NHL mock draft: Schaefer atop post-deadline projections

Our second mock draft of the 2025 cycle dives into the projected top-16 lottery picks after Friday's trade deadline.

Selection order is based on points percentage through games on March 9.

Schaefer's rise to the top of the class has been truly unique - he's been limited to only 17 OHL games this season. In that small sample size, the 6-foot-2 defender has showcased tantalizing upside as a mobile, two-way, hard-working player.

We don't often see 17-year-old defensemen play major roles for Canada at the world juniors, but that's exactly what Schaefer was shaping up to do before sustaining a tournament-ending injury versus Latvia. Canada cruised to a 4-0 win over eventual silver-medallist Finland in the opener, and Schaefer had a goal and an assist in just over 20 minutes. Canada wasn't the same team without him, which says a lot about Schaefer's game.

Schaefer has separated himself from the pack and is the most likely player of this class to be a top-of-the-lineup impact player. He's also one of the younger prospects in the draft - he wouldn't be eligible until 2026 if he was born two weeks later - and has a huge runway to continue his development. He's the obvious fit for the Sharks atop the board.

Misa has put together one of the best draft seasons we've seen in the OHL in recent years. He's been a menace with the Saginaw Spirit, collecting 58 goals and 124 points in 60 contests to lead the league in scoring.

Only three other draft-eligible players in the past decade have scored two points per game or higher: Connor McDavid, Marco Rossi, and Mitch Marner. Misa has the most goals by an OHLer in their draft year since Patrick Kane tallied 62 in 2007. Needless to say, Misa's in elite company statistically.

Misa has played center this season but could easily shift back to the left wing. Connor Bedard desperately needs a running mate in Chicago, and Misa would be a superb fit with his speed and finishing ability.

Hagens has had a good year at Boston College but hasn't hit the heights Jack Eichel, Adam Fantilli, and Macklin Celebrini did as freshmen. His nine goals and 34 points in as many outings are more in line with Matty Beniers' production.

Hagens has been a quality facilitator down the middle with top prospects Ryan Leonard (Capitals) and Gabe Perreault (Rangers) both at Boston College and the world juniors with Team USA. Now that Dylan Cozens is out of town, the Sabres could use a puck-carrying pivot who's an excellent playmaker, and Hagens fits the bill.

Martone is a 6-foot-3 power winger who's notched 30 goals and 89 points in 51 OHL games this campaign. There's a lot to be excited about with his physical makeup and offensive game, even if his pace and skating are a weakness compared to the other top forward prospects in the class. If he gets grittier and becomes more of a typical power forward, he could become a real impact player at the next level.

The Kraken have yet to draft a defenseman in the first round in their brief history as a franchise, but that changes here with Smith. There's a lot to like in his game: He's 6-foot-3, a quality skater, a strong rush defender, and doesn't hesitate to jump into the play offensively. He needs refinement, but Smith has the potential to become a minute-muncher on the back end.

Frondell has been on fire of late with a monster run in the Swedish second division. The 6-foot forward has eight goals and 19 points in just 11 contests since his four-point outing on Jan. 27, and he's a plus-11 in that span. He's producing at a higher rate than William Nylander and David Pastrnak did in the same league at the same age. He plays a powerful, two-way game, and his flashes of offensive potential in this recent stretch warrant a top-10 selection.

Desnoyers is the best prospect to come out of the QMJHL since Alexis Lafreniere went first overall in 2020. The 6-foot-2 center has been the best player on the best team in the league. He's notched 34 goals and 80 points in 54 appearances, and he's an impressive plus-48. His all-around game suggests he's destined to become an impactful top-six center.

A midseason move to the WHL has seen Mrtka's stock continue to rise. He's been productive, notching 33 points in 38 games. Combine that with his 6-foot-6 frame and impressive skating, and he's a very intriguing prospect. The Ducks could use a behemoth, right-handed option to pair with one of Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, or Olen Zellweger down the road.

O'Brien has been a machine on the power play. He leads the entire OHL with 49 points on the man advantage, and he has 32 goals and 93 total points on the campaign. The 6-foot-2 playmaking center would address a major organizational need in Boston.

Eklund is linemates with Anton Frondell in Sweden's second division and has accrued an impressive 19 goals and 31 points in 42 games. Frondell will get more hype leading into the draft, but don't sleep on Eklund. He's one tally from passing Elias Pettersson for the most goals in a season by a draft-eligible player in the league's history.

McQueen is a big wild card at this point of the draft cycle. He was viewed as a dark horse to go first overall at the beginning of the year, but a back injury kept the 6-foot-5 center out for over four months. He recently returned to the lineup and could find himself right back in the projected top five if he can put together a hot streak to close the campaign.

It hasn't been a smooth season for Hensler at Wisconsin, but that's been a theme for a handful of prospects in recent years. The bet on Hensler is that his all-around game and athleticism will make him a quality top-four option as he matures. Montreal used two first-round picks on forwards last year and could use another right-handed option with upside on the back end.

Bear is a relentless player and one of the draft's big risers this cycle. He's among the top draft-eligible scorers this season with 40 goals and 82 points in 56 WHL contests - and has 77 penalty minutes. Whoever lands Bear will hope for Seth Jarvis-like progression from the 6-foot winger.

It's easy to see a general manager falling in love with Aitcheson's style. He's a 6-foot-1 defender who plays a vintage, physical game. He had 126 penalty minutes as an OHL rookie and has 80 in 59 outings this season. Most notably, though, Aitcheson has added a level of offense that makes him a legitimate option in this range. He's notched an impressive 23 goals and 51 points from the back end.

Reid has had an impressive campaign with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, producing 14 goals, 52 points, and a team-best plus-35 rating in 63 contests. He's a well-rounded, two-way defender with top-four upside. He's only listed at 6-foot, though, and therefore falls behind the more physically imposing defenders available.

Lakovic has an enticing collection of attributes. He's 6-foot-4, skates well, and is a creative offensive player. Lakovic has 23 goals and 51 points in 41 games on a bad Moose Jaw Warriors team where he's getting a lot of touches. If he adds more physicality and power to his game, Lakovic could be a steal in the middle of the first round.