The 2025 NHL Draft closes down the month of June as hundreds of prospects make their way to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for the First Round set for Friday, June 27. 

While there are a handful of names that are almost guaranteed to be taken in the top 10, this year's NHL Draft is unique in the sense that there's no dominant answer for who exactly will fill the top three spots out of that handful. 

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For Saginaw Spirit center Michael Misa, his name has been thrown around that discussion, and could certainly be seen as the league's next generational talent. The 18-year-old had an exceptional run during the 2024-2025 season with the Ontario Hockey League, and is projected to be the first forward taken in the Draft with little debate. 

Here's everything to know about Misa before his name is called on Friday night. 

Star Of Saginaw Spirit: Michael Misa

Misa completed his third season with the Ontario Hockey League as part of the Saginaw Spirit and arguably his most successful. He shot up from making just 29 goals across 67 games played from 2023-2024 to slamming 62 goals within 65 games this past year. 

His 134 total points on the season earned him the Canadian Hockey League Top Scorer award and set the single-season franchise record despite missing five games. He also received the Red Tilson Trophy after being voted the Most Outstanding Player in the OHL, becoming the first player from the Saginaw Spirit to accomplish the feat. 

Exceptional Status For Michael Misa

Going into the NHL Draft, Misa will be 18 years old, but he still won't be the youngest prospect in attendance. 

But Misa was once the youngest to be granted into the OHL, back in 2022. The standard minimum age that players must be to enter the OHL is 16, but Misa was given "exceptional status" at 15 to be able to play. This rule is rarely permitted, according to the OHL, having only been used on eight other players in league history. 

Misa was taken as the No. 1 pick in the OHL Draft by the Saginaw Spirit in 2022.

Is Michael Misa A Future Chicago Blackhawk?

It's pretty much confirmed that Matthew Shaefer will head to the New York Islanders as the No. 1 pick, leaving slots two and three to be a coin toss between Misa, Anton Frondell, Caleb Desnoyers, and James Hagens. 

The San Jose Sharks possess the second pick, while the Chicago Blackhawks have the third. 

During the season, Misa said he dined with the Blackhawks on multiple occasions and made a connection with scout Jim McKellar. A few reports have even mentioned that both Misa and the Blackhawks are fighting to be together, with the potential for Chicago to trade up in order to receive Misa. 

The Blackhawks would be a match made in heaven for Misa, who would play side-by-side with forward Connor Bedard, who also happened to be the previous first-year draft-eligible player to win the Top Scorer award in the CHL. 

What Channel Is The NHL Draft On? 

The first round of the NHL Draft will be aired on ESPN and begins at 7:00PM ET. The second through seventh rounds will be aired on NHL Network and ESPN+ and will begin at 12:00PM ET. 

The 2025 NHL Draft First Round Order

Find the complete list for each round here. 

Round 1

• 1. NY Islanders
• 2. San Jose
• 3. Chicago
• 4. Utah
• 5. Nashville
• 6. Philadelphia
• 7. Boston
• 8. Seattle
• 9. Buffalo
• 10. Anaheim
• 11. Pittsburgh
• 12. Pittsburgh (from VAN via NYR)
• 13. Detroit
• 14. Columbus
• 15. Vancouver
• 16. Montreal (from CGY)
• 17. Montreal
• 18. Calgary (from NJD)
• 19. St. Louis
• 20. Columbus (from MIN)
• 21. Ottawa
• 22. Philadelphia (from COL)
• 23. Nashville (from TBL)
• 24. Los Angeles
• 25. Chicago (from TOR)
• 26. Nashville (from VGK via SJS)
• 27. Washington
• 28. Winnipeg
• 29. Carolina
• 30. San Jose (from DAL)
• 31. Philadelphia (from EDM)
• 32. Calgary (from FLA)

FloHockey's Top 100 NHL Prospects

Matthew Schaefer Tops Chris Peters' Final Top 100 before the NHL Draft, see the full list here. 

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. 

Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

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