The New York Islanders secured the first overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft after winning the NHL Draft Lottery Monday. The Islanders had a 3.5 percent chance of obtaining the top pick, the 10th best odds among participating teams.
The San Jose Sharks, with the best odds at 18.5 percent, will pick second. The Chicago Blackhawks hold the third pick, and the Utah Hockey Club moved up to fourth overall after winning the second lottery drawing.
This marks the fifth time in franchise history the Islanders will select first overall in the NHL draft. Their last top pick was center John Tavares in 2009. Prior first overall selections included goalie Rick DiPietro in 2000, defenseman Denis Potvin in 1973, and forward Billy Harris in 1972.
The lottery, held at NHL Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, determined the order for the first 16 picks, covering teams that did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Only the top two selections were decided by the lottery process; the remaining teams in the top 16 were ordered based on their regular-season finish. Selections 17 through 32 will be set following the conclusion of the playoffs.
Islanders director of pro scouting Ken Morrow called the outcome incredible. Bill Armstrong, general manager for Utah, described winning the second drawing as an amazing moment for the new franchise. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson expressed confidence in finding a quality player with the third pick.
Potential players for the top selections include defenseman Matthew Schaefer of Erie in the Ontario Hockey League, ranked first among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Center Michael Misa from Saginaw of the OHL, who led his league in scoring, is ranked second. Other highly ranked North American skaters include center James Hagens of Boston College (third) and center Jake O'Brien of Brantford (fourth). Radim Mrtka, a defenseman from Seattle of the Western Hockey League, is ranked fifth among North American skaters.
For teams selecting outside the top few picks, other prospects are drawing attention. The Boston Bruins will pick seventh after the NHL draft lottery did not go their way. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney indicated the team would focus on selecting the best player available regardless of position, prioritizing hockey sense, skating, and competitiveness. Possible targets for Boston mentioned include center Caleb Desnoyers, defenseman Jackson Smith, and right wing Victor Eklund.
The Detroit Red Wings are slated to pick 13th, having dropped a spot despite finishing with fewer points than many teams picking ahead of them. The 2025 draft class is seen as thinning out quickly in the middle of the first round. Potential targets for Detroit include forwards Brady Martin and Justin Carbonneau, and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson.
The 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft is scheduled for L.A. Live's Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The first round will be held June 27, followed by rounds two through seven on June 28.
