2025 NHL draft: Every team’s biggest prospect pipeline need

Anaheim Ducks

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd (WPG), 3rd, 3rd (TOR), 4th (DET), 5th, 5th (EDM), 6th, 7th

The Ducks have an impressive track record of developing defensemen, producing numerous top-four blueliners over the past decade. More recently, players like Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zelweger have shown promise in the NHL. However, Anaheim`s pipeline currently lacks a large, mobile defenseman to complement their skilled young offensive defenders. While Stian Solberg brings competitiveness and mobility, his puck-moving game still needs development for the NHL level.

Draft candidates from the current class who could fit this profile include Radim Mrtka, Blake Fiddler, and Carter Amico.

Boston Bruins

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd (CAR), 2nd (STL), 3rd, 4th (PHI), 5th, 6th, 7th

Across their prospect pool, the Bruins are in need of high-end skill. There isn`t currently a player in the system projected to be a true difference-maker at the NHL level, which could impact their ability to retool into a top contender. Specifically, they need a center who is a dual threat, capable of driving offense through both playmaking and shooting, and mobile defensemen who can move the puck effectively.

Given their sustained success, a lack of high-end draft picks isn`t surprising. However, Boston has found stars outside the top 10 before. Players who could inject skill into the system include forwards like Roger McQueen, Caleb Desnoyers, and Anton Frondell, and defensemen such as Sascha Boumedienne and Luka Radivojevic, many of whom could be available when the Bruins pick at No. 7 overall.

Buffalo Sabres

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th (MIN), 5th, 6th, 7th, 7th (NSH), 7th (WSH)

The Sabres boast a deep and skilled prospect pool. What they are missing is a skilled, big forward who can develop into a power forward. Their pipeline includes many smaller, `soft-skill` players, and while some have two-way capabilities, none are physically imposing.

Buffalo would benefit from a power forward who combines soft and hard skills, capable of winning puck battles, providing a net-front presence, and playing a physical game. Potential fits in the draft class include Brady Martin, Porter Martone, and Bill Zonnon. If the team prioritizes hard skill over pure size, Carter Bear and Viktor Eklund could also be good additions.

Calgary Flames

2025 draft picks: 1st (FLA), 1st (NJ), 2nd (COL), 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th

With two first-round picks, Calgary has an excellent chance to add a skilled play driver to their prospect system. While Zayne Parekh is a high-skilled offensive defenseman and they have solid forward prospects like Matvei Gridin and Andrew Basha, they lack a skilled, dual-threat forward capable of driving offense. Many of their current forward prospects are better suited for complementary roles.

While the aging of their current centers suggests a future need at that position, adding a play-driving winger isn`t a less pressing issue. The draft should offer several options, including Benjamin Kindel, Carter Bear, Cullen Potter, and Cole Reschny.

Carolina Hurricanes

2025 draft picks: 1st, 3rd (TB), 4th, 6th, 6th (TB), 7th

Carolina is known for strong drafting, particularly valuing skill regardless of position, which often earns them praise from analytical evaluators. They excel at finding value throughout the draft.

However, if there`s a specific positional need, it`s at center within the pipeline. Many of their top projected prospects are defensemen or wingers expected to be significant contributors at the NHL level. The Hurricanes currently lack a center prospect with a similar high-end projection.

Given their draft position and philosophy, players who might interest them include Jack Murtagh, William Moore, Ivan Ryabkin, Jack Nesbitt, and Milton Gastrin (noting Cameron Schmidt is a winger).

Chicago Blackhawks

2025 draft picks: 1st, 1st (TOR), 2nd, 2nd (DAL), 3rd, 4th, 4th (NYR), 6th, 7th

It`s well known that Chicago has significant talent in their pipeline, especially on defense after drafting players like Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, Sam Rinzel, and Ethan Del Mastro. Their blue line looks set for the future.

What they lack is a star-caliber forward to complement their franchise cornerstone, Connor Bedard. It`s crucial for the Blackhawks to add a forward who projects as a top-line player capable of driving and producing offense, potentially allowing them to spread offensive talent across two lines. A significant talent injection at the top is needed to accelerate the rebuild.

With considerable draft capital, including the No. 3 overall pick, they should target Michael Misa, Porter Martone, or James Hagens with their first selection. Later picks could focus on players like Shane Vansaghi, Benjamin Kindel, Nathan Behm, and Ryker Lee.

Colorado Avalanche

2025 draft picks: 4th (VAN), 7th

After trading Calum Ritchie, the Avalanche`s prospect pool lacks significant upside. Outside of Mikhail Gulyayev, there are few players with a realistic chance of playing impactful NHL roles, and currently, zero forward prospects project as top-six players.

Given their “all-in” approach during their contention window, it`s not surprising they`ve depleted high-end prospect talent. However, the team will eventually need players who can contribute impactful minutes to support their elite core.

With only two total selections in the upcoming draft and no picks in the first three rounds, the Avalanche face a challenge in adding the necessary upside to their pipeline without making trades to acquire more draft capital.

Columbus Blue Jackets

2025 draft picks: 1st, 1st (MIN), 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 7th (VGK)

Columbus made progress this season, partly due to their younger players. They appear strong at center, provided Cayden Lindstrom develops as hoped, and have promising young wingers and offensive defensemen. However, since trading David Jiricek, the Blue Jackets lack a prospect who projects as a minute-eating top-four defenseman capable of handling top opposition lines. Charlie Elick`s projection is more likely a depth defender.

With two first-round selections, Columbus is well-positioned to address this need with players like Logan Hensler, Kashawn Aitcheson, Cameron Reid, Blake Fiddler, or Sascha Boumedienne.

Dallas Stars

2025 draft picks: 3rd, 5th, 5th (NJ), 6th, 7th

For a team like the Stars, known for drafting and developing players effectively outside the top 20, a lack of a high-end center prospect isn`t immediately concerning, as Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz are set as their top two centers. However, the pipeline severely lacks center depth and would benefit significantly from bolstering this position.

Mavrik Bourque (aging out of prospect status) and Emil Hemming are their best remaining forward prospects, both wingers. On defense, Lian Bischel, Christian Kyrou, and Aram Minnetian offer legitimate upside, highlighting the need for centers even more.

Given their limited draft capital, adding a high-upside center will be difficult without trading to acquire more picks.

Detroit Red Wings

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd (NYR), 4th (TB), 5th, 6th, 7th, 7th (STL)

Detroit has many young prospects, but most of their high-end talent is on defense. With Lucas Raymond and Marco Kasper already graduated, the Red Wings lack a single player in their pipeline who projects as a top-line forward. Nate Danielson and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard are projected as middle-six forwards.

Axel Sandin-Pelikka and Andrew Gibson are expected to join a strong young defense corps, and Trey Augustine projects as an NHL starting goalie. This leaves a clear need for players who can produce offense and drive play at the top of the forward lineup.

Players like Carter Bear, Jake O’Brien, Lynden Lakovic, and Cole Reschny would be welcome additions. If Viktor Eklund or Roger McQueen happen to slide outside the top 10, Detroit would be thrilled to select them.

Edmonton Oilers

2025 draft picks: 3rd (STL), 6th, 7th

The Oilers have only three picks in the entire draft, none in the top 64. It`s expected for a team in their contention window to lack skill in the pipeline, a result of drafting late, trading picks, and trading prospects. Edmonton has done all three and lacks high-end skill outside of Matthew Savoie.

Sam O’Reilly and Beau Akey represent their best chance at becoming middle-of-the-lineup players. The team desperately needs a skilled winger to play alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. They`ll likely need to trade up or take chances on players like LJ Mooney, Shamar Moses, Filip Ekberg, and Gustav Hillstrom with their late picks.

Florida Panthers

2025 draft picks: 4th, 4th (CGY), 5th, 5th (SJ), 6th, 7th

Winning the Stanley Cup and making deep playoff runs often leads to a depleted prospect pool, and that`s the case for the Florida Panthers. They need… well, everything. There is no position of strength in the pipeline, nor is there a single player projected to be a significant impact player at any position.

Justin Sourdif, Jack Devine, and Gracyn Sawchyn have the best chance to become NHL forwards, while Marek Alscher and Tobias Bjornfot might become depth defensemen. Goaltender Spencer Knight is gone, and the system lacks projected NHL goalies. Without picks in the first three rounds, the Panthers must take calculated risks on skill and upside with their late-round selections.

Los Angeles Kings

2025 draft picks: 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 7th (PHI)

After Brandt Clarke`s graduation, the Kings lack defensive prospects projected to reach the NHL. However, forwards Liam Greentree, Koehn Ziemmer, and Kenny Connors have varying NHL projections, with Greentree most likely a middle-six forward.

In goal, the Kings have an abundance of talent with Carter George, Hampton Slukynsky, and Erik Portillo, arguably the best goaltending pipeline in the league. The Kings` clear need is for defensemen in the pipeline and are well-equipped with draft picks to address this. Potential targets in the top 90 picks include Blake Fiddler, Sascha Boumedienne, Carter Amico, Kurban Limatov, and Alex Huang.

Minnesota Wild

2025 draft picks: 2nd, 4th (TOR), 5th (CBJ), 6th

It`s unusual for a playoff team`s prospect pool to appear to have no significant holes, but that`s the impression the Wild give, largely due to their excellent track record of drafting and signing players over the last five years. They are stocked with high-end prospects at all positions.

From goalie Jesper Wallstedt, defensemen David Jiricek and Zeev Buium, to forwards Danila Yurov, Ryder Ritchie, Charlie Stramel, and Hunter Haight, the Wild have talent across the board and are set up for strong depth in the coming years. Their “best player available” mantra has clearly paid off. They have only one pick in the first three rounds this year but are expected to continue finding value in later rounds.

Montreal Canadiens

2025 draft picks: 1st, 1st (CGY), 2nd, 2nd (PIT), 3rd, 3rd (NJ), 3rd (VAN), 4th, 4th (BOS), 5th, 6th, 7th

Montreal`s draft-focused rebuild has been effective, including successful selections of smaller, skilled players like Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson. Adding Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage, and Filip Mesar gives them a wealth of quality skaters. Jacob Fowler is a top goalie prospect, and the team hopes David Reinbacher develops into a top-four defenseman.

To complement their roster, the Canadiens could use some hard skill – a player who can win puck battles, score from the net front, and bring physicality, especially in the top six, while also producing significant points. Juraj Slafkovsky has some of these traits, but players like Brady Martin or Caleb Desnoyers would be an ideal fit. Roger McQueen, should he slide like Hutson did, would also fit this mold.

Nashville Predators

2025 draft picks: 1st, 1st (TB), 1st (VGK), 2nd, 2nd (TB), 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 6th (COL)

As Barry Trotz has highlighted, the Predators need skill, particularly a true top-line scoring center to play with Filip Forsberg, a need they`ve had for years. While they have scoring wingers and two-way centers in the system, they lack high-production centers.

With a top-five pick, Nashville is in a prime position to add an elite center like James Hagens, Michael Misa, or Anton Frondell. They could also consider Roger McQueen, although his injury history is a consideration. Regardless of who they pick at No. 5, a center with top-six projection should be available.

Following the trade of Yaroslav Askarov, the Predators also lack a goaltender prospect. With four other picks in the first two rounds, they have opportunities to draft goalies like Joshua Ravensbergen or Jack Ivankovic.

New Jersey Devils

2025 draft picks: 2nd, 2nd (EDM), 3rd (VGK), 4th, 6th, 6th (SJ)

The Devils have excellent top-six centers in Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, who will lead the team for the foreseeable future. However, both are smaller and have had injury concerns. The Devils` management seems to value size and could benefit from adding a big center to the mix. Without a first-round pick, landing an impact center will be challenging, but middle-six centers are often found later.

New Jersey is strong on defense prospects, potentially using some as trade assets. Tyler Brennan and Mikhail Yegorov offer potential in goal. Targeting size, regardless of forward position, wouldn`t be surprising, with players like William Horcoff, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, Eddie Genborg, and Vaclav Nestrasil fitting that description.

New York Islanders

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

The Islanders were fortunate to win the draft lottery in a year where a defenseman is the consensus top pick. Their most pressing need is a No. 1 defenseman, and Matthew Schaefer is that player. Drafting him first overall would significantly improve the entire Islanders` blue line depth chart.

The Islanders have quality forward prospects in Calum Ritchie and Cole Eiserman (top-six projection) and Danny Nelson and Quinn Finley (depth projection). However, their defensive pipeline is much thinner, with only Calle Odelius and Jesse Pulkkinen currently projected for NHL games. Bolstering the defensive prospect pool is a clear area of weakness for the team.

New York Rangers

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd (SEA), 4th (ANA), 4th (COL), 5th (MIN), 6th, 6th (SEA), 7th

The Rangers` direction is somewhat unclear, featuring a mix of young and aging players and uncertainty outside of goaltender Igor Shesterkin. While they have talent, there`s a concerning trend of difficulty developing it to full potential. Gabe Perreault, EJ Emery, and Drew Fortescue are the only prospects with confident NHL projections, and none are centers.

The Rangers could use more mobile defensemen, with players like Radim Mrtka or Kashawn Aitcheson fitting their potential drafting style. If they aim for a center, they would hope someone like Jake O’Brien or Caleb Desnoyers falls to them at pick No. 12. They should use their first-round pick this year and hope Pittsburgh`s pick next year, which they own, is much lower.

Ottawa Senators

2025 draft picks: 1st, 3rd (FLA), 4th (SJ), 5th, 6th, 7th

Ottawa showed progress this season, largely thanks to their top players and decent goaltending. Their successful picks like Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson focused on skill, while drafting for toughness hasn`t yielded similar results. The Senators` prospect pipeline has size and tenacity but lacks high-end skill and players projected to be 60-plus point offensive producers.

With the 21st overall pick, Ottawa can target a forward with offensive creativity, such as Kindel, Potter, Reschny, Cootes, Schmidt, Lakovic, or Carbonneau. If they opt for defensemen, Logan Hensler and Cameron Reid could be good fits.

Philadelphia Flyers

2025 draft picks: 1st, 1st (COL), 1st (EDM), 2nd, 2nd (ANA), 2nd (CGY), 2nd (CBJ), 3rd, 5th, 5th (CAR), 6th

The Flyers need high-end skill across their prospect pool, and possessing three first-round picks gives them a significant opportunity to swing for the fences on players with high upside, even if they fit a boom-or-bust profile. There`s a particular need for skill at the center position.

Oliver Bonk adds skill on defense and should become a top-four player. However, the Flyers lack a prospect with point-per-game potential up front, and finding a center to complement Matvei Michkov should be a priority. With multiple picks in the first two rounds, the Flyers can target players like Martone, McQueen, Frondell, Eklund, and Desnoyers with their first pick, and others like Ryabkin, Potter, Kindel, Cootes, and Nesbitt later. This draft presents a major opportunity to add speed, skill, and elite offensive creativity to their system.

Pittsburgh Penguins

2025 draft picks: 1st, 1st (NYR), 2nd (WSH), 3rd, 3rd (MIN), 3rd (OTT), 4th, 5th (CHI), 5th (NYR), 6th, 7th

While the Penguins still have future Hall of Fame centers in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, there is a severe need for elite talent at the top of the lineup to drive play and produce offense in the future. Tanner Howe and Rutger McGroarty are projected as middle-six forwards, while others project as depth players.

Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke have top-four defensive projections, and Joel Blomqvist has potential as an NHL starter in goal. The good news for Pittsburgh is that plenty of high-end talent should be available in the early rounds. Eklund, McQueen, Lakovic, and O’Brien offer significant upside. Later in the draft, players like Luca Romano, Viktor Klingsell, LJ Mooney, and Filip Ekberg could fit their draft style.

San Jose Sharks

2025 draft picks: 1st, 1st (DAL), 2nd, 2nd (OTT), 3rd (COL), 4th (STL), 4th (WPG), 5th (COL), 7th (NJ)

Despite having many highly-touted prospects, it`s surprising that the Sharks` pipeline needs defensemen. Outside of Sam Dickinson and Mattias Havelid, talent on the back end is thin. Both Dickinson and Havelid lean towards an offensive style, highlighting the need for two-way or defensive blueliners.

The Sharks are expected to draft a forward with their top pick, though they may hope Matthew Schaefer isn`t taken first overall. Regardless, with three more picks in the first two rounds, they can target defensive defensemen like Blake Fiddler, Henry Brzustewicz, and Simon (Haoxi) Wang. Adding defenders who can effectively move the puck and defend transition, complementing Dickinson and Havelid, is key for their rebuild.

Seattle Kraken

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (TOR), 4th, 4th (DAL), 5th, 7th

The Kraken have young centers in Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, and promising forward prospects like Berkly Catton and Eduard Sale who project as top-six players. Several others are expected to provide offense in the middle six. In goal, Niklas Kokko and Kim Saarinen have modest NHL projections.

With depth upfront and talent in goal, Seattle`s primary need is on defense. Outside of Caden Price and Lukas Dragicevic, the Kraken lack defensive prospects with NHL projections. Jackson Smith, a two-way defender with a top-four projection, makes sense for them in the first round. In the second round, Charlie Tretheway and Henry Brzustewicz, both with NHL potential, could be options.

St. Louis Blues

2025 draft picks: 1st, 5th, 6th

The Blues have successfully stocked their system with talent, although much of it is projected for less impactful roles. They have forward prospects like Otto Stenberg, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Adam Jecho projected as middle-six players, and defensemen like Adam Jiricek, Colin Ralph, Theo Lindstein, and Michael Buchinger with decent NHL projections. However, the Blues lack truly elite talent, a difference-maker in the pipeline.

Dvorsky has the highest upside, but his path to a first-line role isn`t certain. St. Louis needs a top-line forward or an elite defenseman. With their first-round pick at No. 19, and no other picks until the fifth round, they have an opportunity to select highly skilled players who might be available, such as Kindel, Schmidt, Ryabkin, or Potter.

Tampa Bay Lightning

2025 draft picks: 2nd (LA), 4th (EDM), 5th, 7th, 7th (MIN), 7th (SJ), 7th (UTA)

Tampa Bay has traded away many picks recently, and losing prospect Isaac Howard who doesn`t intend to sign is a tough blow for a team that hasn`t drafted much in the first round lately. From top to bottom, the Lightning`s pipeline needs skill and players with NHL projections. They lack both and must find “diamonds in the rough” to complement their aging core.

The acquisition of Conor Geekie helped, making him their best young player. Given their limited draft capital in the early rounds, the Lightning will need a smart, targeted approach in the later rounds to find players with legitimate NHL potential at any position.

Toronto Maple Leafs

2025 draft picks: 2nd (FLA), 3rd (EDM), 5th, 5th (PIT), 6th, 7th

When a team doesn`t draft often and trades away its best prospects, the pipeline will lack skill. After trading Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan is Toronto`s only remaining forward prospect with a top-six projection, likely a second-line player. The Leafs have several goaltending prospects and added Ben Danford on defense, but few defensive prospects project to the NHL.

The primary need is for high-end skilled forwards in the prospect pool. This gap will be hard to fill with limited draft capital, requiring the Leafs to take chances. Players with reasonable upside who might be available include Adam Benak, Luca Romano, LJ Mooney, and Filip Ekberg. If they trade into the top 40, Cameron Schmidt, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, and Nathan Behm could be options.

Utah Mammoth

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th

The Utah Mammoth had a successful season and, with lottery luck, moved up to fourth overall in the draft. Their pipeline and current lineup already feature significant talent, with young players like Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther making an impact. While the team has many smaller, skilled forwards, they lack a top-six forward with size and skill – a player who is physically imposing, wins pucks, is effective at the net front, and can create space for teammates.

With the No. 4 pick, options fitting this description include Caleb Desnoyers, Porter Martone, and Roger McQueen. Some have also mentioned Brady Martin, though that might be considered a reach at that pick.

Vancouver Canucks

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd (SJ), 4th (OTT), 5th, 6th, 7th

As is often discussed around the team, the Canucks` most obvious need, from the NHL roster down to the prospect pool, is at center. After not drafting a center in 2022, passing on Zach Benson (a winger but high-skill BPA) in 2023, and not picking until the third round in 2024, it`s unsurprising their pipeline has good defensemen but zero centers with top-six upside.

Armed with their selections in the first two rounds this year, the Canucks are highly likely to target a center to address this significant need. Given the lack of depth in the organization, they may prioritize reliability over high-risk, high-reward options. Players who fit this profile and could be available include O’Brien, Cootes, Nesbitt, Moore, McKinney, and Horcoff.

Vegas Golden Knights

2025 draft picks: 2nd, 3rd (WSH), 4th, 5th, 6th, 6th (WSH)

It`s no surprise that Vegas`s prospect pool has needs, given their strategy of trading away drafted prospects. Most of their first-round picks have been moved, leading to an internal joke that players drafted by Vegas often don`t end up playing there. The team consistently uses its drafted players as trade assets.

While they don`t have a first-round pick this year, they do hold selections in rounds two through six. A pressing need is for defensemen, but realistically, they need high-end talent across the board if they plan to continue using their prospects as trade chips at the deadline. They are likely to target players with value around the league, including defensemen like Tretheway, Brzustewicz, Radivojevic, Amico, and Limatov. If Cameron Schmidt falls out of the first round, he could also be a target.

Washington Capitals

2025 draft picks: 1st, 2nd (BOS), 3rd (CAR), 4th, 5th

It`s an excellent year to need a goaltender in your prospect pool, which is precisely what the Capitals need. With a pick in each of the first five rounds and a strong goaltending class available, Washington could come away with a potential future starter. While Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren provide stability in the near term, there is currently no depth or prospects with legitimate NHL projections behind them.

The Capitals have good young talent at other positions in junior and professional hockey. The primary need is clearly in goal. Joshua Ravensbergen, Jack Ivankovic, and Alexei Medvedev all have legitimate NHL projections, with the first two potentially projecting as NHL starters.

Winnipeg Jets

2025 draft picks: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th

The Jets have a good track record of retaining their top talent. They also have forward reinforcements in the prospect pipeline, including Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Kevin He, and Colby Barlow. However, the defense is much thinner, with Elias Salomonsson and Alfons Freij being the only prospects with even modest NHL projections.

Winnipeg needs to add defensemen to their prospect pool and can use their first-round pick to do so. Defenders like Sascha Boumedienne, Charlie Tretheway, and Blake Fiddler could be available around their pick and would make sense for their current pipeline. These players are typically two or three years away from impacting the NHL, buying the Jets time for their development.