The New York Islanders won the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft after moving up nine spots in Monday\'s lottery, while the Utah Mammoth leaped from 14th to 4th position. The draft is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on June 27-28.
Despite lacking a general manager, the Islanders are projected to select Erie (OHL) defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the top pick, according to The Athletic\'s mock draft.
\"With all the turmoil around this team now — they don\'t, you know, have a GM at the moment — the smart move is to find a cornerstone defenseman,\" wrote Arthur Staple. \"Schaefer is the consensus pick here and you can\'t go against that, not if you\'re in need of some big changes as the Islanders are.\"
Draft Order Takes Shape Following Lottery Results
The San Jose Sharks maintained the second position and are expected to choose Saginaw (OHL) center Michael Misa, while the Chicago Blackhawks will likely select Brampton (OHL) right wing Porter Martone with the third pick.
Utah\'s lottery jump gives them access to a higher tier of prospects than initially expected. Moncton (QMJHL) center Caleb Desnoyers is projected as their selection.
\"Desnoyers is a big, two-way center who was one of the top scorers in the QMJHL this season,\" noted Max Bultman. \"He\'d make for a strong complement to Logan Cooley in Utah\'s long-term top six, joining what\'s already a strong farm system.\"
The Nashville Predators, who dropped to fifth, are expected to target Boston College center James Hagens, potentially the most skilled forward they\'ve ever drafted according to Scott Wheeler.
Several teams, including the Rangers (12th), Red Wings (13th), Blue Jackets (14th), Canucks (15th), and Canadiens (16th), could explore trading their selections for immediate roster help as the draft approaches.
2025 NHL Mock Draft - First 16 Picks:
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie (OHL)
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)
4. Utah Hockey Club: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
5. Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C, Boston College
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgården (SWEDEN-2)
7. Boston Bruins: Jake O\'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)
8. Seattle Kraken: Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle (WHL)
9. Buffalo Sabres: Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
10. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City (WHL)
12. New York Rangers: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL)
13. Detroit Red Wings: Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgården (SWEDEN-2)
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)
15. Vancouver Canucks: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
16. Montreal Canadiens: Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL)