2025 NHL Draft Rankings – Horn’s Top 64 for March

With the 2024-25 NHL season coming to an end, and junior playoffs well underway, I thought it was high time to take another look at the 2025 Draft class. The 2025 NHL Draft is just over 2 months away now, and there has been some significant change to my list since the last edition in December.

This draft also looks to be a big bounceback for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), a league that has historically produced an inordinately large number of top prospects. The OHL has had fewer high end prospects in some recent draft classes, but guys like Porter Martone, Michael Misa, and Matthew Schaefer appear poised for a takeover. In contrast, the US National Team Development Program (NTDP) doesn’t look poised to produce quite the group of talent that we’ve come to expect from them, with a few program grads playing in the NCAA this past season (James Hagens and Logan Hensler come to mind), but not a ton of standout talent from their U18 squad. 

While James Hagens began the year with the inside track on going first overall, he by no means locked in the spot this year and will need to wow teams at the Draft Combine and interviews if he wants to go that high. Hagens’ position, puck skill, and excellent skating will make him an early pick, but Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer is now the front runner to be selected first in the 2025 Draft.

18. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

There hasn’t been a goalie drafted in the first round since the 2021 Draft saw both Sebastian Cossa and Jesper Wallstedt going in the top-20. I think Joshua Ravensbergen will be the one to break that streak. He’s got the size and athletic makeup (6-foot-5) to be a difference maker in the NHL, and he anticipates the play well. The biggest question is how much he is propped up by a dominant Prince George Cougars team that had four 90+ point scorers last season as his numbers haven’t looked quite as great through his draft season. However, Ravensbergen’s size and play style are exactly the combo that teams look for in first round goalies, so I like his chances of being the one to break the streak. 

19. Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

Lynden Lakovic is a 6-foot-4 winger who is a strong skater and can create a ton of offense with his skill and shot. He scored 27 goals in just 47 games, a 39-goal pace had he not been sidelined for a while due to injury. Lakovic’s skating and hands are good enough to compete in The NHL, and while his playmaking and hockey sense could use some polishing, he looks like someone who could become a serious offensive weapon in the NHL someday. If he can learn to use his big frame a bit better, Laconic could become a top-six winger who is incredibly tough to play against.

20. Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters (OHL)

Malcolm Spence is a worker. He’s consistently putting pressure on defenses with his hustle plays in transition, and battles hard for pucks to win possession. It helps that he’s got a great top-speed, which allows him to be a serious factor all over the ice. Spence’s offensive game doesn’t wow you, with enough skill to project as a first round talent, but not enough to be a no-doubt top-six NHL winger. I think Spence will have a ton of fans in the NHL this year, and will go in the middle of round one, with his offensive ceiling dictating whether he can make an impact on an NHL second line someday or if he is a coach-favourite bottom-six player.

21. Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Braeden Cootes is a well-rounded forward prospect who shows NHL-caliber skating and some good offensive tools as well. He competes hard and plays much bigger than his 6-foot tall frame might suggest, constantly battling along the boards and jockeying for position in front of the net. He doesn’t have the flashiest game, but his two-way play and skating are NHL caliber. Cootes is a very projectable player when it comes to his effort and defensive details, however his offensive game leaves some room for improvement.

22. Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Ivan Ryabkin was a top scorer in the MHL last year, breaking Matvei Michkov’s record for U17 MHL scoring. Expectations were high for Ryabkin going into his draft season because of his work rate, high-end skating, and playmaking, though he had some significant struggles in both the KHL and MHL to start the year and ended up making the switch to the USHL where he completed his season. With so many games missed due to the aforementioned move across the world and some discipline issues (suspended shortly after joining the USHL), Ryabkin is going to be an interesting case study in a clearly talented prospect with a messy and chaotic draft year. His playoff performance in the USHL will be weighed heavily by NHL teams.

23. Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State University (NCAA) 

Cullen Porter is an elite skater, probably the best in this draft class at this point, who puts tons of pressure on his opponents off the rush where he is incredibly difficult to keep up with. Porter has a good shot and lots of skill with the puck, making him a dangerous player in 1-on-1 situations. His size won’t help him in the Draft process, measuring at 5-foot-10, and he can get pushed to the perimeter a bit in the offensive zone.

???????? Cullen Potter, ASU Freshman forward with the winning goal in the shootout to complete the comeback

Wow???? pic.twitter.com/JTK15mAOOc

— Petey (@spetershockey) October 13, 2024

However, his success in the NCAA this year as a 17-year-old has shown that his motor is strong enough to compete against older opponents and that he can find some success pushing up the middle of the ice. If he grows much more, or develops a bit more of a direct offensive style, Porter could become a clear top-16 talent in this year’s draft. 

24. Henry Brzustewicz, RD, London Knights (OHL)

Tell me if you’ve heard this story before. A London Knights player succeeds in a larger role than they were originally projected to fill, and then goes significantly higher on draft day than the public expected. It’s a familiar story at this point, with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ selection of Easton Cowan back in the first round of the 2023 Draft standing out as a particularly surprising example.

Henry Brzustewicz has earned his draft-year rise, playing a significantly larger role for the Knights and really rising to the challenge. He’s got good hands, makes solid passes in transition, and doesn’t give up a ton the other way. A right-handed defender with that skill set is bound to go early in the Draft, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see his offensive numbers improve significantly next season if San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson makes the jump to The NHL.

25. Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Cameron Schmidt is going to be a very polarizing player in this year’s draft process, as a very undersized winger who is a high-end skater with a ton of offensive skill. If he were 6-feet tall he’d almost certainly be in the conversation in the 10-16 range, but coming in at just 5-foot-7, his size will be a major factor when teams try to assess his projection.

Cameron Schmidt: 9 goals. 7 games. OT magic. pic.twitter.com/U5C9BucLB9

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) October 12, 2024

Schmidt will need to outwork larger opponents if he wants to succeed in the NHL, and he has shown a high enough compete level to be a real menace someday. He has a dangerous shot that allowed him to score 40 goals for the Giants, something only eight other WHL players managed. I’m not confident Schmidt will be selected in the first round, but I believe he belongs there based on talent.

26. Milton Gästrin, C, MoDo J20 (J20 Nationell)

Milton Gästrin is the next in a long line of talented hockey players to come out of the small town of Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, a line that includes players like the Sedin twins, Peter Forsberg, Victor Hedman, and many more. Gästrin is a reliable two-way center who has been excellent offensively against his peers in Sweden, while still showing the defensive commitment to earn a handful of games in the SHL already in his draft year. He’s unlikely to be a high-end offensive creator in the NHL, but I could see Gästrin becoming a really strong third-line center or middle-six winger someday. Plus, he’s got a bit of extra development runway as a June birthday.

27. Logan Hensler, RD, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

Logan Hensler is a right-shot defender with good NHL size and skating. After looking like a potential first overall candidate a year ago, Hensler’s projection has certainly cooled off. He’s still very much in the conversation at the early stages of the draft (plenty of rankings have him in the 11-20 range), but I haven’t been particularly impressed with him this season. Hensler is a big defender who shoots right and skates well, but he isn’t a high-end defensive player and doesn’t look like a future power play type either. He didn’t exactly blown the doors off in the NCAA with the University of Wisconsin, but a defender with his size, a right-handed shot, and offensive potential is valued very highly in NHL circles.

28. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, Lulea J20 (J20 Nationell)

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak is a big winger with a ton of exciting offensive tools. He skates well, shoots the puck extremely hard, and makes skill plays under pressure quite regularly. After tearing up the Swedish junior circuit last season, Ihs-Wozniak even earned himself a couple of games in the SHL. His play at the J20 level has already earned him a few more pro games this season, even though his engagement and physicality can be lacking at times. Ihs-Wozniak is likely to be a polarizing player in this draft as it feels like he can disappear on the ice at times, but I like his skating and skill enough to be think he’s a clear first round talent.

29. Sascha Boumedienne, LD, Boston University (NCAA)

Sascha Boumedienne is one of the more graceful skaters in this year’s draft, and has enough speed to get you really excited about what he could do in the NHL someday. His defensive game is largely based on his agility and speed, much like his Boston University teammate Tom Willander, though he doesn’t quite have the steadying presence that makes Willander such a great defender. Boumedienne has enough offense in his game to be intriguing, and he could make a big splash at the upcoming U18 World Championship if he joins Sweden there.

30. Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

This is getting out of hand! Now there’s two of them! That’s right, two goalies have earned spots in my first round at this point, with Jack Ivankovic quickly earning respect in the prospect world. While Ravensbergen perfectly fits the mold of the modern NHL goaltender (in other words, he’s massive), Ivankovic isn’t quite as vertically gifted, coming in at 6-feet tall. However, don’t let his size fool you as Ivankovic is a phenomenal goalie, with that otherworldly ability to remain calm in the face of chaos that makes him look like a future NHL starter. Ivankovic has won gold with Team Canada at the U17 World Hockey Challenge, the U18 World Championship, and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the past year, and earned a start for Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship (keep an eye out for him as Canada’s likely starter at the next two tourneys as well).

31. Matthew Gard, C, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Matthew Gard is a 6-foot-4 center who skates well for his size and has quicker hands than most players that tall. He competes hard, winning puck battles through tenacity and physicality. Gard’s offensive potential is likely to be the limiting factor on his ultimate NHL potential, but I see a player who has a great chance to become a hard-working bottom-six, penalty killer, with a chance to move up the lineup a bit if his offensive game can grow, maybe something like Michael Rasmussen has been in Detroit.

32. William Moore, C, USA U18 (NTDP)

William Moore will be an early pick in the 2025 Draft, as centers with good size (6-foot-2), strong skating, and good offensive touch almost never stay on the board long in the NHL Draft. The question of just how high will depend largely on his ability to further develop his playmaking and his defensive play. Moore has a really exciting playstyle, fighting hard for space down the middle-third of the ice and carving through the neutral zone to get into the slot. Adding some extra muscle to his slight frame will likely help him a lot as well, better enabling him to win puck battles and push through contact on his way to the net.

Second Round:

33. Daniil Prokhorov, RW, MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)

Daniil Prokhorov is a massive (6-foot-5) winger who plays with an edge and a non-stop motor.

34. Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Benjamin Kindel is an undersized center with a well-rounded skill set and an excellent work ethic.

35. Blake Fiddler, RD, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Blake Fiddler is a 6-foot-4, right shot defender who is an excellent athlete and has shown a strong compete level to go with above average hands for a big-man defenseman.

36. Kurban Limatov, LD, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

Kurban Limatov is a two-way defender who plays the body well and has a great defensive stick. His hot start in Russia cooled off and he’s fallen out of my projected first round as a result.

37. Reese Hamilton, LD, Regina Pats (WHL)

Reese Hamilton is a smooth-skating, offensive defenseman who has a lot more to give production-wise than he showed this year. He manufactures zone exits at will in the WHL, and his skating helps him a ton of defence as well.

38. Cole McKinney, C, USA U18 (NTDP)

Cole McKinney is a jack-of-all-trades type center who was the best player on the United States NTDP this season.

39. Bill Zonnon, LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

Bill Zonnon is a fast forward who has played on the wing and at center this season. He competes incredibly hard and is a real blazer on the rush.

40. Artyom Vilchinsky, LD, SKA (MHL)

41. Charlie Tretheway, RD, USA U18 (NTDP)

42. Owen Conrad, LD, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

Related: Every NHL Team’s Top Prospect – 2024-25 Preseason Update

43. Émile Guité, LW, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)

36. Alex Huang, RD, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)

38. Luka Radivojevic, RD, Orebro (USHL)

39. L.J. Mooney, RW, USA U18 (NTDP)

41. Conrad Fondrk, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)

43. Viktor Klingsell, LW, Skelleftea (J20)

44. Jack Murtagh, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)

45. Tomas Pobezal, C, HK Nitra (Slovakia)

46. Adam Benak, C, Plzen (Czechia?)

47. Jordan Gavin, LW, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

48. Pyotr Andreyanov, G, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

50. Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, LD, USA U18 (NTDP)

51. Filip Ekberg, LW, Almtuna (Allsvenskan)

52. Donato Bracco, LD, USA U18 (NTDP)

53. Haoxi Simon Wang, LD, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

54. Bruno Osmanis, RW, IF Björklöven (HockeyAllsvenskan)

55. Max Westergård, F, Frölunda HC (J20 Nationell)

56. Carlos Handel, RD, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

57. Lasse Boelius, LD, Ässät U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

58. Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

59. Benjamin Kevan, RW, Des Moines (USHL)

62. Ryker Lee, RW, Madison Capitals (USHL)

63. Aiden Lane, RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

64. Michal Svrcek, C, Brynäs IF J20 (J20 Nationell)