Upside Hockey's 2025 NHL Draft Rankings — Spring Edition (Top 224!)

[UpsideHockey]

Our March Top 224 NHL Draft Rankings from Chief Scout Eldon MacDonald​

"This is a quick updated just to get our March/Spring rankings out in the wild.

Matthew Schaefer Maintains Number One Ranking

Outstanding blueliner Matthew Schaefer leap-frogged exceptional centreman Michael Misa into 1st overall in our January rankings led by our Chief of Scouting Eldon MacDonald and his held his spot this Spring.

Our mammoth quintessential rankings spreadsheet format is composed by the incomparable Chief of Scouting, Eldon MacDonald. We have already featured well over 350 prospects. Check back throughout the season as we add many tabs/sheets (subjects along the bottom) to this spreadsheet. In this edition, in the second column we have highlighted NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Rankings. There will be too many cool features to list; explore yourself with this top of mind:

• Our exclusive rankings go well beyond the first round - over 350 prospects included in this version
  
  • Check out the tabs along the bottom such as Defense, Under 5'11, etc. for various unique rankings"

Who's...too high? too low? omitted?

Substack article link:

Upside Hockey's 2025 NHL Draft Rankings — Spring Edition

Our March Top 224 NHL Draft Rankings from Chief Scout Eldon MacDonald

upsidehockey.substack.com

 

[UpsideHockey]

Schaefer may have stayed at number one, but lots of movement since January otherwise. We'll have a risers and fallers post coming soon as well as a futile mock draft. Stay tuned.

 

[Dempsey]

One day I’m going to have to figure out how to view this.

 

[loadie]

When was the last time a player played less than 20 games in their draft year and went number one overall? It’s mind boggling to me to see that happen, especially when you have other players like Misa playing at such a high level

 

[MichaelFarrell]

When was the last time a player played less than 20 games in their draft year and went number one overall? It’s mind boggling to me to see that happen, especially when you have other players like Misa playing at such a high level

It’s a great conversation. Personally, whenever I watched Schaefer, I thought he was just a rare player to find. He’s a very tough type of player to acquire.

That being said, how could you pass on a player like Misa? When you look at his body of work and how much he’s progressed this year, it’s easy to see a player that can jump straight into your lineup next season.

 

[loadie]

It’s a great conversation. Personally, whenever I watched Schaefer, I thought he was just a rare player to find. He’s a very tough type of player to acquire.

That being said, how could you pass on a player like Misa? When you look at his body of work and how much he’s progressed this year, it’s easy to see a player that can jump straight into your lineup next season.

It sure will be a great conversation before the draft and a few years after to see how Schaefer actually pans out. He certainly looks to be special player

 

[UpsideHockey]

One day I’m going to have to figure out how to view this.

Link not working, Dempsey? Can we assist?

 

[Dempsey]

Link not working, Dempsey? Can we assist?

The link is working, I just find the site a little difficult to navigate and figure out. Probably more a reflection of my reading skills than anything. Appreciate the content though.

 

[wetcoast]

It’s a great conversation. Personally, whenever I watched Schaefer, I thought he was just a rare player to find. He’s a very tough type of player to acquire.

That being said, how could you pass on a player like Misa? When you look at his body of work and how much he’s progressed this year, it’s easy to see a player that can jump straight into your lineup next season.

I think if San Jose picks first they take Schaefer, if it's the Black Hawks then it's Misa.

If it's another team TBD.

 

[Craig Ludwig]

Very cool, thanks you

 

[UpsideHockey]

I think if San Jose picks first they take Schaefer, if it's the Black Hawks then it's Misa.

If it's another team TBD.

I think Schaefer would have to mightily tempting to the 'Hawks as well tbh, but definitely a case can be made for Misa.

 

[wetcoast]

I think Schaefer would have to mightily tempting to the 'Hawks as well tbh, but definitely a case can be made for Misa.

I tend to agree but they should have taken Demidov last year and since they took Levshunov last year and Rinzel is close as well I can see why they would take Misa instead.

 

[Captain Clutch]

The Blackhawks need help all over the ice. They missed on Korchinski, Levshunov is going to struggle if they play him in the NHL next year. Bedard is getting VERY frustrated already at how bad the team is and the prospect system is mediocre. They had better get very aggressive in free agency or their going to lose the Golden Goose.

FWIW, I would take Schaefer over Misa if I were the Blackhawks, He's your #1 D for the next decade. Find a 2C in free agency and hope that Nazar, Vanacker, Bosivert, Kantserov and a one or two others hit.

Rinzel is NOT close, I'm guessing two years in the A before he's ready to defend against NHL players