The Florida Panthers signed defenseman Aaron Ekblad to an eight-year contract with a $6.1-million...

<p>The Florida Panthers signed defenseman Aaron Ekblad to an eight-year contract with a $6.1-million cap hit, <a href="https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1939768213123813695">TSN's Pierre LeBrun</a> reports.</p><p>Ekblad has won back-to-back Stanley Cups in Florida and has spent his entire 11-season career with the Panthers. He was drafted first overall by Florida in 2014.</p><p>The 29-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Ekblad is coming off an eight-year contract signed in 2016 that had a $7.5-million cap hit.</p><p>The Panthers re-signed Conn Smythe Trophy-winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3949" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3949">Sam Bennett</a> to an eight-year contract with a $8-million cap hit Friday.</p><p>Florida has $4.9-million of cap space after signing Ekblad, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/florida-panthers">PuckPedia</a>. The Panthers' remaining free agents include <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/100" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/100">Brad Marchand</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2910" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2910">Nate Schmidt</a>, plus restricted free agents <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10633" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10633">Mackie Samoskevich</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10513" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10513">Daniil Tarasov</a>.</p>

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 17: Aaron Ekblad #5 of the Florida Panthers skates with the Stanley Cup following their win over the Edmonton Oilers following Game Six of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.

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Report: Ekblad signs 8-year, $48.8M deal to stay with Panthers

The New York Islanders signed defenseman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year extension, the team a...

<p>The New York Islanders signed defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9157" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9157">Alexander Romanov</a> to an eight-year extension, the team announced Monday.</p><p>The contract has a $6.25-million cap hit, <a href="https://x.com/reporterchris/status/1939745436031754599">TSN's Chris Johnston</a> reports.</p><p>Romanov tallied four goals and 20 points in 64 contests last season, and logged over 22 minutes per game. His 6.9 blocks per 60 ranked sixth league-wide, and his 6.2 hits per 60 ranked 17th among all defenders.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 25-year-old was set to become a restricted free agent Tuesday. He's coming off a three-year pact signed in 2022 that had a $2.5-million cap hit.</p><p>Romanov's new contract buys six years of term when he would've been eligible for unrestricted free agency.</p><p>The Russian blue-liner has accumulated 17 goals and 83 points in his 354-game NHL career over five seasons. Romanov was drafted 38th overall in 2018 by the Montreal Canadiens.</p><p>The Islanders acquired Romanov and the 98th overall pick from the Canadiens on draft day in 2022 for the 13th selection. New York selected defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13110" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13110">Isaiah George</a> and Montreal flipped the Islanders' pick to the Chicago Blackhawks, who took <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/12728" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/12728">Frank Nazar</a>.</p>

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 13: Alexander Romanov #28 of the New York Islanders skates in the second period of the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on April 13, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey.

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Islanders sign Romanov to 8-year extension, reportedly worth $50M

The Detroit Red Wings traded forward Vladimir Tarasenko to the Minnesota Wild for future consider...

<p>The Detroit Red Wings traded forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2582" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2582">Vladimir Tarasenko</a> to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations, the teams announced Monday.</p><p>Tarasenko tallied 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games last season. It was the first time he failed to reach the 50-point mark since an injury-shortened 2020-21.</p><p>The 33-year-old has one year left on his contract at a $4.75-million cap hit.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Tarasenko notched 23 goals and 55 points in 2023-24 between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. He went on to contribute nine points in 24 playoff contests to help Florida win their first of back-to-back Stanley Cups.</p><p>The Wild have $13 million of projected cap space after adding Tarasenko, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/minnesota-wild">PuckPedia</a>. Detroit now has over $23 million of room.</p>

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 16: Vladimir Tarasenko #11 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on April 16, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey.

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Red Wings trade Tarasenko to Wild for future considerations

The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Thatcher Demko are closing in on a contract extension, repor...

<p>The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5557" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5557">Thatcher Demko</a> are closing in on a contract extension, reports <a href="https://x.com/frank_seravalli/status/1939707564171608220">Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli</a>.</p><p>Demko isn't eligible to sign a new deal until Tuesday. He's entering the final season of a five-year contract signed in 2021 that has a $5-million cap hit. The two sides are working on the money and structure of the agreement, <a href="https://x.com/DarrenDreger/status/1939709370025083241">TSN's Darren Dreger</a> reports.</p><p>The 29-year-old posted an .889 save percentage and a 2.90 goals-against average in 23 games this season. He was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2024 after he had a .918 SV% and went 35-14-2 over 51 appearances.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Demko has struggled to stay healthy over the past year. A knee injury ended his 2024 playoff run prematurely and kept him out of the lineup until December. He sustained another lower-body injury in February that sidelined him for 15 games.</p><p>The American has totaled 242 games over 10 NHL seasons and has a career .910 SV%.</p><p>The Canucks signed goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7694" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7694">Kevin Lankinen</a> to a five-year contract extension with a $4.5-million cap hit in February.</p>

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 04: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) watches the play during the second period of an NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C.

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Report: Canucks, Demko closing in on extension

The Edmonton Oilers re-signed forward Kasperi Kapanen to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million, ...

<p>The Edmonton Oilers re-signed forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3961" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3961">Kasperi Kapanen</a> to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million, the team announced Monday.</p><p>Kapanen tallied five goals and 13 points in 57 games with the Oilers, and added three goals and six points in 12 playoff contests. He scored the overtime winning goal in Game 5 of the second round to eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights.</p><p>The 28-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday. Kapanen is coming off a one-year pact signed with the St. Louis Blues worth $1 million.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Edmonton claimed Kapanen off waivers from the Blues in November.</p><p>Kapanen has scored six goals each of the past two seasons. He notched a career-high 20 goals and 44 points in 2018-19 with the Toronto Maple Leafs.</p><p>The Finn has accumulated 90 goals and 222 points in 527 games over parts of 10 seasons with the Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Blues, and Oilers</p><p> </p><p> </p>

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 4: Kasperi Kapanen #42 of the Edmonton Oilers is awarded third star of the game after Game One of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers at Rogers Place on June 4, 2025, in Edmonton, Canada.

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Oilers re-sign Kapanen to 1-year, $1.3M contract

The Boston Bruins re-signed defenseman Henri Jokiharju to a three-year contract with a $3-million...

<p>The Boston Bruins re-signed defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6450" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6450">Henri Jokiharju</a> to a three-year contract with a $3-million cap hit and forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/12925" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/12925">John Beecher</a> to a one-year pact worth $900,000, the team announced Monday.</p><p>Jokiharju tallied four assists in 18 games and averaged over 21 minutes after being acquired by Boston before the trade deadline from the Buffalo Sabres. He totaled three goals and 10 points in 60 contests between both teams last year.</p><p>The 26-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Jokiharju notched a career-high with 20 points in 74 games in 2023-24. The right-handed rearguard represented Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.</p><p>Beecher recorded three goals and 11 points in 78 games this season, primarily playing on the Bruins' fourth line. He registered seven goals and 10 points in 52 games in 2023-24 as a rookie.</p><p>The 24-year-old was a pending restricted free agent.</p><p>The Bruins also re-upped goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6537" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6537">Michael DiPietro</a> on a two-year contract with a $812,500 cap hit. The 26-year-old won AHL Goaltender of the Year after posting a .927 save percentage in 40 appearances.</p>

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Henri Jokiharju #20 of the Boston Bruins skates during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 13, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Bruins re-sign Jokiharju to 3-year pact, Beecher to 1-year deal

The Ottawa Senators re-signed forward Claude Giroux to a one-year contract with a $2-million base...

<p>The Ottawa Senators re-signed forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/911" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/911">Claude Giroux</a> to a one-year contract with a $2-million base salary, the team announced Sunday.</p><p>Giroux's deal also includes up to $2.75 million in performance bonuses. Here's a breakdown of the bonuses, according to <a href="https://x.com/PuckPedia/status/1939397898988618225">PuckPedia</a>:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Bonus Amount</th>
<th>Accomplishment</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>$250K</td>
<td>20 games played</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>$250K</td>
<td>30 games played</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>$250K</td>
<td>60 games played</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>$250K</td>
<td>Make playoffs and played 50 games</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>$500K</td>
<td>Win Round 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>$250K</td>
<td>Win Round 2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>$500K</td>
<td>Win Round 3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>$500K</td>
<td>Win Stanley Cup</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Giroux must play in 50% of Ottawa's playoff games to earn the postseason performance bonuses.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 37-year-old tallied 15 goals and 50 points in 81 contests last season. Giroux joined the Senators in 2022 on a three-year contract that carried a $6.5 million cap hit.</p><p>"Claude brings veteran leadership and a competitive edge to our group and has been a consistent presence on and off the ice," Senators general manager Steve Staios said. "We are excited to bring him back next season."</p><p>The Hearst, Ontario, native has recorded 71 goals and 193 points in 245 games with the Senators. Over his 1,263-game career, Giroux has totaled 365 goals and 1,116 points.</p>

OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 24: Claude Giroux #28 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 24, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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Senators re-sign Giroux to 1-year deal worth up to $4.75M

The Dallas Stars offered Edmonton Oilers assistant Glen Gulutzan the team's head coaching job, TS...

<p>The Dallas Stars offered Edmonton Oilers assistant Glen Gulutzan the team's head coaching job, <a href="https://x.com/DarrenDreger/status/1939386635097190848">TSN's Darren Dreger</a> reports.</p><p>The Stars and Gulutzan are in contract negotiations, adds Dreger.</p><p>If hired, Gulutzan would return to Dallas after working as an assistant on the Oilers' staff for seven years. He previously served as the Stars' head coach from 2011-13, with the team going 64-57-9 and failing to make the playoffs in his two seasons. Lindy Ruff replaced Gulutzan on the bench.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>After being let go by Dallas, Gulutzan joined the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant coach in 2013. The Calgary Flames hired him as their head coach in 2016 but fired the Manitoba native following two campaigns.</p><p>Gulutzan has made the playoffs once in four seasons as an NHL bench boss, suffering a first-round sweep with the Flames in 2017.</p><p>Dallas fired Pete DeBoer after the Stars lost in the conference finals for the third straight season. General manager Jim Nill said <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3296824" href="https://thescore.com/news/3296824">DeBoer's comments</a> about goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8282" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8282">Jake Oettinger</a> were a "component" in the decision.</p><p>The Oilers eliminated the Stars from the playoffs in back-to-back years.</p>

MONTREAL, CANADA - NOVEMBER 18: Assistant coach Glen Gulutzan of the Edmonton Oilers handles bench duties during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on November 18, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-0.

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Report: Stars offer Oilers assistant Gulutzan head coaching job

The Anaheim Ducks re-signed goaltender Ville Husso to a two-year contract with a $2.2-million cap...

<p>The Anaheim Ducks re-signed goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3396" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3396">Ville Husso</a> to a two-year contract with a $2.2-million cap hit, the team announced Sunday.</p><p>Husso had a .925 save percentage in four appearances with the Ducks this past season. Anaheim acquired him from the Detroit Red Wings in February for future considerations.</p><p>The 30-year-old struggled significantly in Detroit in the previous campaign, posting a .866 SV% and a 3.69 goals-against average while going 1-5-2 in nine appearances. Husso spent most of the season in the AHL, recording a .910 SV% and a 2.64 GAA across stints with the Grand Rapids Griffins and San Diego Gulls.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Husso is coming off a three-year contract signed with Detroit in 2022 that had a $4.75-million cap hit.</p><p>The Finnish netminder struggled to stay available for the Red Wings after playing 56 games in his first year with the club in 2022-23. Husso's best campaign came the season before he signed in Detroit when he had a .919 save percentage in 40 games with the St. Louis Blues.</p><p>Husso has a .901 SV% and a 3.05 GAA over his 145-game NHL career.</p><p>The Ducks traded goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2074" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2074">John Gibson</a> to the Red Wings on Saturday.</p>

WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 16: Goaltender Ville Husso #33 of the Anaheim Ducks takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on April 16, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

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Ducks re-up Husso on 2-year, $4.4M deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed defenseman Dante Fabbro to a four-year contract with a $4.125...

<p>The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5602" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5602">Dante Fabbro</a> to a four-year contract with a $4.125-million cap hit, the team announced Sunday.</p><p>Fabbro tallied nine goals and 26 points in 62 games while averaging over 21 minutes this past season with Columbus. The Blue Jackets claimed Fabbro off waivers from the Nashville Predators in November.</p><p>The 27-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday. Fabbro is coming off a one-year, $2.5-million deal signed with Nashville in 2024.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Dante was a great addition to our team last season, and keeping him in Columbus was a priority," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. "He's a smart, versatile defenseman who moves the puck very well and can play in all situations. We're thrilled that he will continue to be an important part of our club moving forward."</p><p>Fabbro has 25 goals and 98 points in 377 career games over parts of seven NHL seasons. The Predators drafted him 17th overall in 2016.</p><p>Columbus has $28.5 million of projected cap space after re-signing Fabbro, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/columbus-blue-jackets">PuckPedia</a>. The Blue Jackets' remaining free agents include <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4577" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4577">Ivan Provorov</a> and restricted free agent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13813" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13813">Dmitri Voronkov</a>.</p>

COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 17: Dante Fabbro #15 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena on April 17, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated New York 6-1.

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Blue Jackets re-sign Fabbro to 4-year, $16.5M contract

The Seattle Kraken placed forward Joe Veleno on waivers for the purpose of a buyout, while Tampa ...

<p>The Seattle Kraken placed forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10511" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10511">Joe Veleno</a> on waivers for the purpose of a buyout, while Tampa Bay Lightning's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3964" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3964">Conor Sheary</a> hit waivers Sunday to have his contract mutually terminated.</p><p>The Kraken acquired Veleno from the Chicago Blackhawks for forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3074" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3074">Andre Burakovsky</a> on June 21. He tallied eight goals and 17 points in 74 games last season between the Detroit Red Wings and Blackhawks.</p><p>Buying out the 25-year-old saves Seattle $1.48 million against the cap next campaign and leaves a cap hit of just under $300,000 in 2026-27. The buyout costs one-third of Veleno's remaining salary as he's under the age of 26.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Veleno has 38 goals and 81 points in 306 career games. He notched a career-high 12 goals and 28 points in 2023-24 with Detroit. Drafted 30th overall in 2018 by the Red Wings, Veleno was the first and remains the only QMJHL player granted exceptional status in 2015.</p><p>Sheary had one season left on his contract at a $2-million cap hit and walked away from $1.5 million in salary to end his deal. He requested to have his contract terminated so he could pursue an opportunity in the NHL, according to <a href="https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1939354114707660921">Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman</a>.</p><p>The 33-year-old registered 20 goals and 61 points in 59 AHL games last season with the Syracuse Crunch. It was the first time Sheary played in the minors since the 2015-16 campaign. He also suited up for five games with the Lightning and didn't record a point.</p><p>Sheary managed four goals and 15 points in 57 games in 2023-24 with Tampa Bay. He's accrued 124 goals and 267 points in 593 career contests between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, and Lightning.</p>

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 15: Chicago Blackhawks center Joe Veleno (90) after a whistle during first period National Hockey League action between the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators on April 15, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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Kraken waive Veleno for buyout; Lightning's Sheary terminating deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins are among several teams hoping to talk with forward Bra...

<p>The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins are among several teams hoping to talk with forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/100" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/100">Brad Marchand</a> when free agency opens Tuesday, <a href="https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1939335689222394324">TSN's Pierre LeBrun</a> reports.</p><p>Marchand is coming off a stellar playoff run with the Florida Panthers, registering 10 goals and 20 points in 23 postseason contests en route to winning his second Stanley Cup.</p><p>The 37-year-old had played his entire 16-year NHL career with the Boston Bruins before being dealt to Florida ahead of March's trade deadline. Marchand totaled 23 goals and 51 points in 71 regular-season games in 2024-25 between Boston and Florida.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Panthers have $11 million in projected cap space, but Marchand isn't Florida's only notable pending free agent. Star defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3946" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3946">Aaron Ekblad</a> is also out of contract and set to hit the open market. The Panthers re-signed forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3949" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3949">Sam Bennett</a> to an eight-year deal with an $8-million cap hit Friday.</p><p>Marchand is coming off an eight-year contract signed with the Bruins in 2016 that carried a cap hit of $6.125 million.</p><p>The Halifax native has 424 goals and 980 points in 1,100 career games and 66 goals and 158 points in 180 playoff contests. Marchand has made the postseason nine straight years.</p><p> </p>

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - JUNE 06: Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers is seen warming up before Game Two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on June 06, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta.

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Report: Leafs, Bruins among teams interested in Marchand

The 2025 NHL Draft is complete, and we're handing out grades to each team for their prospect haul...

<p><em>The 2025 NHL Draft is complete, and we're handing out grades to each team for their prospect haul.</em></p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><em>Atlantic</em> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305000" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305000">Central</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304986" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304986">Metropolitan</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305009" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305009">Pacific</a></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: BRUINS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-32ptN" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/32ptN/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>James Hagens</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Boston College</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>51</td>
<td>William Moore</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>61</td>
<td>Liam Pettersson</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Vaxjo Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>79</td>
<td>Cooper Simpson</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Shakopee</td>
<td>HS-MN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>100</td>
<td>Vashek Blanar</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Troja-Ljungby Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>133</td>
<td>Cole Chandler</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Shawinigan</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>165</td>
<td>Kirill Yemelyanov</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Yaroslavl Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Bruins overhauled their future center depth by snagging Hagens and then Moore on Day 2. Hagens was the projected top pick entering the draft cycle, and though he didn't reach the same heights as Macklin Celebrini and Adam Fantilli as an NCAA freshman, he still has legit first-line potential with speed and intelligence. Hagens falling to No. 7 is a massive win for the Bruins. Moore is great value in the back half of the second round after a near point-per-game campaign with the NTDP.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: SABRES" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-RAZa0" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/RAZa0/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Radim Mrtka</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Seattle</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>71</td>
<td>David Bedkowski</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Owen Sound</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>103</td>
<td>Matous Kucharcik</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Slavia Jr.</td>
<td>Czechia Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>116</td>
<td>Samuel Meloche</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Rouyn-Noranda</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>135</td>
<td>Noah Laberge</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Acadie-Bathurst</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>167</td>
<td>Ashton Schultz</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Chicago</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>195</td>
<td>Melvin Novotny</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Leksand Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>199</td>
<td>Yevgeni Prokhorov</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Dinamo-Shinnik Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>219</td>
<td>Ryan Rucinski</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Youngstown</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Mrtka has top-four shutdown potential with his 6-foot-6 frame and impressive skating ability. He can move the puck too, even if he isn't the most creative player. Bedkowski is also huge at 6-foot-5 and plays a mean game.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: HORNETS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-CONvG" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/CONvG/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Carter Bear</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Everett</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>44</td>
<td>Eddie Genborg</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Linkoping</td>
<td>SHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>75</td>
<td>Michal Pradel</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Tri-City</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>109</td>
<td>Brent Solomon</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Champlin Park</td>
<td>HS-MN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>119</td>
<td>Michal Svrcek</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Brynas Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>140</td>
<td>Nikita Tyurin</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Spartak Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>172</td>
<td>Will Murphy</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Cape Breton</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>204</td>
<td>Grayden Robertson-Palmer</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Phillips Andover</td>
<td>HS-MA</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Bear's tenacity and competitiveness are standout traits. He has top-six upside as a fun complementary winger. He sustained a partially lacerated Achilles in March but is expected to be ready for training camp. Pradel is a 6-foot-5 goalie who moved to the USHL midseason from Slovakia and showed promise as a potential future starter.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: PANTHERS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-M8giR" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/M8giR/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>112</td>
<td>Mads Kongsbak Klyvo</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Frolunda Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>128</td>
<td>Shea Busch</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Everett</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>129</td>
<td>Shamar Moses</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>North Bay</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>192</td>
<td>Arvid Drott</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Djurgarden Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>197</td>
<td>Brendan Dunphy</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Wenatchee</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>224</td>
<td>Yegor Midlak</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Spartak Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Stanley Cup champ was the last team to make its first pick in the draft. Kongsbak Klyvo has some intriguing offensive tools to go with a strong 6-foot-2 frame. He was impactful for Denmark at multiple tournaments this year. Drott is on the younger side of the draft and had a productive campaign in Sweden's junior league.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: CANADIENS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-j9abH" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/j9abH/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>Alexander Zharovsky</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Ufa Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>69</td>
<td>Hayden Paupanekis</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Kelowna</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>81</td>
<td>Bryce Pickford</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Medicine Hat</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>82</td>
<td>Arseni Radkov</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Tyumen Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>113</td>
<td>LJ Mooney</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>145</td>
<td>Alexis Cournoyer</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Cape Breton</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>177</td>
<td>Carlos Handel</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Halifax</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>189</td>
<td>Andrew MacNiel</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Kitchener</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>209</td>
<td>Maxon Vig</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Cedar Rapids</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>It's another strong draft for Kent Hughes and Co. after dealing their two first-round picks for immediate help in Noah Dobson and trading up to snag a fun winger with top-six upside in Zharovsky. He has some of the best hands in the draft and a projectable frame at 6-foot-1.</p><p>Paupanekis brings size down the middle, though his production trailed off this campaign. Pickford had a huge season after being passed over last year, notching 13 goals and 24 points in 18 playoff games from the back end. Mooney is tiny at 5-foot-8, but it's easy to justify that bet on offensive talent at 113th overall.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: SENATORS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-shvT6" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/shvT6/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td>Logan Hensler</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Wisconsin</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>93</td>
<td>Blake Vanek</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Stillwater</td>
<td>HS-MN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>97</td>
<td>Lucas Beckman</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Baie-Comeau</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>149</td>
<td>Dmitri Isayev</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Yekaterinburg Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>181</td>
<td>Bruno Idzan</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Lincoln</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>213</td>
<td>Andrei Trofimov</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Magnitogorsk Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Hensler was good value at No. 23, especially after the Senators traded down a couple of picks. He's a well-rounded defender with complementary top-four upside thanks to his skating ability. Vanek, the son of Thomas, had a big season in Minnesota high school and is headed to the WHL next year. Isayev is listed at just 148 pounds, but he had a quality season in Russia and has the speed and skill to become a player if he fills out. Idzan is a very fun pick as the first Croatian ever taken in the NHL draft. He was a stud in the USHL and has a chance to become a top-nine contributor.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: LIGHTNING" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-gnhVe" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gnhVe/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>56</td>
<td>Ethan Czata</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Niagara</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>108</td>
<td>Benjamin Rautiainen</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Tappara</td>
<td>Liiga</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>127</td>
<td>Aiden Foster</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Prince George</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>151</td>
<td>Everett Baldwin</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>St. George's</td>
<td>HS-RI</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>193</td>
<td>Caleb Heil</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Madison</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>206</td>
<td>Roman Luttsev</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Yaroslavl Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>212</td>
<td>Grant Spada</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Guelph</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>215</td>
<td>Marco Mignosa</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Sault Ste. Marie</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Czata is a lanky center with good skill and a strong competitor. The Lightning have had success developing players of his ilk. Rautiainen excelled in the Finnish pro league this year with 33 points in 50 games as a rookie, and he featured for Finland at the world juniors. He's closer to playing pro games in Tampa's organization at 20 years old.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: MAPLE LEAFS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-wUt7V" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/wUt7V/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>64</td>
<td>Tinus Luc Koblar</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Leksand Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>86</td>
<td>Tyler Hopkins</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Kingston</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>137</td>
<td>William Belle</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>153</td>
<td>Harry Nansi</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Owen Sound</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>185</td>
<td>Rylan Fellinger</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Flint</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>217</td>
<td>Matthew Hlacar</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Kitchener</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Koblar, a Slovenian-born center who represents Norway, is a very raw prospect. He's got room for physical development, but he's a long shot who will need significant offensive improvement to become the top-nine contributor a team hopes to land in the second round. He does have good hands in tight.</p><p>After a reach at No. 64, the Leafs got good value in Hopkins at No. 86. He's a center with good size, skill, and offensive upside, and he plays with pace. Belle is a massive winger, and Nansi is one of the youngest players in the draft.</p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><em>Atlantic</em> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305000" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305000">Central</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304986" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304986">Metropolitan</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305009" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305009">Pacific</a></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31667155/related

NHL Draft Grades: Instant analysis of every team's picks

<p><em>The 2025 NHL Draft is complete, and we're handing out grades to each team for their prospect haul.</em></p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304956" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304956">Atlantic</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305000" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305000">Central</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304986" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304986">Metropolitan</a> | <em>Pacific</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: DUCKS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-GblDn" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/GblDn/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Roger McQueen</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Brandon</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>45</td>
<td>Eric Nilson</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Djurgarden Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>60</td>
<td>Lasse Boelius</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Assat Jr.</td>
<td>Finland Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>72</td>
<td>Noah Read</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>London</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>101</td>
<td>Drew Schock</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>104</td>
<td>Elijah Neuenschwander</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Fribourg Jr.</td>
<td>Swiss Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>136</td>
<td>Alexis Mathieu</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Baie-Comeau</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>159</td>
<td>Emile Guite</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Chicoutimi</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>168</td>
<td>Anthony Allain-Samake</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Sioux City</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>200</td>
<td>Brady Turko</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Brandon</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>McQueen is the biggest wild card of the draft. You rarely see 6-foot-5 centers who can skate and stickhandle like he can, but his back injury is a concern. The Ducks have the young pieces in place to supplement the risk of this pick given how high the upside is if McQueen stays healthy. Nilson with his two-way ability and Schock with his skating were nice bets on Day 2. Guite was the QMJHL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and had a disappointing follow-up campaign.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: FLAMES" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-LgzIG" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LgzIG/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>Cole Reschny</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Victoria</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>Cullen Potter</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Arizona State</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>54</td>
<td>Theo Stockselius</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Djurgarden Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>80</td>
<td>Maceo Phillips</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>144</td>
<td>Ethan Wyttenbach</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Sioux Falls</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>176</td>
<td>Aiden Lane</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>St. Andrews</td>
<td>HS-ON</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>208</td>
<td>Jakob Leander</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>HV71 Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>211</td>
<td>Yan Matveiko</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>CSKA Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Flames continue to stockpile talent. Reschny had a dominant end to the campaign in the WHL playoffs and Under-18s, and he comes with legit second-line center upside. Potter is the fastest player in the draft, and though he'll likely shift to the wing as a pro, that elite skill is hard to find at the end of the first round.</p><p>Stockselius is a big center who scored a lot in the Swedish junior league, and Phillips is one of the biggest players in the draft. Wyttenbach won the Gaudreau Award as the USHL player who best embodies the legacy of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. This is a well-rounded class.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: OILERS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-PSmWK" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/PSmWK/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>83</td>
<td>Tommy Lafreniere</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Kamloops</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>117</td>
<td>David Lewandowski</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Saskatoon</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>131</td>
<td>Asher Barnett</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>191</td>
<td>Daniel Salonen</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Lukko Jr.</td>
<td>Finland Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>223</td>
<td>Aidan Park</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Green Bay</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Lafreniere is a competitor who scored a fair amount with Kamloops, and Lewandowski has some intriguing potential as he fills out his frame. It was great to see Park selected with the penultimate pick after he went to L.A. for the draft. He had a productive year in the USHL. But overall, it's a small draft class with minimal upside.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: KINGS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-ACRPG" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ACRPG/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>Henry Brzustewicz</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>London</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>59</td>
<td>Vojtech Cihar</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Karlovy Vary</td>
<td>Czechia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>88</td>
<td>Kristian Epperson</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Saginaw</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>120</td>
<td>Caeden Herrington</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Lincoln</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>125</td>
<td>Jimmy Lombardi</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Flint</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>152</td>
<td>Petteri Rimpinen</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Kiekko-Espoo</td>
<td>Liiga</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>184</td>
<td>Jan Chovan</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Tappara Jr.</td>
<td>Finland Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>196</td>
<td>Brendan McMorrow</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Waterloo</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>216</td>
<td>William Sharpe</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Kelowna</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Brzustewicz is a breakout candidate who will shoulder much more responsibility on the London Knights next season. There's a lot to like with his 6-foot-2 pro frame and two-way effectiveness. Cihar is a sneaky add after playing a full campaign in the Czech pro league and could become a top-nine complementary winger. Epperson is one of the top re-entry players after a huge OHL campaign and is headed to the University of Denver. Rimpinen starred for Finland at the world juniors and is an athletic but undersized netminder.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: SHARKS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-M6foL" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/M6foL/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Michael Misa</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Saginaw</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>Joshua Ravensbergen</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Prince George</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>Simon Wang</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Oshawa</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>53</td>
<td>Cole McKinney</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>95</td>
<td>Teddy Mutryn</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Chicago</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>115</td>
<td>Ilyas Magomedsultanov</td>
<td> LHD</td>
<td>Yaroslavl Jr.</td>
<td> MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>124</td>
<td>Zachary Sharp</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Western Michigan</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>150</td>
<td>Max Heise</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Penticton</td>
<td>BCHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>210</td>
<td>Richard Gallant</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Sharks didn't overthink the second overall pick and landed another superb offensive piece who joins Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith as part of the franchise's core. Misa's high-end motor, speed, and obvious offensive talent are incredibly exciting to imagine alongside Celebrini in particular.</p><p>Ravensbergen is a fascinating pick considering San Jose acquired top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov last summer. Meanwhile, Wang is one of the best stories in the draft. He was born and raised in China before moving to Canada to pursue his hockey dreams at 12 years old. He's huge at 6-foot-6 and can skate.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: KRAKEN" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-3yIJ1" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3yIJ1/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Jake O'Brien</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Brantford</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>Blake Fiddler</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Edmonton</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>68</td>
<td>Will Reynolds</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Acadie-Bathurst</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>134</td>
<td>Maxim Agafonov</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Ufa Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>205</td>
<td>Karl Annborn</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>HV71 Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>218</td>
<td>Loke Krantz</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Linkoping Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Kraken have yet to draft a defenseman in the first round, five years into the team's existence. O'Brien, a coveted right-handed center, stacks with a young core of forwards that includes top picks Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, and Berkly Catton. Fiddler is strong value in the second round with his size and defensive makeup, and Reynolds was a big riser over the campaign.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: CANUCKS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-CxcTw" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/CxcTw/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>Braeden Cootes</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Seattle</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>47</td>
<td>Alexei Medvedev</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>London</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>65</td>
<td>Kieren Dervin</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>St. Andrews</td>
<td>HS-ON</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>143</td>
<td>Wilson Bjorck</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Djurgarden Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>175</td>
<td>Gabriel Chiarot</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Brampton</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>207</td>
<td>Matthew Lansing</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Fargo</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Cootes' leadership is a big draw after he captained both the Seattle Thunderbirds and Canada's Under-18 team. He's a right-handed center who has an impressive motor and scored over a point per game on a weaker Thunderbirds team. He projects as a top-nine center, but it's harder to see him producing the level of offense required to be a legit second-liner.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: GOLDEN KNIGHTS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-Rz1J0" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Rz1J0/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>55</td>
<td>Jakob Ihs-Wozniak</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Lulea Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>85</td>
<td>Mateo Nobert</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Blainville-Boisbriand</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>186</td>
<td>Alexander Weiermair</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Portland</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>187</td>
<td>Gustav Sjoqvist</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>AIK</td>
<td>Sweden-2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Ihs-Wozniak had an excellent campaign in the Swedish junior league. He's not small at 6-foot-2, and he's got very intriguing scoring upside as a complementary winger that late in the draft.</p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304956" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304956">Atlantic</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305000" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305000">Central</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304986" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304986">Metropolitan</a> | <em>Pacific</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31667154/related

NHL Draft Grades: Pacific Division

<p><em>The 2025 NHL Draft is complete, and we're handing out grades to each team for their prospect haul.</em></p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304956" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304956">Atlantic</a> | <em>Central</em> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304986" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304986">Metropolitan</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305009" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305009">Pacific</a></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: BLACKHAWKS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-z2Sw6" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/z2Sw6/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Anton Frondell</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Djurgarden</td>
<td>Sweden-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>Vaclav Nestrasil</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Muskegon</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>Mason West</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Edina</td>
<td>HS-MN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>66</td>
<td>Nathan Behm</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Kamloops</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>98</td>
<td>Julius Sumpf</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Moncton</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>107</td>
<td>Parker Holmes</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Brantford</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>162</td>
<td>Ashton Cumby</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Seattle</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>194</td>
<td>Ilya Kanarsky</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>AKM Tula Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Frondell looked like a slam-dunk top-three pick from mid-January through mid-March. The rest of his campaign left more to be desired. Frondell needs to improve his consistency to blossom into the elite goal-scoring center with two-way prowess that the Blackhawks are expecting by taking him at No. 3.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Nestrasil and West are fun projects given their size and skill. Sumpf had been passed over twice in the draft, but he's coming off a splendid campaign on the top team in the QMJHL, and he impressed at the world juniors for Germany.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: AVALANCHE" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-309e2" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/309e2/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>77</td>
<td>Francesco Dell'Elce</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>UMass</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>118</td>
<td>Linus Funck</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Lulea Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>214</td>
<td>Nolan Roed</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Tri-City</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Dell'Elce twice went undrafted before finally hearing his name called Saturday. He had an impressive freshman campaign at UMass, accumulating seven goals and 24 points and a plus-18 rating in 40 contests on a team that went to the national championship game. He's closer to cracking an NHL lineup than the 17- or 18-year-olds that comprise most of the draft.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: STARS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-VWB4U" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/VWB4U/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>94</td>
<td>Cameron Schmidt</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Vancouver</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>126</td>
<td>Brandon Gorzynski</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Calgary</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>146</td>
<td>Atte Joki</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Lukko Jr.</td>
<td>Finland Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>158</td>
<td>Mans Goos</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Farjestad Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>190</td>
<td>Dawson Sharkey</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Acadie-Bathurst</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>222</td>
<td>Charlie Paquette</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Guelph</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Schmidt is a first-round talent. He has blazing speed and a legit shot, but he's very small at 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds. The Stars had success developing Logan Stankoven and hope to replicate it with Schmidt. It's easy to take this kind of chance on upside when Dallas' first pick is this late in the draft. Schmidt has top-six potential, which you just can't say for most prospects taken in the 90s. Oh, and the Stars snagged the best name in the draft, Mans Goos.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: WILD" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-hQnRQ" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/hQnRQ/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>52</td>
<td>Theodor Hallquisth</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Orebro Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>102</td>
<td>Adam Benak</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Youngstown</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>121</td>
<td>Lirim Amidovski</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>North Bay</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>123</td>
<td>Carter Klippenstein</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Brandon</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>141</td>
<td>Justin Kipkie</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Victoria</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Hallquisth was Minnesota's first pick, but Benak is the draw here. The 5-foot-8 forward impressed on the international stage with Czechia and in the USHL. Benak is the all-time scoring leader at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he notched seven points in four games at the Under-18s this spring, and he scored over a point per game in the USHL. That's exactly the kind of swing you want your team to take in the middle parts of the draft.</p><p>Kipkie is the rare double draftee: He was first selected 160th in 2023 by the Arizona Coyotes but went unsigned in June. He's a tall defender with bottom-pairing potential.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: PREDATORS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-XXH6Z" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/XXH6Z/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Brady Martin</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Sault Ste. Marie</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>Cameron Reid</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Kitchener</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>Ryker Lee</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Madison</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>Jacob Rombach</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Lincoln</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>58</td>
<td>Jack Ivankovic</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Brampton</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>122</td>
<td>Alex Huang</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Chicoutimi</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>163</td>
<td>Daniel Nieminen</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Lahti</td>
<td>Liiga</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Predators once again did well to add upside throughout the draft, but their class will ultimately be defined by what Martin becomes. It's easy to fall in love with his hitting, forechecking, and underrated skill, especially after the playoff run Sam Bennett just had. But a talent-starved Nashville team also passed on more skilled and offense-oriented players to take Martin. If the farm boy from Elmira, Ontario, only becomes a bottom-six checker, that'll be detrimental for general manager Barry Trotz.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: BLUES" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-4v32j" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/4v32j/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>Justin Carbonneau</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Blainville-Boisbriand</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>147</td>
<td>Mikhail Fyodorov</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Magnitogorsk Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>179</td>
<td>Love Harenstam</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Skelleftea Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The speed, shooting ability, and puck-handling that Carbonneau possesses give him one of the best highlight reels in the draft and make him a very intriguing swing for the Blues at the end of the teens. Fyodorov is a slight forward who had a good scoring season in Russia.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: MAMMOTH" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-EGF8w" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/EGF8w/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Caleb Desnoyers</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Moncton</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>46</td>
<td>Max Psenicka</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Portland</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>78</td>
<td>Stepan Hoch</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Ceske Budejovice Jr.</td>
<td>Czechia Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>110</td>
<td>Yegor Borikov</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Minsk</td>
<td>KHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>142</td>
<td>Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Ufa Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>174</td>
<td>Ludvig Johnson</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Zug</td>
<td>Switzerland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>182</td>
<td>Reko Alanko</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Jokerit Jr.</td>
<td>Finland Jr.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Desnoyers is a perfect fit for the Mammoth. He adds size down the middle and plays a mature, two-way game, making him an ideal complement to Logan Cooley - think of the New Jersey Devils with Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. Psenicka didn't have flashy production but posted intriguing underlying metrics and has great defensive potential at 6-foot-5. Borikov tallied 25 points in the KHL at 19 years old.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: JETS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-GBABW" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/GBABW/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>Sascha Boumedienne</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Boston</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>92</td>
<td>Owen Martin</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Spokane</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>156</td>
<td>Viktor Klingsell</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Skelleftea Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>188</td>
<td>Edison Engle</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Dubuque</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>220</td>
<td>Jacob Cloutier</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Saginaw</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Boumedienne played important minutes on a top Boston University team, then flourished at the Under-18s with Sweden. He's not flashy offensively, but his skating and defensive profile give him top-four potential. Martin was productive in a secondary role with Spokane and could flourish as he takes more responsibility. Klingsell has top-nine potential as an intelligent scorer.</p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304956" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304956">Atlantic</a> | <em>Central</em> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304986" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304986">Metropolitan</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305009" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305009">Pacific</a></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31667151/related

NHL Draft Grades: Central Division

<p><em>The 2025 NHL Draft is complete, and we're handing out grades to each team for their prospect haul.</em></p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304956" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304956">Atlantic</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305000" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305000">Central</a> | <em>Metropolitan</em> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305009" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305009">Pacific</a></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: HURRICANES" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-vZ1OG" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vZ1OG/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>41</td>
<td>Semyon Frolov</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Spartak Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49</td>
<td>Charlie Cerrato</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>62</td>
<td>Ivan Ryabkin</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Muskegon</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>67</td>
<td>Kurban Limatov</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Dynamo Moscow Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>87</td>
<td>Roman Bausov</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>183</td>
<td>Viggo Nordlund</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Skelleftea Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>221</td>
<td>Filip Ekberg</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Ottawa</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Hurricanes turned the 29th overall selection into picks No. 41, 49, 62, and a future fifth-rounder. Despite moving down, Carolina still added a top goalie prospect in Frolov.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Ryabkin is the most fascinating pick of the draft. He was a projected top-five selection at one point after his production in the Russian junior league was on par with that of Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov. Then he scored at a 40-goal pace in the USHL. However, concerns over fitness and discipline caused him to plummet in the draft. A very Hurricanes pick. They also added Ekberg, the top scorer at the Under-18s, at No. 221.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: BLUE JACKETS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-tokIh" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tokIh/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>Jackson Smith</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Tri-City</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>Pyotr Andreyanov</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>CSKA Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>76</td>
<td>Malte Vass</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Farjestad Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>160</td>
<td>Owen Griffin</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Oshawa</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>173</td>
<td>Victor Raftheim</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Brynas Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>198</td>
<td>Jeremy Loranger</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Sherwood Park</td>
<td>BCHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Smith is a tantalizing prospect with his 6-foot-4 frame, skating, and aggressiveness on both offense and defense. Andreyanov was a shocker at No. 20. He's on the smaller side for goalies at 6-feet, but he had a dominant campaign in Russia's junior league. Griffin was phenomenal in the OHL playoffs with 16 goals and 29 points in 21 games, and he's one of Day 2's best value picks.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: DEVILS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-smxQc" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/smxQc/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>50</td>
<td>Conrad Fondrk</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>63</td>
<td>Ben Kevan</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Des Moines</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>90</td>
<td>Mason Moe</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Madison</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>99</td>
<td>Trenten Bennett</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Kemptville</td>
<td>CCHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>114</td>
<td>Gustav Hillstrom</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Brynas Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>161</td>
<td>David Rozsival</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Liberec Jr.</td>
<td>Czechia Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>178</td>
<td>Sigge Holmgren</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Brynas U18</td>
<td>Sweden U18</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Fondrk plays with skill, and Kevan brings electric skating. Both have the top-nine upside teams should target in the second round. Bennett, meanwhile, is a massive 6-foot-8 netminder who you give to your goalie coach and hope for the best.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: ROCKETS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-SpuJs" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/SpuJs/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Matthew Schaefer</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Erie</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Victor Eklund</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Djurgarden</td>
<td>Sweden-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>Kashawn Aitcheson</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Barrie</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>42</td>
<td>Daniil Prokhorov</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>74</td>
<td>Luca Romano</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Kitchener</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>106</td>
<td>Tomas Poletin</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Lahti</td>
<td>Liiga</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>138</td>
<td>Sam Laurila</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Fargo</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>170</td>
<td>Burke Hood</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Vancouver</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>202</td>
<td>Jacob Kvasnicka</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>A franchise-altering draft. No other prospect in the class brings Schaefer's top-of-the-lineup potential and immense developmental runway. Eklund and Aitcheson are incredibly competitive and project as future fan favorites. Prokhorov is huge and a big goal-scorer in the Russian junior league. This is the best 2025 draft class, and it completely overhauls the Islanders' pipeline.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: RANGERS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-qy4dn" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qy4dn/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>43</td>
<td>Malcolm Spence</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Erie</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>70</td>
<td>Sean Barnhill</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Dubuque</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>89</td>
<td>Artyom Gonchar</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Magnitogorsk Jr.</td>
<td>MHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>111</td>
<td>Mikkel Eriksen</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Farjestad Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>139</td>
<td>Zeb Lindgren</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Skelleftea Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>166</td>
<td>Samuel Jung</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Karpat Jr.</td>
<td>Finland Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>171</td>
<td>Evan Passmore</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Barrie</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>203</td>
<td>Felix Farhammar</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Orebro Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Spence started the draft year as a projected top-15 pick. A nasty tongue injury caused him to lose weight, and he still managed 32 goals in the OHL. That's excellent value for the Rangers' top pick that late in the draft. Gonchar, the nephew of longtime NHLer Sergei, is a long shot to make the NHL.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: FLYERS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-lAHzC" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lAHzC/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Porter Martone</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Brampton</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Jack Nesbitt</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Windsor</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>38</td>
<td>Carter Amico</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>40</td>
<td>Jack Murtagh</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>48</td>
<td>Shane Vansaghi</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Michigan State</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>57</td>
<td>Matthew Gard</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Red Deer</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>132</td>
<td>Max Westergard</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Frolunda Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>157</td>
<td>Luke Vlooswyk</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Red Deer</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>164</td>
<td>Nathan Quinn</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Quebec</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Flyers' prospect pool lacked size, and they certainly addressed that by adding 6-foot-3 Martone, 6-foot-5 Nesbitt, 6-foot-6 Amico, and more later in the draft. Martone has thrilling potential with his playmaking. Trading up for Nesbitt was rich. Vansaghi is a menace on the forecheck. Philadelphia eventually becomes harder to play against with this kind of draft class.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: 76ERS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-j2slj" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/j2slj/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>Benjamin Kindel</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Calgary</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td>Bill Zonnon</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Rouyn-Noranda</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>William Horcoff</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Michigan</td>
<td>NCAA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>39</td>
<td>Peyton Kettles</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Swift Current</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>73</td>
<td>Charlie Trethewey</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>NTDP</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>84</td>
<td>Gabriel D'Aigle</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Victoriaville</td>
<td>QMJHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>91</td>
<td>Brady Peddle</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Waterloo</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>105</td>
<td>Travis Hayes</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Sault Ste. Marie</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>130</td>
<td>Ryan Miller</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Portland</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>148</td>
<td>Quinn Beauchesne</td>
<td>RHD</td>
<td>Guelph</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>154</td>
<td>Jordan Charron</td>
<td>RW</td>
<td>Sault Ste. Marie</td>
<td>OHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>169</td>
<td>Carter Sanderson</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Muskegon</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>201</td>
<td>Kale Dach</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Sherwood Park</td>
<td>BCHL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>While the Penguins added much-needed talent to their pipeline, it's hard to overlook the surprising Kindel pick at No. 11. The 5-foot-10 center was expected to go in the 20s. Though he has the skill to become a top-six producer, Pittsburgh left a lot of other talent on the board to reach for an undersized pivot. Zonnon and Horcoff bring competitiveness and some projectable size. It's a big class for the Penguins that helps fill out a weak prospect pool, but the decision at No. 11 will define their draft.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="DRAFT GRADES: CAPITALS" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-2O604" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/2O604/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="90" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>League</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>Lynden Lakovic</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Moose Jaw</td>
<td>WHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td>Milton Gastrin</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>MoDo Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>96</td>
<td>Maxim Schafer</td>
<td>LW</td>
<td>Berlin</td>
<td>Germany</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>155</td>
<td>Jackson Crowder</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Chicago</td>
<td>USHL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>180</td>
<td>Aron Dahlqvist</td>
<td>LHD</td>
<td>Brynas Jr.</td>
<td>Sweden Jr.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Capitals continue to accumulate prospects with offensive upside. Lakovic is 6-foot-4, plays with pace, and has legit scoring upside. But he's 6-foot-4 and not particularly physical, so he fell down the board far enough for Washington to happily scoop him up.</p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304956" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304956">Atlantic</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305000" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305000">Central</a> | <em>Metropolitan</em> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3305009" href="https://thescore.com/news/3305009">Pacific</a></p>

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Follow the 2025 NHL Draft with theScore's live tracker to view all selections as they happen.  Th...

<p><em>Follow the 2025 NHL Draft with <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3301192">theScore's live tracker</a> to view all selections as they happen.</em></p><p>The San Jose Sharks selected defenseman Simon Wang with the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday, making him the highest-drafted Chinese player in league history.</p><p>Wang totaled 22 points and 73 penalty minutes in 38 games with the OJHL's King Rebellion before joining the OHL's Oshawa Generals midseason. He netted two assists in 32 regular-season contests and added three helpers in 21 playoff games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 6-foot-6, 209-pound rearguard is committed to Boston University. He will join the Terriers for the 2026-27 campaign.</p><p>Wang was born in Beijing and moved to Canada at the age of 12 to pursue hockey. He's ranked 34th in North America by NHL Central Scouting.</p><p>Andong Song was the first Chinese player drafted in NHL history when the New York Islanders selected him 172nd in 2015. Kevin He, who was taken 109th by the Winnipeg Jets last year, became the first Chinese-born player to sign an NHL contract when he inked his entry-level deal in December.</p><h3>What they're saying</h3><p>"(Wang's) a premium athlete; there aren't many 6-foot-6 defenders who can skate like he does," wrote <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6413760/2025/06/10/nhl-draft-2025-prospects-rankings-pronman/">The Athletic's Corey Pronman</a>. "Wang has a powerful stride that allows him to easily get up ice and close on checks. He's a great defender due to his wingspan, mobility, and penchant to lay the body."</p><p>"He's a giant, two-way defenseman who's a very efficient skater," Sportsnet's Jason Bukala <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/scouts-analysis-ranking-the-top-80-prospects-for-the-2025-nhl-draft/">wrote</a>. "When time allows, he sees the ice and has the ability to make responsible outlets. He's still learning how to best assert himself into a role."</p><p>"With time and the right development, he could become a unique, play-killing top-four NHL blue-liner," wrote <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/2025-nhl-draft/cam-robinsons-final-top-85-for-the-2025-nhl-draft">Elite Prospects' Cam Robinson</a>, who also called Wang "the ultimate long-term project."</p>

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 7: Simon Wang #59 warms up prior to testing during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine at the LECOM Harborcenter on June 7, 2025 in Buffalo, New York.

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The Calgary Flames selected Arizona State forward Cullen Potter with the 32nd overall pick in Fri...

<p>The Calgary Flames selected Arizona State forward Cullen Potter with the 32nd overall pick in Friday's NHL draft.</p><p>Potter notched 13 goals and 22 points in 35 games this season.</p><p>He added four goals and eight points with Team USA at the Under-18s.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Potter was one of three Under-18 skaters to play in the NCAA this season, leading that group in goals and points. Rather than chase gaudy totals in the USHL, he opted to suit up against tougher competition by jumping to college.</p><p>The Wisconsin native played down the middle for Arizona State, but his lighter frame and skill set suggest he might be better suited on the wing long term. Potter is a high-end skater, and his speed is easily his most attractive skill. He's shown flashes of exciting puck skills and playmaking, but learning to change tempo and better utilize his speed will be key to unlocking his full potential.</p><p>Potter's mother, Jenny, starred with Team USA from 1998-2012. She's the all-time scoring leader at the Olympics among Americans.</p>

TEMPE, ARIZONA - MARCH 15: Cullen Potter #12 of Arizona State University Sun Devils skates on the ice during a stoppage of play against the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at Mullett Arena on March 15, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona.

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The Winnipeg Jets selected defenseman Sascha Boumedienne with the 28th overall pick in Friday's N...

<p>The Winnipeg Jets selected defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaah/players/16004" href="https://thescore.com/ncaah/players/16004">Sascha Boumedienne</a> with the 28th overall pick in Friday's NHL draft.</p><p>Boumedienne played at Boston University last season and registered three goals and 13 points in 40 games. He was the youngest rearguard in the NCAA.</p><p>The Swede broke the scoring record among defensemen at the Under-18s this spring with 14 points in seven games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Boumedienne doesn't project as an offensive force at the next level despite his standout tournament. He's an impressive skater but lacks the high-end puck skills and playmaking to set himself up to be a future power-play quarterback and point-producer in the NHL. Rather, he is a well-rounded option with room to fill out and could develop into a top-four defender.</p><p>The Jets took Swedish defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/15052" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/15052">Alfons Freij</a> with their first pick in last year's draft at No. 37 overall.</p>

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 20: Boston University Terriers defenseman Sascha Boumedienne (78) looks on during the Hockey East semifinal game between the Boston University Terriers and the UConn Huskies on March 20, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston, MA.

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<p>The Columbus Blue Jackets made Pyotr Andreyanov the first goaltender off the board in Friday's NHL draft, selecting him 20th overall.</p><p>Andreyanov was the top-ranked international goaltender on Central Scouting's list, and clocked in at No. 58 on <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/with-prodigious-talent-and-boundless-potential-matthew-schaefer-tops-mckenzie-s-nhl-draft-ranking-1.2325555">Bob McKenzie's final rankings</a> for TSN.</p><p>The 6-foot netminder posted a .942 save percentage in 37 games this season in the Russian junior league.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Andreyanov has outstanding quickness in his lower half," wrote <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6413760/2025/06/10/nhl-draft-2025-prospects-rankings-pronman/">The Athletic's Corey Pronman</a> in a scouting report. "He makes a ton of highlight reel-type saves due to his athleticism, plus his compete level."</p><p>Blue Jackets goaltending coach Niklas Backstrom said Andreyanov reminds him of a young <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1631" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1631">Sergei Bobrovsky</a>, according to <a href="https://x.com/Aportzline/status/1938784697846202458">The Athletic's Aaron Portzline</a>.</p><p>WHL netminder Joshua Ravensbergen was widely expected to be the first goaltender drafted in the class.</p>

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2024/11/08: Peter Andreyanov (1) Russia U18 Hockey team seen in action during the Hockey match, Future Cup between Belarus U20 and Russia U18 at the Jubilee Sports Complex. (Final score; Russia U18 1:2 Belarus U20).

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