The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is coming up, and there are many draft rankings to be found. However, the focus here will be on how valuable players will be in fantasy hockey. It might seem early to be looking at rankings, but if you’re like me and enjoy doing fantasy drafts before the real life draft, you’ve come to the right place. Drafting players without knowing where they will end up, having a risk/reward aspect to every player, is all part of the fun.
Rankings are based on the following categories: Goals, Assists, Shots on Goal, Power-Play Points, Plus/Minus, Hits, Wins, Goals Against Average, Save Percentage, Shutouts. They are also based on a combination of peak potential and the likelihood of reaching their ceiling.
Looking at the top, Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa are the first two in a tier of their own. Schaefer could grow into a #1 defenseman, while Misa could become a #1 center. Both players have high ceilings, and there’s an argument to be made for either one. When two players are so close in terms of fantasy value, I like to lean towards the defenseman. It’s typically harder to find fantasy value on the blue line, so getting Schaefer and a replacement forward is likely to end up better than having Misa and a replacement on defense.
The next tier of players includes James Hagens, Porter Martone, Roger McQueen, Caleb Desnoyers, and Anton Frondell. All forwards, and I can see these players going in any order on draft day. McQueen is probably higher than on most people’s lists, but in terms of fantasy hockey impact, I think his upside is worth it, even if he is a riskier pick.
Aside from elite talent like Schaefer, defense in general doesn’t tend to produce as much value in fantasy hockey compared to forwards. I fully expect to see players such as Radim Mrtka and Kashawn Aitcheson drafted sooner than where I have them, but again when it comes to fantasy hockey, I think there are forwards that will provide more value.
Teams have been shying away from drafting goalies early in the draft, and I think it’s quite likely that trend continues with this year’s top rated goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen. I would be surprised if he’s drafted at twelfth like in these rankings. Granted, goalies are tougher to project than other positions, but he’s on track to having the best starting goalie potential. Landing a netminder who you can expect to be a starter can be a significant advantage in the fantasy hockey realm.
2025 NHL Draft Fantasy Rankings Top 32
1. Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL)
2. Michael Misa, F, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
3. James Hagens, F, Boston College (NCAA)
4. Porter Martone, F, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
5. Roger McQueen, F, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
6. Caleb Desnoyers, F, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
7. Anton Frondell, F, Djurgardens IF (Allsvenskan)
8. Jake O’Brien, F, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
9. Brady Martin, F, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
10. Victor Eklund, F, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)
11. Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
12. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
13. Carter Bear, F, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
14. Lynden Lakovic, F, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
15. Justin Carbonneau, F, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
16. Cullen Potter, F, Arizona State Univ (NCAA)
17. Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
18. Braeden Cootes, F, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
19. Cole Reschny, F, Victoria Royals (WHL)
20. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)
21. Logan Hensler, D, Univ of Wisconsin (NCAA)
22. Benjamin Kindel, F, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
23. Malcolm Spence, F, Erie Otters (OHL)
24. Bill Zonnon, F, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
25. Cameron Schmidt, F, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
26. Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
27. Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston Univ (NCAA)
28. William Moore, F, U.S. National U18 (USHL)
29. Eric Nilson, F, Djurgardens IF (SWE J20)
30. Ivan Ryabkin, F, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
31. Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
32. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights (OHL)
