This week, my colleague Sam Cosentino released his first top prospects list for the 2025 NHL Draft. But keep in mind, it’s a long season. Over the course of the next seven months — and especially for prospects in the back half of the first round and beyond — players will ping pong up and down before NHL teams take to the podium and make their selections.
Sam’s list has several very intriguing names scattered throughout, but the most fascinating race is going to take place at the very top of this class. Boston College freshman forward James Hagens is the early season favourite to go first overall, but I believe he will be challenged for it. Unlike the past two years where Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini had clear separation atop their classes, this year there’s a group of players who could make a case to go first overall.
On that note, here are my early season observations on three players who I believe have the potential to chase down Hagens as the season plays out.
Porter Martone, C, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
The Anaheim Ducks surprised me when they selected Oshawa Generals forward Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick at the most recent draft. I personally had him ranked 11th on my year-end ranking. But if a team like Anaheim values a player like Sennecke enough to take him that early, there’s a real chance that whoever wins the draft lottery next spring could target a powerful, scoring forward like Martone.
Martone currently leads the OHL in scoring with seven goals and nine assists. In Martone I see a player who leans shooter more than natural playmaker, but his ability to extend plays along the boards and shield pucks from opponents in open ice leads to extra offensive zone time and scoring chances. He’s better than average defensively and chips in occasionally on the penalty kill, too. He’s also the Steelheads’ captain, showing leadership qualities NHL teams value.
If, for example, San Jose were to end up with the first overall pick again, they may be in position to consider Martone if his season goes as well as it has. The Sharks have a couple of dynamic offensive weapons on the roster in Celebrini and Will Smith who play with far more dart and dash than Martone, who would complement what those two offer.
Here’s an example that shows some of Martone’s strengths, powering along the wall in the offensive zone, distributing the puck, and making himself open for a one-timer in a recent OHL game against the Barrie Colts:
Matthew Schaefer, D, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Erie Otters (OHL)
It’s difficult to overlook the offensive upside that players such as Hagens and Martone project to have in the future. They are potential top line point producers at the NHL level. They might go about their business differently, but both will score at even strength and on the power play.
But Matthew Schaefer is a complete defenceman. He’s Uber-competitive on both sides of the puck, plays the game quick and fast, and provides push back in the trenches. He has understated offensive upside and the ability to quarterback a power play.
Unfortunately for Schaefer and the Otters, he has missed the start of the season while he battles mononucleosis. Once he returns, I expect him to build his game back up to the level he displayed in the summer at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, where Schaefer captained Team Canada to a gold medal. He averaged 25:48 of ice time, was deployed in all situations, and contributed 2G-5A.
Something to be aware of is Schaefer’s age. He was born on September 5, 2007 and so is very young for this draft class. The cut-off for this age group before being eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft instead, is September 15.
(Note: Martone was born on October 10, 2006 and Hagens on November 3, 2006. Schaefer is nearly a full year younger than both prospects. Scouts will consider his age during the evaluation process.)
Here are two clips from the gold medal game versus Czechia in August.
The first shows Schaefer fronting a high danger scoring chance that he blocks:
And in the second clip Schaefer displays his ability to transition pucks through the neutral zone. He attracts four Czechia skaters before directing the play on net, leading to a scoring chance for Team Canada.
Michael Misa, LW, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Misa was granted exceptional status by the OHL in the spring of 2022. The Spirit selected Misa first overall in the ensuing OHL draft and he’s now skating in his third season of major junior hockey.
Misa has impressed me in the past with his all-round game. He brings much more than just offence. His three-zone detail is sound and he’s the kind of forward who can be thrust into a variety of roles. He’s responsible enough to kill penalties and match up against top six forwards without sacrificing the offence he can contribute. Misa is off to a terrific start this fall and is one of the top point producers in the OHL, fifth in league scoring with 11 goals and three assists. His goal total is tied for the most in all of CHL hockey so far.
Misa has already earned my attention and trust with his defensive detail in the past, but I’ve noticed he’s playing with more confidence than ever when the puck is on his stick. He’s a threat off the rush and has an elite shot. He’s consistently producing scoring chances for the Spirit and cashing in on most of his looks.
Here are two clips displaying what I’ve been noticing so far this year.
In the coming days I will release my own initial ranking of the 2025 NHL Draft prospects. It’s early and, like every year, there will a ton of movement through the season, but prospects like Martone, Schaefer, and Misa are names to keep a very close eye on throughout the journey to next June.