Scout’s Analysis: Ranking the top 50 prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

By the time the beginning of February rolls around all NHL scouting departments will have concluded their mid-season meetings with both the pro and amateur scouting staffs. The pro staffs are busy strategizing how to approach the March 7 trade deadline, while the amateur scouting staffs are mining through hundreds of reports and building their mid-season draft lists.

What you are about to read is my version of mid-season draft rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft in June. The process involves comparing the body of work to date for draft-eligible players from around the world. I attempt to see every player in person and back up my viewing(s) by further breaking down their results via video scouting.

You will see I reference 10-game segments in many of the following reports. The reason I prefer to scout players in segments is so I can pinpoint anomalies and trends in their overall game.

I approach building my list for Sportsnet the same way I did when I was a scouting director in the NHL with the Florida Panthers. I don’t survey members of the scouting community for their opinions. The following player analysis is solely based on what I am viewing throughout the scouting season.

There is one highly touted draft-eligible prospect who has been left off my mid-season list. Roger McQueen, from the Brandon Wheat Kings, is a hulking forward (six-foot-five, 192 pounds) with significant NHL upside. He produced 21 goals and 30 assists last season and looked poised for a breakout year in 2024-25, but was sidelined with a back injury. McQueen has only played eight games this season, contributing eight goals and three assists in the games he played. But he’s been out since October.

I’m not forgetting about McQueen. Quite the opposite, I’m hoping he recovers from his injury and returns to form before the end of the season. McQueen projects to be a top-five pick in this draft if he’s healthy. The longer he remains out of the lineup makes it harder to justify having him too high on my list at this point. I need to understand what is going on medically and if he projects to be 100 per cent healthy this summer and beyond. I have him listed as “TBD” on my list until I have more information to work with.

The first section of this list is divided into “lottery picks.” These picks are viewed as the most valuable in all trade discussions and usually end up being protected or retained when deals are consummated between NHL clubs. This will be a factor as we head down the stretch to the NHL’s trade deadline, so I’ve highlighted the players who I would be considering in that range.

With that, here’s my mid-season top 50 player rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft:

LOTTERY PICKS

No. 1: Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 183 pounds

Suffered a broken collarbone at the WJC representing Team Canada. Despite being only 17 years old, his exit from the tournament spoke to how valuable he was to the team. Complete player. Plays fast. Transitions pucks offensively and works to kill plays in the defensive zone. Relentless competitor. Has the hockey sense to be used in all situations. An elite top-pairing NHL defenceman on the horizon.

No. 2: James Hagens, F, Boston College (NCAA)
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 177 pounds

Hagens continues to skate on the top line at Boston College. He’s flanked by two high-end NHL prospects in Ryan Leonard (WSH) and Gabe Perreault (NYR). In his last 10-game segment at Boston College, he has produced 3G-5A and averaged 18 minutes of ice time. All of his time on ice comes at even strength and the power play. Elite offensive upside. Above average skater. A threat to create off the rush. Leans playmaker more than pure shooter. Top line NHL player on the horizon. Represented Team USA at the WJC, winning gold and contributing 5G-4A in seven games.

No. 3: Michael Misa, F, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 184 pounds

Misa continues to lead the OHL scoring race with 39G-44A through 41 games. In his last 10 games, he’s averaged nearly 25 minutes per night of ice time and contributed 9G-13A. He’s plus-12 in the segment and being deployed in all situations. Misa is an excellent skater. He’s a threat off the rush who is equal parts shooter/distributor and has the speed and commitment to track back the entire 200 feet to assist defensively. Misa, like Hagens, has first-line NHL upside and will challenge for the second overall draft slot come June.

No. 4: Porter Martone, F, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 208 pounds

His combination of size and skill make him one of the top prospects in this draft and project him as a top-line NHL player in time. Martone uses his size to open up space and win battles along the wall and around the crease. He’s equal parts shooter/distributor in the offensive zone. Martone averages around 20:00 minutes of ice time at the junior level. He’s used in all situations. At the pro level, the majority of his ice time will come at even strength and the power play. His role was undefined for Team Canada at the WJC, but he should benefit from the experience overall. Martone is one of the top scorers in the OHL with 22G-41A in 35 games.

No. 5: Caleb Desnoyers, F, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 178 pounds

Desnoyers is a well-rounded prospect who provides a mix of skill and will. He’s creative off the rush and has the ability, and vision, to beat opponents one-on-one or pull up and make plays to his linemates. Desnoyers is deployed in all situations at the junior level, but the majority of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. In his latest 10-game segment, he contributed 6G-8A and was a plus-7. He produces offence without sacrificing defence. Desnoyers is a top-five scorer in the QMJHL (27G-35A).

No. 6: Anton Frondell, F, Djurgardens (Hockey Allsvenskan Sweden)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 196 pounds

Frondell has arguably the best one-timer from the flank in this draft class. He’s aggressive directing pucks on net in the offensive zone and reads how plays are developing to find open ice. He has excellent puck touch overall. His ability to beat goalies from range is elite, but he also has playmaking and finishing skill in tight quarters around the net. Moves well and is generally aware defensively. Projects as a top-line NHL scoring forward who will contribute at even strength and the power play.

No. 7: Victor Eklund, F, Djurgardens (Hockey Allsvenskan Sweden)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 163 pounds

Eklund is a light, skilled, quick-strike forward who proved at the WJC with Sweden that he’s the kind of player who never goes away. He’s benefitting from playing on the same team, and at times the same line, as Frondell at Djurgardens. He’s averaging around 15 minutes per game of ice time and being deployed at even strength and the power play. He will need more strength for the NHL game but he plays fast, has a fantastic stick and competes every night.

No. 8: Carter Bear, F, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 179 pounds

I was in Everett recently to scout Bear and came away very impressed with his approach. He’s one of the most elite goal scorers in the WHL (second in the league with 32 goals) but he brings much more than just offence. Bear competes in the trenches, works to win pucks back in the hard areas and he’s deployed in all situations. He doesn’t cut corners. In his last 10-game segment he’s contributed 7G-7A, averaged just shy of 19 minutes per game of ice time and was a plus-8.

No. 9: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 195 pounds

Smith continues to log a ton of ice time in Tri-City. He averages over 25 minutes per game, but there are nights he sees close to 30 minutes. Smith is deployed in all situations, including matching up against top-six forward groups almost every time his number is called. He’s a fantastic skater, especially on straight lines. His combination of size and pace projects well for the NHL game. Although Smith is on pace for around 50 points this season, I view him as a middle/top pairing – two-way D as a pro. He will provide secondary offence while zoning in to shut down top-flight scorers from the opposition.

No. 10: Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 207 pounds

Mrtka is a towering right-shot defenceman who started the year in his native Czechia before making the move to the WHL to play in Seattle. He now has 22 WHL games under his belt and he’s improving week by week. It’s a big adjustment for a defenceman to adjust to the smaller ice surface in North America, compared to Europe. Mrtka has great hockey sense. He reads how plays are developing and works to get in proper position in all three zones. His small-area quickness and agility are a work in progress, but he uses his size and reach effectively to kill plays defensively. He’s mostly simple with the puck but Seattle is giving him an opportunity on their power play as a distributor. Mrtka is a name to keep a very close eye on. NHL teams covet defencemen with his stature who shoot right.

No. 11: Jake O’Brien, F, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 172 pounds

O’Brien is an interesting prospect for me. He impresses me with his vision and skill offensively. O’Brien is a threat to create offence on a consistent basis at the OHL level. Defensively he appears to understand his responsibilities off the puck and where to position himself when his group doesn’t have control of the play in the offensive zone. Like any developing prospect with an offensive element, his execution can range in his zone and it’s something I’m monitoring. There’s no doubt he has the puck touch and vision that projects him as a potential top-six NHL forward in time. He’s used in all situations playing in Brantford for head coach Jay McKee.

No. 12: Brady Martin, F, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 178 pounds

Martin leads by example. He’s a relentless competitor with the hockey sense and skill to be used in a variety of roles. Martin never goes away. When he doesn’t have the puck, he works hard in the trenches to regain possession for his group. When he does have it on his stick he attacks in straight lines and aggressively directs the play towards the net. Martin isn’t exceptionally elite in any one category but very strong in all of them. He leads by example and contributes to his team’s overall structure and success. Martin averages over 23 minutes per game in the Soo. He’s produced 16G-17A so far this year and he’s a plus-12 defensively.

No. 13: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 192 pounds

Hensler is averaging over 16 minutes of ice time at the NCAA level playing for Wisconsin. All of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. For Team USA at the WJC, he averaged 13:05 of ice time with the majority of it coming at even strength. Hensler is generally reliable in all three zones. His read/react/overall awareness is usually on time. He fronts the shooter in his zone and gets in the lane to block shots on occasion. In the offensive zone, he has great agility and displays the ability to walk the offensive blue line to open up shooting/distributing lanes.

No. 14: Malcolm Spence, F, Erie Otters (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 203 pounds

Spence has the skating ability to push the pace offensively and backtrack to assist defensively on time. He can be deployed in a variety of roles. Spence can be a threat to produce offence at even strength, on the power play and even when killing penalties. When pucks spill into neutral ice, he’s quick to pounce on chances and hit the rush with authority.

I have to say there are some nights I feel like he is capable of contributing more over the full 60 minutes. In his last 10-game segment, for example, Spence contributed 2G-5A but was held off the score sheet in five of those games. He averaged over 20 minutes per game of ice time in the segment, which reveals his coaching staff trusts him in all situations. I’m monitoring Spence closely. His best shifts are top-six NHL forward worthy on projection.

No. 15: Justin Carbonneau, F, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 191 pounds

Carbonneau is on pace to eclipse 80 points this season. He’s a very crafty forward who has the skill to make plays in traffic, through skates and over opponents’ sticks, on the way to the net. Carbonneau is a bit of a wide-track skater but it doesn’t hold him back. He plays the game plenty quick enough and drives play in transition. He averages 21 minutes per game of ice time in Blainville. Almost all of his time on ice comes at even strength and the power play. I appreciate how involved he is. He isn’t a perimeter player who waits out offence. He takes charge and competes to make an impact.

No. 16: Cam Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 193 pounds

I have a lot of time for the way Reid plays the game. He isn’t tall, but he’s stocky strong and an outstanding skater. Reid projects as a two-way/transitional NHL defenceman. He has the ability to escape pressure with the puck on his stick, lead the rush and make plays offensively. He’s also engaged defensively. His combination of skating, hockey sense, and consistent compete stand out. Reid averages over 24 minutes per game in Kitchener. He’s used in all situations and has contributed 8G-29A this year. He’s a plus-19.

OUTSIDE OF THE LOTTERY

No. 17: Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 196 pounds

Aitcheson is a workhorse in Barrie. He’s used in all situations and plays a physical style. He gaps up with authority and never backs down from engaging in the trenches. Aitcheson’s puck handling and offence have evolved this year. He’s already contributed 13G-18A, with five of his tucks coming on the power play.

No. 18: Braeden Cootes, F, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 183 pounds

Cootes is an endless competitor who’s used in all situations. He contributes offence (20G-24A) without sacrificing defence. Cootes is an infectious, lead by example player who can be slotted up and down the lineup.

No. 19: Ben Kindel, F, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 176 pounds

Kindel is an energetic, compact, skilled forward who plays the game with pace and drive offensively. He’s involved in traffic, sees the ice, and makes plays. He’s been climbing up the WHL scoring race standings. Over his last 10 games, he’s produced an incredible 5G-16A. Equally impressive is the fact he’s plus-17 in the segment.

No. 20: Jack Nesbitt, F, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 185 pounds

Nesbitt is a player who is on the rise. His combination of size and skill is attractive. He has the commitment to be used in all situations and uses his length to his advantage. Nesbitt is deceptive with the puck on his stick and in motion. His posture is a bit hunched over in stride, which makes him look a bit smaller than he actually is. He’s equal parts shooter/distributor offensively.

No. 21: Lynden Lakovic, F, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 190 pounds

Lakovic is an excellent skater. He’s fluid in open ice and has the ability to gain the edge off the rush and direct pucks on net. He’s dangerous on the power play, working off the flank. Tough to defend below the dots and working off the cycle, Lakovic’s defensive detail and physical pushback is a work in progress.

No. 22: Milton Gastrin, F, Modo (Sweden)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 185 pounds

Gastrin is an intriguing prospect. He’s the kind of player who can be slotted up and down the lineup. He’s used in all situations at the J18 level in Sweden and his offence has recently spiked. In his last 10 games, he’s produced 6G-7A. Gastrin’s first three steps out of the hole are quick and powerful and can lead to quick strike offence out of small areas.

No. 23: Jack Murtagh, F, USNTDP (U-18)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 200 pounds

Murtagh is a bulldog. He’s physically engaged and tough to defend in the hard areas of the ice, along the wall and out front of the net. He wears down opponents and contributes better than secondary offence. The bulk of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. He’s the kind of player who opens up space for his linemates with his speed and determination.

No. 24: Josh Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 190 pounds

Ravensbergen is likely to be the first goalie off the board at the draft. He’s big in the net and gives opponents a different look catching with his right hand. Ravensbergen has great feet and is fluid moving laterally. I’m monitoring his overall crease composure. At times he pushes too aggressively, ending up outside his posts, but it’s a simple fix he can address with coaching moving forward. His athleticism is undeniable.

No. 25: Cullen Potter, F, Arizona State (NCAA)
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 172 pounds

Potter is a slightly undersized forward who is adept at finding open ice and attacking with speed. He has great puck touch and the ability to beat opponents one-on-one. He leans goal scorer more than distributor. When he sees an opportunity to get the play to the net on his own he attacks with enthusiasm.

No. 26: Cole Reschny, F, Victoria Royals (WHL)
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 183 pounds

Reschny logs a ton of ice time in the WHL. He’s deployed in all situations and can be trusted in a variety of roles. He creates offence with his hard work and determination. Reschny battles in traffic and he’s a threat to make plays in open ice. He leans distributor more than pure goal scorer but opponents can’t sleep on him taking the play to the net or ripping pucks from the flank.

No. 27: William Moore, F, USNTDP (U-18)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 175 pounds

Moore is on the rise. He went through some ups and downs early in the year, but his recent run of play has put him on the radar as a player who could continue to rise in the rankings down the stretch. He’s a big, rangy, skilled forward who has produced 8G-4A in his latest 10-game segment. He’s deployed in all situations and working hard off the puck. In time he will add more strength and weight to his frame which should make him even more difficult to play against overall.

No. 28: Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Height: 5-foot-7 Weight: 161 pounds

Schmidt is a shooter. He has a lethal release that can beat goalies from all angles in the offensive zone. He isn’t exceptionally deceptive with his approach. He drives opponents off their blue line off the rush and looks to rip pucks under sticks, through the legs, and around defenders. His size leads to comparisons to Cole Caufield but he isn’t quite as dynamic as Caufield was in his draft cycle. Schmidt has to play in the top six forward group for his element to impact the game. All of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play.

No. 29: Ivan Ryabkin, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 198 pounds

Ryabkin has suited up for four teams this season. He’s played games in the KHL, VHL and MHL in Russia and now calls Muskegon (USHL) home. Ryabkin is a stocky/strong forward who generally leans shooter more than distributor in the offensive zone. He reads how plays are developing and is especially aware of how to identify quiet ice and make himself open in high-danger areas. His fitness and speed are something I’m monitoring down the stretch. His defensive detail also ranges.

No. 30: Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 209 pounds

Fiddler is a big, rangy, right-shot defender who is being deployed in all situations at the junior level. He’s engaged defensively. Fiddler rotates well on the penalty-kill and gets in the lane to block shots. His small area quickness is on time. He jumps to space and uses his long reach to kill plays and move pucks up ice. On occasion he will lead the offensive rush on his own. I appreciate his straight-line speed in open ice and sneaky ability to make plays that result in scoring chances for his group.

No. 31: Bill Zonnon, F, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 185 pounds

Zonnon is an intriguing prospect. He’s physically involved and trustworthy in all situations. His skating stride is a bit unorthodox, but he arrives everywhere on time. Zonnon is one of the top scorers in the QMJHL this season (23G-39A) and doesn’t cut corners in any zone. I feel like Zonnon will provide secondary scoring at the NHL level and coaches will trust him enough defensively to match up against middle six opponents.

No. 32: Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 203 pounds

I’m splitting hairs on players in this range but I’ve settled on Brzustewicz as the last pick in my first-round for these rankings. He’s a coveted right-shot defenceman who can be used in all situations, provides better than secondary offence, and matches up against top lines. I appreciate his battle in the defensive zone. Brzustewicz isn’t shy about rotating in the lanes to block shots.

No. 33: Nathan Behm, F, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 192 pounds

Behm averages over 20 minutes of ice time in Kamloops. He’s deployed at even strength and the power play. He’s a strong skater who has the pace, and size, to drive opponents off their blue line. Behm has a great stick. He shoots the puck accurately in motion and finds rebounds and tips around the net.

No. 34: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, F, Lulea J20 (Sweden)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 184 pounds

Ihs-Wozniak can be a bit streaky at times. There are nights he has the puck on his stick consistently and his skill is on full display. He’s big, athletic, moves well and produces offence. He has a great stick and the ability to score goals, or distribute effectively, from the flank on the power play. His skating is also sound. I’m monitoring his consistent compete and overall willingness to be involved every shift as the season winds down in Europe.

No. 35: Luca Romano, F, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 177 pounds

Every time I watch Romano play something positive happens. He’s a darting forward who plays the game fast and can be used in all situations if required. His speed opens up space offensively and creates turnovers defensively. He’s another player on the list that seems to score in streaks. I believe he has a “B” game that projects as a checking forward when he isn’t scoring, which makes him a valuable pick in this range.

No. 36: Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 175 pounds

Boumedienne is a player I’m monitoring very closely. He projects as a potential second pairing, two-way defenceman who can match up against top six forwards and chip in some depth offence. In his last 10-game segment he has contributed four assists and averaged 18 minutes per game of ice time, the bulk of which comes at even strength and the penalty kill.

No. 37: Adam Benak, F, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Height: 5-foot-7 Weight: 160 pounds

Benak is easily defined. He’s an undersized skill forward who’s hard to defend in small areas and plays quick. His open ice pace isn’t elite for his stature, he relies heavily on his first three steps out of the gate to gain separation on opponents. I appreciate Benak’s compete. He continues to empty the tank every time his number is called. The discussion will come down to his size for the NHL game, but there is no denying he has the skill. Benak has produced 10G-25A so far this season. His defensive detail ranges.

No. 38: Charlie Trethewey, D, USNTP (U-18)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 200 pounds

Trethewey’s game has been trending positively in his recent 10-game segment. The two-way defenceman has averaged 19 minutes of ice time per game and he’s deployed in all situations. Trethewey has 2G-4A in the segment. Most impressive is his plus-6 rating. Trethewey is plenty strong and has a deceptive shot that can beat goalies from range. His detail has ranged at times this year, especially his routes to kill plays defensively, but he gets credit for his game ramping up recently.

No. 39: Eric Nilson, F, Djurgardens J20 (Sweden)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 156 pounds

Nilson is rising for me. He’s a very skilled right-shot forward who’s difficult to defend in small areas. Nilson leverages pretty well for his current weight and uses his excellent skating and edges to escape pressure to make plays. Nilson is deployed in all situations at the J20 level in Sweden, but he isn’t likely to kill penalties in North America. He has top six NHL skill on projection but will obviously have to add considerably more strength.

No. 40: Ethan Czata, F, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 175 pounds

Czata might be a forward who is better suited to play wing than the middle at the pro level. He has good size, speed, and skill but his defensive detail can range. He’s having a solid year in Niagara, contributing 18G-26A so far. Czata makes plays in a hurry. Pucks are on and off his stick before defenders have a chance to create turnovers.

No. 41: Eddie Genborg, F, Linkoping HC (Sweden)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 179 pounds

Genborg is splitting time between the J20 and SHL in Sweden. He’s a lean, long, skilled forward who can create offence off the rush or drive to the net off the puck hunting tips. His ability to make puck plays in traffic is attractive. Genborg has the hockey sense and detail to be used in all situations. At the pro level (SHL) he only averages around eight minutes per game of ice time, but his ice time spikes to over 20 minutes when playing at the junior level.

No. 42: Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 178 pounds

Ivankovic was part of the goaltending tandem for Team Canada at the world juniors and will benefit from the experience. Ivankovic is currently undersized by NHL standards but could have some more growth on the horizon. His family has height in its genes but it hasn’t arrived until later in their development as youths. Ivankovic is very athletic. He has great feet and the ability to make himself as big as possible fronting shooters around his net. He could be the second goalie off the board this June but there will be competition for bragging rights.

No. 43: Alexei Medvedev, G, London Knights (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 178 pounds

It won’t surprise me if Medvedev ends up being selected ahead of Ivankovic, and possibly challenges Ravensbergen for the top goalie slot in this draft class. He has great size, fronts shooters very well, and almost never ends up outside his posts when moving laterally. In my opinion, Medvedev’s crease composure, overall, is the best in the draft class. He allows the puck to come to him and manages how to make saves and track rebounds on time.

No. 44: Cole McKinney, F, USNTDP (U-18)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 200 pounds

McKinney projects as a two-way forward who has the skill to contribute secondary, and at times better than secondary, offence. He has good size and strength and an extra gear in transition at times. McKinney can be deployed in all situations and he averages over 18 minutes of ice time with Team USA. He brings good value in this area of the draft.

No. 45: Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 190 pounds

Kettles projects as a mostly simple two-way/shutdown defenceman at the NHL level. He’s a solid skater on straight lines and has reliable puck skill. He outlets responsibly and will join the rush on occasion as an extra layer, but generally makes sure he is taking care of keeping the puck out of his net as his top priority.

No. 46: Will Horcoff, University of Michigan (NCAA)
Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 190 pounds

Horcoff made the move to the NCAA mid-season after starting the year with the USNTDP in Plymouth. He’s off to a nice start at the college level. Horcoff has produced 2G-3A in his first five college games. He’s averaging just shy of 15 minutes per game time and has a role at even strength and the power play. Horcoff is a big body who extends plays below the goal line and sets screens around the crease. His open ice pace is average-plus and he’s adjusting defensively at the college level. He’s a power style forward who shields pucks and opponents.

No. 47: Kristian Epperson, F, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 183 pounds

Epperson was passed over at last year’s draft in Vegas, but he’s making the most of his draft plus one year playing in Saginaw. Epperson’s offensive production has gone to an entirely new level. He’s contributed 18G-36A and finds himself skating in the top six forward group and the top power play unit for the Spirit. He’s detailed defensively (plus-35) and displaying the ability to beat opponents one-on-one off the rush.

No. 48: Ben Kevan, F, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 182 pounds

Kevan’s offensive upside makes him an attractive target in this range of the draft. He has a great release and the ability to shoot the puck accurately in motion. He’s dangerous working off the half wall on his forehand and making plays off the flank on the power play. His defensive detail and commitment can range wildly at times and needs to be addressed as he matures. For now, his offensive element wins out. Kevan has produced 10G-18A in 29 USHL games this season.

No. 49: Reese Hamilton, D, Regina Pats (WHL)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 172 pounds

Hamilton’s offence hasn’t spiked the way I was hoping it would this season, but he’s a fantastic skater who projects as a two-way NHL defender. Hamilton relies on his quickness and agility to arrive ahead of opponents and battle for pucks defensively. He needs to add considerable strength in the next couple of seasons. He distributes the puck very well. Hamilton has the vision and accuracy moving the play in all three zones and the ability to quarterback a power play unit.

No. 50: David Bedkowski, D, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 215 pounds

Bedkowski isn’t going to wow anyone with his offensive skill. He’s a mostly simple two-way/shutdown defenceman who matches up against top opponents and rolls over the boards on the first penalty-killing unit. His skating is solid, but there is room for Bedkowski to jump to space a fraction quicker in his zone and use his length to kill plays. I appreciate his compete and generally sound puck distribution. He’s easily defined.