2025 NHL Draft Prospects: Who’s Going No. 1?

Does the NHL, or any other league for that matter, rig their lotteries for certain teams to end up with the number one pick? Probably not. 

But, the New York Islanders really ended up with a solid deal out of this year’s lottery, just a few short days after their state’s governor sent a letter to Gary Bettman criticizing him for deciding to take away the Islanders’ 2026 All-Star Game in favor of a Four Nations-style event. It warrants a little suspicion. 

Imagine if your friend was mad at you for canceling plans with them, and then somehow they got a brand new sports car in the sweepstakes that you control. People would look at you with genuine suspicion. 

But, all that aside, what prospect will New York go with for the first pick on June 27? There isn’t a clear number one choice, but here are the three best prospects in this year’s NHL draft class who could become Islanders. 

2025 NHL Draft Prospects: Who’s Going No. 1?

James Hagens, C 

Hagens, currently the center at Boston College, was viewed as a consensus first-overall prospect for most of the season. 

He had 11 goals in 37 games played last season at BC and was named to the Hockey East conference All-Rookie Team. In addition, he also had a prominent role in Team USA’s World Juniors run. Scouts see him as a surefire first-line center with a strong defensive game. 

But, many mock drafts now have other prospects at that number-one pick spot. So, what’s changed for Hagens?

Scouts may view him as still a work in progress. Many believe he’ll need an extra year at BC to develop to the NHL level. Would a team like the Islanders want someone at the one spot who can be an immediate team member?

An important thing to consider in whether New York goes with Hagens is that he’s a hometown kid, having grown up as an Islanders fan. 

But he’s somehow become a polarizing prospect, so maybe the Island connection won’t matter to them. 

Michael Misa, C

Misa’s another highly-rated center prospect. He’s currently the captain of the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League. 

He started in the OHL when he was just 15. Since then, he’s broken records set by Connor McDavid and John Tavares, the latter of whom he’s been frequently compared to. This past season, Misa posted a jaw-dropping statline of 62 goals and 72 assists in 65 games played. 

In ESPN’s most recent draft breakdown, they said Misa “profiles as a foundational piece around which to build a Stanley Cup contender.” 

That’s a great thing to read for a New York Islanders fan base that hasn’t seen their team win the Stanley Cup since 1983. 

Unlike Hagens, Misa could enter the NHL right now and be a difference maker. He’ll probably not be at the point-per-game pace he had in the OHL, but he’ll get there eventually. 

Matthew Schaefer, D

In 17 games played last year with the OHL’s Erie Otters, Schaefer had seven goals and 15 assists. Additionally, Schaefer had a +21 plus minus in those games. 

Schaefer’s ranked first or second in almost all of the prominent NHL mock drafts. 

His game has been compared to other highly talented offensive defensemen like Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes. 

NHL’s Director of Central Scouting said Schaefer is “the best available prospect at his position and the results he achieves with his combination of speed, skills and size give him the edge for the No. 1 spot.”

For a team like the Islanders who need defensive depth, Schaefer may be the priority over one of the previous forwards.