The Hockey News

The Hockey News' 2025 Draft Preview edition counts down the top 100 prospects for the NHL draft with in-depth scouting reports. Also in the issue, you'll find Team Reports on all 32 NHL clubs looking at the short- and long-term needs. Plus, we have feature stories on Matthew Schaefer, Anton Frondell, Michael Misa, Jackson Smith and the Nashville Predators, and we look at the impact of PWHL expansion and break down the upcoming draft.

ISLANDER INTRIGUE

The Hockey News

PEACEKEEPER AND PROTECTOR • Une Vie Bien Vécue

PADDED PROJECTIONS • The trend of goalie-specific scouts is changing the landscapeof predicting a team’s future in the crease

2025 DRAFT ORDER

PICKS BY ROUND

BEHIND THE MASK

JERSEY HOUND

DRAFT MILL-O-METER • There are wells that scouts go to more often than others. Over the past 10 drafts, these six organizations have had the most players pulled from their ranks

IN THE CARDS

THE COUNTDOWN • Almost half of the Canes’ draft picks over the past decade hail from Europe. The Ducks? Not so much

“STICK TAP TO MOM” • The 2025 draft’s consensus No. 1 prospect, Matthew Schaefer, had notrouble answering a pre-draft question that often vexes other top picks– even though he probably wishes it weren’t so easy

MISA MAKING HISTORY • Michael Misa’s production has him sitting with someelite company, and the totals alone would make him atop-end prospect. But the intangibles could have someteams thinking he’s worthy of the No. 1 pick

MICHAEL MISA VS. JAMES HAGENS

BALANCE BEAM • Thanks in large part tohis poise both on and offthe ice, Anton Frondell shone this season tobecome one of thedraft’s most sought-after prospects

BIG, SMART AND STEADY & STILL ON THE RISE • Jackson Smith keeps gettingbetter and better, and alate-season surge couldpush the Tri-City Americansdefenseman into the top halfof the first round

FACING THE MUSIC • The Predators paid big money for big-name UFAslast summer, only to stagger and stumble througha lost season in 2024-25. The good news? There areprospects and picks aplenty in Nashville, and the kidsare already pushing for playing time

THN DRAFT RANKINGS • This year’s draft will literally be a Jacked-up affair. Here are the top 100prospects according to a panel of NHL scouts

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 1-4

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 5-8

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 9-12

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 13-16

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 17-20

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 21-24

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 25-28

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 29-32

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 33-36

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 37-40

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 41-44

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 45-48

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 49-52

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 53-56

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 57-60

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 61-64

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 65-76

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 77-88

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 89-100

DIGGING DEEP FOR GOLD • These players likely won’t be drafted early, but they could end up as solid NHL contributors

TOP 100 ALPHABETICALLY

THIS TIME ’ROUND • These players won’t go undrafted again after failing to be selected on their first tries

NHL TEAM REPORTS

ANAHEIM DUCKS

BOSTON BRUINS

BUFFALO SABRES

CALGARY FLAMES

CAROLINA HURRICANES

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

COLORADO AVALANCHE

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

DALLAS STARS

DETROIT RED WINGS

EDMONTON OILERS

FLORIDA PANTHERS

LOS ANGELES KINGS

MINNESOTA WILD

MONTREAL CANADIENS

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

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