Ultimate NHL Draft Recap

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The next generation of NHL players has arrived. The 2025 NHL draft class was selected through two nights filled with trades, heartfelt stories, and awkward interviews. Round one took place on Friday the 27th, while rounds 2-7 took place on Saturday the 28th. The top stories of the night came with Matthew Schaefer going #1 overall, and #10 overall, and Roger McQueen being flown out to meet 7-Time Piston Cup Champion Lightning McQueen. Let’s go through each team and review who they selected and what other moves they made.

New York Islanders

The Islanders held the first overall pick after winning the draft lottery, moving up from the tenth selection spot. Hours before the draft began, the Isles made another deal. Long Island parted ways with Noah Dobson for both the #16 and #17 overall picks from the Montreal Canadiens. With three first-round draft picks, the Islanders trademarked their future. First went Schaefer, followed by forward Victor Eklund and defensemen Kashawn Aitcheson. When Schaefer was awarded his jersey, the Islanders included a patch honoring his mother, who had passed away from cancer last year.

The Isles added four forwards in the later rounds, securing Danil Prokhorov (42nd), Luca Romana (74th), Tomas Poletin (106th), and Jacob Kvasnicka (202nd). In the 5th round, they added another defenseman, Sam Laurila (138th). In the 6th, they got goaltender Burke Hood (170th).

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks held both the 2nd and the 30th pick in round one. In the first round, they brought center Michael Misa to the Bay. With the 30th pick, San Jose surprised many by selecting a goaltender in round one. However, they got the best projected goalie of the class, Joshua Ravensbergen.

With two picks in the second round San Jose took defensemen Simon Wang (33rd) and center Cole McKinney (53rd). In the third, they took center Teddy Mutryn (95th). More defensemen came in the fourth with Ilyas Magomedsultanov (115th) and Zachary Sharp (124th) taken. Their last picks were forwards Max Heise (150th) and Richard Gallant (210th).

Chicago Blackhawks

To kick off their 100th season, Chicago held three first-round picks. At #3, they chose Swedish forward Anton Frondell. At #2,5, they added Czech forward Vaclav Nestrasil, and at #29, brought in American forward and high school quarterback Mason West.

On the second day, Chicago continued adding forward depth. They snagged Nathan Behm (66th), Julius Sumpf (98th), and Parker Holmes (107th). In the sixth they selected their first defensemen, Aston Cumby (162nd). In the seventh, they added goalie Ilya Kanarsky (194th).

Utah Mammoth

Utah won the second lottery, moving from pick #14 to pick #4. With the fourth overall pick, they selected center Caleb Desnoyers. In round two, they drafted project defenseman Max Psenicka. Likely to replace Michael Kesseling, whom they sent to Buffalo for RW JJ Peterka. Their later picks came as: forwards Stepan Hoch (78th), Yegor Borikov (110th), goalie Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko (142nd), and defensemen Ludvig Johnson (174th), and Reko Alanko (182nd).

Nashville Predators

The Predators also held three first-round picks this year, the most ever for the franchise. At #5, they chose center Brady Martin, who celebrated being picked in-between his farm work. At #21 and #2,6 respectively, Nashville welcomed forwards Cameron Reid and Ryker Lee.

In the later rounds, Smashville took some defensemen. This included Jacob Rombach (35th), Alex Huang (122nd), and Daniel Nieminen (163rd). In the second round, Nashville added to their crowded goalie room, choosing Jack Ivankovic (58th.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers were active in this draft, making multiple trades, including with rival Pittsburgh. First, the Flyers selected forward Porter Martone. Then, the Flyers moved up to #12, giving the Penguins picks #22 and #31. Here, the Flyers choose center Jack Nesbitt.

The Flyers made another move on day two, swapping picks with Seattle to move back in round two and forward in round three. It was noted because they had wanted Alexander Zharovsky at #36; however, Montreal had drafted him at #34. Nonetheless, at #38, Philadelphia pivoted to defensemen Carter Amico. A few minutes later, Philly drafted forward Jack Murtagh (40th), defensemen Shane Vansaghi (48th) and Matthew Gard (57th) to end the second round. After a long break, the Flyers brought in defensive projects Max Westergard (132nd), Luke Vlooswyk (157th), and Nathan Quinn (164th).

Boston Bruins

Adam Sandler introduced the #7 pick center James Hagens for Boston. The Bruins added center William Moore (51st) and defensemen Liam Petterson (61st) late in round two. The Bruins’ later picks included Cooper Simpson (79th), Vashek Blanar (100th), Cole Chandler (133rd), and Kirill Yemelyanov (165th)

Seattle Kraken

As previously stated, the Kraken made a trade early in the second round to draft a second-generation player. That being the son of former Dallas Star Vernon Fiddler, Blake. Unlike his father, Blake Fiddler plays on the blue line.

With the #8 overall selection, Seattle chose center Jake O’Brien. However, the rest of the draft was focused on the blue line. Defensemen Will Reynolds (68th), Maxim Agafonov (134th), and Karl Annborn (205th) were drafted. Their final pick was forward Loke Krantz (218th).

Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo was another team that has been focused on the blue line this offseason. First came the trade for defensemen Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. Next came a trade for defensemen Conor Timmins and project defensemen Isaac Belliveau. Both came from the Penguins, and they cost the Sabres a 2nd-round pick and Connor Clifton.

In the draft itself, Buffalo picked defensemen Radim Mrtka (9th), David Bedkwoski (71st), and Noah Laberge (135th). In the fourth round, they drafted forward Matous Kucharcik (103rd) and goalie Samuel Meloche (116th).

Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks are rearranging their roster, as they moved on from Trevor Zegras and John Gibson this offseason. In return, they received Ryan Poehling, Petr Mrazek, two 2nd-round picks, and two 4th-round picks. They also sent a 4th-round pick, a 3rd-round pick, and Carey Terrance to the Rangers for Chris Kreider.

In the draft, they chose center Roger McQueen (10th) and sent him to Disneyland in a helicopter. They selected center Eric Nilson (45th), defensemen Lasse Boelius (60th), center Noah Read (72nd), defensemen Drew Schock (101st), goalie Elijah Neuenschwander (104th), defensemen Alexis Mathieu (136th), winger Emile Guite (159th), defensemen Anthony Allain-Samake (168th), and winger Brady Turko (200th).

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins were quite active during draft weekend. First, they made the aforementioned pick swap trade with the Flyers and the trade with the Sabres. Next, they moved up, trading the 31st pick for the 24th pick with the Kings. Then they sent the 85th overall pick to Las Vegas for the 91st and 154th picks.

With all these moves, they drafted forwards Benjamin Kindel (11th), Bill Zonnon (22nd), and Will Horcoff (24th) in the first round. On day two, they drafted defensemen Peyton Kettles (39th), Charlton Trethewey (73rd), Brady Peddle (91st), and Quinn Beauchesne (148th). They welcomed forwards Travis Hayes (105th), Ryan Miller (130th), Jordan Charron (154th), Carter Sanderson (169th), and Kale Dach (201st). Additionally, they drafted a goalie who trained under Marc Andre-Fleury, Gabriel D’Aigle (84th).

Detroit Red Wings

Other than upgrading goaltenders, receiving John Gibson for Petr Mrazek. The Red Wings drafted Carter Bear (13th), Eddie Genborg (44th), Michal Pradel (75th), Brent Solomon (109th), Michal Svrcek (119th), Nikita Tyurin (140th), Will Murphy (172nd), Grayden Robertson-Palmer (204th).

Columbus Blue Jackets

CBJ made a surprising move in round one, being the first team to draft a goalie. They drafted defensemen Jackson Smith (14th) and goaltender Pyotr Andreyanov (20th). They had also re-signed AHL goalie Zach Sawchenko to a 2-way contract.

Day two picks were defensemen Malte Vass (76th), Owen Griffin (160th), Victor Hedin (173rd), and Jeremy Loranger (198th).

Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver made a big move before the draft. They gave up a 4th-round pick to the Oilers for Evander Kane. In round one, they drafted center Braeden Cootes (15th). In round two, they went for a netminder, choosing Aleksei Medvedev (47th). Late-round picks included centers Kieren Dervin (65th), Wilson Bjorck (143rd), Gabriel Chiarot (175th), and Matthew Lansing (207th).

Calgary Flames

Calgary was focused on developing its offense in this draft. In the first round, they selected centers Cole Reschny (18th) and Cullen Potter (32nd). Round two welcomed center Theo Stockselius (54th). Later picks included defensemen Mace’O Phillips (80th) and Jakob Leander (208th). As well as forwards Ethan Wyttenbach (144th), Aidan Lane (176th), Yan Matveiko (211st).

St. Louis Blues

The Blues had very few picks this draft but got a good selection at #19, Right Wing Justin Carbonneau. Their other picks were Mikhail Fyodorov (147th) and Love Harenstam (179th).

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa selected defensemen Logan Hensler 23rd overall. Hensler looks to pair with Jordan Spence, who Ottawa acquired from LA for the 67th pick. They double-dipped on goaltenders, selecting Lucas Beckman (97th) and Andrei Trofimov (213th). Their other picks included forwards Blake Vanek (93rd), Dmitri Isayev (149th), and Bruno Idzan (181st).

Los Angeles Kings

In the first round, the Kings moved back, trading the 24th pick to the Penguins for the 31st and 59th picks. The Kings drafted defenseman Henry Brzustewicz with the 31st pick. With the 59th pick, they drafted forward Vojtech Cihar.

LA flipped their pick from Ottawa to receive a 2025 and 2026 3rd-round pick from Carolina. Here, they drafted forward Kristian Epperson (88th). Other picks include defensemen Caeden Herrington (120th), goalie Petteri Rimpinen (152nd), and forwards Jimmy Lombardi (125th), Jan Chovan (184th), Brendan McMorrow (196th), and Will Sharpe (216th).

Washington Capitols

Preparing for Alexander Ovechkin’s last season, the Capitals are in a win-now mentality. They made two trades. First, they got Justin Sourdif from the Panthers for a 2026 2nd-round pick and a 2027 6th-round pick. Second, they got prospect D-men Declan Chrisholm and a 6th rounder from Minnesota for an AHL player and a 4th rounder.

With the 27th pick in the draft, the Capitals drafted forward Lynden Lakovic. At #37, they drafted forward Milton Gastrin. Later in the draft, they added two more forwards, Maxim Shafer (96th) and Jackson Crowder (155th). Their last pick was defenseman Aron Dahlqvist (180th).

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets had defensemen Sascha Boumedienne fall to them at pick 28. Later draft picks included forwards Owen Martin (92nd), Viktor Klingsell (156th), and Jacob Cloutier (220th), and defensemen Edison Engle (188th).

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes addressed their goaltending issue with their first pick. In the second round, they drafted Semyon Frolov (41st). Carolina had two other 2nd round picks. At #49, they selected forward Charlie Cerrato, and at #62, they got forward Ivan Ryabkin. In the 3rd round, they chose defensemen Kurban Limatov (67th) and Roman Bausov (87th). Forwards Viggo Nordlund (183rd) and Filip Ekberg (221st) also went to Carolina.

New York Rangers

After giving their first-round pick to the Penguins, the Rangers selected winger Malcolm Spence (43rd) in the second round. They added defensive pieces Sean Barnhill (70th), Artyom Gonchar (89th), Zeb Lindgren (139th), Evan Passmore (171st), and Felix Farhammar (203rd). Forwards Mikkel Eriksen (111th) and Samuel Jung (166th) also joined New York.

New Jersey Devils

With no first-round pick, the Devils made no moves and drafted where they landed. Their selections include center Conrad Fondrk (50th), winger Ben Kevan (63rd), center Mason Moe (90th), goalie Trenten Bennett (99th), center Gustav Hillstrom (114th), winger David Rozsival (161st), and defensemen Sigge Holmgren (178th).

Minnesota Wild

The Wild’s first pick was defenseman Theodor Hallquist at pick 52 in the second round. Later picks were forwards Adam Benak (102nd), Lirim Amidovski (121st), Carter Klippenstein (123rd), and defensemen Justin Kipkie (141st).

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning started in the second round with forward Ethan Czata (56th). Later picks included forwards Benjamin Rautiainen (108th) and Aiden Foster (127th), and defensemen Everett Baldwin (151st). Tampa held four 7th-round picks. First, they took goalie Caleb Heil (193rd), then forward Roman Luttsev (206th), defensemen Grant Spada (212th), and lastly forward Marco Mignosa (215th).

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas only had four draft picks in the draft. First, they took winger Jakob Ihs-Wozniak (55th) in the second. In addition, they welcomed centers Mateo Nobert (85th) and Alexander Weiermair (186th), and defensemen Gustav Sjoqvist (187th) to Las Vegas.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs held the last pick in the second round and chose forward Tinus Luc Koblar here. They added more forwards such as Tyler Hopkins (86th), William Belle (137th), Harry Nansi (153rd), and Matthew Hlacar (217th). They also added defensemen Rylan Fellinger (185th).

Colorado Avalanche

The Avs welcomed three players into their organization. The first was defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce (77th) in the third round. Later, they drafted defenseman Linus Funck (118th) and forward Nolan Roed (214th).

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers did not draft until the third round when they selected forward Tommy Lafreniere (83rd). They selected other forwards such as David Lewandowski (117th) and Aidan Park (223rd). At 131, they drafted defensemen Asher Barnett, and at 191, they selected goaltender Daniel Salonen.

Dallas Stars

Dallas also began their draft in round three, selecting forward Cameron Schmidt (94th). They added centers Brandon Gorzynski (126th) and Atte Joki (146th). Dallas secured a goalie, getting Mans Goos at pick number 158. Then the Stars ended off the draft, selecting forwards Dawson Sharkey (190th) and Charlie Paquette (222nd).

Florida Panthers

Florida started their draft in round four. Forward Mads Kongsbak Klyvo was selected 112th overall. Followed by forwards Shea Busch at 128 and Shamar Moses at 129. Winger Arvid Drott (192nd), defensemen Brendan Dunphy (197th), and goalie Yegor Midlak (224th) ended their draft.