As the junior seasons and European leagues kick off, the anticipation for the 2025 NHL Draft is already building up among hockey enthusiasts. With that in mind, I, your hockey journalist, am here to provide you with my first assessment of this upcoming draft class.
While it may still be early days and a lot can change, initial signs suggest that the 2025 draft class might not be as strong as the previous years. The projected No. 1 pick, James Hagens, is undoubtedly a talented prospect, but some believe he falls behind the likes of Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard at the same age. Additionally, Hagens isn’t seen as a unanimous top pick among teams, which could indicate a lack of standout talent in this year’s class. Personally, I see Hagens and Porter Martone in a close race for the top spot, but scouts have mentioned several other names in the mix for the coveted first overall pick.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the 2025 draft class. The QMJHL is showing promise with four players projected to go in the first round, marking a strong showing for the league. Ontario is also making its mark with six players in the top 12, indicating a diverse pool of talent from different regions.
At this early stage, it’s too premature for me to start categorizing players into tiers and assigning tool grades. Those details will come in a later ranking, as I plan to provide more frequent updates throughout the season. Stay tuned as we unravel the mysteries of the 2025 NHL Draft and discover the future stars of the game.
