The lead up to the NHL Draft is always a fascinating time, especially when there is no set player who is expected to be the first overall pick like there has been in previous years, with Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. There are four top players who will be expecting to hear their names called first overall in Los Angeles this upcoming June. These four players dominated their respective leagues and will no doubt have teams and fanbases excited with what they can offer.
Here’s what Neutral Zone scouts had to say about the four players:
Matthew Schaefer – Erie Otters
Matthew Schaefer is an elite offensive defenseman with the potential to be a game-breaking talent at the NHL level. He possesses exceptional offensive instincts, elite puck skills, and pro-level vision, making him a standout contributor in transition and offensive situations. His leadership as Team Canada’s captain at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup demonstrated his ability to handle significant responsibility, averaging over 26 minutes per game and excelling in all situations.
While his offensive game is polished and highly impactful, his defensive consistency and strength remain areas for development. Schaefer consistently creates offense, showcasing elite passing accuracy and vision. He can make plays under pressure and thrives in transition, either leading the rush or acting as a secondary option. He’s effective on the power play, utilizing deception and angle changes to generate shooting and passing lanes.
Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit
Michael Misa is an elite offensive talent projected to be a top five pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. His combination of high-end skating, elite hockey IQ, and advanced puck skills makes him a consistent offensive catalyst. Misa thrives as both a playmaker and goal-scorer, demonstrating exceptional ability to process the game at a high pace, make creative plays, and find soft spots in defensive coverage.
While his five-on-five consistency and defensive game have shown improvement, there remains room for growth in physical engagement and eliminating high-risk plays. With further development, Misa projects as a top-line NHL forward capable of excelling in all situations. A former exceptional status player, Michael Misa led the OHL in scoring with 62 goals and 134 points on the year.
James Hagens – Boston College Eagles
The most electrifying American player in the draft, Boston College’s James Hagens is an elite offensive talent and one of the most dynamic prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft. With high-end hockey IQ, exceptional puck skills, and creative playmaking, he consistently generates scoring chances and elevates the play of his teammates. Hagens’ ability to manipulate defenders with shifty skating, deceptive stickhandling, and quick decision-making makes him an offensive catalyst.
Despite his smaller frame and occasional inconsistencies in effort without the puck, his ceiling as a game-breaking forward is undeniable. With added strength and consistency, he projects as a top-three pick in the upcoming draft and a future first-line NHL forward. Hagens lit up the world juniors this past winter in Ottawa for Team USA with five goals and nine points in seven games as Team USA won back-to-back gold medals.
Porter Martone – Brampton Steelheads
The biggest and most fierce player from this pool of top four prospects is Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone. Martone is a high-upside power forward with high end offensive instincts, a strong physical presence, and the ability to dominate one-on-one battles and games. At his best, he is a skilled, creative, and versatile forward capable of producing at an elite level while using his size and strength to control the boards and the net-front area. However, consistency and discipline remain concerns, as lapses in focus have impacted his overall game.
Martone impressed in the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game where he recorded a Gordie Howe hat-trick which included the overtime winner, indicating what Martone is capable of. Teams in the draft lottery will be looking to Martone to be a spark plug for them in the future.
There is no guarantee of who will get the honour of being called to the stage as the first overall pick, and we don’t even know which team will get that honour either. But there is no shadow of a doubt that the four teams that end up with these four players will have excellent talents that will shape their future and hopefully lead them to success.
By Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.