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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Count Kings GM Ken Holland among those who prefer how NHL drafts used to be held
Henry Brzustewicz, left, stands with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected by the Kings at No. 31 overall in the NHL draft at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) For Ken Holland, the Kings' decidedly old-school general manager, new isn't necessarily better. Take the NHL draft, for example. Holland presided over more than a quarter-century of drafts with the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers, and they were generally held in one place, with everyone from the executives doing the drafting to the players being drafted on site. Advertisement On Friday, for the first time in a non-pandemic environment, the draft was conducted semi-remotely, with the top 93 draft-eligible players and their families filling some of the seats in the half-empty Peacock Theater in Los Angeles while team representatives made their selections from their home markets. Read more: Kings hire Hall of Famer Ken Holland as their new general manager And whatever the league was attempting to accomplish with the decentralized format, other than saving on travel, it didn't work. After each pick was announced on a giant video board that took up two-thirds of the theater's massive stage, players made their way up the aisle to be greeted by Commissioner Gary Bettman. They then pulled on a team jersey and hat before being led into the "Draft House" — a small virtual reality room in the center of the stage — for what amounted to a congratulatory Zoom call with the club's brass. The Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles hosts the NHL draft. (Juan Ocampo / NHLI via Getty Images) The young men were celebrating the biggest moment of their lives yet they came off like Dorothy speaking to the Wizard of Oz. Much of it was awkward, especially when James Hagens, the eighth selection, was left waving at Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney after the audio in the Bruins' war room in Boston went mute. That was just one of multiple technical glitches that included echoes and timing delays that left players and executives talking over one another. Advertisement When it became obvious the painfully slow-paced event would plod past 4½ hours, the Draft House was closed to some teams. Brady Martin, the fifth pick, didn't even bother to come to L.A. So when Nashville announced his selection — via a celebrity video taped at a golf course — the NHL showed a video of Martin working on his family's farm. Russian goaltender Pyotr Andreyanov wouldn't even get that treatment. When he was announced as the 20th overall pick, the NHL had nothing to show, making Andreyanov the first no-show of the no-show draft. Matthew Schaefer, a 17-year-old defenseman from Hamilton, Canada,, who was taken with the No. 1 pick by the New York Islanders, said being part of video draft did not spoil his big day. Matthew Schaefer stands between Michael Misa, left, and Anton Frondell after being selected 1-2-3, respectively, in the NHL draft at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Friday. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images) 'I'm just honored to be picked,' said Schaefer who cried, alongside his dad and brother, when his name was called. 'I dreamt about it my whole life. It's such an honor. Especially the first pick overall.' Advertisement For Holland, however, none of that counts as progress. 'I'm old and I'm old fashioned. So I like the old way,' said the Kings general manager, whose view was shared by other GMs around the league. 'You draft some player in the sixth round and all of a sudden you hear 'yay!' way up in the corner. It's him, it's his family, and they're all excited to hear [his] name announced by an NHL team. 'This weekend, to me, is about the young players.' Aside from the technical difficulties, the actual draft went largely to form. The Ducks, as expected, took Roger McQueen, an 18-year-old forward from Saskatchewan, with their top pick, the 10th overall selection. The Kings, meanwhile, traded their first pick, No. 24 overall, to the Pittsburgh Penguins. After moving down seven spots they took right-handed-shooting defenseman Henry Brzustewicz, 18, a Minnesota native, with the penultimate pick of the first day. Advertisement Round two through seven of the draft will be conducted Saturday. Roger McQueen, second from right, poses for photos with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, and actors Joshua Jackson, left, and Marguerite Moreau, second from left, after being drafted by the Ducks at No. 10 overall. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) The Ducks, who had a top-10 pick for a seventh straight year, see the 6-foot-5 McQueen as a raw talent who can develop into a top-line center. 'He has a big body. But what goes along with that is his skill and skating ability,' said general manager Pat Verbeek, whose team has 10 picks this weekend. For the Kings, this draft was the first public move in what could be an intense couple of weeks. Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and winger Andrei Kuzmenko are unrestricted free agents and the team would like to re-sign both before they hit the open market Tuesday. Advertisement 'If we re-sign Gavrikov, there's not going to be a ton of change,' Holland said. 'If we don't, then there's going to be change.' Gavrikov, 29, emerged as a solid presence on the blue line, playing a career-high 82 games and posting the best goals-against average of the 17 defensemen to play at least 1,500 minutes. Former Kings GM Rob Blake made Gavrikov a contract offer last March, said Holland, who has since sweetened the deal twice. Replacing him, the GM said, could require a couple of signings. Kuzmenko, 29, reenergized the offense after coming over from Philadelphia at the trade deadline, with the Kings going 17-5 and averaging nearly four goals a game down the stretch. Kings fans cheer after Henry Brzustewicz is drafted by the team at No. 31 overall. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) 'We like Kuzmenko. Kuzmenko likes it here; he likes his role,' Holland said. 'I'm talking to him. I talked two, three, four times this week with his agent. So we'll see.' Advertisement Signing both players would put a big dent in the Kings' $21.7 million in salary-cap space. 'We have a lot of cap space but it doesn't take much and it's gone,' Holland said. 'We've got to figure out how we want to spend our money and they need to figure out how much money they can get.' Aside from Gavrikov and Kuzmenko, the Kings don't have many loose ends to tie up. The team is confident it can get forward Alex Laferriere, a restricted free agent, to agree to a short-term deal and it has to decide whether to re-sign David Rittich, an unrestricted free agent, as the backup to starting goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper. Two players who could be moving on are forward Tanner Jeannot and defenseman Jordan Spence, both of whom are looking for more ice time and may have to leave to get it. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Top Takeaways From Round 1 Of The 2025 NHL Draft
Matthew Schaefer points skyward next to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected first ... More overall by the New York Islanders during the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater on June 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) Perhaps it would have been impossible for any sequel to measure up to the spectacle that the NHL delivered for its 2024 Draft a year ago at the Sphere in Las Vegas. In a new format with teams working out of their home markets and the show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Round 1 of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday felt bumpy at times but delivered some heartfelt emotion and a strong showing from Canadian Hockey League prospects. Despite missing the second half of his season after breaking his collarbone at the 2025 world junior championship, Erie Otters defense prospect Matthew Schaefer demonstrated the strong character that helped him remain the strong consensus No. 1 pick despite missing so much action. He also went through the physical testing and interview process earlier this month at the NHL's scouting combine. In addition to keeping a positive attitude despite his injury, Schaefer also went through the draft process just one year after losing his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer in 2024. The tears were flowing from father Todd and brother Jonathon as they heard NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announce Matthew's name as the first overall selection by the New York Islanders, just 36 days after Mathieu Darche took over as the team's new general manager. When Schaefer took to the stage to shake Bettman's hand and don the Islanders jersey, he kissed the purple cancer awareness ribbon that was affixed to the breast of the sweater, then pointed to the sky to honor his mother. From there, it became difficult for him to regain his composure as he was ushered into the 'NHL Draft House' to speak virtually with Darche and his colleagues via videoconference — an inauspicious start for the new format that the league's general managers had voted to adopt this season. And while the early part of the draft definitely draws the most attention, the presentation dragged. Friday's first round ultimately clocked in at more than four hours. It took 40 minutes to get through the first three picks. The video interactions between players and teams were also repetitive and uncomfortable. Tongue-tied players did their best to express their gratitude while caught up in one of the biggest moments of their lives, while GMs attempted to offer elevator-pitch scouting reports on the players' attributes. In the past, those conversations have felt much more organic when a reporter can snag a GM off the draft floor. A general view of the stage prior to the seventh overall pick by the Boston Bruins in the 2025 NHL ... More Draft at Peacock Theater on June 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images) Perhaps the decentralized format served the general managers' objectives of keeping their targets and conversations away from their rivals. But the entertainment value suffered, and the proceedings dragged on just as we saw previously with the virtual drafts conduced by necessity as a result of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. There weren't any blockbuster trades during Round 1 itself, just some small swaps as teams moved up or down by a few positions. The format is not to blame for that outcome — the same was true in 2024. One big trade did come down in earlier in the day, and was announced during the draft proceedings: the Islanders trading 25-year-old defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the 16th and 17th picks, plus forward Emil Heineman. Amid much talk that he'd be a target of his hometown New York Islanders, James Hagens was selected ... More seventh overall by the Boston Bruins at the 2025 NHL Draft. (Photo by) There was talk that the Islanders could try to package those picks in order to trade up and snag James Hagens, the shifty Long Island-born center who has starred with the U.S. National Team Development Program and was a point-per-game freshman with Boston College in 2024-25. But Hagens was snapped up by the Boston Bruins with the seventh pick. The Islanders went with super-skilled Swedish winger Victor Eklund at No. 16 and big, gregarious two-way defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson at No. 17 — boosting their prospect pool dramatically over just a couple of hours. Mason West poses for a portrait during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine at the HarborCenter on June ... More 05, 2025 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) Arguably the biggest surprise of Day 1 came well into the fourth hour, when the Chicago Blackhawks traded up to select 6-foot-7 center Mason West out of high school hockey in Edina, Minnesota at No. 29. West rose from No. 50 to No. 27 in the rankings of North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting over the course of the season. But he's a two-sport athlete who also plays quarterback, and who made it clear that he plans to play football this fall in hopes of winning a state championship before moving on to the USHL. There's a risk for the Blackhawks because, while West says he's committed to hockey, a successful season on the gridiron could tempt him to stick with football. After his team missed the playoffs for five straight seasons and finished second-last in the league standings in 2024-25, GM Kyle Davidson determined that was a risk worth taking. The Blackhawks already have a deep prospect pool and also added to it on Friday with Swedish phenom Anton Frondell at No. 3 and hulking Czech winger Vaclav Nestrasil at No. 25. When the dust settled, 21 of the 32 picks in the first round came from the Canadian Hockey League — which will likely lean into its development roots more than ever starting next season, now that its older players have become eligible to move to the NCAA. Nine first-rounders came from the OHL including the top two picks, Schaefer and forward Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks). Nine also came from the WHL, led by big Czech defenseman Radim Mrtka at No. 9 (Buffalo Sabres). And after landing no first-round picks last year, the QMJHL rebounded with three in 2025. After finishing seventh among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings, center Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats rose to fourth overall, selected by the Utah Mammoth after their draft-lottery win. The other eleven picks came from Sweden (two, led by Frondell at No. 3), the NCAA (five, led by Hagens at No. 7), Russia (goalie Pyotr Andreyanov to the Columbus Blue Jackets at No. 20), high school hockey (West, at No. 28) and the USHL (two, led by Nestrasil at No. 25). All told, 20 Canadians were drafted in Round 1, followed by six Americans, two Swedes, two Czechs, one Russian and one Finn. Positionally, there were 14 centers, eight wingers, eight defensemen and two goalies. With the first 32 picks now in the books, there's plenty more draft action ahead. Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft kicks off Saturday at noon ET (NHL Network, ESPN+, Sportnet One).
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Hamilton-born Matthew Schaefer selected first overall at the 2025 NHL draft
Matthew Schaefer, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by the New York Islanders during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. Matthew Schaefer stood up after his name was called. The emotion of moment was too much. Thinking about the person he wished more than anything could be by his side overwhelmed the 17-year-old defenceman. His tears flowed soon after. The New York Islanders did the expected Friday, selecting Schaefer with the first pick at the 2025 NHL draft. His big moment just steps from Arena — home of the Los Angeles Kings — was also tinged with a level of sadness. The teenager's mother, Jennifer, died of breast cancer in February 2024. Schaefer, who spent two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, kissed the cancer awareness ribbon on his Islanders jersey after pulling it on, pointed to the sky and then broke down. 'I couldn't control the tears … thinking about my mom a little extra today,' said the Hamilton native. 'I know she'd be very proud. I'd love her to be here in person. But obviously cancer sucks, so she's with me in spirit. 'I know she's not suffering and she's happy, smiling down and always with me.' Schaefer had been viewed as the slam-dunk top selection for months despite not playing since December after suffering a broken collar bone while suiting up for Canada at the world junior hockey championship. His mother's passing came three months after his billet mom was struck and killed by a train in what was ruled death by suicide. Schaefer then was rocked during the world juniors when mentor and Otters owner Jim Waters died of a heart attack in December. The six-foot-two, 186-pound blueliner with elite skill at both ends of the rink joins an organization that was busy in the hours before calling his name first inside the Peacock Theater. The Islanders traded defenceman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Emil Heineman and the 16th and 17th overall picks. The San Jose Sharks then took forward Michael Misa second overall. Once the hands-down presumptive first pick in 2025, the six-foot-one, 182-pound centre from Oakville, Ont., led the entire Canadian Hockey League in goals (62) and points (134) in 2024-25 playing for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. 'It was awesome,' Misa said. 'Just a moment of relief, excitement, a little emotional with my family — they've meant so much to me and supported me.' The Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish forward Anton Frondell at No. 3. The six-foot-one, 204-pound centre had 25 points in 29 regular-season games playing against men in Sweden's second division this season with Djurgardens. Caleb Desnoyers went fourth overall to the Utah Mammoth. The centre for Moncton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League took home the circuit's playoff MVP honours after putting up nine goals and 21 assists in 19 games, helping the Wildcats reach the Memorial Cup. The St-Hyacinthe, Que., product also won the Mike Bossy Trophy as the league's top professional prospect. 'I had a great feeling with them,' Desnoyers said of the Mammoth. 'Heard a lot of great things.' The Nashville Predators then picked Brady Martin to round out the top-5. Instead of being in Los Angeles for the draft, the centre for the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds was back home working on his family farm in Elora, Ont. The Philadelphia Flyers took forward Porter Martone of the OHL's Brampton Steelheads sixth overall before the Boston Bruins picked Boston College centre James Hagens at No. 7. Jake O'Brien of the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs landed eighth to the Seattle Kraken, Radim Mrtka of the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds went ninth to the Buffalo Sabres and Roger McQueen of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings joined the Anaheim Ducks at No. 10. The 2025 showcase event marks the NHL's first decentralized draft in a non-pandemic environment — a format similar to the NFL and NBA where teams make selections remotely instead of all being in the same venue on-site. No decision has been made on how the draft will look next year, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly said earlier Friday the vote in favour of decentralization among teams this time around was 26-6. Celebrities and special guests named each pick after Schaefer, including actor Adam Sandler, who announced Hagens going to the Bruins. 'One of the coolest moments I've ever had,' Hagens said. 'It's something that doesn't feel real.' There were, however, some hiccups. Players entered the so-called 'NHL Draft Room' after getting picked to speak with their new general managers, but one example of things not going exactly according to plan came when Boston's video feed froze as Hagens was speaking to the team's brass. The Vancouver Canucks owned the highest selection among Canadian clubs at No. 15. The draft continues Saturday with rounds two through seven. The night, however, belonged to Schaefer. 'I don't usually cry as much as my dad and brother,' he said. 'My dad's like, 'Ah, you won't cry.' And then I'm kind of biting my tongue, and my name gets called, and then they start flowing. 'Happy tears … I just wish my mom could be here.' By Joshua Clipperton This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
LEAFS NOTES: Toronto not feeling a first round draft as picking starts
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman talks in front of a video of each team's remote location before the first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft at the Peacock Theater on June 27, 2025 in Los Angeles. Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images The Maple Leafs weren't out to quench any thirst for a first in Friday night's first round of the National Hockey League draft. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Having made their bed, trading the 25th pick to Chicago for Jake McCabe two years ago, they seemed ready to sleep through the opening chapter versus trading up and get back to work Saturday morning. They will have six picks in the ensuing six rounds, starting at 64th overall. General manager Brad Treliving was suggesting this week there was an equal chance the Leafs move further down the order, not higher, if another team liked a player at 64th and perhaps offers them two picks in return. It's not unheard of for Toronto to find a diamond in the rough at 64, with 1990s forward Frederik Modin and current defence prospect Topi Niemela, but any choices at that position are usually long-term projects. 'I'm just interested in the best available talent and the guy who competes and works hard,' amateur scouting director Mark Leach told reporters on Thursday of what he would seek at that spot. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. When we asked newly re-signed John Tavares where his game is at in his mid-30s, he threw his name in the ring for another shot with Team Canada at the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Tavares has played on various national sides in his career and it was a huge letdown for him not to be invited to the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. But it will have been 12 years since he won Olympic gold in 2014 at Sochi and this time he'd be nearing age 36. 'I really take a lot of pride in how I try to get better, approach the game and my craft,' he said. 'There's a tremendous amount of belief in who I am and what I can do. 'I have always stated my desire to give it every opportunity to play for Team Canada on the biggest stage at the biggest events. You hope you can earn that, There's tremendous amount of belief I have to play at an elite level and continue to evolve. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I understand I'm getting older, but I have tremendous people around me and tremendous (Leaf) resources.' KIDS' ROAD TRIP Leafs rookie camp will once again be capped by a four-team mini-tournament in Montreal. The Canadiens announced this week that their Prospect Showdown returns to the Bell Centre, Sept. 13-14. The best young Habs and Leafs will be joined by the Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets. Toronto plays the Sens at 1 p.m. on Sat. Sept. 13 and Montreal at 3 p.m. next day. Tickets from $10 in the Bell Centre's upper bowl to $25 in the lower tier go on general sale July 31. The Leafs will likely have a mini-camp at the Ford Centre preceding their trip. Development camp with their 2025 picks, those of the past few years and guest free agents who were not drafted this weekend, will be held late next week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Forwards Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, Toronto's two highest picks in 2022 and 2023, received plenty of coverage the past few years, Minten now Boston property in the Brandon Carlo trade. For Oshawa Generals defenceman Ben Danford, 2024's first rounder at 31st overall, it has been a different road. A training camp injury meant the 6-foot-2 Danford didn't really get rolling until the end of the OHL season, his production numbers dropping a bit. 'Ben's a real good player, has a really good skill set and is getting stronger every day,' said Leach. 'He had a really good playoff run (21 games), he's just a young man who needs time and maturity to play the pro game. 'It doesn't happen overnight. You're talking about a 19 or 20-year-old going up to play against men. He could take a year or two or three. We'll see how it looks when we get there.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Of course, every team craves a home-grown blueline giant. 'I do like size. Look at the playoffs,' Leach said. '(Cup-winning) Florida has a big team and you have two months of (playoff) grind. Size is a factor, but also if the kid has a big heart and a big compete level.' WELCOME TO THE FISHBOWL As for local prospects being negatively affected by developing in the much-discussed hockey media capital in Toronto, Leach just shrugged. 'Kids today are a lot more worldly than 20 years ago. They have youth hockey growing up and play all over the world. Toronto being a big market, it's no different than New York, Detroit or Florida. There were 500,000 people at their (Panthers') parade and they're always under the gun (as defending champions). 'The media, the way it is today, there's pressure anywhere they play. I haven't heard anything (negative about a player not wanting to be a Leaf draft). It's Original Six and a lot of kids want to play for a team like that. There's definitely something special about that.' Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Toronto Raptors Columnists Music Toronto Raptors Crime
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NHL Draft Tracker: Round 1 Picks, Reports, Rankings And More
The 2025 NHL draft day is here. Check out the picks and scouting reports of the first round as they come in, as well as draft rankings and much more prospect coverage. (Jump to the tracker) Want to compare the first-round results with mock drafts? Want to learn more about where your team's new addition was ranked or how they play? Want a ton of NHL draft content, no matter what? Check out our curations of draft-related content as well. Advertisement Also check out The Hockey News' Draft Preview. Not only does it feature scouting reports on the NHL draft's top 100 prospects, but it also goes further into the stories of some of the top players available, as well as team-by-team reports that cover immediate and long-term needs, cap situation, players in the system, shrewd picks and not so shrewd picks. It's worth a read whether it's during or even after the draft. After the first round, stay at and tune into our livestream. Round 1 Refresh this page for the latest updates. All height and weight information are according to NHL Central Scouting. Advertisement 1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL), 6-foot-2, 186 pounds "Thank you guys, I appreciate you taking a chance on me. I promise I won't disappoint, but especially, just want to say to my mom and all my family and friends, thanks for everything." Schaefer was in tears as he heard NHL commissioner Gary Bettman call his name and as he put on his Islanders uniform for the first time. He said they were happy tears, but he wishes his late mom was there. He started the season with mono and ended it with a broken collarbone, but in between, Schaefer established himself as the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 NHL draft. Schaefer's skating and hockey IQ are elite, and there is a sense of calm when the puck is on his stick. 'He's an exit machine,' said one scout. 'He can skate it out or pass it out, and he has the ability to control the play. I've never seen a team disintegrate the way Canada did after he got hurt in the world juniors.' (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue) New York Islanders Select Their New Foundational D-Man, Matthew Schaefer, First Overall In NHL Draft New York Islanders Select Their New Foundational D-Man, Matthew Schaefer, First Overall In NHL Draft After weeks of excitement, anticipation and speculation, the New York Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer with the first pick of the 2025 NHL draft. Advertisement 2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL), 6-foot-1, 182 pounds The CHL's leading scorer and second-leading goal-scorer was simply unstoppable until he was injured in the first round of the playoffs for Saginaw. Misa is one of the most intelligent and tactical players in the draft. His ability to read plays and exploit holes in the defensive coverage or create small advantages for himself in battles is impressive. (Tony Ferrari's final draft rankings) 3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgarden (Swe.2), 6-foot-1, 204 pounds After some debate over whether Frondell goes ahead of Misa, the Hawks get Frondell, a powerful center who boasts an excellent shot and plenty of potential as a very good two-way center. With Connor Bedard on the top line and Frondell taking the second-line center role, Chicago could look to give San Jose a run for its money for the best young center tandem in the NHL. (Ferrari's mock draft) Advertisement 4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL), 6-foot-1, 182 pounds 'He's a smart 200-foot player with really good details in his game,' said one scout. 'He's getting a ton of ice time with the best team in the league, which tells you something. He plays in all situations, big minutes and against top lines almost every night. I don't know if there are many guys in the draft as well-rounded as him. He's a guy you'd want to have on your team.' (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue) 5. Nashville Predators: Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL), Six-foot, 186 pounds Farm-boy strong, Martin is just scratching the surface, and the early returns are already impressive. He was massive for Canada at the World Men's Under-18s and carried a Soo team that didn't have a lot of other options this season. (Ryan Kennedy's final draft rankings) Advertisement 6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL), 6-foot-3, 204 pounds If you need a distillation of Martone's game, just watch the first-ever OHL Top Prospects Game this season. The power forward notched a Gordie Howe hat trick in the all-star showdown, with the goal coming as the OT-winner. 'He's a skilled guy who can play it any way you want,' said one scout. 'He's physical, he's hard to get away from the net, and he has great hands in close. He gets a lot of goals in a lot of different ways. He can handle it himself 1-on-1, or he can jam the net.' (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue) 7. Boston Bruins: James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA), 5-foot-10, 186 pounds Going into the season, many scouts projected Hagens to be the No. 1 pick. And while he didn't disappoint, he fell a bit after a slightly underwhelming offensive year. But perhaps that can be forgiven given the quality of NCAA competition. 'If Hagens had played in the OHL for London or Kitchener, would he not have scored 55 or 60 goals?' said one scout. 'You just wish he were a little bit bigger,' said another scout. 'You can be pretty confident he's going to create offense. He's performed everywhere he's been, and he'll perform in the NHL, too.' (The Hockey News Draft Preview Issue) Advertisement 8. Seattle Kraken: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL), 6-foot-2, 177 pounds O'Brien sees the ice in a way unlike just about any player in the draft class. His touch as a passer is wildly impressive, and he became a much more confident shooter this season. O'Brien simply understands how to advance play. (Ferrari's final draft rankings) 9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL), 6-foot-6, 218 pounds The Sabres desperately need a right-handed defenseman to come in and play alongside their offensively minded left-shot guys, such as Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Mrtka falls right into their laps. The big Czech defender has a very solid defensive base and some upside offensively. He fits right into what the Sabres need. (Ferrari's mock draft) Advertisement 10. Anaheim Ducks 11. Pittsburgh Penguins 12. Pittsburgh Penguins (From NY Rangers via Vancouver) 13. Detroit Red Wings 14. Columbus Blue Jackets 15. Vancouver Canucks 16. New York Islanders (from Calgary via Montreal) 17. New York Islanders (from Montreal) 18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey) 19. St. Louis Blues 20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota) 21. Ottawa Senators 22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado) 23. Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay) 24. Los Angeles Kings 25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto) 26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas via San Jose) 27. Washington Capitals 28. Winnipeg Jets 29. Carolina Hurricanes 30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas) 31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton) 32. Calgary Flames (from Florida) Back to top The 2025 NHL draft takes place in Los Angeles. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Final NHL Draft Rankings - Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ryan Kennedy's Top 100 Advertisement - Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Tony Ferrari's Top 80 - Instant Reaction: NHL Central Scouting Releases Final 2025 Draft Rankings Mock Drafts - 2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And More - 2025 NHL Lottery Mock Draft: Where Schaefer, Misa, Hagens And More Could Fall More Draft Lists - Top Shooters, Playmakers, Motors And More - Islanders, Canadiens, Penguins Hold Pivotal Points In Round 1 - Each Team's Picks And Prospect Pool Needs - Three Candidates To Be Surprising Top Five Picks - 10 Players Who Won't Go Undrafted Again Advertisement - All Draft-Eligible First And Second Teams - After Schaefer, Who Is The Next-Best Defenseman? Draft Prospect Profiles - 'Stick Tap To Mom': Matthew Schaefer Aims To Make Late Mother Proud - Misa Making History: Top Prospect's Impressive Play Has Put Him In Contention For 2025 First-Overall NHL Selection - Porter Martone Fights To Win – Literally - Meet Simon Wang, The OJHL Defenseman NHL Scouts Are Flocking To See Scouting Notebooks - NHL Draft Notebook: McKenna (2026 Draft), Desnoyers And Wang Impress In The CHL League Finals - NHL Draft Notebook: Hagens, Eklund And Osmanis Thrive At World Juniors Advertisement - NHL Draft Notebook: Schaefer, Martone, Eklund Shine Ahead Of World Juniors - NHL Draft Notebook: Highly Rated Hagens, Misa And Eklund Star Early More NHL Draft Coverage - Mailbag: Where Misa Would Rank Last Year, Hagens' Drop And More - Player A Vs. Player B: Debating Between NHL Draft Prospects Including Schaefer, Misa And Desnoyers - Goalie-Specific Scouts Change The Landscape Of Predicting A Team's Future In Net - Lessons Learned In Hindsight From Lafreniere, Raymond And The Rest Of The 2020 Draft Class - Potential No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer On Islanders Bo Horvat, Adam Pelech & Mathieu Darche Advertisement - 2025 NHL Draft WHL Prospect Profiles - Three QMJHLers That May Go First Round In The 2025 NHL Draft - New York Islanders Win NHL Draft Lottery: Who Should They Pick First Overall? - Misa And Lakovic Highlight Ferrari's 'My Guys' - The Kids Chose Violence: An Evening With The OHL's Top NHL Draft Prospects - James Hagens Takes Center Stage With Team USA Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
