The 2025 NHL Entry draft in Los Angeles is now finished. Teams spent two days adding future talent to their organizations. Analysts are already releasing their evaluations of each team’s performance. These “draft grades” assess the players selected. They indicate how much talent a team added to its prospect pool. Grades reflect perceived value, not necessarily immediate fit. It’s a snapshot of future potential based on the draft haul alone.
This analysis synthesizes expert opinions from across the hockey world. We’ll look at which teams are thought to have improved their farm system the most. We’ll also highlight key picks and players for various teams. Keep in mind that draft grading is subjective. Different analysts might value players differently. Time is the ultimate judge of a draft class’s success.
Understanding 2025 NHL Draft Grades
NHL draft grades are assigned by scouts and analysts. They evaluate the talent a team acquires through its draft picks. A high grade typically means a team selected players seen as highly skilled or valuable for their draft slot. Factors like trading up or down, or addressing organizational needs, can also sometimes influence grades. However, the primary focus is often on the raw talent added. These grades offer a glimpse into the future potential of a team’s roster. They measure the perceived improvement to a team’s prospect depth.
The 2025 draft class was described as having less top-end star power than recent years. However, it featured significant depth and intriguing prospects. Teams had varying strategies. Some targeted high-upside projects. Others prioritized specific skill sets or physical attributes like size and speed. The draft saw teams make calculated risks on players with injury concerns or unique profiles.
Top Performing Teams in the 2025 NHL Draft
Based on expert consensus, a few teams stood out. They received the highest marks for their draft performance. These teams are believed to have significantly boosted their organizational talent.
A+ Grade Teams
Only one team consistently earned the top mark from analysts:
New York Islanders: The Islanders had a massive draft. They landed the consensus first-overall pick, defenseman Matthew Schaefer, from Erie (OHL). Schaefer is seen as the clear top prospect. He’s a dynamic, intelligent, two-way defenseman. His skating is described as powerful and effortless. Schaefer projects as a star number one defenseman. The Islanders also acquired additional first-round picks (16th and 17th) via a trade with Montreal. They used these picks well, adding players like winger Victor Eklund and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. Eklund is a tenacious winger with above-average skills. Aitcheson provides power and physicality on the blue line. Analysts believe the Islanders could get multiple quality NHL regulars from this single draft class.
A Grade Teams
Several teams were praised for adding significant talent:
Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers are noted for acquiring substantial talent, often with size. Key picks included winger Porter Martone (6th overall) and center Jack Nesbitt (12th overall). Martone possesses an elite size and skill combination. Nesbitt was acquired by trading up and projects as a potential second-line center. The Flyers focused on big players who can “legit play.” Martone is seen as having high potential if he can improve consistency and engagement.
San Jose Sharks: San Jose landed center Michael Misa (2nd overall), widely considered the best forward available. Misa is an exceptional status player from the OHL. He’s known for high-end skating, skill, creativity, and elite vision. Analysts project him as a star first-line center. They also drafted goalie Joshua Ravensbergen (30th overall) and defenseman Haoxi Wang (33rd overall). These picks are seen as good value and add depth to an already strong prospect pool.
St. Louis Blues: The Blues’ draft was centered around picking center Justin Carbonneau at 19th overall. He’s viewed by some as one of the best values in the first round. Carbonneau possesses electric skill, puck-handling, and shooting ability. He has potential as a first-line offensive player in a draft perceived to lack elite offensive upside.
Notable Draft Classes and Key Prospects
Moving down the grade tiers, many teams still had strong drafts. They added exciting prospects with potential to make the NHL.
A- Grade Teams
These teams are seen as bringing in a lot of talent overall:
Nashville Predators: Despite some picks being viewed differently by analysts regarding draft slot, the Predators added significant talent. Center Brady Martin (5th overall) is projected as a top-six forward with elite compete and a strong forecheck. Other liked picks included defenseman Cameron Reid and goalie Jack Ivankovic. Reid is a crafty offensive defenseman.
Utah Mammoth: Utah selected center Caleb Desnoyers (4th overall), a stand-out QMJHL player. Desnoyers is an outstanding two-way center. He’s praised for being tall, fast, skilled, creative, and detailed defensively. He projects as a potential top-two center. Day 2 picks like Max Psenicka also added quality prospects to their system.
Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets made a solid pick in defenseman Jackson Smith (14th overall). He’s projected confidently as a reliable No. 2 or high-end No. 3 all-situations defenseman.
Dallas Stars: Dallas was commended for taking high-reward swings in the middle rounds. Winger Cameron Schmidt (94th overall) is undersized but described as an electric skater. He’s a creative offensive player with top-six potential. This pick is seen as a high-reward gamble worth taking later in the draft.
Montreal Canadiens: Montreal traded their two first-round picks for immediate help (Noah Dobson) and future assets. Their draft started later but was still viewed positively. They traded up to take winger Alexander Zharovsky (34th overall). He’s described as a dynamic offensive talent with top-six upside and some of the best hands in the draft. Center Hayden Paupanekis (69th overall) brings size down the middle. Despite being small, center LJ Mooney (113th overall) was a justified bet on offensive talent.
B+ Grade Teams
These teams are seen as having solid drafts with potential for good returns:
Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim’s assessment heavily involves center Roger McQueen (10th pick). If healthy, he has first-line center potential despite missing significant time due to injury. Day 2 picks like defenseman Radim Mrtka (9th overall) and David Bedkowski (71st overall) add size and shutdown potential on the blue line. Mrtka is 6-foot-6 with impressive skating. Bedkowski is 6-foot-5 and plays a mean game.
Boston Bruins: The Bruins made a splash picking center James Hagens (7th overall). Hagens was projected higher by some analysts and has immense first-line potential. While his NCAA freshman production wasn’t elite, his speed and intelligence are key assets. Picking him at 7 is considered a massive win. Center William Moore (51st overall) is seen as great value in the second round after a strong USHL season. These picks significantly overhaul their future center depth.
Chicago Blackhawks: Chicago targeted speed and size. Picks included center Anton Frondell (3rd overall) and forward Mason West (29th overall). Frondell has skill and a great shot but faced consistency questions. West is a raw “super athlete” project with high upside but needs significant development. Some analysts felt they reached for Frondell.
Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins’ draft class is considered solid. They made perceived aggressive picks like forward Benjamin Kindel (11th overall). Kindel is expected to be an NHL scorer. Later picks added size and two-way players. The volume of Day 2 picks gives them a chance for multiple NHL players from this group.
Seattle Kraken: Key picks were center Jake O’Brien (8th overall) and defenseman Blake Fiddler (36th overall). O’Brien is a talented center with high-end patience and vision, projecting as a high-quality top-six forward. Fiddler is a large, mobile right-shot defenseman with potential for a second-pairing role.
Washington Capitals: Washington had a solid draft. Winger Lynden Lakovic (27th overall) was a talented gamble, a big winger (6’4″) with creative potential needing consistency. Center Milton Gastrin (37th overall) is a solid, mature three-zone center with potential as a shutdown player.
Other Notable Team Drafts
Many other teams added prospects with NHL potential throughout the later rounds.
Detroit Red Wings: Detroit continued drafting competitive players. Winger Carter Bear (13th overall) brings tenacity and determination. He has top-six upside as a complementary winger. Goalie Michal Pradel (75th overall) is a 6-foot-5 goalie showing promise as a future starter.
Ottawa Senators: Ottawa selected defenseman Logan Hensler (23rd overall) after trading down. Hensler is seen as good value, a well-rounded defender with complementary top-four upside. Winger Blake Vanek (93rd overall), son of Thomas, had a big high school season and is headed to the WHL. Winger Bruno Idzan (181st overall) was the first Croatian drafted in the NHL. He had a strong USHL season and could become a top-nine contributor.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Center Ethan Czata (56th overall) fits the mold of lanky, skilled competitors Tampa Bay has developed successfully. Center Benjamin Rautiainen (108th overall) is closer to pro ready, having excelled in Finland’s top league and featuring for Finland internationally.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto traded its first-round pick for the third straight year. Their first pick was center Tinus Luc Koblar (64th overall). He’s seen as a very raw prospect needing significant offensive improvement. Center Tyler Hopkins (86th overall) was seen as better value. He has good size, skill, and offensive upside.
Florida Panthers: As Stanley Cup champions, Florida picked late. Winger Mads Kongsbak Klyvo (112th overall) has intriguing offensive tools and a strong frame. Winger Arvid Drott (192nd overall) is younger but had a productive junior season in Sweden.
Lower grades (B-, C+, C, D) were often given to teams who analysts felt didn’t acquire as much high-end talent or whose top picks were seen as reaches relative to available players. The Colorado Avalanche received a D grade from one analyst, noting their first two picks didn’t project as legitimate NHL prospects and little upside was anticipated from their class. The Edmonton Oilers received a D- from another, criticizing their top pick as being significantly earlier than warranted.
Drafting remains an inexact science. Player development, coaching, and opportunity play huge roles. However, these initial grades provide a useful starting point for evaluating a team’s future prospects. Many players selected in this draft have high potential but require significant development. Patience will be key for fans watching these prospects mature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines the grade a team receives for their NHL draft?
Draft grades primarily reflect the perceived talent a team adds to its organization through picks. Analysts evaluate the players selected based on their skills, potential, and value relative to where they were picked. The grade assesses how much the team’s farm system is thought to have improved over the draft weekend. Factors like addressing needs or trading strategy might play a secondary role.
Which teams were considered the biggest winners in the 2025 NHL Draft?
Based on early expert analysis, the New York Islanders were widely considered the top draft performer, earning an A+ grade. Teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks also received high A grades. These teams are praised for acquiring significant high-end talent, including potential star players like Matthew Schaefer, Porter Martone, and Michael Misa.
Who are some of the key prospects to watch from the 2025 draft class?
Several players drafted high in the first round are expected to become impact NHLers. These include defensemen Matthew Schaefer (Islanders) and Jackson Smith (Blue Jackets), and centers Michael Misa (Sharks), Caleb Desnoyers (Utah), Brady Martin (Predators), James Hagens (Bruins), and Jake O’Brien (Kraken). Other notable prospects praised for potential include Porter Martone (Flyers), Alexander Zharovsky (Canadiens), Roger McQueen (Ducks), and Bruno Idzan (Senators).
Word Count Check: 1080
