Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The draft board is seen following the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The NHL draft took place over the weekend, and here is how I grade every team’s draft:
Boston Bruins – A
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 21: A detailed view of the Boston Bruins’ logo is seen during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on March 21, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
They struck gold when James Hagens fell to No. 7, adding a high-IQ center. William Moore in Round 2 boosted the haul—this aligns with their pressing need for top-end skill.
Buffalo Sabres – B+
BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 14: A general view of the Buffalo Sabres logo on a jersey during the game against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center on January 14 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
Added savvy value in mid-rounds, though lacking a true breakout star.
Florida Panthers – B
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 30: A detail of the Florida Panthers logo during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on October 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Quiet draft with limited picks. Plucked a solid late-round blue-liner committed to UConn, but didn’t shake the system.
Montreal Canadiens – C+
MONTREAL, CANADA – OCTOBER 14: A close-up view of the Montreal Canadiens logo on a jersey during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre on October 14, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Traded away first-rounders, leaving little impact. Their draft came off as skeletal volume over upside.
Ottawa Senators – B
RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 04: Ottawa Senators logo prior to the second period the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on April 04, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)***
Picked for balance with a safe D-man and supportive forwards. Useful but unspectacular.
Tampa Bay Lightning – B
Smart, modest approach. Snagged UConn-bound defense talent but no game-changer.
Toronto Maple Leafs – C+
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 19: The Toronto Maple Leafs logo is seen on a jersey during the third period of a game against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on October 19, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Stationed near the bottom, few picks and moderate upside. Added center depth, but nothing headline-worthy.
Carolina Hurricanes – B+
MONTREAL, CANADA – APRIL 01: A closeup view of the Carolina Hurricanes’ logo during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on April 1, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Turned pick no. 29 into value—grabbed goalie Semyon Frolov and center Ryabkin, both high-upside multi-position bets.
Columbus Blue Jackets – B+
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 07: A general view of the Columbus Blue Jackets jersey logo worn by Elvis Merzlikins #90 during the second period of the NHL preseason game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on October 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Surprised by taking goalie Pyotr Andreyanov at No. 20—the first goaltender in Round 1 since 2021. Plus, a steady defenseman in Round 1.
New Jersey Devils – C
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: General view of the New Jersey Devils jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on April 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Focused on organizational depth with no top-tier picks. Drafted goalie and role-player forwards, but nothing transformative.
New York Islanders – A+ (Draft Class of the Year)
MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 11: A closeup view of the New York Islanders’ logo during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 11, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
A clean sweep: Matthew Schaefer (No. 1), plus Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson at 16 & 17. Day 2 picks like Prokhorov and Burke Hood add further upside. Scouts overwhelmingly agree this haul was the class of the draft.
New York Rangers – B
A reliable, conservative class of gritty forwards and a mid-round goalie. Solid depth-creating, but no star picks.
Philadelphia Flyers – A+
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 16: A detailed view of the Philadelphia Flyers’ logo seen on a jersey during overtime against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on December 16, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Porter Martone at No. 6, followed by physical center Jack Nesbitt and Carter Amico, delivered impact, grit, and structure.
Pittsburgh Penguins – B
MONTREAL, CANADA – OCTOBER 17: A detailed view of the Pittsburgh Penguins logo during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on October 17, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Went long-term project with Benjamin Kindel at No. 11 and William Horcoff at No. 24. May pay off, but no immediate star upside.
Washington Capitals – B
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 23: A general view of the Washington Capitals jersey logo during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena on October 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Took oversized winger Lynden Lakovic at 27 and added depth defenders—solid but unspectacular base-building.
Utah – B
KEARNS, UTAH – OCTOBER 07: A close-up of the Utah Hockey Club logo on practice jersey at Utah’s Olympic Oval on October 07, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Some good mid-round finds like Ethan Wyttenbach and blue-chip depth, but they missed on a top-10 star.
Chicago Blackhawks – A
Oct 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the logo on the jersey of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Took Anton Frondell at No. 3 and supplemented with two later picks. Ideal fit for their rebuild.
Colorado Avalanche – C+
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 23: Samuel Girard #49 of the Colorado Avalanche skates on the ice during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Prioritized defense without landing a top-tier talent. Safe, but hardly thrilling.
Dallas Stars – B
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 15: A general view of the Dallas Stars jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on December 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Went for a smooth center early and added promising late-swing picks—symmetrical and tactically sound.
Minnesota Wild – B
Good blend of size and skill, including sleeper mid-round talent. Solid depth but no big punch.
Nashville Predators – B
MONTREAL, CANADA – DECEMBER 05: A closeup view of the Nashville Predators logo during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on December 5, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Nashville Predators 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Grabbing Brady Martin and Cameron Reid adds youth and upside on both lines and the blue line.
St. Louis Blues – B
Mar 2, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the logo on the jersey of St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) during the game between the Dallas Stars and the St. Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Focused on size and physicality with limited flash. May fill bottom-six roles well.
Winnipeg Jets – C+
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 04: A close-up detail of the Winnipeg Jets logo seen during the second period at the Bell Centre on March 4, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Quiet picks; quietly solid, but no standout prospects.
Anaheim Ducks – B+
MONTREAL, CANADA – DECEMBER 09: A closeup view of the Anaheim Ducks logo on a jersey during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Took high-risk, high-upside Roger McQueen at No. 10. Big reward potential if health holds.
Calgary Flames – B
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 25: A detailed view of the jersey logo worn by the Calgary Flames during the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on November 25, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Used No. 18 on skilled center Cole Reschny and added depth across positions, with their age profile.
Edmonton Oilers – C
MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 12: A detailed view of the Edmonton Oilers’ logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Sparse and safe picks—low volume and no game-changing selections.
Los Angeles Kings – B
MONTREAL, CANADA – OCTOBER 17: A closeup view of the Los Angeles Kings crest during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on October 17, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Balanced this draft with a European sleeper, strong D prospect, and value adds—but lacked a blockbuster.
San Jose Sharks – A
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 04: The logo on the San Jose Sharks on a jersey during their game against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center on October 04, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Made the call on Michael Misa 2nd overall—an elite center with top-six upside. Coupled with consistent Day 2 production.
Seattle Kraken – B
OTTAWA, CANADA – DECEMBER 02: Detailed view of the Seattle Kraken logo on Joey Daccord #35 of the Seattle Kraken jersey during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 02, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
Chose Jake O’Brien and added a goalie. Nice depth, but fell short on top talent.
Vancouver Canucks – B
MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 12: A detailed view of the Vancouver Canucks logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on November 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Snagged Braeden Cootes at 15 and addressed organizational depth—solid, if unspectacular.
Vegas Golden Knights – C+
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 15: A general view of the Vegas Golden Knights jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on October 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Low pick count, low upside. Focused on organizational depth with little high-ceiling talent.
