2025 NHL Draft Evaluations

These are currently based on what teams have done to improve in their own way. I love the draft, favourite time of the year because I love seeing how teams plan going forward and what the future of the NHL holds. This year I didn't get lots of picks right in my mock drafts, and as the draft continued I was continuously wrong. And for some fans and players sake hopefully I am too.

Anaheim Ducks - They did some excellent moves, such as the Gibson to Detroit trade given that they need to shake the team up. But I'm big on Roger McQueen, I personally think in redrafts he goes higher. They had a lot more picks this season given all the trades, but I think they could do better. Grade: C.

Boston Bruins - They made awesome picks with Hagens, Moore, Simpson, Pettersson, and when they go into a rebuild I think they have potential to bounce back into a contending team. Grade: A.

Buffalo Sabres - I didn't think they'd take Radim Mrtka as he's not the kind of player who fits the Sabres, but I am intrigued to see how it goes. But the one pick I like is the Samuel Meloche one, as he played awesome for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and the other one I believe to be a steal is Melvin Novotny who put up 38 points in 41 games with Leksands IF Jr. and put up 10 points in 11 games the season. But I would like to see Buffalo be a good team again, but they got lots of work to do. Grade: B-.

Calgary Flames - The pick that impressed me the most is the Stockselius pick-up in the second-round as he has potential to be a number one centre, but the other ones that are also impressive are Aidan Lane and Ethan Wyttenbach, but with the Potter and Reschny picks this is showing Calgary is going down an offensive route which is the right direction which is why Craig Conroy has been great for Calgary so far. Grade: A+.

Carolina Hurricanes - Now, it's not easy when you draft in the later rounds, and I think Carolina did it best as they take hidden gems and Tulsky has shown he's a well-rounded GM, I like the picks of Frolov, Cerrato, Ryabkin, Limatov, Bausov, and Ekberg given they managed to get all those good prospects without a first-round pick is extremely impressive. Grade: A+

Chicago Blackhawks - They had an awesome first round adding both size and skill which I think will improve the Blackhawks, but let's talk about the Julius Sumpf pick as I don't understand why he was still available in the fourth round. Also, Nathan Behm who has all the tools. But I think Chicago was one of the best teams in this draft. Grade: A.

Colorado Avalanche - For a team with three draft picks they did well with all three. I was unimpressed to see three picks there, but I think Joe Sakic found three potential full-time NHLers. Grade: A+.

Columbus Blue Jackets - I think they found what they were looking for, took Jackson Smith who I think will be a good NHLer one day. But the one that shocked me was taking Andreyanov with the 20th pick, I think Columbus should've traded down to take him if you ask me and get something extra with it. But I liked the Jeremy Loranger pick. Grade: D+.

Dallas Stars - I trust in what the Stars are doing as they're known to be finding steals in the draft, but I still believe they can afford to trade more draft picks. But I think the best pick of them all was Cameron Schmidt as he has potential to be one of those players who becomes a big steal and a world junior star. Grade: B.

Detroit Red Wings - I think they should have done better, Ethan Bear might have been their best pick of them all. Wonder if Yzerman needs the scouting. Grade: F.

Edmonton Oilers - I didn't quite agree with them trading this years' first for the first this year, if you ask me a pick like that should be traded for help to win them a cup. But the picks they made looked like they were picked by AI, but I think the best pick Edmonton made was Aidan Park. Grade: D-.

Florida Panthers - Now, when you're a full-on contender like Florida you trade to get better which is why they don't have a first-rounder this draft. But when you look at it, the picks they made in this draft were more geared towards the direction of building a good foundation in the minors and if you're the general manager of a great team like Florida, taking risks isn't necessarily a bad thing given you won back-to-back cups. The pick I like the most here is Arvid Drott, as I think he may have potential to be a great player in this league offensively. Grade: C-.

Los Angeles Kings - Hosting a draft means you gotta get the fans excited, and that's what the Kings did with their draft picks. I like the Brzustewicz pick given for like I said Doughty retiring they have a player developed at that time who can step up. But the two picks they did the best with are Epperson who is both a physical and offensive player, and Sharpe who I believe is making the NHL full-time and will be one of the biggest steals of the draft. Grade: A.

Minnesota Wild - I liked the Benak pick, but their other picks looked lazy as much I'm aware they were scouted. Grade: F.

Montreal Canadiens - I do personally believe trading for Dobson is smart, and I said this before but Montreal is not really a team to develop prospects anymore as they're pretty much almost in win mode. But what it looks they're trying to make the fastest team in the league with the same mindset which I love, and the goaltending in Cournoyer who has size and a good record. But the pick which is most impressive is LJ Mooney. Grade: A.

Nashville Predators - They did a great job with the picks they made, even with such little draft picks. Barry Trotz had lots of criticism from last season from the contracts they handed out that had disappointed, but he is one of the best at finding good young players. Grade: A-.

New Jersey Devils - I don't think they did too bad, but I think they looked to pick random names out of a hat rather than focus on building for the future. Grade: D-.

New York Islanders - I think they put on the best show at the draft, picking the replacement for Dobson in Schaefer, adding a right wing in Eklund, Aitcheson who could either be paired with Schaefer or on the other pairing where it gives the Islanders a more promising blue line going forward. Matthew Darche showing he can build a team similar to how he helped build the prospect pool in Tampa deeper, picking various prospects but the one I like is Burke Hood given he played a big role for the Vancouver Giants last season and next year I think he has a great season. Grade: A.

New York Rangers - Their picks this year were excellent given they had no first-rounder, I mean sure all of us can agree Malcolm Spence was their best pick, but one I really see lots of potential in is Mikkel Eriksson. Grade: B+.

Ottawa Senators - It's been known in their history to trade up or down even picks, and they did that with Logan Hensler which I thought was smart because he's an ideal Ottawa Senator. But the pick that impressed me the most was going in the direction of drafting a Croation player in Bruno Idzan, who I believe should've gone second round. But the Lucas Beckman pick was impressive too. Grade: A-.

Philadelphia Flyers - They got all the pieces they need for the future which puts them right in the direction of them being a contender again, but I think they should focus on a future potential goaltender going forward because that's what seems to set them back. But all that to say, I think they got one of the brightest futures in the NHL. Grade: A.

Pittsburgh Penguins - Dubas in my opinion is the most overrated GM in the league, or maybe he does do something right behind the scenes that ownership likes. I like the addition of more offensive prospects like Kindel, Zonnon, Horcoff, but I believe they're biggest steals here are Travis Hayes and Kale Dach. Grade: A.

San Jose Sharks - I was baffled on the Simon Wang pick, given he has little OHL experience, but I guess he may be on the bottom pairing, but gives me Logan Stanley vibes. I mean, I think he would've been available later, but as for their first round I think they hit it out of the park with Misa and Ravensbergen. But I like their pick of Cole McKinney who has a great shot. But I think they should invest more in scouting. Grade: B+.

Seattle Kraken - I mentioned how O'Brien was good for the Kraken, but the Fiddler pick is a great on as he can add offense to his defensive game. I find they need to be better with their picks going forward though, as they're bound to have so many. But their core in the future looks quite incredible. Grade: B-.

St. Louis Blues - Only three draft picks, but liked how they chose wisely and didn't do anything dumb at all. Super smart with Carbonneau as I believe he'll be a staple in this league, and their other two draft picks aren't in any rush where there's no pressure where if they are to make the Blues they'll help them be a good team. Grade: A.

Tampa Bay Lightning - I didn't think Tampa would have this many picks, but for a team contending with this many this did a great job as they've become one of the best drafting teams in the entire NHL. Marco Mignosa went undrafted two years in a row, and I think this is a gamble Tampa can afford. But my favourite pick here was Caleb Heil. Grade: B-.

Toronto Maple Leafs - I personally think they did the worst amongst all the teams. Grade: F-.

Utah Mammoth - I was surprised they took Desnoyers so high, but they seem to really like him. But their draft told me that they're still going the way of the Arizona Coyotes and think they should work on their scouting a lot more. Grade: C.

Vancouver Canucks - Vancouver has never been a team to draft the correct players or invest more time into their picks, but the best pick I think they made was Medvedev. Grade: F.

Vegas Golden Knights - With four draft picks they may have won the draft with Ihs-Wozniak, Norbert, Weiermair, and Sjoqvist. Grade: A.

Washington Capitals - They did quite well with such little draft picks, loved the Lakovic pick for them as well as the Gastrin pick. Grade: A-.

Winnipeg Jets - I think this is a decent draft for them, but last year they did better. But they're another team to show time and time again that they can develop any prospect into their full potential. And Jacob Cloutier I could see being the most improved player in the OHL next season stepping in Misa's shoes if he makes the Sharks. As much as I like the Boumedienne pick for the Jets, I think their best one was Klingell as he presents himself to be a consistent offensive producer. Grade: B+.

Winners of the draft: Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche.

Loser of the draft: Toronto.