2025 NHL Draft final thoughts - Round One

I made two mock drafts, and now I am making my personal thoughts on the 2025 NHL Draft just as it happens live. 

1. New York Islanders - Matthew Schaefer was the obvious pick by the Islanders, I was skeptical on him going there until the Dobson trade, but I think the Islanders have a long-time blue-liner for their team which I like. I think his playing style

2. San Jose Sharks - Michael Misa - I found San Jose didn't need him and doesn't quite fit their style. This draft taught me when they film the player before they get drafted that's who they take and now I am to believe the draft is pre-planned. Now, I wanted him in Chicago to play with Bedard, but I think putting him on the wing for Celebrini will be a great thing and makes San Jose an offensive threat. Also will get great mentorship from Toffoli, I'm happy for both the Sharks and Misa, but I think Misa in Chicago would've been my preference. Had Lundell as a final answer as I feel he could bring size to the Sharks, which they need the most as they lack that. But on the wing they already have William Eklund, and at 2C they have Will Smith. 

3. Chicago Blackhawks - Anton Lundell - Good for Chicago for adding size and skill, can play centre and wing. I think him going to Chicago reminds of a Sakic-Forsberg connection which tells me Chicago is going to be a force to be reckoned with. I bet by 2028-29 Chicago is going to be one of the best teams in the league.

4. Utah Mammoth - Caleb Desnoyers - Didn't expect it, but I know Utah has gotten a good player and believe he'd be a great fit. Competitive player and Utah needs that more of that as he brought Moncton to the Memorial Cup. With Utah bound to be super competitive, this is the right pick.

5. Nashville Predators - Brady Martin - Good pick for Nashville as they got a leader and I know he missed the draft, but the fact he was willing to stay back and help his family shows he can be the guy who can be a heart and soul player.

6. Philadelphia Flyers - Porter Martone - Love this for Philly as he plays their style of game, and I personally think by 2028-29 they're going to be a contender that'll be hard to beat but they're still building while there's no need to rush Martone. 

7. Boston Bruins - James Hagens - A good long-term replacement for Patrice Bergeron and familiar with Boston, I think the Bruins will be happy and think he'll be a long-time Bruin. 

8. Seattle Kraken - Jake O'Brien - Unexpected for me but I think this is good for Seattle's offense as there's no need to rush O'Brien. 

9. Buffalo Sabres - Radim Mrtka - Didn't expect Buffalo to take Mrtka, let alone a defenseman. 

10. Anaheim Ducks - Roger McQueen - This is a good pick for Anaheim, but I think defense would've been the better option. 

11. Pittsburgh Penguins - Ben Kindel - Rised, but good for Pittsburgh as he brings an offensive threat for the Penguins. I see him being the player to watch at the World Juniors this winter. 

12. Philadelphia Flyers - Jack Nesbitt - Didn't know if the Rangers were keeping or using this pick, so I had Kashawn Aitcheson, but Pittsburgh traded it to their rivals for the first-round picks. I knew Philly needed to add Roger McQueen, but Jack Nesbitt is an excellent pick for Philly. But he could have potential to be in their top six or bottom six, so this is a pick you couldn't go wrong with. 

13. Detroit Red Wings - Carter Bear - I didn't think he was a Detroit Red Wings kind of player.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Jackson Smith - Love this for Columbus, makes them a stronger team defensively which is just what their defense needs to compliment their offense. 

15. Vancouver Canucks - Braeden Cootes - Surprising, but don't really like this for the Canucks. He could be a fit, but Eklund was who was available and would've been a great fit for them. But I don't see Cootes being a Canucks kind of player. Now I hope I'm wrong, but this is something I don't enjoy. 

16. New York Islanders - Victor Eklund - Once I saw Eklund get passed up multiple times, I thought Vancouver was going to take him but I think it's a very good thing they took him when he was available. 

17. New York Islanders - Kashawn Aitcheson - I think the Islanders picking Aitcheson and Eklund was a homerun for the Islanders and have made them a promising team in the future. But I think he has potential to be a full-time 

18. Calgary Flames - Cole Reschny - Reschny put up a good amount of points, and I think he's going to do well with Calgary. But I think he's going to be ready late and doesn't need to be rushed. He's super hardworking

19. St. Louis Blues - Justin Carbonneau - This is the kind of player who can play with veterans like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou when he's a rookie and has potential to be rookie of the year when he's ready. 

20. Columbus Blue Jackets - Pytor Andreyanov - This was quite the stretch as he could've been taken next round, but has excellent numbers with CSKA Red Army. 

21. Nashville Predators - Cameron Reid - I think Nashville could develop into a solid producing defenseman.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins - Bill Zonnon - Zonnon brings a big offense thread to Pittsburgh.

23. Ottawa Senators - Logan Hensler - I love this for Ottawa, I think this addition that's needed. 

24. Pittsburgh Penguins - William Horcoff - He is a solid hockey player that doesn't need to be rushed and I think he'll have a very long career. But I think he'll step up for the Penguins and will be taken higher in re-drafts because he's a great fit for this club. 

25. Chicago Blackhawks - Vaclav Nestrasil - Chicago adding a large right wing is perfect for Chicago and can compliment Frondell or Bedard when ready. I think he's one of the most effective players in this draft which will be valuable for Chicago when he's fully developed. 

26. Nashville Predators - Ryker Lee - Questionable pick for me, I always tend to need to have a long think about players who are a late birthday in their draft year but I would imagine had he cracked the USHL in 2024 he likely goes higher in the draft. But for some reason I see him being the kind of player who goes up and down a lot or traded. 

27. Washington Capitals - Lynden Lakovic - This is probably the biggest steal of the draft, as a captain and a player who can play in the NHL. Him going to Washington is there to keep them ripe and will likely replace Tom Wilson when his time is up, and maybe even their captain later on. He and Ryan Leonard could have incredible chemistry.

28. Winnipeg Jets - Sasha Boumedienne - I love this for Winnipeg as he isn't a prospect who needs to be rushed, and I see him being part of the Winnipeg Jets primary core in 5-6 seasons and is another player here who I could see rising in redrafts. 

29. Chicago Blackhawks - Mason West - This is a huge steal for Chicago as he had 9 points in 10 games with the USHL as a high-schooler. But what I also love is it's similar to the Nestrasil pick, but also that they picked a player who would be deemed a later draft pick. I've been a fan of their draft last season such as Vanacker and Boisvert, but now Chicago has made their top-six promising. 

30. San Jose Sharks - Joshua Ravensbergen - I love this for San Jose this makes me believe San Jose will be a solid team at every position because I see him being a 1B to Askarov where the net is strong for San Jose.

31. Los Angeles Kings - Henry Brzustewicz - Memorial Cup champion with offensive instincts and will be able to replace Doughty if anything happened. I think he'll make a surprising impact in the NHL when he's ready. 

32. Calgary Flames - Cullen Potter - He is going to play in the NHL and I could see him having a long career. He's one of those players who will be a staple in the league.