The 2025 NHL Draft Class: A Deep Dive into Prospects and Future Trends
The Evolving Landscape of Junior Hockey
The 2025 NHL Draft class has shown steady improvements as the season progresses, positioning itself closer to an average class. Despite this upward trajectory, it remains below average, with standout prospects like Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer leading the way. Schaefer, though injured, is still the top-ranked prospect and favorite to go first in the draft. His main asset is his powerful, effortless skating, which allows him to close gaps and transition up ice at an NHL level. Schaefer’s intelligence, offensive skills, and athleticism make him a projected star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL.
Tiers and Tool Grades: A New Approach to Scouting
This year, ranked players are placed into tiers and given tool grades based on a scale with six separate levels. The scale evaluates attributes such as skating, puck skills, hockey sense, and compete, with an eye toward how these tools would grade in the NHL. "Average" on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is a positive indicator. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor. This structured approach provides a clear framework for evaluating prospects and predicting their NHL potential.
Player Comparables: A Glimpse into Future Stars
For the first time, player comparables are introduced for this draft class. Comparables give readers an idea of what these prospects could realistically become in the NHL. For instance, Matthew Schaefer’s size, skill, and compete level make him comparable to top NHL defensemen like Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes. These comparisons help fans and scouts envision the future impact of these young players.
Top Prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft Class
Tier 1: The Elite
Matthew Schaefer (D)
- Strengths: Powerful skating, high-end offensive skills, intelligent defender.
- Weaknesses: Limited playing time due to injury.
- Projection: Star No. 1 defenseman.
Misa (C)
- Strengths: High-end skater, creative playmaker, strong two-way player.
- Weaknesses: Average size, decision-making.
- Projection: No. 1 center with star potential.
Desnoyers (C)
- Strengths: Tall, fast, excellent skill and playmaking ability, detailed two-way player.
- Weaknesses: None notable.
- Projection: No. 1 center who can play in any situation.
Hagens (C)
- Strengths: Dynamic skating and skill, high-end playmaker, good tempo.
- Weaknesses: Small, can stay on the perimeter.
- Projection: Play-driving top two-line center.
Martone (LW)
- Strengths: Elite skill level, creativity with the puck, strong competitor.
- Weaknesses: Pace in his game, first few steps.
- Projection: Top line scoring winger.
Tier 2: Bubble NHL All-Stars
Frondell (C/LW)
- Strengths: Smooth playmaker, dangerous shooter, hard worker.
- Weaknesses: Average size.
- Projection: Star No. 1 center.
Eklund (LW)
- Strengths: Excellent skater, creative playmaker, tenacious competitor.
- Weaknesses: Undersized.
- Projection: Top-line winger.
McQueen (C)
- Strengths: High-end offensive skills, game-breaking ability, physical play.
- Weaknesses: Consistency, production.
- Projection: Top line center.
Aitcheson (D)
- Strengths: Hyper-competitive, strong skater, good hands and hockey sense.
- Weaknesses: Decision-making with the puck.
- Projection: Top-four defenseman.
O’Brien (C)
- Strengths: High-end patience and vision, skilled with the puck, competitive.
- Weaknesses: Foot speed.
- Projection: Second-line center.
Tier 3: Top of the Lineup Players
Smith (D)
- Strengths: Powerful, fluid skater, good hands and offensive instincts.
- Weaknesses: Decision-making, defensive play.
- Projection: Quality top-four defender.
Mrtka (D)
- Strengths: Skates well, handles the puck well, good size.
- Weaknesses: Decision-making, offensive instincts.
- Projection: Second pair defenseman.
Bear (LW)
- Strengths: High-end creativity, strong skater, physical winger.
- Weaknesses: Injuries.
- Projection: Top-six winger.
Carbonneau (RW)
- Strengths: Strong skater, good puck handler, physical play.
- Weaknesses: Decision-making.
- Projection: Top-six winger.
Ravensbergen (G)
- Strengths: Athletic, smart, aggressive.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent performance.
- Projection: Potential starting goaltender.
Reid (D)
- Strengths: Dynamic skater, good puck skills and vision.
- Weaknesses: Size.
- Projection: Second-pair defenseman.
Prokhorov (LW)
- Strengths: Good hands, physical forward, direct style of hockey.
- Weaknesses: Speed, decision-making.
- Projection: Hard-to-play-against top-six winger.
Lakovic (RW)
- Strengths: Skates well, creative offensive player, good shot.
- Weaknesses: Vision, compete level.
- Projection: Top-six winger.
Future Trends in Junior Hockey
The Rise of Skating and Puck Skills
Skating and puck skills remain the most critical attributes for NHL prospects. Players like Matthew Schaefer and Misa, who excel in these areas, are projected to be top picks. The emphasis on these skills is likely to continue, as they are essential for success at the highest level.
The Importance of Two-Way Play
Two-way play is becoming increasingly important in the NHL. Prospects who can contribute both offensively and defensively, like Desnoyers and Hagens, are highly valued. This trend is expected to continue, as teams look for versatile players who can impact the game in multiple ways.
The Role of Size and Physicality
While size and physicality are still important, they are no longer the be-all and end-all. Players like Misa and Eklund, who are undersized but highly skilled, are proving that skill and intelligence can overcome physical limitations. This trend is likely to continue, as smaller, more skilled players become more prevalent in the NHL.
Comparative Analysis of Top Prospects
| Prospect | Position | Strengths | Weaknesses | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schaefer | D | Powerful skating, high-end offensive skills, intelligent defender | Limited playing time due to injury | Star No. 1 defenseman |
| Misa | C | High-end skater, creative playmaker, strong two-way player | Average size, decision-making | No. 1 center with star potential |
| Desnoyers | C | Tall, fast, excellent skill and playmaking ability, detailed two-way player | None notable | No. 1 center who can play in any situation |
| Hagens | C | Dynamic skating and skill, high-end playmaker, good tempo | Small, can stay on the perimeter | Play-driving top two-line center |
| Martone | LW | Elite skill level, creativity with the puck, strong competitor | Pace in his game, first few steps | Top line scoring winger |
| Frondell | C/LW | Smooth playmaker, dangerous shooter, hard worker | Average size | Star No. 1 center |
| Eklund | LW | Excellent skater, creative playmaker, tenacious competitor | Undersized | Top-line winger |
| McQueen | C | High-end offensive skills, game-breaking ability, physical play | Consistency, production | Top line center |
| Aitcheson | D | Hyper-competitive, strong skater, good hands and hockey sense | Decision-making with the puck | Top-four defenseman |
| O’Brien | C | High-end patience and vision, skilled with the puck, competitive | Foot speed | Second-line center |
FAQ Section
Q: Who is the top prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft class?
A: Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman from Erie, is the top prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft class. He is known for his powerful skating, high-end offensive skills, and intelligence.
Q: What are tool grades and how are they used in scouting?
A: Tool grades are a scale with six separate levels used to evaluate attributes like skating, puck skills, hockey sense, and compete. They help scouts and fans understand how a prospect’s skills translate to the NHL.
Q: What is the significance of player comparables in the draft process?
A: Player comparables give readers an idea of what prospects could realistically become in the NHL. They help fans and scouts envision the future impact of these young players.
Q: What are the future trends in junior hockey?
A: Future trends in junior hockey include the rise of skating and puck skills, the importance of two-way play, and the role of size and physicality. Smaller, more skilled players are becoming more prevalent in the NHL.
Did You Know?
Did you know? Matthew Schaefer has already overcome tremendous personal adversity in his life, making his rise to the top of the draft class even more impressive.
Pro Tips
Pro Tip: When evaluating prospects, pay close attention to their skating and puck skills. These attributes are crucial for success at the NHL level.
Reader Question
Reader Question: Which prospect do you think has the most potential to become a star in the NHL?
Answer: Matthew Schaefer has the most potential to become a star in the NHL. His powerful skating, high-end offensive skills, and intelligence make him a projected star No. 1 defenseman.
Call to Action
Call to Action: Share your thoughts on the 2025 NHL Draft class in the comments below. Which prospect do you think will have the biggest impact in the NHL? Explore more articles on junior hockey and the NHL Draft to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and prospects.