NHL Draft 2025 grades for every team: Best picks, fits and analysis

New York Times

14 hours ago

With the 2025 NHL Draft concluded, we end our coverage of this draft by way of draft grades. These grades are based on how I think the clubs did, based on my knowledge of the players selected.
The only way I can fairly and reasonably go about this exercise is to assign grades based on which team added the most by way of draft picks to the organization. I don't account for players acquired by trade, how well a player fits into the organization, or whether I think a team reached or got potential value on a pick. This is a ranking showing who got the most talent in the draft, divided by tiers represented by a letter grade. Teams are listed by their grade, but teams with the same grade are listed alphabetically.
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I realize this basically becomes highly correlated to draft slot and the number of picks. Your method may vary, and I realize there are other ways to analyze a draft performance. This is how I do it. This is not a ranking of how good your favorite team's scouts are. I am just trying to explain whether the organization did, or didn't, make their farm system better this weekend.
This file has a brief synopsis of the draft classes, but there are individual team files for all 32 clubs linked in this article for a more detailed breakdown of each draft haul.
The Islanders brought the most clear, young talent into their organization this weekend. On top of getting the best player in Matthew Schaefer with the first pick, they proceeded to take potential top-six winger Victor Eklund and potential top-four defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, both of whom are among the most competitive players in the draft. Daniil Prokhorov has a real chance to be a hard-to-play-against third-line winger with size. I think goalie Burke Hood in the late rounds has a real chance to play games, too. They could easily get two or three quality NHL regulars from this draft, including a potential star in Schaefer.
Read the full analysis of the Islanders' draft class here.
The Flyers got Porter Martone with their first pick. He was my third-rated player overall in the draft, and someone who I think, despite his subpar skating, has the makings of a potential first-line winger with size. They then proceeded to trade up to pick Jack Nesbitt. I'm a fan of Nesbitt's game. I agree with their assessment that he could be a second-line center, again with size, even if I wouldn't have traded up to get him; I do understand their pressing need for centers, though. Those were two premium pieces Philadelphia acquired early on Day 1. The Flyers added a lot of size in this draft overall, but they picked big guys who can legit play. Carter Amico and Matthew Gard are highly athletic. Shane Vansaghi is very skilled. Martone and Nesbitt project as important players for this team, but they have a really good chance to get a third useful NHL player from their Day 2 picks.
Read the full analysis of the Flyers' draft class here.
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In Round 1, the Sharks got a potential first-line center of the future in Michael Misa, and Joshua Ravensbergen, whom I project as a starting goalie in the NHL. On Day 2, they picked a huge, mobile, competitive defenseman in Simon Wang, and a solid all-around center in Cole McKinney. I could see one of those players ending up as an NHL regular. Ilyas Magomedsultanov was one of 'my guys' in this draft cycle, so I do like him at 115 for them as well.
Read the full analysis of the Sharks' draft class here.
I didn't agree with every decision Nashville made this weekend, but overall, I thought the Predators brought in a lot of talent to their farm system. Brady Martin at 5 was high for me. I get the appeal. He's a super likable player with a great backstory, but I thought they left talent on the board. Ryker Lee and Jacob Rombach were a bit early for me, too, but in fairness, I knew that's the range they were going in based on talks with other teams, so I may be the one off on them. I did like the ranges they got Cameron Reid, Jack Ivankovic and Alex Huang, though. Martin will be a top-six forward of the future with an elite compete level, and I would bet they get at least one other regular from this draft and possibly two, with Reid being the likeliest candidate.
Read the full analysis of the Predators' draft class here.
Utah started the draft at 4 and picked an outstanding two-way center in Caleb Desnoyers, who could be a top two line pivot on a winning team. The Mammoth didn't pick again until 46, but in Max Psenicka, Stepan Hoch and Yegor Borikov, I thought they got three quality NHL prospects with a lot of NHL traits. I could see one of those picks hitting and becoming a regular to join Desnoyers in this class.
Read the full analysis of the Mammoth's draft class here.
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It's hard to be definitive about Anaheim's draft given the uncertainty in projecting Roger McQueen, the No. 10 pick. If fully healthy, he has the potential to be a legit first-line center. He's an outstanding talent, but he's a lanky player with a history of back issues, so for all we know, things could flame up again in the near future. I rate the player highly, even when adjusting for the risks. I like Eric Nilson, who they drafted right away on Day 2, but the future of this class pretty much comes down to whether McQueen hits or not and particularly if he stays on the ice.
Read the full analysis of the Ducks' draft class here.
Chicago added a lot of speed and size to its prospect pool this weekend, going after some of the most athletic players in the draft, including two of the very best with late first-round picks. Mason West was the ultimate swing, because if he commits to hockey full-time, he has the tools to outproduce his draft slot. I was a little lower on Anton Frondell than the Blackhawks were, but I absolutely see a top two line center on a winning team or a potential first-line winger. They had a type, and I wish they would have gotten more skill, but Frondell is still a major piece for them to add, and between West and Vaclav Nestrasil, I think one of them can end up being a full-time NHL player with a massive frame.
Read the full analysis of the Blackhawks' draft class here.
The Penguins' draft assessment is a bit complicated. Benjamin Kindel at 11 was aggressive for me, even if I think he will score in the NHL. There wasn't one player whom I was super passionate about where they got him (William Horcoff was the closest), but in the aggregate, I think this is a solid draft class. They got their skill player in Kindel and added a lot of size and two-way play with their later picks. I could see two or potentially three NHL players come out of this class because there were so many Day 2 picks they made that I think have a chance to make it.
Read the full analysis of the Penguins' draft class here.
Jake O'Brien is a very talented center with the tools to be a high-quality top-six forward in the NHL, be it in the middle or on the wing. I then liked Seattle getting Blake Fiddler early on Day 2. Fiddler rubbed scouts the wrong way due to hockey IQ, hence his fall, but I still see a big, mobile right-shot who works hard and has enough skill to play in the league.
Read the full analysis of the Kraken's draft class here.
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James Hagens' landing spot at 7 to Boston reflects both his immense talent but also some of the risks in his game. He has legit first-line talent if he hits. I like the tools on William Moore, who Boston took at 51, but the draft class will be defined by Hagens. Does he bounce back and prove the haters wrong? If so, the B's could have a very nice class even if he's the only regular.
Read the full analysis of the Bruins' draft class here.
I'm a big fan of Cole Reschny's game, and think he has a real chance to be a top-six forward for the Flames down the line, potentially in the middle, even if he's not the most ideal profile for an NHL center. Cullen Potter isn't a clear bet to make it, but he absolutely has the tools to be a middle-six forward. Their Day 2 pick, Theo Stockselius, is a solid prospect who has a chance to play in the bottom six as well.
Read the full analysis of the Flames' draft class here.
I liked what Detroit did with its first few picks. Carter Bear projects as a top-six forward who brings legit skill and a high motor. Eddie Genborg won't point at a high level, but he can be a playoff-style bottom-six forward who wears down opponents. Michal Pradel was also a goalie I rated reasonably high, and I see a path for him to the league.
Read the full analysis of the Red Wings' draft class here.
Washington did a solid job with the picks it had. Lynden Lakovic was a divisive, yet highly talented prospect who was a worthy gamble at 27. I think Milton Gastrin, the pick at 37, has a real chance to be a third-line NHL center, and Maxim Schafer was one of my favorite prospects in this class. I could see one, and potentially two players, come out of this crop.
Read the full analysis of the Capitals' draft class here.
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Buffalo addressed the size issues in its pool by taking a lot of very athletic players. Each of its first three picks is huge and can move very well. The Sabres' top pick, Radim Mrtka, projects as a quality top-four defenseman. Outside of Mrtka, though, I don't see any other sure things in this group. David Bedkowski's profile is interesting, but his puck play will need to be more consistent. At the moment, I think this class will come down to exactly how good Mrtka becomes.
Read the full analysis of the Sabres' draft class here.
I think the first three Russians Carolina took in the draft all have real chances to play games in the NHL. Semyon Frolov was a top goalie prospect this year, Ivan Ryabkin fell after a tough year and character concerns, but he has legit middle-six forward talent and Kurban Limatov on his best days looked like an NHL defenseman. Where they took Charlie Cerrato was high for me. I respect the year he had, but I don't think his pure skill or athleticism warranted being picked at 49. There's no sure bet among this group, but I could see at least one of their picks becoming a full-time player.
Read the full analysis of the Hurricanes' draft class here.
I like Jackson Smith, and I think he can be a quality top-four defenseman of the future for Columbus. The Blue Jackets' pick at 20 of Pyotr Andreyanov, frankly, is one I have a hard time understanding, even giving them all the benefit of the doubt. He's very quick, intelligent and competitive, but at that size, at the 20th slot, I just thought it was too high. Time will tell; he has five more years to play in Russia, so we will see how he develops in the KHL. As of now, though, I think Smith is the only likely NHL player from this class, and he could be a really good one.
Read the full analysis of the Blue Jackets' draft class here.
Dallas didn't pick until 94, and it took a big swing with its top selection in Cameron Schmidt. He's very talented, but his size, sense and demeanor rubbed teams the wrong way in the pre-draft process. Where the Stars got him, though, I think they have to be happy with the shot that he represents, and he has several clear NHL characteristics. I have time for the goalie they took late in Mans Goos as well. He's huge and has a real chance to make it.
Read the full analysis of the Stars' draft class here.
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The Kings did some draft maneuvering to get more capital. In doing so, they added more depth to their system than I expected them to. Henry Brzustewicz has a good chance to be a regular NHL defenseman. I have time for quite a few of their Day 2 picks. I don't think any one of them for sure projects to play in the league, but I could see one of them finding a way to make it.
Read the full analysis of the Kings' draft class here.
After dealing its two top picks for Noah Dobson, Montreal wasn't expected to come out of this class with a top prospect. Still, in Alexander Zharovsky, Hayden Paupanekis and Bryce Pickford, the Canadiens' top three selections, I could see one of them becoming a full-time player. Zharovsky, in particular, is a fascinating high-upside prospect who some scouts felt was top-five in the draft in skill, even though I didn't agree with that assessment.
Read the full analysis of the Canadiens' draft class here.
The Canucks' first pick, Braeden Cootes, is a player I'm a fan of, and I think he has the potential to be a second-line center in the NHL who plays a desirable style. After that, I was lukewarm on their Day 2 picks. Alexei Medvedev is a talented goalie, but for his size and limited sample of ice time, 47 was a bit early for me. Prep kids from St. Andrews College are always a tough evaluation (see Dean Letourneau last season). I respect some of the things Kieren Dervin does, but 65 was also a bit early for me given the risks in his projection.
Read the full analysis of the Canucks' draft class here.
Malcolm Spence's stock faded hard this season with his performance in Erie after coming into the year as a potential top-20 pick. I still like him. The offense will likely never be noteworthy, but he skates well, plays hard and could have secondary production. He has a clear path to becoming a middle-six winger. I don't see any other pick in this group that excites me, although I am intrigued by Sean Barnhill, who they picked after Spence. He's very toolsy, and I wonder how he will do in an environment with more ice time.
Read the full analysis of the Rangers' draft class here.
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Logan Hensler is a talented defenseman and projects as a 4/5 D in the league. After Hensler, I'm not sure who in this class makes it for Ottawa. I like goalie Lucas Beckman, who they took as a college junior, and he has a chance to make it. Some scouts love or have no time for Blake Vanek, who they took in the third, so his path will be interesting to follow.
Read the full analysis of the Senators' draft class here.
The Blues didn't have many picks in this draft, so ultimately their class is likely going to be defined by Justin Carbonneau. He's a likable player who went right around where I rated him. He could be a heavy second-line winger for them in the future.
Read the full analysis of the Blues' draft class here.
Tampa Bay didn't pick until 56, but I think the player it selected, Ethan Czata, has a real chance to be a bottom-six forward in the NHL. That alone could be enough to make this a respectable class given the circumstances, even if his pure offensive upside isn't the highest.
Read the full analysis of the Lightning's draft class here.
After a tough draft season, more so with his international showings, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak fell to the middle of the second round, where Vegas traded up to get him. I'm not a big fan of the Golden Knights' third-round pick Mateo Nobert, so I largely think class comes down to Ihs-Wozniak. I like the player, but he will need to be more consistent to play in the NHL.
Read the full analysis of the Golden Knights' draft class here.
I like Sascha Boumedienne, and see a path to him becoming a top-four defenseman in the NHL despite his at times erratic play. I think Owen Martin, the Jets' pick at 93, is talented, but more of a good junior than an NHL player for me.
Read the full analysis of the Jets' draft class here.
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The Devils didn't select until 50 this year. I think their first two picks, Conrad Fondrk and Benjamin Kevan, are both highly talented forwards, but they were inconsistent this season and are not sure things. I can't be confident this class will produce an NHL regular, even though there was a decent amount of talent among their Day 2 picks.
Read the full analysis of the Devils' draft class here.
The first two picks for the Maple Leafs, Tinus Luc Koblar and Tyler Hopkins, are both forwards who I think have a chance to play in the NHL. They didn't have much draft capital, so while I don't mind what they did with what they had, realistically, this group is unlikely to produce a full-time player.
Read the full analysis of the Maple Leafs' draft class here.
Edmonton didn't have a selection until the 83rd spot, so it's understandable this isn't an overly impressive draft class. The Oilers' picks of Tommy Lafreniere, David Lewandowski and Asher Barnett are all fine prospects. I don't think any of them are realistic NHL players, though, even if I do have some time for where they got Lewandowski.
Read the full analysis of the Oilers' draft class here.
The back-to-back Stanley Cup champs had to wait a while to make a selection. When they did get their chance, they picked two forwards who fit the way they play. Mads Kongsbak Klyvo and Shea Busch both have size and play hard. They are not top prospects by any means, but I can see a plausible scenario where one of them becomes a bottom-six type.
Read the full analysis of the Panthers' draft class here.
Minnesota's first pick came at the end of the second round. The defenseman the Wild picked, Theodor Hallquisth, has a chance to make it. Adam Benak's star fell this season. I know some evaluators who like the player, but I have a hard time seeing his game translate to the NHL. Sneakily, I liked the Wild's fifth-round pick of Justin Kipkie a lot. A re-entry prospect, I see him with a path to NHL games, and he could be a value pick for them.
Read the full analysis of the Wild's draft class here.
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Colorado didn't do much for me this weekend. I know some scouts who like either Francesco Dell'Elce or Linus Funck, their first two picks, but neither moved the needle when I watched them to think they were legit NHL prospects. Their bare bones farm system, I think, stays that way.
Read the full analysis of the Avalanche's draft class here.
(Photo of Michael Misa, Matthew Schaefer and Anton Frondell: Jeff Vinnick / NHLI via Getty Images)