Sportsnet’s 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: December Edition
With the World Junior Championship on the horizon, Sam Cosentino delivers his latest ranking of the top 32 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft.
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At the start of the season, there was some thought that Boston College’s James Hagens might follow the same path as Macklin Celebrini a year ago, and go wire-to-wire as the darling of the 2025 NHL Draft Class.
We have quickly come to realize that is no longer the case.
In fact, this looks more and more like a four-horse race every day. The recent completion of the first ever CHL-USA Prospects Challenge provided some interesting fodder for the scouting world.
Erie’s Matthew Schaefer stole the show. He dominated both games and looked like the 2017 edition of Thomas Chabot for Canada at the world juniors. He did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Sticking with the OHL, projected top five pick Porter Martone played well, but wasn’t quite the dominant force he has been during league play. Saginaw’s Michael Misa showed his wares, moved well and made plays challenging opponents one-on-one. I’ve heard all four names in the first overall discussion. Sweden’s Anton Frondell is on the fringes of that list and could also make a run by year’s end.
A few others stood out over the two-game set, notably Erie’s Malcolm Spence, who lead the event with three points. Calgary’s Ben Kindel, Seattle’s Braeden Cootes and Blainville’s Justin Carbonneau all left favourable impressions. On the US side, Jack Murtagh, Cole McKinney and Charlie Trethewey all lived up to expectations.
This draft class has a fascinating array of talent at all positions. It’s a strong year for the OHL, which could produce three of the top four picks in this class. The QMJHL has two-way stalwart Caleb Desnoyers as its flag-bearer. The WHL is also loaded with draft eligibles beginning with 6-foot-5 Roger McQueen in Brandon, and working down to 5-foot-7 Cameron Schmidt of Vancouver. There’s heavy Swedish content, but it’s light on high-end Finnish players. The Russians always have a few players that emerge as the season wears on. A few Czechs and Slovaks are on the radar as well, adding to the diversity and the overall depth in Europe.
As the season rolls on, we’re moving to a really important part of the scouting schedule. We’re in the midst of the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta, where we get to see the best of the CJHL. Also in attendance are American players not involved in the USNTDP and a Swedish roster worth noting because it’s full of 2025 NHL draft eligibles.
Aside from that, there’s the obvious with the world juniors right around the corner. We should have a fair number of draft eligibles involved based on Canada’s evaluation camp roster alone. Martone, Schaefer, Jack Ivankovic, and even double under-ager Gavin McKenna (2026 draft eligible) have all been invited. USA Hockey’s preliminary roster includes Hagens, as well as Logan Hensler, who is projected to go in the first half of Round 1, and late first round prospect Blake Fiddler. There will also be a number of players expected to play for their respective European countries.
The world juniors always provides a great forum for which to evaluate players. There’s pressure from each country, the competition is typically older and the game play usually quicker than the leagues most of these players come from.
Evaluating players who are not part of the world junior program is also important at this time of year. Are players fatigued, are they homesick, can they still perform without some of their top-end players in the lineup? These are all questions scouts ask when evaluating near the holidays.
If you’re an NHL fan of a team toiling in the bottom third of the league, this time of year can be bittersweet. You’re happy to see some of the prospects who may be available for your team in June, but you’re sad that your team is performing poorly enough that it may be picking as early as you need to get one of them.
In the meantime, try and have a cup of cheer, sit back and enjoy the world juniors and be sure to get out to your local rinks with your family and catch some great action live and in-person.
Until then, let colleague Jason Bukala and I entertain you with our thoughts on the 2025 draft class.
Here’s my December rankings:
No. 1: James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)
Still producing over a point per game against college competition, Hagens should feature prominently for the US at the world juniors. That will be a great place for the scouting world to gauge where he is in the 2025 landscape.
No. 2: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-1, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Without a doubt the best player for either team over two games of the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge. Utilizing his great skating ability, he owned the ice in all three zones.
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No. 3: Michael Misa, LW, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Not getting selected to participate in Canada’s world junior selection camp is bad news for the rest of the league. Highly motivated to prove the world wrong, Misa has six points in the two games since getting the news.
No. 4: Porter Martone, C, 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
Size and skill will always take centre stage in the draft world. While not at his very best, Martone was good at the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, showing flashes of his offensive potential.
No. 5: Anton Frondell, C, 6-feet, 196 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
In the month of November, Frondell played games for the national team, the J20 team and in the Allsvenskan. That instability is currently on hold as he is participating as an underager in the U19 World Junior A Challenge, where he’s showing his wide array of talents.
No. 6: Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Plays a responsible two-way game with a high hockey IQ and top-notch compete level. His details are on-point and his offensive game is high-end.
No. 7: Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
Points have been tough to come by recently, but it’s not due to lack of effort. This winger goes all out all the time, and he has the hands to keep up with his feet.
No. 8: Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 197 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Expecting to have more clarity on his situation in the near future. Getting healthy and putting all the pieces back together in the second half will determine just how high he goes.
No. 9: Logan Hensler, D, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Wisconsin (NCAA)
Handles the puck well while in motion. Can walk the line to create shot openings, and is elusive and handsy enough to effectively break pucks out.
No. 10: Malcolm Spence, LW, 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
Even if you don’t project top-six NHL production, Spence’s ‘B’ game will allow him to fit comfortably in a third line role where he will be able to match-up and kill penalties.
No. 11: Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Is a capable all-situations player. He’s a strong, powerful skater, who can cut plays off in neutral ice by using effective gap control or a long reach.
No. 12: Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 207 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Not quite ready to play in the top pro league in Czechia, the move to WHL Seattle should provide a better read on how he fits into this draft class.
No. 13: Will Moore, F, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, USNTDP
Has an impressive toolbox and when he uses his size to lean on opponents, he can be elite. Combining these elements more consistently would see his stock rise.
No. 14: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Still raw considering his late-blooming path. There’s plenty of room to add weight and muscle and with his frame that shouldn’t be a detriment.
No. 15: Ivan Ryabkin, C, 6-feet, 198 pounds, St. Petersburg Dynamo (VHL/MHL)
The concerns about his lack of point production are real, especially at the junior level of play in Russia. Is he or is he not coming over to play in North America? So many unanswered questions at this point.
No. 16: Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
A gifted playmaker with excellent vision, O’Brien can make small area plays, but also has the patience to sniff out the best option.
No. 17: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, 6-foot-3, 184 pounds, Lulea (J20)
Plays a very pro style game without a lot of flash and dash. He’s big and strong and most nights, uses his size effectively.
No. 18: Braeden Cootes, C, 6-feet, 183 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Relentless compete and fearlessness are the two best terms to describe this player. Cootes works hard to keep pucks alive in the offensive zone, and works harder to get pucks back.
No. 19: Viktor Klingsell, LW, 5-foot-10, 188 pounds, Skelleftea (J20)
Continues to drive play with his pace. He gets in on pucks quickly and that buys him additional time to make smart plays in the offensive zone.
No. 20: Ben Kindel, C, 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Involved on every shift, he’s happy to go into tough areas against bigger opponents and use his competitiveness and smarts to win battles he shouldn’t.
No. 21: Cameron Reid, D, 6-feet, 193 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Wasn’t at his best at the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, but his full body of work — improving from the start of the season until now — has been impressive.
No. 22: Carter Bear, LW, 6-feet, 179 pounds, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
On an absolute tear right now in league play where he has points in 12 of his past 13 games, including nine multi-point efforts.
No. 23: Justin Carbonneau, RW, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Highly gifted on the offensive side of things, his hands are pure magic. He can make good hard passes, he can work effectively one-on-one, but also has soft hands to make finesse plays.
No. 24: Lynden Lakovic, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
There’s no denying he has an ability to produce points, but I’d like to see him use his size more to get to the middle. He has undeniable skill for a big man.
No. 25: Brady Martin, C, 6-feet, 178 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
As has been the case through minor hockey and in his first year in the OHL, Martin is a slow and steady riser who must be seen often to be fully appreciated.
No. 26: Cameron Schmidt, RW, 5-foot-8, 161 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
There’s a truly elite and dynamic element to his game, whether it’s his first three steps or a lightning quick release.
No. 27: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Dedicated to the craft, Aitcheson continues to bring a heavy physical game to the table. There’s some work to be done on the puck skills side of his game.
No. 28: Jack Ivankovic, G, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
Always square to the puck. He moves quickly and efficiently with a calmness in his game that spills over to his teammates.
No. 29: Jack Murtagh, F, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, USNTDP
Solidly built, he never gives up on a play. He’s got a motor that works all night long and he is plenty skilled to do net front damage, or work the cycle game down low.
No. 30: Cullen Potter, C, 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, Arizona State (NCAA)
Moves really well in all directions and has an ability to blow by defenders or avoid oncoming traffic. There are a number of forwards like him in this draft class. Is his elite skating ability enough to separate him from the pack?
No. 31: Luca Romano, RW, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Turned a lot of heads at the Hlinka-Gretzky and then got off to a good start in Kitchener. He plays with energy, can create offence and is not a liability defensively.
No. 32: Jack Nesbitt, C, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Scouts are immediately drawn to his size and the prospects he’ll add to his frame. He can handle the puck and is positionally aware, but at times looks like he’s thinking the game as opposed to just playing the game.
