NHL mock draft 2025: Who's taken after Matthew Schaefer?

USA Today

4 days ago

The following mock draft comes from Red Line Report, an independent scouting service.
Note that the mock draft has a number of significant differences from Red Line's own value board. Red Line Report is a pure scouting service and ultimately ranks prospects in the order we would select available players if we lived in a vacuum where needs and other outside forces never entered the equation.
This mock draft represents an exercise in scenarios that we think might happen on draft day.
Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer, projected to go No. 1 overall, is one of the top defense prospects in the last five years. But depth is lacking in this draft beyond the first half of the first round.
1. New York Islanders
Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Erie
Projects to be a complete top pairing performer. He's an exceptional skater who can be a difference-maker off therush and an effective 1-on-1 defender. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has many tools and uses them in a mature, smart playing style.
2. San Jose Sharks
Center Michael Misa, Saginaw
The Sharks also could be considering Porter Martone at this spot, but it would be difficult to pass on Misa. With Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith already on the roster, the addition of another elite skilled forwardmakes perfect sense. You can sort out their positions later.
3. Chicago Blackhawks
Right wing Porter Martone, Brampton
This is a good fit for Connor Bedard because Martone has a physical presence to go with his scoring ability. He can create some space for Bedard and take advantage of his creativity while playing a Tkachuk-style game. He has the size and desire of a prototypical power forward.
4. Utah Mammoth
Center James Hagens, Boston College
This guy was top ranked at the start of the year and rest assured the Mammoth will remind fans about that. He's an imaginative playmaking center with elite skating ability. Dynamic.
5. Nashville Predators
Center Anton Frondell, Djurgardens (Sweden)
Big center already has NHL strength. The best pure shooter in the draft is fierce on the forecheck and a load for defenses to handle.
6. Philadelphia Flyers
Center Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton
Desnoyers perfectly fills the Flyers' need for a top two-way center. Terrific details in his game and makes all his linemates better.
7. Boston Bruins
Center Jake O'Brien, Brantford
Two-way center, smart player, creative playmaker, understands how to play the right way, the kind of player who makes an NHL roster early because of his hockey IQ.
8. Seattle Kraken
Defenseman Radim Mrtka, Seattle
He's a 6-foot-6 defenseman who can skate and jump into the rush. How many players like that are currently playing in the NHL? Teams trying to move up probably are doing it to draft the massive Czech blue-liner.
9. Buffalo Sabres
Right wing Roger McQueen, Brandon
There's a chance the Sabres may trade this pick in a deal for immediate help. Kevyn Adams needs to get this team in the playoffs this season or else. If they don't trade the pick and McQueen is available, he could be the Sabres' guy. At 6-foot-5 with dynamic offensive skill, he's the closest thing to Tage Thompson.
10. Anaheim Ducks
Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, Barrie
He scored 26 goals this season and plays a heavy game. Has been compared to Jacob Trouba in terms of playing style, and the Ducks could use plenty of that attitude.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins
Defenseman Jackson Smith, Tri-City
Smith's skating is his best asset. The 6-footer has a blend of size and mobility that every NHL GM wants on his blue line, plus an emerging offensive game.
12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers via Vancouver Canucks)
Right wing Victor Eklund, Djurgardens (Sweden)
The younger brother of Sharks winger William Eklund, Victor will match his accomplishment of being a first-round NHL draft pick. Scouts love his compete level. He's a smallish, skilled player who can handle physical play.
13. Detroit Red Wings
Left wing Carter Bear, Everett
Bear is a hard-working 40-goal scorer in the Western Hockey League who offers skill and a tenacious attitude. He's average-sized, but plays bigger on the forecheck and competes hard every shift.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
Goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George
Goaltending is an issue for the Blue Jackets. It's time for the organization to start getting some talent in the pipeline by drafting 2025's best goalie.
15. Vancouver Canucks
Center Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie
He is a relentless beast who plays with overflowing energy. You win with players like Martin. He can help a team in a variety of roles and is a very safe pick.
16. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames)
Left wing Lynden Lakovic, Moose Jaw
He's the nephew of the late former NHL tough guy Sasha Lakovic, but Lynden doesn't play like his uncle. Theyoung Lakovic is an offensive force with size, speed, slick hands and a scoring touch.
17. Montreal Canadiens
Right wing Justin Carbonneau, Blainsville-Boisbriand
Considered one of the most skilled players in the draft. If he played a more varied game with a consistent performance level, he'd be a top 10 pick. But he makes enough "wow" plays to score 77 goals in the last two Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League seasons.
18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils)
Left wing Malcolm Spence, Erie
He's a pro-style winger who scored 32 goals in the Ontario Hockey League this season. He can skate and competes big time.
19. St. Louis Blues
Center Braeden Cootes, Seattle
Hard-working, smart, energetic, penalty-killing scorer. Put up 26 goals and can do whatever you need in order to help the team.
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota)
Left wing Jack Murtagh, U.S. National Team Development Program
He's a physical north-south winger who was the best goal scorer for the U.S. program. He's a bulldog who competeslike every game is a Game 7.
21. Ottawa Senators
Center Jack Nesbitt, Windsor
Big bodied, 6-foot-4 center sees himself as a Jamie Benn-type player. Enhanced his draft status this season by scoring 25 goals. Raw but a good skater with strong net front presence.
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche)
Defenseman Cameron Reid, Kitchener
An elite skater who is smart defensively and instinctive offensively. Puck-moving power play quarterback put up 54 points in the OHL.
23. Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
Right wing Ben Kindel, Calgary
Not big, but quite comfortable taking the puck to the net. Gritty and has outstanding speed and offensive skills.
24. Los Angeles Kings
Defenseman Logan Hensler, University of Wisconsin
Words like 'steady,' and 'effective' describe Hensler. He has potential for growth in his offensive game. The 6-foot-2-inch Badgers blue-liner scored 12 points in 32 games as a freshman.
25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
Center Cullen Potter, Arizona State
Watching Potter jet up the ice like he's an F15 thundering across the sky is enough to catch your attention. He's adangerous performer who will become even more productive when he grows stronger.
26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas Golden Knights via San Jose Sharks)
Defenseman Blake Fiddler, Edmonton
The son of former NHLer Vernon Fiddler seems to have the NHL in his DNA. He understands how to defend and his puck movement is efficient. He's a shutdown defender and his offensive game is improving.
27. Washington Capitals
Center Ivan Ryabkin, Muskegon
The mercurial Russian rocket scored 19 goals in just 27 games after arriving in the United States Hockey League in midseason. Blends a heavy physical presence with exceptional hands.
28. Winnipeg Jets
Right wing Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver
He's an elite game-breaker with tremendous speed and goal scoring ability. The issue is he's 5-foot-7. If he were taller, he'd go in the top 15.
29. Carolina Hurricanes
Left wing Bill Zonnon, Rouyn-Noranda
All-out effort guy whose feet are always in motion and constantly applies pressure on the puck.
30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars)
Center Cole Reschny, Victoria
Smallish and highly versatile. He's one of the most intelligent players in this draft and a proven winner.
31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers)
Center Milton Gästrin, MoDo (Sweden)
Physical center controls the middle of the ice. Strong skater who wins puck battles and already plays an NHL style.
32. Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers)
LW Will Moore, U.S. National Team Development Program
The U.S. NTDP's purest offensive skills guy scored 27 goals but his effort away from the puck is questionable.
Kyle Woodlief is the publisher and chief scout of Red Line Report.