5 trades and upset picks in the first round of 2025 NHL Draft!

On Friday night, it was the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft as teams selected the next generation of hockey’s future stars at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Many insiders expected trades to take place during the evening as many rumours have intensified in the past few days.

Earlier on Friday, the Montreal Canadiens traded both first round picks, number 16 and 17, along with young forward Emil Heineman to the New York Islanders in return for defenseman Noah Dobson, who signed an eight-year extension carrying a $9.5M AAV as part of the trade.

The Islanders had three selections in the first round. Some picks in the first round were not even on the radar of top insiders as projected selections for Friday. Two goalies made the Round 1 class.

This is the complete resume of the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft:

1. NY Islanders - Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL)

2. San Jose - Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

3. Chicago - Anton Frondell, C, , Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

4. Utah - Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

5. Nashville - Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

6. Philadelphia - Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

7. Boston - James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

8. Seattle - Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

9. Buffalo - Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

10. Anaheim - Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

11. Pittsburgh - Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

TRADE: After selecting Benjamin Kindel with the 11th pick overall, the Pittsburgh Penguins also had the 12th pick overall, but they traded it to the Philadelphia Flyers in return for picks 22nd and 31st later tonight.

12. Philadelphia (from PIT via VAN via NYR) - Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

13. Detroit - Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

14. Columbus - Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

15. Vancouver - Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

TRADE: The trade between the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens was made official on the stage. Earlier today, it was announced that the Habs acquired defenceman Noah Dobson from the Isles in exchange for forward Emil Heineman and the No. 16 and 17 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

16. NY Islanders (from MTL via CGY) - Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

17. NY Islanders (from MTL) - Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)

18. Calgary (from NJD) - Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals (WHL)

19. St. Louis - Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

20. Columbus (from MIN) - Pyotr Andreyanov, G, CSKA (KHL)

TRADE: Instead of going 21st with their selection, the Ottawa Senators traded their pick to the Nashville Predators for selections 23 and 67.

21. Nashville ( from Ottawa ) - Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

22. Pittsburgh (from PHI via COL) - Bill Zonnon, C, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

23. Ottawa (from NSH via TBL) - Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA)

TRADE: The Penguins have traded the 31st and 59th overall picks in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for the 24th pick.

24. Pittsburgh (from Los Angeles) - Will Horcoff, LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

25. Chicago (from TOR) - Vaclav Nestrasil, F, Muskegon (USHL)

26. Nashville (from VGK via SJS) - Ryker Lee, RW, Madison Capitols (USHL)

27. Washington - Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

28. Winnipeg - Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (Hockey East)

TRADE: The Carolina Hurricanes have traded the 29th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for picks 34, 62 and a 5th rounder in 2027.

29. Chicago (from CAR) - Mason West, C, Fargo Force (USHL)

30. San Jose (from DAL) - Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL)

31. Los Angeles (from PIT via PHI via EDM) - Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights (OHL)

32. Calgary (from FLA) - Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State (NCAA)