Scout’s Analysis: Ranking the top 64 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

With the major junior playoffs and NCAA tournament set to begin this weekend, and European league playoffs already winding down, the 2025 NHL Draft is on the horizon. It’s an exciting time of year for fans of the game and the scouting fraternity. 

My colleague, Sam Cosentino, released his draft rankings just last week. This week, it’s my turn to step to the plate and present my personal list identifying who I currently value in the top two rounds of the draft class. 

No. 1: Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)

NHL Projection: Two-way, transitional, top-pairing defenceman. Complete player.

Despite only playing 17 regular season games for the Erie Otters, Schaefer remains my top prospect. Canadian hockey fans will recall he suffered a broken collarbone at the world juniors and had surgery to repair the injury soon thereafter. By all accounts he is healing up well and vows to come back stronger than ever. 

Schaefer is a workhorse. He averaged over 28 minutes per game when he did play for the Otters this season, and was deployed in all situations. He produced 7G-15A, rolled over the boards for an incredible 519 shifts, connected on 72 shots on goal and was a plus-20. He also played a top pairing role for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament in August and seemed destined for the same responsibility with the U20 world junior team at Christmas. 

Schaefer is a complete player. He’s a massive threat off the rush with his pace and puck skill and sees the ice exceptionally well when distributing on the power play. He’s engaged defensively and is one of the most competitive and mature prospects in the draft class. 

Since he’s been out of sight for an extended period of time, here’s a reminder of what Schaefer will bring to the NHL team lucky enough to draft him this summer:

No. 2: Michael Misa, C, 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) 

NHL Projection: Top line forward. Point producer. Bulk of ice time will come at even strength at PP1.

Misa has had an incredible season, winning the CHL scoring race with a total of 62G-72A in 65 games. He was granted exceptional player status in the spring of 2022, and has therefore completed three full years of major junior hockey. 

Misa moved to the centre ice position this year and it agreed with his skill set. He utilizes the full width of the ice with his speed and drives play with the puck on his stick in transition. Misa has developed into one of the most lethal shooters in the draft class. In the past he leaned playmaker/distributor, but his goal scoring more than doubled from last season’s total of 29. 

Misa averaged over 23 minutes per game skating in Saginaw and, like Schaefer, he was also deployed in all situations. His defensive detail has been reliable. Like any offensive star who is still developing he has moments where he needs to keep his feet moving and lock on to his check sooner in his zone, but it’s not an area of weakness that concerns me. Misa finished the season plus-43.

No. 3: Anton Frondell, C, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)  

NHL Projection: Top line scorer. Shooter. Power play specialist. 

Frondell is a riser on my draft list and he has earned the momentum. In my opinion he is the most elite pure shooter in the draft class. His skill set, hockey sense, and pace allow coaches to deploy Frondell at the centre ice position or on the wing. He’s already strong enough for the pro game. 

Frondell has benefited from playing pro in Sweden. He averages around 14 minutes of ice time per game, deployed at even strength and the power play, and has produced 11G-14A in 29 games with Djurgardens in the Allsvenskan. In his last 25 games played with the U18 National Team amongst his peer group, Frondell has contributed 14G-17A. Frondell is a difference maker offensively and a game changer who craves having the puck on his stick in big moments. 

No. 4: James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)

NHL Projection: Top line forward. Play driver and play maker. Power play specialist.

Hagens has had a strong freshman year at Boston College and skates on the Eagles’ top line alongside Gabe Perreault (NYR) and Ryan Leonard (WSH). He averages nearly 20 minutes per game of ice time with almost all of his shifts coming at even strength and the power play. 

Hagens is always in motion. He’s exceptionally difficult to check and contain. On the power play he floats around the offensive zone in an attempt to find open ice and get pucks to the net. In all situations he displays dogged pursuit of the puck along the boards and works to win back possession for his group. 

Hagens ended up producing 10G-25A in the regular season. He also played a significant role for Team USA’s gold medal-winning team at the world juniors, contributing 5G-4A in seven tournament games. His elite element is what he provides offensively. I envision a top line, scoring forward at the NHL level who pushes the play with speed and skill. 

No. 5: Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Trending towards a complete player. Deployed in all situations.

Desnoyers is the kind of player who can be thrust into a variety of roles. He takes pride in competing, and providing positive results, in all three zones. His regular season statistics provide a glimpse of what he is capable of contributing to his team. In 54 regular season games, Desnoyers produced 35G-49A and was a plus-51. He averaged 20 minutes per game of ice time and was deployed in all situations. 

Desnoyers thinks the game at an elite level. He’s calculating off the rush and displays an ability to attack with speed or pull up, take stock of his options, and distribute. It’s nearly impossible to teach forwards to play the game the way Desnoyers does. He’s gifted offensively, but also makes the choice to compete appropriately on the defensive side. 

No. 6: Porter Martone, RW, 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL) 

NHL Projection: Top-six power forward. Natural goal scorer.

Martone uses his size to his advantage in the hard areas of the ice, extending plays along the boards and driving to the crease. When pucks arrive on his stick in high danger scoring areas they usually end up in the back of the net. Martone has a very quick catch and release. He wastes no time ripping pucks on net. He’s a solid skater for his stature and was deployed in all situations for the Steelheads in the regular season. Martone averaged over 19 minutes per game of ice time and produced 37G-61A in 57 games.

Martone is a late birthday (Oct. 26, 2006) which means he isn’t eligible for the U18 World Championship this spring. Scouts will be flocking to Brampton to get their last looks on Martone in the OHL playoffs. 

No. 7: Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 208 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Equal parts shooter/distributor.

McQueen missed the bulk of the year dealing with an ailing back, but he’s returned with purpose and looked strong down the stretch for the Wheat Kings. He’s a giant of a man who has a presence. McQueen is equally adept at directing pucks on net, using his size and strength to shield opponents in the process, or extending plays and distributing the puck. 

In his last 10-game segment McQueen averaged 16 minutes of ice time and produced 2G-7A. Almost all of his shifts come at even strength and the power play. I especially appreciate his puck touch and vision with the man advantage. He has the ability to slide off the weak side flank and rotate up top in the zone to open up shooting and passing lanes. 

No. 8: Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

NHL Projection: Top six skill forward. Quick striker. Play driver.

Eklund is a darting forward who is very quick out of the blocks, attacks with speed off the rush, and can be elusive and hard to check in the offensive zone. He plays on the same team as Frondell and had a very productive world junior tournament for Team Sweden (2G-4A). 

Eklund never goes away. He’s undersized but always around the play. He generally leans goal scorer, but has the vision and playmaking ability to distribute as well. His 19G-12A at the pro level in Sweden are very impressive stats for a draft eligible prospect. He averaged over 15 minutes per game of ice time with all of his shifts coming at even strength and the power play. He’s average defensively but has the ability to provide dynamic offensive results. 

No. 9: Carter Bear, LW, 6-feet, 179 pounds, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Equal parts shooter and distributor. Deployed in all situations.

Bear suffered an unfortunate season-ending injury when he went down with a lacerated achilles at the beginning of March. He had contributed 40G-42A to that stage of his season and averaged over 16 minutes per game of ice time. 

Bear is the kind of player who can be relied upon to score timely goals and provide reliable detail, and tenacity, in all three zones. The Silvertips are a team that plays an “in your face” style of hockey and Bear fits the mold. I appreciate he is always in the fight and uber competitive every night. 

No. 10: Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 207 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

NHL Projection: Top pairing, two-way defenceman. 

Mrtka has been logging massive minutes for the Thunderbirds, averaging over 25 per game and being deployed in all situations. The giant, right-shot defenceman provides a wide-ranging skill set. He’s proven he’s capable of contributing better than secondary offence (3G-32A in 43 regular season games) and can be relied upon to block shots and kill plays defensively with his size and length. His small area quickness will need to continue to evolve, but he’s adjusted nicely to the smaller ice surface in North America compared to what he was used to playing on in his native Czechia. 

No. 11: Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Deceptive playmaker. 

O’Brien is a crafty playmaker. He reads how plays are developing in the offensive zone and has a knack for finding opportunities in the deep slot and around the net. He works the weak side flank effectively on the power play and has added more of a defensive dimension to his overall game. He produced 32G-66A for the Bulldogs in the regular season and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time.

O’Brien’s skating mechanics are sound, but he needs time to add more strength to his frame, which should result in more separation in open ice and the ability to track the full 200 feet even more effectively. 

No. 12: Brady Martin, C, 6-feet, 178 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Relentless competitor. Deployed in all situations.

An argument can be made that Martin is the most competitive player in the entire draft class. He’s a relentless, leads-by-example forward for the Soo Greyhounds. In his most recent 10-game segment Martin produced 8G-11A while averaging over 24 minutes per game of ice time and being deployed in all situations. He finished the regular season with 33G-39A overall.

Martin never cuts corners. He only weighs 178 pounds, but plays much bigger than his listed size. He finishes all of his checks, battles in the trenches, drives to the net and makes life generally miserable for opponents. 

No. 13: Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

NHL Projection: Middle/potential top pairing two-way defenceman. Deployed in all situations.

Smith is a “do it all” prospect. He averages north of 26 minutes per game of ice time in all situations and matches up to shut down top six forward groups on a nightly basis. Smith is an excellent skater. He has the legs to escape pressure and lead the rush on his own, plus the agility to walk the offensive blue line to open up shooting and passing lanes. His offence spiked dramatically this season (11G-43A) but it’s his size and strength that impress me in the defensive zone.

No. 14: Logan Hensler, D, 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Wisconsin (NCAA)

NHL Projection: Middle pairing two-way defenceman. Skill set to be deployed in all situations.

Hensler is an interesting prospect for me. He’s a highly coveted right-shot defenceman with a combination of size and skating ability that projects well for the NHL. He was used in all situations at Wisconsin this season and provided secondary offense (2G-10A in 32 games). Hensler defends with purpose and shows a willingness to front shooters and get in lanes to block shots.

I feel like he’s scraping the surface of his overall ability. There’s a real chance he might end up only providing depth offence at the pro level, but his quickness combined with his size and work ethic project Hensler as a shutdown defender at worst. 

No. 15: Ben Kindel, C, 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 

NHL Projection: Top six forward. Playmaker.

It was hard for me to ignore the trajectory Kindel’s game has been on for several months now. The Calgary Hitmen forward ended the regular season with 35G-64A. He averages around 19 minutes per game ice of time with almost all of his shifts coming at even strength and the power play.

Kindel has a role as a power play quarterback, which speaks to his vision and playmaking ability. Despite his current size, Kindel isn’t shy about taking the puck to the net off the rush or setting up around his opponent’s net searching for tips and rebounds. 

No. 16: Justin Carbonneau, RW, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

NHL Projection: Top six scoring winger. Shoot first approach.

Carbonneau is a high-volume shooter who finished second in Quebec League scoring with 46G-43A in the regular season. He averages over 21 minutes per game of ice time, with the bulk of his role coming at even strength and the primary power play unit. I appreciate his secondary battle. Carbonneau never gives up on a play. He works to extend zone time and has a very quick stick. He strips opponents of the puck and makes plays before defenders have an opportunity to react.

His small area playmaking is an elite element that he possesses compared to some others in this draft class. There’s room for improvement with his skating stride, but he gets from point A to point B on time. 

No. 17: Jack Nesbitt, C, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

NHL Projection: Top six power centre. Deployed in all situations.

Nesbitt has grown tall in his youth and has loads of room to add more weight and strength to his frame. It’s impossible to teach size, and Nesbitt has it in spades. He approaches the game with a combination of power and skill. He finished the regular season on a high note. In his last 10-game segment he produced 7G-8A while averaging over 20 minutes per game of ice time and being deployed in all situations. Nesbitt is a name to keep an eye on. It wouldn’t surprise me if a team stepped up on him before this draft slot. 

No. 18: Cameron Reid, D, 6-feet, 193 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

NHL Projection: Top-four defenceman. Two-way/transitional. Power play quarterback.

Reid is compact in stature, but plenty strong in the trenches. He doesn’t shy away from physical contact, but his most elite element is his skating ability. Reid has the agility and explosiveness to close on opponents defensively and spin off checks to launch the attack offensively. He walks the offensive blue line with purpose as the power play quarterback in Kitchener and produced 14G-40A in the regular season. Reid is deployed in all situations for the Rangers. He averages north of 24 minutes per game TOI. 

No. 19: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Barrie Colts (OHL)

NHL Projection: Middle pairing defenceman. Physical, two-way. 

Aitcheson is a bit of a throwback. He’s a very intense, competitive, physical defenceman who plays with a presence. Opponents can’t sleep on him when tracking through the neutral zone with the puck on their stick. Aitcheson gaps up with authority and finishes his checks. He’s also willing to drop the mitts on occasion. 

Aitcheson is deployed in all situations for the Colts and averaged an incredible 28:18 in ice time in his last 10 regular season games. His offence spiked considerably this year (26G-33A) but it’s his all-around game that intrigues me the most. 

No. 20: Cole Reschny, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Victoria Royals (WHL)

NHL Projection: Middle six, potential top six forward. Quick strike skill.

Reschny is a player I’m monitoring very closely down the stretch of the season and could move up my rankings by the end of the year. He’s not the biggest prospect but he’s sturdy/strong and very hard to check. Reschny explodes up ice with the puck on his stick and pressures as F1 on the forecheck when opponents are attempting to break out plays. He’s always visible, competitive, and involved in an area of the game. Reschny is deployed in all situations at the junior level. He averages over 22 minutes per game and produced 26G-66A in the regular season. 

No. 21: Bill Zonnon, C, 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

NHL Projection: Middle six forward. Better than secondary scorer.

The first thing people analyze with Zonnon’s game is his skating. His first three strides are definitely short and somewhat choppy, but when up to speed he arrives everywhere on time and plays the game with detail and intensity. Zonnon contributed 28G-55A in the regular season for the Huskies. He’s deployed in all situations, works to extend plays and is always involved. He’s a very valuable team player who scores as much as he works to keep the puck out of his net. 

No. 22: Malcolm Spence, LW, 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)

NHL Projection: Middle six forward. Secondary scorer. Skill set to be deployed in all situations.

Spence has the ability to be a difference maker. When he’s on his game he brings a combination of skill and will to the equation. He’s put together physically and already plays at NHL pace. Spence has been streaky offensively, but he still generated 32G-41A for the Otters while being deployed in all situations. I’m intrigued by his ability to be thrust into a variety of roles, but I’ve also left some games wanting more from his effort and detail. His best nights would land him higher on my list, but I have to see him bring his “A” game every night in the playoffs. 

No. 23: Braeden Cootes, C, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

NHL Projection: Middle six energy forward. Secondary scorer. 

The team that selects Cootes will be inheriting a “lead by example” prospect who empties the tank every time his number is called. He’s the captain in Seattle, rolls over the boards in all situations, produces offence at even strength and on the power play and provides energetic penalty-killing. He plays much bigger than his listed size. Cootes will provide secondary scoring at the NHL level and he can be trusted to check top six forwards. Cootes ended the regular season with 26G-37A.

No. 24: William Moore, C, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, USNTDP 

NHL Projection: Middle six skill forward with potential top six upside in time. 

After a bit of a slow start Moore’s game has built momentum and he’s trending up as his team heads towards the U18 World Championships next month in Frisco, Texas. Moore is a big body who is difficult to check and has the ability to take over shifts offensively. Sometimes it takes prospects who grow tall early in their development more time to mature in all areas of their game. Moore has the coordination, speed, and hockey sense to have significant impact. I’m looking for even more engagement from him in the last month of his season and monitoring his consistent compete.

No. 25: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

NHL Projection: No. 1/1B NHL goalie.

Ravensbergen is an athletic goalie who is big in his net. He plays a butterfly style, has very good feet and tracks the play on time moving laterally. His length provides him an opportunity to make second saves that some smaller goalies aren’t capable of reaching. I appreciate how aggressive Ravensbergen is challenging shooters at the top of his crease, especially when he fights to find pucks directed on net through traffic. He’s the top-rated goaltender in the draft class. 

No. 26: Jack Murtagh, LW, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, USNTDP

NHL Projection: Middle six, two-way forward. Secondary scorer.

Murtagh is the kind of player NHL teams were searching for at the trade deadline this year. He’s a physical forward who makes himself noticeable with his relentless compete. Murtagh works to extend plays and create turnovers. He never backs down from a challenge and plays with pace. He’s deployed in all situations at the USNTDP and produced 20G-24A in 45 games this season. When he isn’t scoring, he makes life miserable for opponents in all three zones. Murtagh is a Boston University commit. 

No. 27: Blake Fiddler, D, 6-foot-4, 209 pounds, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

NHL Projection: Middle pairing two-way defenceman. Physical, shot blocker.

Fiddler is a big, strong, right-shot defenceman who is deployed in all situations for the Oil Kings in the WHL. He’s the son of former NHL forward Vern Fiddler. Blake captained Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament in August and leads by example with his club team. 

For his stature, Fiddler moves very well off the puck and has the ability to join the rush as an extra layer. Defensively he does whatever it takes to keep pucks out of his net. He gets in shooting lanes to block shots and he’s efficient with his outlets. Fiddler has potential middle pairing upside as a two-way/match-up defenceman. 

No. 28: Cullen Potter, C, 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, Arizona State (NCAA)

NHL Projection: Middle six skill forward. Power play specialist.

Potter is an intriguing prospect for a team to target in the back half of the first round. He will eventually add more strength to his frame, which will lead to more of an interior game. But for now, he relies on his speed and skill to push opponents off their blue line when he is coming through the neutral zone.

Potter works the strong side on the power play and he’s aggressive directing pucks on net when he sees an available shooting lane. Potter leans goal scorer at this stage of his development. He produced 13G-9A for the Sun Devils and averaged over 18 minutes per game of ice time. All of his shifts come at even strength and the power play. 

No. 29: Ivan Ryabkin, C, 5-foot-11, 201 pounds, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

NHL Projection: Middle six, potential top six forward. Goal scorer. Power play specialist.

Ryabkin is a wild card to keep an eye on in the first round. It’s a realistic thought that a team will be more aggressive and call his name before this slot. My concerns regarding Ryabkin’s ability to create offence, and score goals, is minimal. What I’m more concerned about is his fitness – which is a choice – and the overall pace he plays the game. When the game is more predictable, and in control for his team, Ryabkin’s skill definitely shines on the power play. It’s undeniable that he’s coming into his own at the USHL level, however, and his stats don’t lie. Ryabkin has 7G-4A in his most recent 10-game segment. 

No. 30: Lynden Lakovic, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

NHL Projection: Middle six forward. Even strength. Power play. 

Lakovic is an intriguing prospect. He’s a big body forward who can be elusive in open ice with his effortless stride. He’s difficult to check when he’s handling the puck due to his long reach and stature. He has excellent puck touch for a big man and contributed 27G-31A in 47 games for Moose Jaw this year.

With the Warriors not qualifying for the playoffs his season has come to an end. Lakovic is a late birthday (Dec. 12, 2006). He has aged out of being eligible for the U18 World Championship and his style of play will be debated in scouting meetings leading up to the draft. For his stature he isn’t physically overpowering, he’s more of a finesse forward. 

No. 31: Cole McKinney, C, 6-feet, 200 pounds, USNTDP

NHL Projection: Middle six forward. Secondary scorer. Ability to be used in all situations.

McKinney is on the rise. He’s the type of forward who can be thrust into a variety of roles up and down the lineup. With the U18 Team USA group he is deployed in all situations and has been averaging over 20 minutes of ice time. He’s being rewarded offensively as well, with his season now up to 22G-29A. The University of Michigan commit complements darting wingers and leverages very well in the hard areas to extend plays. 

No. 32: Milton Gastrin, C, 6-feet, 185 pounds, MODO (Sweden J20/J18) 

NHL Projection: Middle six forward. Can be deployed in variety of roles.

Gastrin is part of the leadership group with the U18 Swedish National Team. He burst on to the scene at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament last August in Edmonton with a 2G-6A game versus Switzerland. Gastrin is a responsible player on and off the puck. He reads how plays are developing in the offensive zone and has a habit of finding open ice. He makes plays quickly and has an accurate release in high danger areas. Gastrin is also willing to get in shooting lanes to block shots and works to win battles defensively. He isn’t super elite in any one category, but he’s well rounded and reliable. He’s posted 18G-24A in 40 junior games in Sweden and added 7G-11A in 10 U18 National Team games. 

SECOND ROUND PROSPECT RANKINGS

No. 33: Eric Nilsson, C, 5-foot-11, 156 pounds, Djurgardens (J20)

Darting forward who is deployed in all situations. (37GP – 12G-26A)

No. 34: Nathan Behm, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Power style forward who’s deployed at even strength and the power play. (59GP – 31G-35A)

No. 35: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, 6-foot-2, 184 pounds, Lulea HF

Opportunistic and streaky offensive winger. (40GP – 23G-34A)

No. 36: Sascha Boumedienne, D, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Boston University (NCAA)

Two-way defenceman with transitional element and secondary scoring upside. (36GP-3G-9A)

No. 37: Henry Brzustewicz, D, 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, London Knights (OHL)

Two-way defenceman who has better than secondary offence and is deployed in a variety of roles. (67GP-10G-32A)

No. 38: Cameron Schmidt, RW, 5-foot-7, 161 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Undersized offensive dynamo – Shoot first approach – Exceptionally dangerous on the PP. (61GP-40G-38A)

No. 39: Kristian Epperson, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Passed over in last year’s draft. Two-way forward who’s deployed in all situations. (58GP-27G-53A) 

No. 40: Adam Benak, RW, 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, Youngstown (USHL)

Darting, undersized, quick strike forward who’s uber-competitive and can quarterback the power play. (53GP-16G-38A)

No. 41: Viktor Klingsell, LW, 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, Skelleftea AIK (Sweden J18/J20)

Plays quick and fast. Leans distributor more than shooter Playmaker from flank on the power play. (43GP-17G-22A)

No. 42: Alexander Zharovsky, RW, 6-foot-1, 163 pounds, UFA Tolpar (Russia, MHL)

Zharovsky is one of my sleepers in this draft class. He’s an elusive offensive winger who’s a consistent threat to score at even strength and the power play. His skating stride is solid, he now needs to add more strength which will lead to better separation in open ice. (45GP-24G-26A)

Here’s a look at what Zharovsky has to offer:

No. 43: Ethan Czata, C, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)

Two-way forward with better than secondary scoring upside. Used in all situations with Niagara. (68GP-21G-34A)

No. 44: Eddie Genborg, RW, 6-foot-1, 179 pounds, Linkoping HC (Sweden J18/J20/SHL)

Leans shooter more than play driver. Extends plays along the wall and out front of the net. (28GP-19G-15A)

No. 45: Ben Kevan, RW, 6-foot, 182 pounds, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

Offensive upside is attractive. Dangerous working off the half wall and cycle. Has a plus release. (47GP-13G-29A)

No. 46: Charlie Tretheway, D, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, USNTDP

Two-way defenceman. Bulk of ice time comes at even strength and the PK. Pushes back physically with secondary offence. (53GP-6G-13A)

No. 47: Luca Romano, C, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Ability to play quick and fast and deployed in a variety of roles. Better than secondary offence. (67GP-25G-26A)

No. 48: Shane Vansaghi, LW, 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Michigan State (NCAA)

Power winger. Net front distraction on the power play. Physical and an average skater. (36GP-6G-10A)

No. 49: Haoxi Wang, D, 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Joined the Generals in the second half of the season. Two-way defenceman. Solid skater. Needs time. (32GP-0G-2A)

No. 50: Peyton Kettles, D, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

Averages over 24 minutes per game. Deployed in all situations. A two-way defenceman with depth offence. (53GP-5G-9A)

No. 51: Will Horcoff, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Made the move to the NCAA mid-way through this season. Power style and a net front presence. (18GP-4G-6A)

No. 52: Owen Conrad, D, 6-foot-2, 214 pounds, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

Two-way defenceman who averages over 22 minutes TOI. Deployed in all situations. Is just scratching the surface of his upside. (64GP-7G-19A)

No. 53: Reese Hamilton, D, 6-feet, 172 pounds, Regina Pats (WHL)

Two-way defenceman. Strong skater with the skill to produce more offence. Used in all situations. (59GP-4G-10A)

No. 54: Alexei Medvedev, G, 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, London Knights (OHL)

Good size and athletic. Calm demeanour. Structured. (34GP-2.79GAA-.912%) 

No. 55 Jack Ivankovic, G, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

Athletic and competitive. Slightly undersized, but agile. Tracks quickly from side to side and fronts shooter. (43GP-3.05GAA-.903%)

No. 56: Philippe Veilleux, LW, 5-foot-9, 168 pounds, Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)

Undersized. Quick strike and skilled shooter. Skating will determine trajectory. (64GP-40G-47A)

No. 57: Luka Radivojevic, D, 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Two-way/transitional defenceman. Offence is trending up, with 1G-7A in latest 10-game segment. Power play quarterback. (31GP-1G-18A)

No. 58: Ryker Lee, RW, 5-foot-11, 181 pounds, Madison Capitals (USHL)

Average skater with upright stride. Excellent puck touch. Deceptive release. Playmaker on the power play. (51GP-28G-33A)

No. 59: Carter Amico, D, 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, USNTDP

Hulking two-way and match-up defenceman. Deployed at even strength and PK. Out since November with knee injury. (13GP-0G-3A)

No. 60: Conrad Fondrk, LW, 6-foot, 193 pounds, USNTDP

Two-way forward with secondary offence. Hockey sense and ability to be used in a variety of roles. (40GP-13G-14A)

No. 61: Alex Huang, D, 6-foot, 170 pounds, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

Two-way, transitional defenceman. Bulk of ice time comes at even strength and PP. Light, quick and agile. (64GP-7G-33A) 

No. 62: Matthew Gard, C, 6-foot-4, 192 pounds, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Capable skater on straight lines. Reliable three zone detail. Secondary offence. Huge frame. (66GP-19G-17A)

No. 63: LJ Mooney, C, 5-foot-7, 162 pounds, USNTDP

Undersized playmaker. Pass first approach but with sneaky release. Patient and aware defensively. (38GP-7G-25A)

No. 64: Jimmy Lombardi, C, 6-foot, 175 pounds, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Season-ending, 10-game segment produced 5G-10A. Good puck touch. Average skater. (63GP-13G-32A)