2025 NHL Draft First Round Challengers
Hockey prospects potentially available at the end of the first round
Fringe First Rounders?
A common question we’ve been asked at Upside Hockey is: “if my team is selecting at the bottom of the first round in the 2025 NHL draft who might still be available?” This might be for a team that’s had a fantastic season or a team that was a seller at the trade deadline to a team that went deep in the playoffs.
Our prospect profiler Trevor Curtis (aka The Sandman) set out to tackle this question early on in this hockey season and much can change as the year unfolds. He’s listed 13 potential hockey prospects that fit the bill with some quick notes.
The Candidates
Upside Hockey’s current ranking in brackets after their name
RW Justin Carbonneau (31), 6'2", 190lbs
Big, fast, and skilled, but a bit soft and a work-in-progress defensively. Off to a hot start in the Q. He will probably be long gone.
G Josh Ravensbergen (24), 6'5", 192lbs
Many say the big netminder with an outstanding name will go in the first round.
D Kashawn Aitcheson (35), 6'1", 198lbs
Another one who will probably be long gone; he's uber-mean, physical, and contributes on both sides of the puck. Needs a bit of work on his feet, but I liked him at the U-18's.
D Reese Hamilton (39), 6'0", 172lbs
Had 31 points in just 42 games for the Hitmen last year.
C/LW Carter Bear (3rd round), 6'0", 176lbs
He's older, with a Nov. 4th birthday. 57 points in 67 games last year and he's off to a roaring start this season with 15 points in 10 games in the WHL. He has good two-way instincts, excellent skill, and competes hard, but needs work on his speed.
D Carson Cameron (43), 6'1", 174lbs
Off to a poor start with only 1 point in 9 games, after 26 points in 59 games last season- this could be partly due to how low-scoring the Petes are right now. The Bobcaygeon, Ontario native is a pretty good all-around D. He's also a righty.
C Milton Gastrin (25), 6'2", 183lbs
Smart and quick two-way pivot who already has 15 points in 14 J20 games. One of the best performers in the Hlinka, finishing tied for 3rd in scoring with 10 points in 5 games. Needs to work on his puck skill.
D Luka Radivojevic (54), 5'10", 161lbs
He's a righty with sublime hockey sense and skill; perhaps this year's Kiviharju, although not as dynamic in the speed department. 4th last year in J20 defense scoring, with sterling performances at the U-18s (6 pts in 6 games) and the Hlinka (5 pts in 4 games), and even a stop in the WJC for Slovakia (2 points in 5 games).
C Jack Nesbitt (3rd round), 6'4", 174lbs
So far, 11 points in 10 games for Windsor of the OHL; it will be interesting if he can sustain those numbers. Skates well and plays a physical brand of hockey.
C Cole McKinney (29), 6'0", 190lbs
Off to a slow start with the USNTDP team, with only 5 points in 9 games. Pretty complete package, with a smart two-way game, high work ethic, quick boots, and good skill.
D Alex Huang (45), 6'0", 170lbs
36 points in 61 games for Chicoutimi of the Q last season; he's a righty with speed, skill, and elite brainpower.
LW Lynden Lakovic (26), 6'4", 185lbs
Might be long gone, as he's put up 15 points in 11 games already. Pretty good two-way game, but definitely not nearly as mean as his uncle Sasha, with only 14 PIM last year in 68 games. He's still labeled as a power-forward, who skates well for his size.
D Henry Brzustewicz (4th-7th round), 6'2", 194lbs
Another righty, and Hunter's little brother. He patrols a very talent-laden London Knights blueline, but he was selected 22nd overall in the OHL Priority Draft for a reason. It will be interesting to see if he can sustain his current pace (6 points in 8 games) while competing for ice time with the kind of talent on that team. Skates well and contributes in all areas of the ice. He will likely go later, perhaps in the late 2nd/early 3rd.