Top 15 defensemen for the 2025 NHL Draft

Jun 15, 2025, 09:00 EDT

Top 15 defensemen for the 2025 NHL Draft

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Remember how good the blueline crop was a year ago? Because this year is looking stout, too.

Although there may not be as many high-end options at D this time around, it appears likely that the first player taken will be a defender. After that, we could see another 2-3 taken in the top 10, depending on how things shake out.

It’s rare for a defenseman to be taken first overall. Buffalo took Rasmus Dahlin in 2018 and Owen Power in 2021. But before that, the last defender taken first was Aaron Ekblad in 2014, and he became just the second in the Salary Cap Era after the St. Louis Blues took Erik Johnson in 2006.

Matthew Schaefer is about to change that. He leads a strong group of defensemen on tap for the 2025 NH Draft:

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

Schaefer’s season was shortened by injury, but it shouldn’t change how scouts view him. He’s so smart, so skilled, and the results at just about every single level have been so promising. Schaefer is hard to beat in 1-on-1 situations, and despite playing close to 30 minutes a night with Erie, he still found ways to have some outstanding underlying analytics. There isn’t a better, more deceptive skater on the blueline in this draft class, with his mobility being among the best we’ve seen in recent draft classes. He thinks that game is at such an advanced level at his age, often luring opponents in before pulling off a deceptive deke and getting the puck where it needs to be. Get ready to watch him challenge for Norris Trophies.

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

Aitcheson is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. He has the potential to be an intimidating force in the NHL – someone who just gives opponents nothing to work with. His physicality is the best attribute of his game because he’s willing to get involved with just about anyone. Aitcheson finished the regular season with 26 goals and 59 points while registering 88 penalty minutes – making him a brutal player to deal with every time he hit the ice. 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 to play against.

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

Smith has so many things going for him. He’s physical, skates so well, and he’s very mobile 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. I do think he can be a bit of a liability in his own zone at times – the U-18s saw him playing a bit nervously at times. But there’s plenty of room to progress and he looks destined to be a top-four blueliner. I’m just less sold on him now than I was a few months back.

4. Radim Mrtka, RHD (Seattle Thunderbirds)

A move to the WHL before the World Juniors was huge for his development and cemented him as one of the top defenders in this class. He’s been a big-time producer with the Thunderbirds and would probably finish with 50 points in a full season. Tack on the fact he’s 6-foot-6, a right-hand shot and quite mobile and there’s a lot to like. Mrtka realistically could become the second defender taken because there are so many elements to his game that should make him an effective NHL defenseman.

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

Hensler was once projected to be a potential top-five pick for 2025, but others started to catch up. Still, there’s a lot to like. He’s a 6-foot-2, mobile blueliner who has good reach and can rough guys up. He’s even better in his own zone. You won’t confuse him for a puck-rushing offensive defenseman, though. I think there’s a good chance he becomes a second-pairing defenseman who plays a safe defensive game, but I’d like to see him take more chances with the puck.

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

Reid closed out the regular season by playing some of his best hockey, which is never a bad thing. He’s started to put up points consistently, and he’s shooting in more dangerous areas, too. Reid isn’t big, but he can shut guys down. Reid can do a little bit of everything – his three-zone game is so good, and he’s got the intelligence to beat so many players in 1-on-1 situations. I’m not sure the ceiling is that high for Reid, but if you’re looking for someone with the brains and the mobility to challenge for a top-four spot one day, he’s your guy.

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

Standing tall at 6-foot-4, Fiddler is a big-bodied defender who clears forwards away from his net and pushes opponents to the perimeter. Fiddler averaged around 22 minutes a night this year and looked good with the puck. He’s mobile, and while he isn’t the quickest defender overall, he moves well for his size. Fiddler isn’t going to be a top-pairing blueliner, but his size and hockey IQ should allow him to have a solid career. I think Fiddler would be a good value pick late in the first.

8. Sascha Boumedienne, LHD (Boston Univ., NCAA)

Boumedienne didn’t have explosive numbers in college, but most expect him to take a big step forward next year. Just based on his play from late February and onward, Boumedienne seems to have really honed in on his puck skills. You match that with his speed and his penchant for making high-risk, high-reward plays and there’s a ton to love. Boumedienne has high-end attributes that teams love, but he just needs to calm down and play at his own pace. If he can do that, he’ll be excellent.

9. Max Pšenička, RHD (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)

A move to Portland later in the season really helped Pšenička earn the ice time he needed to showcase his true talent. He has a big 6-foot-4 frame, competes hard and is mobile, too. Defensively, he’s above average. Offensively, I’m not sure there’s enough there – yet. But there’s enough of a base to believe he could become something similar to Blake Fiddler.

10. Henry Brzustewicz, RHD (London Knights, OHL)

Brzustewicz is an all-around defender who may not be the most refined right now, but he doesn’t have many notable flaws. He had a solid year in London, which finished with a Memorial Cup championship. He’s a two-way defender who can shoot the puck, skate well and is willing to join in on the rush any time he can. The more he played, the better he played, too. Brzustewicz feels like a safe pick to become a second-pairing defenseman, but I’d like to see him take further steps in his own-zone play.

11. Kurban Limatov, LHD (Dynamo Moscow, KHL)

There’s a lot to like about Limatov’s complete package. The 6-foot-3 defender is mobile, hits as hard as anyone and is a great puck distributor. He’s one of the best skaters playing in Europe right now, using his mobility to beat players at speed and get himself out of danger. Limatov can put anyone on their rear end, and if you get him first, he’ll get you back with a hard shot. I think he needs to be smarter at distributing the puck under pressure, but the raw talent is there.

12. Haoxi ‘Simon’ Wang, LHD (Oshawa Generals, OHL)

The Boston University commit was dominant against OJHL competition with the King Rebellion, but he needed a bit more time to adjust to OHL action in Oshawa. He eventually started to figure it out during the playoffs, and now he’s ready to play a bigger role with the Generals next year. He only started to play at a high level competitively a few years ago, and he’s learning how to use his 6-foot-6 frame to his advantage. The Beijing, China native can skate well and has good offensive instincts. Moving forward, reading plays on the rush will be something he needs to work on, but the raw talent is there.

13. Peyton Kettles, RHD (Swift Current Broncos, WHL)

Kettles didn’t put up many points in Swift Current, but he wasn’t afraid to absolutely blast someone. The 6-foot-5 defender takes up a ton of space, defends well and is decently mobile for his size. He can kill penalties, and I actually think he’s better offensively than his 14 points suggest. Kettles also plays a ton of minutes, which is never a bad thing. If he makes it to the NHL, it’s for his shutdown qualities.

14. Carlos Händel, RHD (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

After shining at the World Juniors for Germany, I loved him at the U-18 World Championship. In fact, I’d argue he was Germany’s best defender at every international tournament he skated in this year, no matter the situation. He’s not afraid to get engaged on the rush and is capable of leading a power play, too. Händel produced at half a point per game with Halifax, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him double that output a year from now. He’s a good project guy to keep track of.

15. Charlie Trethewey, RHD (USNTDP)

Trethewey is a solid, two-way defenseman who, at times, has shown some serious flash. This year felt a bit disappointing, especially given how strong he started his junior career two years ago. But he’s a tremendous skater, can play physical and has good offensive insticts, but he just needs to tone down the mistakes. He’s one of the youngest players in the draft, is a right-handed shot, and he’s smart, too. Trethewey is prone to trying to do too much, but he’s still a reasonable project prospect.

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