The article previews five NHL games, highlighting rookie Matthew Schaefer's Olympic prospects with the Islanders, Trevor Zegras' potential 10-game point streak for the Flyers, the Red Wings' quest to lead the Atlantic Division, Sidney Crosby's scoring pace for the Penguins, and division race opportunities for the Canadiens and Lightning.
Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, made a strong first impression at Islanders training camp, impressing veterans and coaches with his speed, skill, and maturity, and is on track to compete for an NHL spot.
Matthew Schaefer, drafted No. 1 by the Islanders, and Malcolm Spence, picked by the Rangers, have ignited a rivalry after playing together in the OHL, now competing on opposite NHL teams, adding a new chapter to the New York hockey rivalry.
The final 2025 NHL draft rankings list the top 64 prospects, led by Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, and James Hagens, highlighting their skills, development needs, and potential NHL impact, with notable variability in team valuations and draft positions.
The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo features top prospects like projected No. 1 pick Schaefer, who is preparing for interviews and physical assessments, while also sharing personal stories and team aspirations, with other notable prospects including Hagens and Martone, and a strong representation from USA Hockey's NTDP.