NHL mock draft: Martone leads post-WJHC projections

Our first mock draft of the 2025 cycle takes a look at the 16 lottery picks following the World Junior Championship.

Selection order is based on points percentage through games on Jan. 5.

The Blackhawks have a fascinating decision to make if they get the No. 1 pick. Do you solidify the long-term prospects on the backend or get a much-needed running mate for Connor Bedard?

Chicago goes for the luring size and skill profile of Martone here after passing on top forwards in last year's draft at second overall.

Martone has decimated the OHL with 21 goals and 55 points in only 27 games. He's listed at 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, a key factor considering the Blackhawks lack size among the top forward prospects currently in their system.

The Sharks have a budding superstar up front in Macklin Celebrini and one of the top young goaltenders in the sport in Yaroslav Askarov. What better way to put the rebuild in overdrive than by adding a truly elite-level defense prospect?

Schaefer has taken junior hockey by storm this season. One of the youngest players eligible for the 2025 draft, Schaefer has taken his game to new heights with 22 points in 17 OHL games. He was an absolute stud at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, and he looked like a game-breaker at the world juniors before he sustained a tournament-ending injury.

The idea of Celebrini receiving breakout passes from Schaefer for 15 years is mouthwatering.

Hagens was the projected No. 1 pick coming into the 2025 cycle and still has a very strong case to go atop the board. He slides to No. 3 here after the Blackhawks opt for size and the Sharks go for the clear-cut top defender.

The Predators desperately need a difference-maker down the middle, and no prospect in the class provides that quite like Hagens. The 5-foot-11 center plays an intelligent game with pace, reminiscent of Jack Hughes at times.

Hagens was great as Team USA's top-line center and has been just as good at Boston College. Don't perceive him dropping to No. 3 here as an indictment on his campaign; he's been as impactful as expected coming into the season.

Misa has made a seamless transition to full-time center after featuring primarily on the wing the past couple of seasons. Granted exceptional status in 2022, Misa has found another level in 2024-25, scoring a ridiculous 32 goals and 66 points in 34 games this season.

It's easy to see Misa's style translating well to the NHL. He plays with speed, skill, and creativity, but he also goes to the net and can finish plays in hard areas.

McQueen looked like he would contend in the top three before sustaining a back injury in October. He could still push higher if he picks up where he left off whenever he returns. But the longer he remains on the sideline, the harder it is to see him truly challenging that high.

Still, his 6-foot-5 frame in combination with his puck skills will have scouts salivating at his potential.

The Kraken have never drafted a defenseman in the first round. There's a first for everything, and Smith has a lot of qualities Seattle should covet. The Calgary native is mobile, has defensive acumen, and possesses intriguing skill. He has a tool kit that could turn him into a real hit if it all comes together.

The younger brother of Sharks forward William Eklund, Victor has excelled this season in the Swedish second-tier pro league and was impactful at the world juniors. Only four draft-eligible players have scored at a higher rate than Eklund's current 0.63 points per game in the Allsvenskan: Elias Pettersson, William Nylander, Alexander Wennberg, and David Pastrnak.

Hensler is an impressive skater with offensive skills while being listed at 6-foot-2 and shooting right-handed. He burst onto the scene with the U.S. NTDP in 2022-23 and hasn't quite continued on the potential star-level trajectory he was on, but the tools are there, and he plays a premium position. Even if he's much more likely to be a good top-four defender rather than a top-pairing guy now, he'll still draw lots of interest in the top 10.

Frondell has yet to fully hit his stride this season after a great campaign in the Swedish junior league last year. He's battled some injuries, so finishing strong with a positive bill of health could see him surge back into the top five. He's a dangerous shooter and a good playmaker who's at times looked like he has the potential to become a top-line center.

Ryabkin was considered a top-five prospect coming into the cycle after putting together the best season by a 16-year-old ever in the current Russian junior league. Yes, Ryabkin was more productive at the same age than Matvei Michkov, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Ivan Demidov, and everyone else.

So why is he at the end of the top 10 now? Ryabkin had a putrid season in Russia, but he's recently moved to the USHL. A two-goal debut with Muskegon could be a sign of things to come. A strong end to the campaign could see Ryabkin soar right back into the top half of the top 10.

A QMJHL player hasn't been drafted in the first round in two years, and a prospect from the league hasn't gone in the top 10 since Alexis Lafreniere went first overall in 2020.

The former will certainly change with Desnoyers, and he could very well go in the top 10, too. He plays with skill, has a projectable frame at 6-foot-2, and doesn't shy away physically. Desnoyers has all the traits to become a quality second-line center.

Physicality and compete make Aitcheson a player that general managers will fall in love with. Though the Toronto native is on the older side of the draft class, he's produced well over the past two seasons and plays with a mean streak that makes him unique. He has 10 goals and 25 points in 33 games this season, plus 213 penalty minutes in his 120-game OHL career.

Moore was born and raised in Ontario, but he opted to join the U.S. NTDP in 2023. The 6-foot-2 center is well-rounded but lacks an elite trait to vault him into the conversation as a top-10 prospect. A Boston College commit, Moore projects as a steady second-line center.

Spence is one of the oldest first-time eligible players for the 2025 draft, almost a full year older than Erie teammate Matthew Schaefer. He has a strong 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame and has put up consistently quality numbers in the OHL. He could play a role in the NHL sooner than later.

O'Brien won OHL Rookie of the Year last season and has taken a step this year, particularly as a goal-scorer. After netting 13 goals in 61 games in 2023-24, he already has 21 tallies in 38 games this campaign. He has intriguing offensive upside with his 6-foot-2 frame.

Montreal receives the Calgary Flames' first-round selection if the pick is outside of the top 10.

A move to the WHL has allowed Mrtka to play big minutes after struggling to find a consistent role in his native Czechia. He's been impressive with the Seattle Thunderbirds, producing 11 points in 14 games. Mrtka is listed at 6-foot-6 and has the defensive acumen to potentially be a great complement to Lane Hutson or Kaiden Guhle down the road.