For the second straight season, the San Jose Sharks will have the top odds at the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft.
If they win the lottery again, there will be a debate on who to draft. Unlike in 2024, there isn’t a legitimate prospect who stands out for the No. 1 pick. This season, the top prospects for the No. 1 pick are defenseman Matthew Schaefer and center Michael Misa.
The NHL’s Central Scouting released its final ranks for the 2025 NHL Draft, and Schaefer finished atop the list of North American skaters.
Matthew Schaefer (@ErieOtters) remains atop NHL Central Scouting’s list of North American skaters, followed by OHL scoring champion Michael Misa (@SpiritHockey) and NCAA freshman James Hagens (@BC_MHockey).
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 15, 2025
Full #NHLDraft rankings: https://t.co/e9iTvRmx1e pic.twitter.com/sLrM8HNma8
“Matthew Schaefer is the No. 1 defense prospect in this Draft Class,” Vice President of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said. “He is the complete package, playing a dynamic style that generates results and influences the outcome of games. Schaefer easily projects as a future All-Star in the NHL.”
The Sharks are lacking a top defense prospect other than Sam Dickinson. They have nice prospects like Shakir Mukhamadullin and Luca Cagnoni, but drafting Schaefer would upgrade the position significantly.
After suffering a broken clavicle at the 2025 World Juniors, Schaefer never got a chance to boost his draft stock, leading to the debate for the No. 1 pick.
Misa ranked second by Central Scouting
Misa’s talent is hard to ignore. The undersized center displayed elite offensive numbers with 134 points in the OHL, which led not only the OHL but also all of the CHL scoring.
“Misa (Oakville, Ont.) won the OHL scoring race by a 10-point margin (62-72—134 in 65 GP) and recorded the league’s highest single-season point total since John Tavares and Patrick Kane in 2006-07. Misa was granted “exceptional player” status to enter the OHL early, helped Saginaw win the Memorial Cup in 2023-24, and served as the Spirit’s captain in 2024-25. His brother, Luke Misa, was a fifth-round pick by the Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft (150th overall).”
Michael Misa (2025) has 17 goals in his last 13 games.
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) March 2, 2025
57 in 57 on the season. He's gross. pic.twitter.com/vEep32FUHy
With Celebrini already viewed as the San Jose Sharks No. 1 center for the future, Misa might not seem like a need. The pull to draft him would be if Will Smith switched to the wing full-time.
Schaefer seems like the Sharks’ choice, but GM Mike Grier might select the best talent available.
William Eklund’s brother, Victor, was ranked second among international skaters.
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