The 2025 NHL Draft has concluded, and we’re grading each Atlantic Division team’s draft performance.
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Atlantic | Central | Metropolitan | Pacific
Boston Bruins: A-
| Pick No. | Player | Pos. | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | James Hagens | C | Boston College | NCAA |
| 51 | William Moore | C | NTDP | USHL |
| 61 | Liam Pettersson | LHD | Vaxjo Jr. | Sweden Jr. |
| 79 | Cooper Simpson | LW | Shakopee | HS-MN |
| 100 | Vashek Blanar | LHD | Troja-Ljungby Jr. | Sweden Jr. |
| 133 | Cole Chandler | C | Shawinigan | QMJHL |
| 165 | Kirill Yemelyanov | C | Yaroslavl Jr. | MHL |
Boston completely rebuilt their center depth with two excellent picks.
James Hagens was projected as the top pick entering this draft cycle. While he didn’t match the freshman NCAA production of players like Macklin Celebrini and Adam Fantilli, he still brings first-line potential with his speed and hockey IQ. Getting Hagens at seventh overall represents excellent value for the Bruins.
William Moore provides tremendous value in the back half of the second round. He posted nearly a point per game with the NTDP this season.
The Bruins’ strategy focused on addressing their most pressing organizational need while capitalizing on unexpected draft board movement.
Buffalo Sabres: B
| Pick No. | Player | Pos. | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Radim Mrtka | RHD | Seattle | WHL |
| 71 | David Bedkowski | RHD | Owen Sound | OHL |
| 103 | Matous Kucharcik | C | Slavia Jr. | Czechia Jr. |
| 116 | Samuel Meloche | G | Rouyn-Noranda | QMJHL |
| 135 | Noah Laberge | LHD | Acadie-Bathurst | QMJHL |
| 167 | Ashton Schultz | C | Chicago | USHL |
| 195 | Melvin Novotny | LW | Leksand Jr. | Sweden Jr. |
| 199 | Yevgeni Prokhorov | G | Dinamo-Shinnik Jr. | MHL |
| 219 | Ryan Rucinski | C | Youngstown | USHL |
Radim Mrtka brings top-four shutdown potential with his 6-foot-6 frame and solid skating ability. He can move the puck effectively without being overly creative with his distribution.
David Bedkowski also brings size at 6-foot-5 and plays a physical style that complements his defensive game.
Buffalo emphasized size and defensive depth throughout their draft, addressing organizational needs while maintaining reasonable upside across multiple rounds.
Carolina Hurricanes: B+
| Pick No. | Player | Pos. | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Carter Bear | LW | Everett | WHL |
| 44 | Eddie Genborg | RW | Linkoping | SHL |
| 75 | Michal Pradel | G | Tri-City | USHL |
| 109 | Brent Solomon | RW | Champlin Park | HS-MN |
| 119 | Michal Svrcek | LW | Brynas Jr. | Sweden Jr. |
| 140 | Nikita Tyurin | LHD | Spartak Jr. | MHL |
| 172 | Will Murphy | LHD | Cape Breton | QMJHL |
| 204 | Grayden Robertson-Palmer | C | Phillips Andover | HS-MA |
Carter Bear’s competitiveness and tenacity stand out immediately. He projects as a top-six complementary winger with his work ethic and skill combination. Bear sustained a partially lacerated Achilles tendon in March but should be ready for training camp.
Michal Pradel stands 6-foot-5 in goal and transferred to the USHL midseason from Slovakia. He showed strong potential as a future starter after adjusting to North American hockey.
The Hurricanes focused on character players with projected NHL roles, continuing their organizational philosophy of drafting competitors.
Florida Panthers: B-
| Pick No. | Player | Pos. | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | Mads Kongsbak Klyvo | LW | Frolunda Jr. | Sweden Jr. |
| 128 | Shea Busch | LW | Everett | WHL |
| 129 | Shamar Moses | RW | North Bay | OHL |
| 192 | Arvid Drott | RW | Djurgarden Jr. | Sweden Jr. |
| 197 | Brendan Dunphy | LHD | Wenatchee | WHL |
| 224 | Yegor Midlak | G | Spartak Jr. | MHL |
The Stanley Cup champions made their first selection at 112th overall.
Mads Kongsbak Klyvo combines offensive tools with a strong 6-foot-2 frame. He made significant contributions for Denmark across multiple international tournaments this season.
Arvid Drott represents one of the younger players in this draft class and posted solid production in Sweden’s junior league.
Florida’s late start limited their draft volume, but they identified players with specific skill sets that match their organizational development approach.
Montreal Canadiens: A-
| Pick No. | Player | Pos. | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Alexander Zharovsky | RW | Ufa Jr. | MHL |
| 69 | Hayden Paupanekis | C | Kelowna | WHL |
| 81 | Bryce Pickford | RHD | Medicine Hat | WHL |
| 82 | Arseni Radkov | G | Tyumen Jr. | MHL |
| 113 | LJ Mooney | C | NTDP | USHL |
| 145 | Alexis Cournoyer | G | Cape Breton | QMJHL |
| 177 | Carlos Handel | RHD | Halifax | QMJHL |
| 189 | Andrew MacNiel | RHD | Kitchener | OHL |
| 209 | Maxon Vig | LHD | Cedar Rapids | USHL |
Another successful draft for Kent Hughes and his staff after trading their first-round picks for immediate help in Noah Dobson.
Alexander Zharovsky was acquired by trading up and brings top-six upside. He possesses some of the best hands in the entire draft class with a projectable 6-foot-1 frame.
Hayden Paupanekis provides size down the middle, though his production declined this past season.
Bryce Pickford had an outstanding season after going undrafted last year. He recorded 13 goals and 24 points in 18 playoff games from the blue line.
LJ Mooney measures just 5-foot-8, but that size becomes justifiable when drafting offensive talent at 113th overall.
Montreal’s approach balanced immediate organizational needs with high-upside skill selections throughout multiple rounds.
Ottawa Senators: B+
| Pick No. | Player | Pos. | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Logan Hensler | RHD | Wisconsin | NCAA |
| 93 | Blake Vanek | RW | Stillwater | HS-MN |
| 97 | Lucas Beckman | G | Baie-Comeau | QMJHL |
| 149 | Dmitri Isayev | LW | Yekaterinburg Jr. | MHL |
| 181 | Bruno Idzan | LW | Lincoln | USHL |
| 213 | Andrei Trofimov | G | Magnitogorsk Jr. | MHL |
Logan Hensler provided solid value at 23rd overall after Ottawa traded down a few spots. He’s a well-rounded defenseman with complementary top-four upside thanks to his skating ability.
Blake Vanek, son of Thomas, posted big numbers in Minnesota high school hockey and will join the WHL next season.
Dmitri Isayev is listed at just 148 pounds, but he had a quality season in Russia and possesses the speed and skill to develop if he adds weight.
Bruno Idzan represents a fun selection as the first Croatian player ever drafted in NHL history. He posted excellent numbers in the USHL and projects as a potential top-nine contributor.
Ottawa balanced safe picks with high-upside selections while adding some historic significance to their draft class.
Tampa Bay Lightning: B
| Pick No. | Player | Pos. | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | Ethan Czata | C | Niagara | OHL |
| 108 | Benjamin Rautiainen | C | Tappara | Liiga |
| 127 | Aiden Foster | C | Prince George | WHL |
| 151 | Everett Baldwin | RHD | St. George’s | HS-RI |
| 193 | Caleb Heil | G | Madison | USHL |
| 206 | Roman Luttsev | C | Yaroslavl Jr. | MHL |
| 212 | Grant Spada | LHD | Guelph | OHL |
| 215 | Marco Mignosa | RW | Sault Ste. Marie | OHL |
Ethan Czata is a lanky center with solid skill and strong competitive traits. The Lightning have successfully developed similar player profiles in recent years.
Benjamin Rautiainen excelled in Finland’s top professional league with 33 points in 50 games as a rookie. He also represented Finland at the World Junior Championship. At 20 years old, he’s closer to competing for games in Tampa’s organization.
Tampa Bay focused on players who fit their development model while targeting centers throughout multiple rounds.
Toronto Maple Leafs: C+
| Pick No. | Player | Pos. | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | Tinus Luc Koblar | C | Leksand Jr. | Sweden Jr. |
| 86 | Tyler Hopkins | C | Kingston | OHL |
| 137 | William Belle | RW | NTDP | USHL |
| 153 | Harry Nansi | RW | Owen Sound | OHL |
| 185 | Rylan Fellinger | RHD | Flint | OHL |
| 217 | Matthew Hlacar | LW | Kitchener | OHL |
Tinus Luc Koblar, a Slovenian-born center representing Norway, remains a very raw prospect. He needs significant physical development and offensive improvement to become the top-nine contributor teams typically target in the second round. He does show good hands in tight spaces.
After reaching for Koblar at 64th overall, the Maple Leafs found better value in Tyler Hopkins at 86th. He’s a center with good size, skill, and offensive upside who plays with pace.
William Belle brings a massive frame to the wing position, while Harry Nansi is among the youngest players in this draft class.
Toronto’s draft started poorly but recovered with several players who could develop into meaningful contributors.
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