McKeen’s Hockey Preliminary Top 32 for 2025

[Brock]

2025 NHL DRAFT: FIRST TOP 32 DRAFT RANKING - Hagens tops list, with Martone, Misa and McQueen sharp on his heels

McKeen's Hockey Scouting team releases its initial top 32 ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft. Brock Otten provides an overview of the rankings.

www.mckeenshockey.com

We’ve released our first draft ranking of the year.

Top 10:

1	James Hagens	C	Boston College (NCAA)	5-10/170	3-Nov-06	4	1	5	6	0
2	Porter Martone	RW	Brampton (OHL)	6-3/195	26-Oct-06	7	5	12	17	6
3	Michael Misa	C	Saginaw (OHL)	5-11/160	16-Feb-07	13	17	9	26	6
4	Roger McQueen	C	Brandon (WHL)	6-5/190	2-Oct-06	8	8	3	11	18
5	Matthew Schaefer	D	Erie (OHL)	6-1/165	5-Sep-07	3	1	2	3	2
6	Anton Frondell	C	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	6-0/180	7-May-07	6	3	1	4	4
7	Ivan Ryabkin	C	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-0/170	25-Apr-07	9	0	8	8	20
8	Victor Eklund	LW	Djurgardens (HockeyAllsvenskan)	5-11/160	3-Oct-06	12	7	4	11	2
9	Logan Hensler	D	Wisconsin (NCAA)	6-2/185	14-Oct-06	6	0	1	1	2
10	Lynden Lakovic	LW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6-4/185	12-Dec-06	14	7	12	19	2

Click to read more...

 

[Eye of Ra]

I highly doubt Sasha is a first rounder.

 

[Brock]

I highly doubt Sasha is a first rounder.

At this point, I would agree with you. Both Derek Neumeier (my assistant director of scouting) and myself are not the highest on Boumedienne. We worry about a lack of standout trait and stagnation in his development. But the reality is that our U.S. region scouts still believe in him and think that he has shown flashes at BU so far. It's still so early in the process, so that's going to factor in heavily when it comes to him being in first round right now. But come our December update (and extension to the top 64), I wouldn't be shocked at all if he was outside of the first.

It's the same reason a guy like William Moore is in the first. I haven't loved his progression this year. But our US scouts still really like the upside. In fact, Jack Murtagh is the only player from the NTDP that I'd have in my personal first round currently. That team just hasn't been great. It'll be interesting to see how it all comes together for them later in the year when we enter tournament season.

 

[Czechboy]

Benak still in round 1. That is encouraging. By far the most polarizing Czech.

Mrtka right where I'd expect him.. middle of round 1. Am curious if his WHL move helps him or hurts him!

 

[josra33]

I don’t see Fiddler as a first rounder. I think people see him based on name pedigree. I would put everyone about 5+ spots below him on this ranking above him right now.

 

[TLEH]

Big Jackson Smith fan.

 

[57special]

3 OHL'ers in the top 5? Wow.

 

[dr1234]

Love the list but shocked that Behm didn’t even get a HM nod. Thoughts on him?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Nice list, Brock!

Curious what your thoughts are on Henry Brzustewicz, since he's on your HM list. He's been very solid every time I watch London, but I'm struggling to pin down what his niche is at the NHL level. Seems like a jack of all trades kind of guy. What kind of upside do you see?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think this is one of their best lists in recent times.

A few things I don’t get.

How is a 5’7 winger who has 8 points in 10 USHL games rated as a first rounder? The USHL MVP last year was a first time eligible 5’8 winger that went in the 7th round.

What make Will Moore a first rounder? I feel he’s arguably the most overrated player to come through the NTDP in years.

 

[czechcanadian]

Not 1 Finnish player? Am I right?
That’s crazy

 

[josra33]

Not 1 Finnish player? Am I right?
That’s crazy

Not really, the Finnish crop is weak this year. Really weak.

 

[jtechkid]

At this point, I would agree with you. Both Derek Neumeier (my assistant director of scouting) and myself are not the highest on Boumedienne. We worry about a lack of standout trait and stagnation in his development. But the reality is that our U.S. region scouts still believe in him and think that he has shown flashes at BU so far. It's still so early in the process, so that's going to factor in heavily when it comes to him being in first round right now. But come our December update (and extension to the top 64), I wouldn't be shocked at all if he was outside of the first.

It's the same reason a guy like William Moore is in the first. I haven't loved his progression this year. But our US scouts still really like the upside. In fact, Jack Murtagh is the only player from the NTDP that I'd have in my personal first round currently. That team just hasn't been great. It'll be interesting to see how it all comes together for them later in the year when we enter tournament season.

moore has zero juice or moxy to his game and i don’t think that is taught - either you want the puck or you want take over a shift or you don’t . murtaugh is only guy i see on that team has that trait to will himself to tough areas . love the fact if you make ntdp they simply assume your great as a scout or good player going forward and you get drafted . this is really weak group and i think 75% should play ushl next year .

 

[jtechkid]

I think this is one of their best lists in recent times.

A few things I don’t get.

How is a 5’7 winger who has 8 points in 10 USHL games rated as a first rounder? The USHL MVP last year was a first time eligible 5’8 winger that went in the 7th round.

What make Will Moore a first rounder? I feel he’s arguably the most overrated player to come through the NTDP in years.

benak after watching him in ushl i see as 3-4 th round player at best . first , he has zero - zero shot playing center at the nhl level so he will be a wing and his profile as a wing is not great . he likes to float around at center , actually pretty good center positional wise but his size he is not playing center in the nhl so that knocks him out of first round .