The 2025 NHL Draft opened Friday, June 27, with teams across the league making key selections to shape their future rosters. Front offices emphasized youth, potential and long-term development, with scouts and executives closely watching how the first round unfolded. 

The annual event continues to serve as a pivotal moment for rebuilding franchises and playoff contenders alike, offering a chance to add foundational pieces.

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 As expected, several top prospects came off the board early, drawing attention from fans and analysts around the league. 

Here's analysis on the Columbus Blue Jackets' second 2025 NHL Draft first-round pick.

No. 14 Columbus Blue Jackets Select: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans

Scouting Report

With a good athletic profile including strong skating, a 6-foot-4 (after the combine measurement) frame and some skill, Smith is an intriguing talent. There are legitimate questions about his hockey sense that come from his ability to finish plays effectively and with precision. His puck decisions can also leave some to be desired. That said, Smith defends quite well with an ability to close gaps quickly and thwart rushes with his skating and length. He has all of the physical tools to be an impactful defenseman, but he will have to work on his puck decisions and processing speed in order to reach his full potential.

Instant Analysis

Smith is a tall, rangey defenseman who has produced points as a strong puck mover. At almost 6-foot-4 and excellent skating, he adds a different element to the Columbus blue line. Smith is going to Penn State next year, which I think will be very good for his development. He needs to work on making tougher decisions under pressure and being a bit more accurate with some of the plays he tries to make. He was my No. 4 defenseman in this class, but I see so much upside in the player due to his athletic profile. He was No. 16 on FloHockey's Top 100. 

The 2025 NHL Draft Order

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. NY Islanders (From MON via CGY)
• 17. NY Islanders (From MON)
• 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)

Round 2

• 33. San Jose
• 34. Chicago
• 35. Nashville
• 36. Philadelphia
• 37. Washington (from BOS)
• 38. Seattle
• 39. Buffalo
• 40. Philadelphia (from ANA)
• 41. Montreal (from PIT)
• 42. NY Islanders
• 43. NY Rangers
• 44. Detroit
• 45. Anaheim (from CBJ via PHI)
• 46. Utah
• 47. Vancouver
• 48. Philadelphia (from CGY)
• 49. Montreal
• 50. New Jersey
• 51. Boston (from STL via PIT and EDM)
• 52. Minnesota
• 53. San Jose (from OTT)
• 54. Calgary (from COL via WSH)
• 55. Nashville (from TBL)
• 56. Tampa Bay (from LAK)
• 57. Seattle (from TOR via UTA and TBL)
• 58. Vegas
• 59. Pittsburgh (from WSH)
• 60. Anaheim (from WPG via NJD)
• 61. Boston (from CAR via COL)
• 62. Chicago (from DAL)
• 63. New Jersey (from EDM via UTA)
• 64. Toronto (from FLA)

Round 3

• 65. Vancouver (from SJS via VGK and NYR)
• 66. Chicago
• 67. Nashville
• 68. Philadelphia
• 69. Boston
• 70. NY Rangers (from SEA)
• 71. Buffalo
• 72. Anaheim
• 73. Pittsburgh
• 74. NY Islanders
• 75. Detroit (from NYR via UTA)
• 76. Detroit
• 77. Columbus
• 78. Utah
• 79. Montreal (from VAN)
• 80. Calgary
• 81. Montreal
• 82. Montreal (from NJD)
• 83. Edmonton (from STL)
• 84. Pittsburgh (from MIN via PHI and NSH)
• 85. Pittsburgh (from OTT via STL)
• 86. Toronto (from COL via NSH and SJS)
• 87. Carolina (from TBL)
• 88. Los Angeles
• 89. NY Rangers (from TOR via ANA)
• 90. New Jersey (from VGK)
• 91. Vegas (from WSH)
• 92. Winnipeg
• 93. Washington (from CAR)
• 94. Dallas
• 95. San Jose (from EDM)
• 96. Ottawa (from FLA)

Round 4

• 97. Ottawa (from SJS)
• 98. Chicago
• 99. New Jersey (from NSH)
• 100. Boston (from PHI via TOR)
• 101. Anaheim (from BOS via DET)
• 102. Seattle
• 103. Buffalo
• 104. Anaheim
• 105. Pittsburgh
• 106. NY Islanders
• 107. Chicago (from NYR)
• 108. Montreal (from DET)
• 109. Columbus
• 110. Utah
• 111. NY Rangers (from VAN via COL)
• 112. Florida (from CGY)
• 113. Montreal
• 114. New Jersey
• 115. San Jose (from STL via CBJ)
• 116. Buffalo (from MIN via ANA)
• 117. Vancouver (from OTT via EDM)
• 118. Colorado
• 119. Detroit (from TBL)
• 120. Los Angeles
• 121. Minnesota (from TOR)
• 122. Vegas
• 123. Washington
• 124. San Jose (from WPG via DAL)
• 125. Carolina
• 126. Dallas
• 127. Tampa Bay (from EDM)
• 128. Florida

Round 5

• 129. Florida (from SJS)
• 130. Pittsburgh (from CHI via TOR and WSH)
• 131. Nashville
• 132. Philadelphia
• 133. Boston
• 134. Seattle
• 135. Buffalo
• 136. Anaheim
• 137. Toronto (from PIT)
• 138. NY Islanders
• 139. NY Rangers
• 140. Detroit
• 141. Minnesota (from CBJ)
• 142. Utah
• 143. Vancouver
• 144. Calgary
• 145. Montreal
• 146. Dallas (from NJD)
• 147. St. Louis
• 148. Pittsburgh (from MIN via NYR)
• 149. Ottawa
• 150. San Jose (from COL)
• 151. Tampa Bay
• 152. Los Angeles
• 153. Toronto
• 154. Vegas
• 155. Washington
• 156. Winnipeg
• 157. Philadelphia (from CAR)
• 158. Dallas
• 159. Anaheim (from EDM)
• 160. Florida

Round 6

• 161. New Jersey (from SJS)
• 162. Chicago
• 163. Nashville
• 164. Philadelphia
• 165. Boston
• 166. NY Rangers (from SEA)
• 167. Buffalo
• 168. Anaheim
• 169. Pittsburgh
• 170. NY Islanders
• 171. NY Rangers
• 172. Detroit
• 173. Columbus
• 174. Utah
• 175. Vancouver
• 176. Calgary
• 177. Montreal
• 178. New Jersey
• 179. St. Louis
• 180. Minnesota
• 181. Ottawa
• 182. Nashville (from COL)
• 183. Carolina (from TBL)
• 184. Los Angeles
• 185. Toronto
• 186. Vegas
• 187. Vegas (from WSH)
• 188. Winnipeg
• 189. Carolina
• 190. Dallas
• 191. Edmonton
• 192. Florida

Round 7

• 193. Tampa Bay (from SJS)
• 194. Chicago
• 195. Buffalo (from NSH)
• 196. Los Angeles (from PHI)
• 197. Chicago (from BOS)
• 198. Seattle
• 199. Buffalo
• 200. Anaheim
• 201. Pittsburgh
• 202. NY Islanders
• 203. NY Rangers
• 204. Detroit
• 205. Columbus
• 206. Tampa Bay (from UTA)
• 207. Vancouver
• 208. Calgary
• 209. Montreal
• 210. San Jose (from NJD)
• 211. Detroit (from STL)
• 212. Tampa Bay (from MIN)
• 213. Ottawa
• 214. Colorado
• 215. Tampa Bay
• 216. Los Angeles
• 217. Toronto
• 218. Columbus (from VGK)
• 219. Buffalo (from WSH via SJS)
• 220. Winnipeg
• 221. Carolina
• 222. Dallas
• 223. Edmonton
• 224. Florida

How To Watch The 2025 NHL Draft

The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft will be televised exclusively on the NHL Network as well as ESPN and ESPN+ beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 27. Rounds 2-7 will be on NHL Network and ESPN+. 

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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