2025 NHL DRAFT: WAY TOO EARLY TOP 5

With the 2024 NHL Draft in the past and the 2025 NHL Draft on the Horizon, I felt it was appropriate to start covering 2025 Draft prospects. What better way to do this than to do a list of way too early top 5 players in the 2025 Draft. The 2025 NHL Draft is still a year away, but there’s already some buzz around who might be the top picks, here are my top players.

1. James Hagens (C), 5’10/168, Boston College (NCAA)

James Hagens of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team is projected to be among the top players eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft. He has the potential to become the No. 1 pick, NHL scouts say. The 17-year-old (5-foot-10, 168 pounds) led the NTDP with 102 points (39 goals, 63 assists) and 1.76 points a game in 58 games. He had 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in seven games to help the United States earn a silver medal at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Finland, setting the U-18 record for points, breaking the mark set by Nikita Kucherov in 2011. James Hagens is a playmaker who looks to make his teammates better and has extremely high processing ability with the puck on his stick, this allows him to completely dictate the play. He can attack the offensive zone with such force and intensity, but it’s his ability to slow the playdown and quickly strike when an opportunity presents itself that stands out in his game. He’s a dual offensive threat as both a shooter and playmaker, leaving the opposition on their heels and second-guessing what he’s going to do next. Not surprisingly, Hagens, who can play center or wing, is a big fan of one of the NHL’s ultimate playmakers, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes. Hagens is committed to play at Boston College next season. In terms of talent, Hagens should be the number 1 pick because he has the ability to be a game-changer and franchise player.

2. Porter Martone (RW), 6’3/196, Missisauga Steelheads (OHL)

A highly skilled power forward, Porter Martone (6-3, 196), a right-wing with the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL, finished second on the team with 71 points (33 goals, 38 assists) and had 21 power-play points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 60 regular-season games. “He was chosen to be captain for Canada at the U-18 [World Championship], which speaks to his character and the way he plays,” Smith said. “He’s a big power forward who plays physical with really soft hands and an exceptional scoring touch. I like his vision to go with the bite he plays with. He’s the guy you want beside you when you’re heading in the trenches.” He’s equal parts playmaker and goal scorer, but it’s the combination of his skillset, work ethic, compete level, and ability to be a constant factor offensively that could make him a top-three selection in 2025. Martone can hurt you offensively in a variety of ways, be it attacking and crashing the net for loose pucks, unleashing a powerful shot from far out, or using his slick puck-handling skills and control to deke around players and find the middle of the ice for a shooting opportunity. In addition, he can easily draw in players and find open seams flawlessly in order to connect with his teammates. While he has high-end offensive vision, his size allows him to easily win battles, engage physically, and show the will to constantly fight for possession. He never gives up and will do whatever it takes to win. Portone may not as high a ceiling as players like Frondell or Ryabkin, but he is the most NHL-ready player in this draft besides James Hagens.

3. Anton Frondell (C), 6’0/178, Djurgardens IF U20 (J20 Nationell)

Easily the next best center behind Hagens, Frondell is an extremely versatile two-way pivot with great upside. Frondell has been effective in Sweden’s U-20 league and on the national team, excelling at the Five-Nations tournament and the J20 level with 39 points in 29 games. He even saw some time in the HockeyAllsvenskan. For a 17-year-old to dominate his age group and even get more opportunities to test his skill and strength at the level above is impressive. Frondell is as smooth as they come, both with his skating and with his puck control and stick handling. Given his well-rounded, two-way game, he reminds me of the way that Leo Carlsson played with his confidence, creativity, and ability to adapt at each level. He’s able to easily spot open lanes to attack and when he gets to the high-traffic areas, he’s able to pull off moves at a very quick and accurate pace to get around defenders. When he’s setting up his teammates, it’s as if he has eyes at the back of his head, knowing where they’re going to be. The reason why he is not 2 is because he has had some injuries at the end of the season and didn’t play at the U-18 World Championship. Depending on the needs of the team drafting second, it wouldn’t be shocking if Anton Frondell gets drafted 2nd overall because of his overall skillset and potential.

4. Ivan Ryabkin (C), 6’0/178, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

Ivan Ryabkin is the next dynamic Russian player to enter the NHL joining Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov before him. Ryabkin has with a high-end skillset and release and finished sixth in MHL scoring with 58 points in 44 games, a 1.32 point per game average, and winning best rookie for the league. Ryabkin is a different kind of talent from Matvei Michkov or Ivan Demidov, as he is more of a two-way center. He’s versatile, strong, and has a good hockey IQ. He can create chances for himself and his teammates. Ryabkin is an equal parts playmaker and goal scorer, being a relentless offensive creator in the attacking zone. He attacks with a quick pace and his speed catches opponents off guard. He’s always finding the middle of the ice to unleash a swift and powerful release with his shot and his playmaking is just as impressive. He’s great at manipulating situations fooling defenders and showing great hands in the small areas of the ice. Like most Michkov and Demidov, the skill that he has is undeniable, but the Russian factor will scare teams away, so it will be interesting to see where he falls to in the draft, even though he is a top 5 prospect.

5. Michael Misa (LW/C), 6’0/173, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Granted exceptional status in 2022 after being a dominant player in the GTHL, Michael Misa is a highly skilled offensive creator and puck distributor. He had an impressive rookie season with 56 points in 44 games with the Spirit and surpassed that last season with 75 in 67, winning the Memorial Cup in the process. With the Saginaw Spirit this season, Misa had 75 points (29 goals, 46 assists) and 31 power-play points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 67 regular-season games. He’s got a very high hockey IQ and always seems to make the right play with the puck — creativity combined with an exceptional skill set and a nose for the net, he skates really well with the patience and poise to make the players around him better. You instantly notice how quick and agile Misa is, displaying great speed and agility in transition and in the offensive zone. He has great posture with his skating and has strong edges to evade pressure and breakaway from opponents. He boasts strong hands and the ability to connect easily with his teammates, spotting the open seams and making quick and accurate passes. He’s an underrated shooter and if he could add more strength in his game, he could be even more lethal. Michael Misa has all the tools to be a top 5 pick in the NHL draft, but he is one of the players who could fall if one of the top ranked defenseman have great years and surpass him in the rankings.

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