Sportsnet's 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: November Edition

A week after our last list was released in the middle of October, NHL Central Scouting issued its preliminary players to watch for the 2025 draft. With so many players to see, there hasn’t been enough time yet to get multiple viewings on most of them, or at least enough for a deep dive. As such, Central Scouting likes to put them in tiers with a letter rating as opposed to individual number ratings. The list also is mindful of players who haven’t played a lot or who have been injured, listing them with an 'LV' rating, or 'limited viewing.'

It’s an interesting time in the prospect world as the seismic shift we expected in the developmental ranks is slowly becoming reality. The NCAA has voted to allow CHL players to participate in college hockey, forever changing the prospect landscape. That will take effect on August 1, 2025, well past the end of this season's NHL draft cycle, but in time for NCAA programs to recruit for the 2025-26 season. In fact, that recruiting has already started to take place. 

The movement between the two entities is extremely complicated. A number of issues must be resolved, and questions answered before we truly know the impact this decision will have. At first blush, it looks like the CHL will get younger and be able to attract even more high-end talent, while the NCAA will benefit from older players making their way south of the border after finishing CHL careers to continue playing elite level hockey. On a more immediate basis, it will be interesting to watch high school, Tier II and USHL players to see if draft eligibles in those leagues make their way to the CHL. 

While we wait to see how this all plays out, there’s still the 2025 draft to consider, and it's full of intrigue. It’s a down year for the USNTDP, in part because James Hagens and Cullen Potter fast-tracked their way into college. Those two omissions have impacted the program in terms of speed and pure point producing potential. League play and games against college competition for the USNTDP have been challenging. Through nearly 20 games, only one player is averaging a point-per-game or better and Jack Murtagh has only played in half of them. 

Internationally, there are no Finns on this list for the second straight month, which we’re not used to seeing. Finland’s Hlinka-Gretzky roster foreshadowed what will be a rare down year for the country. We see some Russian talent on this month's list, but not quite as high-end as what we’ve come to expect in recent years. Sweden has a fascinating prospect base in that we haven’t seen any one of them play consistently at the top SHL level in that country. Usually there are a couple of young players who have outgrown the J20 league and are beyond the Allsvenskan, too. This season, only Viktor Eklund has played and excelled regularly in Sweden’s second division. However, there are a number of Swedish players that may end up getting called in the NHL's first round who are playing well and producing in the J20 ranks.

This draft class definitely pops for the CHL, with strength in both the OHL and WHL, and a sprinkling of high-end players out of the QMJHL. OHLers Porter Martone, Michael Misa and Matthew Schaefer are all in the same company as Boston College's Hagens. From there, a healthy Roger McQueen out of Brandon should re-enter consideration inside the top five. A few bigger bodies in Jackson Smith, Lynden Lakovic, and Blake Fiddler are projected to be spread out in round one. From the QMJHL, Caleb Desnoyers is off to a fast start under the guidance of new Moncton bench boss Gardiner MacDougall. 

I would expect more shuffling to occur in the coming months based on a couple of factors. First, the impact of the NCAA's vote and whether or not players start shifting to the CHL to hasten their development, knowing their college eligibility will remain intact. We also have the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge coming up later this month, a new event on the calendar, and a two-game series that may result in some shifting of draft projection. Then there’s the world juniors and more prospect games in January. 

But for now, Hagens once again earns top honours for our November list.

1. James Hagens, C, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, Boston College (NCAA): Scoring at over a point per game pace, Hagens has met expectations as an impact player. Eight of his 10 assists have been primary helpers.

2. Porter Martone, C, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL): Dominating the OHL in every facet. His size and skill set are such a rare combination that he will generate plenty of first overall pick talk as the season progresses.  

3. Michael Misa, LW, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL): No longer the youngster on an older team, Misa is getting all the prime time minutes at centre ice and taking full advantage, averaging well over a goal per game.

4. Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL): Erie has won five of eight games since his return and is putting up four goals per game. He has come out firing since that time as well, averaging almost five shots per game.

5. Roger McQueen, C, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): Remains out of the lineup to injury. His presence in the CHL-USA prospect games would’ve been a nice baseline to gauge against the higher-end players of this draft class he hasn’t recently played against as a late birthday (October).

6. Victor Eklund, LW, 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan): Is adept at building speed through neutral ice and backing off or burning defenders who aren’t ready for that second gear. He brings an electric element to the table that has helped him produce early and often in the Allsvenksan.

7. Ivan Ryabkin, C, 6-feet, 170 pounds, St. Petersburg Dynamo (VHL): Looks as if he’s played himself out of the MHL and on to the next challenge in the VHL. But, averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time a game in a small sample size, he's yet to produce notable results at that level.

8. Anton Frondell, C, 6-feet, 196 pounds, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan): A strong showing at the recently completed Five Nations tournament quelled concerns that had arisen in his return to Allsvenskan play. It was important to get back to playing with his peers and proving he belongs in the top half of this draft class.    

9. Jake O’Brien, C, 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL): His style of game should translate well to the NHL because he can operate quickly and effectively with little time or space.

10. Caleb Desnoyers, C, 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL): Understands pace and uses it to his advantage with or without the puck on his stick. Once he has possession of the puck, he has game breaking abilities both as a playmaker and a goal scorer.

11. Malcolm Spence, LW, 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL): Makes his mark by playing with detail. Is effective at stealing pucks with his strength and a quick stick. How high a team projects his offensive game will determine how early he goes in the draft.

12. Jackson Smith, D, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Tri-City Americans (WHL): He can lead the rush, transition the puck, make plays and shoot. On the defensive side, his footwork and lateral movement allow him to maintain good gap control. 

13. Logan Hensler, D, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Wisconsin (NCAA): Projects as a two-way defenceman, but so far providing offence as a young freshman has been slower than anticipated. The currency he gained from playing in the USNTDP program last year is still valid.

14. William Moore, C, 6-foot-2, 161 pounds, USNTDP (USHL): Like many on his team, there’s hope that the recent Five Nations tournament will springboard the rest of his season. Other than physical strength, everything in Moore's toolbox speaks top six forward, but overall the production has yet to match the projection. 

15. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, 6-foot-5, 192 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL): While his numbers don’t jump off the page (.904SV%, 2.96GAA) they’re still good enough to put his team second in its conference. He possesses everything you project in a future No. 1 NHL goalie. His size, athleticism, poise and presence all check well above average. 

16. Radim Mrtka, D, 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, Trinec (Extraliiga): Can do all the things required of a transitional defenceman, but because he has yet to grow into his body, he doesn’t look as fluid as some of his fellow draft mates. He’s better suited playing closer to his peer group at this point. 

17. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Lulea (J20): His J20 play has earned him a couple of low-minute games at the SHL level. Excellent vision and spatial awareness are adaptable traits. 

18. Cole Reschny, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Victoria Royals (WHL): Able to work through the triangle effectively in one-on-one play. He quickly changes pace and is so shifty that he’s able to avoid solid contact.

19. Viktor Klingsell, LW, 5-foot-10, 183 pounds, Skelleftea (J20): Has been at his best while playing with the national team as evidenced by his recent performance at the Five Nations. He’s a creative player who shows patience in his playmaking. 

20. Blake Fiddler, D, 6-foot-4, 209 pounds, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL): Will be in an interesting spot for the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, having played for the US during the Hlinka-Gretzky. Having NHL bloodlines always plays and Fiddler is a great skater for this size. He can transport pucks, make a good first pass and shoots it a ton.

22. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Barrie Colts (OHL): A player who embraces the physical side of the game, Aitcheson is well aware his best asset is that he's difficult to play against. He is getting power play minutes and can provide secondary offence.

22. Jack Ivankovic, G, 6-feet, 179 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL): Plays a technically sound game, and is rarely out of position. He’s calm, confident, efficient and extremely competitive. At his current height, many teams will strike him from their list, but a growth spurt is projected. 

23. Justin Carbonneau, RW, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL): Possesses game-breaking ability when engaged. He is equally a dangerous shooter and a deft passer. Speed and skill make him a threat off the rush, but his hands also make him an effective creator off the cycle.

24. 27. Adam Benak, C, 5-foot-7, 161 pounds, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): An extremely hard worker who, despite his size, isn’t afraid to go anywhere on the ice. He has yet to show he can impact a game in the USHL the way he did at the past two Hlinka-Gretzky tournaments.

25. Lynden Lakovic, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL): Moves up ice with ease and his head up. Extremely dangerous off the rush, where he can score from distance, drop the shoulder and go to the net, or find a linemate driving the net.

26. Cameron Reid, D, 6-feet, 193 pounds, Kitchener Rangers (OHL): On pace for point per game numbers and is running Kitchener’s power play. He processes the game quickly and efficiently, which pairs well with his above average skating. 

27. Cameron Schmidt, RW, 5-foot-8, 152 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL): A number of teams will turn their back on this prospect due to size, but his WHL numbers are undeniable and do mean something (20G-10A-17GP). He’s an excellent finisher and plays with a ton of energy.

28. Nathan Behm, RW, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds, Kamloops Blazers (WHL): There’s a Kyle Connor vibe to Behm's game in that he is an upright skater who is aware of his surroundings. He has a deceptive release like Connor and doesn’t need a lot of time to get off a heavy shot.

29. Cullen Potter, C, 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, Arizona State (NCAA): Easy to see he has grown up in a hockey family (mother Jenny is an Olympic gold medallist). Absolutely electric when his hands and feet are working in sync. 

30. Brady Martin, C, 6-feet, 178 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL): Doesn’t overwhelm in any one particular area, but is good all-around. He can create space and make plays.

31. Carter Bear, LW, 6-feet, 179 pounds, Everett Silvertips (WHL): On a tear with four multi-point efforts in five November games. Plays a solid positional game and his energy is infectious for teammates.

32. Haoxi (Simon) Wang, D, 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, King Rebellion (OJHL): The Boston University commit has made several scouts detour to see him on their way through Ontario. He’s far from a finished product, but the raw skill is intriguing. He may be one of the players who benefits from the NCAA's rule change should he make his way to the OHL at some point this season, where his game would be better put into context.