Kristian Epperson is the top re-entry prospect to watch for the 2025 NHL Draft

Saginaw Spirit forward Kristian Epperson is one of the top re-entry prospects to watch at the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft.

Epperson tallied 27 goals and 53 assists for 80 points in 58 games with Saginaw in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this past season. Additionally, he added three goals and four points in five OHL Playoff contests.

Last season, the Mequon, Wisconsin native was playing for the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and played with both the U18 and U17 squads.

Today on Daily Faceoff Live, prospect analyst Steven Ellis talks about why Epperson is one of the top re-entry prospects.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Are there any notable re-entry players in this year’s draft? I know that we’re probably moving out of the first round with this question here and further down your draft board and your rankings, but is anyone in that category?

Steven Ellis: I’m thinking that Kristian Epperson out of Saginaw is a guy that you really got a look at out there. He’s someone who played at the US national team development program, was kind of a depth guy. He was actually sent down to the U17 team, but then really went out there and impressed this year, which just did so many great things.

Steven Ellis: You look at those numbers, 80 points for a guy that didn’t look like a point producer at any level, heading into this. And that also just really shows you how hard it could be being a depth guy on the NTDP Team, where there’s all this great talent. He got shuffled out, he ended up becoming a fourth liner and eventually fell down to the U17 team, which is a difficult situation. When that happens, when you’ve been playing with these guys for two years, you kind of get demoted. So, he goes to Saginaw and makes the most of his opportunities. He’s a great playmaker and really good on the power play. I could see him being a second-round pick.