David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Central Scouting’s lists are an excellent reference for what teams see as a general overview of the upcoming draft class.
It released its preliminary list for the 2025 NHL draft Wednesday, with 24 players receiving an ‘A’ grade, indicating the player is deemed a first-round candidate.
Let’s look at whose grades stand out the most.
The Top Of The Bunch
Headlining the group is presumptive first-overall pick James Hagens. The Boston College center has been widely regarded as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the class, and his first few games of the NCAA season have done nothing but inspire confidence.
Michael Misa, the CHL’s leading goal-scorer, was also predictably included at the top of the list. The “exceptional status” forward has been dominant to start the year in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit, recording a point in each of his 10 games to start the season with multi-point nights in seven games.
Fellow OHLer Porter Martone has continued to impress early in the season as well. The power forward sits third in league scoring and brings so many of the physical traits that NHL teams love.
Including Hagens, three NCAA players received an ‘A’ grade. Defenseman Logan Hensler with the University of Wisconsin and center Cullen Potter at Arizona State both found themselves in the top group, giving them a leg up on the competition early in the year.
Only four international players were given ‘A’ grades. Russian center Ivan Ryabkin, Czech defender Radim Mrtka and Swedish right winger Victor Eklund and center Anton Frondell were given the top grade.
Ryabkin isn’t quite what Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov were in recent years, but his two-way play, physicality and center position give him a big boost. His season is a bit up in the air after rumors began to circulate last week that he was joining the USHL, but for now, he remains in Russia, bouncing between junior and pro hockey.
In Czechia, Mrtka brings the qualities that have attracted NHL teams to other smaller European nations players. Standing at 6-foot-6, his length is incredible, and his mobility at that size has NHL clubs salivating over what he could be one day. His progression over the year must continue, or his grade could fall quickly.
Frondell has been injured quite a bit over the last calendar year, but his talent is impressive when he is on the ice. He has good size, excellent hands and great instincts. He’s been a very well-rounded and refined player. Having just returned from injury, if he can stay healthy the rest of the season, there may even be a world where he’s challenging for first overall.
The younger brother of San Jose Sharks left winger William Eklund, Victor Eklund, has been incredibly impressive at the start of this season for Djurgarden. His motor and effort are relentless, and he consistently finds himself in prime positions to create offense and make positive plays. The winger buzzes around the ice with purpose, and his work ethic always keeps him in his coach’s good graces.
Related: 2025 NHL Draft Notebook: Highly Rated Hagens, Misa And Eklund Star Early
Who Missed Out On The ‘A’?
The most interesting omissions from the ‘A’ tier are easily explainable.
Players such as Cameron Schmidt, Adam Benak, and LJ (John) Mooney are smaller players who still present teams with concerns based on their size despite playing on the inside. They’ve been fantastic when on the ice this year, but they will need to over-prove themselves to NHL teams.
Left winger Carter Bear is an interesting case because he isn’t undersized, and he’s produced 15 points in 10 games for WHL Everett while showcasing an impressive tool kit. His speed and motor could easily drive him up the board in the mid-season ranking. Center Braeden Cootes could be another player who sees a similar rise if he keeps up his impressive play to start the season, with 11 points in 12 games for WHL Seattle.
Related: 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Will There Be A Race For First Overall?
Internationally, NHL Central Scouting may be sleeping on Djurgarden duo Eric Nilson and Arvid Drott, who received ‘C’ ratings despite some impressive play from the pair in Swedish junior hockey. Nilson’s intelligence and tactical play dictate how play goes whenever he’s on the ice. Drott has the raw tools, including speed and an impressive shot, to be an excellent complementary player.
Swedish center Jakob Ihs Wozniak and QMJHL left winger Emile Guite have had slower starts to their season. Central Scouting gave them ‘B’ ratings despite many around hockey seeing them as first-rounders coming into the season.
A ranking or grade at this point in the season doesn’t mean much. There are months of hockey ahead, and there will be plenty of time for players to put their best foot forward. While this is a great place to start, the NHL Central Scouting list will change multiple times throughout the year, so take this preliminary risk with a grain of salt.
Check out the full list here.
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