There was a lot going on in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Matthew Schaefer responded emotionally to being ranked number one overall by New York Islanders, with celebrities unveiling their team picks, two goaltenders being selected in the first round, the son of Sean Hokoff and Jenny Potter, and previously there was a Canadience trade for the big islanders.
But the night felt strange overall. This was the first decentralized draft of the NHL outside of Covid years and did not look the same. The topic was raised during a pre-draft press conference for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who said he would give it a chance. I hope they will regain their old path.
The winners and losers of the first round of the NHL Draft are:
winner
Matthew Schafer
The Ellie (Pa.) Otter defenseman had to overcome a lot of adversity to be selected first overall. He lost his mother (breast cancer) and Billett’s mother in the 2023-24 season, and in 2024 Ellie’s team owner. Schafer broke his collarbone at the World Junior Hockey Championship in December, missing out on the rest of the season.
However, NHL Central Scouting was seen enough to rank him first from his short season, and the islanders agreed. His islander’s jersey held a pink ribbon when he walked to the stage. He kissed the ribbon and released his emotions.
Noah Dobson’s islanders trade before the draft creates a room for Schafer to become an important part of the team’s blue line.
James Hagens
The winners of the Boston College Center and Team USA gold medals were on top picks early in the season. However, he fell to sixth place.
But that meant going to the Boston Bruins, near where he played this season. As a bonus, actor Adam Sandler announced the video pick. Hagens’ favorite move is “Happy Gilmore.”
The Bruins are light in the center and have promising pipelines.
Roger McQueen’s Disney Adventure
McQueen was drafted 10th overall by Anaheim Ducks, and his pick was announced by “The Mighty Ducks” film actors Joshua Jackson and Margaret Morrow. He and his family were then taken by a helicopter to Disneyland, where McQueen began posing near Lightning McQueen from the “car.”
Crowd reaction to Johnny Gaudreau’s widow
Celebrity pick announcers include Sandler, Wrestler Bailey, country music artists Jordan Davis, and Hockey Royalties (Lunny McDonald and Shea Weber). Chris Letan and his son Alex did an incredible job with the Penguin announcement.
But the most moving thing was that Johnny Gordrow’s widow Meredith unveiled the Columbus Blue Jacket pick. The crowd gave her a standing ovation and chanted “Johnny, Johnny” as she took the stage.
loser
format
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the vote to decentralize the draft was 26-6. This move saves teams travel days and gives them more time to plan free agents.
The other leagues hold distributed drafts, but what’s great about the NHL draft floor was activity. Is there a deal if someone gets a phone or walks towards another table? Instead, all 32 team draft rooms were displayed on the screen on stage. It’s not the same.
The league has established a draft house where Pick can speak remotely with executives of new teams. However, there were issues such as echo and delay. And for the Ottawa Senator, the sound didn’t work.
Lack of player trading
Two years ago, there were no deals in the first round. Last year, only draft picks were traded. This year, Dobson’s pre-draft trade led to conspiracy. Will General Manager Mathieu Darche try to package the newly acquired 16th and 17th picks and move them up? Will he follow Hagen, who is from Long Island? No, he used the picks from prospective customers Victor Ecklund and Kashaun Echyson. For the second year in a row, only picks were handled in the first round.
Kenholland’s draft strategy
Ken Holland, the general manager of the Neuros Angeles Kings, ran his first draft with the team and did it in front of home fans. However, he chose to move down seven spots in the first round, winning a second-round pick in the process.
Voting for GM of the Year
The award will be voted after the second round of the playoffs, and winners will be announced in the draft. Dallas star Jimnil won for the third year in a row. He bought Mikko Lantanen and Michael Granland during the season, but shouldn’t it be Panthers GM Bill Jeet’s turn? His acquisitions of Brad Marchand and Seth Jones played a major role with the Panthers, reaching the Stanley Cup final for the third consecutive year, repeating them as champions. Hoshi lost in the conference final for the third year in a row. Perhaps he will start next year with Zito re-signing playoff MVP Sam Bennett to a team-friendly contract.
