May 5, 2025
The Islanders win the NHL draft lottery and will pick first overall
As the number of teams still vying for a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup continues to dwindle, the rest of the league will be paying extra special attention tonight, as the annual NHL draft lottery took place.
The ten teams that finished the regular season with the lowest points total, will have the chance to win the lottery and jump into the first overall selection. Another six teams, whom finished between eleventh and sixteenth, could also win the draw, but would only move up ten places, bumping those they pass down a notch.
See Also: CF Montreal beaten at home by Philadelphia Union
With a new system in place for the first time, the New York Islanders move up from tenth place where they finished the regular season, to first overall. Will the Islanders opt for the highly touted Matthew Schaefer, or take New York native James Hagens. An offensive defenseman or a highly talented local center. The Islanders, who are currently without a general manager, will have a lot to think about in the coming weeks.
The San Jose Sharks will be adding talent to go with Macklin Celebrini, who they drafted first overall last year, and who is a finalist for the Calder trophy this season. Another recent first overall selector, the Chicago Blackhawks will be picking third, looking to add the best possible fit to go alongside Connor Bedard.
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Among the top candidates to be selected with the first overall pick, are Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Saginaw Spirit center Michael Misa. Followed closely by Boston College center James Hagens, Swedish center Anton Frondell, Brampton Steelheads winger Porter Martone and Moncton Wildcats center Caleb Desnoyers.
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft will take place on June 27th.
Draft order:
16. Montreal (From Calgary)
15. Vancouver
14. Columbus
13. Detroit
12. New York
11. Pittsburgh
10. Anaheim
09. Buffalo
08. Seattle
07. Boston
06. Philadelphia
05. Nashville
04. Utah
03. Chicago
02. San Jose
01. Long Island
