Matthew Schaefer Headlines Below-Average 2025 NHL Draft Class
Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer has emerged as the consensus top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, though analysts describe the overall class as below average compared to recent years.
According to a comprehensive draft ranking, Schaefer stands alone in Tier 1 as a projected NHL All-Star, while the entire class features strong depth at forward positions but notably weak defensive prospects.
The draft\'s second tier includes four talented forwards: Saginaw\'s Michael Misa, Moncton\'s Caleb Desnoyers, Boston College\'s James Hagens, and Brampton\'s Porter Martone. These players are classified as \"bubble NHL All-Star and top of the lineup\" caliber prospects.
Tier 3 features six prospects labeled as \"top of the lineup players,\" with centers dominating this group. Sweden\'s Anton Frondell (Djurgarden), Brantford\'s Jake O\'Brien, and Brandon\'s Roger McQueen highlight the centers, while Victor Eklund (Djurgarden) projects as a high-end right wing.
Just two defensemen appear in Tier 3: Kashawn Aitcheson from Barrie and Jackson Smith from Tri-City, underscoring the draft\'s weakness on the blue line. According to the evaluation, \"The second defenseman picked this year would have been my sixth- or seventh-ranked defenseman last season.\"
The ranking methodology employs a tiered structure with clear NHL projections for each prospect, ranging from \"NHL All-Star\" to \"middle of the lineup player.\" Each player receives tool grades across multiple categories including skating, puck skills, hockey sense, and compete level.
Tier 4 includes eight prospects classified as \"bubble top and middle of the lineup player,\" featuring a more diverse positional mix. Windsor center Jack Nesbitt leads this group, while Prince George\'s Joshua Ravensbergen stands as the only goaltender in the top 32.
The final tier encompasses 13 players projected as \"middle of the lineup\" NHL contributors, with centers again dominating the group. Three of the final tier\'s defensemen – Logan Hensler (Wisconsin), Henry Brzustewicz (London), and Sascha Boumedienne (Boston University) – play NCAA hockey.
With the draft approaching in June, this assessment presents a forward-heavy class led by a single standout defenseman in Schaefer, with significant depth in the middle tiers but lacking the high-end talent that characterized recent draft classes.
2025 NHL Draft Top Prospects
1. Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)
2. Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)
3. Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
4. James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)
5. Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)
6. Anton Frondell, C, Djurgarden (SWEDEN-2)
7. Jake O\'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)
8. Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgarden (SWEDEN-2)
9. Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)
10. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)
11. Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)
12. Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL)
13. Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL)
14. Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL)
15. Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
16. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL)
17. Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)
18. Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR)
19. Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
20. Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
21. Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)
22. Cole Reschny, C, Victoria (WHL)
23. Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL)
24. Milton Gastrin, C, Modo Jr. (SWEDEN-JR)
25. Bill Zonnon, RW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
26. Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA)
27. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL)
28. Mason West, C, Fargo (USHL)
29. Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State (NCAA)
30. Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)
31. Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)
32. Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary (WHL)