The 2025 NHL Draft is nearing. There are still a couple more rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs remaining, but draft day will be here before you know it. The Chicago Blackhawks are preparing to make the third overall pick.
The New York Islanders won the lottery, which allowed them to come up with the first overall pick. The San Jose Sharks fell to second overall with the Blackhawks sticking right behind them.
The assumption is that Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit and Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters will be the top two picks. The intrigue in the draft truly begins with the Blackhawks at three.
Unless they trade out of the pick or draft someone completely off the board, they will end up with one of these four players:
James Hagens – C – Boston College
Coming into the 2024-25 season, James Hagens was the consensus number one overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He didn’t have the freshman year at college that people were expecting, like Macklin Celebrini a year prior, but he still had a good campaign.
With Will Smith leaving Boston College, Hagens slipped right into his spot and didn’t miss a beat centering a line with Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) and Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers).
In 37 games played with BC, Hagens had 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points. Being a point-per-game freshman at a top NCAA program is not something to ignore. If he goes back in 2025-26, it may be something to behold.
Hagens also got some experience playing with Team USA at the World Junior Championships. He elevated his game in that tournament, scoring five goals and four assists for nine points in seven matches. Hagens was a big part of their Gold medal-winning run.
Being a smaller forward is the biggest knock against Hagens. With Connor Bedard already in Chicago, they may avoid him for that reason, but there is no denying his ceiling offensively.
Porter Martone – RW – Brampton Steelheads
Porter Martone had a wonderful year for the Brampton Steelheads. While being a noticeable physical presence, he took his offense to the next level in 2024-25.
In 57 games played with the Steelheads, Martone scored 37 goals and had 61 assists for 98 points. With the offensive skills that he possesses, combined with his attributes away from the puck, an NHL team might be getting a difference maker in more ways than one if they select him.
Martone’s skill set resembles that of a player who would fit in well with Bedard. If he reaches his physical and offensive ceiling once he plays in the NHL, he would create extra space for a star like Bedard to make plays.
Martone is more of a winger than a center, but Chicago could use young depth at all forward positions right now.
Anton Frondell – C – Djurgardens IF
Anton Frondell has inserted himself into the mix to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Chicago has had plenty of success with players from Sweden, which is one of the many reasons that Frondell is a great candidate for them.
Frondell is one of those two-way centers who can create offense for himself and others around him. When he comes to the NHL, he could be one of those players who have nearly as many goals as assists.
In 29 games played during the regular season with Djugardens, he scored 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. Scoring is much harder in Swedish leagues than in North America, but he showed he can do it. When he comes to North America, he projects to be the kind of player who does it all to help a team win.
With Connor Bedard as the top-line center, they could use someone like Frondell down the middle on the second or third line.
Caleb Desnoyers – C – Moncton Wildcats
Another good center option, if they feel strongly about him through their scouting, is Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats. This is a player who will be drafted in the top six of the 2025 NHL Draft.
In 56 games played with Moncton, Desnoyers scored 35 goals and 49 assists for 84 points. He has an offensive ceiling worthy of being selected early in the draft.
The skills are there for him to continue developing into a center who can help at even strength and on the power play.
If the Blackhawks aren’t going to select one of these four, they may as well consider moving down and adding other assets in the meantime.
If they go with one of these options, they will be adding another forward to work with their budding young core that projects to be great in the long term.
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