The initial round of the 2025 NHL Draft is set for Friday evening at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. The New York Islanders, having secured the first overall pick in last month’s draft lottery for the fifth time since the 2009 selection of John Tavares, are widely expected to choose 17-year-old defenseman Ellie Otter from the Ontario Hockey League. Despite limited ice time, Otter earned the Canadian Hockey League Top Draft Prospect Award and topped the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s final rankings for North American skaters.
Following Otter, 18-year-old Michael Misa from OHL’s Saginaw Spirit is anticipated to be picked second by the San Jose Sharks. However, the selections for the third, fourth, and fifth picks—which belong to the Chicago Blackhawks, Utah Mammoth, and Nashville Predators, respectively—remain uncertain. While many players are projected to fill out the top five picks, there’s speculation that San Jose might even choose someone ahead of Misa at second overall. As always with sports drafts, trades and surprise decisions could shake up expectations.
Fans interested in NHL betting have the chance to capitalize on promotions from major sportsbooks during the first round. Here are some highlighted potential picks and odds:
– Anton Frontell is favored to go third overall (-160 on FanDuel). The Swedish captain, known for his two-way game and leadership in international tournaments, offers strong potential despite not being NHL-ready immediately.
– Caleb Desnoyers is the favorite for the fourth pick (-150 on DraftKings). The 18-year-old center from the Moncton Wildcats boasts multiple gold medals in international youth competitions and excelled as playoff MVP in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
– Porter Merton, expected around fifth overall (+180 on DraftKings), is a power forward from the OHL with notable scoring ability and international success.
– James Hagens is another top-five contender (+125 FanDuel), recognized for his speed and playmaking at Boston College and exceptional performance in international tournaments.
– Brady Martin, not in the top ten of final rankings but with strong mock draft support, brings grit and skill as an 18-year-old center from the OHL, having earned gold medals in recent international events (+120 FanDuel for top five).
Fan Take: This NHL Draft showcases a promising new generation of elite talent on the cusp of entering the league, signaling an exciting future for hockey fans. The selections and potential trades made during this draft could shape the competitive landscape of the NHL for years to come, making it a key event for followers of the sport.
