Matthew Schaefer is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. When healthy, he’s an elite skating defenseman with size, offense, a high compete level and the potential to be a legit two-way No.

Following the NHL Draft Lottery on Monday, NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman and senior draft writer Mike G. Morreale make their predictions for how the first 16 selections of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft could turn out.

The young defenseman figures to be the first player off the board in this year's draft. A defensive prospect hasn't gone first in the NHL Draft since 2021, when the Buffalo Sabres took Owen Power. The center/left winger from the Saginaw Spirit could be the first offensive player off the board in June.