2025 NHL Draft: Top 10 defensemen you need to know

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Remember how the 2024 NHL Draft class was the year of the defenseman?

A total of 77 were taken, which was a decent uptick from the 69 the year before. A total of 10 were taken in the first round, and 24 of the first 65 picks were rearguards – much more than the 16 taken in 2023.

The 2025 NHL Draft might have somewhere in the 15-17 range over the first two rounds, which is typically on average. But most notably, though, is that the projected No. 1 pick – Matthew Schaefer – is a game-changing defenseman in a way we might not have seen at the top of the draft class since Rasmus Dahlin was taken first overall in 2018 (with Quinn Hughes going to Vancouver at No. 7).

There’s still plenty of time for things to change before the 2025 NHL Draft in June. But for now, here are 10 of the best options:

1. Matthew Schaefer, LHD (Erie Otters, OHL)

Will Schaefer become the first defenseman taken first overall since Owen Power in 2021? Many think that’ll be the case. Schaefer is out for the next bit with a collarbone injury, but that shouldn’t hurt his draft stock. That’s because scouts absolutely love everything he brings to the table. He’s so smart, so skilled, and the results at just about every single level have been so promising. So while James Hagens was the one most had as the top prospect for 2025, many are shifting to Schaefer right now. You just don’t find game-breaking blueliners like him often.

2. Jackson Smith, LHD (Tri-City Americans, WHL)

I really like Smith. He’s physical, he skates so well, and he’s as mobile as it gets for a 6-foot-3 defenseman. I also think his hockey sense is great, and it’s only a matter of time until he finds a way to explode offensively. Scouts see him as a top-four defenseman who can play a bunch of different roles. He should be an impact player on Canada’s World Junior team next year, too, which will help his overall profile. Smith will likely surpass the 50-point barrier with Tri-City this year, which only adds to his value.

3. Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD (Barrie Colts, OHL)

This might be higher than a lot of other people will have Aitcheson, but I think he has the potential to be an intimidating force in the NHL. His physicality is the best attribute of his game because he’s willing to get involved with just about anyone. He’s also putting up better numbers than most people expected this year. Aitcheson isn’t an outstanding skater and his playmaking can be a bit of a mixed bag, but I think the raw talent and the pure tenacity are there for any teams looking to get tougher. Aitcheson likes being difficult to play against – that’s kind of important as a defender.

4. Blake Fiddler, RHD (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL)

The son of former NHLer Vern Fiddler, Blake is a completely different player. They play different positions to start, but Fiddler uses his size to take time and space away. He also has a decent shot that many scouts wish he’d use more often. But from an overall standpoint, Fiddler looks like a shutdown defender at worst and a mobile, minute-eating defenseman at best. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the second defender taken.

5. Cameron Reid, LHD (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

Reid is not big, but he can definitely shut guys down. Reid can do a little bit of everything, making him more rounded than I think some scouts expected heading into the season. His three-zone game is so good, and he’s got the intelligence to beat so many players in 1-on-1 situations. As he continues to improve and show more confidence, we could be talking about a potential top-10 pick here.

6. Radim Mrtka, RHD (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL)

At 6-foot-6, Mrtka is definitely hard to miss on the ice. After starting the year struggling for opportunities in Czechia, he transferred to the WHL in late November, where he has managed to play at just less than a point per game despite Seattle’s struggles to win games. Mrtka has size and some decent creativity, making it difficult to beat him down the middle. Mrtka’s skating needs to improve to take the next step in his game, but I like that he’s playing more than 25 minutes a night in the WHL.

7. Logan Hensler, RHD (Univ. of Wisconsin, NCAA)

Hensler was once projected to be a potential top-five pick for 2025, so his stock has fallen a bit. Some of it has been out of his hands – a few other defenders have helped make the race a bit more exciting. In other cases, scouts just want to see more. He’s a 6-foot-2, mobile blueliner who has a good reach and can rough guys up, and he’s solid in his own zone. You won’t confuse him for a puck-rushing offensive defenseman, though. There’s still solid second-pairing potential, or even first-pairing if you couple him with someone who likes to do more with the puck.

8. Haoxi (Simon) Wang, LHD (Oshawa Generals, OHL)

After bouncing around between the OHL and OJHL, Wang seems to be quite comfortable with Oshawa. The 6-foot-6 defender is an excellent skater – like, one of the more fluent movers in the draft – while doing an excellent job of carrying the puck up the ice. The ceiling is so high, especially since he has only recently started to figure out how to use his frame and mobility to dominate the competition. Offense has been hard to come by in the OHL, but I still really like his game.

9. Henry Brzustewicz, RHD (London Knights)

If the last name is familiar, it’s because Henry’s brother, Hunter, was selected by the Vancouver Canucks back in 2023 (before getting traded to the Calgary Flames last year). Henry is slightly bigger at 6-foot-1 (compared to Hunter’s six-foot frame), and he’s a decent playmaker, too. He’s an all-around defender who can rush the puck and take space away. Brzustewicz is prone to making some mistakes with the puck, and I’d like to see more offense, but I think he’s a solid late-first, early second-round candidate.

10. Carter Amico, RHD (USNTDP)

Amico suffered a season-ending injury before the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, which definitely hurt. He’s a big 6-foot-5 right-handed defender who makes it his mission to stop you from beating him in 1-on-1 situations. He’s strong, smart and a decent skater, too. His on-puck game is still a work in progress, so the lost time won’t help. But teams love massive blueliners who can handle the right side. Don’t be surprised if he still ends up going in the first round.

Other notables: Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, RHD (Univ. of Michigan, NCAA); Sascha Boumedienne, LHD (Boston University, NCAA); Carlos Händel, RHD (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL); Luka Radivojevic, RHD (Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL); Mace’o Phillips, LHD (USNTDP).

SPONSORED BY bet365