The race is on, folks. The 2025 NHL draft will purportedly be held in Los Angeles and nearly all prospect circuits have begun regular-season play. So what better time to put out my first rankings of the year?

I will say from the outset this appears to be a competitive class at the top of the NHL draft class. James Hagens comes in at No. 1, but he'll have to put up big numbers at Boston College because Porter Martone is already lacerating the OHL with Brampton. Already there's a great debate to be had here: Centers are more valuable, which is a point for Hagens, but Martone is bigger and more physical. Do you want Jack Hughes or one of the Tkachuk brothers?

I'd keep an eye on defenseman Matthew Schaefer, too. At the summer Hlinka-Gretzky tournament, he absolutely dominated for Canada en route to gold.

For the past couple of years, we've had an easy job, with Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini being post-to-post favorites. I wonder if 2025 breaks the mold.

Here's a quick look at how the first round of the 2025 NHL draft could play out, with the strong caveat that I don't talk to scouts until mid-season - so these are very preliminary impressions.

1. James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA): During his days with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Hagens was frequently one of the best players, despite also being one of the youngest. He's incredibly skilled and smart, plus he's going to have the linemates to put up huge numbers in college.

2. Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL): Big, strong, nasty to play against and very talented. What's not to love? Martone plays in all situations and was the early scoring leader in the OHL with more than two points per game.

3. Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL): Out of the lineup due to mono, but expected back in the coming weeks. Schaefer has size, skating ability and basically does everything well on the back end. Internationally, he pretty much always wins gold with Canada.

4. Anton Frondell, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.): Early knee injury put a damper on things, but Frondell showed in the pre-season that he could thrive while playing against men back home. He's a big forward who protects the puck and can really produce.

5. Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL): Big center with great length was putting up more than a goal-per-game for the Wheat Kings early on and was one of the Dub's leading scorers. Skating has already improved a lot and he's not afraid to get physical.

6. Ivan Ryabkin, C, Dynamo Moscow (Rus.): Gifted pivot has already played a couple games in the KHL this season after putting up nearly a point per game in junior. Great brain, lots of skill, and the kid can skate, too. Definitely the best out of Russia right now.

7. Michael Misa, LW, Saginaw (OHL): Earned exceptional status to join the OHL a year early and already has a Memorial Cup under his belt. Misa is an electric offensive force who is right behind Martone in league scoring early on. He has smarts, vision and compete.

8. Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL): Big winger has already made a name for himself as a clutch player internationally. Spence is a two-way player with skill who earned a look for Canada's world junior team at the summer showcase in Michigan.

9. Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.): Another summer showcase invite (for Sweden), Eklund is off to a great start back home as one of the top junior-aged scorers in the pro ranks. With his skills and smarts, William Eklund's younger brother is looking impressive.

10. Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA): A true freshman with the Badgers, Hensler is another NTDP alum who impressed as a younger member of the squad. Hensler has size, great mobility and a two-way game that could shine in Madison - and beyond.

11. William Moore, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

12. Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL)

13. Charlie Trethewey, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

14. Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)

15. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL)

16. Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

17. Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State (NCAA)

18. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, LW, Lulea (Swe.)

19. Cole Reschny, C, Victoria (WHL)

20. Radim Mrtka, D, Ocelari Trinec (Cze.)

21. Viktor Klingsell, LW, Skelleftea (Swe.)

22. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL)

23. Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston U. (NCAA)

24. Cullen Potter, LW, Arizona State (NCAA)

25. Emile Guite, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

26. Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)

27. Adam Benak, C, Youngstown (USHL)

28. Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL)

29. Milton Gastrin, C, Modo (Swe.)

30. Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)

31. Luka Radivojevic, D, Orebro (SHL)

32. Conrad Fondrk, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Second goalie picked: Jack Ivankovic, Brampton (OHL)

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Related: 2025 NHL Draft: Hagens, Martone Lead the North American Prospects to Watch

Related: 2025 NHL Draft: Frondell and Ryabkin Headline European Prospects to Watch