2025 NHL Draft Report Card: Comprehensive Team Grades and Analysis

The 2025 NHL Draft has concluded, and it's time to evaluate how each team performed. From the New York Islanders' stellar A+ grade to the Toronto Maple Leafs' disappointing D, here's a detailed breakdown of every team's draft strategy and the potential impact of their selections.

A+ Grades

New York Islanders

The Islanders dominated the draft, securing top-tier talent like Matthew Schaefer, a franchise defenseman, and Victor Eklund, a dynamic forward. Their strategic trades and value picks make this draft potentially franchise-altering.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins addressed their need for a top-line center by drafting James Hagens, a future NHL star. Their ability to extract value with mid-round picks like Will Moore and Cooper Simpson further solidifies their A grade.

A Grades

Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina continued their trend of drafting smartly, picking up Semyon Frolov and Charlie Cerrato, both of whom have high NHL potential. Their late-round selections, like Filip Ekberg, add depth and scoring potential.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks landed the best forward (Michael Misa) and the best goalie (Joshua Ravensbergen) in the draft. Their bold selection of Simon Wang, the highest-drafted Chinese-born player, adds intrigue and potential to their prospect pool.

B Grades

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago focused on size and skill, drafting Anton Frondell and Vaclav Nestrasil. While they left some talent on the board, their selections have high upside and could develop into impactful NHL players.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens made bold moves, trading for Noah Dobson and drafting Alexander Zharovsky. Their mid-round picks, like L.J. Mooney, provide depth and potential for future success.

C Grades

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres took a different approach this year, focusing on size and physicality. While they may have left some skill on the board, picks like Radim Mrtka and David Bedkowski address organizational needs.

Edmonton Oilers

With limited picks, the Oilers took swings on players like Tommy Lafreniere and David Lewandowski. These high-risk, high-reward picks could pay off if they develop into NHL contributors.

D Grades

Florida Panthers

Coming off back-to-back Stanley Cups, the Panthers didn't have many picks. However, their selection of Shamar Moses adds value and potential depth to their roster.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs prioritized size over skill, leaving high-upside players on the board. While Tyler Hopkins may develop into a depth player, this draft class lacks the star power needed to make a significant impact.

Conclusion

The 2025 NHL Draft was a mixed bag, with some teams making franchise-altering moves while others left much to be desired. As these prospects develop, only time will tell which teams truly won the draft.