The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft had a lot going for it.
Matthew Schaefer had an emotional response to being taken No. 1 overall by the New York Islanders, celebrities announced teams’ picks, two goaltenders were chosen in the first round when one is a rarity, Shawn Horcoff’s and Jenny Potter’s sons were chosen and there was a big Islanders-Montreal Canadiens trade beforehand.
But the night as a whole felt strange. This was the NHL’s first decentralized draft, outside of the COVID year, and it didn’t seem the same. The topic was brought up during NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s pre-draft news conference and he said to give it a chance. Let’s hope they bring the old way back.
Here are the winners and losers of the first round of the NHL draft:
WINNERS
Matthew Schaefer
The Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters defenseman had to overcome a lot of adversity to be selected No. 1 overall. He lost his mother (breast cancer) and his billet mother during the 2023-24 season and Erie’s team owner died in 2024. Schaefer also broke his clavicle at the world junior hockey championship in December and missed the rest of the season.
But NHL Central Scouting saw enough from his shortened season to rank him first and the Islanders concurred. When he walked onto the stage, his Islanders jersey had a pink ribbon on it. He kissed the ribbon and let out his emotions.
The Islanders’ trade of Noah Dobson before the draft creates room for Schaefer to become a key part of the team’s blue line.
James Hagens
The Boston College center and Team USA gold medal winner at the world juniors had been in the running for the top pick early in the season. But he dropped to seventh place.
But that meant he was going to the Boston Bruins, close to where he played this season. As a bonus, actor Adam Sandler announced the pick on video. Hagens’ favorite move is ‘Happy Gilmore.’
The Bruins are light at center and have a promising one in the pipeline.
Roger McQueen’s Disney adventure
McQueen was drafted 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks and his pick was announced by actors Joshua Jackson and Marguerite Moreau from the ‘Mighty Ducks’ movies. Then he and his family were taken by helicopter to Disneyland, where McQueen got to pose near Lightning McQueen from ‘Cars.’
Crowd’s reaction to Johnny Gaudreau’s widow
Celebrity pick announcers included Sandler, wrestler Bayley, country music artist Jordan Davis and hockey royalty (Lanny McDonald and Shea Weber). Kris Letang and son Alex did a nice job with the Penguins’ announcements.
But the most touching was having Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, announce the Columbus Blue Jackets’ picks. The crowd gave her a standing ovation and chanted ‘Johnny, Johnny’ when she took the stage.
LOSERS
The format
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the vote to decentralize the draft was 26-6. The move saves teams travel days and gives them more time to plan for free agency.
Though other leagues hold decentralized drafts, the great thing about the NHL draft floor was the activity. If someone picked up a phone or walked toward another table, could there be a trade? Instead, all 32 teams’ draft rooms were displayed on a screen on the stage. Not the same.
The league set up a draft house where picks could talk remotely to their new team’s executives. But there were glitches such as echoes or delays. And the sound didn’t work for the Ottawa Senators.
Lack of player trades
Two years ago, there were no trades in the first round. Last year, only draft picks were traded. This year, the pre-draft Dobson trade led to intrigue. Would general manager Mathieu Darche package the newly acquired 16th and 17th picks to try to move up? Would he go after Long Island native Hagens? No, he used the picks on prospects Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson. For the second year in a row, only picks were dealt in the first round.
Ken Holland’s draft strategy
New Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland was running his first draft with the team and doing it in front of his home fans. But he chose to move down seven spots in the first round, picking up a late second-round pick in the process.
GM of the year vote
The award is voted on after the second round of the playoffs and the winners are announced at the draft. The Dallas Stars’ Jim Nill won for the third year in a row. He did acquire Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund during the season, but shouldn’t it be Panthers GM Bill Zito’s turn? His acquisitions of Brad Marchand and Seth Jones played a big role in the Panthers reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row and repeating as champions. The Stars lost for the third consecutive year in the conference final. Maybe Zito’s re-signing of playoff MVP Sam Bennett to a team-friendly deal will give him a start for next year.