With their first No. 1 pick since 2009, the New York Islanders selected top defenseman Matthew Schaefer.
With the draft now over, it’s time to dig right in and assess how all 32 teams did.
Keep reading below to find grades for each team’s most notable selection.
Notable Pick: Roger McQueen, RW (Round 1, Pick 10)
After shipping Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia, the Anaheim Ducks were in need of a center who could bring some offensive firepower. They lucked out in Roger McQueen. Yes, McQueen only played in 17 total WHL games this past season but still was able to average a point per game. He’s a clever player with impressive stick skills and versatility. He’ll fit right in with the Ducks, who, as aforementioned, needed a playmaker at center.
Notable Pick: James Hagens, C (Round 1, Pick 7)
The Bruins are keeping James Hagens in Boston. Hagens slid to the seventh pick despite being the No. 4 prospect on the final B/R board. In his first year at Boston College, Hagens was a point-per-game player. He hits top speeds like few others in his class and has incredible vision to set his teammates up for success, evident by his 26 assists in 37 games. Hagens feels like the right pick for the Bruins, who are in rebuild mode.
Notable Pick: Radim Mrtka, D (Round 1, Pick 9)
After trading second-leading point-scorer JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesserling, the Sabres desperately needed to add offense with the No. 9 pick. Instead, they opted to draft defenseman Radim Mrtka. Mrtka has a solid skill set and upside for Buffalo. But the Sabres desperately needed to add an offensive playmaker. And with a top-ten pick, there were plenty of options to support Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. Instead, they made perhaps the most questionable decision in the first round.
Notable Pick: Cole Reschny, C (Round 1, Pick 18)
With the 18th pick, the Calgary Flames selected Cole Reschny. Reschny is a dangerous player on the ice and tallied 92 points in 62 games with the Victoria Royals of the WHL this past season. He is such a talented passer and threat in open ice, and his game is only going to get better. He’s a perfect fit for the Flames, who just missed out on the playoffs this past season.
Notable Pick: Charlie Cerrato, C (Round 2, Pick 49)
With the 49th pick, the Carolina Hurricanes selected Charlie Cerrato, who just finished his freshman year at Penn State. The 20-year-old tallied 42 points with Penn State this past season and was crucial in getting the Nittany Lions to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history. While he’s primarily offensive-oriented, he’s strong on the defensive end, making him a solid pick for the Hurricanes.
Notable Pick: Anton Frondell, C (Round 1, Pick 3)
The Chicago Blackhawks picked Anton Frondell third, despite expectations that he would be a mid-first-round selection. Frondell has impressive puck skills and is dexterous, proving he can be an immediate playmaker. Furthermore, he has such a unique ability to change pace in an instant and can capitalize off of rebounds in front of the net. However, given the talent that was still on the board, the pick feels like a missed opportunity for Chicago.
Notable Pick: Francesco Dell’Elce, D (Round 3, Pick 77)
With the 77th pick in the NHL Draft, the Colorado Avalanche selected Francesco Dell’Elce. In his first year at UMass, Dell’Elce was a big contributor, tallying 24 points in 40 games. He possesses a strong hockey IQ, has a solid shot, and can move well on defense. The Avalanche have to be happy about what they got here, considering the defensemen’s strong two-way abilities.
Notable Pick: Jackson Smith, D (Round 1, Pick 14)
With the No. 14 pick, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a fantastic pick in Jackson Smith. Ranked the No. 6 prospect on the final B/R board, Smith is not only a relentless defenseman with quick skating, but he’s also an extremely solid passer. The 18-year-old logged 43 assists in 68 games with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL this past season. Smith will fit right in with the Blue Jackets’ defensive standout, Zach Werenski.
Notable Pick: Cameron Schmidt, RW (Round 3, Pick 94)
The Dallas Stars’ first pick came in the third round, where they took Cameron Schmidt with the 94th pick. Schmidt may be a bit undersized, but do not for one second look past him. In 61 games with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL this past season, Schmidt had 78 points. He has a high-level hockey IQ, impressive footwork, and tons of creativity, which makes him a worthy pick here for Dallas.
Notable Pick: Carter Bear, LW (Round 1, Pick 13)
The Detroit Red Wings secured a steal with the 13th pick. B/R’s Final Board had Carter Bear as the No. 7 prospect in this year’s draft. The 18-year-old tallied 82 points this past season with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. He’s a standout playmaker who has both grit and relentless drive to capitalize on every on-ice opportunity. The teenager is exactly the type of player the Red Wings needed, and he’ll fit right in with Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrinicat.
Notable Pick: Tommy Lafreniere, C, (Round 3, 83)
The Edmonton Oilers didn’t have a pick until the third round, but they made sure to do the most with it. They selected 18-year-old Tommy Lafrenier, who is coming off a dominant season where he finished with 56 points in 68 games, the second-most points among WHL rookies. While he’s definitely undersized, he’s a quick mover and has strong awareness. He will need to add on to his current build, but he’s a strong prospect for the Oilers, considering he’s also great at generating turnovers on the defensive end.
Notable Pick: Shamar Moses, F (Round 5, Pick 129)
Fresh off winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, the Florida Panthers made six picks in this year’s draft, none more intriguing than Shamar Moses at No. 129. Moses had 48 points in 61 games for the North Battalion of the OHL last year, blossoming into a player with impressive passing and a keen awareness of his surroundings. He’s relentless and can eventually become a contributor for the Panthers in a few years.
Notable Pick: Henry Brzustewicz, D (Round 1, Pick 31)
With the 31st pick in the NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings selected Henry Brzustewicz. The selection of the defenseman in the first round was somewhat unexpected, given his lack of inclusion in many mock drafts for the opening round. Brzustewicz is a solid skater that shows flashes of creativity, but he’ll need to quickly develop to make a contribution in the NHL.
Notable Pick: Theodor Hallquisth, D (Round 2, Pick 52)
With the 52nd pick in the NHL Draft, the Minnesota Wild selected Theodor Hallquisth. The 18-year-old is coming off an impressive year with the Örebro Junior Team in Sweden, where he recorded 22 points in 41 games. He’s a versatile player with two-way abilities and, with some more development, could have significant contributions to the Wild.
Notable Pick: Alexander Zharkovsky, RW (Round 2, Pick 34)
With the 34th pick in the NHL Draft, the Canadiens selected Alexander Zharkovsky. While Zharkovsky is undersized, don’t undermine his abilities. He’s a quick skater with impressive stick skills. In 45 games with the Tolpar Ufa of the MHL, the 18-year-old had 50 points. There’s plenty to like about this pick for the Canadiens. Over time, Zharkovsky should be able to significantly contribute to this team.
Notable Pick: Brady Martin, C (Round 1, Pick 5)
With the No. 5 pick, the Nashville Predators opted to boost their offense, selecting Brady Martin. The 18-year-old has a hockey IQ well beyond his age and plays every shift as if it’s his last. It’s not necessarily his speed that stands out, but rather his playmaking tools. In 57 games with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL this past season, Martin had 72 points. Furthermore, Martin possesses strong defensive skills and is poised to make a significant impact soon.
Notable Pick: Ben Kevan, RW (Round 2, Pick 63)
With the 63rd pick in the NHL Draft, the New Jersey Devils selected Ben Kevan. The right-winger saw a dip in production this past year with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USL, scoring 11 fewer goals than his previous season. Nonetheless, he’s a solid two-way player that gives the Devils plenty to be excited about here at pick No. 63.
Notable Pick: Matthew Schaefer, D (Round 1, Pick 1)
The New York Islanders had the No. 1 pick for the first time since 2009. And it’s clear they made the right pick in Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer has outstanding speed and a seamless ability to play on open ice. He has hockey IQ well beyond his age and has also developed into a bit of an offensive playmaker. The Islanders were in dire need of a defenseman, and in Schaefer, they have a player with limitless potential.
Malcolm Spence, LW (Round 2, Pick 43)
With the 43rd pick in the NHL Draft, the New York Rangers selected Malcolm Spence. The 18-year-old had 73 points in 65 games with the Erie Otters of the OHL this past season. With the Rangers potentially opting for a youth movement, Spence can prove to be a real contributor down the road. It’s a surprise he went this late considering he was a consensus first-round draft pick. Then again, that could just be a testament to how much talent this draft has.
Notable Pick: Logan Hensler, D (Round 1, Pick 23)
With the 23rd pick in the NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators selected defenseman Logan Hensler. Hensler has solid stick work and is a quick skater, but to take the next step, he’ll really have to work on limiting the turnovers in the defensive zone. The Senators have much to be hopeful about, given that he just finished his first year at the University of Wisconsin.
Notable Pick: Benjmin Kindel, RW (Round 1, Pick 11)
With the 11th pick in the NHL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Benjamin Kindel in a bit of a surprising move. The right-winger was projected as a late first-round pick, but he has top-notch creativity and tallied 99 points in 65 games this season with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. There was a lot of talent left on the board, but Kindel has so much raw talent that now it is just a matter of fully putting it together.
Notable Pick: Michael Misa, LW (Round 1, Pick 2)
The Sharks scored the draft’s best all-around player in Michael Misa. Misa finished with 134 points in 65 OHL games this past season, the most among any player in all major-junior leagues. He has a relentless motor with a game IQ that is well beyond his 18 years of age. Then there are his stick skills and playmaking abilities, making him a tantalizing NHL prospect. Misa should be able to contribute immediately to the Sharks alongside last year’s top pick, Macklin Celibrini.
Notable Pick: Jake O’Brien, C (Round 1, Pick 8)
With the 8th pick in the NHL Draft, the Seattle Kraken selected Jake O’Brien. The 18-year-old center is one of the top talents in the draft. This past season he had 98 points in just 66 games with the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL. His playmaking abilities should have no issues translating in the NHL, and it’s expected that he’ll become a staple of the Kraken for years to come given his ability to set teammates up for success.
Notable Pick: Justin Carbonneau, RW (Round 1, Pick 19)
The St. Louis Blues made a fantastic pick at No. 19, selecting right wing Justin Carbonneau. The teenager is a sensational playmaker with great puck vision. He absolutely feasted with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL this past season, tallying 89 points in 62 games played. Carbonneau has sometimes shown a tendency to try to do everything himself. Nonetheless, the 18-year-old feels like the absolute right pick for the Blues, who can definitely use some more firepower.
Notable Pick: Ethan Czata, C (Round 2, Pick 56)
With the 56th pick in the NHL Draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Ethan Czata. The 18-year-old center had 55 points in 68 games with the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL this past season. While it’s his offense that stands out, his ability to close out on defense and come out with aggression makes him a unique prospect for Tampa Bay. In a few years, Czata could become a useful part of Tampa’s identity.
Notable Pick: Tinus Luc Koblar, C (Round 2, Pick 64)
With the 64th pick in the NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Tinus Luc Koblar. The 17-year-old Norwegian center is a few years away from NHL-level play but is a strong playmaker and handles the puck well. He may not have been on many teams’ radars, but he has great potential, reads the game well, and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line. He’ll need to improve as a skater, but with time, that should come.
Notable Pick: Caleb Desnoyers, C (Round 1, Pick 4)
With the No. 4 pick in the NHL Draft, the Utah Mammoth selected Caleb Desnoyers. In 56 regular season games with the Moncton Wildcats, Desnoyers had 84 points. He is a skilled puck handler, has great hockey IQ, and is strong in open ice. It feels like a bit of a reach to grab Desnoyers with a top five pick, but there is tremendous upside here, and Utah should be pleased with what they got.
Notable Pick: Porter Martone, RW (Round 1, Pick 6)
The Philadelphia Flyers are getting an absolute steal in Porter Martone. Martone, the No. 3 prospect per B/R’s final board, possesses an incredible offensive skill set. He tallied 98 points in 57 games with the Brampton Steelheads of the OHL this past season. However, the one concern is his pattern of hovering around the zone. To an extent, he’ll need to become a bit more aggressive on both ends, but the result is still a massive win.
Notable Pick: Braeden Cootes, C (Round 1, Pick 15)
With the No. 15 pick, the Vancouver Canucks selected Braeden Cootes. Despite being 6 feet tall, the 18-year-old’s speed and energy often pose a challenge to opposing defenses. In 60 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL this season, Cootes had 63 points. He also dominated for the 18U Canadian team with 12 points in seven games. Given that the Canucks shipped J.T. Miller to New York halfway through last season and likely lost Brock Boeser in free agency, the center was unquestionably the best pick they could have made.
Notable Pick: Mateo Nobert (Round 3, Pick 85)
With the 85th pick, the Vegas Golden Knights selected Mateo Nobert. The forward had plenty of success with the Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL this past year, recording 67 points in 57 games. He’s a highly skilled playmaker and has such great vision, often setting his teammates up for success. He’s still got a long way to go but projects to be a strong prospect for Vegas.
Notable Pick: Lynden Lakovic, LW (Round 1, Pick 27)
With the 27th pick, the Washington Capitals selected Lyden Lakovic. The left-winger played in 47 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors this past season, tallying 58 total points. He has a strong shot and mobility, but to really get to the next level, he’ll have to really become more physical. However, the Capitals have numerous reasons for optimism.
Notable Pick: Sascha Boumedienne, D (Round 1, Pick 28)
The Winnipeg Jets opted to bolster their blue line with the No. 28 pick, selecting Sascha Boumedienne. He may be two to three years away from cracking the NHL roster, but there’s plenty to like. He already possesses a lethal slap shot, high-end hockey IQ, and excellent vision as a passer in open ice. The biggest improvements in his game will need to occur in the defensive zone, although he demonstrated progress late in his freshman year at Boston University. All in all, the Jets landed a promising long-term piece with this pick.
