Top 10 ‘small guy’ prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

May 28, 2025, 10:00 EDT

Top 10 ‘small guy’ prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

The talk surrounding so much of Lane Hutson’s NHL career so far has been about his smaller frame.

The Montreal Canadiens star showed that being a small blueliner wasn’t going to stop him from being an elite talent. But when he was drafted as a 5-foot-8 defender, many wondered if his skill would be enough to carry him to the big leagues. He’s a bit bigger now at 5-foot-10. He’s still not big, but he has added some muscle along the way to help make him more dangerous.

And then there’s Logan Stankoven, a big part of the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s in a rare spot where he has played in both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals while still having a rookie status. The 5-foot-8 winger isn’t going to win the Calder Trophy this year, but he showed in both Dallas and Carolina that he can be an absolute force with and without the puck. He seems built for big-game moments, and the Hurricanes are hoping there are more to come.

Those are just two recent examples of smaller players who weren’t drafted high but managed to make it despite the obstacles in their way. Today, we’re looking at 10 of the best “small” players ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. The concept is simple: the player must be 5-foot-9 or smaller. There isn’t a huge contingent of them this year, but we’re still looking at the possibility of two or three getting selected in the first two rounds at the very least.

Here’s a look at 10 of the better small players at this year’s draft. All heights are taken from NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings before their updated measurements at the draft combine.

1. Cameron Schmidt, RW (Vancouver Giants)

Yes, the No. 1 small guy on this list plays for the Giants. Schmidt is listed as 5-foot-7 by NHL Central Scouting, but he doesn’t play like a smaller player. He has a level of tenacity that we saw from Stankoven at the same age. Schmidt started the season as one of the league’s most productive forwards. His numbers started to quiet down as the season wore on, but he still showed his incredible puck skills and play reads every single night. Schmidt is a high-end offensive forward with great speed and likes being in front of the net. I’m not sold that he’ll be able to translate his game to the NHL, but I like the potential – especially if he continues to evolve his defensive game.

2. Adam Benák, C (Youngstown Phantoms, USHL)

Benák is an absolute treat to watch. He owns the record for the most points in Hlinka Gretzky Cup history and has generally been downright dominant at the junior national team level. And after a slow start in the USHL, Benák bounced back by putting up more than a point per game in the USHL while being more physically engaged, too. I want nothing more than to see Benák make it to the NHL and show just how good he can be in open space. He’s rarely not a standout at any showcase tournament – but doing that against bigger, stronger competition in the NHL is a totally different story.

3. LJ Mooney, C (USNTDP)

Man, I love Mooney. He was one of USA’s top players at the U-18 World Championship in what had otherwise been a difficult season for the USNTDP. As one of the smallest players in this draft class, Mooney has had to work even harder to make sure he gets noticed. Between his playmaking and skating on display, Mooney was one of USA’s top forwards every time he hit the ice. I love how he exploits open ice and he’s got the quick hands to make both great passes and great shots. I think he gets drafted regardless because his skill is undeniable, but at 5-foot-7, he’ll likely be taken later than he should.

4. Tomas Pobezal, C (HK Nitra, Slovakia)

Pobezal has been a leading fixture for Slovakia in this age group for a while, and it was nice to see him at the World Juniors. He’s smart, speedy and makes good decisions with the puck. The 5-foot-9 forward seemed to be one of Slovakia’s most consistent players from the get-go at the U-18s last year, and he always brought the energy. I could see Pobezal becoming a bottom-six forward who is defensively responsible but also skilled enough to make things happen with the puck.

5. Luka Radivojevic, RHD (Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL)

Lane Hutson opened the eyes of many, showing what a smaller defender can do in the NHL these days. Radivojevic is no Hutson, but he’s still a skilled blueliner who has had to do a lot of heavy lifting in this age group. Radivojevic plays a strong, two-way game. He put up good numbers with Muskegon and was a key piece of Slovakia’s blueline at the World Juniors. His 5-foot-9 frame will definitely hold him back unless he can get stronger and quicker at Boston College.

6. Philippe Veilleux, LW (Val-D’Or Foreurs, QMJHL)

Some think Veilleux is a second-round talent. Others aren’t sure he’ll get drafted. The latter is wrong – Veilleux deserves to get selected. He’s such a smart forward who rarely loses a 1-on-1 battle on a rush. He’s great in transition and can drive the play in high-danger situations. With the puck, there are few players in the QMJHL who can do what he does. But his weak defensive game and his lack of physicality will knock him down a few pegs. Not every player needs to be great at everything, but when you’re 5-foot-9, you need to work extra hard to stand out.

7. Lev Katzin, LW (Guelph Storm, OHL)

Katzin had a fantastic showing at the U-18s to close out the season. Will it be enough to get him drafted this year? I’m not completely convinced, but I’d love to see a team take a chance on him. He was consistently one of Canada’s best players, especially on the power play. He’s been setting players up at speed and he’s got a decent shot as well. Katzin didn’t blow the doors off the OHL this year, but he was still one of Guelph’s best forwards. The biggest thing against him is his smaller frame – at 5-foot-8, he lacks muscle, and he might not be dynamic enough to play higher up an NHL team’s radar. As a late-round pick, though, I’d bet high on his IQ.

8. Viggo Nordlund, LW (Skelleftea, Sweden U-20)

Norldund received a ton of praise a year ago, with his play at the U-18s being quite impressive. But the 2006-born forward wasn’t able to keep the heat going and rise up draft boards this year. He had more than a point-per-game in the Swedish U-20 league, and he also played in 15 SHL games, too. I thought he looked solid in his limited action with the Swedish U-20 team, as well. What he lacks in size, he makes up in pure speed and puck skills, and I could see a team taking a chance on him later in the draft.

9. Jonas Woo, RHD (Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL)

Will some NHL fanbase be Woo-ing on draft day? Woo is an excellent passer who can get the puck where it needs to be as well as anyone. He’s been a consistent offensive defenseman over his three years in the WHL, and has looked good at the Memorial Cup, too. He doesn’t lack confidence and is willing to go toe-to-toe with just about anyone physically. I like his hockey IQ, but I wish he was a more explosive skater to really round himself out. Woo isn’t guaranteed to be a pick, but I see a little bit of Luca Cagnoni in him.

10. Richard Gallant, LW (USNTDP)

Gallant might not be much of a producer at the next level, but he battles harder than anyone. He skates like his life depends on it and his competitive nature is second to none. Gallant is a heart and soul guy who has to outplay his 5-foot-8 frame, and it paid off with the production he managed to put up this year. Gallant could end up going mid-to-late in this draft thanks to his pure energy. I like that he played a big role with the USNTDP and didn’t let it go to waste.

Other notables: Dmitri Isayev, LW (Yekaterinburg, MHL); Diego Buttazzoni, LW (Portland Winterhawks, WHL); Leo Sundqvist, RW (Brynas, SHL); Daniil Brusnikin, D (Loko-76 Yaroslavl, MHL)

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