With the draft lottery done, we have a template of the selection order ready for the 2025 NHL Draft. Unless Radim Mrtka breaks things up in the top 5-7, we expect a run on forwards early in the draft, especially with so many good centers available. The order in which these forwards go is the most interesting thing about this draft and will be debated by teams and fans in the coming weeks. This mock is my best attempt to project how I think the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft will transpire on June 27.
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie (OHL)
Schaefer gives the Islanders a true No. 1 defenseman prospect to build around. His high-end mobility, intelligence and competitiveness project him as a cornerstone on the…