2025 NHL Draft Highlights: Islanders Shine as Maple Leafs Miss the Mark

Let’s dive into the 2025 NHL Draft and the classes each team built, focusing on the standout prospects and overall talent acquired. After a busy season of scouting and discussions with various insiders, here’s a snapshot of how the teams fared.

This review isn’t just about who picked well; it’s about recognizing potential based on the picks made. Teams with more selections aren’t always the best, as quality can vary. Here’s how I categorized the teams:

• Winners: Teams that hit on their picks and showed strong strategy.
• Overtime Winners: Teams that did well but might not have made the *exact* picks I would have chosen.
• Overtime Losers: Teams that missed opportunities but may improve over time.
• Losers: Teams that struggled to optimize their picks.

Winners

New York Islanders

The Islanders had an eye-catching draft, selecting potential stars like Matthew Schaefer, Victor Eklund, and Kashawn Aitcheson. These players bring a mix of skill and competitiveness. Despite some critiques on Daniil Prokhorov, who they took at No. 42, he fits the mold of a tough player. Their later picks, including Luca Romano and Tomas Poletin, also show promise. Overall, the Islanders’ haul is likely to change the team’s dynamics positively.

Calgary Flames

The Flames made strategic choices, picking top centers like Cole Reschny and Cullen Potter early on. Reschny is a versatile player while Potter excels as a skater. Their picks signal a commitment to building a stronger center core. Other notable selections included Theo Stockselius and Ethan Wyttenbach, reinforcing their depth in talent.

San Jose Sharks

Michael Misa is expected to shine, joining a young core that includes Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini. Their choice of Joshua Ravensbergen adds defensive strength, and Simon Wang’s selection as a 6’6″ skater with untapped potential makes him a key figure for the future of Chinese hockey. Fans have high hopes for Misa and the direction of the Sharks.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals solidified their draft strategy by picking Lynden Lakovic, who brings size and skill to the roster. Milton Gastrin, selected early in the second round, has the potential to be a reliable player. Their approach reaffirms their commitment to building a strong future team.

Overtime Winners

Nashville Predators

The Predators focused on identity and physicality in their selections, notably with Martin at No. 5. They followed up with skilled players like Cameron Reid and Ryker Lee, successively improving their roster. Their strategic layering of defense and talent suggests a significant upward trajectory.

Boston Bruins

James Hagens, a potential future star, was a solid first-round pick for the Bruins. Their focus on Boston College again proved fruitful with William Moore, showing their knack for finding local talent. Their selections provide both immediate and long-term benefits.

Losers

Florida Panthers

The Panthers had a less impactful draft, with some of their fourth-round picks being questionable. While Shamar Moses could offer depth, there remains uncertainty around the majority of their selections. The organization will need to ensure development to find value from this class.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs’ draft choices raised some eyebrows, especially with their early pick of Tinus Luc Koblar, who faces challenges in scoring. While they made some solid selections like Tyler Hopkins, overall their strategy didn’t impress, potentially harming their future depth.

This draft will shape the teams for years to come, reflecting how well they identify and cultivate talent. As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see how their new prospects develop and contribute to their franchises.

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