NHL Draft 2025: Predicting Where Elite Talent Will Land in 1st-Round Mock Draft

The San Jose Sharks are on track to speed up their rebuild with the addition of another top prospect.

After finishing their first season with young stars Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith at the bottom of the NHL standings, San Jose could be once again holding the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.

With Celebrini and Smith growing on offense, it could be time for the franchise to turn its attention to developing the top defensive prospects available this summer.

Here's a look at how the order could shake out when the 2025 NHL draft begins in Los Angeles on June 27.

Draft order based on lottery projection by Tankathon.

1. San Jose Sharks: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Misa, C/LW, Saginaw

3. Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C, Boston College

4. Boston Bruins: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton

5. Seattle Kraken: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton

6. Philadelphia Flyers: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgårdens IF

7. Buffalo Sabres: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City

8. Pittsburgh Penguins: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle

9. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, F, Brandon

10. New York Islanders: Brady Martin, C, Soo

11. Detroit Red Wings: Carter Bear, C/LW, Everett

12. New York Rangers: Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgårdens IF

13. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford

14. Utah Hockey Club: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw

15. Vancouver Canucks: Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver

16. Montreal Canadiens (via CGY): Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie

17. Montreal Canadiens: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie

18. Calgary Flames (via NJD): Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand

19. St. Louis Blues: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin

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

21. Ottawa Senators: Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener

22. Calgary Flames (via FLA): Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton

23. Philadelphia Flyers (via EDM): Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle

24. Nashville Predators (via TBL): Jack Murtagh, C/LW, USNDP

25. Carolina Hurricanes: Cole Reschny, F, Victoria

26. Philadelphia Flyers (via COL): Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda

27. Los Angeles Kings: Benjamin Kindel, RW, Calgary

28. San Jose Sharks (via DAL): Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor

29. Chicago Blackhawks (via TOR): Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George

30. Nashville Predators (via VGK): Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon

31. Washington Capitals: Milton Gästrin, C/LW, MoDo Hockey

32. Winnipeg Jets: William Moore, C, USNDP

The 2025 NHL draft lottery is expected to take place in early May at a date yet to be determined.

Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie

Schaefer has worked to establish himself as a top option in the upcoming draft by developing into a two-way defenseman for Erie and captaining Team Canada to gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

NHL scouts speaking to TSN's Bob McKenzie mentioned Miro Heiskanen and Rasmus Dahlin as comps for Schaefer, whose quick skating and decision-making were on display at the World Juniors prior to the broken collarbone that ended his season.

Schaefer is still recovering from the injury, for which he underwent surgery on Dec. 30. When he returns, however, he could potentially provide a defense that has allowed the most goals in the NHL this season with a mobile defenseman and penalty killer.

Michael Misa, C/LW, Saginaw

Like Connor McDavid, Misa was granted exceptional status to play in the OHL when he entered as a 15-year-old in 2023.

Misa finished his second season as the OHL's leading scorer after racking up 62 goals and 72 assists for 134 points in 65 games. He hit the 50-goal mark in just 50 games, joining Patrick Kane as the only OHL skaters to score 50 in 50 since 1997.

Misa's exceptional skating and passing has been on display in the OHL this season, and his midseason move back to center with the Spirit could help raise his draft value.

If the Sharks are drafting first, however, San Jose could decide to target a blueliner, giving the Blackhawks the chance to add another top scorer alongside Connor Bedard.

James Hagens, C, Boston College

Hagens began his college career last fall after becoming the fifth-leading producer in U.S. National Team Development Program history.

A potential top overall pick heading into his first NCAA campaign, Hagens scored 11 goals and 37 points in 37 games with BC this season. He also scored five goals and nine points in seven World Junior Championships games to help Team USA win gold.

Hagens, listed by BC at 5-foot-11, previously told The Athletic's Scott Wheeler he's been working on his play in the defensive zone and his faceoffs in order to excel at center in the NHL.

Targeting him as a potential second-line anchor could give a team like the Sharks or the Blackhawks a young center duo around which to build their top two lines.