The top steals from the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft
There was plenty of value to be had in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Several prospects were proof of that.
Whether it be Victor Eklund, No. 6 in FCHockey’s Final ranking for the 2025 draft, falling to the New York Islanders at No. 16 overall, or Lynden Lakovic, ranked No. 10, sliding all the way to 27th overall to the Washington Capitals, there were some not-so-sneaky quality picks made on Day 1.
“I was surprised with how few true steals and reaches went down in the first round, especially given the general feeling that this draft would be wide open after the first few picks,” FCHockey chief Western scout Donesh Mazloum said. “There were no agonizing slides down the draft board for anyone and the first round went more chalk than I expected. That being said, I already mentioned two great value picks in Eklund and Lakovic. I also think two players out of the college ranks in Logan Hensler and Cullen Potter have the chance to outkick their coverage.”
Here’s a look at some of the steals from the first round of the 2025 draft:
Cullen Potter | C | Arizona State (NCAA) | Calgary Flames
Potter, No. 9 in FCHockey’s Final ranking, might’ve had an impatient wait to hear his name called on draft day. He did, after all, have to wait until the ultimate pick of the first round before being optioned by the Calgary Flames — a 23-spot drop based on slotting.
“I think that the steal of the draft was Calgary getting Potter at No. 32,” FCHockey scout David Phillips said. “He has some of the most offensive upside in the draft, and in a class with minimal certainty he’s as good of a bet as any other prospect after No. 18.”
Potter is a dynamic, high-tempo forward defined by elite skating, explosive speed, and high-end agility. His quick crossovers and sharp edgework allow him to drive transition play, gain the offensive zone with control, and create space off the rush using lateral movement and deceptive fakes. Potter excels in one-on-one situations, combining quick hands with vision to find teammates or generate chances. Though undersized, he competes hard in tight areas, leveraging his low center of gravity to protect the puck and sustain pressure. He retrieves pucks effectively, draws penalties with relentless movement, and consistently finds open ice as an outlet or scoring option. His shot is quick but lacks velocity, limiting scoring threat under pressure. Defensively, he supports play and contributes on the penalty kill, though his backchecking effort can be inconsistent. With further refinement, Potter projects as a pace-driving, middle-six winger with offensive upside and special teams value.
Victor Eklund | LW | Djurgardens IF (Allsvenskan) | New York Islanders
It’s understandable if Eklund got a little squirrelly waiting for his name to be called. Though an undersized winger, he’s big on talent and landed inside FCHockey’s top 10 for the 2025 draft after a bit of a standout season playing in Sweden’s second-highest division.
“New York must have been ecstatic to see Eklund still on the board at No. 16 after failing to move up and secure James Hagens earlier in the draft,” FCHockey scout Joseph Aleong said. “Eklund brings an instant boost of offensive talent and plays with the same intensity and high pace the Islanders and coach Patrick Roy are known to favour.”
Eklund is a dynamic forward with explosive speed, elite puck skills, and relentless effort. His strong skating and quick acceleration allow him to create space and stay involved across the ice. He uses deception and sharp vision to open passing lanes and generate scoring chances, complemented by a quick, dangerous shot. Despite a smaller frame, Eklund competes fiercely in traffic and supports teammates in all zones. While occasionally overly individualistic and prone to defensive lapses, his skill, tenacity, and pace offer significant upside. With continued growth, he projects as a top-six NHL forward with impactful creativity and pressure.
Lynden Lakovic | LW | Moose Jaw (WHL) | Washington Capitals
Lakovic, like Eklund, probably wasn’t sitting too comfy before the Capitals called his name. The sizeable winger with a penchant for offensive prowess probably expected to step to the stage a little earlier than the No. 27 pick — and he wasn’t alone.
“Lakovic at No. 27 to Washington (is) an upside play for the Capitals on a player with a high-end offensive tool kit,” FCHockey regional scout Kareem Elshafey said. “There are kinks in his game, but Washington has drafted great recently, and I love the fit with them.”
Lakovic is a skilled, offensive-minded winger who combines size, fluid skating, and strong instincts. His smooth, powerful stride allows efficient movement through all zones, often arriving unnoticed in scoring areas. His refined puck skills focus on body positioning and composed stickhandling, enabling effective play in tight spaces. Lakovic’s heavy, accurate wrist shot and soft touch on redirections make him a stealthy offensive threat. While his playmaking is developing, recent improvements in vision have boosted his offensive impact. Defensively, he shows good lane coverage and penalty-kill awareness but can be passive or puck-focused at times. Lakovic leverages his size and strength in board battles and thrives as a complementary winger with consistent, timely execution.
Logan Hensler | D | Wisconsin (NCAA) | Ottawa Senators
Hensler fell in his projected range — he was No. 27 on FCHockey’s board — but there were more than a few excited about availability to the Ottawa Senators at the No. 23 pick.
“His defensive ability is there; no one doubts that, and he has great mobility as well,” FCHockey regional scout Jacob Roth said. “He gets knocked for his lack of production, but there are flashes of offensive ability there; I think if he just plays a little more aggressively on that end, it can really start to show. He has a safe floor as a middle-pair defenseman who you can rely on defensively, but I think he can be more of a Devon Toews type that can play big minutes and is strong on both ends of the ice.”
Hensler is a mobile, two-way defenseman known for strong skating, intelligent positioning, and reliable transitional play. His fluid edgework, quick acceleration, and reach allow him to maintain tight gaps and disrupt plays effectively. He excels at controlled breakouts and well-timed, accurate passes that initiate offense while playing a low-risk, composed game defensively. Trusted in penalty kills and key situations, Hensler provides steady support with the puck and engages physically when needed. Offensively, he contributes with precise point shots but remains somewhat passive in-zone. While his transition game is strong, improvements in assertiveness, offensive involvement, and top-end speed could elevate him. Overall, he projects as a dependable, steady top-four defenseman.
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