Top NHL Prospects for 2025
Images: Terry Wilson & Natalie Shaver - OHL Images & Mathias Bergeld - Bildbyrån
The 2025 NHL Draft class is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent years. With a mix of high-end talent, dynamic forwards, dominant defensemen, and a few wildcard prospects rising up the ranks, the debate over the top NHL prospects is in full swing. To cut through the noise, we’ve compiled the Top 100 NHL Prospects for 2025, using our proprietary Consolidated Ranking, which aggregates data from the most respected draft analysts in the game.
How the Consolidated Ranking Works
Scouting the next generation of NHL stars isn’t an exact science. Every ranking outlet values different traits—some put more weight on offensive production, while others emphasize skating mechanics, hockey IQ, or long-term projection. That’s where our Consolidated Ranking comes in.
Rather than relying on one single source, we’ve blended rankings from some of the most respected voices in the industry, including:
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Bob McKenzie (TSN)
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Craig Button (TSN)
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The Hockey News
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McKeen’s Hockey
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Chris Peters (FloHockey)
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Daily Faceoff
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NHL Central Scouting
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Sportsnet
By synthesizing these rankings, we aim to present the most balanced, data-driven list of NHL top prospects available. This approach mitigates biases from individual scouts and provides a clearer picture of how these players are valued across the industry.
For full Elite Prospects rankings and scouting reports, visit our Elite Prospects Top 32. You can also check out the Consolidated Ranking for a complete breakdown of how these players stack up across multiple scouting services.
Battle for No. 1
While this article promotes and showcases the Top 32 players from the Consolidated Draft Ranking, our Elite Prospects own ranking has seen a shift at the top, with Matthew Schaefer overtaking James Hagens for the No. 1 spot.
A mere six weeks have passed since our last ranking, but so much has changed. Multiple draft prospects battled at the World Juniors tournament, the World Junior A Challenge, the OHL Top Prospects Game, and in their respective leagues. With over 3,000 scouting reports accumulated, we are gaining a better understanding of the 2025 NHL Draft Class—its strengths, weaknesses, and defining trends.
The 2025 class is shaping up to be top-heavy, with four prospects worthy of a first-overall selection, and a fifth, Roger McQueen, who could also enter the conversation with a strong second half.
On our last list, two players competed for the No. 1 overall spot: Hagens and Schaefer. Schaefer had been closing the gap in November and December, but we waited to see Hagens perform at the World Juniors before making a final decision.
Hagens played well, showing advanced playmaking ability and skill, but Schaefer overshadowed him. He may have played just one full game, but it was so dominant that it earned a full-length breakdown from our scouts. As a result, Schaefer now ranks No. 1 on our board.
Our poll of NHL executives revealed that most teams also prefer Schaefer.
“The No. 1 overall pick is still up for grabs. It’s going to depend on who is actually picking at this spot, but at this point, for us, it’s Schaefer,” said Director of Film Scouting Cam Robinson. “The skating and activation game are high-end, and he works well inside a structure. He has everything going for him. With his age and the runway that he has, it’s easier to project him to that No.1, impactful defenseman role than it is to project James Hagens to a No. 1 center role.”
We still believe Hagens has the potential to reach that top-tier status, but at this point, Schaefer’s trajectory appears more certain.
The Next Tier: Hagens, Misa, and Martone
Hagens and Michael Misa have similar potential. Both could one day lead an NHL lineup, but Hagens carries an extra layer of offensive creativity that sets him apart.
“Misa is an all-around force. He breaks defenses open with his pace and forces the opposition into mistakes, but in terms of playmaking and pure skill, Hagens has the edge,” said Lead Scout David St-Louis. “With added strength, Hagens will be able to impact the game in many of the same ways Misa does.”
Meanwhile, Porter Martone had a limited role at the World Juniors, and Canada’s struggles meant we disregarded his tournament performance. We continue to favor Misa’s translatability to the next level.
The Top 100 NHL Prospects for 2025
You find the top 100 NHL Prospects in our Consolidated Ranking
Here's is the consolidated rankings top 32
League Representation in the Top 100
The Top 100 Consolidated Draft Ranking includes prospects from a variety of leagues, with the CHL leading the way, followed by strong representation from the USHL, NCAA, and top European circuits like the SHL, Liiga, and MHL. The table below breaks down how many players from each league are featured in this year’s ranking.
The Power of Verified Status
Several of these top prospects are Elite Prospects Verified, ensuring their profiles contain the most accurate, up-to-date information. Verified players include:
James Hagens
Matthew Schaefer
Michael Misa
Porter Martone
Roger McQueen
Ivan Ryabkin
Lynden Lakovic
Nathan Behm
Charlie Trethewey
Eddie Genborg
Ryker Lee
Maxim Agafonov
Carlos Händel
Jamiro Reber
Viggo Nordlund
Bruno Osmanis
Hayden Paupanekis
Being Verified on Elite Prospects helps players gain credibility, exposure, and ensures their data is accurate and trustworthy. If you're a prospect looking to boost your visibility, consider getting Verified.