Yahoo Sports NHL Draft Rankings Reaction: Schaefer's Rise Gains Steam In Central Scouting's Mid-Term List
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NHL Central Scouting released its midterm rankings, which fuels more debate about the NHL draft's best players.
NHL Central Scouting’s lists are an excellent reference for what teams see as an overview of the upcoming draft class. There has been some intriguing movement in the midterm rankings.
Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting players in the 2025 NHL draft and where Central Scouting ranks them.
Schaefer Is No. 1 In North America
Matthew Schaefer's run leading up to the World Junior Championship was phenomenal. His creativity, mobility and cerebral approach to the game at both ends of the ice drew attention from the opposing team consistently, but it never mattered. Schaefer played his game and dictated play.
On Canada's world juniors squad, Schaefer immediately asserted himself as the team's top blueliner despite being the youngest defenseman on the team. He was their most dynamic and capable puck-mover. His defensive play was more than good enough to justify him playing a ton of minutes at 5-on-5.
He broke his clavicle in the tournament’s second game and will be out for a while, but he’s done more than enough to earn the top spot here over other top prospects in North America, such as James Hagens and Michael Misa.
Here are NHL Central Scouting's top five North American skaters:
Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)
James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL)
Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)
Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)
Related: NHL Draft Stock Watch: Schaefer Trending Up, Hagens Maintains, Martone Slightly Drops
Eklund Tops European Players
Whether he’s playing at the second level in Sweden against men or at the world juniors, one thing is evident about Victor Eklund – he will outwork you and leverage his skill to make you pay for being outworked. He plays the game like a pro already, and a coach can rely on Eklund to play in just about any situation.
Eklund is a relentless winger who attacks every play like it’s the dying seconds of a game, and he’s down a goal. He always looks to hunt down the puck, and when he gets it, he wants to get it to a high-danger area with his feet or passing.
Eklund’s rise through the first half of the season firmly puts him atop the European NHL draft prospect rankings.
Here are NHL Central Scouting's top five European skaters:
Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgarden (Swe.2)
Anton Frondell, C, Djurgarden (Swe.2)
Ivan Ryabkin, C, Dynamo Moscow Jr. (Rus.)
Milton Gastrin, C, Modo Jr. (Swe.)
Vojtech Cihar, LW, Karlovy Vary (Cze.)
Related: NHL Draft Notebook: Hagens, Eklund And Osmanis Thrive At World Juniors
Ryabkin Sticks Around
Despite his mediocre play in Russia to start the season, Ivan Ryabkin was third on the European skaters list.
Now that he’s moved to Muskegon in the USHL, there will be even more eyes on him, so he will need to step up his game. Unfortunately, he was suspended in his second USHL game for an egregious slew foot. His physicality is a positive in the eyes of NHL scouts, but the concerns about his pace of play remain. He will have a few months in the USHL to prove doubters wrong.
Nilson, Bear Rise
Two notable risers on their respective lists were Swedish center Eric Nilson and Everett Silvertips left winger Carter Bear.
Nilson was ranked a ‘C’ skater, which indicated that he was a fourth- or fifth-round prospect, while Bear was a ‘B,’ deeming him a second- or third-rounder. Both look like potential first-rounders now, as Nilson is the sixth-ranked European skater, and Bear sits 11th on the North American list.
Nilson is a tactician who reads the game as well as just about any prospect in this draft. He understands how to work around the defense, create for his linemates and do the little things, making him one of the class' more refined and intelligent players.
Bear is a menace to opposing teams. He has the skill to dangle a defender and the speed to blow by them. He never lacks effort on or off the puck. Bear's physicality comes from a willingness to throw his body around and use his speed to do it often. Bear is among the biggest risers in the class, and it won’t be shocking to see him crack the top 10 of the NHL draft in June.
Related: 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Pre-World Juniors Top 64
Mooney Plummets After Injury, NTDP Lacking
The USA Hockey National Team Development Program has been a powerhouse in the world of developing NHLers. This isn’t the strongest group.
Their top-ranked player is Jack Murtagh, who is 25th on the North American list. This likely means that the NTDP may not have a first-round player as of now.
James Hagens was a member of last year’s NTDP squad and is a surefire top-three pick at this point, but he’s playing for Boston College now.
One of the team’s most electric and dynamic players is undersized forward LJ Mooney, but after being knocked out of the lineup with a knee injury for a couple of months before his return in late November, Mooney is ranked outside of the top 200. Teams are very clearly concerned about his size and durability despite having one of the more skilled packages in the class. It’s going to be interesting to see if he can get back into the conversation as a mid-round pick because he might go undrafted as of now.
Here are the links to the goalie rankings:
Related: 2025 NHL Draft: Biggest Standouts In Central Scouting's Watch List
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