LOS ANGELES – The insanity of NHL Draft day has already begun. With trades and all kinds of rumors and speculation, it is near impossible to cut through it all. 

• Subscribe To FloHockey To Watch Hockey All Year Long
• 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Matthew Schaefer Tops Chris Peters' Final Top 100
• FloHockey's 2025 NHL Mock Draft
• FloHockey's NHL Draft 2025 Coverage

Still, we’re going to do our best on the mock draft. I can tell you one thing is certain: Uncertainty. There is such little idea of how things can go even after the first overall pick. We know who we think teams like, but there could be another player there that changes the dynamic of the decision.

So when I say I couldn’t feel less comfortable about a mock draft, I mean it. I have had multiple messages from scouts preparing for today who have said "after No. 3, we have no clue how it's going to go."

NHL Draft 2025 Live Updates, Pick Tracker & Prospect Analysis

So I was doing all the work today to try to give you the very best info I could at the last hour and strive for accuracy. However, the New York Islanders got two first-round picks from the Montreal Canadiens for Noah Dobson and it rendered the second half of the board moot. 

So I had to start over and in the interest of getting this out to you, I had to strip down the information a little bit.

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

The Isles land a No. 1 defense prospect and a guy they can potentially build around. The Isles traded Noah Dobson, so there is a lot riding on Schaefer. What will be interesting is to see if the Isles can get back into a high enough position to take local boy James Hagens and complete one of the best Hollywood stories you could ask for on draft day. The Schaefer and Hagens jerseys will be flying off the shelves on Long Island.

2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit

Even as late as yesterday, on our podcast, all of the intel pointed to Anton Frondell being the likely pick as San Jose was rumored to value the all-around game of the Swede more. Multiple sources this morning were less convinced. What I can tell you is no one knows for sure. The debate is definitely between Frondell and Misa and the concern is that they leave too much scoring potential on the table if they don’t take the Saginaw Spirit center. I’ve never been less comfortable, but this is where my gut takes me this morning.

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C, Djugårdens IF

If the Blackhawks don’t get Misa, they will be happy to select Frondell who will slot into their top six of the future with one of the draft’s very best shots and a commitment to two-way play. The Hawks need a heavy center with some size, who can play in all three zones and that’s what they’d get with Frondell. I also think Frondell's offensive potential has been somewhat underrated this season, at least in the public sphere.

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

The Mammoth have a need to support their dynamic top six with some good two-way skill. Desnoyers is probably the best among two-way centers. His motor, compete and good-enough size will help the Mammoth. He’s an idyllic No. 2 center.

5. Nashville Predators: Porter Martone, LW, Brampton Steelheads

The word is that Nashville wants to get bigger. My last mock had Roger McQueen here, but I do think more teams are a little less confident in his health report. The Preds really could use a center and I could see them potentially going after any one of the guys that follow on this list, but I think Martone has the most compatible package of what they’re looking for.

6. Philadelphia Flyers: James Hagens, C, Boston College

Some believe Brady Martin could be the second coming of Mike Richards in Philly and there’s definitely a lot of love there for the player, but I think the Flyers are somewhat averse to leaving too much scoring pop on the table. Hagens is an elite playmaker who may lack size, but he can drive play. He met with the Flyers in Philadelphia and while I think Martin has a serious shot to go here, the late lean is Hagens.

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

A physical player who will bring some identity to the next generation of Bruins forwards, Martin has fan-favorite potential with both his ability to lay the big hit, but also to score. I keep hearing Martin won't get past seven and I believe it.

8. Seattle Kraken: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds

The Kraken have not drafted a premium talent on the blue line yet. This could change that. I think Mrtka is a fit for what they're building after going heavy on centers in earlier drafts. I do think Jake O'Brien would be an option here, but I also think there are few chances to upgrade the blue line and this is a golden one for Seattle.

9. Buffalo Sabres: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs

O'Brien is a tantalizing prospect with high-end skill and creativity. He's 6-foot-2 with room to tack on muscle and more weight. I think this is a pick Buffalo could potentially trade for something more immediate, but if O'Brien is available, it's good value at No. 9.

10. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings

I think Anaheim would be where the McQueen slide stops only because they have the system that is best insulated against the risk that McQueen poses. I think the high upside is there for Pat Verbeek to take the swing, knowing they have such a strong young core already. Keep an eye on this pick for trade options though.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts

12. Pittsburgh Penguins (VAN/NYR): Victor Eklund, LW, Djugårdens IF

Penguins Notes: I think there’s more movement coming from the Penguins and they’ll be a team to watch. I do think Aitcheson, Eklund and others like Jackson Smith or Roger McQueen, if he slips to them, would be potential options. There is also some smoke that the Penguins will look to trade up further for one of the more premium prospects if they can.

13. Detroit Red Wings: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans

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

16. New York Islanders (via MTL/CGY): Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips

17. New York Islanders (via MTL): Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin

Islanders Notes: After trading Noah Dobson, I’m trying to think of ways this helps them get into a range where they could land local boy James Hagens. To be honest, I’m not sure exactly how they do it, but this trade definitely makes it seem like they’re going to try. What a story that would be.

18. Calgary Flames (via NJD): Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals

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

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via MIN): Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors 

21. Ottawa Senators: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires

22. Philadelphia Flyers (via COL): Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters

23. Nashville Predators (via TBL): Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University

24. Los Angeles Kings: Will Horcoff, C, Michigan

25. Chicago Blackhawks (via TOR): Milton Gästrin, C, MODO U20

26. Nashville (via VGK/SJS): Semyon Frolov, G, Spartak Moscow U20

NOTE: I do think goalies are going to go in the first round today, but I don't have clarity on which ones. I have heard repeatedly of late that Russian goalies Semyon Frolov and Pyotr Andreyanov have popped up as potential options over consensus top goalie Joshua Ravensbergen. Keep an eye out for how this one goes.

27. Washington Capitals: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings

28. Winnipeg Jets: Benjamin Kindel, C/W, Calgary Hitmen

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

30. San Jose Sharks (via DAL): Václav Nestrašil, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks

31. Philadelphia Flyers (via EDM): Daniil Prokhorov, RW, St. Petersburg U20

32. Calgary Flames (via FLA): Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

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.

Watch the AHL, ECHL, USHL, And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook