The first of many scouting events of the 2025 NHL Draft has come and gone, it’s already that time when sites have started preparing content for the 2025 NHL Draft or started posting content already. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup has long been wrapped up with Team Canada winning gold, but it wasn’t just the draft-eligible Canadians who caught scouts’ attention.
Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini were the talk of the town in the previous two drafts. The draft attention now turns to James Hagens, an American centre projected to be the first overall pick in this upcoming draft.
Let’s take a look at my first of many draft rankings as the 2024-25 season approaches with scouting reports for the top 10.
1. James Hagens – Boston University (NCAA)
Hagens is the early favourite to hear his name called first overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He’s been a dominant player so far, registering 102 points (39G, 63A) with the National Team Development Program. He even broke Nikita Kucherov’s record for most points at the U18 World Championship with 22 points (9G, 13A) last year.
Hagens has a unique ability when it comes to his on-ice hockey IQ, he sees the game vastly different than most of his teammates and opponents. Add to the mix his creativity and intensity, opponents tend to freeze up when Hagens is barreling their way. When he’s not attacking the offensive zone with high intensity, he’s likely slowing the play down to either set himself or his teammates up for a bigger play at stake. Being a strong shooter and an equally strong playmaker, Hagens has the tools in his game to be a serious offensive threat for a long time.
2. Anton Frondell – Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
Anton Frondell is without a doubt the second-best centre in this NHL draft. He’s versatile and has shown excellence in all levels and tournaments that he’s played at up until this point in his career. He’s been dominant against his age group and has been granted opportunities to showcase his skills and strengths at the professional level in Sweden.
Frondell is out with an injury with no set timeline to return which may see him drop a little bit in the draft. While many scouts will have a buyer beware on Frondell’s report, he’s got a well-rounded game and will return stronger even in limited scouting opportunities. He’s got great confidence, a creative offensive mind, and an adaptability that is unmatched in this draft. He’s a strong defensive centre when he needs to be, he took a massive step in the 2023-24 season and became far more responsible in his overall game. This is something that many scouts will hope to see upon Frondell’s return.
3. Porter Martone – Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
It’s not every year that the top four to five players can realistically challenge for the number-one spot, Porter Martone adds to that build for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. While I had moved him from second to third from August to September, it’s still really early in the draft rankings season.
Martone was productive both in the Ontario Hockey League and at the U18 World Junior Championship. A third-place tournament finish is something to definitely boast on a top prospect resume, but it’s more than his scoring to look out for. He’s got a unique skillset combined with an incredible work ethic and competitiveness that will make him go a long way in his hockey career. Teams will utilize his heavy shot and willingness to play the dirty areas to be more physically present on the ice. Given his size and heavy presence on the ice, I’m certain Martone will be a top-three pick throughout the entire NHL draft rankings season.
4. Roger McQueen – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Roger McQueen has a big frame already, standing at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, he’s got the opportunity to become a dominant power forward and push for top-six roles with most NHL clubs. In his first game of the 2024-25 season with the Brandon Wheat Kings, he scored four goals and proved a dominant overall showing.
Given McQueen’s big size, he’s proved that his physicality, high intensity, and skill are not an issue whatsoever. There aren’t many players that can beat McQueen in a corner battle for the puck, let alone get physical with him. He’s an excellent puck protector who drives to the net and isn’t afraid to create havoc to create a dangerous scoring chance right in front of the crease. Add to the fact that he’s got a cannon of a shot and is really fast on his feet, Roger McQueen has quite an opportunity to push for a top spot in this year’s NHL draft rankings.
5. Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Michael Misa was granted exceptional status in 2022 and continued to be a strong contributor to the Saginaw Spirit. In his rookie season with the Spirit, he scored more than a point per game and then continued that scoring pace in his second season and captured a Memorial Cup. The versatile forward has such a high upside that he is going to put on display for his third season with the Spirit.
Transitioning between all three zones, Misa looks like a complete professional already. He’s added speed and agility which has been his best asset looking towards the 2025 NHL Draft rankings season. He has no issue finding open lanes and being a strong passer overall, but he has an underrated shot and needs more strength in his overall game to push for a top-three spot.
6. William Moore – USDP (NTDP)
The 2025 NHL Draft is deep with centres, William Moore is a great two-way centre who has a strong frame that many will look for in physical two-way players. He’s got a strong skillset to become a great scoring centre long-term. He’s developed well over the years and Moore has brought a level of maturity to the early days of the 2024-25 season.
At 6-foot-2 and 161 pounds, Moore needs to pack on more size given his physical play and willingness to battle in the corners. He’s played really smart which has helped him push his way to the middle of the ice. Although he may not be the flashiest because of his simple play, he’s extremely effective with his processing of plays and execution.
7. Ivan Ryabkin – MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)
Ivan Ryabkin will most certainly have a similar path to Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov as Ryabkin is one of the top available Russians in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He tore through the MHL in the 2023-24 season and will likely continue to dominate this upcoming season.
Having a strong two assists in a three-game start to his 2024-25 season run, Ryabkin will definitely jump in as the draft rankings season progresses. A relentless offensive threat, Ryabkin has a vision when he’s playing combined with an incredible pace. In addition, he’s an intense player who is not afraid to be physical whatsoever. When on the offensive rush, he’s great at driving plays and drawing in multiple defenders which has almost always led to a high danger scoring chance.
8. Logan Hensler – USDP (NTDP)
The US National Team Development Program has been a hotspot for strong development over the past few years. Logan Hensler might be one of if not the top defensive prospects available in this year’s NHL draft.
While Hensler isn’t an offensive defenseman, he’s able to score points and make himself dangerous in all three zones. He’s incredibly smart and has a quickness to his game given any sort of situation he faces and this has matured year after year. His awareness is unmatched, especially when making plays from his role. He’s able to effectively manage breakout passes and carries himself with great confidence carrying plays.
9. Charlie Tretheway – USDP (NTDP)
If you look at the 2024 NHL Draft, Stian Solberg was one of the most mobile defenders available given their physical abilities. Charlie Tretheway is a very similar player to Solberg, and he’s really strong at making himself a defender that forwards try to steer clear from.
He closes gaps effectively and is miserable to face in the corners and other tough areas on the ice given his overall physicality and intensity. He’s also incredibly strong at getting pucks on the net and has a similar confidence to his teammate, Logan Hensler when he’s carrying the puck. Like Hensler, if Tretheway can find a way to kick the basic parts of his game into high gear, he will be one of the top available defensemen in the 2025 NHL Draft.
10. Luka Radivojevic – Orebro HK (J20 Nationell)
I’ve seen Luka Radivojevic ranked as high as the top 10 and as low as 32. Luka is the son of former NHLer, Branko Radivojevic, Luka has turned himself into one of the most mobile and best offensive defensemen that teams can get in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Luka’s already found himself playing professionally which is a great step for his development and for teams looking to scout him. Combine his skating, offensive vision, and the way he’s able to make plays, he’s almost like a fourth forward which makes him far more dangerous. He’s quick and an effective passer, making his that much more lethal when he’s on the ice. He’s proved to be just so effective in the overall aspects of his game that Radivojevic might be a mid-to-late-round gem should he fall.
11. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak – Lulea HF (J20 Nationell)
12. Caleb Desnoyers – Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
13. Matthew Schaefer – Erie Otter (OHL)
14. Sascha Boumedienne – Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
15. Cullen Potter – Arizona State University (NCAA)
16. Malcolm Spence – Erie Otters (OHL)
17. Conrad Fondrik – USDP (NTDP)
18. Jake O’Brien – Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
19. Cole Reschny – Victoria Royals (WHL)
20. Jackson Smith – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
21. Cole McKinney – USDP (NTDP)
22. Justin Carbonneau – Blainville-Boisebriand Armada (QMJHL)
23. Adam Benak – Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
24. Artyom Vilchinsky – SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
25. Victor Eklund – Djurgardens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)
26. Kashawn Aitcheson – Barrie Colts (OHL)
27. Lynden Lakovic – Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
28. Bill Zonnon – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
29. Joshua Ravensbergen – Prince George Cougars (WHL)
30. Filip Ekberg – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
31. Emile Guite – Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
32. Milton Gastrin – MoDo Hockey J20 (J20 Nationell)
