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2025 NHL Draft

NHL Mock Draft 2025: Could Anton Frondell Unseat Michael Misa At No. 2?

NHL Mock Draft 2025: Could Anton Frondell Unseat Michael Misa At No. 2?

Chris Peters unveils his latest Mock Draft, predicting all 32 picks in the first round.

Jun 21, 2025 by Chris Peters
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The NHL Draft is a week away and the craziness of the buildup is well underway. Predicting the first round is always difficult, because so much information flies around and it's hard to separate fact from fiction. With smokescreens, misdirection and other sorts of gamesmanship afoot, one can never be too sure.

This year is no different and in some cases, it might be even harder. We have a firm belief on the No. 1 pick, but conversations with scouts over the last week have suggested to me that there's at least potential for some surprises early in Round 1. Nothing is confirmed, of course, as not one team will outright say who they are going to pick. But we're hopeful that this gives you an idea.

So let's just get to it already. There will be one more mock draft before the picks start flying for real as I'll have a two-round mock coming out a few days before the first round begins on June 28.

1. New York Islanders – Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters

The Islanders could potentially be tempted to take the local boy James Hagens, but in the end, it seems as though the consensus is going to win out. Schaefer would be the team’s future No. 1 defenseman, by far its best prospect and its biggest foundational block for the future of their core. On top of that, Schaefer is a high-character player who seems to relish the spotlight and the pressure. It won't take long for fans to rally behind him.

2. San Jose Sharks – Anton Frondell, C, Djugårdens IF

Since the combine, there have been some rumblings that the Sharks could prefer Anton Frondell over Michael Misa and in recent weeks, chatter in the scouting circles is that this is more than a theory but a real possibility. Why would the Sharks pass on Michael Misa? This is not a majority opinion, but there are a few teams that seem to have the Swedish pivot ahead of Misa. There's some belief that Frondell offers a more complete game, including better defensive capabilities and has a size and strength advantage without giving away as much offense. The question among scouts waiting to see what San Jose does is if they will go against the external consensus that seems to suggest Misa is the clear No. 2 prospect. It's a fascinating discussion. In the end, I think picks 2 and 3 will ultimately be Frondell and Misa, but suddenly the order is not so certain.

3. Chicago Blackhawks – Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit

Chicago’s choice would likely be pretty simple if Frondell goes over Misa. I think Chicago would be happy to pick Frondell if the roles are reversed, but if Misa is there, that’s a second high-octane offensive performer and would give Chicago two exceptional status players in their top six with Misa and Connor Bedard. I think Misa’s got a chance to be a solid No. 2 center. But he could also be someone that rides shotgun with Bedard, with one of the two of them being the line’s center. 

4. Utah Mammoth – Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats

There’s been an awful lot of smoke about Utah taking Brady Martin and while I think that is somewhat legitimate, there’s belief they also like Caleb Desnoyers as a potential long-term No. 2 center behind Logan Cooley. Between Desnoyers and Martin, I think it’s more likely that Desnoyers stays in the middle. He is a player with winning pedigree and plays a brand that fits very well with the kind of team Utah is building. Martin does, too, but I think Desnoyers has a few more layers to his game. This is also a pick to watch for potential trades.

5. Nashville Predators – Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings

Barry Trotz has said in the past that he wants his staff to take some chances in the draft when there's a potential to go after upside. This would be taking a big swing. McQueen missed most of the year with injury, and though he says there's a clean bill of health, teams will remain cautious. I just wonder if the opportunity to draft a skilled 6-foot-5 center who could have been a top prospect in this draft when healthy is too tantalizing for Nashville to pass up. This is a pick to watch for sure.

6. Philadelphia Flyers – Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs

The Flyers are building an impressively skilled team with a number of high-end producers led by Matvei Michkov. They need a center in a bad way. I think Brady Martin could be a strong consideration here, but Jake O’Brien’s offensive profile, to me, suggests a better fit for someone to play alongside Michkov. O'Brien is a tall center who has room to fill out and thinks the game at a high level. He’s a legitimate shot-pass threat, just like Michkov, and at least has a chance at growing into a No. 1 center due to his offensive ceiling. I think O'Brien's ability to share the puck as he did in Brantford is good evidence he can help maximize a linemate like Michkov.

7. Boston Bruins – Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds

The Bruins still have a core intact with David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy being the guys to build around. They don’t necessarily need a foundational piece, but adding a player that fits their identity wouldn't hurt. Martin is the hard-nosed, but still skilled forward that could potentially be a long-term No. 2 center or even could swing to the wing and be more of an aggressive F1 heat-seeking missile. There is talk he will go in the top five and I think it's legitimate. That said, I think Martin is more of a secondary piece for a contending team than a centerpiece. The Bruins would probably be able to bring him into their mix soon and be very happy about the direction of your franchise. I think James Hagens and Porter Martone would be strong considerations here for Boston, too.

8. Seattle Kraken – Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads

Seattle needs a premium defense prospect at some point, but if Martone does slip this far – and that is far from a guarantee – he is going to be right in the mix. The Kraken have center prospects all over the place, but they still need to increase their overall offensive output. Martone is a legitimate playmaking wing with scoring pop. He also brings size to the table, which Seattle can use. With Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Berkly Catton and Martone in their mix, that’s the start of a top six with some legitimate offensive potential. I think Hagens should get strong consideration here, too, but the question will be if Seattle feels more comfortable with what they already have down the middle.

9. Buffalo Sabres – James Hagens, C, Boston College

I'm not sure if the Sabres could possibly be this lucky. Even though they've been drafting on the smaller side of late the last few years, I think Hagens would quickly ascend to being the best player of that group. If you've seen my rankings, you know I think the Hagens slide is ridiculous. I'm not sure if he'll slip this far, but if he does, it should be an easy decision for Sabres brass. Just make sure you give him the time to develop some more and not rush the process as it seems the Sabres have done too much in recent years. I think the Hagens watch is very likely going to begin at No. 5.

10. Anaheim Ducks – Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts

The Ducks have a lot of sandpaper, but they can always add more. When Radko Gudas hangs up the skates, Kashawn Aitcheson might be his heir apparent, with a bit more offensive touch. Aitcheson scored 26 goals this season in the OHL, but he also was one of the more feared hitters among defensemen in the league. He’s not huge, but he makes everyone know he’s there. With where the Ducks are in their development as an organization, they can draft a bit more for fit and role. Aitcheson could be a fit.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins – Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans

The Penguins have a lot of good options at No. 11, but Jackson Smith might be more their speed. He has a bit more offensive pop than say a Radim Mrtka, and still has size too. The Penguins need everything and in this range, the best value may lie with the defensemen, unless they like Victor Eklund as much as I do. That would also be a strong pick in this range, too.

12. New York Rangers – Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds

The Rangers have needs in a lot of different areas, but continuing to build up their defense corps seems like the best option in this range and they should be thrilled to land a 6-foot-6, right-shot defenseman who has some raw talent and a spectacularly high ceiling.

13. Detroit Red Wings – Victor Eklund, LW, Djugårdens IF

The Red Wings are just outside of the range to land one of the top centers and defensemen, but considering their affinity for Swedish and Sweden-based players, the value of landing Eklund at 13 would probably be too good to pass up. He is quick, aggressive and skilled, fitting right into the kind of team Detroit is building.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets – Justin Carbonneau, LW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

Carbonneau is a player I’m watching to potentially land a little earlier as he has such tremendous skill with a physical profile that makes him harder to play against. He has real goal-scoring potential and that power game would benefit Columbus with what they’re building within their system right now.

15. Vancouver Canucks – Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds

Cootes gives you a little bit of everything and I could see some Vancouver fans being reminded some of Bo Horvat. Cootes has true two-way value and though his production wasn’t spectacular in the WHL this season, he does have skills that make me think he can be a top-six center at the next level, likely a solid No. 2.

16. Montreal Canadiens (via CGY) – Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors

The Habs can get both bigger and more skilled in the same pick if they want to take Lakovic. The one downside that scouts have voiced on Lakovic is that they’d like to see him bring more edge to his game. That said, there aren’t a ton of 6-foot-4 wingers with the kind of hands Lakovic has flashed this season.

17. Montreal Canadiens – Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals

After going a bit bigger with the first pick, Montreal could land one of the more cerebral players in this draft. Reschny has outstanding vision and puck skills. He played his best hockey in the toughest games of the season and has good competitive drive. He is 5-foot-10, and Montreal has some slight forwards, but with what else they are insulating them with, I think Reschny could be a very solid value buy at 17 given his skill level. I could see Montreal also considering a defensemen if they like any of the next tier enough.

18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils) – Carter Bear, C/W, Everett Silvertips 

Bear has been dealing with a partial laceration to his Achilles since late in the season, but is on the road to recovery. I’m not certain he will fall this far, but if he does, the Flames should consider jumping at this pick. Bear is a proven scorer with a little bit of griminess in his game. He had 40 goals in the WHL before the injury.

19. St. Louis Blues – Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers

The Blues have been building up a solid foundation of prospects, but they don’t have a puck mover quite in the mold of Reid. The 6-foot defenseman moves really well and thinks the game at a high level. I’ve heard a lot of positive things from scouts about Reid’s rise and their feeling that he is towards the top of the next group of defensemen.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via MIN) – Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University

This would be both a good story and potentially a good pick. Boumedienne played the last portion of his youth hockey in Columbus while his father Josef worked for the Blue Jackets. Coming in at 6-foot-2 with room to fill out, Sascha is one of the very best skaters among defensemen in the draft and could be a nice fit within a blue line that will have Denton Mateychuk joining full-time soon. 

21. Ottawa Senators – Milton Gästrin, C, MoDo U20

The Senators have some good centers at the NHL level, but they’re a bit thinner on their next generation of pivots. Gästrin would be a good option to address that. He’s a strong center, who skates well enough even if it’s not the prettiest stride. He also plays well down low and has good enough hands to make plays in tight. He was the captain of Sweden’s U18 team and clearly a reliable player at both ends of the ice.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (via COL) – Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin

After addressing the severe center need earlier, the Flyers can get a little size and mobility on their blue line by picking Hensler. Though Hensler’s offensive upside is unclear still, his skating, ability to defend and the potential he is still reaching while in college strike me as a good overall package for a the kind of player Philly can add to a blue line that needs a little more of that.

23. Nashville Predators (from TBL) – Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings

A 6-foot-4, right-shot American defenseman, born in Nashville while dad Vern was playing for the Preds? After taking the big swing on a center early, the Preds can take a look at the blue line. Fiddler still has a ways to go in his development, but his size and mobility combo are great traits to bring to the table for an organization that has traditionally developed defensemen exceptionally well.

24. Los Angeles Kings – Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires

After drafting big Liam Greentree last year, the Kings are in a spot where they could land his even bigger teammate Jack Nesbitt, who checks in at 6-foot-4 and still growing into his body. Nesbitt is a force at the net front and down low, but lacks excellent skating which could give teams pause. He’s been a little polarizing, but teams are seeing a 6-foot-4 center with a bit of scoring pop and that speaks to a lot of teams, possibly enough for Nesbitt to go even higher.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (from TOR) – Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters

The Blackhawks can get a little bigger up front here with Spence, who measured in at a hair under 6-foot-2. He’s an aggressive forechecker, a player who doesn’t shy away from the hard areas and someone who gives you a bit of bite up front, but he can also score. I don’t know if the offense is clear top-six, but I think he could be a very effective third-line energy winger with secondary scoring ability.

26. Nashville Predators (from SJS via VGK) – Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars

The Preds traded away Yaroslav Askarov at the player’s request last summer and don't have a deep pool of prospects at the position. The timeline didn’t work for him to unseat Juuse Saros. Meanwhile, Ravensbergen has long been the consensus No. 1 goalie prospect. That said, I’ve heard rumblings that some teams are actually higher on Russian goalie Semyon Frolov. Either one could make sense for the Preds here with their third pick in the first round.

27. Washington Capitals – Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg

A 6-foot-6 forward who hits and scores, Prokhorov is one of the most intriguing players in the draft, and one that is very likely to go late enough for a team like the Caps to take a chance here. They’ve drafted some smaller guys, but have also seen a lot of solid returns on making bets on big guys with upside including both Protas brothers. Prokhorov is unrefined and will need to clean up elements of his game and I would expect a team with success in Russia to be interested in taking another chance on a massive ceiling.

28. Winnipeg Jets – Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

The Jets have had some tough prospect luck in recent years with Rutger McGroarty asking out and Chaz Lucius having to medically retire. They’ve also swung and missed on a few guys, but I think in this range, Zonnon may give them the best of all worlds. He’s a quick player with size and scoring ability, but there’s still so much raw potential in the player who has shown tremendous growth year over year.

29. Carolina Hurricanes – Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State

The Hurricanes are always big on tools and less concerned about size. Potter may be the best skater in the draft, with the quickness and multi-directional skating that can allow him to find a role in the NHL. Picking this late in the first round, there are so many possibilities. The most likely scenario, in all honesty, is that Carolina trades down as they’ve loved stockpiling picks. I also wonder if this could be a trade chip for a potential bigger deal if they can find something that helps sooner as they continue chasing a Stanley Cup.

30. San Jose Sharks (via DAL) – Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights

The Sharks have gone heavy on forwards at the draft and while they have a blue-chip D prospect in Sam Dickenson, adding more puck-moving strength to their back end will be useful. It just so happens they can add Dickinson’s frequent D partner in this range. Of the defensemen remaining, Brzustewicz seems to possess the most potential.

31. Philadelphia Flyers (via EDM) – Will Horcoff, C, Michigan

Will Horcoff, whose dad Shawn played over 1,000 games in the NHL, has a lot of the qualities the Flyers should like. He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s physical and he’s got enough scoring touch to make some plays near the net. The offensive upside is not fantastic and Horcoff could stand to improve his mobility some, but there’s evidence he’s just scratching the surface of the player he can become. With him still on the board, and I’m not sure he will be anymore at this range, it makes sense to add some size to the group up front.

32. Calgary Flames (via FLA) – Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen

Kindel is a crafty, fun player to watch with good skill and high-end playmaking ability. He had 99 points in the WHL last season right under the same roof as the Flames. Some believe he could slip into the second round because of his size, but I wonder how Calgary would stomach letting such an offensive performer go by them in a year where there are so few players in this range that had similar seasons.

FloHockey's Top 100 NHL Prospects

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