The Chicago Blackhawks currently have two selections during Friday’s opening round of the 2025 NHL Draft, first at No. 3 and next at No. 25 — barring any trades, of course. This is one of the most open drafts in recent memory, and it’s already difficult to figure out who the Blackhawks might take with their first selection, let alone their second. But let’s take a quick look at some players — broken out by skater position, five each — the Blackhawks could potentially select with their second pick of the first round.

Note: Several of the forwards played both center and wing this season, so we did our best to sort them based on where they are projected to play in the NHL. Also, because of the variable nature of this year’s draft, this list was especially difficult to put together, and as a result, there are likely some on here that will go much higher or lower than the 20s. Thanks to Zack/Soft Serve Scouting for helping construct this list: we tried to balance who we liked with who we think the Blackhawks might target.

Centers

Scouting reports:

A one-man forecheck, Cootes’ motor and energy are undeniably elite. In a single shift, he can amass multiple retrievals, guiding opponents into a big hit, spinning off a check and passing, winning another race by obtaining inside position well before the boards, and repeating over and over until the puck finds twine. Primarily a playmaker, he escapes with quick passes inside and occasionally deceives opponents to find a backdoor option. After passing, he dashes to the net to create traffic and collect loose pucks.

— EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Cootes is a well-liked, well-rounded center who played in all situations for Seattle this season, was named co-captain in the fall and led the low-scoring Thunderbirds in scoring at just above a point per game… He’s a strong skater who plays with energy and detail, earning the trust of coaches with his diligent, complete game. He’s a good athlete. He plays the game with determination. He’s a good penalty killer and five-on-five driver. He plays the bumper on the power play well because of his nose for the net and competitiveness to get to pucks… He always seems to be lurking around the slot and involved in everything. He works and makes little plays, arriving on time in good spots. I’ve wondered throughout this year about whether he has enough skill to become a top-six type but there aren’t many players in this draft that confidently project as top-nine NHLers and he looks like one… He’s got some secondary skill and can make plays, even if it’s not the focal point of his game and he becomes more of an excellent complementary player for his linemates. He could go as high as the teens but I’m just a little lower on him.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Cootes is a coach’s dream who leans on his effort, compete, and character to make an impact seemingly every shift. As such, he was a captain at 17 with Seattle and was also Canada’s captain at the 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. His skating and defensive acumen also stand out in the class, an extension of his compete. His feet are always moving and he’s always making an effort to squash plays to turn the puck up ice. He’s got the foot speed to get up and down the ice efficiently, allowing him to make more of a 200-foot impact… His engine is always going which leads to him winning battles non-stop, being impactful all over the ice, and being able to remain effective when the game tightens up. Cootes also has an edge to his game that you love to see. Those intangibles create a great baseline for him once he enters the NHL.

— Kareem Elshafey, FCHockey

Scouting reports:

Gastrin started his draft season off on fire. He was captain of Sweden’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup team and produced 10 points in five games, and that same success bled into his club play with MoDo’s J20 squad. A mid-season injury held him out of the World Junior A Challenge, and his production has tailed off since the injury, but Gastrin remains a promising prospect. Gastrin can play centre or on the wing and could be used up and down the lineup. His tools are solid across the board, even if none of them are considered high-end or elite. [He] is a responsible forward with exceptional speed who will go to the difficult areas of the ice to score, though his brain and hands can struggle to keep up with his feet. He has a good frame which he’ll likely be able to add weight to as he matures. The upside for Gastrin is a secon line point producing forward, but he’ll most likely end up as a middle-six player.

— Jordan Harris and Ethan Lindley, Dobber Prospects

Gastrin has consistently strong intelligence, motor and defensive IQ, and there are flashes of high-end play on top of all that. He moves well and could stick down the middle long-term because of his mobility and play-reading ability at both ends of the ice. If he elevates his skill and becomes a bit more creative, there could be something more than a No. 3 center, but as of now, that’s what he’s projected to be.

— Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News

Gastrin has been excellent in Swedish national team action, developing into quite a responsible two-way player. Gastrin will not be a point producer in the NHL, but he will do so many other things that excite you. He’s defensively responsible, wins a ton of face-offs and can play the wing when you need him to. We’ve seen him play with some of Sweden’s better players in international junior tournaments, and he has never looked out of place.

— Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Scouting reports:

An exceptionally smart, crafty winger, Kindel’s hockey sense and ability to execute give him a good chance to make it and potentially play a top-six role down the road. He’s 5-foot-10 and the skating is only OK, but he did just put up 99 points for the Calgary Hitmen this season and showed an ability to pick apart defenses with an ability to extend plays and create for his linemates. His vision is exceptional and the hand skills will make him difficult to get the puck from. If he can get a bit stronger and raise the compete level in the harder areas of the ice, he’ll give himself a better chance.

— Chris Peters, FloHockey

Benjamin Kindel can’t stop scoring. After 60 points as a WHL rookie, he became one of the league’s elite scorers, finishing seventh in overall points and sixth in even-strength points per 60 (via InStat Hockey). Though undersized, he has the right blend of skills to make the NHL in a scoring role… Pace, vision, and translatability are Kindel’s calling cards. With feet that never stop moving, he weaves through traffic, draws defenders, and works give-and-gos. In a single rush, he builds several passing plays and then escapes the wall for a chance. A skillful mid-range shooter and even more dangerous passer, he brings dual-threat scoring ability… Flaws in Kindel’s game are few and far between, but tools and technical skills could improve. Relying more on pace than high-level manipulation to create, his skating mechanics, puck control, and passing accuracy at speed will all have to improve. He’s an engaged player who battles, but his motor will likely have to go from great to elite to translate his game to the NHL. The scoring upside and three-zone value could propel Kindel to a top-six role, but there’s also a chance he doesn’t develop his tools to push beyond a third-line role. Either way, he’s a bet worth making in the top 25 of the draft class.

— EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Benjamin Kindel is a 5’10” center who has been a true revelation for the Calgary Hitmen. Kindel led all draft-eligible players out of the WHL this season with 99 points (35G/64A), and he did most of his damage at even strength. Kindel is a smart, versatile forward who is a constant factor in all three zones and across all situations. Calgary relies on him to be a major contributor at even strength, on the powerplay, and on the penalty kill. He’s a quick, elusive player whose meticulous two-way approach to the game makes his offensive production even more impressive. He has a high-end small-area game, hanging onto pucks and drawing pressure before finding teammates with precision through tight lines. Kindel also possesses an impressive wrister release that he’s able to unleash incredibly quickly. He’s shown much more willingness to use it this season, and it’s resulted in a huge uptick in goalscoring. His small stature may require him to move from center to wing at the pro level, but his IQ and versatile skillset shouldn’t diminish his overall impact.

— SpokedZ, Smaht Scouting

Scouting reports:

Nesbitt trended up significantly this season. He became an important player on a deep Windsor team. Nesbitt is a very skilled center with great size. He can beat players one-on-one at a high rate off the rush and shows a lot of offensive creativity inside the offensive zone. He’s smart and makes a lot of intelligent plays, showing the vision to score in the NHL. He’s a big man who plays heavy and is a reliable 200-foot player. He’s a player that Windsor kept playing more as the season went on and leaned on during important games. His skating stride is heavy, though, and he will struggle to get by NHL defensemen with his foot speed. The hope is that the rest of his game is so good he it won’t be a major issue. He has top-six forward potential and could be a second-line center.

— Corey Pronman, The Athletic

Jack Nesbitt has fallen under the radar while playing down the lineup on a very strong Windsor team. Despite this, Nesbitt produced near a point per game in the regular season. Defensively, he’s detail-oriented, with an active stick, good positioning, and a commitment to tracking through the middle. Offensively, he shows a feel for playmaking with good patience and vision. The fluidity in his handling ability is still an area he needs to improve. Coaches will love his compete level, opponents will dread his consistency. A complete, work-horse type forward with undeniable upside… Nesbitt looks safe to play NHL games at the very least, but it may take a year or two to see if the projection can grow, as many bigger players like him can take a bit longer to hit — Nesbitt very well may be one of those guys as he gets older and stronger. 

— Kareem Ramadan and Austin Kelly, Dobber Prospects

Nesbitt was one of the most improved players in the OHL this season, emerging to play significant all-situations minutes for the Spitfires. He’s a big, tall, strong center who looks like a man and yet still has room to get stronger. He’s also strong in the faceoff circle, reliable on and off the puck, with some of the complementary skills you look for in a bigger pivot, including good hands in tight and on tips and a willingness to battle, go to the net and then release into the corners to get pucks back and go to work on the cycle. He’s competitive. He’s got some secondary vision/sense on the puck and reads and anticipates well on and off the puck… He’ll carry pucks through neutral ice even though his skating needs work. He’s got a good wrister from mid-range. He has learned to survey better and find guys. He can make some plays with guys on him. There’s a lot to like. He needs to get a quicker, for sure, and a disappointing impact at U18 worlds did soften some of the buzz around him this season. If he continues to make the progress he did this season, he’ll have a long career in the NHL.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Scouting reports:

He may be the best skater in this draft and that one elite trait could be enough for a team to take a chance on him in the first round. Potter went to the NCAA a year early and performed well, but didn’t quite light it up with 22 points in 35 games. He has a good shot and can slither through defenders well, with speed to win races and beat defenders wide. The knock on Potter, beyond his 5-10 frame is that there are a lot of things he can create with his feet, but doesn’t finish plays as well and can be a bit too perimeter. The skating gives him a solid foundation to build off of, though, and there are a lot of players that need work in this range.

— Chris Peters, FloHockey

Although some have concerns about Potter’s size, the speed at which Potter plays the game and the motor he has as an offensive driver leave me satisfied that it won’t be an issue. Potter leverages his speed and agility to open up lanes. Potter tended to skate himself into trouble at times, but it was often because he was just operating at a higher pace than his linemates and lacked support. With the puck, he attacks up ice and consistently looks to create some opportunity… Potter was fantastic for Arizona State for much of the year, putting up 13 goals and 22 points as a freshman playing on a team that doesn’t have much true high-end talent… Potter could have reasonably been more than a point-per-game player in a better situation.

— Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News

Cullen Potter is a well-rounded, high-motor center who played for Arizona State University this past season and represented the United States at the U18 World Championship, where he produced at a point-per-game pace. He brings energy, pace, and responsibility in all three zones, built around high-end speed, smart positioning, and relentless effort… His powerful stride and well-timed crossovers allow him to find soft ice, close space, and maintain tight gaps defensively. He’s effective in the low slot, boxing out with physicality, and has a knack for blindsiding attackers who aren’t scanning, often forcing turnovers by skating through sticks and bodies instead of just reaching in. He can barrel in to disrupt plays and nullify breakouts with force… With the puck, Potter plays with poise and intelligence. He has strong handling skills that allow him to create space under pressure, especially through the middle of the ice. … Defensively, he’s highly engaged and trustworthy, using physicality, awareness, and an active stick to stay in lanes and win puck battles. Potter’s game is built on compete, skating, and smart reads, projecting him as a versatile, reliable middle-six NHL forward. There’s a bit of Frank Nazar in how he blends quickness, awareness, and nonstop motor.

— Josh Tessler, Smaht Scouting

Left Wings

Scouting reports:

Few prospects evolve as much as Lynden Lakovic has, and even fewer combine size with technical ability. The 6-foot-4 dual-threat threat scorer was once more of a drive-and-shoot winger. Now, he’s a top-end play-driver in the WHL… Playing a translatable offensive game, Lakovic is always thinking about how to create the best play. A highly skilled passer, he seeks to add value to the sequence with every touch while still managing to keep the risk down. A powerful, accurate, and versatile shot provides the perfect complement for Lakovic’s playmaking. He fires in stride, changes the angle, and curls around sticks to create shooting lanes… Physical skills are the biggest question with Lakovic. He has the size and skating to play a power forward game, but he’s more of an open-ice skill player. One of the draft’s most evolving prospects, Lakovic has a lengthy track record of turning weaknesses into strengths. If he can turn his physical skills into a strength, he could be a top-six dual-threat winger.

— EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Lakovic is a 6-foot-4 winger who can really fly and blends good handles and scoring touch into his movements nicely. He protects pucks well, can get off the wall and has taken strides to keep his head up on the puck and survey/use his linemates better and better. He’s still got room to improve his scanning, off-puck play and decision-making, and his physicality needs to be more consistent, but his ability both in transition and protecting pucks in the offensive zone can really pop and he’s got clear top-nine projectability with good coaching. When he’s on pucks and up and under sticks and winning inside body positioning, he can be really noticeable in a game with his skating, strength, power and skill. He’s got quick hands and can take D one-on-one as well… He could go shortly after the top 10 somehwere and I debated ranking him a couple of spots higher.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Questions about his intensity/physicality have chased him all season long, but Lakovic’s skillset is tremendous. At his size, there are maybe two other players in this draft who can skate and handle the puck at his level. His playmaking vision and ability—especially off the rush, at speed—elevated his teammates all season. Though he needs to tune his accuracy, Lakovic’s shooting mechanics are excellent as well. Lakovic also had to drive the bus on a depleted Moose Jaw squad, leading them with over a point-per-game and factoring in on over half the team’s goals. Though I think the checking concerns are over-blown, even as-is Lakovic could be a force in the NHL.

— Luke Sweeney, Dobber Prospects

William Moore

Age: 18 (March 24, 2007)
Hometown: Mississauga, ON, CAN
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 174 pounds
Shoots: Left
Team: U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) | USNTDP Juniors (USHL)
Production: 59 points (27 G, 32 A) in 44 NTDP games | 21 points (10 G, 11 A) in 25 USHL games

Scouting reports:

Two years ago, William Moore was among the elite in this draft class. A dynamic centre with skill refinement beyond his years, he looked like a strong bet to remain a top player in the coming years. That didn’t quite happen. Though he never took the next step in his two years with the NTDP, top-end potential remains. Moore does a bit of everything, from high-end plays right down to the finest details. In his best games, he manipulates defenders with driving crossover rushes, lands look-off passes, crashes the net, and puts on a down-low clinic with possession. He drives wide, gets the defender to follow, and then instantly cuts inside for a better look… Putting together all these great pieces has proved challenging for Moore. A lack of strength and sturdiness impacts his physical game and mobility, while a lack of consistent engagement and off-puck speed leads to many quiet nights. But if he takes the leap in his development, Moore could become a middle-six winger, perhaps No. 2 center.

— EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

When play needs to be advanced, Moore is the kind of player teams love having on the ice. He simply makes plays that get the puck up the ice, creates some interesting looks as a passer and finds a way to put his team in position to succeed. His tools are all slightly above average, and he is an intelligent tactician. With some physical maturation and a bit of growth as a skater, he could be a very solid prospect. 

— Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News

When he plays to the middle and gets off the wall to the inside, he can show skill and scoring and be a lot to handle in protection… He has quick hands one-on-one, which allows him to play pucks under the sticks of defenders. He’s a natural, flowing skater. He’s capable of dropping a shoulder and attacking at guys from out wide, or pushing to the net for a jam play/wraparound, or going to the front of the net and lurk for opportunistic chances off the puck, but you want to see him do that more than he actually does. He can also work to get to pucks and win races, though some want to see him be more involved in all areas of his game (he’s decent in the faceoff circle, though)… He’s not the most cerebral player or a dynamic facilitator, though, and he’s got work to do to round out his game off the puck… inconsistency has been an issue and he needs to get stronger and play with more drive/push at times. But he’s got good instincts on the puck and some untapped upside because of his skill, skating and shot. With the right development and a bit of an adjustment to his mindset, he’s got legit NHL potential.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Scouting reports:

A gifted goal scorer with a good shot and the ability to get to the interior, Murtagh is difficult to stop when his motor is running. While there’s some clear offensive capability, Murtagh didn’t light scoreboards on fire with just south of a point per game at the NTDP, highlighted by his 22 goals. He has a good shot, can make plays off the rush and gets to the net. At 6-foot-1, and close to 200 pounds, he can be difficult to play against and has enough a hard-nosed style that teams may bite in the late first round.

— Chris Peters, FloHockey†

Jack Murtaugh, a 6’1”, 198-pound left winger from the US National Development Program, is a 2025 NHL Draft prospect poised to join Boston University, with the potential to become a reliable third-line NHL forward. Known for his strong offensive upside, Murtaugh combines versatility, secondary scoring, and a hard-nosed, two-way playing style that excels in critical game situations. His honest effort, work ethic, and leadership qualities make him an ideal complement to star players, enhancing his value as a prospect who can contribute both offensively and defensively in a supporting role.

— Shane Malloy, Hockey Prospect Radio

Murtagh took significant steps forward in his development this season, becoming one of the better players on the U.S. NTDP. He’s a gifted forward, with legit speed and skill for the NHL level. On his best shifts when he’s beating defenders wide and attacking with his skill, he can be impactful and his shot is a legit weapon from range. His game can be frustrating at times, though. Murtagh doesn’t see the ice very well, and his compete level can be average. He has decent size and enough talent, though, that he could find a way to be a bottom-six winger.

— Corey Pronman, The Athletic

Malcolm Spence

Age: 18 (Sept 22, 2006)
Hometown: Mississauga, ON, CAN
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 201 pounds
Shoots: Left
Team: Erie Otters (OHL)
Production: 73 points (32 G, 41 A) in 65 regular season games | 9 points (4 G, 5 A) in 5 playoff games

One quick note before we get into the scouting reports on Spence: the majority of mock drafts we encountered over the last week had Spence as the Hawks’ pick at No. 25 in this year’s draft. Not a guarantee of course, but something worth remembering as the draft unfolds on Monday night.

Scouting reports:

Malcolm Spence is a two-way forward who plays an aggressive forechecking game with adept defensive skills, logging significant time on both special teams. The Otters’ forward may not have the dynamic offensive abilities of some of the higher-end players in the draft but he has consistently produced well on the international stage amongst some of the best players in his age group. His game has many great qualities that coaches will love and his versatile skillset should make him an attractive option to NHL teams.

— Gordon Munro, Recruit Scouting

Our evaluation of Spence’s game remains unchanged from our last rankings. After a very strong first few games in the OHL playoffs, scoring 6 points in his first 4 games, Spence then was kept off the scoresheet for 4 straight games before scoring a goal and an assist in the last game of his season in a losing effort. A strong, physical winger with some goalscoring pop, Spence just didn’t really improve that much from last year. The safe projection is one of a complimentary player on a team’s bottom 6, with the potential to become a middle 6 option if his game rounds up enough. Right now, he’s a bit of a one-dimensional shooter with flashes of very strong forechecking, but Spence doesn’t have the highest motor for a player of this style and has problems facilitating for teammates. If his pace and pace of play improves, he could become a fan-favorite, hard-working and endearing player who could provide valuable depth offense. His style of play will make an NHL team draft him higher than that though, probably based on the perception that his style of play would be particularly effective in the playoffs.

— Thomas Gagné, Smaht Scouting

Spence is big and aggressive, playing an abrasive physical game all over the ice. He out-works the opposition and wins his share of battles with good puck protection. He had 73 points in 65 games this year and saw his goal-scoring tick up decisively with 32 goals. Spence has a pretty solid shot even if he might not be tabbed as a pure sniper. At a hair under 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, he is difficult to stop between the dots and at the net-front. He’ll be heading to the University of Michigan next year where he should play a significant role. At the NHL level, however, I’d expect Spence to slot most comfortably into a bottom-six role with good secondary scoring.

— Chris Peters, FloHockey

Scouting reports:

Bill Zonnon brings a lovable and projectable approach to the game that NHL teams might appreciate. .. [He] is a big and versatile forward who can play the wing or center. What stands out the most about Bill is his compete level. He’s relentless every shift on puck carriers and uses his size well to win board battles. Zonnon possesses a long and powerful skating stride, which allows him to be dominant in transition. Paired with a good skill level and a strong understanding of the game, it gives him a safe floor as a prospect. The only knock on Zonnon’s game would be his explosiveness and agility on his skates. Improvements would give him upside as a complementary top 9 forward in the NHL. [Again] The 6-2 centre from the Q is fast, intense, and has some untapped playmaking potential. The skating is a work in progress, but he’ll crack an NHL bottom 6.

— Éloi Biondo and Whittaker Heart, Dobber Prospects

The QMJHL has struggled to produce top-end talent because, although the players coming out of the league are highly skilled, they lack pace and functional physicality. Although that is still true for the league, Bill Zonnon breaks the mold and shows that playing with NHL pro-style attributes can breed success in the ‘Q.’ Zonnon is among the hardest-working players in the class, relentlessly attacking play at both ends of the ice… Zonnon is a skilled playmaker who draws defenders in and then plays the puck through their vacated space. His skating is a little wonky-looking, but he never fails to get to his spot, and he wins races to the puck with regularity. Zonnon may not be a high-end producer, but he makes a team vastly better because of the qualities that he brings every shift.

— Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News

I like Zonnon. He’s very energetic, a tremendous playmaker and is looking more comfortable as a shooter, too. He’s physical, smart and is an excellent passer who can do some dangerous things with the puck. When he has the puck, he makes things happen in open space. Without it, he creates space for his teammates and he gets himself to the net. It feels like Zonnon has been underappreciated and that he deserves more attention for his work ethic and tremendous vision. He’s the type of player you can stick with other high-end talents and find success. I can see him going 10 spots higher in this draft if a team thinks they can mold him into something they need.

— Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Right Wings

Scouting reports:

Ihs-Wozniak’s a compelling and talented player. He’s a 6-foot-2 forward with a clean catch-and-release shot, a dangerous one-timer on the flank, an ability to handle pucks in tight or protect them out wide and a good sense of when to slow the game down. His actual posture can look a little funky, with a very upright stance from the hips up and legs that can trail behind, but he’s actually pretty fast. He can play one-on-one, he can play off the puck as a shooter, he can make skill plays for his linemates and he’s got an ability to finish with his hands and quick release. He kind of reminds me of Kraken first-rounder Eduard Sale, though, in that he relies on the power play and has been known to come and go in games a little too much, casting doubt about his projection (it feels a little top-six or bust). For that reason, it was nice to see him winning more battles at U18s while still striking quickly offensively, flashing in moments of one-on-one skill, and looking dangerous on the power play. He’s going to be one of the only players in the late-first/early-second range in this draft with legitimate skill grades/PP skills, and that’ll make him an interesting bet for the right team.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Jacob Wozniak, a 6’2”, 198-pound right-shot right winger, is a 2025 NHL Draft prospect with enigmatic talent, blending dynamic offensive potential with inconsistent performance in the SHL. Labeled a C+ player with role-specific skills, Wozniak’s unpredictable nature makes him a challenging prospect to rank. His development in the SHL has shown improved physicality and intensity, benefiting from a more structured environment compared to the J20 league. With a career trajectory potentially mirroring Andre Burakovsky, Wozniak represents a high-risk, high-reward option, likely requiring multiple second-round picks for teams willing to invest in his top-six upside.

— Shane Malloy, Hockey Prospect Radio

That he has been rewarded with a bit of SHL playing time this season may be a sign that there’s confidence in his ability to produce at this level for upcoming seasons. However, I believe his presence at this level will depend on the commitment and the intensity he shows when the puck isn’t in his possession. We’re fully aware that with the puck on his stick, he’s among the top ones of the promotion. Let’s not forget he was originally considered the top prospect out of Sweden for this class, so the pure and raw talent is there. He has an effective shot, and he knows when he needs to use the power and when the accuracy… But he might end up as a one-dimensional player, lacking that extra burst of speed, and showing a tendency to disengage, or rather, to go unnoticed. He is one of the players with the widest draft range on my list. Between those who still believe in the high-end talent that once made him a potential top pick and can see a good line combination where Ihs-Wozniak can thrive, and those who have more doubts about his impact on other areas of the game.

— Iván Ortiz, Smaht Scouting

Scouting reports:

Lee is one of the most skilled and interesting offensive talents in the draft, possessing everything you want when in the offensive zone. He is a slick passer and a smooth and creative puckhandler with a very good shot. The issue is that his pace and skating are a work in progress. If you draft him and get him to work with a skating coach, you’ll get one of the most talented offensive players in the draft. 

— Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News

A tremendously skilled winger who slices open defenses with game-breaking handling and punishes them with his playmaking and heavy one-timer… On pure skill, Ryker Lee pushes for the top 10 in this draft class. Highly skilled with uncommon creation methods, it’s no surprise that he was one of the USHL’s elite scorers, finishing just three points back of the league lead in 10 fewer games… Rapid-fire handling skill, explosive pull-back wristers, perfect lob passes, backhand dangles, precision saucer passes – Lee has just about every puck skill in the book. Without speed as an advantage, he prefers to press the middle, draw pressure, and delay for support, often landing a creative spin pass for a chance… There’s a lot of work ahead for Lee in terms of skating development and play selection, who can be quite inefficient with possession. A stiff skater without much explosion, he might get swarmed in the professional ranks. A late growth spurt almost certainly impacted the skating, but he won’t need skating as an advantage to play in the NHL – the skill’s just that good. Assembling all the pieces, Lee is one of the draft’s biggest boom-or-bust prospects. There’s a chance that the skating is too prohibitive, but also a chance that it becomes just good enough to make him a top-six scoring forward.

EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Ryker Lee is one of the most tantalizing yet perplexing prospects in the USHL. He boasts elite puck-handling ability, exceptional vision, and a quick release that makes him a constant offensive threat; on his best nights, he’s the most skilled player on the ice. His inconsistency stems from below-average skating. With poor straight-line speed, balance, and edgework, this hinders Lee’s defensive engagement, forechecking effectiveness, and overall shift-to-shift impact. However, the root of his skating issues may lie in a recent growth spurt that disrupted his mechanics, and it is also worth mentioning that Lee finished in first at the combine in the vertical jump. This is significant because the vertical jump is widely regarded as an excellent measure of an athlete’s lower-body power, which directly correlates with their potential to generate explosive speed—two things critical to building speed. If you buy into the notion that Lee’s skating is correctable, he has the kind of high end skill, creativity, and raw athletic tools to develop into a top 6 forward at the next level, but his ceiling hinges entirely on addressing this critical flaw.

— Kareem Ramadan, Dobber Prospects

Scouting reports:

A hard-working winger with creativity, handling, flashes of high-end thinking, and an increasingly violent side. A long-term prospect, but one with unique potential… There’s not much Nestrašil can’t do. Every night, he plays with the same high level of energy. A punishing player who seeks out big hits, skates hard after every puck, and knocks away pucks with well-timed swipes, he’s always noticeable without the puck. With possession, Nestrašil plays a high-skill, team-focused game. He works give-and-gos, drawing in the nearest defender first to give his teammate more space. With full-reach handling skill, he pulls pucks off the wall and gets to the slot in one motion, as well as carves through traffic off the rush.

— EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Nestrasil skates very well in a north/south game for a player of his size at 6’5. He combines this with very good puck skill when he has at his full pace to weave through the neutral zone to create rush opportunities. He’s best when he’s given space to create offensive chances and when he’s defending going at an opposing player. Nestrasil struggles in the small area game though. His edgework, especially his Gretzky turns, are clunky and he loses too much speed and it takes too much effort for him to pivot back in the opposite direction. He doesn’t stick handle well when forced to pull the puck in and prefers to stay wide, using his length to protect the puck instead of his feet to gain advantages over opposing defenders. He has a long ways to go with his off-puck game in the offensive and defensive zone. He is rarely in a supportive position and instead is thinking more about what will be the most opportune situation if a play breaks down, often times finding himself behind the play defensively or not being an outlet for a teammate who has possession. A lot of tools to work with, but he has a long developmental path to becoming a positive player in the offensive/defensive zone as a professional player.

— Austin Garret, Smaht Scouting

I love the blend of size and skating with Nestrasil. It’s rare to find a player with his size who can move that well. What helped him rise so much as the year went on was the improvement he showed on the puck. He can play the traditional game of a power forward who sets up net front and battles for pucks in the corners, but he can also play with the puck on his stick and showed increased creativity and confidence with the puck as the year went on. He still seems as though he is growing into his body, which may cause a slow transition to the college game next year, but there is a lot of upside with Nestrasil, as he can impact the game in so many different ways.

— Jacob Roth, FCHockey

Scouting reports:

A cerebral, skilled forward with high-end playmaking ability, Reschny has a fairly high offensive ceiling. His ability to process the game and control the pace of his shifts when the puck is on his stick make him stand out at the junior level. He lacks prototypical NHL size and he’s not a natural burner as a skater, but he moves pucks effectively and decisively. His performance down the stretch of the season and into the World Under-18 Championship put Reschny’s stock on the rise for good reason. 

— Chris Peters, FloHockey

The longer we’ve watched Cole Reschny in his draft year, the more we’ve became convinced that the primary concerns most people seem to have regarding his projectability won’t be an issue for him. It’s pretty atypical for a forward who is small in stature and not a great skater to find success at the NHL level, but Reschny has shown time and time again that he has a high enough hockey IQ to overcome these limitations. Where some people might look at him and see a player who lacks the separating speed to properly give him the space to make plays against tighter competition, we simply see a player who is able to constantly make difficult passes and set up high danger chances while under intense pressure from the opposition (if anything, we believe this style to be more projectable than players at lower levels who are able to utilize speed and space to their advantage more consistently). Although his tape speaks for itself, his numbers can back him up just as well if needed. Reschny was easily one of the most impressive players in all of the CHL playoffs this season, scoring over 2 points a game and dominating over all 200 feet of the ice. Once his team was eliminated from the WHL playoffs, he immediately stepped into the U18 World championships and made his presence known, playing over 20 minutes in multiple games while scoring at over a point a game and helping to lead Canada to a Gold medal. There may not be many top of the lineup NHL players with Reschny’s profile, but we think he has the skills and the smarts to overcome the odds and be a real impact top six forward in the NHL.

— Dan Haurin, Smaht Scouting

Reschny is coming off an outstanding showing at the U-18 World Championship. He didn’t start the tournament on time, but he was a big reason why Canada won gold. Reschny’s ability to produce no matter the situation makes him so intriguing. He’s not huge, but he makes up for it with explosive speed and elusiveness, making him a tough player to contain on the rush. He’s an outstanding playmaker, maybe one of the best in this class. Reschny’s competitive nature will take him far, and he has proven internationally he can be an offensive catalyst with other high-end prospects.

— Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Scouting reports:

Shane Vansaghi is a player who divides opinions among our scouting staff. While some see him as a relentless bottom-six forechecker, others envision potential for him to develop into a middle-six complementary power forward at the NHL level. His skating remains our biggest concern, and it’s something he’ll need to improve if he’s going to translate his game to the big league in any role. If he can do that, the team that calls his name in the draft will have a player who almost certainly projects to play in the NHL at some capacity… [But] we’re confident Vansaghi will play in the NHL in some role. Occasional flashes of puck skill suggest there might even be upside for a middle-six winger role.

— Anni Karvinen, Dobber Prospects

Vansaghi played limited minutes on a top NCAA team in Michigan State this season. Despite his role, he still showed a lot of traits that will appeal to NHL teams. He’s got a very high skill level, especially for a 6-2 forward. He beats defenders one-on-one routinely and has a ton of imagination with the puck. He’s a big, heavy winger who drives to the net. He doesn’t shy away from physical play, either. Vansaghi’s biggest issue is his foot speed. I’ve seen slower big guys, but he won’t be able to separate at the NHL level. He projects as a middle six wing.

— Corey Pronman, The Athletic

In a shallow draft, you’re simply looking for players that are going to have a chance. At closer to 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Vansaghi is the kind of high-floor player who has an identity that will get him onto an NHL roster and stay there for a long time. His overall game, physicality, ability to win battles, play well below the dots and away from the puck all help Vansaghi get into an NHL lineup and help a team win as more of a cog than a primary piece.

— Chris Peters, FloHockey

Defensemen

Scouting reports:

Kashawn Aitcheson has all the tools to develop into a physical two-way defenseman at the NHL level. I’d expect his best projection to be a second-pair blueliner. With a relatively high floor, it seems hard to envision him not getting at least a cup of coffee in the NHL. He does a lot of things well, but the key for him is his consistency and further developing some of his attributes to better aid him going forward (ex. Improving his mobility will help him to both defend and join the rush)… His tools alone should take him far, but how he develops and adds additional skills will be what dictates exactly how far he goes. 

— Gordon Munro, Recruit Scouting

Though [No. 30] is far below where he will inevitably go on Draft Day, this is closer to the higher-end of the range that the Dobber Prospects Draft Team feels comfortable taking Aitcheson. The question isn’t what he’s done in the OHL this season (which is obviously appealing), but how this will translate. He’s a physically punishing enforcer, but at 6-1, his size is only average among NHLers (not to mention that he’s among the draft’s oldest, most physically mature players). He scored over 20 goals as a defenceman, but so many of them come from abandoning his post and driving the net, leaving you to question his scoring upside in a more structured environment. Overall, his tools are solid, though his implementation will need to drastically change to avoid driving NHL coaches crazy

— Luke Sweeney, Dobber Prospects

Aitcheson is a powerful, bullish defender who is hard to play against, defends firmly and commands his ice. He knows who he is and plays with confidence and aggression, often directing his teammates and always talking (to his teammates and opponents). He’s strong on the PK. He’s chippy and extremely physical, looking for every opportunity he can to lay a hit, get in someone’s face or give someone a shot. He’s eager to drop the gloves. He’s a willing shot-blocker. He’s got step-up physicality and likes to knock guys around (I’ve seen him lay some huge hits in visits to Barrie). He’s got a hard shot, scored 26 goals this season as a D, scored half a dozen more in the playoffs and makes a good first pass. He’s a strong enough skater (though his feet can splay and kick a little when he’s in a hurry and he’s still got work to do on his stride mechanics, which I know have already been a focus) and a physically mature athlete with some real power and presence about him. He’s got a good stick, so his defending isn’t completely reliant on his physical play. His discipline and decision-making can get him into trouble, and he takes a lot of stick penalties and will make the odd mistake, but he can play in all situations and has a lot of the tools you look for in a hard-nosed two-way type. Aitcheson was named to the OHL’s Second All-Star Team this year. He’s going to have a long career in the NHL as a two-way competitor with some real bite.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Scouting reports:

Boumedienne didn’t have explosive numbers in college, but most expect him to take a big step forward next year. Just based on his play from late February and onward, Boumedienne seems to have really honed in on his puck skills. You match that with his speed and his penchant for making high-risk, high-reward plays and there’s a ton to love. Boumedienne has high-end attributes that teams love, but he just needs to calm down and play at his own pace. If he can do that, he’ll be excellent.

— Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

After a fantastic USHL season at age 16 that meant many touted him as a potential top fifteen pick. The Swedish blue-liner entered the NCAA early with the Boston University Terriers last Autumn. To begin it seemed that might have been the wrong decision. He found himself mainly on the bottom pair to start the season, with no power-play time and his game under the microscope. Playing at a level which is a clear jump up from junior hockey his offensive game did not transfer, his small area skating looked in need of work, and from game-to-game he struggled consistency wise. However, as the season went on Boumedienne seemed to figure out how to put his skills to work best in College Hockey, and over the final few weeks of the season was a go-to defenseman for one of the premier programmes in the US, playing 25 minutes a night, and having obviously worked on some of his more glaring flaws over the year. Then came the u-18 WJC. The well-rounded blue-liner looked on a mission to prove the naysayers wrong. 14 points in just seven games was the most for a defenseman in the tournament’s history. His small-area skating did not look to have any issues against his peers either. Now? Boumedienne will almost certainly go inside the first round. The question is simply where. While his absolute upside may still be questioned, Boumedienne seems a safe bet to be a solid NHLer, and if things go well, maybe he can be a #2-3 defenseman.

— Alex Appleyard, Smaht Scouting

One of the very best skaters among defensemen in this draft, Boumedienne has excellent mobility, edgework and some explosiveness. His ability to close on players and retrieve pucks quickly will be valuable. Similar to some other defensemen in this range, there are questions about his overall hockey sense and if he processes the game quickly enough to be an effective puck mover. I’ve seen tremendous improvement in his overall game over the course of this season, but there’s still something that hasn’t quite connected to put a full stamp of projected top-four defenseman on this player.

— Chris Peters, FloHockey

Scouting reports:

Blake Fiddler, a 6’4″, 200-pound right-shot defenseman, is a promising prospect in the 2025 NHL draft class, distinguished by his raw talent and young age, as he won’t turn 18 until after the draft. Initially considered for a power forward role due to his physical attributes, Fiddler is now viewed as a shutdown defenseman with secondary offensive capabilities. While his retrieval rates remain a concern, improvements in physicality, spatial awareness, and late-season performance highlight his potential. His youth offers a long developmental runway, with up to four seasons in the WHL before transitioning to college or the AHL, positioning him as a potential impact player in the future.

— Shane Malloy, Hockey Prospect Radio

When you’re a 6-foot-4, right-shot defenseman, there’s going to be considerable attention paid to you and that has been the case with Fiddler. Despite this being a fairly shallow defensive class, Fiddler has the tools that give him a good foundation to build off of. While he can move pucks and make some plays, the offensive elements of his game remain mostly unrefined. His defensive skill is notable and he can make a good first pass. His footwork is solid for the most part, too. Fiddler’s hockey sense needs to come along a bit more for him to be an effective pro, but there is still an outside shot at top-four upside, especially if the offense comes along a bit more.

— Chris Peters, FloHockey

One of the toolsiest defencemen in the draft class with plus-level mobility and flashes of exciting puck skills, but shutting down the opposition will be his calling card… Size, mobility, NHL bloodlines, right shot, tons of international experience – it’s no surprise that Blake Fiddler is widely considered one of the top blueline prospects in this draft… Fiddler’s impact comes through his defense and frequent advantage creation. With explosive backward crossovers, he wins the race to the middle before pivoting and surfing into the stop. Always thinking about body position, he skates through the hands, intercepts opponents with his back, and eliminates off-puck threats. On retrievals, he picks up the puck cleanly, waits for pressure to engage, and places it in a good spot for a teammate to carry it out… Reaching the NHL will require Fiddler to further develop in all facets of the game, particularly reading the play. Achieving a top shutdown projection will require better timing on his pivots, a consistently tight gap, and more physicality. An occasional lack of awareness and a plethora of miscues with possession will have to be cleaned up to translate his puck-moving to the NHL, too. With that, Fiddler looks like a long-term prospect despite his physical maturity. There’s a chance he can’t quite break through to the NHL full-time, but if he hits, there’s sizeable potential as a shutdown and puck-moving defenceman.

— EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Scouting reports:

After a slow start to his freshman season at Wisconsin, Hensler began to showcase the quality that had some believing he could be the second-best defender in the draft coming into the year. Henlser is a mobile, right-shot blueliner who showed he can be a responsible, two-way defender as the season wore on. On most shifts, he plays mistake-free hockey, but every once in a while, Henlser shows the puck skill and playmaking ability to be a catalyst from the back end.

— Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News

I thought he was better than the numbers indicated at Wisconsin, especially given his age and the context of his team, but there are some who aren’t sure what his identity/role will be in the NHL and I’ve also had a tough time with his projection at times… Hensler’s clearly a talented player and good prospect but he’s not a no-doubter offensive defenseman or a lockdown defensive D type. He’s a smooth, mobile, balanced skater. He can use his feet to attack and create lanes. He’s a good athlete… My viewings were mostly positive this year but I’m still waiting for him to jump off the page at me. He’s capable of it. He’s really fluid in and out of his edges. He’s got pro size. He’s got good handles. He’s got balanced posture on his heels and toes, and he’s capable of using it to play strong stick-on-puck gaps and carry and lead in transition. He’s got poise and comfort in all three zones. He’s got skill and offense. He’s a righty. It’s in there. If it all comes together, there’s a skating, transitional, PP2 second-pairing NHL D in there. I think there’s some risk that he doesn’t take that next step and just becomes a fine depth five-on-five guy who can move pucks, though, too.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

The mobile defender from Wisconsin has bounced up and down on our draft board. Hensler’s tools are undeniable—a right-handed defenseman with a good frame and excellent skating ability—and they’ve kept him firmly in our first round all season long. Hensler’s greatest strength is his rush defense, which is easily among the best in the class. He’s proactive in breaking up plays in both the neutral zone and when pinching. Hensler has a very timely defensive stick and closes gaps in a smooth, controlled fashion. It’s fairly easy to project him to play in the NHL at some capacity. While we would have liked to see more from him, especially as an offensive creator, his game improved as the season went on, and we’re pretty confident there’s an NHLer there. His development and how he utilizes his tools will ultimately decide whether he plays as a mobile second-pairing defender or settles into more of a supporting role on the third pairing.

— Anni Karvinen, Dobber Prospects

Scouting reports:

A play-driving defender with all-around skills and flashes of high-end offence, but he will have to tap into his offence consistently to fill a top-end role. At the point, Reid can catch low-to-high passes in crossovers toward the middle, beat an approaching defender, and drive down the wing for a shot or a slot pass. Once he imbalances defenders with a change-of-direction feint, they have no chance of catching him, his explosive skating carrying him past them in a second… His hockey sense and mobility could carry him to a top-four NHL role, but to cement his upside, Reid will have to continue developing the more special elements of his game, like his one-on-one ability, playmaking, and rush defence. It’s those unique traits that earned smaller defencemen top roles in the NHL.

— EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Cameron Reid is a mobile, two-way defenseman who projects as a steady second-pairing option at the next level. He’s constantly in motion, adjusting his positioning seamlessly—whether shifting from the low slot to the corner to defend a chip-in or closing quickly along the boards to disrupt possession. He brings a tenacious, puck-hungry presence, frequently whacking at stick blades to force breakups and deny time and space… Defensively, Reid is engaged and assertive. He maintains solid gap control, defends well below the goal line, and uses his frame and timing to steer attackers into low-danger areas. His active stick and physical edge make him a tough matchup in puck battles along the perimeter. With the puck, Reid flashes transition potential. He supports the rush when lanes open up, joins the cycle in the offensive zone, and keeps plays alive with timely pinches… That said, under pressure, his decision-making can falter—occasionally defaulting to low-percentage D-to-D or chip plays, and struggling with puck security in tight spaces or under a hard forecheck. Still, Reid’s foundation of mobility, physicality, and defensive awareness makes him an intriguing prospect. With continued refinement in puck management and poise, he has the tools to develop into a reliable two-zone contributor at the pro level.

— Josh Tessler, Smaht Scouting

Cameron Reid is a composed, highly intelligent two-way defenseman defined by elite mobility, strong hockey sense, and efficient puck distribution… Reid is one of the best skaters among all defenders in the draft, showing great agility and a huge gas tank to make an impact all over the ice. His skating can make up for his below average size, making defensive plays with footwork and anticipation. His ability to eat big minutes and make efficient plays offensively was apparent against better opponents and in high-leverage games, making him a steady riser in the ranks in the second half… His transitional game is a strength, as he delivers crisp first passes and can carry the puck through the neutral zone or activate off the rush. On the power play, he brings poise and vision from the point, helping sustain offensive pressure through subtle reads and movement… Defensively, Reid showcases sound positioning, an active stick, and refined habits, often steering attackers wide and maintaining strong gap control. Though not physically dominant, he competes in battles and has added strength to better defend net-front and along the boards. His size remains average, but his timing and spatial awareness compensate effectively… While his offensive assertiveness can improve, Reid’s ability to impact the game through control, intelligence, and mobility makes him a highly projectable top-four NHL defenseman with special teams value.

— Joseph Aleong, FCHockey