The Philadelphia Flyers notoriously have the strangest and most mysterious draft boards, and the trade rumors and hype around the 2025 NHL Draft don't make them any easier to decipher.

But, given the Flyers' recent draft history, we can deduct that it's unlikely for them to go on a size bender for a second year in a row.

Jack Berglund, Spencer Gill, Heikki Ruohonen, Noah Powell, and Austin Moline are all 6-foot-2 or taller, while Jett Luchanko and Ilya Pautov were the only players the Flyers selected in 2024 shorter than 6-foot-2.

With the No. 6 pick, we can safely assume that the Flyers will take the most talented player on their board, be it James Hagens, Jake O'Brien, or Porter Martone.

After that, with the 22nd and 31st picks, it might be open season. But I'll put together my final big board and rankings, and we'll come back to this a little later. Deal?

And, for reference, this big board is organized in the order I would draft these players in if I was the Flyers. Note that these rankings will be sorted by position only, starting with left wing.

Top 10 NHL Draft LWs

1. Lynden Lakovic, Moose Jaw

2. Cullen Potter, Arizona State

3. Malcom Spence, Erie

4. Bill Zonnon, Rouyn-Noranda

5. Jack Murtagh, Boston College

6. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, Lulea

7. Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver

8. William Moore, Michigan

9. Kristian Epperson, Saginaw

10. Daniil Prokhorov, Dynamo

Top 10 NHL Draft Cs

1. Michael Misa, Saginaw

2. James Hagens, Boston College

3. Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton

4. Roger McQueen, Brandon

5. Jake O'Brien, Brantford

6. Anton Frondell, Djurgardens IF

7. Carter Bear, Everett

8. Cole Reschny, Victoria

9. Braden Cootes, Seattle

10. Ivan Ryabkin, Muskegon

Top 10 NHL Draft RWs

1. Porter Martone, Brampton

2. Victor Eklund, Djurgardens IF

3. Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie

4. Benjamin Kindel, Calgary

5. Vaclav Nestrasil, Muskegon

6. Justin Carbonneau, Blainville-Boisbriand

7. Alex Zharovsky, Tolpar Ufa

8. L.J. Mooney, USNTDP

9. Shane Vansaghi, Michigan State

10. Ryker Lee, Madison

Top 10 NHL Draft LDs

1. Matthew Schaefer, Erie

2. Jackson Smith, Penn State

3. Kashawn Aitcheson, Barrie

4. Cam Reid, Kitchener

5. Sascha Boumedienne, Boston

6. Kurban Limatov, Dynamo

7. Haoxi "Simon" Wang, Oshawa

8. Mace'o Phillips, USNTDP

9. Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, Michigan

10. Jacob Rombach, Lincoln

Top 10 NHL Draft RDs

1. Radim Mrtka, Seattle

2. Logan Hensler, Wisconsin

3. Blake Fiddler, Edmonton

4. Henry Brzustewicz, London

5. David Bedkowski, Owen Sound

6. Carter Amico, USNTDP

7. Charlie Trethewey, USNTDP

8. Maddox Labre, Victoriaville

9. Alex Huang, Chicoutimi

10. Quinn Beauchesne, Guelph

Top 10 NHL Draft Goalies

1. Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George

2. Alexei Medvedev, London

3. Semyon Frolov, Spartak

4. Jack Ivankovic, Brampton

5. Petteri Rimpinen, Kiekko-Espoo

6. Pyotr Andreyanov, Krasnaya

7. Michael Pradel, Tri-City

8. Burke Hood, Vancouver

9. Mans Goos, Farjestad BK

10. Love Harenstram, Skelleftea

These rankings are built on value plays and personal favorites, and also what I believe the Flyers are going to value.

The 6-foot-5 Vaclav Nestrasil, even as a right wing, might be someone the Flyers covet.

That's something that influenced my defense rankings as well, given the Flyers trade links to players like Alexander Romanov and Nicolas Hague. Plus, they don't have many big defensemen in general.

I expect the Flyers to draft at least one goalie, though Joshua Ravensbergen might go too high for their liking. Alexei Medvedev of London would be my top target at the top of Round 2 on Saturday.

LOS ANGELES – They couldn't say much, but the bigwigs with the NHL and the Players' Association did confirm we have entered an era of almost unheard-of labor peace in hockey.

Gathering the morning of the NHL draft in Los Angeles, commissioner Gary Bettman, deputy commissioner Bill Daly, NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh and NHLPA assistant executive director Ron Hainsey held a press conference where they confirmed that a new collective bargaining agreement was ready to be ratified by its constituents.

Because that ratification hasn't officially happened, they were scant with the details of what said CBA would contain, but what we do know at least is that it will be four years long and begin after next season. So the next five years are taken care of.

"We had a very constructive, professional, collaborative collective bargaining process," Bettman said. "We identified the issues that were important to both sides, and Marty and I have established a very good tone and very good basis for our relationship going forward. I am delighted."

As Walsh noted, the league and the union have been on a roll lately, and both sides wanted to keep that momentum going. From the 4 Nations Face-Off to the upcoming Olympics and World Cup, there has been a lot to work on together in a positive sense lately, which seems to have bled over to the nitty-gritty of a new CBA.

"Compared to other negotiations I've been part of, this was a little different," Walsh said. "We went back-and-forth with very open dialogue. Even the complicated issues that might have come up were given complete thought on both sides, and we were able to get to some good resolutions here. I'm happy with the process, and hopefully, the players will be happy with the outcome."

Bettman, who had faced some heated pushback from past NHLPA leaders during his reign as commissioner, couldn't help but add his two cents on his relationship with Walsh so far, addressing the union head sitting next to him on stage.

"To say this was a little different – from my standpoint, I assure you this was completely different," Bettman said. "And that's a testament to you and the tone you set."

As for why the new CBA will come in at four years, Walsh had a very reasonable take on why he prefers what we could call a 'mid-length' agreement.

"I like having contracts that are four or five years at the max so you have an opportunity to see what's right, and if there's a mistake you can fix it down the road," he said. "For longer-term contracts you have players in the league who have never gone through these negotiations. We have some players who came into this league under the last agreement and retired under the last agreement. They never had a chance to really express their collective bargaining opinions or rights. I just feel it's important to capture the thoughts of the players at the time. Generations of players change, so we want to make sure we get them active."

Eventually, the NHL could be run by the likes of Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer. This new CBA – whatever it contains – will give them a chance to play under one agreement while looking ahead to the next one, which they could help shape. And as long as the current relationship between Bettman and Walsh stays strong, that CBA might be fairly frictionless, too.

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Flyers trade up in first round, grab rising center at No. 12 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Danny Briere was aggressive in the first round of the 2025 NHL draft Friday night, moving up to No. 12 and grabbing center Jack Nesbitt.

The Flyers sent pick Nos. 22 and 31 to the Penguins.

Nesbitt is an 18-year-old center with excellent length and smarts, which make him super effective on the forecheck and finishing in close. With more opportunity down the stretch, the 6-foot-4, 186-pounder stood out on a loaded 2024-25 Windsor Spitfires club in the OHL.

“That confidence took me a long way,” Nesbitt said Friday night in a Zoom interview. “Just kept getting better and better. I’m very happy with the outcome and I’m excited to get going.”

For a team that had 124-point Ilya Protas and 119-point Liam Greentree, Nesbitt recorded 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) and a plus-12 rating in 65 games. Six of his goals came on the power play, two were at shorthanded and he won 51.4 percent of his faceoffs. He added 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 12 playoff games.

From February to the end of the regular season, Nesbitt put up 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 18 games.

“We think his upside is really, really strong,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said June 11 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I think teams will step up for him. It was consensus with our group and I think it’s consensus with a lot of NHL teams.

“Windsor was very well-scouted near the end of the year and in the playoffs just because he continued to elevate his game as the season went along. So I think this is a player that teams will step up for. He has got so much room to grow, so much room.”

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Nesbitt was the 15th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. EliteProspects.com had him at No. 48 overall on its board, while TSN’s Craig Button had him at 38th.

As he develops, Nesbitt will have to improve his foot speed, which would help his ability to separate and score.

“I play a very physical game,” Nesbitt said. “As a bigger guy, I need to improve my skating. I’m looking to put on a lot weight, so that’s going to come, as well. I’m going to be working a lot on my skating, quick feet. As a centerman, I’m going to have to get out of those small areas pretty quick, get on the forecheck, stuff like that.”

Center has been a position of need for the Flyers organizationally. They addressed it in the first round last summer when they took speedster Jett Luchanko out of the OHL. Nesbitt gives the Flyers another OHL pivot with some all-situation qualities.

Earlier in the first round Friday night, the Flyers grabbed winger Porter Martone at sixth overall. The draft wraps up Saturday with Rounds 2-7. Here’s where the Flyers are slotted to pick.

If indeed true Stanley Cup contenders are built from the back out, the Montreal Canadiens should find themselves again among the serious championship hopefuls before long.

With the reported acquisition and re-signing of 25-year-old Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, the Canadiens have revealed their clear intention of having a blueline corps that is built to succeed in today's NHL. It will be fast. It will be offensive. It will be dynamic.

With Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj joining Dobson now and perhaps David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux joining them before long, the Canadiens have the makings of a top six that could be as good as any in the NHL.

Dobson is not perfect, but he's better than he was this past year. And if he recovers his form, this deal will represent a huge win for the Canadiens.

Watch today's video column for more, and share your thoughts.

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Happy 2025 NHL Draft day Vancouver Canucks fans. As of writing, Vancouver will still be picking during the first round, which will start at 4:00 pm PT later today. In honour of the draft, let’s take a look at the 2024–25 Canucks who were drafted by the team and have stuck around since. 

The Canucks’ “Veterans”

Thatcher Demko was the player who was drafted by Vancouver first of all players who played for the Canucks in 2024–25. The 36th overall pick in 2014, Demko has been with the organization for over 10 years and has long been considered a staple in the team’s future. Despite a 35-win, five-shutout season in 2023–24, injuries forced Demko out of the starter’s role in 2024–25. After Vancouver re-signed Kevin Lankinen in February, many wondered what Demko’s fate would be. However, recently, reports have circulated that the team is working on extending him past the 2025–26 season. 

The second longest-tenured Canucks draft pick currently with the team is Brock Boeser, who was selected 23rd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. A season ago, Boeser reached a career milestone by notching his first 40-goal season. While Boeser is coming up on his 10-year anniversary with the team, some of the roster moves the Canucks have made as of late seem to indicate that he may not be returning to the team come the 2025–26 season. 

Finally, Vancouver’s 66th pick in the 2015 NHL Draft was Guillaume Brisebois, who has been a steady presence within the organization since being drafted. He has consistently filled a depth role with both Vancouver and their AHL affiliates — the Utica Comets as well as the Abbotsford Canucks. After winning the Calder Cup with Abbotsford this week, Brisebois’ contract has officially expired, with the defenceman now becoming a UFA. 

Semi-Recent Draft Picks

Next on this list is Elias Pettersson, who was picked fifth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. Pettersson, previously a 100-point player and near 40-goal scorer in 2022–23, has been hit with injuries as of late which have impacted his on-ice play, among other things. Even so, many in the organization, as well as Pettersson himself, have insisted that he will have a bounce-back year next season. 

"He's Got A Lot To Motivate Him, And I Believe He'll Do It.": Canucks Jim Rutherford Discusses His Expectations For Elias PetterssonThe 2024-25 season was disappointing for center Elias Pettersson. He dealt with injuries throughout the year, while his rift with J.T. Miller reached a level that forced the organization to trade the 32-year-old to the New York Rangers. Overall, Pettersson recorded 45 points in 64 games, which was the second-lowest of his seven-year NHL career. 

In 2018, the Canucks were gifted a miracle in Quinn Hughes dropping to seventh overall. The defenceman, who has arguably been the team’s best player in every season since donning Canucks blue and green, won his first James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2023–24. He led his team in points this season with 16 goals and 60 assists despite only playing in 68 games. A major record holder for the Canucks in most of their defensive categories, Hughes has been one of — if not the best — picks by Vancouver in modern history.  

In 2019, the Canucks used their 40th overall selection to draft Nils Höglander, a scrappy forward who flew out of the gates with an impressive rookie season, but faltered slightly in his second and third NHL seasons. The forward had a massive rebound season in 2023–24, scoring 24 even-strength goals. Höglander’s energetic presence on the ice has helped him carve out a position in the team’s lineup. 

Vancouver could not have possibly known that they would be drafting the future 2025 Calder Cup Playoff MVP 156th overall in 2019, but when they selected Artūrs Šilovs with that pick, they did. Šilovs has proved himself in important moments for his various teams, from helping Team Latvia capture their first IIHF World Championship bronze medal in history in 2023, to backstopping the Canucks to Game 7 of the 2024 Pacific Division Finals. Along with Brisebois, he won the 2025 Calder Cup after starting all 24 postseason games and recording five shutouts. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

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Vancouver’s Recent Draft Selections

Of Vancouver’s four recent draft picks who played for the NHL club in the 2024–25 season, three were drafted in 2022. The first was Jonathan Lekkerimäki, who quickly became the team’s top prospect after they selected him 15th overall. A prolific goal-scorer, Lekkerimäki finished his rookie season with the AHL Canucks with 19 goals and nine assists in 36 games played. He made his NHL debut on November 12 against the Calgary Flames. In Abbotsford’s Calder Cup run, he put up three goals and four assists in 16 games. 

The second player with the name “Elias Pettersson” to ever be drafted to the Canucks was the defenceman, who was taken 80th overall in 2022. Pettersson made his NHL debut in January and stuck in the lineup consistently after that. During a successful few months with Abbotsford in 2024–25, Pettersson earned a place at the 2025 AHL All-Star Challenge, but was unable to attend as he was already playing with the Canucks. With a goal and two assists in his first 28 NHL games, as well as a calm but physical demeanour in all situations, Pettersson looks to have solidified himself within the team’s defensive core. 

Picked 208th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft with Vancouver’s final selection, Kirill Kudryavtsev may not have Hughes-level point totals, but he has made his mark as an impactful player who could become the steal of his draft. Kudryavtsev made his NHL debut at the end of the 2024–25 season and was a major presence in Abbotsford’s Calder Cup run. 

"I Know That You Just Never Give Up": Kirill Kudryavtsev Discusses His Development In The OHL This Season And How He Is Ready To Do Whatever It Takes To One Day Make The NHLInitially drafted in the seventh round by the Canucks, Kudryavtsev has developed into a draft-day steal and finished his third OHL season with five goals and 47 points in 67 games.

Finally, the most recent Canucks draft pick to play a game for the team in 2024–25 was Ty Mueller, who was selected 105th overall in 2023. The centre played in his first AHL season in 2024–25, scoring 12 goals and 27 assists in 64 games played. He participated in the AHL All-Star Challenge in place of Pettersson, and made his NHL debut on April 12 against the Minnesota Wild. As a rookie, Mueller flourished under the guidance of head coach Manny Malhotra, and became a dependable presence in Abbotsford’s lineup. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Denver, Colo. - With just $1.2 million in cap space, the Colorado Avalanche were slated to head into this year's free agency period with a bit of a handicap.

Well, not anymore. 

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun broke news of a trade call that started off sending Colorado Avalanche center Charlie Coyle, who had one year left on his $5.25 million contract, to the Columbus Blue Jackets. LeBrun announced just minutes later that Miles Wood, who still carries a four-year, $2.5 million contract, would also be sent off to Columbus.

In return, Colorado will get the lower of Columbus' two 2nd round picks in 2027, a 3rd round pick in the 2025 draft (which will take place on Saturday, 6/28), and 20-year-old RW prospect Gavin Brindley.

Full trade:

To Avs:
Prospect Gavin Brindley
3rd Rd pick tomorrow (77th overall),
conditional 2nd-round pick in ‘27

To CBJ: Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood

No salary retained

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 27, 2025

As mentioned in LeBrun's post outlining the full trade, Columbus did not retain any salary on Coyle or Wood, which frees up an extra $7.75 million to work with come July 1st. The Avalanche still have a Sam Malinski (RFA) deal to try and work out, but now they can renegotiate some cheaper and better-quality contracts to fill out the rest of the remaining holes on their roster.

Brindley, drafted by Columbus 34th overall in the 2023 NHL draft, spent all of last season with the Cleveland Monsters, Columbus' AHL affiliate. In 52 games, he totaled 17 points (6 goals/11 assists). On the smaller side for a forward at 5-foot-9, he's known to be a reliable presence in the defensive zone and a brilliant puck-mover with excellent vision.

The Estero, Florida native made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets on April 16th, 2024 against the Carolina Hurricanes, just a day after signing a three-year ELC.

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Sharks draft goalie Josh Ravensbergen at No. 30 overall  originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After adding some firepower up front at No. 2 overall, the Sharks addressed the other side of the ice at the back end of the first-round.

In a somewhat surprising move, San Jose selected goalie Josh Ravensbergen at No. 30 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Welcome to the Sharks, Joshua Ravensbergen! 🦈#TheFutureIsTealpic.twitter.com/jfvpyeQK81

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) June 28, 2025

Ravensbergen spent the last two seasons netminding for the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, 33-13-4 record during the 2024-25 season.

Ravensbergen, a WHL Goaltender of the Year finalist, is the first WHL goalie selected in the first round of the #NHLDraft since Sebastian Cossa in 2021!@SanJoseSharks fans, this Berger comes supersized🤩@TheFutureisTeal | @PGCougarspic.twitter.com/BbFy0ostUz

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) June 28, 2025

The 18-year-old goalie is 6-foot-5, 191 pounds and brings tremendous upside to a Sharks goalie room headlined by standout prospect Yaroslav Askarov.

“Ravensbergen’s certainly a guy that has the upside potential,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I still think he’s finding his way as to what type of goaltender he’s going to be, but he’s someone, when you project, who has got a very good upside to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL one day.”

Elite Prospects had Ravensbergen ranked as their No. 1 goalie prospect in the 2025 class, and the No. 24 prospect overall.

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The Colorado Avalanche traded Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

Columbus traded prospect Gavin Brindley, a third-round pick (77th overall) in the 2025 NHL draft and a conditional 2027 second-rounder.

The Avalanche clear $7.75 million of salary cap space and get assets in return, while the Blue Jackets add multiple veterans for depth as they look to take the next step in 2025-26.

"We are very excited to welcome Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets family," Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said in a news release. "Charlie is an experienced, two-way player that adds size and versatility to our group, while Miles is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL who provides great energy and physicality.

"Beyond being outstanding players, both are high-character people who will fit in perfectly with our group and what we are building here in Columbus."

Coyle, 33, had 17 goals and 35 points in 83 games this past season. The Boston Bruins traded him to the Avalanche at the NHL trade deadline. He's entering the final season of a six-year contract carrying a $5.25-million cap hit. In 2023-24, Coyle had a career-high 60 points with the Bruins while averaging 18:04 in ice time.

Wood, 29, recorded four goals and eight points in 37 games. He has four seasons left on a six-year contract worth $2.5 million annually. He dealt with an upper-body injury that kept him out of the lineup for nearly two months. When healthy, he provides depth scoring and some physicality, recording a career-high 107 hits in 2023-24.

Brindley (34th overall in 2023), played his first pro season with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters. The 20-year-old right winger had six goals and 17 points in 52 games. In 2023-24, he was the NCAA's Big Ten player of the year with 25 goals and 53 points in 40 games for the University of Michigan, and he won gold at the world juniors with Team USA. He's entering the third year of his entry-level contract with a $950,000 cap hit.

The Avalanche now have $8.95 million in projected cap space and three picks in this weekend's draft – the third-rounder they just received, a fourth-rounder and a seventh-rounder – according to PuckPedia.

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, still have seven picks in the 2025 NHL draft, including two first-rounders. After that, they don't have a selection until the fourth round. They have more than $32.6 million in projected cap space.

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On June 26, NHL insider Darren Dreger reported on X that the Pittsburgh Penguins are open to moving their 11th overall or 12th overall pick "for the right young player." 

Several 1st round picks in play, especially with clubs with more than one. Pitt will move 11/12 for the right young player. Mtl would move 16/17. Habs need a top 6 F. Philly wants to keep 6, but will trade 22/31. Nashville has 5/23/26 and is still evaluating all options.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2025

Due to this, let's look at two potential targets who the Penguins should consider flipping one of their 2025 first-round picks for now. 

Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars 

Jason Robertson is exactly the kind of young star that the Penguins should consider making a push for. At 25 years old, he is just entering his prime, and he would be a massive addition to the Penguins' roster. 

Robertson has been the subject of trade rumors this off-season, and it would be understandable if the Penguins pursued him. When looking at Pittsburgh's lineup, Robertson would be an amazing fit on their first line with superstar Sidney Crosby. 

It would take more than just the Penguins' 11th or 12th overall pick to land Robertson, but he would be worth it when noting that he is an elite winger multiple years away from turning 30. In 82 games this season with Dallas, Robertson posted 35 goals, 80 points, and a plus-10 rating. 

Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild 

Marco Rossi is another notable young forward in the rumor mill right now, and more eyes could be on him with the JJ Peterka recently being traded to the Utah Mammoth. With Rossi being a 23-year-old top-six forward, he could be precisely the kind of player the Penguins would like to add. 

If the Penguins acquired Rossi, he would offer them a potential long-term answer for their second-line center spot. This is a need, especially with Evgeni Malkin entering the final season of his current deal with the Penguins. In addition, Rossi would also offer the Penguins another valuable weapon for their power play if acquired. 

In 82 games this season with the Wild, Rossi set career highs with 24 goals, 36 assists, and 60 points. 

NHL Trade Rumors: 2 Teams Interested In Penguins' Bryan RustPittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust is one of the NHL's most-talked-about trade candidates right now. With the Penguins retooling their roster, the veteran winger has naturally been the subject of trade speculation. 

Photo Credit:  © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Former New Jersey Devils forward Miles Wood is on the move. 

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Colorado Avalanche are trading Wood and Charlie Coyle to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick, and Gavin Brindley. 

Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus for:

2nd 2027
3 this year
Gavin Brindley

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 27, 2025

Wood posted four goals, four assists, 48 hits, and a minus-5 rating in 37 regular-season games this year with the Avalanche. He also played in one post-season game, where he had zero points and a minus-3 rating. 

Wood was selected by the Devils with the 100th overall pick and spent his first eight NHL seasons in New Jersey. In 402 games as a Devil, the 6-foot-2 forward recorded 78 goals, 70 assists, 148 points, and 486 hits. His time with the Devils ended during the 2023 off-season when he signed a six-year, $15 million contract with the Avalanche in free agency. Now, he is back in the Metropolitan Division but as a Blue Jacket. 

NHL Trade Rumors: Devils Should Pursue Avalanche StarThe New Jersey Devils are undoubtedly a team to watch with the NHL Entry Draft and the start of free agency rapidly approaching. The Devils are expected to be busy this summer as they look to take that next step and cement themselves as true contenders. 

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Flyers take Martone at No. 6 to kick off their NHL draft 2025 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Flyers made Porter Martone their 2025 NHL draft headliner, selecting him at No. 6 overall Friday night.

The 18-year-old is the captain of the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads. He’s arguably the top winger in this draft.

“He’s a pretty complete package,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said June 11 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “And I don’t think he gets recognized as much for his skills and smarts as what he brings.”

The 6-foot-3, 204-pounder has a slew of attributes that teams covet. He’s a dogged competitor, he forces turnovers and protects the puck along the boards, he sees the ice and he scores from the areas in which you need offense.

“He’s a good physical package and he can play that power forward game, but I think the tendency there might be that [people] don’t really recognize the skill set that he has,” Marr said. “Like, he’s a very offensively skilled player. He has got the offensive instincts, but he has got really good hands and good puck skills.”

Martone recorded 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) and a plus-19 rating in 57 regular-season games for the 2024-25 Steelheads. He had seven games of four or more points; Michael Misa, the second overall pick who also played in the OHL, had eight such games. Martone added four goals and five assists in six playoff games.

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He was considered the third-best player in the draft by EliteProspects.com. TSN’s Craig Button had him at No. 4, while NHL Central Scouting had him as the sixth-ranked North American skater.

In their system, the Flyers needed some help at right winger. Martone now gives them a big boost. Down the road, the Flyers’ right side will feature a pair of top-seven picks in Martone and Matvei Michkov.

The Flyers have two more first-round picks with Nos. 22 and 31.

As one of two teams with three picks in the first round, the Nashville Predators have a lot of flexibility in this year's NHL Draft. 

Alongside the fifth overall pick, the Predators have the 23rd and 26th overall picks. It's a new franchise record and is tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the most first-round draft picks. 

MORE: NHL Draft preview: Frondell, Hagens, McQueen emerge as favorites for Predators 5th overall pick

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 2022-2024 

MORE: Trotz, Predators prepared to get 'a really good player' at NHL Draft

Nashville obtained the 23rd overall pick in a trade in 2023 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Predators sent Tanner Jeannot to the Lightning for Cal Foote, a 2024 second-round pick, a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft and the 2025 first-round pick. 

If you thought that was complicated, the Predators got the 26th overall pick in a three-way trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks.

The Predators traded Yaroslav Askarov, Nolan Burke and a 2025 third-round pick to the San Jose Sharks for Magnus Chrona, David Edstrom and the 2025 first-round pick. 

Five prospects have jumped out as favorites for the Predators to draft with these two picks, with the most popular player being defenseman Sascha Boumedienne. 

The 6-foot-1-inch, 175-pound Swede played this past season with Boston University, scoring 13 points in 40 games and logging 33 penalty minutes. He helped the Tarriers to an appearance in the NCAA National Championship game. 

With a lankier build, Boumedienne's specialty comes in his mobility on the ice and skating. It's a more offensively minded defenseman who, with more experience, could add some nice depth on the Predators' blue line.

🇸🇪 #5 // Sascha Boumedienne // 6’2 183 🇸🇪

Boumedienne is an active, mobile defenceman, who uses his feet and passing to push the pace. His skating is excellent, displaying high-end mobility in all directions. The decision making was was hit and miss pic.twitter.com/2KowrpgkRT

— Matt Mosewich (@EDMFutureWatch) September 21, 2024

If Nashville is still looking for center depth, another favorite is 5-foot-10-inch, 172-pound Cullen Potter. The Minnesota native just finished his first collegiate season with Arizona State, scoring 22 points in 35 games. 

He is also the son of former professional women's hockey player and Olympian Jenny Schmidgall-Potter. 

Potter is another player who will likely need to spend a few more seasons with Arizona State or in Milwaukee before making the jump to Nashville. Still, he is a very good transitional player. He can break out the puck well and generate good scoring chances on the rush, a critical skill for a center to have. 

Cullen Potter is one of my favorite 2025 draft prospects, so when I saw that his ASU team beat top-ranked Denver TWICE last weekend and snapped their 12-game win streak I had to take a closer look

Here are some of his highlights from those games (#12 in maroon). Dynamic player pic.twitter.com/WyaIDFfZ86

— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) November 29, 2024

Goalie Joshua Ravensbergen is a name being mentioned as a potential 26th overall pick for the Predators. This comes with caution as the Predators, over their 27-year history, have struggled with selecting goalies in the first round. 

At 6-foot-5-inches and 190 pounds, Ravensbergen is in his second season with the Prince George Cougars. He posted an impressive 33-13-4 record this season, with a .901 save percentage. His goals against average was a bit higher at 3.00. 

With a six-and-a-half-foot build, Ravensbergen definitely has an NHL goalie frame. It's always good to get a goalie in the system, but the question is if Nashville really needs one. 

Defenseman Blake Fiddler, the son of former Predator forward Vernon Fiddler, is a favorite to be selected at 23rd or 26th. 

Outside of his family connections, he put up 33 points in 64 games and logged 36 penalty minutes in his second season with the Edmonton Oil Kings. He's a strong, offensively minded player, and it wouldn't be surprising if he were picked up before the Predators had a chance. 

With a 6-foot-4-inch, 209-pound build, only more experience can really benefit Fiddler. Another season in the WHL could really show just what Fiddler is capable of. 

Blake Fiddler homecoming! 🇺🇸

The Frisco, TX native scores in his hometown at the #U18MensWorlds! @EdmOilKings | #NHLDraftpic.twitter.com/1BCn45kmFR

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) April 24, 2025

Center and quarterback Mason West is the final prospect that could land in the Predators lap. 

The 6-foot-6-inch, 215-pound Minnesotan just finished his junior year, splitting time between Edina High School's varsity hockey team and the Fargo Force in the USHL. He had 49 points in 39 games with Edina and nine points in 10 games with the Force.

At quarterback, West was 178-of-244 passing for 2,592 yards and threw 37 touchdowns. He also holds Division I football offers from Marshall, Miami (Ohio) and Kent State. 

He's already committed to Michigan State (to play hockey) and will be spending his senior year playing football for Edina and hockey for the Fargo Force. 

This is a very unique prospect, but the Predators wouldn't have him in the system until at least the 2027-28 season. Still, with his build and especially needing a center, West could be worth the wait.