise. That’s what makes anything the Islanders do in Darche’s first offseason even more critical.
That’s not to say that Dobson couldn’t have been part of those long-term plans on Long Island. But there’s also something to be said for identifying the strongest possible value a player has for your franchise, and determining that this value is greater with a return like one that Darche got here.
What Darche received in exchange for a top-pairing defenseman in Dobson will play a significant role in shaping the Islanders for the next decade, if not longer.
Having the No. 1 pick was a starting point toward that future — and it’s likely he’ll add talented defenseman Matthew Schaefer with that pick. But by now adding two more first-round picks, he has even more options.
Darche and his staff might decide they want to keep both picks they acquired from the Canadiens, and draft three players. After all, they would be adding more to a system that, despite having 2024 first-rounder Cole Eiserman, is in distinct need of talent. Part of the reason for that is that the Isles have had four draft classes since 2018 (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) in which they did not have a first-round pick.
Or will Darche look to repackage one or both of those picks in another trade, with the hope of doing something else he and his staff believe can set them up for even greater success over the long term?
Although the future is in focus, there’s also something to be said about the present and what it means now that Dobson is gone. The Islanders now have five defensemen under contract, and seven who are under team control, with a pair of pending RFAs in Scott Perunovich and Alexander Romanov. Tony DeAngelo and Mike Reilly are UFAs from the 2024-25 roster.
The Islanders have $20.934 million in cap space (per PuckPedia), which can be used to address their defensive needs along with whatever else they need to handle this summer; that includes re-signing Heineman, who is an RFA after scoring 10 goals and 18 points in 62 games during his first full NHL season.
June 26: Peterka to the Mammoth
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JJ Peterka lights the lamp for Sabres
JJ Peterka lights the lamp for Sabres
Two of the storylines to watch this NHL offseason were whether the Utah Mammoth could add at least one top-six forward to their roster, and if the Buffalo Sabres would part ways with restricted free agent JJ Peterka.
Wednesday night or early Thursday, depending upon the time zone, those narratives collided, with the Mammoth acquiring Peterka in a trade with the Sabres, with forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring going to western New York.
Let’s look at how both front offices performed in this swap, as well as what it means for each franchise moving forward.
In 2024-25, the Utah Hockey Club was a top-10 team in terms of shot share, shots per 60 minutes rate, and scoring chances per 60 — but finished 16th in goals per game. So there was a disconnect. With $20.357 million in salary cap space, a solution needed to be found for that problem.
And so the latest significant move for Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong? Landing Peterka in trade, then immediately signing him to a five-year extension worth $7.7 million annually.
Since Ryan and Ashley Smith purchased the franchise and moved the team to Salt Lake City, the Mammoth have taken a strategic yet aggressive approach. It started last year when they traded for a legitimate No. 1 defenseman in Mikhail Sergachev along with John Marino as part of a plan to revamp their blue line.
Peterka is a continuation of that need to take another big swing. In doing so, the Mammoth add a 23-year-old proven goal scorer who not only addresses their need for more goals but also fits into their long-term plans. After scoring 28 goals and what was then a career-high 50 points in 2023-24, Peterka responded with 27 goals and 68 points in 77 games in what would be his final season in Buffalo.
Trades can often be about creating more options for a team, and Peterka gives the Mammoth quite a few. They now have a top-six winger group that also includes Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, and Nick Schmaltz. That amounts to a quartet of 20-goal scorers to play with centers Logan Cooley and Barrett Hayton, who also scored more than 20 goals last season, anchoring those top two lines.
Armed with what’s considered to be one of the strongest farm systems in the NHL, the Mammoth didn’t have to part ways with any of their top prospects to get Peterka. They still have Matias Maccelli — who they could seek to move one from in another trade — and still have $14.982 million in cap space, per PuckPedia.
Nick Bjugstad and Michael Carcone are their most prominent unrestricted free agents, while Jack McBain remains their lone restricted free agent. After landing a difference-maker at No. 4 overall in the draft on Friday — or using that pick to acquire another NHL-ready player instead — they’ll be able to use the majority of that remaining cap space to be active in free agency on July 1.
The most apt word one could use to describe what Sabres GM Kevyn Adams received in return for Peterka? Complicated.
Generally, a 23-year-old top-six forward who remains under team control is going to hypothetically attract a certain price. In some ways, the Sabres were able to get that by receiving a pair of NHL players in Doan and Kesselring. But there’s an argument to be made that the Sabres didn’t receive enough.
Missing the playoffs for the past 14 seasons has left the Sabres in the space between trying to end that drought, while having one eye on the future in case plans need to change (again). Although the Sabres do have one of the stronger farm systems, the Peterka trade presented an opportunity for them to add more — whether it be through draft capital or prospects.
That’s especially true when the player at the center of the deal was so important to the Sabres, given he was second on the team in points, third in goals, third in power-play points and third in ice time among forwards with more than 70 games.
It’s not like Adams walked away with nothing. Doan could carve a place as a top-nine forward. Joining the Sabres is a chance for Doan to find the consistency that eluded him in Utah. He played 28 games in the AHL last season in addition to the 51 games he played for the Hockey Club.
Kesselring gives the Sabres a third right-shot defenseman on their roster. He finished with more than 20 points, while logging more than 70 games, in consecutive seasons. He was also sixth among Mammoth defensemen in average ice time; like Doan, he could see a greater role in Buffalo.
Doan and Kesselring give the Sabres depth. They are also going to cost the club a combined $2.325 million in cap space, with both players having a year left on their respective contracts before restricted free agency. The Sabres now have $20.881 million in cap space, per PuckPedia.
Yet it still results in this question: Was a bottom-six/middle-six forward and a middle-pairing (at best) defenseman enough of a return for a top-six forward? Or should Adams have gotten more for a player that is addressing one of the Mammoth’s biggest needs, while leaving themselves in need of filling a sizable hole in the roster?
June 23: Zegras to the Flyers
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The highlight reel Trevor Zegras is taking to Philadelphia
With Trevor Zegras being shipped to the Flyers, relive some of his top plays from his last season with the Ducks.
Rumor finally became reality Monday with the Anaheim Ducks trading forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Ducks moved Zegras, who has long been discussed as a potential trade target, to the Flyers for forward Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick (originally belonging to the Columbus Blue Jackets) and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
What does it all mean, and how did both front offices fare?
“Potential” is the word that’s going to be used the most to describe this trade.
It starts with the fact that Zegras gives the Flyers another top-nine center in addition to what they already have with Sean Couturier and Noah Cates, with the idea that Zegras has the potential to become their top-line center.
Zegras is a two-time 20-goal scorer who has also authored a pair of consecutive 60-point seasons. That could give the Flyers, who finished 24th in goals per game, another player who can score while creating opportunities for those around him.
At 24, he also potentially fits within the Flyers’ long-term plans. The Flyers were the NHL’s youngest team in 2024-25, with an average age of 26.09 years, according to Elite Prospects.
Again, the key word here is potentially.
Injuries and inconsistencies over the past two seasons created questions as to whether Zegras could return to becoming the player who had those consecutive 60-point seasons back in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Further, they led to inquiries about whether he’d return to or surpass those totals while remaining the Ducks.
Surrounding Zegras with wingers such as Tyson Foerster, Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov and/or Owen Tippett could get him back on track. After all, at one point Zegras was among the league’s breakout stars and looked as if he was going to become one of the future faces of the NHL. He was chosen as the cover athlete for NHL 23.
Then there’s the added incentive that Zegras is in the final season of a three-year contract worth $5.75 million annually. He will remain under team control as a restricted free agent for the next two seasons before becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2027-28 campaign.
Even after taking on Zegras’ salary, the Flyers will still have $15.141 million in cap space, per PuckPedia.
For all the questions the Ducks faced about holding on to Zegras, there appeared to be a rather large one looming:
Is it prudent to pay a third-line center more than $5 million annually when there are cheaper options available and other roster holes to fill?
Leo Carlsson — the No. 2 overall pick from 2023 — showed he could handle the demands of being a full-time, top-line center. He scored 20 goals and 45 points last season, giving the Ducks a two-way center packaged inside a 6-3, 205-pound frame.
Follow that with Mason McTavish, who was the No. 3 draft pick in 2021, scoring 22 goals and a career-high 52 points in a second-line center role.
McTavish led the Ducks in goals last season and finished second in points. Carlsson was third on the team in points. Getting that sort of production out of their top two centers made Zegras expendable for Anaheim.
Then there are the financial ramifications. Anaheim is projected to have a little more than $36 million in cap space this season, which appears to be quite a bit, and it is — until one looks at the future and how GM Pat Verbreek must tread carefully. Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson and McTavish are restricted free agents in need of new contracts this offseason. Those deals will likely shape what necessary funds the Ducks possess to be active in unrestricted free agency starting July 1.
Looking at what they could do next offseason, however, is what made the trade more enticing. Zegras was slated to be part of a six-player RFA class that includes Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger, while Jacob Trouba will be an unrestricted free agent then.
That five-player RFA class and Trouba remain in place, so those decisions will have to be made. But instead of having to worry about what to pay Zegras, the Ducks could have a much lower price point to deal with when it comes to Poehling, a 26-year-old who scored 12 goals and 31 points in 2024-25. He has one year remaining on his contract worth $1.9 million before he becomes a UFA next summer.
June 12: Kreider to the Ducks
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Chris Kreider traded to the Ducks
Take a look at the stats and notes to know after the Rangers dealt Chris Kreider to the Ducks.
Could this be the start of something more?
That question could be asked of both the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers after the first major trade this offseason. On Thursday, the Rangers sent Chris Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick (Anaheim’s own, previously acquired in the December 2024 Jacob Trouba trade) to the Ducks for center prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick (Toronto’s, acquired in the Feb. 2024 Ilya Lyubushkin trade).
Here’s a glance at what this means for both franchises along how they each performed.
There was a need to create salary cap space. There were the questions about production. There was also the fact that the Rangers could find a replacement elsewhere.
All told, there were many reasons that influenced the Rangers’ decision to move on from Chris Kreider.
Kreider scored 20 or more goals for the seventh straight season and for the 10th time in his career. That consistency is what came to define Kreider, but it became one of the reasons a move out of New York seemed likely.
Kreider turned 34 in late April, at the end of a season in which he scored 22 goals; however, that was a decline from what he had done the past three years. He scored 36 or more goals in each of the last three seasons, while averaging 69 points per campaign in that time. He finished with 30 points in 68 games this season, for a 0.44 points-per-game average.
With two years left on his contract worth $6.5 million annually, it became a numbers game for the Rangers.
Star goaltender Igor Shesterkin signed a new contract that starts in 2025-26 that ramps up his annual salary from $5.67 million to $11.50 million. There were also the series of in-season trades that Rangers GM Chris Drury made to get Will Borgen and J.T. Miller that led to them taking on an additional $12.1 million per year; Borgen signed a five-year extension worth $4.1 million annually, and Miller is entering the second of a seven-year pact in which he’ll earn $8 million annually.
This left the Rangers needing to find solutions to address a seven-player restricted free agent class led by K’Andre Miller, Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson, and Will Cuylle.
That’s not to say there aren’t questions about how they’ll replace Kreider’s production.
It’s what made the spring signing of Boston College star winger Gabe Perreault important, because it gives the Rangers a potential top-six option on a team-friendly deal, while allowing them to create the necessary space to address that RFA class — on top of everything else they may seek to achieve this offseason.
The Rangers now have $14.922 million in cap space after shedding Kreider’s contract, per PuckPedia. That provides the front office with more financial flexibility than it initially possessed, with the notion it might not be done.
Adding Terrance, who signed with the Ducks in April, brings a center prospect to a system that appeared to need one. Their strongest prospect down the middle, Noah Laba, signed with the club after three seasons at Colorado College, while Dylan Roobroeck’s first full professional campaign included 20 goals in the AHL.
Terrance, who was a second-round pick in 2023, had his third straight 20-goal season for the OHL’s Erie Otters; overall, he finished with 39 points in 45 games. He also represented Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championships, where he had two goals in seven games before sustaining an injury.
Rebuilds are all about ending up in a better place, with the notion that all of them take a different path to reach that desired destination. The Kreider trade is a signal that the Ducks are remaining steadfast in an approach that has served them well so far, with the belief it could lead to them either reaching the playoffs or at least be in the wild-card discussion in 2025-26.
For all the conversations about how they have drafted and developed, the Ducks have also made a concerted effort to insulate that homegrown young core with respected veterans. It’s a veteran group that includes Radko Gudas, Alex Killorn, Frank Vatrano, and Krieder’s former Rangers teammate Jacob Trouba.
So what does this mean for the Ducks’ top-nine winger setup? Kreider adds to a group that has Sam Colangelo, Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, Killorn, and Vatrano. Not only does it provide the Ducks with goal scorers in general, but also with players who can grab those goals in a variety of ways.
And this is what makes the Ducks either fascinating — or terrifying — depending upon the perspective. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek just took on a forward with a $6.5 million cap hit, and PuckPedia projects he still has more than $32.188 million in available space.
This is what could make Katella Avenue a destination come free agency on July 1.
Of course, Verbeek must act responsibly. Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson and Mason McTavish, who are part of the Ducks’ young core, are each pending RFAs that need a new contract. Then there’s what lies ahead next offseason, when Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, Trevor Zegras, Olen Zellweger, and Gauthier will all need new deals at the same time.
Possessing that much young talent on cheap contracts creates financial flexibility. It’s why they were able to add Kreider for the price of a draft pick and a prospect in Terrance, who was expendable because of their center situation in the NHL and Lucas Pettersson, their second-round pick in 2024, in the system.
Ever since their rebuild started, the Ducks have been a franchise that’s been about trying to make progress by any means necessary. They’ve developed one of the NHL’s most promising farm systems in that time, and cultivated an expectation for their prospects. All the while, they’ve known when to make the moves like the one that got them Kreider.
Now what?
Finishing with 80 points for the first time since the 2018-19 season has them at a critical point. It’s part of the reason why they moved on from head coach Greg Cronin after two seasons to hire Joel Quenneville with the premise that they feel they can go further.
Because that’s what it means to play in the gauntlet that has become the Western Conference. For all the established contenders like the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, there are still other teams that can carve a path.
The Seattle Kraken did it in their second season back in 2022-23. A year later, the Vancouver Canucks did it in their first full season under Rick Tocchet in 2023-24. This season saw the St. Louis Blues return to the playoffs, while the Calgary Flames and Utah Hockey Club pushed until the latter stages of the regular season.
Anaheim finished 16 points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. But the gradual improvement the Ducks have shown — along with the fact they have made two of the bigger moves this offseason, believing they could do more — could see them knocking on the door to the postseason, or kicking right through it.
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Rachel Doerrie
The 2025 NHL draft is taking place on Friday (Round 1) and Saturday (Rounds 2-7) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
This page will be your home for the entire event, as each pick is added below, including scouting notes and team fit analysis for the first-rounders.
More: Grades for all 32
Winners and losers
Prospect rankings
Needs for all 32 teams
Round 1
Team: Erie (OHL)
DOB: 09/05/2007 | Ht: 6-1¾ | Wt: 183 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 17 | G: 7 | A: 15 | P: 22
Scouting notes: Schaefer is projected to become a true No. 1 cornerstone for years to come. A dynamic presence at both ends of the ice, he skates with ease and elite mobility to shut down opponents in all situations, while creating offense with quality transition play.
Executives and scouts view him as a future elite NHL defenseman and a foundational piece for a championship-caliber roster. Schaefer’s ability to control play from the blue line, play tough matchups, and run a power play — combined with the belief in his character and leadership — result in many believing that Schaefer has the tools to become a top-10 defender in the league, while wearing a letter as part of a team’s leadership group.
How he fits: After trading Noah Dobson earlier in the day, the Islanders drafted their franchise cornerstone defender. Schaefer does everything well, and is a dynamic skater with elite mobility. He will take on the toughest matchups, help the Islanders exit the zone with smooth passes and carry outs, and drive offense from the back end. He’s a future No. 1 defenseman who will log 25-28 minutes per night and run the power play.
Schaefer’s ability to dictate play from the back end is franchise-changing for the Isles. Schaefer will attend development camp next week, and it is highly likely he starts the season in the NHL lineup. Don’t be surprised if Schaefer is running the power play and logging major minutes by November.
A very emotional Schaefer hugged his family and pulled on the Isles jersey for the first time, with a cancer patch. Through tears, he shared his excitement and emotion, and gained the hearts of a lot more than just Isles fans.
Team: Saginaw (OHL)
DOB: 02/16/2007 | Ht: 6-¾ | Wt: 184 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 65 | G: 62 | A: 72 | P: 134
Scouting notes: Granted exceptional status in the OHL in 2022, Misa delivered one of the most remarkable goal-scoring seasons in recent memory in 2024-25, netting 62 goals in just 65 games. He projects to be a top-line forward capable of consistently exceeding 90 points per season in the NHL.
Misa’s offensive instincts are elite. He processes the game at a high level and executes at top speed. Scouts believe he is NHL-ready and has the potential to become an elite top-line center. Away from the puck, Misa excels at finding soft areas in coverage and has a flair for delivering in clutch moments. His combination of high-end playmaking and goal-scoring ability makes him a constant dual threat in the offensive zone.
How he fits: The Sharks kept everyone guessing until the very last moment, but ultimately selected Misa. He is a special talent and adds a second elite two-way center to the organization. He projects as a first-line star, with dual-threat playmaking and scoring ability — notching 62 goals in 65 OHL games.
If Misa’s two-way game continues to improve, there’s a real chance the Sharks will have two centers capable of dominating play in all three zones with 2024 No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini already in place. On the power play, Misa can facilitate, be a shooting threat and carry the puck on entries. Because of his dual-threat capabilities, he can play the bumper, the flank or down low. With this selection, the Sharks have the potential to feature the best one-two punch down the middle for years to come.
Team: Djurgarden (SWEDEN-2)
DOB: 05/07/2007 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 198 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 29 | G: 11 | A: 14 | P: 25
Scouting notes: Frondell is a versatile two-way forward that plays both center and right wing. His flexibility is attractive to teams, although many believe he is most likely to reach his potential as a winger in the NHL.
Frondell is coming off one of the most productive seasons by an under-18 player in Allsvenskan history, giving him a confident projection as a first-line NHL forward. He’s a cerebral player, who picks apart defenders in one-on-one situations and defensive coverage in offensive zone play. The details of Frondell’s game are translatable, including excellent forechecking ability, willingness to attack the middle of the ice and high-end anticipation on both sides of the puck.
He has shown play-driving capabilities against men in the Allsvenskan, which has translated to the NHL for other prospects in the past. He’s projected to produce between 75-85 points per season. His style of play translates well and has executives excited about his ability to step in the league in the next 18 months.
How he fits: It was no secret that Chicago wanted to add some size up front, and Frondell is exactly that. He can play center or the wing, and brings an excellent two-way game. He confidently projects as a first-line forward that beats defenders one-on-one, drives play on both ends of the ice, and should score nearly a point per game.
He plays on the inside of the ice and has the ability to score 30-plus goals in the NHL because of his excellent shot. Frondell is a year away from playing in the NHL, and probably two or three from hitting his potential as a top-line forward who drives play. Chicago can play him behind Connor Bedard up the middle, or on Bedard’s line to capitalize on the versatility he brings.
Team: Moncton (QMJHL)
DOB: 04/11/2007 | Ht: 6-1½ | Wt: 178 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 56 | G: 35 | A: 49 | P: 84
Scouting notes: Described as a “coach’s dream” because of his ability to take an offensive or checking assignment and execute consistently. He makes smart, simple plays, provides a physical presence on the forecheck and generally agitates and makes life difficult on defenders.
He projects to be a quality second-line center with a decent chance of becoming a first-line player. He’s cerebral, with quick hands and playmaking ability. He’s not flashy, but he’s consistently effective and makes intelligent plays with the puck. As one scouting director described “he’s the type of player you win with.” Some have quietly compared him to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews, who are lofty comparisons, to say the very least.
How he fits: The Mammoth kept everyone guessing: Would they trade or keep the pick? Ultimately, they kept the pick and selected Desnoyers. He can play in any situation as one of the best two-way players available. He’s a serial winner who plays whatever style of game required to win. If he needs to produce offense, he does. If he needs to shut down the opponent’s best, he does that too.
Utah needed some size and two-way capability to mesh with Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther, and Desnoyers is exactly that. He’ll be NHL-ready a lot sooner than people think because his professional details are top-notch. He projects as a play-driving, two-way, second line center that the Mammoth will turn to in key situations. As noted above, there’s a lot of Jonathan Toews in Desnoyers’ game, which will excite Mammoth fans, management and coaches.
Team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
DOB: 03/16/2007 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 178 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 57 | G: 33 | A: 39 | P: 72
Scouting notes: A Swiss Army knife type of player who will be most effective on the wing because of his strong wall play, Martin projects as a middle-six forward capable of scoring 20 goals routinely, with upside as a second-line forward.
He’s a wrecking ball that will bring value in all three zones, on and off the puck. Martin has scouts raving about him after an excellent performance at the IIHF under-18 championship, with many opining that he could go very early in the first round. He’s a workhorse without an off switch, who brings a blend of physicality and hard skill. He’s a nightmare to contain with his brute strength, and forces defenders into precarious positions with good speed and willingness to make “winning” plays.
Several teams mentioned how impressive Martin was during interviews at the combine. Combine an attractive personality with the hard-nosed style, and it forms a rare combination that is valuable to many scouts who believe he’s the type of player teams need to win in the playoffs. Surely, his mention of Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett as a role model grabbed attention.
How he fits: Another pick that was rumored to be on the move, the Predators kept it and selected Martin. Martin is a raw player with functional strength and projects to be a middle-six forward. He will shine as the games get tighter and more physical, and can swing momentum with a brilliant forecheck or big hit.
The hard-nosed style of game was very attractive to many teams, especially with Bennett and the Panthers’ recent success. Martin needs at least another season or two to develop his offensive game, and while the Predators did leave some skill with James Hagens and Porter Martone on the board, they believe Martin can be an impactful player for years to come.
Team: Brampton (OHL)
DOB: 10/26/2006 | Ht: 6-2¾ | Wt: 208 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 57 | G: 37 | A: 61 | P: 98
Scouting notes: A big, cerebral forward, Martone is a dual-threat offensive player with ability to score on his own and facilitate. He projects to be a second-line scoring winger who should see top power-play minutes.
His competitive nature will make him an effective agitator as he learns to physically impose himself on opponents. He needs to hone the competitiveness and physicality to increase its effectiveness, but he is exactly the type of player teams covet because of the unique combination of offensive talent and competitive fire.
His unique combination of scoring ability, size and hard skill make him a very attractive prospect. While his most confident projection is as a top-six forward, Martone has a legitimate chance to become a top-line winger if his skating improves.
How he fits: The Flyers got a lot bigger and better with Porter Martone. Considered the smartest player in the draft by scouts, Martone is a dual-threat offensive player with excellent playmaking and shooting ability. There is an aura of competitiveness and physicality that will develop and will undoubtedly make him a fan favorite in Philly.
Martone projects to be a scoring winger who will be tough to handle as he develops his power forward game. The Flyers have some elite young players, and Martone has a big frame with elite talent, and can create offense and make special plays happen. He needs a year or two to improve his skating to fully unlock his potential as a top-six scorer, but Rick Tocchet is going to love this player.
2:00
Charles Barkley announces Porter Martone as No. 6 pick in NHL draft
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley helps the Flyers select Porter Martone with the sixth pick of the NHL draft.
Team: Boston College (H-EAST)
DOB: 11/03/2006 | Ht: 5-10½ | Wt: 177 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 37 | G: 11 | A: 26 | P: 37
Scouting notes: Hagens is projected to be a top-line center, or one of the NHL’s best second-line centers. He lacks the dynamism of Misa, opting for a highly cerebral and efficient play style. He brings a good work rate with excellent speed and passing ability that should see him effectively drive play at the NHL level. Scouts and executives are impressed with the professional details of his game (puck support, winning battles, defensive puck play), and they believe it will ease the transition to the NHL while he finds his offensive gear.
Another season at Boston College to further develop a more a dynamic offensive gear to become a top-line NHL center — the one that had scouts impressed during his NTDP season (with 102 points) — could be the remedy. After playing on one of college hockey’s top lines with Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) and Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals), Hagens would now be relied upon to drive his own line, create offense through his own playmaking and play a significant matchup role.
Hagens has the potential to be the complete package in the NHL. His understanding of spacing and ability to anticipate stands out among his peers. He’s smaller and slighter than other prospects, which worries some teams, but there’s a mix of Clayton Keller and Jack Hughes in him in terms of transition play and creativity.
How he fits: The organization starved for centers lucks out as Hagens falls to No. 7. He’s a highly cerebral player, with a nonstop motor, excellent speed and playmaking ability. There is little doubt he will be a play driver at the NHL level. His professional details are already top-notch with puck support, battle success, and strong defensive play.
Another year up the road at Boston College will mean Bruins fans won’t have to go far to watch their prized prospect. Hagens will step into the Bruins’ lineup as their first-line center when he is ready, and David Pastrnak will love that. Hagens has one of the highest ceilings in the draft, especially if his offense continues to develop. Bruins fans should be extremely excited to have their center of the future because he should not have been available at this point.
1:48
Adam Sandler announces Bruins pick at NHL draft
Adam Sandler gives a nod to his famous “Happy Gilmore” character to announce the Bruins picking Boston College’s James Hagens with the seventh pick.
Team: Brantford (OHL)
DOB: 06/16/2007 | Ht: 6-1¾ | Wt: 172 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 66 | G: 32 | A: 66 | P: 98
Scouting notes: Deceptive and incredibly smooth, O’Brien projects to be a point-producing, top-six center with a chance to become a top-line center. The right-handed pivot is one of the best playmakers in the draft, creating high-danger chances with regularity; for my money, he is the best pure creator in the draft.
He consistently manipulates defenders, distributes the puck on the forehand and backhand and uses fakes that send turn defenders and goalies into pretzels. The development will come from simplifying offensive plays to eliminate turnovers caused by holding the puck for too long.
O’Brien’s shot is going to be a necessary development area if his passing is to be an elite threat in the NHL. There is risk here, because he’s slighter than other players available at the center position, but he has room to fill out over the next few years. O’Brien’s elite playmaking skills will be that much more valuable if he can add a speed gear and increase his shooting threat.
How he fits: The Kraken are collecting centers like infinity stones, but O’Brien’s ceiling was too good to pass on at No. 8. O’Brien sees the ice extraordinarily well, has elite playmaking ability and will certainly help facilitate offense. Matty Beniers and Shane Wright play a two-way game, while O’Brien and Berkly Catton can drive offense.
The Kraken are now loaded up the middle, and can easily move one or two players to the wing to round out their top six. O’Brien needs a couple of years to physically mature and improve his shot to become a dual-threat offensive player. As it is, he is more than capable of quarterbacking a power play and facilitating offense. There is no need for the Kraken to rush him, and allowing him to further develop his elite playmaking skills might improve his projection to a first-line forward who tallies a point per game in the NHL.
Team: Seattle (WHL)
DOB: 06/09/2007 | Ht: 6-5¾ | Wt: 207 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 43 | G: 3 | A: 32 | P: 35
Scouting notes: A 6-6, right-handed defenseman with decent mobility who plays in all situations has scouts very excited. He’s very difficult to get around, routinely thwarting attackers in their tracks and killing plays. He projects as a top-four, shutdown defenseman because of his excellent stick work, mobility and transition defense. Mrtka uses his mobility to escape pressure, activate in the rush and make quality passes to the middle of the ice.
Mrtka should develop into a strong transition defender, a reliable penalty killer and efficient puck mover. He shoots the puck hard and could become more of a scoring threat if he can pick his spots to get pucks through. While everything flowed through him in Seattle, there are well-placed concerns about his lack of offense.
His size and physicality give him the tools to develop into a minute-munching, shutdown defender if his mobility continues to progress. His late birthday gives him lots of development runway to refine his skating, offensive playmaking, and physicality in all areas of the ice.
How he fits: A big, right-handed defenseman who plays a hard game, Mrtka is at least two or three years away from playing in the NHL. The Sabres have certainly been lacking players who play a hard game, and Mrtka provides that. He is a mobile skater with good puck-moving ability and projects as a shutdown defenseman at the NHL level. Mrtka’s ability to defend in transition, force attackers to the outside and kill plays is attractive.
Mrtka has a late birthday and his development runway is longer than others, giving him time to improve his playmaking, pick his spots physically and become an effective shutdown defender. There was some belief the Sabres would take a forward, and this pick raised some eyebrows, but the Sabres felt they needed a defender like Mrtka to complement Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
Team: Brandon (WHL)
DOB: 10/02/2006 | Ht: 6-5¼ | Wt: 197 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 17 | G: 10 | A: 10 | P: 20
Scouting notes: Described as “a unicorn” because he’s a 6-5 center who skates with the speed and mobility that you would expect from a smaller player, McQueen a hot topic all season. He profiles as a prototypical modern-day power forward who blends soft skill with physicality. Elite right-handed centers are rare in the NHL, and McQueen’s size and willingness to physically dictate play adds undeniable value. He has professional defensive habits that are translatable to the NHL, and unique offensive upside that is still developing given the loss of playing time due to a back injury during his draft season.
McQueen dominates the cycle game, creates offense on the rush and uses his physical gifts to dominate the cycle and protect pucks. His projection as an elite top-line center lacks confidence, due to lack of playing time from his back injury. Without the injury, we might be discussing McQueen near the top of this draft class because his package of skating, skill and physical gifts are rare, and the type of toolbox of which executives dream.
He is a textbook case of high-risk, high-reward player; however, his performance at the scouting combine went along to proving his back injury had healed completely. Playing against tougher competition, where McQueen will be forced to develop his ability to protect himself, the puck control and ability to create offense against bigger bodies will be important. If developed without setback, he could become a two-way force in the NHL for years to come.
How he fits: The Ducks swung the bat, and are hoping McQueen is a home run for them at No. 10. Had it not been for injury, there’s a very real chance that McQueen gets taken in the top five. McQueen moves with the speed and agility of a much smaller player. He can dictate play physically, drive play at both ends of the ice and possesses unique offensive upside.
Anaheim has some high-end forwards — and McQueen likely has the highest upside of them all. He can dominate off the rush, on the cycle, and at the net front. The combination of McQueen’s physical gifts, skill and skating make him an easily projectable power forward who changes the course of games. If he can remain healthy, get stronger and improve his puck-protection skills, the Ducks have a special player.
Patience will be key as McQueen needs a few years to develop his skill set, but if he hits his ceiling, he’s going to be a dominant two-way force in the NHL.
Team: Calgary (WHL)
DOB: 04/19/2007 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 176 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 65 | G: 35 | A: 64 | P: 99
Scouting notes: Kindel is a scoring machine. Following a 60-point rookie campaign in the WHL in 2023-24, he vaulted into elite status this season, finishing seventh in overall scoring, and was excellent at even strength.
Though undersized, Kindel blends pace, vision and quality instincts, and he projects to be a middle-six winger with two-way ability. Kindel’s motor is relentless, which makes up for his lack of speed, and enables him to weave through traffic and execute give-and-go’s with ease. A dual-threat attacker, he pairs an accurate shot with dangerous passing ability. His elite hockey sense allows him to consistently outsmart opponents and set teammates up with creative plays in dangerous areas with time and space, while playing positionally sound hockey off the puck.
Defensively and on the forecheck, Kindel leverages his intelligence, anticipation and effort to win battles despite size disadvantages. He’ll need to refine and improve his skating posture and puck control, while adding another speed gear to succeed in the NHL.
While the potential exists for Kindel to a top-six NHL player, he is more likely to find himself in the middle-six as a complementary piece.
How he fits: Kindel is a facilitator of offense, a brilliant playmaker and somewhat of a surprise at No. 11. Kindel brings high-end hockey sense to identify opportunities to set up teammates in space. He’s undersized, but his package of speed, playmaking and relentless motor should translate well to the NHL.
Kindel’s ceiling is a second-line center who facilitates for his teammates and drives play. If he doesn’t, he’s likely to be a middle-six, secondary producer who plays on the second power-play unit. The Penguins need players who are cerebral, skate well and drive offense — and are certainly swinging on Kindel’s ceiling. If he grows an inch or two as he develops over the next two years, the comparable to Brayden Point is a good one given the similarities in skating, cerebral play, and driving play at that size.
Team: Windsor (OHL)
DOB: 01/12/2007 | Ht: 6-4¼ | Wt: 185 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 65 | G: 25 | A: 39 | P: 64
Scouting notes: Nesbitt is an intelligent, two-way center whose game is rooted in competitiveness, defensive reliability, and off-puck hockey IQ. He excels defensively by using his 6-4 frame to break up plays with physical engagement and smart stick positioning to pick off pucks. His hockey sense consistently places him in strong positions in all three zones, allowing him to create turnovers and execute quick passes to create dangerous chances off those turnovers.
His offensive upside hinges on his skating, which is a concern. His stiff skating stride and lack of demonstrated flexibility at the combine might limit how much he can improve. Despite flashes of skill, he struggles to maneuver past defenders, and his inconsistent puck handling under pressure often disrupts his playmaking.
Nesbitt showed improvement throughout the season, leveraging his size offensively and initiating more contact more consistently. If these improvements continue, and he’s able to improve his skating stride, he projects confidently as a dependable middle-six center who can anchor a defensive line and support skilled players higher up the lineup.
How he fits: The Flyers traded with their state rival the Penguins to select Nesbitt. He’s a high-floor player who probably tops out as a third-line center. At his height, he has been described as a “hard to play against” center who plays a throwback game, which fits with the style the Flyers want to play.
There were a lot of rumors this week that Nesbitt would get taken early because of his positional value, blend of size, hard skill and hockey sense. A very intelligent player who executes quality passes, he plays a reliable game. His skating stride will be the ultimate determining factor in his NHL ceiling. If he adds mobility and an extra gear, there’s more offense to unlock, but the focus will be his ability to check. He needs two or three years to develop, but Nesbitt had one of the most confident, low-volatility projections in the draft class as a third-line center.
Team: Everett (WHL)
DOB: 11/04/2006 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 179 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 56 | G: 40 | A: 42 | P: 82
Scouting notes: Bear is the type of player that a team looking for high-end instincts and playmaking covet. Before a season-ending injury in March, Bear was one of the CHL’s most dangerous offensive players and a reliable defensive forward. He’s versatile, in that he plays center and the wing, and projects as a 65- to 75-point, second-line player, most likely on the wing.
He’s a quality playmaker using different passes to create advantages in dangerous areas. His ability to manipulate defenders and create space for teammates while pulling coverage towards him should translate well in the NHL. He’s got good hands in tight spaces, which make him a threat around the net, and is one of the best offensive facilitators in the draft class.
On top of his offensive gifts, Bear’s defensive play makes him a quality two-way player. His stick positioning allows him to disrupt passes, and he’s a tenacious forechecker who tracks well on the backcheck and finishes hits. His skating posture needs to be more upright to allow him to develop a more explosive stride to take advantage of his offensive skills in transition, but the instincts and execution of plays already exist.
Bear is a good mix of soft and hard skill with projectable traits on both sides of the puck, and he is the type of player who should thrive in a matchup role while contributing offensively.
How he fits: There’s a lot to like about how Bear plays the game, and I’m a believer that there is more offense to give. He has elite hockey sense that he relies on to impact the game on both ends of the ice. A projection as a second-line, two-way player who scores close to 75 points per season should be very exciting for Red Wings fans.
His playmaking ability makes up for a lack of speed, and should fit nicely into what the Red Wings have up front. He’s a unique blend of soft and hard skill that will be reliable in all situations. He can win puck battles, get under the skin of opponents and make a difference in all areas of the ice. He’ll need two or three years to improve his skating and fill out physically, but when he’s ready, he’ll slide right into the Wings’ middle six as an impactful player.
Team: Tri-City (WHL)
DOB: 05/13/2007 | Ht: 6-3¼ | Wt: 195 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 68 | G: 11 | A: 43 | P: 54
Scouting notes: Smith is a big, physical defenseman with untapped offensive ability. He possesses all the qualities of a top-four matchup guy. He defends the rush well, closes gaps and steers the play in transition, making him one of the best neutral-zone, transition defenders in the class. Given the importance of transition defense in a matchup role, Smith has a real chance to the guy coaches rely upon to play heavy minutes against the best players.
His blend of skating, size and poise with an offensive game that progressed positively as the season wore on makes me a believer that there is more to give, and playing at Penn State next season should help it along.
Smith stands 6-3, and executives love the simplicity of his game, reading pressure, disrupting plays and making effective passes to exit the zone. He lacks explosive skating, and the consistent creativity required to be a quality offensive contributor at the NHL level, but his reads are there to be a plus transition player and join the rush as a support player.
Smith’s development from here will be about using his excellent mobility to prevent rush offense and becoming a more consistent offensive threat with better puck management. If Smith can drive play on both sides of the puck in transition and become a power-play threat, there’s a real chance he becomes a No. 2 defender at the NHL level.
How he fits: The Blue Jackets tugged on everyone’s heartstrings by having Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of the late Johnny Gaudreau, select Smith. The Penn State commit has untapped offensive potential to blend with his package of physicality, size and skating. He’s poised with the puck, makes quality breakout passes and influences the play. Defensively, he’s excellent in transition, closing gaps and forcing players to the perimeter.
The Blue Jackets needed a defenseman, and getting Smith outside the top 12 is great value. He should reliably play a matchup role on the second pair, and has the potential to play in a No. 2 role. Smith’s development will be about leveraging his mobility to improve his offensive game, and become a more consistent threat with the puck in the offensive zone.
2:50
Johnny Gaudreau’s wife announces the Blue Jackets’ draft pick
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, joins the NHL draft to announce the Blue Jackets selecting Jackson Smith with the 14th pick.
Team: Seattle (WHL)
DOB: 02/09/2007 | Ht: 5-11¼ | Wt: 183 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 60 | G: 26 | A: 37 | P: 63
Scouting notes: Cootes lacks explosive offense, but with some development of his shooting mechanics, he could become a 60-point, two-way center. Scouts love how consistently he moves his feet throughout his shifts, his drive to play through the middle of the ice and his ability to create advantages for himself with his skating and compete level.
His ability to create space for his teammates and move the puck to advantageous areas of the ice is highly translatable. He’s proactive with his contact, moves the puck to the middle of the ice and is reliable on both sides of the puck, in every area of the ice.
A strong skater and leader, his floor is likely a third-line checking center, but there’s potential for him to become a two-way, second-line center.
How he fits: The Canucks need centers, as president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford has stated numerous times this offseason. It was thought the Canucks might select the falling Viktor Eklund, but instead they addressed an organizational need by drafting Cootes.
He’s an-all situations player who can comfortably play a middle-six role, with a floor as a high-energy, third-line center. He’s a quality two-way player with a nonstop motor. The Canucks love his compete level, his willingness to drive the middle of the ice and a tenacious quality to his game.
Cootes has the ability to create space for his teammates, be reliable on both ends of the ice and outskate opponents. There is reason to believe he will develop more offensively. If he does, there’s a chance he becomes a second-line, play-driving center.
Team: Djurgarden (SWEDEN-2)
DOB: 10/03/2006 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 161 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 42 | G: 19 | A: 12 | P: 31
Scouting notes: Eklund projects as a top-six forward with a good chance of becoming a top-line contributor. Despite concerns about his size, Eklund’s style of play is very translatable to the NHL. He plays a lot bigger than his measurements suggest, and there is room to add strength. Should he grow, which has happened to other prospects in the past, Eklund’s projection becomes more confident as a 70-point producer with a high-end motor and excellent forechecking capability.
Eklund is excellent in transition and attacks defenders with speed and fearlessness, darting to the inside, and positioning his body to win or protect pucks. His smaller size has forced him to learn how to protect the puck with excellent body positioning. If he develops a bigger, stronger frame, those skills will make him even more difficult to defend in the offensive zone.
His off-puck play is mature, and will quickly earn the trust of NHL coaches. Eklund has the potential to be a difference-maker in a second-line role, and his blend of hard-nosed play with soft skill should translate more seamlessly than other players.
How he fits: With their second pick in the first round, the Isles got tremendous value by selecting Eklund. He plays bigger than his frame with excellent forechecking, hard skill and puck-protection skills. He uses above-average speed to attack the middle of the ice, creating offense in transition and below the circles.
Eklund has a motor without an off switch, and competitive fire to burn. The combination of hard-nosed play and soft skill should allow Eklund’s game to translate seamlessly to the NHL. He should fill out physically, and there is a real chance he becomes a difference maker in the top six on the wing. The ceiling for Eklund is higher than any other player who was available in this spot, and he might be ready sooner than some expect. Isles fans should be extremely excited with this pick.
Team: Barrie (OHL)
DOB: 09/21/2006 | Ht: 6-1½ | Wt: 196 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 64 | G: 26 | A: 33 | P: 59
Scouting notes: His projection as a No. 4/5 defender sees him below other players with higher upside. Aitcheson plays with all kinds of truculence and aggression, while possessing an aura of confidence on and off the puck. He’s got all the makings of being a complete menace who plays tough minutes as a No. 4 defender.
Whether it is a preseason game or the playoffs, Aitcheson plays the same rough style, and is unafraid of lowering the boom on opponents. He needs to pick his spots better to avoid unnecessary penalties, but he’s the type of player that requires opponents to be aware when he’s on the ice. Scouts see him as hard-nosed, two-way defender with significant bite who can be a momentum-shifter with his physical presence.
He needs development time, as his skating and playmaking are very raw, but the competitive attributes and his development curve this season are very promising. Aitcheson’s offensive involvement developed as the season progressed, rotating with his teammates, diving down towards the high-danger area and becoming more dangerous with open ice.
He’s likely two or three years away from being ready to step in. But when he does, he’s exactly the type of defender every coach and GM want on their team.
How he fits: With their third selection of the first round, the Islanders selected a lot of nastiness in Aitcheson. One of the meanest, aggressive defensemen in the draft, Aitcheson is going to be a nightmare to play against. He’s very raw, and has untapped offensive potential. The competitive attributes make Aitcheson’s playstyle a throwback, and he is likely to become a fan favorite on the island. He can change a game’s momentum with a big hit, but also showed the ability to contribute offensively as the season progressed.
His skating and playmaking are the biggest areas of development, but even if he doesn’t find more than 30 points at the NHL level, Aitcheson is the type of defenseman with whom you win a lot of games. He makes life difficult for opponents, defends his teammates, sacrifices his body to win and is relentless in puck battles. At his ceiling, Aitcheson could become a second-pairing matchup defender who makes forwards think twice before engaging in a puck battle or cutting across the blue line with their head down.
Team: Victoria (WHL)
DOB: 04/06/2007 | Ht: 5-10½ | Wt: 183 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 62 | G: 26 | A: 66 | P: 92
Scouting notes: The two-way center brings an excellent mix of hockey sense, playmaking and creativity to be a middle-six contributor capable of consistently producing 60 points. He lacks elite skating, but his combine results raised eyebrows — tying Frondell for tops in VO2 max. While that isn’t indictive of NHL success, it shows a particular dedication to conditioning, and those in NHL circles pay attention to those results.
Reschny is smaller, and relies on his cerebral approach and excellent passing abilities to create advantage all over the ice. He processes the game better than many in the draft class, allowing him to manage pressure and put himself in better puck-protection positions.
Defensively, Reschny’s instincts result in positionally sound play, regularly playing above the puck, disrupting passes, and communicating assignment switches. He’s got the potential to be a great two-way complementary center that creates offense without separating speed. His reads will almost surely see him play a penalty-killing role and someone who is relied upon when his team is holding a lead.
How he fits: The Flames needed a center and they got their guy, drafting Reschny. He is a quality two-way center with creative playmaking abilities and high-end hockey sense. He picks apart defensive coverage with those abilities, consistently putting his team in dangerous areas to score. Off the puck, he’s positionally sound, reliable defensively and he should be a secondary penalty killer.
Reschny’s speed will need to develop, but his ability to process the game better than most players will help him be in the right spots, identify scoring opportunities and drive play. He’ll need two years in the NCAA before he’s ready, but when he is, he’s likely to slot in to a middle-six role and provide value on both ends of the ice.
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
DOB: 11/25/2006 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 191 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 62 | G: 46 | A: 43 | P: 89
Scouting notes: Carbonneau possesses an offensive toolbox that teams covet, including powerful skating and eye-popping creativity. He projects as a second-line scoring forward with significant variance and is likely to end up as a middle-six player who thrives against secondary matchups. Carbonneau can drive offense with his playmaking and shooting ability and plays a well-rounded offensive game that includes playing through contact, excellent puckhandling skills and above-average skating.
As is the case with any player who possess incredible upside, there is inherent risk. He has a physically mature body, and will need to adjust to the speed of the professional game. He thrives when given time and space, and his growth will come from learning to simplify his offensive play and make better decisions with the puck. There are tools to become a very effective power forward in the NHL who can score 25 goals if he adds a cerebral component to his game.
How he fits: Carbonneau is a high-upside, dual-threat player who drives the middle of the ice and has an excellent shot. Off the puck, he finds quiet areas on the inside of the ice and takes advantage of scoring opportunities. Carbonneau has the size and physicality to become a power forward in the NHL, and should fit nicely on the second line and first power-play unit.
He’s a raw player who will need to develop his skating to take advantage of his offensive toolbox, but the upside is very high. Carbonneau’s blend of size, fearless play, creativity and elite shooting ability bode well for his NHL projection. If the Blues are patient, Carbonneau should become a quality power forward in three to four years.
Team: CSKA Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
DOB: 01/22/2007 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 207 | Catches: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 37 | Mins: 2,195 | GAA: 1.75 | SV%: 0.942 | SO: 3
How he fits: With their second pick of the night, the Blue Jackets raised a lot of eyebrows selecting Andreyanov. Many had expected them to take a second defenseman, but they identified the Russian goalie as their guy.
He’s athletic, and plays an aggressive style, cutting angles down and making life difficult for shooters. He’s a battler, fighting through screens, managing his movements with traffic at the net front, and freezing the puck without sacrificing position. His rebound control needs to improve, but the Blue Jackets like his toolbox and his ability to come up with key saves at critical times.
He could be a reliable NHL backup, with some potential to become a 1B tandem goaltender if his rebound control improves. This is a big bet in the first round, one that the Blue Jackets hope pays off.
Team: Kitchener (OHL)
DOB: 04/08/2007 | Ht: 5-11¾ | Wt: 193 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 67 | G: 14 | A: 40 | P: 54
Scouting notes: There’s a lot to love about Reid’s game — and a lot of varying opinions. Some scouts see him as a top-15 value, others see him as a mid-20s value, and it all hinges on their belief in his offensive game. Reid is a play driver from the back end with excellent puck-moving skills and excellent skating. He flashes high-end offensive ability in the form of setups and moving to find and create passing lanes to high-danger areas; however, his shot will need to become more of a threat to avoid his distribution being neutralized in the NHL.
In transition, he’s one of the best on both sides of the ice. His smooth puck retrievals — where he constantly shoulder checks and scans to avoid pressure — led to efficient breakouts. When under duress, he uses elite edgework to escape and shake pressure, following with a quick outlet pass to beat the forecheck.
The consensus belief is that he’s a middle-pairing, transition defender who can turn into a bona fide No. 3 if he develops his offense and grows an inch or two; currently he’s listed at 5-11.
How he fits: Nashville traded up to get Reid, and he’s going to be a stalwart on the blue line. An excellent transition defenseman, Reid makes a quality first pass, and has the potential to drive offense from the back end. Reid’s terrific skating ability allows him to escape forecheckers and join the rush. Defensively, Reid has good gap control, uses his skating to close attackers early and match speed to limit dangerous chances.
He’s going to be a high-end transition defender who could become a 50-plus point producer if his offensive development continues. His elite skating ability allows him to be patient, not get caught doing too much and he’s rarely out of position. He’s two or three years away from making an impact at the NHL level, but when he does, he’ll be a quality second-pairing defender on both ends of the ice.
Team: Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
DOB: 10/03/2006 | Ht: 6-1¾ | Wt: 187 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 64 | G: 28 | A: 55 | P: 83
Scouting notes: Zonnon is a relentless and detail-oriented two-way forward who has carved out a reputation as one of the CHL’s hardest-working players. With an 83-point breakout campaign in his first full-time season at center, Zonnon combined a high-end motor, raw but effective playmaking and relentless puck pursuit that allowed him to be a play driver in all three zones. He excels on the forecheck, pressuring defenders into rushed decisions, winning battles and moving pucks to teammates in scoring areas.
Offensively, he makes good reads under pressure, threading pucks through tight lanes and consistently puts his team in advantageous positions. His ability to support defensively, facilitate transitions and physically impose himself makes him ideal the type of forward who teams want in the playoffs.
His skating remains a limiting factor, and he’ll need to improve his agility and posture to reach his offensive ceiling. If Zonnon can refine his stride and continue to develop his playmaking, he projects as a middle-six driver who blends tenacity and has the makings of a valuable third-liner whom playoff teams covet.
How he fits: With their second selection of the first round, the Penguins selected Zonnon, a high-energy, relentless winger. He has elite details, supports the puck, wins puck battles, forces turnovers on the forecheck and finds his teammates in space. Zonnon makes sound decisions with the puck under pressure, facilitates offense and is reliable defensively. His nonstop motor and willingness to get to the hard areas of the ice should help him score at the net front, win pucks back to extend offensive zone time and make life easier for his linemates.
His skating will determine where in the lineup he plays, but his floor as a bottom-six competitive forward who can penalty kill and forecheck is a confident one. If Zonnon’s skating improves over the next two to three years, he should be able to drive play in a middle-six role with tenacity and reliability.
Team: Wisconsin (BIG10)
DOB: 10/14/2006 | Ht: 6-2¼ | Wt: 192 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 32 | G: 2 | A: 10 | P: 12
Scouting notes: The 6-2 defender projects to become a second-pair blueliner that excels in transition. He is one of the best neutral-zone defenders and puck movers in the draft, who steadily improved as a true freshman in the NCAA. His puck retrievals, breakout passes and offensive-zone passes consistently put his team in more advantageous attacking positions. Being a right-handed defender with excellent mobility and an easily translatable game makes Hensler a very attractive prospect in this class.
The are concerns among NHL scouts related to Hensler’s offensive abilities and how he might fare in the NHL. However, Hensler showed flashes in the back half of the NCAA season, drawing defenders in and making slick plays for high-danger scoring opportunities. He’s unlikely to become a 60-point defender, but 35-45 points as a steady transition defender who plays a shutdown role seems to be the appropriate projection.
His NHL-ready frame is a plus, and will only improve throughout his collegiate career, which is likely to be another two seasons.
How he fits: The Sens extracted tremendous value by getting Hensler at No. 23. As one of the younger players in college hockey last season, Hensler became an impactful player once he adjusted to that level. His skating and mobility are high-end, allowing him to shut opponents down in transition, kill plays and be a reliable defensive presence. One of the best neutral-zone defenders in the draft, Hensler’s gap control forces dump-ins, and his skating allows him to turn and retrieve those forced dump-ins with ease.
He showed flashes of higher-end offense toward the end of the season, making quality plays to create high-danger chances. He’s physically ready for the NHL, but will benefit from more NCAA development to improve his offensive play and solidify his defensive game. When he’s ready, he could become a great partner for Jake Sanderson or play secondary matchups in the middle pairing.
Team: Michigan (BIG10)
DOB: 01/23/2007 | Ht: 6-4¾ | Wt: 190 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 18 | G: 4 | A: 6 | P: 10
Scouting notes: The son of former NHLer Shawn Horcoff, Will projects as a defensively reliable third-line center with size, strength and strong off-puck instincts. At nearly 6-5, he’s a disruptive force in his own zone, using his range and physicality to pressure puck attackers and cause turnovers.
Offensively, he facilitates with smart passes and uses his size to play with contact and protect the puck. He’ll need to develop his skating from a speed and mobility perspective to grow offensively. If he adds a step with some explosiveness and fills out his frame, Horcoff could become a physically imposing, two-way pivot in a bottom-six NHL role who plays against secondary matchups.
How he fits: The Penguins traded up seven spots to make their third selection of the first round in Horcoff. The youngest player in college hockey this season was a steady riser in the back half of the campaign. A bit of a late bloomer, Horcoff has room to fill out his frame, and plays a quality two-way game. Horcoff drives the net and converts chances better than almost any other draft-eligible player, a scoring skill that will translate well to the NHL level.
He projects as a third-line center who uses physicality to separate players from pucks, protect pucks and drive to the middle of the ice. Horcoff will need a few years to develop in the NCAA, and if he can add some speed and explosiveness, there is more offensive potential as a power forward.
Team: Muskegon (USHL)
DOB: 04/06/2007 | Ht: 6-5¼ | Wt: 187 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 61 | G: 19 | A: 23 | P: 42
Scouting notes: Nestrašil is a high-upside power forward who projects as a top-six NHL winger if his development continues on its current path.
He is a unique blend of above-average puck skill and playmaking with size, motor and punishing physical play. He excels with give-and-go’s, attacking off the wall, and creating space in traffic. He consistently moves the puck through carries or passes to the middle of the ice, creating more threatening opportunities.
He is raw and somewhat erratic with his reads and timing; his continued improvement and physical toolkit give him legitimate upside. If he becomes a more consistent threat, he’s a second-line force; if not, his defensive value and intensity still project a role as a physical, bottom-six winger.
How he fits: With their second selection in the first round, Chicago selected Nestrašil. I had connected him to the Blackhawks in the final mock draft, given the organization’s edict to draft quality skaters with high-end skill.
Nestrašil has high upside as a power forward in the top six, and brings a package of size, puck skill and playmaking. Another player with a high-end motor, Nestrašil plays well off teammates, attacks off the wall and bullies his way to the middle of the ice.
He has a projectable physical game that will create space for his teammates, and he can separate opponents from pucks and be reliable defensively. He’s a few years away from being ready, but there’s a lot to be excited about with the blend of size, physicality, playmaking and skill.
Team: Madison (USHL)
DOB: 11/08/2006 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 170 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 58 | G: 31 | A: 37 | P: 68
Scouting notes: One of the most skilled and creative forwards in the draft. Some scouts had Lee ranked in the late teens because of their belief in his upside.
Lee is a dynamic offensive player who consistently cuts through defensive coverage with elite puckhandling and deceptive passes. His one-timer is one of the best in the draft class. With a full complement of high-end tools, Lee has a rare ability to create offense in tight quarters with limited space, and he stood out amongst his USHL peers. He manipulates defenders and delivers elite passes under pressure. He consistently makes translatable plays like one-touch breakouts, fake receptions, and quick releases in scoring areas. As the season progressed, he showed a willingness to forecheck, battle and apply pressure defensively.
The glaring question is his skating. His stride is stiff and lacks explosiveness. Lee will need major strides in mobility to maximize his offensive toolkit at the NHL level. That being said, if he adds a step or two to pair with his skill, Lee has the skill to become a creative, middle-six playmaker with top-six upside.
How he fits: Nashville used its third selection in the first round to select one of the highest-upside players left on the board. Lee is extraordinarily skilled, and is one of the best pure creators in the draft class. A real dynamic player who is a dual threat with his playmaking and elite shooting ability. He creates offense out of nothing, can play in tight spaces, and make defenders look silly.
His play away from the puck developed as the season progressed. To reach his ceiling as a top-six, dynamic offensive threat, Lee needs to add speed and explosiveness. The ability to execute high-skill plays at speed will make or break him as a prospect in the top six. If he hits, the Preds have a special player — but patience is critical. I love this swing from the Preds, as it is exactly the type of player they need in their system.
Team: Moose Jaw (WHL)
DOB: 12/12/2006 | Ht: 6-4¼ | Wt: 190 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 47 | G: 27 | A: 31 | P: 58
Scouting notes: The 6-4 left winger has translatable scoring ability, and excellent speed for his size. With room to fill out his frame, Lakovic is an attractive prospect.
He attacks with linear crossovers using his big frame to protect the puck, and makes plays using good deception. He has the potential to be a dual-threat winger at the NHL level if his passing translates the way many believe his shooting will. Lakovic projects to be a middle-six winger with fair confidence because of his scoring ability, speed and size, but there is a chance he becomes a second-line scoring threat.
Lakovic’s development will come on the physical side. While he is supremely skilled, he needs to lean on defenders and force his way to the middle of the ice to take advantage of his quick hands and shot. If he does, he becomes a significantly more dangerous player, as he’ll be a threat in transition and off the cycle. That is certainly a developable skill that translates to any level, and combined with quality offensive instincts and skill, could see Lakovic become a dual-threat, 65-point winger.
How he fits: The Capitals selected Lakovic, a big forward with an excellent shot and quality skating. Lakovic has NHL scoring ability and speed. If he can fill out his frame, should be able to get to the hard areas of the ice with ease. He understands how to protect the puck and play connected with his teammates.
He projects as a middle-six winger with dual-threat ability, and would certainly benefit from adding some physicality to his playstyle to become a skilled power forward. He’ll have Tom Wilson to learn from, and the Capitals have time to develop Lakovic into the complementary scorer he is capable of becoming. This is excellent value for the Capitals at the end of the first round because Lakovic could be ready to contribute in two or three years.
28. Winnipeg Jets: Sascha Boumedienne, D
Team: Boston University (H-EAST)
DOB: 01/17/2007 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 175 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 40 | G: 3 | A: 10 | P: 13
Scouting notes: One of the most discussed and debated defenders in the draft, Boumedienne projects as a second-pair, two-way defender.
Already known as a brilliant breakout passer with a heavy slap shot and strong stick play, Boumedienne’s defensive game evolved noticeably at Boston University. Buoyed by steadily improving his skating weaknesses, particularly his agility and edge work, he looked the part of a modern shutdown defenseman, specifically in transition. He developed greater stability, enabling more effective gap control and quicker pivots. Proactive reads, strong positioning, physicality and effective disruption of passing lanes allowed his defensive game to blossom.
While his offensive game remains primarily rush-based rather than in the offensive zone, Boumedienne’s willingness to experiment with fakes and deception improved his transition impact significantly. The volatility of his projection remains high, but Boumedienne’s substantial in-season growth, defensive reliability and refined skating offer realistic upside as an effective second-pair, two-way defender at the NHL level who can produce secondary offense.
How he fits: The Jets drafted a fantastic breakout passer in Boumedienne, who should blossom into a quality transition defender. He possesses a quality slap shot, an evolved defensive game and excellent transition play. His skating looks smooth, and still has room to improve in terms of edge work and stability. If it does, he’ll become even more difficult to beat in transition and able to join the rush offensively. He’s strong positionally, engaged physically and kills plays.
He’ll need two or three years before he’s NHL-ready, but the potential to become a second power-play quarterback and middle-pairing, secondary-matchup player is tangible. At a minimum, he’ll provide quality breakout passes, good transition defense and a threatening slapshot.
Team: Edina (HIGH-MN)
DOB: 08/03/2007 | Ht: 6-5¾ | Wt: 215 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 31 | G: 27 | A: 22 | P: 49
Scouting notes: Without a doubt, the best overall athlete in the draft class. A high school quarterback with legitimate college football potential and a hockey player who went in the first round of the NHL draft does not come around too often.
West possesses rare mobility, physical tools and intriguing upside. A natural shooter and smooth skater, his production on the Minnesota High School circuit at Edina High was impressive. When he stepped into the USHL, his development hit warp speed.
For obvious reasons, West is very raw as a prospect. He shows flashes of skill, an immovable net-front presence and growing physical engagement. Given his rawness, he will need to develop his puck control, positioning and decision-making. However, he will be able to rely on his QB scanning skills to help develop his decision-making in hockey. With continued development, there is a real chance he becomes a middle-six NHL power forward. The pure raw ability of this elite athlete has executives and scouts very excited.
How he fits: Chicago traded up to make a third selection in the first round, grabbing West, a quarterback and hockey player from Edina High School. One of the youngest players in the draft, West is one of the best pure athlete in the class, elite at two sports.
He has a very long development runway and won’t play in the USHL until after his football season. He combines smooth skating, a strong net-front presence and good play facilitation. West is very raw, with room to develop his puck skill, positioning and decision-making. His spatial awareness is excellent and will allow him to identify open space, bully his way to the middle of the ice and create offense. He’s still a long way away, but if he hits, West has a chance to be a powerful middle-six forward who can score and facilitate offense.
Team: Prince George (WHL)
DOB: 11/27/2006 | Ht: 6-5¼ | Wt: 190 | Catches: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 51 | Mins: 2964 | GAA: 3 | SV%: 0.901 | SO: 0
Scouting notes: Ravensbergen projects a composed, confident demeanor, with a confident projection as a starting NHL goaltender who can handle a significant workload.
At 6-5, he leverages size, elite anticipation and crisp lateral agility, consistently positioning himself perfectly to deny shooters without unnecessary flash. He tracks the puck a level above his peers, which allows him to confidently challenge shooters and cut angles effectively. He is particularly vulnerable through the five-hole, which isn’t atypical for large goalies who hover sticks above the ice. As he develops and refines his technique, this weakness should be corrected long before he reaches the NHL.
A reliable backstop for Prince George, Ravensbergen’s .901 save percentage stands out even more when considering the high-danger chances he regularly faced. His rebound control is well above average, and he has an above-average glove hand. He regularly has his blocker angled well, enabling him to direct shots safely away from danger.
It is likely that Ravensbergen becomes a platoon starter until his mid-20s, when he is capable of become a full-time NHL starter who plays 60-65 games per season.
How he fits: Some thought the Sharks would take a defenseman after getting Misa with the No. 2 pick, but instead they added to their goaltending group with Ravensbergen. There is a very real possibility that Ravensbergen and Yaroslav Askarov develop into one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL.
Ravensbergen is a southpaw goaltender. He’s composed in his movements, reads the play to limit erratic movement, and challenges shooters effectively. He is the best puck tracker in the draft, finding pucks in traffic, moving efficiently to thwart opportunities and control rebounds. Goaltending development is not linear, and much more difficult to predict, but Ravensbergen should find himself in strong contention for Team Canada at the IIHF world junior championship before turning professional.
Team: London (OHL)
DOB: 02/09/2007 | Ht: 6-1¾ | Wt: 203 | Shot: R
2024-25 stats: GP: 67 | G: 10 | A: 32 | P: 42
Scouting notes: Brzustewicz is the next prospect from the factory that is the London Knights. The blueliner projects as a steady, mobile transition defender with the potential to grow into a No. 4 or 5 NHL blueliner.
A right-handed shot with a strong defensive foundation, he maintains good gap control, moves the puck very well and supports plays while remaining positionally sound. In an elevated role, his offensive creativity developed dramatically. He jumped into the rush, evaded forecheckers and created scoring chances with quality passes to the slot.
If he continues to develop his confidence and play-driving ability, Brzustewicz could evolve into a reliable second-pairing defender. Without that growth, he still holds value as a depth puck mover with a good defensive foundation.
How he fits: The Kings addressed a significant area of need by drafting Brzustewicz. A right-shot defender with quality mobility and reliable transition play. As the season progressed, Brzustewicz facilitated offense, using his skating to attack open space. He makes a good first pass that puts his teammates in position to attack off the rush. Once he moves the puck, he jumps in the play, supports as a secondary rush attacker and can shake defenders to create scoring chances.
He’ll be the go-to guy in London next season, with opportunities to play a matchup role and run the power play, both of which will expedite his development. He’s likely three years away from becoming an NHL contributor but should become a reliable middle-pairing defender.
Team: Arizona State (NCHC)
DOB: 01/10/2007 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 172 | Shot: L
2024-25 stats: GP: 35 | G: 13 | A: 9 | P: 22
Scouting notes: Potter is a dynamic skater who is the fastest straight-line skater in the draft class, and his explosive mobility ranks among the draft’s best. Making an uncommon jump from the NTDP’s under-17 team straight to NCAA play, Potter displayed elite acceleration and agility, effortlessly shifting from stride to crossover and cutting sharply through defenders. Initially reliant on raw skill, Potter often avoided physical battles and forced “hope plays,” limiting his effectiveness in the first half of the NCAA season.
Potter’s evolution in the second half of the season elevated his game dramatically, and it was impossible not to notice. He embraced defensive responsibilities, improved his physical play despite his 5-10 frame, won puck battles and filled lanes on the backcheck. Potter’s positional play improved, and his off-puck play improved as a result.
The added defensive dimension complements his offensive talents, elevating his floor to a bottom-six checker, while his upside is very high as a top-six forward because of his steep development curve. Development of his transition play and learning to use his explosive skating and accurate shot while changing gears will make him a more dangerous offensive threat.
How he fits: With their second pick in the first round, the Flames took Potter, the fastest player in the draft. A quality transporter of the puck, Potter uses his elite speed to create offense off the rush with dynamic zone-entry ability. He catches defenders on their heels, and should be able to beat NHL defenders on the outside and cross them up with his crossovers if he can add strength and understand when to change gears.
Potter can tap into his offensive potential by relying on his ability to use speed to create space for his incredibly accurate shot. When given the opportunity, Potter can really rip it, and his release catches goaltenders off guard. If his development curve continues, Potter should become an elite college player and be ready for an NHL role in two years. His floor as a bottom-six checker is good value at this spot, but his upside as a second-line player who scores off the rush should excite Flames fans.
Round 2
33. San Jose Sharks: Haoxi (Simon) Wang, D, Oshawa (OHL)
34. Montreal Canadiens: Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Ufa Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
35. Nashville Predators: Jacob Rombach, D, Lincoln (USHL)
36. Seattle Kraken: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)
37. Washington Capitals: Milton Gästrin, F, MoDo (J20 Nationell)
38. Philadelphia Flyers: Carter Amico, D, USNTDP (USHL)
39. Pittsburgh Penguins: Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current (WHL)
40. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Murtagh, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
41. Carolina Hurricanes: Semyon Frolov, G, Spartak Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
42. New York Islanders: Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg (Russia-Jr.)
43. New York Rangers: Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)
44. Detroit Red Wings: Eddie Genborg, RW, Linkoping (Sweden)
45. Anaheim Ducks: Eric Nilson, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
46. Utah Mammoth: Max Psenicka, D, Portland (WHL)
47. Vancouver Canucks: Alexei Medvedev, G, London (OHL)
48. Philadelphia Flyers: Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State (BIG10)
49. Carolina Hurricanes: Charlie Cerrato, C, Penn State (BIG10)
50. New Jersey Devils: Conrad Fondrk, C, USNTDP (USHL)
51. Boston Bruins: William Moore, C, USNTDP (USHL)
52. Minnesota Wild: Theodor Hallquisth, D, Orebro Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
53. San Jose Sharks: Cole McKinney, C, USNTDP (USHL)
54. Calgary Flames: Theo Stockselius, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
55. Vegas Golden Knights: Jakob Ihs Wozniak, Lulea Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
56. Tampa Bay Lightning: Ethan Czata, C, Niagara (OHL)
57. Philadelphia Flyers: Matthew Gard, Red Deer (WHL)
58. Nashville Predators: Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton (OHL)
59. Los Angeles Kings: Vojtech Cihar, LW, Karlovy Vary (Czechia)
60. Anaheim Ducks: Lasse Boelius, D, Assat Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
61. Boston Bruins: Liam Pettersson, D, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
62. Carolina Hurricanes: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon (USHL)
63. New Jersey Devils: Ben Kevan, RW, Des Moines (USHL)
64. Toronto Maple Leafs: Tinus Luc Koblar, C, Leksand Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
Round 3
65. Vancouver Canucks: Kieren Dervin, C, St. Andrew’s College (HIGH-ON)
66. Chicago Blackhawks: Nathan Behm, RW, Kamloops (WHL)
67. Carolina Hurricanes: Kurban Limatov, D, Dynamo Moscow Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
68. Seattle Kraken: Will Reynolds, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
69. Montreal Canadiens: Hayden Paupanekis, C, Kelowna (WHL)
70. New York Rangers: Sean Barnhill, D, Dubuque (USHL)
71. Buffalo Sabres: David Bedkowski, D, Owen Sound (OHL)
72. Anaheim Ducks: Noah Read, C, London (OHL)
73. Pittsburgh Penguins: Charlie Trethewey, D, USNTDP (USHL)
74. New York Islanders: Luca Romano, C, Kitchener (OHL)
75. Detroit Red Wings: Michal Pradel, G, Tri-City (USHL)
76. Columbus Blue Jackets: Malte Vass, D, Farjestad Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
77. Colorado Avalanche: Francesco Dell’elce, D, UMass (H-East)
78. Utah Mammoth: Stepan Hoch, LW, C. Budejovice Jr. (Czechia-Jr.)
79. Boston Bruins: Cooper Simpson, LW, Shakopee (HIGH-MN)
80. Calgary Flames: Maceo Phillips, D, USNTDP (USHL)
81. Montreal Canadiens: Bryce Pickford, D, Medicine Hat (WHL)
82. Montreal Canadiens: Arseni Radkov, G, Tyumen Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
83. Edmonton Oilers: Tommy Lafreniere, RW, Kamloops (WHL)
84. Pittsburgh Penguins: Gabriel D’Aigle, G, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
85. Vegas Golden Knights: Mateo Norbert, C, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
86. Toronto Maple Leafs: Tyler Hopkins, C, Kingston (OHL)
87. Carolina Hurricanes: Roman Bausov, D, Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
88. Los Angeles Kings: Kristian Epperson, LW, Saginaw (OHL)
89. New York Rangers: Artyom Gonchar, D, Magnitogorsk Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
90. New Jersey Devils: Mason Moe, C, Madison (USHL)
91. Pittsburgh Penguins: Brady Peddle, D, Waterloo (USHL)
92. Winnipeg Jets: Owen Martin, C, Spokane (WHL)
93. Ottawa Senators: Blake Vanek, RW, Stillwater (HIGH-MN)
94. Dallas Stars: Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver (WHL)
95. San Jose Sharks: Teddy Mutryn, C, Chicago (USHL)
96. Washington Capitals: Maxim Schafer, LW, Eisbaren Berlin (Germany)
Round 4
97. Ottawa Senators: Lucas Beckman, G, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
98. Chicago Blackhawks: Julius Sumpf, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
99. New Jersey Devils: Trenten Bennett, G, Kemptville (CCHL)
100. Boston Bruins: Vashek Blanar, D, Troja-Ljungby U18 (Sweden-Jr. U18)
101. Anaheim Ducks: Drew Shock, D, USNTDP (USHL)
102. Minnesota Wild: Adam Benak, C, Youngstown (USHL)
103. Buffalo Sabres: Matous Kucharcik, C, Slavia Jr. (Czechia-Jr.)
104. Anaheim Ducks: Elijah Neuenschwander, G, Fribourg Jr. (Swiss-Jr.)
105. Pittsburgh Penguins: Travis Hayes, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
106. New York Islanders: Tomas Poletin, LW, Pelicans (Finland)
107. Chicago Blackhawks: Parker Holmes, LW, Brantford (OHL)
108. Tampa Bay Lightning: Benjamin Rautiainen, C, Tappara (Finland)
109. Detroit Red Wings: Brent Solomon, RW, Champlin Park (HIGH-MN)
110. Utah Mammoth: Yegor Borikov, RW, Minsk (Russia)
111. New York Rangers: Mikkel Eriksen, C, Farjestad Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
112. Florida Panthers: Mads Kongsbak Klyvo, LW, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
113. Montreal Canadiens: L.J. Mooney, C, USNTDP (USHL)
114. New Jersey Devils: Gustav Hillstrom, C, Brynas Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
115. San Jose Sharks: Ilyas Magomedsultanov, D, Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
116. Buffalo Sabres: Samuel Meloche, G, Rouyn-Norando (QMJHL)
117. Edmonton Oilers: David Lewandowski, LW, Saskatoon (WHL)
118. Colorado Avalanche: Linus Funck, D, Lulea Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
119. Detroit Red Wings: Michael Svrcek, LW, Brynas Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
120. Los Angeles Kings: Caeden Herrington, D, Lincoln (USHL)
121. Minnesota Wild: Lirim Amidovski, RW, North Bay (OHL)
122. Nashville Predators: Alex Huang, D, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
123. Minnesota Wild: Carter Klippenstein, C, Brandon (WHL)
124. San Jose Sharks: Zachary Sharp, D, Western Michigan (NCHC)
125. Los Angeles Kings: Jimmy Lombardi, C, Flint (OHL)
126. Dallas Stars: Brandon Gorzynski, C, Calgary (WHL)
127. Tampa Bay Lightning: Aiden Foster, C, Prince George (WHL)
128. Florida Panthers: Shea Busch, LW, Everett (WHL)
Round 5
129. Florida Panthers: Shamar Moses, RW, North Bay (OHL)
130. Pittsburgh Penguins: Ryan Miller, C, Portland (WHL)
131. Edmonton Oilers: Asher Barnett, D, USNTDP (USHL)
132. Philadelphia Flyers: Max Westergard, LW, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden)
133. Boston Bruins: Cole Chandler, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
134. Seattle Kraken: Maxim Agafonov, D, UFA Jr. (Russia)
135. Buffalo Sabres: Noah Laberge, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
136. Anaheim Ducks: Alexis Mathieu, D, BAIE-Comeau (QMJHL)
137. Toronto Maple Leafs: William Belle, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
138. New York Islanders: Sam Laurila, D, Fargo (USHL)
139. New York Rangers: Zeb Lindgren, D, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden)
140. Detroit Red Wings: Nikita Tyurin, D, Spartak Jr. (Russia)
141. Minnesota Wild: Justin Kipkie, D, Victoria (WHL)
142. Utah Mammoth: Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko, G, UFA (Russia)
143. Vancouver Canucks: Wilson Bjorck, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden)
144. Calgary Flames: Ethan Wyttenbach, LW, Sioux Falls (USHL)
145. Montreal Canadiens: Alexis Cournoyer, G, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
146. Dallas Stars: Atte Joki, C, Lukko Jr. (Finland)
147. St. Louis Blues: Mikhail Fyodorov, RW, Magnitogorsk Jr. (Russia)
148. Pittsburgh Penguins: Quinn Beauchesne, D, Guelph (OHL)
149. Ottawa Senators: Dmitri Isayev, LW, Yekaterinburg Jr. (Russia)
150. San Jose Sharks: Max Heise, C, Penicton (BCHL)
151. Tampa Bay Lightning: Everett Baldwin, D, St. George’s School (HIGH-RI)
152. Los Angeles Kings: Petteri Rimpinen, G, K-Espoo (Finland)
153. Toronto Maple Leafs: Harry Nansi, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)
154. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jordan Charron, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
155. Washington Capitals: Jackson Crowder, C, Chicago (USHL)
156. Winnipeg Jets: Viktor Klingsell, RW, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden)
157. Philadelphia Flyers: Luke Vlooswyk, D, Red Deer (WHL)
158. Dallas Stars: Mans Goos, G, Farjestad Jr. (Sweden)
159. Anaheim Ducks: Emile Guite, LW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
160. Columbus Blue Jackets: Owen Griffin, C, Oshawa (OHL)
Round 6
161. New Jersey Devils: David Rozsival, RW, Liberec Jr. (Czechia-Jr.)
162. Chicago Blackhawks: Ashton Cumby, D, Seattle (WHL)
163. Nashville Predators: Daniel Nieminen, D, Pelicans (Finland)
164. Philadelphia Flyers: Nathan Quinn, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
165. Boston Bruins: Kirill Yemelyanov, C, Yaroslav Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
166. New York Rangers: Samuel Jung, RW, Karpat Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
167. Buffalo Sabres: Ashton Schultz, C, Chicago (USHL)
168. Anaheim Ducks: Anthony Allain-Samake, D, Sioux City (USHL)
169. Pittsburgh Penguins: Carter Sanderson, LW, Muskegon (USHL)
170. New York Islanders: Burke Hood, G, Vancouver (WHL)
171. New York Rangers: Evan Passmore, D, Barrie (OHL)
172. Detroit Red Wings: Will Murphy, D, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
173. Columbus Blue Jackets: Victor Raftheim, D, Brynas Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
174. Utah Mammoth: Ludvig Johnson, D, Zug (Swiss)
175. Vancouver Canucks: Gabriel Chiarot, RW, Brampton, (OHL)
176. Calgary Flames: Aiden Lane, RW, St. Andrew’s College (HIGH-ON)
177. Montreal Canadiens: Carlos Handel, D, Halifax (QMJHL)
178. New Jersey Devils: Sigge Holmgren, D, Brynas U18 (Sweden-Jr. U18)
179. St. Louis Blues: Love Harenstam, G, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
180. Washington Capitals: Aron Dahlqvist, D, Brynas Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
181. Ottawa Senators: Bruno Idzan, LW, Lincoln (USHL)
182. Utah Mammoth: Reko Alanko, D, Jokerit Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
183. Carolina Hurricanes: Viggo Nordlund, LW, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
184. Los Angeles Kings: Jan Chovan, C, Tappara Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
185. Toronto Maple Leafs: Rylan Fellinger, D, Flint (OHL)
186. Vegas Golden Knights: Alexander Weiermair, C, Portland (WHL)
187. Vegas Golden Knights: Gustav Sjoqvist, D, AIK (Sweden-2)
188. Winnipeg Jets: Edison Engle, D, Dubuque (USHL)
189. Montreal Canadiens: Andrew MacNiel, D, Kitchener (OHL)
190. Dallas Stars: Dawson Sharkey, RW, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
191. Edmonton Oilers: Daniel Salonen, G, Lukko Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
192. Florida Panthers: Arvid Drott, RW, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
Round 7
193. Tampa Bay Lightning: Caleb Heil, G, Madison (USHL)
194. Chicago Blackhawks: Ilya Kanarsky, G, Akm Tula Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
195. Buffalo Sabres: Melvin Novotny, LW, Leksand Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
196. Los Angeles Kings: Brendan McMorrow, C, Waterloo (USHL)
197. Florida Panthers: Brendan Dunphy, D, Wenatchee (WHL)
198. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jeremy Loranger, C, Sherwood Park (BCHL)
199. Buffalo Sabres: Yevgeni Prokhorov, G, Dinamo-Shinnik Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
200. Anaheim Ducks: Brady Turko, RW, Brandon (WHL)
201. Pittsburgh Penguins: Kale Dach, C, Sherwood Park (BCHL)
202. New York Islanders: Jacob Kvasnicka, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
203. New York Rangers: Felix Farhammar, D, Orebro Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
204. Detroit Red Wings: Grayden Robertson-Palmer, C, Phillips Andover Academy (HIGH-MA)
205. Seattle Kraken: Karl Annborn, D, HV71 Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
206. Tampa Bay Lightning: Roman Luttsev, C, Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
207. Vancouver Canucks: Matthew Lansing, C, Fargo (USHL)
208. Calgary Flames: Jakob Leander, D, HV71 Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
209. Montreal Canadiens: Maxon Vig, D, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
210. San Jose Sharks: Richard Gallant, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
211. Calgary Flames: Yan Matveiko, LW, CSKA Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
212. Tampa Bay Lightning: Grant Spada, D, Guelph (OHL)
213. Ottawa Senators: Andrei Trofimov, G, Magnitogorsk Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
214. Colorado Avalanche: Nolan Roed, C, Tri-City (USHL)
215. Tampa Bay Lightning: Marco Mignosa, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
216. Los Angeles Kings: William Sharpe, D, Kelowna (WHL)
217. Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthew Hlacar, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
218. Seattle Kraken: Loke Krantz, RW, Linkoping Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
219. Buffalo Sabres: Ryan Rucinski, C, Youngstown (USHL)
220. Winnipeg Jets: Jacob Cloutier, RW, Saginaw (OHL)
221. Carolina Hurricanes: Filip Ekberg, RW, Ottawa (OHL)
222. Dallas Stars: Charlie Paquette, RW, Guelph (OHL)
223. Edmonton Oilers: Aidan Park, C, Green Bay (USHL)
224. Florida Panthers: Yegor Midlak, G, Spartak Jr. (Russia-Jr.)
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Rachel Doerrie
The 2025 NHL draft that took far too long has mercifully finished. Any of the 26 teams that voted to hold a decentralized draft, you get a Z grade for that. Not an F, a Z. Let’s never do that again. Back to centralization, please.
Every team is getting a draft grade, regardless of how many players they selected. The grades are based upon the value each team extracted with their picks. So, a team with three first-round picks might have a lower grade than a team with three total picks because they reached on players and could’ve added significantly more talent to their organization, while the team with three picks added value and talent with each selection.
The grade is weighted against the expectation of what teams could reasonably have done with their selections based on my model and team need. Reaching on a player to address a team need while leaving a higher-value player on the board is going to lower the grade. When a team is drafting in the top 16, it is because that team wasn’t good enough for the playoffs and the organization needs talent. Ditto for teams with multiple first-round picks — those aren’t acquired unless valuable players are being traded away for purposes of rebuilding or retooling.
Trade scenarios will be considered, because it is a good strategy to accumulate value by moving down, or acquiring players that fit the organizational timeline. A team that trades back, acquiring multiple selections and extracts value with those selections will likely be graded higher than a team that traded up to select its “guy.” A team like the Montreal Canadiens, who traded multiple picks to acquire and extend a top-4 defenseman in Noah Dobson will have that factored into their grade because they entered the draft with those assets and used them to acquire an asset that aligns with their organizational goals.
Here is every team’s grade for the 2025 draft:
‘A’ grades
For Day 1 alone, the Islanders are getting an A+. If there were a higher grade possible, they’d be getting it. It’s incredible to add a franchise defenseman in Matthew Schaefer who will not only impact the organization positively through his play but is likely to become a future captain. However, it was also the trading of Noah Dobson, who was not going to re-sign, and using those selections to nab the falling Victor Eklund and potential middle-pairing defender Kashawn Aitcheson that boosted the grade.
The Isles didn’t overthink anything. You have to hit on your first-round picks, and every time they made a selection, they took quality players who confidently project to be impactful. There’s a real chance the Isles added a franchise cornerstone, a top-six forward with a blend of hard and soft skill, and a tough-to-play-against defender with raw offensive potential.
On Day 2, GM Mathieu Darche continued stockpiling projectable NHL talent. Daniil Prokhorov has the potential to become a high-end power forward, and Luca Romano should play NHL games in a middle-six role. Tomas Poletin is a reasonable bet on upside and Burke Hood in the late rounds is excellent value. This could be a franchise-changing draft for the Islanders.
The Bruins were the beneficiaries of some interesting decisions at the top of the draft, and managed to secure their top-line center for the future — and the third best player in the draft — in James Hagens. The Bruins have needed help up the middle for a few years, and Hagens is not far off from becoming an NHL star. He was one of the most valuable picks in the draft, simply because players with his talent and skill aren’t available at No. 7 very often.
Following that up by drafting Will Moore and Cooper Simpson were value picks in their range, and both have legitimate NHL upside. They will take longer to get to the NHL, but I like Boston’s accumulation of talent in the draft with those two as well as Liam Pettersson on the back end. There’s a fair chance Boston gets four NHL players from this draft, including one potential star on their top line.
1:48
Adam Sandler announces Bruins pick at NHL draft
Adam Sandler gives a nod to his famous “Happy Gilmore” character to announce the Bruins picking Boston College’s James Hagens with the seventh pick.
I feel like we say this every year, but my goodness the Carolina Hurricanes did it, again. They got tremendous value in their trade back with the Canadiens, using those picks to draft two projectable NHL talents in Semyon Frolov and Charlie Cerrato. Frolov’s stock grew as the season progressed, and he has a real chance at becoming a 1B goaltender in a tandem. Both Ivan Ryabkin and Kurban Limatov provided a ton of value at their spots, and both have legitimate paths to becoming NHL players. Ryabkin in particular could become a real gem if he improves his consistency.
In the late rounds, I loved the Filip Ekberg and Viggo Nordlund selections as both are smaller, but highly skilled wingers with scoring potential in the NHL. There’s a boom-or-bust quality to both of them, but if they hit, there’s top-six scoring upside and those are exactly the types of players you should be swinging for in the late rounds. It’s likely the Canes have to wait a few years for these players to have an impact, but they should get at least two or three from this draft class.
Any time you add the best forward (Michael Misa) and best goalie (Joshua Ravensbergen) in the draft, you’re going to be happy. There’s a real chance the Sharks come away with a starting goalie and an elite forward who scores over a point per game. That alone, would find them graded with at least a B+. Add in Simon Wang, the highest-drafted Chinese-born player in NHL history, with elite skating ability and a 6-foot-6 frame, and the Sharks bolstered every area of their prospect pool.
I thought Blake Fiddler would have been a more sound selection at No. 33, but the Sharks like Wang’s raw ability and upside which is a decision I can get behind. If Wang hits, he’s going to be an impactful defender in the NHL that many teams wish they’d drafted.
Getting Cole McKinney at No. 53 was great value as well. McKinney’s got more offense to give and at a minimum, he’ll be a bottom-six player who is reliable defensively and on the penalty kill. When all is said and done, there’s a real chance the Sharks get four players from this draft, including a dual-threat, two-way center who is going to make the Sharks a matchup nightmare for teams over the next decade.
Getting Roger McQueen, a player with top-five talent, at No. 10 is tremendous value for the Ducks. They add another big, powerful forward to their stable of young players, and McQueen’s skill set is elite. If McQueen hits his ceiling, the Ducks have a unicorn, and someone who could dominate on both sides of the puck.
Eric Nilson in the second was another valuable selection. He’s a reasonable bet to become a bottom-six contributor whom the Ducks rely on to play secondary matchups and responsible defensive hockey. Elijah Neuenschwander is a more than reasonable bet in goal, and getting him in the late rounds adds to his value.
The Ducks likely added at least two quality NHL players to their organization and got good value all over the board, while finally trading John Gibson — the rumors can end.
Note: If there were bonus points for synergy, the Ducks would be getting an A+ for drafting McQueen, sending him to Disneyland and doing a photo op with Lightning McQueen. Here’s hoping he wears No. 95 because the fun marketing opportunities would be plentiful.
Not only did the Flames address organizational needs with this draft class, they got significant value with the Cullen Potter and Aiden Lane picks, while getting Cole Reschny and Theo Stockselius in the right range. All of those players are going to need development time, but are reasonable bets to play NHL games.
Reschny and Potter are high-end upside picks with NHL attributes who could see them make an impact in the middle six. The Flames needed centers, and there’s a decent chance that at least two of these players provide value at center for them. If Potter moves to the wing, he may flourish as a speedster with an excellent shot.
I liked the swing on Aiden Lane late in the draft, as he’s a late bloomer who has some bottom-six upside. The Flames extracted a ton of value with their selections this weekend and should be pleased with their new group of young talent.
There’s a lot to like about what the Red Wings did this weekend, and they likely nabbed at least two long-term NHL players in Carter Bear and Eddie Genborg. Bear was good value in the teens, and brings a projectable two-way game with high-end playmaking skills. As an added bonus, he has some of the coveted hard skill teams were looking for because he plays in the dirty areas, wins puck battles and creates space for his teammates. He’s two or three years away but should be a quality top-six forward when he’s ready.
I liked the Genborg selection as a good middle-six player who thrives with skill. He’ll be a good complementary player when he’s ready.
Once the top goalies were gone, I really liked the swing on Michal Pradel. The Red Wings aren’t short on goaltending prospects, and he’s another guy who has a chance to be an NHL goaltender. Count me as a fan of the Michal Svrcek pick in the fourth round because of his upside as a speedster with competitive bite. Add in the John Gibson trade — which gives the Red Wings immediate help — and they had a pretty good weekend.
The Predators were a mixed bag for me in this draft. Did they get some high-end talent? Absolutely. Did they leave some high-end talent on the board? Unequivocally.
I understand betting on Brady Martin and why so many teams liked him, but Nashville is starved for elite talent and left James Hagens and Porter Martone on the board. If Martin hits, he’s a valuable playoff player, but there are not many scenarios where he’s more valuable than Hagens or Martone.
I loved their swing on Ryker Lee, who could be an elite top-six forward if his skating improves. His offensive tool kit is one of the draft’s best. Cameron Reid in the 20s was solid value, and he’ll be a quality middle-pairing defender for years. I really liked the Jacob Rombach and Jack Ivankovic selections, too. The Preds needed a goaltender and if Ivankovic grows, he has the foundation of talent to be the best goalie of the crop.
Strap in because this one was a ride!
The Flyers needed a center, passed on Hagens, but got Porter Martone. I love Martone’s game and think he has a ton of potential, but it feels like they went with size. Having said that, I’m not going to dock them grading points because Martone at No. 6 was excellent value. If his skating improves, he’s going to be a star.
The decision to trade up to No. 13 and select Jack Nesbitt not only left a ton of value on the board from a player perspective, but the Flyers lost the pick value trade to their state rival. Nesbitt will be a solid third-line center, but I have some serious concerns about the Flyers drafting for size with a lower ceiling.
Outside of that, I loved the Carter Amico, Jack Murtagh, Shane Vansaghi and Matthew Gard picks. The Flyers clearly had a mission to get bigger and meaner, because every pick was spent on a player with some level of size and competitive meanness that Rick Tocchet is going to love. The Flyers certainly got a lot better this weekend, but there is little doubt that some talent was left on the board.
2:00
Charles Barkley announces Porter Martone as No. 6 pick in NHL draft
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley helps the Flyers select Porter Martone with the sixth pick of the NHL draft.
The Kraken got a lot better this weekend, particularly with their first two picks. Jake O’Brien projects as an offensively gifted top-six playmaking center. Seattle has a ton of quality young centers and whether they move one or two to the wing or trade one to address another need, the Kraken are well positioned because they constantly draft the best available players.
Blake Fiddler is another example of that, with the Kraken grabbing a first-round talent in the second round. He’s very likely to be a middle-pair defender who plays shutdown minutes. Not only does Seattle address an organizational need, it gets excellent value.
I liked the Will Reynolds and Maxim Agafonov picks as well. Both have some NHL-caliber traits and are worthy swings where the Kraken took them. Overall, another good draft for Seattle.
I loved what the Jets did with their draft capital. Adding Sascha Boumedienne to a prospect pool that is razor thin on defense was tidy work. He’s mobile, saw significant development in his defensive play and should become a quality middle-pairing defender and PP2 guy if his decision-making improves.
Viktor Klingsell was a high-value addition when the Jets grabbed him. He was one of the best skilled players taken in the late rounds, and that’s exactly the type of player you take in the fifth. If he fills out, there’s a middle-six player in there.
I also really liked the Owen Martin and Jacob Cloutier picks. Martin plays a pro-style game that should see him develop into a depth player, while Cloutier is a home run hack at a smaller player who is highly competitive and could be a nice addition if his skating improves. The Jets got good value with all their picks, swung on talent and improved their prospect pool.
‘B’ grades
The Blackhawks clearly had a modus operandi here, and it was “big dudes who can skate.”
I liked Anton Frondell at No. 3, but they definitely left talent on the board with Hagens to opt for Frondell’s size. He’s likely going to be a top-line forward, so you can’t be too upset with that organizational decision.
Both Vaclav Nestrasil and Mason West were a little high for my liking, but both of them are very raw, long-runway type projects with sky-high upside. Given the prospect cupboards, Chicago can afford to take those kinds of swings because both of them could end up as middle-six complementary players who are incredibly difficult to play against. At a minimum, they bet on big guys with skill, and I can get behind that.
Nathan Behm and Julius Sumpf provided good value at their respective slots, and I think there’s a chance that one of them plays NHL games. Certainly, the Blackhawks should get two or three NHL players from this crop of picks, but their development staff is going to be tested.
The Canadiens had themselves a weekend. Trading away the selections that amounted to Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson to acquire Noah Dobson fit their timeline, but that may turn out to be a hefty price.
They love Alexander Zharovsky and it is easy to see why, but gave up quite a bit of pick value to get him. Nevertheless, I like Zharovsky’s game, and he should be a quality complementary player in the middle six.
In the middle rounds, I absolutely loved the selections of Hayden Paupanekis, Bryce Pickford and personal favorite — L.J. Mooney. All of those players have legitimate NHL upside to varying degrees. Mooney is small, but his compete level and offensive abilities provided outstanding value. Paupanekis should become a bottom-6 player and Pickford is a great bet on an overage defenseman with scoring ability.
All in all, it’s hard not to be happy with the weekend, even if they parted with some very valuable assets to get their guys.
Friday night was a banner night for the Senators. Trading back two spots and acquiring the pick that allowed them to trade for Jordan Spence while extracting tremendous value with Logan Hensler at No. 23 is high-end asset management. I really like Hensler’s game and believe he has the tools to become a solid second or third defender who would complement Jake Sanderson very well. The fact that he’s right-handed and very mobile with an NHL frame makes him very valuable.
The Senators are thin in goal, and taking a swing on Lucas Beckman was a decision that made a lot of sense. Bruno Idzan is a high-upside bet, and a worthwhile one based on his USHL production. He has the potential to be a late bloomer who contributes in a depth role.
The Capitals extracted excellent value with their first two picks in the draft, and both players are solid bets to become middle-six contributors at the NHL level.
Lynden Lakovic has the potential to be a big, dual-threat producer and would be even more exciting if he learns to use his 6-4 frame to physically impose himself on opponents. The ceiling is high for Lakovic, and getting a top-15 player at No. 27 is good work.
Milton Gastrin is one of the more complete players in the draft and shouldn’t be far off from the NHL. He’s got third-line center written all over him and could provide more offense than most think.
Outside of that, I liked the selection of Maxim Schaefer, who has more skill than most of the players taken in the fourth round. Given what they had, the Caps got good value and came away with at least two players who should play impactful roles in their lineup.
The Kings had a fine draft — nothing to be overly excited about and nothing to be disappointed with, either.
They got some value with Jimmy Lombardi, who has projectable NHL play-driving ability and skill. If his speed improves, he could really pop. Petteri Rimpinen was another value-added pick in the late rounds, and worth the swing based on his development curve. Kristian Epperson provided value in the third round as an overager, and should fit nicely in a third-line role when he’s ready.
Henry Brzustewicz was a fine pick, but the Kings took him a little early considering some of the other valuable defensemen on the board at No. 31. They’re betting that his development skyrockets in London, which they’ll need if he’s going to provide value in a second-pair role. Vojtech Cihar was a bit rich for me in the second round because he lacks upside, but I don’t doubt he’ll be an NHL contributor in the bottom six.
The Wild didn’t give Judd Brackett a lot to work worth, but there was value to be had with their selections.
There’s more offense to give with Theodor Hallquisth, and next season in the SHL will go a long way to determining what his NHL projection is likely to be. At minimum, he’s a reliable puck mover who has the tools to be a depth defender if his skating improves.
The real value came from selecting Adam Benak, who is one of the best skaters and smartest players in the draft class. But he’s small, so of course he fell. He was by far the most skilled player available in the fourth round, and if he grows a couple inches, he has the special talent to be a top-six player. I liked the Justin Kipkie selection; he was one of the best overage defensemen available in the draft and a worthwhile bet.
The Devils were a mixed bag, drafting guys with good value and a few head-scratchers — including a player who didn’t play a single game this season (Sigge Holmgren).
I loved the Ben Kevan selection at the end of the second round. He’s a great skater with good offensive qualities. Conrad Fondrk was another good upside bet with good passing and shooting skill. Both could become valuable members of a third line that contributes offensively.
I liked the Mason Moe and Gustav Hillstrom selections as well. They have a longer path to becoming NHL players, but both are good bets and decent value for the draft slot. The Devils did well for what they had.
Wes Clark loves to take big swings and he did it again. I absolutely love Benjamin Kindel as a player; he has real upside as a top-six forward, but I’m not convinced he’s going to be better than some of the players they left on the board. Trading down to acquire a third first-round pick was great, but again, value was left on the board.
There is little doubt Bill Zonnon is going to be an NHL player. He was in the right range and should be a valuable middle-six asset. I thought the Penguins could’ve traded back with the Will Horcoff pick, but I understand why they like him. If he hits his ceiling, he’s going to be a solid complementary player in the middle six. Failing that, he’s likely to top out in a depth role.
On Day 2, the Pens got excellent value in Charlie Trethewey, who could blossom into a fourth or fifth defender with excellent puck movement. Peyton Kettles and Quinn Beauchesne were two other selections I liked, and both have legitimate NHL upside.
Given the Mammoth’s stated goal of adding size and tenacity up front, it was not surprising to see them draft Caleb Desnoyers. I would’ve elected for Martone if size was their goal, because he’s got higher offensive upside, but Desnoyers is a solid bet to become a second-line, two-way center. He’ll shoulder all the matchup pressure and free up the likes of Logan Cooley and Barrett Hayton to play offensively. It’s a very understandable pick for the Mammoth.
I loved the selection of Max Psenicka in the second round. I think he’s got a higher offensive upside than he’s given credit for, with potential to become a quality shutdown defender on the second pair. Their other selections don’t project to be NHL players, but the first two selections should be stalwarts in their lineup for years to come.
They didn’t have a lot to play with, but I loved the Jakob Ihs Wozniak and Mateo Nobert selections. Ihs Wozniak has one of the best shots in the draft and should score 20-25 goals per season in the NHL. Trading up to get a prospect who will have value around the league (before they inevitably trade him) is smart business. Getting a player with high-30s talent in the late stages of the second round is quality value.
Nobert is another offensive talent and could become a quality complementary player down the line. He was a more than reasonable bet in the third round. For what they had to work with, the Golden Knights should be happy with how they fared.
The Blue Jackets addressed a need and got great value by adding Jackson Smith in the middle of the first round. If Smith’s offense continues to develop, there’s a real chance the Blue Jackets drafted the second-best defender of the class much later than he should have gone.
The Pyotr Andreyanov pick was a head scratcher — not because I don’t believe in his potential, but because he wasn’t the top goalie on the board, and the Blue Jackets could have traded back to get him. Trading back would’ve been best if they wanted a goalie. They had an opportunity to grab the likes of Lakovic and Hensler, who would’ve been great organizational fits. Andreyanov is five or six years from playing in North America, which is a long time to wait for a first-round pick, but upside as a 1B starter is attractive.
I also think the Malte Vass selection provided value.
2:50
Johnny Gaudreau’s wife announces the Blue Jackets’ draft pick
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, joins the NHL draft to announce the Blue Jackets selecting Jackson Smith with the 14th pick.
The Dallas Stars’ ability to get a top-40 player despite not selecting until pick No. 94 is very Dallas Stars of them.
Cameron Schmidt, who had more than 40 goals in the WHL, is one of the best goal scorers in the draft. But he’s short, so teams decided to draft players with lower upside and projectable talent. He’s a quality skater, and players with two separating skills are almost never available at that spot. If Schmidt hits, we’re going to be talking about how the Stars “did it again” just like they did with Logan Stankoven.
Outside of that, the Stars had nothing to write home about. The selection of Schmidt alone provided the highest value in the draft from ranking and projection to selection, something the Stars are all too familiar with. At some point, the skill and upside need to outweigh the height, because too many taken before him are far less likely to become NHLers.
For what the Blues had to work with, they got some good value. I loved the selection of Justin Carbonneau at No. 19. If he puts it all together, he could be a premier power forward in the NHL with his size, skill and ability to create scoring opportunities. He has some of the best upside in the draft and could be a quality top-six forward for the Blues.
They didn’t select until much later on Day 2, but I liked the Mikhail Fyordorov selection as a reasonable bet given his production in the MHL. He’s got a long way to go, but his offensive creativity is exactly what the Blues should be swinging for.
The Canucks’ draft was fine. They left value on the board to take Braeden Cootes, but he’s going to be a solid middle-six contributor and addresses the organization’s pressing need for centers. They tried to trade that pick for immediate help, but in the end, Cootes was right in that range.
I loved the selection of Alexei Medvedev, a pick that has Ian Clark’s fingerprints all over it. He’s big and moldable and has the mental makeup to be a tandem goalie in the NHL.
In a departure from previous years, the Canucks used most of their picks on players with scoring profiles and skill, something their prospect pipeline needs. They made reasonable bets on upside picks in the middle rounds who will test their development staff. They left value on the board with Kieren Dervin and could’ve swung on Schmidt or Mooney, but overall, it was a reasonable draft.
‘C’ grades
Buffalo had a modus operandi that was quite a bit different from previous drafts, and it showed.
Radim Mrtka is a reasonable bet to play top-four minutes in the NHL and fits the profile of big and hard to play against. That was a bit high for him and left significant talent on the board, but the Sabres clearly identified Mrtka as an organizational need.
David Bedkowski was a good selection as one of the most violent, physical defenders in the draft, and if he makes it, he will fill a depth role and be a nightmare to play against. There’s a real chance that those are the only players who play NHL games for the Sabres in this draft class, as they departed from their previous MO of drafting high-end skill.
For a team that didn’t have any high picks (or many picks at all), I liked the swings the Oilers took, particularly on Tommy Lafreniere and David Lewandowski. They don’t have strong NHL projections by any means, but betting on their upside is a smart thing to do. I had those players going earlier than they did, giving the Oilers good value with their selections. If either Lafreniere or Lewandowski hit, they should provide complementary scoring in depth roles, something the Oilers will absolutely need while their contention window is open.
I debated docking the Oilers for not outbidding the Red Wings for John Gibson and addressing a significant organizational need, because the probability of Gibson helping the Oilers out in their contention window far exceeds the probability of any draft picks doing the same. With Joel Hofer re-signing with the Blues as well, the Oilers are going to have a tough time improving an area that desperately needs immediate help.
This entire grade hinges on Malcolm Spence, who provided tremendous value for the Rangers in the second round. There is little doubt he will become a middle-six pest, and if the Rangers can sort out their development issues, he’s got the chance to be a second-line winger.
Sean Barnhill is a fine selection, but probably a little high. There’s NHL potential there with his skating, but he’ll need to improve his decision making to be a depth NHL defender. I liked the swing on Mikkel Eriksen. He could fill a depth role and at least become a quality AHL player. The Rangers left value on the board at every other selection.
There’s not a ton to write home about when it comes to the Lightning’s draft class, but I really liked the Ethan Czata selection. Lightning fans love Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel, and Czata is built in that mold. He’s got good touch around the net, and if he adds speed, has all the tools to become a pesky middle-six contributor who is a nightmare to play against because of his physical nature.
I liked the swing on Benjamin Rautiainen because if he fills out, he’s a brilliant shooter with good puck skill. If he hits, he’s got the potential to be a complementary scorer in the NHL. Outside of that, he’s likely a high-end AHL player who can fill in when injuries occur.
‘D’ grades
When you win back-to-back Stanley Cups, you’re probably not going to have an elite draft because you don’t have many picks.
I’m a fan of the Shamar Moses pick: I think he provides value at that spot with an outside chance to play NHL games. The Panthers are unlikely to get NHL players from this crop of prospects, but the Moses pick bumps their grade up because he has an NHL projection in a depth role, something the Panthers will need if they intend to keep their contention window open for the next few years.
They didn’t have many picks, and I didn’t love what they did with any of them. I thought they left talent on the board with each of their selections and didn’t take any players with an NHL projection. Given their contention window and few draft picks, I would’ve liked to have seen them swing on higher upside, because contenders need to hit on those players to keep that window open longer.
Francesco Dell’Elce has a chance to be a depth defender, but as an overager, his development runway is shorter. It’s probable the Avs don’t get any NHL players from their draft, with Dell’Elce being the only one with an outside shot at bottom-pair minutes.
It seems like the Maple Leafs hired one of the best talent evaluators in hockey, but then gave him an edict instead of letting him cook. GM Brad Treliving has made it very clear that he wants size in this lineup, but the Leafs left far too much skill and upside on the board to accomplish that.
There is a very real possibility the Leafs got one depth NHL player (Tyler Hopkins) from this draft class, and that’s it. A lot of the players they selected are very raw, with size being their best attribute. When you leave players like Behm, Limatov, Thretheway, Mooney and Schmidt on the board who have legitimate NHL upside in valuable roles, it feels like a choice.
If you picked the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers to be the first team to win 50 games this MLB season, you weren’t alone.
You were also wrong.
If you picked the Detroit Tigers, congratulations! We’re not sure we believe you, but we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.
The Tigers won their 50th game on Tuesday, a full day before the Dodgers, and they got there thanks to big contributions all season from ace Tarik Skubal, the red-hot Riley Greene and the resurgent Javier Baez, among many others.
But are they really as good as they’ve played so far? Are they even the American League’s best team? Could they defeat the Dodgers (or whichever team comes out of a stacked National League) in the World Series?
We asked MLB experts Bradford Doolittle, Tim Keown, Jeff Passan and David Schoenfield to tackle all things Tigers before they play host to the Minnesota Twins on “Sunday Night Baseball” (7 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN2).
Who is the biggest threat to Detroit in the AL — and would you take the Tigers to beat them in an ALCS showdown?
Doolittle: The Yankees still have the AL’s best roster and remain the favorites in the circuit, even with the Rays and Astros closing in fast on both Detroit and New York. This feels like a season in which, by the time we get to October, there’s not going to be a clear-cut front-runner in the AL. But if we zero in on a possible Tigers-Yankees ALCS, I like the interchangeability of the Detroit staff, which we saw in action late last year. Max Fried and Skubal cancel each other out, so it really comes down to the number of favorable matchups A.J. Hinch can manipulate during a series of games between two postseason offenses likely predicated on timely multi-run homers.
Keown: It’s obviously the Yankees — unless it’s the Rays. Tampa’s lineup is deep and insistent, and the pitching staff is exactly what it always seems to be: consistent, stingy and comprised of guys only hardcore fans can identify. They’re really, really good — by far the best big league team playing in a minor league ballpark.
Passan: It’s still the New York Yankees. They’ve got Aaron Judge, they’ve got Fried and Carlos Rodon for four starts, they’ve got better lineup depth than Detroit. Who wins the theoretical matchup could depend on how aggressively each team pursues improvement at the trade deadline. Suffice to say, the Tigers will not be trading Jack Flaherty this year.
Schoenfield: I was going to say the Yankees as well, but as I’m writing this I just watched the Astros sweep the Phillies, holding them to one run in three games. As great as Skubal has been, Hunter Brown has been just as good — if not better. (A couple of Brown-Skubal matchups in the ALCS would be super fun.) Throw in Framber Valdez and you have two aces plus one of the best late-game bullpens in the biz. The offense? Nothing great. The difference-maker is clear: getting Yordan Alvarez healthy and hitting again.
Who is the biggest threat to Detroit in the NL — and would you take the Tigers to beat them in a World Series matchup?
Doolittle: The Dodgers are the team to beat, full stop. In many ways, their uneven start to the season, caused by so many pitching injuries, represents the lower tier of L.A.’s possible range of outcomes. And the Dodgers still are right there at the top of the majors. I can’t think of any good reason to pick against them in any 2025 competitive context. In a Tigers-Dodgers World Series — which would somehow be the first one ever — I just can’t see the Tigers scoring enough to beat L.A. four times.
Keown: The Dodgers. No need to get cute here. The Dodgers are the biggest threat to just about everything baseball-related. And while the matchup would be a hell of a lot of fun, filled with all those contradictory juxtapositions that makes a series riveting, let’s just say L.A. in seven.
Passan: It’s still the Los Angeles Dodgers. They’re getting healthier, with Shohei Ohtani back on the mound and still hitting more home runs than anyone in the National League. Will Smith is having the quietest .300/.400/.500 season in memory. Freddie Freeman is doing Freddie Freeman things. Andy Pages is playing All-Star-caliber baseball. Even Max Muncy is hitting now. And, yes, the pitching has been a problem, but they’ve got enough depth — and enough minor league depth to use in trades — that they’re bound to find 13 more-than-viable arms to use in October.
Schoenfield: A Tigers-Dodgers showdown would be a classic Original 16 matchup and those always feel a little more special. Although who wouldn’t want to see a rematch of the 1945, 1935, 1908 or 1907 World Series between the Tigers and Cubs? Those were split 2-2, so we need a tiebreaker. But I digress. Yes, the Dodgers are still the team to beat in the NL — especially since we’ve seen the Phillies’ issues on offense, the Cubs’ lack of pitching depth and the Mets’ inconsistency. The Dodgers have injuries to deal with, but there is still time for Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow and everyone else to get back.
One game, season on the line, who would you want on the mound for your team: Tarik Skubal or any other ace in the sport?
Doolittle: I’d go with Skubal by a hair over Zack Wheeler, with Paul Skenes lurking in the three-hole. The way things are going, by the end of the year it might be Jacob Misiorowski, but I’m probably getting ahead of myself. Anyway, Skubal has carried last season’s consistent dominance over and he’s just in that rare zone that great starters reach where you’re surprised when someone actually scores against them. He and Wheeler are tied with the most game scores of 70 or better (18) since the start of last season. Their teams are both 17-1 in those games. It’s a coin flip, but give me Skubal.
Keown: Skubal. There are plenty of other candidates — Wheeler, Fried, Jacob deGrom, and how about some love for Logan Webb? — but I’m all but certain a poll of big league hitters would reveal Skubal as the one they’d least like to face with everything riding on the outcome.
Passan: Give me Skubal. Even if others have the experience and pedigree, I’m going to bet on stuff. And nobody’s stuff — not even Skenes’ — is at Skubal’s level right now. He doesn’t walk anyone. He strikes out everyone. He suppresses home runs. If you could build a pitcher in a lab, he would look a lot like Skubal.
Schoenfield: I’m going with Wheeler, just based on his postseason track record: He has a 2.18 ERA over 70⅓ career innings in October, allowing no runs or one run in five of his 11 career starts. Those are all since 2022, so it’s not like we’re looking at accomplishments from a decade ago. And Wheeler is arguably pitching better than ever, with a career-low OPS allowed and a career-high strikeout rate.
What is Detroit’s biggest weakness that could be exposed in October?
Doolittle: I think elite October-level pitching might expose an overachieving offense. It’s a solid lineup but the team’s leading run producers — Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Zach McKinstry, Baez, etc. — can pile up the whiffs in a hurry. If that happens, this is a team that doesn’t run at all, and that lack of versatility concerns me.
Keown: The Tigers are the odd team that doesn’t have a glaring weakness or an especially glaring strength. They have a lot of really good players but just one great one in Skubal. (We’re keeping a second spot warm for Riley Greene.) They’re managed by someone who knows how to navigate the postseason, and they’ve rolled the confidence they gained with last season’s remarkable playoff run into this season. So take your pick: Any aspect of the game could propel them to a title, and any aspect could be their demise. And no, that doesn’t answer the question.
Passan: The left side of Detroit’s infield is not what one might consider championship-caliber. With Trey Sweeney getting most of the at-bats at shortstop, the Tigers are running out a sub-replacement player on most days. Third base is even worse: Detroit’s third basemen are barely OPSing .600, and while they might have found their answer in McKinstry, relying on a 30-year-old who until this year had never hit is a risky proposition.
Schoenfield: I’m not completely sold on their late-game bullpen — or their bullpen in general. No doubt, Will Vest and changeup specialist Tommy Kahnle have done the job so far, but neither has a dominant strikeout rate for a 2025 closer and overall the Detroit bullpen ranks just 25th in the majors in strikeout rate. How will that play in the postseason against better lineups?
With one month left until the trade deadline, what is the one move the Tigers should make to put themselves over the top?
Doolittle: The big-ticket additions would be a No. 3 or better starting pitcher or a bona fide closer — the same stuff all the contenders would like to add. A lower-profile move that would really help would be to target a shortstop like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, whose bat actually improves what Detroit has gotten from the position just in terms of raw production. But he also adds contact ability, another stolen base threat and a plus glove. For the Tigers to maximize the title chances produced by their great start, they need to think in terms of multiple roster-filling moves, not one big splash.
Keown: Prevailing wisdom says to beef up the bullpen and improve the offense at third base, which would put names like Pete Fairbanks and Nolan Arenado at the top of the list. But the pitching and offense are both top-10 in nearly every meaningful statistic, and I contend there’s an equally good case to be made for the Tigers to go all in on a top-line starting pitcher. Providing Sandy Alcantara a fresh environment would deepen the rotation and lighten the psychic load on Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. (Every word of this becomes moot if the MLB return of 34-year-old KBO vet Dietrich Enns is actually the answer.)
Passan: Bring Eugenio Suarez home. The third baseman, who currently has 25 home runs and is slugging .569, signed with Detroit as an amateur in 2008 and spent five years in the minors before debuting in 2014. That winter, the Tigers traded him to Cincinnati for right-hander Alfredo Simon, who, in his only season in Detroit, posted a 5.05 ERA in 187 innings. Suarez’s power would fit perfectly in the Tigers’ lineup and is robust enough to get over the fence at Comerica Park, one of the largest stadiums in MLB.
Schoenfield: This is the beauty of the Tigers: They can go in any direction. As good as the offense has been, it feels like several of these guys are ripe for regression in the second half: Baez, McKinstry, maybe Torkelson and Gleyber Torres. That group is all way over their 2024 level of production. If those guys fade, an impact bat might be the answer. But is one available? Arenado certainly isn’t an impact bat anymore and might not be traded anyway. Maybe Eugenio Suarez if the Diamondbacks fade. But the likeliest and easiest answer: bullpen help.
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