Generational Pressure: How the Class of 2025 Measures Up

The 2025 NHL Draft class has shaped up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory, marked by a group of elite prospects whose production outside the NHL deserve careful examination.

Historically, when discussing generational talents, players like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid set benchmarks that seemed nearly untouchable. Crosby’s 168 points in 62 QMJHL games and McDavid’s 120 points in 47 OHL games represent not just statistical dominance but a level of control and impact that clearly separated them from their peers.

More recently, Connor Bedard and Gavin McKenna have been isolated as era-defining prospects, not just in their statistical projections but in the shape of their dominance. Despite the initial results, Bedard will almost certainly have a longer and higher prime than his rookie and sophomore seasons suggested, and it will likely be more Nathan MacKinnon-esque. That is, a player who does not necessarily rewire a franchise in the same immediate gravitational way.

On tape, it looks like Bedard might genuinely have the most dangerous release since Alex Ovechkin or Auston Matthews, and if he ends up with a 65 to 70 goal season in his prime, it wouldn’t be a shock. But now that it’s clear he isn’t going to grow out of that five foot ten, 180 pound frame, the “better than Connor McDavid” ceiling is harder to justify.

McKenna, meanwhile, is neck and neck or even ahead of Bedard at the same age in terms of multidimensionality. His 129 points in 56 games and a WHL-record 54 game point streak underscore the jewel that has become the 2026 NHL Draft. This type of emergence shows there could be a new era-defining talent within sight, after Bedard has not immediately become a top five player like Crosby, Ovechkin, or McDavid did.

Michael Misa’s Case for First Overall

The 2025 class, however, introduces a new dimension to this conversation. Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit whose 134 points in 65 games during the 2024-25 OHL season demands serious consideration as this level of franchise talent. Looking at his junior production directly alongside established NHL players who emerged from the CHL provides essential context to appreciate the rarity and significance of his offensive output.

While many current NHL stars boasted strong junior seasons, very few consistently produced at the historic rate Misa has demonstrated, making his case for elite status all the more compelling.

MacKinnon, now a perennial MVP candidate, put up 75 points in 44 games in 2012-13 with the Halifax Mooseheads, playing in the QMJHL. Another current top five NHL player, Leon Draisaitl, tallied 105 points in 64 games during the 2013-2014 WHL season, averaging 1.64 points per game, again an elite total but shy of Misa’s pace.

Sam Reinhart’s 2013-2014 WHL season yielded 105 points over 60 games, a 1.75 points per game pace, while Matthew Tkachuk in 2015-2016 with the London Knights posted 107 points in 57 games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins recorded 106 points in 69 WHL games in 2010-2011, signaling an elite junior campaign but still below Misa’s output. Taylor Hall’s 2009-2010 OHL season produced 106 points in 57 games, and Nail Yakupov scored 69 points in 42 OHL games in 2011-12, averaging 1.64 points per game.

Mitch Marner’s 2014-15 OHL season stands out with 126 points in 63 games, placing him among the few who rival Misa’s numbers, while Alexis Lafreniere posted 112 points in 52 QMJHL games in 2019-20. Meanwhile, Bedard’s 2022-23 WHL season was extraordinary at 143 points in 57 games, averaging 2.51 points per game, marking the current high water mark for junior scoring in recent years.

Misa’s level of production signals not only outstanding offensive skill but also sustained dominance over strong competition. The consistency and volume of his point totals surpass nearly every player listed above in their draft years. This underscores his readiness and potential to make an immediate impact at the NHL level.

The Evaluation Landscape

Defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters put up 22 points in 17 games in the OHL before injury, and many people very reasonably have him ranked first. He is fantastic in his own right, but there is not enough data to pass on the level and type of prospect that Misa presents. Schaefer’s game has top pairing tools, but in a class with a talent like Misa, the idea that a 17 game stretch is enough to separate him from the top forwards feels thin.

If Schaefer does go first, history is not on his side. No defenseman taken first overall has ever ended up as the best player in their class. It does not mean he cannot break that trend, but it is a reality check worth noting.

If the Islanders miss on Misa, they risk skipping on a player who can be an anchor type identity in an NHL locker room on a Cup winning team. From an objective, results based standpoint, Misa is the only player in this class who projects that confidently. His draft year places him in rarefied company alongside some of the most impactful NHL stars of the modern era, many of whom have become foundational franchise players.

In this mindset, there is an important distinction between evaluating future potential and assessing a prospect’s current abilities. Ranking prospects involves focusing on who they are today, their skills, performance in their current league, recent game results, and the tangible assets they bring to the table.

In contrast, projecting a player’s future success requires foresight, considering factors such as physical maturation, work ethic, and adaptability to the NHL's evolving demands. This kind of projection is inherently speculative, as it depends on anticipating how much growth a player can still achieve.

Prospect evaluation is grounded in what has already been demonstrated. Focusing too much on a prospect’s raw theoretical potential without enough evidence of production at their current level can lead to overestimating their future impact.

At a certain point, I stopped trying to debate what the best prospects might become and started building a model to evaluate it. The model is not public, but it has been developed to catch what usually gets missed and to weigh what actually matters. It is not something I will lay out step by step, but the point is simple: production matters, and context matters even more.

The top prospects in this draft have been given full writeups. These profiles are designed to give a clear view of each player’s current value and how they have earned their place on the board. Beyond that point, the rankings shift to a list format. This is not a reflection of lower effort or weaker prospects, but a practical recognition of where the evaluation starts to flatten out. In a class this deep, many players from the second round through the fourth are separated by thin margins and specific preferences.

Separate from the main list, there is also a dedicated ranking for overagers. These players were not ranked alongside the standard class to keep the evaluation cleaner. They have been given their own space due to the value some teams may find in late bloomers or underexposed talents.

Michael Misa is ranked number one on our draft board and the Islanders should treat the selection as a formality. The decision requires no overthinking. If the Islanders pass on Misa at first overall, they are betting against history and betting on the idea that a mystical projection system sees something the numbers and the precedent do not. That is not a bet a team in their position should make.

2025 NHL Draft Top 20 Prospect Profiles

1. Michael Misa – Center, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

In his third OHL season, Misa led the league in scoring with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games, earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy and the Red Tilson Trophy as the league’s most outstanding player. He tied Patrick Kane’s record for most goals in a draft-eligible OHL season and recorded 46 multipoint games while serving as Saginaw’s 26th captain.

Granted exceptional status in 2022, Misa was selected first overall in the OHL Draft and has since become the all-time leading scorer in Spirit franchise history. He offers an exceptionally high floor through playmaking, scoring, skating, and a mature two way game. Misa profiles as a near surefire top two pick, with potential to become a first line center and power play backbone.

2. Anton Frondell – Center, Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Despite starting the season in J20 due to a knee injury, Frondell posted 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 29 regular season games in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second most ever by a player aged 17 or younger in league history, behind only William Nylander. Frondell added 7 points in 16 qualification playoff games, helping Djurgårdens win promotion to the SHL in a series against AIK.

At the NHL Combine, Frondell ranked near the top in endurance and power metrics. He projects as a potential franchise center for teams that prioritize two way impact down the middle. Frondell profiles as a high floor, high upside centerman with pro grit and offensive skill. His shot, size, IQ, and two way game make it easy to see a top line center with power play impact.

3. Porter Martone – Right Wing, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

Martone tied for seventh in OHL scoring with 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 games during the 2024-25 season while serving as the Brampton Steelheads captain. Over his three year junior career, Martone has amassed 89 goals and 115 assists in 178 games. Internationally, Martone led Canada to gold at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship as captain, putting up 17 points in seven games.

A former fifth overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection, Martone brings a pro ready frame and a scoring touch that has steadily progressed each year. His rare combination of size, scoring ability, vision, and competitiveness sets him up as a future top line winger with power play potential. He could develop into a high impact NHL power forward, with the right blend of grit and skill, and a leader ready for top six responsibilities.

4. Matthew Schaefer – Defenseman, Erie Otters (OHL)

Despite appearing in only 17 OHL games this season due to injury, Schaefer produced 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists). Schaefer captained Canada to gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, finishing with 6 points in 5 games. He also suited up for Canada at the 2025 World Juniors, where he recorded 2 points in 2 games before suffering a clavicle injury. The first overall pick in the 2023 OHL Draft, he was ranked No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting’s final list and topped TSN’s mid season scout survey with unanimous first place votes.

Schaefer brings a rare combination of elite skating, vision, two way instincts, and character. He projects as a franchise anchor on the backend, capable of playing top pair and key special teams minutes from day one. His season ending injury is unlikely to affect draft position and he offers high certainty and elite upside for organizations seeking a modern, game controlling defenseman.

5. James Hagens – Center, Boston College (NCAA)

In his freshman NCAA season, Hagens put up 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games despite being one of the youngest players in college hockey. Internationally, Hagens was named MVP, Best Forward, and an All Star at the 2024 U18 World Championship after breaking Nikita Kucherov’s single tournament scoring record with 22 points in 7 games. He followed that up by centering the top line for Team USA at the 2025 World Juniors, contributing 9 points in 7 games en route to a gold medal.

Hagens blends skill with pace and control, showing elite transition ability and leadership traits. His hockey IQ, elite playmaking, and two way game fit the mold of a high end first line center. While some others have moved slightly ahead in consensus ranking, Hagens remains a foundational pick with a blend of skill, character, and a scoring pedigree that includes NCAA and international excellence.

6. Caleb Desnoyers – Center, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Desnoyers led the Moncton Wildcats with 84 points (35 goals, 49 assists) in 56 games. He followed it up with a historic playoff performance, recording 30 points (9 goals, 21 assists) in 19 games and earning the Guy Lafleur Trophy as QMJHL playoff MVP, and was the first draft eligible player to win the award since Jonathan Drouin in 2013.

Drafted first overall in the 2023 QMJHL Draft, Desnoyers built on a strong rookie campaign in 2023-24, where he tallied 56 points (20 goals, 36 assists) in 60 games and earned QMJHL All Rookie Team honors. Internationally, he won gold at both the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, registering 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 5 games at each tournament.

He combines high end playmaking with advanced offensive awareness and consistency to make him a polished, cerebral centre who also has leadership and postseason pedigree.

7. Viktor Eklund – Left Wing, Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Eklund cracked the Djurgårdens IF Allsvenskan lineup at just 17 and produced 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games, the highest among Allsvenskan draft eligible skaters this season, and won the Guldgallret as the league’s top junior. He began the year with a standout stretch totaling 7 goals and 11 points in his first 12 games.

Eklund, the younger brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund, represented Sweden at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, posting 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in 7 games, and won bronze at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship with 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) in 7 games.

He is a tenacious, high IQ winger who outworks bigger opponents and creates offense in traffic. His combination of forechecking intensity and net front touch project him as a top line driver who blends scoring flair with heavy duty competitiveness.

8. Kashawn Aitcheson – Defenseman, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Aitcheson tallied 59 points (26 goals, 33 assists) in 64 games during the 2024-25 season, setting a franchise record for goals by a defenseman. He led draft eligible OHL defensemen with 26 goals, including five overtime winners, and added 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in 16 playoff games. Aitcheson contributed on special teams and recorded 88 penalty minutes with 20 career fights.

Drafted 50th overall in the 2022 OHL Draft, Aitcheson improved from 39 points (8 goals, 31 assists) in 2023-24. At the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine, he posted top marks in pro agility and pull ups. Aitcheson projects as a physical, puck driving defenseman with a scoring touch rare for his position. His combination of puck skills, hard hits, and goal scoring from the point projects him as a forceful top pair defenseman with impact on both ends.

9. Cameron Reid – Defenseman, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Reid put up 54 points (14 goals, 40 assists) in 67 games and added 5 points in 14 playoff games. Named an alternate captain, he recorded 76 penalty minutes, including 8 fights. Selected 12th overall in the 2023 OHL Draft, Reid won gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup posting 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 5 games.

He is a modern two way defenseman whose skating and decision making allow him to control play at both ends. He is smooth in transition, disrupts cycles, and frequently activates from the point with crisp passes and controlled zone exits. This is a cerebral defender with elite mobility who marries elite gap control and puck intelligence with play driving offense. He projects as a reliable, top four NHL option.

10. Jake O'Brien – Center, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

O’Brien recorded 98 points (32 goals, 66 assists) in 66 games during the 2024-25 season, tying for seventh in OHL scoring. He served as the alternate captain, led his team in assists, and added 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in 11 playoff games despite Brantford’s second round exit to Oshawa.

Drafted 8th overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, O’Brien followed his 2023-24 OHL Rookie of the Year season (64 points, 13 goals, 51 assists in 61 games) by winning gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. O’Brien projects as a high floor, middle six NHL centre with upside into a top six playmaker. His hockey IQ, vision, and two way responsibility make him a dependable and mature pivot with closer to immediate pro readiness.

11. Benjamin Kindel – Left Wing, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Kindel led all 2025 draft-eligible WHL skaters with 99 points (35 goals, 64 assists) in 65 games including 26 power-play points (8 goals, 18 assists) with a +39 rating. He had a 23-game point streak (15 goals, 30 assists) from November 8, 2024, to January 12, 2025, the second-longest in the WHL, and he added 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists) in 11 playoff games. He won gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Kindel is a playmaker who waged a one-man breakout in the WHL. With his seamless transition game, relentless board play, and consistent two-way effort, he offers scoring that’s ready for pro deployment. His dual-threat offensive game, IQ, and competitiveness position him as a dependable forward with upside for top-line minutes.

12. Radim Mrtka – Defenseman, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Mrtka is 6’6”, 218 pounds and put up 35 points (3 goals, 32 assists) in 43 games, transitioning to North American hockey after joining the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) from HC Oceláři Třinec (Czech Extraliga) in late November. In the WHL playoffs, he added 3 assists in 6 games as Seattle fell to Everett.

Mrtka is a high-ceiling defenseman with pro mobility and hockey IQ unusual for his size. His ability to handle heavy minutes and transition play securely positions him as a potential top-pair defender with unexpected agility and a composure under pressure. He is a modern two-way anchor in the making.

13. Jackson Smith – Defenseman, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Smith had 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games ranking second among WHL draft-eligible defensemen. He added 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 7 playoff games despite Tri-City’s first-round exit. Drafted 2nd overall in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft, Smith won gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, contributing 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 5 games, and bronze at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship with 2 assists in 5 games.

Smith is a prototype modern defenseman: mobile, intelligent, and confident in every zone. His smooth skating, mature play-driving presence, and ability to consistently tilt the game with breakouts delivers quiet dominance rather than flashy plays.

14. Cole Reschny – Center, Victoria Royals (WHL)

Reschny recorded 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists) in 62 games, ranking second among WHL draft-eligible skaters and sixth league-wide in assists. His playoff performance was exceptional, with 25 points (9 goals, 16 assists) in 11 games, leading Victoria past Tri-City before a second-round loss to Spokane. Reschny won gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, posting an overtime game-winner against Czechia, and gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. At the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine, he ranked top-25 in VO2 Max, pro agility, and peak power output.

He is the kind of smart, relentless pivot who quietly transforms a roster. His elite spatial awareness and puck movement catalyze plays, while his disciplined 200 foot game provides immediate structure at the NHL level. He projects as a top six center whose cognitive approach, situational awareness, and two-way competence make him a plug-and-play center for both power play and penalty kill units.

15. Malcolm Spence – Left Wing, Erie Otters (OHL)

Spence notched 73 points (32 goals, 41 assists) in 65 games during the 2024–25 season and added 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 9 playoff games, helping Erie upset Saginaw in the first round. Serving as an alternate captain, Spence logged power-play time and added 5 shorthanded goals, second in the OHL. Spence won gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, scoring the overtime game-winner against Czechia (7 points, 4 goals, 3 assists in 5 games), and at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, posting 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 7 games as an alternate captain.

Drafted second overall in the 2022 OHL Draft, he improved from 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) in 2023–24 and 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists) in 2022–23. Spence is a pro-ready two-way winger whose forechecking and transition instincts anchor his game. He wins pucks in the corners, accelerates through neutral zone gaps, and thrives on forecheck pressure. He is the kind of engine-ahead forward who ignites transition and scores timely goals, all with intelligence and intensity. His blend of size, motor and high-impact moments project him as a potential high-level winger with game-changing potential.

16. Carter Bear – Forward, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Bear emerged as one of the most productive draft-eligible players in the WHL this season. He scored 40 goals and 82 points in 56 games, finishing tied for seventh in the league in goals and posting a 1.46 points-per-game pace. His season was cut short by a partial Achilles injury, yet he still led Everett in power-play goals with 14 and maintained a strong +33 rating. Bear improved significantly from his 57-point campaign the year prior and was named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team.

Bear is a competitive engine with playmaking flair and two-way value. He wins the hard work and sees plays before they form, an effect player more than a flash. His Achilles injury introduces a question mark, but his recovery strides demonstrate resiliency and maturity. On current track, he projects as a high IQ middle six forward whose impact lies in relentless pressure, clutch goals, and hockey intelligence that shapes games quietly but consistently.

17. Ivan Ryabkin – Center, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Ryabkin joined the USHL in January 2025 after beginning the season with Dynamo Moscow’s MHL club. He quickly made an impact, recording 30 points (19 goals, 11 assists) in 27 regular season games, including 10 power-play points and 70 penalty minutes. His arrival helped spark Muskegon’s run to a Clark Cup championship, where he added 16 points in 14 playoff games. Early in his stint, Ryabkin served a three-game suspension for a slew-foot infraction, underscoring the edge he brings to his physical game.

Before coming to North America, he led all U17 skaters in the MHL with 58 points in 44 games, and saw limited time in the KHL and VHL. Once considered a top ten prospect, he is now viewed as a late first to mid second round candidate. Ryabkin is a potent playmaker with an NHL-size frame and power-play finesse. When engaged, he’s dynamic, but his value lies in his flashes. If he marries skill with consistent work ethic and conditioning, he becomes a dangerous middle six pivot.

18. Brady Martin – Center, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

Brady Martin, a right-shot center for the Soo Greyhounds, was one of the OHL’s most consistent draft-eligible performers throughout the 2024–25 season. He finished with 72 points in 57 games, including 33 goals, 39 assists, 16 power-play points, and 3 shorthanded goals, ranking second on his team in total production. He was named an alternate captain and delivered 4 points in 5 playoff games before Sault Ste. Marie was eliminated in the first round.

Selected third overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Martin showed a clear jump from his rookie year and earned praise for his high-energy shifts, two-way reliability, and steady scoring presence. On the international stage, he helped lead Canada to gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, where he topped the team with 11 points in 7 games and was named to the Tournament All-Star Team. He isn’t flashy, but he changes games through effort and smart decision-making. A relentless puck chaser with a bull’s mindset and surprising skill around the net, Martin’s intensity stretches across every shift, forecheck, backcheck, and puck battle.

19. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak – Right Wing, Lulea HF (J20)

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, a right-shot winger for Luleå HF, finished among the top scorers in Sweden’s J20 Nationell league with 57 points in 40 games, good for sixth overall and a 1.43 points-per-game pace. He also earned 13 games in the SHL, recording a goal and an assist in limited ice time, further establishing himself as a rising power forward prospect.

A dual-national born in Adelaide, Australia and raised in Sweden, Ihs-Wozniak represented Sweden internationally, posting four points in five games at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and helping secure a bronze medal. A pro sized puck architect with soft hands and a heavy one touched release, Ihs Wozniak quietly dominates the dot and net front. If he pairs his skill with sustained aggressiveness and a goal first mindset, he becomes a top six winger capable of controlling offensive pushes and shifting momentum from day one.

20. Henry Brzustewicz – Defenseman, London Knights (OHL)

Henry Brzustewicz, a right-shot defenseman for the London Knights, played a full 67-game regular season and finished with 42 points, ranking third among London blueliners and placing himself firmly among the top-scoring draft-eligible defensemen in the OHL. He added five points across 17 playoff games during London’s run to the OHL Final, logging steady minutes and contributing in both ends. Known for his skating stride and poised puck movement, Brzustewicz served as one of the Knights’ primary power-play quarterbacks and played a key role in transition against top matchups.

Brzustewicz is the kind of defenseman who quietly organizes the backend. His skating and vision orchestrate attack and defense transitions while his calm presence mitigates chaos. He projects as a reliable top four defenseman whose subtle leadership and puck control cement his role in the modern NHL from day one.

Honorable Mentions: #51 - 85

At a certain point, ranking prospects becomes more about performance art than clarity. It’s tempting to order 200 names as if there’s real distance between them, but the truth is most boards beyond the top 40 become a blur of context, opportunity, and educated guessing. Players develop on unpredictable timelines, and league parity is low enough that comparing them numerically starts to lose meaning.

The difference between the first and tenth-ranked prospect can be the difference between a franchise player and someone who never quite makes it. But the further you go down, the narrower those gaps become. By the time you’re ranking players in the 50s, 60s, 70s, you’re often splitting hairs. One might have a better shot, another skates a little cleaner, but the projection becomes much less stable. Context starts to dominate with ice time, coaching, systems, growth spurts, even luck.

There are no firm ranks this far down the list, and even working into the top 30-50 prospects gets blurry. The differences between players in this range aren’t strong enough to justify it. At this point, it’s less about clear order and more about which names are still worth tracking. Some might take a big step next season, others might not move at all. This group is here because they’ve shown something, but not enough to separate themselves from the rest.

2025 NHL Over-Age Prospects

Some of the NHL’s best late bloomers were over-agers, drafted after their initial eligibility passed. Pavel Datsyuk, famously picked 171st by Detroit in 1998, tops most lists. He became one of hockey’s smartest, most creative players ever, winning two Cups and multiple Selkes.

Connor Hellebuyck went undrafted in his initial 2011 eligibility but became a successful over-age pick by Winnipeg in 2012 (130th overall). In 2024–25, he dominated the NHL, winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP, the Vezina Trophy as best goalie, and the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed.

Over-agers rarely carry pedigree, but they do offer leverage. This group earned a second look by either scaling their production, expanding their role, or showing traits that suggest there’s still room to climb.

Honorable Mentions