2025 NHL Draft: Recapping the Losers and Winners

Winners - Chicago Blackhawks

The inclusion of Jeremy Roenick in their third-overall selection was far from the only win for the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2025 NHL Draft. 

The Hawks had three first-round picks in this year's draft. They used them to select a trio of promising forwards, Anton Frondell, Vaclav Nestrasil, and Mason West.

For years, Chicago has excelled at identifying European skaters who can play in the NHL, and this year's class is no different. We predict that this class will quickly emerge as one of the premier groups in the league.

Winners - San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks have become the laughingstock of the NHL. Perennial bet-wetters and barely able to ice a competitive hockey team, the Sharks deserve credit for taking another step in their collective development in LA. 

The temptation is real with the second-overall pick. And that was especially true at the 2025 NHL Draft. This year's crop of prospects was fairly evenly matched. San Jose could have gone in any number of directions to try and find their next key piece. 

Instead, the Sharks picked Michael Misa with their first selection and added Joshua Ravensbergen with the 30th pick. Both players address areas of need and will undoubtedly be key fixtures for years to come. 

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Losers - Vancouver Canucks

With each passing draft, the Vancouver Canucks move further away from building a competitive hockey club. The 2025 NHL Draft exacerbates those concerns. 

Granted, the Canucks weren't picking from a premier spot. They held the 15th overall selection and used it to take Braeden Cootes, who projects as a checking center in the NHL. Beyond that, Vancouver reached for goaltender Alexei Medvedev in Round 2. 

The Canucks have been unable to draft and develop NHL talent. That reputation only looks worse after this weekend.

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Winners - New York Islanders

In a few years, we will look back on the 2025 NHL Draft as a turning point in the New York Islanders' fortunes. The once-proud Islanders have rebuilt their pipeline, which could evolve into a dynasty for years to come. 

The Isles were gifted the first-overall selection, but they weren't about to ruin their opportunity. Rather than trade it away or move it for NHL-ready talent, New York played their hand correctly. They nabbed the top prospect in the draft, selecting Matthew Schaefer first overall. 

That pick was complemented by nine other selections, with three of those coming in the first 17 picks. Moreover, some truly remarkable prospects fell into their laps, highlighted by Daniil Prokhorov with the 42nd pick.

Losers - Stan Bowman and the Edmonton Oilers

For years, the Edmonton Oilers have traded away their top picks in search of more immediate help. Unfortunately, that strategy has yet to pay off, and their pipeline looks emptier than ever after this weekend's selections. 

Stan Bowman is only responsible for a handful of moves, but each one has cost the Oilers a valuable asset. Edmonton didn't make a pick until the 83rd spot and only had five selections in this year's class. 

While the Oilers are busy trying to maximize their window with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they are mortgaging their future competitiveness. Take a look at the current state of the Chicago Blackhawks to gauge where Bowman is leading the Oilers. 

Winners - Chicago Blackhawks

The inclusion of Jeremy Roenick in their third-overall selection was far from the only win for the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2025 NHL Draft. 

The Hawks had three first-round picks in this year's draft. They used them to select a trio of promising forwards, Anton Frondell, Vaclav Nestrasil, and Mason West.

For years, Chicago has excelled at identifying European skaters who can play in the NHL, and this year's class is no different. We predict that this class will quickly emerge as one of the premier groups in the league.