2025 NHL draft big board: Ranking the top 64 prospects

The games are done for the top draft prospects; there is no hockey left to be played. A few players in the top 10 played until the last possible moment, making a lasting impression on scouts and executives at the Memorial Cup. With the combine taking place this week in Buffalo, New York, players will undergo physical testing and a rigorous interview process with interested teams. The combine allows teams to ask out-of-the-box questions, get a feel for the personalities of the players and, in some cases, understand the significance of injuries.

There is room for movement on the draft board because combine testing does impact model outputs. Furthermore, this list weighs scouting as 40% of the evaluation. The final ranking, which will be published June 23, will weigh scouting, projection, off-ice assessments and industry intel to varying degrees, which may see some players move up or down.

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There are five parts of this set of rankings:

The rank, which accounts for attributed value based on projection, the confidence of the projection and scouting.

The NHL projection weighs the projection formula at 70% and scouting at 30%, and represents the most likely outcome for that player. The final edition of the rankings will include the player’s NHL ceiling.

The NHL floor uses the same formula and represents the worst outcome, above 10% probability of occurring. If a player has a 4% chance of never playing NHL games and an 11% chance of becoming a fourth-line winger or No. 7 defenseman, then those projections will be used for NHL floor. For some players in the draft, the floor is outside of the NHL, perhaps the AHL or KHL.

Projection confidence is based solely on the projection formula and forms two parts: confidence and volatility. The confidence has four tiers: High, fair, medium and low. This represents that confidence the model has that the player will reach the NHL projection for 200 or more NHL games. The level of confidence impacts the value of the player and, therefore, their rank. High confidence is above 80%, fair is 60% to 79%, medium is 35% to 59% and low is below 35%. The volatility has four categories: Low, slight, medium and high. Volatility relates to the range of outcomes a player has in their career. A player with a low volatility means there is a smaller range of outcomes for the NHL career, whether that is a No. 1 defenseman to top-pair defenseman, or third-line center to bottom-six forward. A player with high volatility has a wide range of outcomes, with relatively even distributions over the NHL projection. It could be related to a number of factors: the league they play in, their scoring if they changed leagues, injuries or a significant uptick/downturn in play. Many of these players are considered “raw” in their development curve.

Strengths are each player’s standout abilities.

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Stay up to date with the latest intel from ESPN’s experts.MLB: McDaniel’s latest mock draft »NBA: Top 100 prospects » | Mock drafts »NFL: Early 2026 first-round predictions »NHL: Big board: Top 64 draft prospects »WNBA: Top 15 prospects for 2026 draft »

“Boom or bust” is an all-encompassing phrase with confidence and volatility. It means the player either hits their NHL projection or is unlikely to play 200 NHL games. The difference between a low-confidence/high-volatility projection and a boom-or-bust projection is simple: It means injuries played a role in the projection, and the sample size makes it difficult to confidently project the player’s most likely outcome; or that the league in which the player plays does not have a successful history of producing NHL players.

One other consideration is the “Russian factor,” where skilled Russians are more likely to return to Russia if they fail to hit their NHL projection.

Here is how the top 64 prospects line up according to my model:

1. Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)

NHL projection: No. 1 defensemanNHL floor: Top-pair defensemanProjection confidence: High confidence, low volatilityStrengths: Mobility, puck moving, creativity, rush activation

2. Michael Misa, F, Saginaw (OHL)

NHL projection: Elite No. 1 centerNHL floor: Second-line wingerProjection confidence: High confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Offensive instincts, explosiveness, transition offense, two-way play

3. James Hagens, F, Boston College (NCAA)

NHL projection: First-line centerNHL floor: Second-line centerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Transition play, speed, hockey sense, puck handling

4. Porter Martone, F, Brampton (OHL)

NHL projection: Second-line power forwardNHL floor: Middle-six wingerProjection confidence: High confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Playmaking, scoring, hockey sense, size

5. Caleb Desnoyers, F, Moncton (QMJHL)

NHL projection: Top-six, two-way centerNHL floor: Third-line checking centerProjection confidence: High confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Two-way play, quick hands, playmaking, efficient puck play

6. Anton Frondell, F, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

NHL projection: Second-line centerNHL floor: Third-line scoring wingerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Versatility, two-way play, elite release, forechecking

7. Roger McQueen, F, Brandon (WHL)

NHL projection: First-line scoring centerNHL floor: Injury-shortened careerProjection confidence: Low confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Speed, puck handling, quick release, size

8. Viktor Eklund, F, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

NHL projection: Top-six scoring forwardNHL floor: Middle-six scoring forwardProjection confidence: High confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Motor, transition offense, two-way play, off-puck play, hard skill

9. Jake O’Brien, F, Brantford (OHL)

NHL projection: Top-six playmaking centerNHL floor: Middle-six scoring wingerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Playmaking, creativity, hockey sense

10. Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)

NHL projection: Top-four defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair defensemanProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Physicality, transition defense, mobility, puck moving

11. Brady Martin, F, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

NHL projection: Second-line scoring forwardNHL floor: Bottom-six power forwardProjection confidence: Medium confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Motor, wall play, physicality, hard skill, competitiveness

12. Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)

NHL projection: Top-four shutdown defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair transition defensemanProjection confidence: Fair confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Size, stick positioning and use, hockey sense

13. Carter Bear, F, Everett (WHL)

NHL projection: Second-line versatile forwardNHL floor: Third-line checkerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Playmaking, versatility, two-way play, motor

14. Justin Carbonneau, F, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)

NHL projection: Second-line scoring forwardNHL floor: Middle-six forwardProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Powerful stride, playmaking, puck handling

15. Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA)

NHL projection: Second-pair transition defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair defensemanProjection confidence: High confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Gap control, mobility, transition play

16. Lynden Lakovic, F, Moose Jaw (WHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six scoring wingerNHL floor: Bottom-six forwardProjection confidence: Fair confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Speed, finishing ability, hands, size

17. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)

NHL projection: Second-pair defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair physical defensemanProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Physicality, competitiveness, aggression, strength

18. Braeden Cootes, F, Seattle (WHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six two-way centerNHL floor: Bottom-six checking wingerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Two-way play, speed, anticipation, forechecking

19. Cameron Schmidt, F, Vancouver (WHL)

NHL projection: Second-line scoring wingerNHL floor: AHL playerProjection confidence: Boom or bustStrengths: Speed, puck handling, offensive instincts, finishing ability

20. Cole Reschny, F, Victoria (WHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six two-way centerNHL floor: Bottom-six forwardProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Two-way play, anticipation, quick hands, competitiveness

21. Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)

NHL projection: Top-four transition defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair defensive defensemanProjection confidence: Fair confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Skating, transition play, hockey sense

22. Cullen Potter, F, Arizona State (NCAA)

NHL projection: Top-six forwardNHL floor: Bottom-six checking wingerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Speed, agility, offensive play driving, elite release

23. Benjamin Kindel, F, Calgary (WHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six two-way wingerNHL floor: Bottom-six checking wingerProjection confidence: High confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Hockey sense, transition, two-way play

24. Malcolm Spence, F, Erie (OHL)

NHL projection: Third-line two-way wingerNHL floor: Bottom-six wingerProjection confidence: High confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: High-end motor, two-way play, tenacity

25. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL)

NHL projection: No. 1 starting goaltenderNHL floor: 1B tandem goaltenderProjection confidence: High confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Anticipation, crisp movements, competitiveness, lateral agility

26. Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)

NHL projection: Second-pair defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair physical defensemanProjection confidence: High confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Transition defense, in-zone defensive play, size, mobility

27. Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)

NHL projection: Second-pair two-way defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair offensive specialistProjection confidence: Medium confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Skating, stick play, transition play, slap shot

28. Jack Murtagh, F, USNTDP (USHL)

NHL projection: Third-line power forwardNHL floor: Fourth-line forwardProjection confidence: Fair confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Motor, shooting, hard skill, straight-line speed

29. Jack Nesbitt, F, Windsor (OHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six two-way centerNHL floor: Fourth-line defensive centerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Strength, size, competitiveness, two-way play

30. Bill Zonnon, F, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)

NHL projection: Third-line two-way forwardNHL floor: AHL playerProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: High-end motor, raw playmaking, competitiveness, puck battles

31. William Moore, F, USNTDP (USHL)

NHL projection: Third-line forwardNHL floor: NHL depth playerProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Puck protection, skating, offensive instincts, puck skill

32. Ryker Lee, F, Madison (USHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six playmakerNHL floor: Bottom-six scoring depthProjection confidence: Boom or bustStrengths: Hockey sense, creativity, puck handling, one-timer

33. Nathan Behm, F, Kamploops (WHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six scoring forwardNHL floor: Bottom-six scoring depthProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Playmaking, shooting, creativity

34. Milton Gastrin, F, Modo (J20 Nationell)

NHL projection: Third-line two-way centerNHL floor: Fourth-line centerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, low volatilityStrengths: Defensive play, two-way instincts, motor

35. Shane Vansaghi, F, Michigan State (NCAA)

NHL projection: Third-line power forwardNHL floor: Bottom-six checking forwardProjection confidence: High confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Physicality, strength, competitiveness, puck skill

36. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, F, Lulea (J20 Nationell)

NHL projection: Middle-six scoring forwardNHL floor: Third-line scoring depthProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Playmaking, finishing ability, offensive instincts

37. Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton (OHL)

NHL projection: Platoon starting goaltenderNHL floor: High-end NHL backupProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Positioning, controlled movements, patience in save selection

38. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL)

NHL projection: No. 4/5 transition defenderNHL floor: AHL scoring defensemanProjection confidence: Medium confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Puck moving, gap control, creativity

39. Cole McKinney, F, USNTDP (USHL)

NHL projection: Third-line, two-way centerNHL floor: Fourth-line defensive centerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Two-way play, penalty killing, competitiveness, finishing ability

40. Eric Nilson, F, Orebro (J20 Nationell)

NHL projection: Bottom-six checking centerNHL floor: AHL top-six centerProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Two-way play, forechecking, competitiveness, defensive instincts

41. Vaclav Nestrasil, F, Muskegon (USHL)

NHL projection: Top-six power forwardNHL floor: Fourth-line physical wingerProjection confidence: Medium confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Size, motor, two-way play, puck skill

42. Benjamin Kevan, F, Des Moines (USHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six two-way wingerNHL floor: Bottom-six speedsterProjection confidence: Medium confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Speed, puck handling, transition offense

43. Ivan Ryabkin, F, Muskegon (USHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six power forwardNHL floor: AHL playerProjection confidence: Boom or bustStrengths: Quick release, creativity, physicality

44. Daniil Prokhorov, F, St. Petersburg (MHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six power forwardNHL floor: KHL playerProjection confidence: Boom or bustStrengths: Size, strength, physicality, heavy shot

45. Carter Amico, D, USNTDP (USHL)

NHL projection: No. 4/5 transition defensemanNHL floor: No. 7 defensemanProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Mobility, transition defense, physicality, size

46. Max Psenicka, D, Portland (WHL)

NHL projection: No. 4/5 two-way defensemanNHL floor: No. 7 defensemanProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Instincts, mobility, gap control, puck moving

47. Luca Romano, F, Kitchener (OHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six, two-way centerNHL floor: Bottom-six checking speedsterProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Speed, transition play, motor

48. Alexander Zharovsky, F, Ufa (MHL)

NHL projection: Middle-six scoring wingerNHL floor: KHL playerProjection confidence: Boom or bustStrengths: Puck handling, instincts, creativity

49. Kurban Limatov, D, Moscow (MHL)

NHL projection: Second-pair, two-way defensemanNHL floor: KHL playerProjection confidence: Boom or bustStrengths: Skating, mobility, aggressiveness, physicality

50. Mason West, F, Edina (USHS)

NHL projection: Middle-six physical forwardNHL floor: Fourth-line physical forwardProjection confidence: Low confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Strength, physicality, size, mobility

51. Kristian Epperson, F, Saginaw (OHL)

NHL projection: Third-line scoring wingerNHL floor: AHL top-six forwardProjection confidence: Medium confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Two-way play, playmaking, hockey sense

52. Matthew Gard, F, Red Deer (WHL)

NHL projection: Bottom-six checking centerNHL floor: Fourth-line physical centerProjection confidence: Fair confidence, low volatilityStrengths: Strength, size, defensive play, motor

53. William Horcoff, F, Michigan (NCAA)

NHL projection: Third-line two-way centerNHL floor: Fourth-line physical presenceProjection confidence: Fair confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Defensive play, strength, size, wall play

54. Jacob Rombach, D, Lincoln (USHL)

NHL projection: Second-pair shutdown defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair physical defensemanProjection confidence: Medium confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Defensive play, puck retrievals, motor

55. Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current (WHL)

NHL projection: No. 4/5 shutdown defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair defensemanProjection confidence: Medium confidence, low volatilityStrengths: Defensive play, size, physicality

56. Hayden Paupanekis, F, Kelowna (WHL)

NHL projection: Bottom-six defensive centerNHL floor: Fourth-line centerProjection confidence: Medium confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Competitiveness, size, defensive play

57. David Bedkowski, D, Owen Sound (OHL)

NHL projection: Bottom-pair shutdown defensemanNHL floor: No. 7 physical defensemanProjection confidence: Medium confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Physicality, size, strong stick, penalty killing

58. Ethan Czata, F, Niagara (OHL)

NHL projection: Bottom-six checking centerNHL floor: AHL depthProjection confidence: Medium confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Penalty killing, physicality, hard skill

59. Haoxi “Simon” Wang, D, Oshawa (OHL)

NHL projection: Second-pair two-way defensemanNHL floor: AHL playerProjection confidence: Low confidence, high volatilityStrengths: Skating, mobility, size, transition defense

60. Theo Stockselius, F, Djurgardens (J20 Nationell)

NHL projection: Third-line two-way forwardNHL floor: AHL depthProjection confidence: Low confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Hockey sense, hard skill, playmaking

61. Eddie Genborg, F, Linkoping (SHL)

NHL projection: Bottom-six checking wingerNHL floor: Fourth-line physical wingerProjection confidence: Medium confidence, slight volatilityStrengths: Physicality, two-way play, motor

62. Charlie Trethewey, D, USNTDP (USHL)

NHL projection: No. 4/5 two-way defensemanNHL floor: Bottom-pair defensemanProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Defensive play, physicality, heavy shot, skating

63. Alexei Medvedev, G, London (OHL)

NHL projection: 1B NHL goaltenderNHL floor: Reliable NHL backupProjection confidence: Fair confidence, medium volatilityStrengths: Positioning, competitiveness, anticipation, athleticism

64. L.J. Mooney, F, USNTDP (USA)

NHL projection: Middle-six two-way scoring depthNHL floor: AHL top-six scoring forwardProjection confidence: Boom or bustStrengths: Speed, puck handling, motor