2025 NHL Draft Talk: Schaefer Leads a Deep Class of Forwards
Alright, let’s talk about the 2025 NHL Draft—because things are starting to heat up as we inch closer to June. The landscape of this year’s draft is taking shape, and while the top of the class might not be as stacked as we’ve seen in other years, there are still some seriously exciting names to know. At the top of Corey Pronman’s April ranking from The Athletic, we’ve got Matthew Schaefer holding down the No. 1 spot, followed closely by Michael Misa—and they’re leading the charge in a draft that’s heavy on talented forwards.
Now, Schaefer isn’t just your average top pick. This guy has dealt with a lot this past season—mono at the beginning of the year, then a broken clavicle during the World Juniors. But even with all that, he’s shown why he’s a legit top-tier prospect. He’s a powerful, fluid skater who dominates with his feet. He’s one of those rare defensemen who can lead rushes up ice just as easily as he can shut things down defensively. He’s physical, he competes hard, and he plays with the kind of intensity that NHL teams love. Pronman compares him to Jake Sanderson, and that’s some high praise.
Right behind him is Michael Misa. If you’ve been following his journey, you’ll remember he was granted exceptional status to enter the OHL early—and he’s lived up to the hype. His skating is high-end, and he’s the kind of creative, dynamic center you could build a franchise around. Think Tyler Seguin in his prime. He’s not just flashy; Misa is productive, plays a full 200-foot game, and brings a sense of calm confidence with the puck.
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Beyond those two, the depth at center this year is wild. Caleb Desnoyers is another name to watch—he's the complete package out of the QMJHL. Big, fast, skilled, and reliable in all zones. He’s got a Nico Hischier-type vibe. Then there’s James Hagens, who brings speed and finesse to the table. He’s not the biggest guy, but his skill set is undeniable, and he was a key piece of Team USA’s gold medal at World Juniors. Porter Martone is another standout, especially for his size and puck skills—even though his skating needs work, his offensive potential is through the roof.
And hey, don’t sleep on Anton Frondell out of Sweden. He’s been heating up lately and shows a lot of promise as a top-two line guy. Then there's Jake O'Brien, Victor Eklund, Roger McQueen—just a ton of forward talent that could really shake up NHL rosters in the next few years.
Now, defense this year? It’s a bit thin compared to forwards. After Schaefer, there’s a bit of a drop-off. Guys like Kashawn Aitcheson and Jackson Smith have potential, but they probably wouldn’t have cracked the top tier of last year’s D-men. Still, there are some intriguing names—Cameron Reid’s skating and Prokhorov’s size definitely stand out.
Bottom line: the 2025 NHL Draft might not have that all-world franchise guy at the very top, but what it does have is a deep group of smart, skilled, and exciting players—especially down the middle. So if you’re a fan looking at your team’s rebuild or hoping to add some young firepower, this class has plenty of upside to keep your hopes high. Let’s see how the rest of the season shakes out, but this draft is shaping up to be one to watch.
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