2025-26 NHL Draft: A Deep Dive into the Rising Stars

As the hockey season nears its conclusion, the landscape of the 2025 NHL Draft is becoming clearer. While this year’s class lacks a singular, generational talent, it boasts a strong top 10, with several prospects who could have been contenders for higher picks in previous drafts. Defensemen are particularly prominent in this year’s pool, reminiscent of the 2021 draft class that featured Owen Power.

The Rise of Gavin McKenna and Top Tier Prospects

Recent months have seen Penn State winger Gavin McKenna surge to the top of NCAA scoring charts, establishing himself as a potential first-overall pick. He is currently in a close contest for the top position with defensemen Chase Reid and Keaton Verhoeff.

Tier 1: Bubble NHL Star and Top of the Lineup Player

• Chase Reid (D): A highly skilled defenseman with exceptional offensive tools, Reid possesses the speed, hands, vision, and shot to become a leading scorer at the NHL level. He excels in transition and demonstrates impressive improvisation skills. While not overly physical, his reach, skating ability, and competitive drive compensate, projecting him as a potential power-play quarterback. NHL.com
• Gavin McKenna (C/W): McKenna’s exceptional puck skills, vision, and offensive creativity make him a dynamic offensive threat. A strong skater, he generates numerous scoring chances with his pace and projects as a top-line winger capable of running a power play. NHL.com

Tier 2: Top of the Lineup Player

• Keaton Verhoeff (D): A large, two-way defenseman, Verhoeff combines size with strong skating ability. He isn’t flashy offensively but possesses good skill, vision, and a powerful point shot. His physicality and willingness to engage make him a tough-minutes, top-pair candidate. NHL.com
• Stenberg (W): An electric offensive talent, Stenberg is a high-conclude puck handler, passer, and shooter. While his size is a concern, his skill and work ethic suggest potential as a top-line winger.
• Carels (D): A strong two-way defender with powerful skating, Carels effectively closes on checks and activates into plays. He possesses good hands and vision, projecting as a valuable top-four defenseman.
• Smits (D): A tall defenseman with impressive mobility and hockey sense, Smits makes reliable first passes and has a strong point shot. His length and competitive drive contribute to his strong defensive play, positioning him as a potential top-pairing defenseman.
• Rudolph (D): A smart defenseman with excellent touch, poise, and vision, Rudolph can run a power play effectively. His mobility and reach allow him to break up plays, projecting him as a quality top-four defenseman.
• Belchetz (W): A massive winger (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) with skilled hands, Belchetz plays a heavy game and wins battles. He projects as a top-six winger, particularly valuable in the playoffs.
• Lawrence (C): An excellent skater with quick-twitch feet, Lawrence brings pace and energy to his shifts. A strong puck handler, he projects as a two-way, play-driving top-two line center.

Tier 3: Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player

• Malhotra (C): A skilled center with creativity and pace, Malhotra breaks down opponents one-on-one and projects as an all-around top-six center.
• Nordmark (W): A gifted puck handler and shooter, Nordmark possesses NHL-caliber skills but needs to consistently demonstrate effort.
• Bjorck (C): A slick, playmaking center with tremendous creativity, Bjorck battles hard and projects as a top-six center.
• Suvanto (C): A considerable, heavy center with a high skill level, Suvanto plays a direct game and projects as a second-line center.
• Novotny (W): A great skater with a strong shot, Novotny works hard and projects as a top-six winger.
• Hermansson (W): A highly skilled winger with creativity, Hermansson projects as a top-six winger, though his playing style may challenge coaches.
• Morozov (C): A big center who can skate, Morozov competes well and projects as a top-six center that coaches will value.
• Goljer (D): A well-rounded defense prospect with size and skating ability, Goljer projects as a steady top-four defenseman.
• Pugachyov (W): A big, heavy winger who skates well, Pugachyov projects as a valuable middle-six winger.

Tier 4: Middle of the Lineup Player

• Hemming (W): A toolsy winger with size, speed, and skill, Hemming projects as a hard-to-play-against middle-six winger.
• Gustafsson (D): A large defenseman who skates well, Gustafsson competes defensively and projects as a No. 4 defenseman.
• Villeneuve (D): A dynamic defenseman with excellent speed and hands, Villeneuve projects as a power-play quarterback.
• Lin (D): A smart defenseman with vision and poise, Lin projects as a No. 4/5 defenseman.
• Hurlbert (W): A skilled scoring winger, Hurlbert projects as a middle-six winger.
• Aaram-Olsen (W): A dangerous scoring winger, Aaram-Olsen projects as a middle-six winger.
• Harrington (W): A talented winger with NHL-caliber feet and hands, Harrington projects as a middle-six winger.
• Ignatavicius (W): A U.S.-born player of Lithuanian descent, Ignatavicius projects as a middle-six winger.
• Mutryn (W): A hardworking, physical winger, Mutryn projects as a valuable middle-six winger.
• Trejbal (G): A well-rounded goalie prospect, Trejbal projects as a tandem goalie in the NHL.
• Shilov (C): A highly creative center, Shilov projects as a middle-six winger.
• Klepov (W): A highly skilled and intelligent winger, Klepov projects as a middle-six scoring winger.
• Roobroeck (W): A toolsy winger, Roobroeck projects as a scoring winger.
• Hakansson (D): A huge defenseman who competes hard, Hakansson projects as a regular NHL defenseman.
• Dagenais (C): A large center with offensive skills, Dagenais projects as a third-line center.
• Elofsson (D): A skilled defender with offensive touch, Elofsson projects as a power-play quarterback.
• Ruck (W): A dangerous scoring winger, Ruck projects as a middle-six winger.

The 2025 NHL Draft promises to be an intriguing event, particularly for teams seeking to bolster their defensive corps. While lacking a clear-cut number-one overall pick, the depth of talent, especially among defensemen, suggests a potentially impactful draft class.