Hawks take a center if they get the No. 2 pick.
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is a few months away, and many players are making a name for themselves in this year’s rankings.
With the NHL currently on break for the Four Nations tournament, and there being no changes in the standings, it is a good opportunity to look at who could be among the next crop of NHL stars.
This will be a mock draft of the top 10 spots in the upcoming draft based on the current NHL standings, so this will not take lottery changes into account.
#1. San Jose Sharks: Matthew Shaefer (Defense, OHL)
With the first overall selection, the Sharks add a high-profile defenseman to be the centerpiece of their future blueline.
Schaefer is a 6-foot-2 inch defender with strong mobility who has all but solidified himself as the top player in this class. His two-way game is his biggest asset and he projects as a future top-pair defenseman.
The Sharks have a promising young core featuring the likes of Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Sam Dickinson, Quentin Musty, and Igor Chernyshov, but adding a player like Schaefer rounds out their pool going forward.
Michael Misa becomes the first CHL player to reach 100 points this season. Absolutely exceptional. 💯 pic.twitter.com/eTtZLYB7Sf
— Saginaw Spirit (@SpiritHockey) February 13, 2025
#2. Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Misa (Center, OHL)
The consensus with this upcoming draft is that the Blackhawks will draft their running-mate for Connor Bedard, and they find that piece with Michael Misa.
Misa has been sensational this season with 46 goals and 102 points in 48 games for the Saginaw Spirit. The young forward brings NHL size (6-foot-one inch and 185 pounds) and a complete game that should translate well at the next level.
What Misa brings to the Blackhawks is stability, his high hockey IQ often results in him making the right plays and his ability to play center or wing makes him a versatile option with a sky-high offensive IQ.
Adding a player like Misa would give the Blackhawks that second high-end forward that they need, and this would make for a dynamic duo between him and Connor Bedard.
#3. Nashville Predators: James Hagens (Center, NCAA)
At the third pick, Nashville takes their future top-line center in James Hagens. Formerly the projected first-overall pick, Hagens brings a high skill level and winning pedigree to a Predators team in need of center depth.
Hagens is a freshman at Boston College with 29 points in 27 games but will likely jump into the NHL next year. Though his collegiate numbers aren’t dominant, where he is at his best has been international play where the stakes are highest.
At the World Juniors Under-18 tournament last summer, Hagens’ 22 points in 7 games set a tournament record.
The young center displays high-level playmaking and is strong on the puck, making him the perfect choice for Nashville who needs a potential game-changer in their system.
#4. Buffalo Sabres: Porter Martone (Right Wing, OHL)
The Sabres could use another star forward up-front to gain traction in the Atlantic division, and Porter Martone gives them a scoring winger who plays with an edge.
Martone is a 6-foot-3 inch winger weighing in at 207 pounds who plays a power-forward style of game with a natural scoring ability with 79 points in 41 OHL games this season. What he lacks in overall pace to his game, he greatly makes up in the scoring and physicality departments.
With Buffalo trying to get out of their rebuild, a player like Martone adds a playoff-style player to their lineup to be one of the future faces of their franchise.
PORTER MARTONE BATS IT OUT OF MID AIR 😱🚨
The #NHLDraft prospect shows off some incredible hand eye coordination to bat the puck into the back of the net out of mid air and score his 27th goal of the season to make it 4-0 for the @OHLSteelheads!#OHL | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/6Pv2qwmXH6
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 13, 2025
#5. Seattle Kraken: Radim Mrtka (Defense, WHL)
The first four picks went just as most people expected, but the Seattle Kraken went off the board with a high-riser playing right in their city for the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Mrtka is a defender who will draw lots of interest from NHL scouts, his 6-foot-6 inch and 198 pound frame along with his mobility gives him a high potential as a coveted right-handed defenseman.
After playing overseas, Mrtka has made the jump to North America look seamless with 27 points in 27 games with the Thunderbirds. His developing two-way game has taken strides in recent months which makes him the pick for Seattle who lack an abundance of prospect defenseman.
#6. Philadelphia Flyers: Caleb Desnoyers (Center, QMJHL)
The Flyers come into this draft likely looking to get a potential top-six forward to pair with Matvei Michkov going forward and find their guy in Caleb Desnoyers.
The 6-foot-2 inch centerman plays a responsible game while being able to provide offense as well. His speed, playmaking, and committed two-way game give him many likable traits that should translate well to the pro level and impress many NHL scouts come to the draft combine.
With 67 points in 44 games, Desnoyers adds a combination of size and scoring touch that would be welcomed to the Flyers organization.
Desnoyers all-around game and creativity should make him a great fit in the Flyers system as the team adds a versatile, scoring, and relaible centerman to their prospect pool.
#7. Pittsburgh Penguins: Victor Eklund (Left Wing, HockeyAllsvenskan)
For the first time in what feels like forever, the Pittsburgh Penguins will select in the top-ten. With their pick, they select skillful winger Victor Eklund.
Brother of San Jose Sharks’ forward William Eklund, Victor brings a fast-paced game with high-level playmaking abilities. With 21points in 33 games this season, Eklund is developing his game as an all-around player.
The Penguins add a Swiss-army-knife style player to their prospect pool who can be reliable at both ends of the ice and be a nice compliment to some of their aging forwards.
#8. St. Louis Blues: Jackson Smith (Defense, WHL)
In recent years, the St. Louis Blues have begun building the blue line of the future step by step. This year, they add to that group with Jackson Smith, a mobile defender whose bread-and-butter is his offensive capabilities.
At 6-foot-3 inches and 190 pounds, Smith’s combination of size and skating ability have allowed him to play to his strengths in the WHL this season. His 40 points in 52 games is a glimpse at the type of offense he can provide a team at the next level.
While defense and decision making are a work-in-progress, Smith’s high-end skating ability is a trait that makes him so intriguing as a prospect. With the tools and offensive ability already there, the Blues take a chance on a defender who could have sky-high potential if he can round out his game.
WHAT A MOVE BY MALCOLM SPENCE 😱#NHLDraft prospect Malcolm Spence secures the victory for the @ErieOtters as he makes a filthy move to score in the shootout!#OHL | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/yOrfLOLJs9
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 13, 2025
#9. Montreal Canadiens: Malcom Spence (Left Wing, OHL)
The Montreal Canadiens have taken a step forward this year in their rebuild after three consecutive seasons with top-five picks. As a future complementary piece to their forward group, they select Malcom Spence ninth overall.
Spence is a player who can do it all on the ice and has done so at every level he’s played at. His determined two-way game has made him standout at both ends of the ice while also bringing a physical edge.
With 52 points in 48 games for the Erie Otters, Spence has the scoring ability to play in a top-six role as a responsible two-way threat. Adding a player like Spence to the prospect pool will give fans a glimpse of their future forward core as is begins to take shape.
#10. Anaheim Ducks: Logan Hensler (Defense, NCAA)
To finish out the top-ten, the Anaheim Ducks select their future top-four defender in Logan Hensler.
During last year’s draft, there were rumors of the Ducks being interested in Artyom Levshunov if he was available at third overall. This time around, they get the right-shot defender they were looking for, even if the ceiling isn’t as high.
Hensler is a reliable and smart defenseman who projects to be a very solid player at the professional level. He is a strong skater with NHL size (6-foot-2 inches and 196 pounds) who may not provide a ton of offense with 11 points in 25 games for the University of Wisconsin, but is a steady presence for any team on the back-end.
