With the National Hockey League down to their final four teams, it is time to add the eliminated teams to our 2025 mock draft. To review in case, you missed part one (1-5), part two (6-10), and part three (11-17), yesterday’s part four (18-23) so now here are my projected picks for 24-28.
These are picks that I believe are what address the needs that each team has. Not going to apologize if that is not popular for your team. Teams that look for the “sexy” pick rarely draft the right person and the franchise is who suffers the most.
Mock Draft: Pick 24- Los Angeles Kings
need someone who will improve poorly performing power play which is why I think they select RW Ryker Lee of Madison (USHL). Lee is an average skater, but he can run a power play as either a creator or a scorer.
Lee can make plays happen either off the rush or inside the offensive zone. Heading to Michigan State next year where he can work on improving his skating, especially his first step and acceleration.
The teenager needs to work on his defensive zone play especially reading plays in front of him.
Mock Draft: Pick 25 — Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago is looking to add players who can play with Connor Bedard. Here, I really like C/LW Cullen Potter of Arizona State (NCAA). Potter is an excellent skating forward who uses his speed and skating ability to pressure defenses at the blue line.
Will grow into his body but has already proven he can play against the bigger players at this level. This is an ideal player for Bedard as he is a threat to score from anywhere and will help take the pressure off Bedard.
This is the perfect complement to Bedard on the attack as he is equally smooth on the rush or setting up on the power play.
26- Nashville Predators- their third trip here in the first round and in this spot, Nashville is looking to improve their goalie prospects. The best one in this year’s draft is Goalie Joshua Ravensbergen of Prince George (WHL).
About every “expert” who looks at the prospects called Ravensbergen the best goalie prospect available and the numbers back that up. The 18 year old Ravensbergen is 6’5 195 lbs., catches with his right hand.
He was every reason Prince George had the season they had going 33-13-4 with a 3.00 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in 51 games. Solid butterfly goalie who despite his large size is almost impossible to beat down low. Great reaction time as he almost never panics under pressure.
Give him another two to three years and he will be in the NHL.
Mock Draft: Pick 27 — Washington Capitals
The Capitals are a team that does not have many pressing needs. At most, they need some depth offensively, but they would like to add a righthanded defenseman who they can groom to replace John Carlson down the road. In this spot, I can see Washington going with righthanded defenseman Blake Fiddler of Edmonton (WHL).
Fiddler in many ways will remind folks of Carlson when he was a rookie as both can skate and are physical presences on the ice. They both like to step up and contribute offensively and join the attack.
But Fiddler needs to work on his decision-making, his puck skills at times will give his coaches grey hairs, and he will suffer defensive lapses in his own defensive zone. But all of these are correctable just like they were with other talented defenders.
Mock Draft: Pick 28 –Winnipeg Jets
it is a good sign when the “experts” do not reach a consensus as to what a team’s biggest draft need is and that is the case with the Winnipeg Jets. I think adding defensive help should be their priority, which is why I go with Henry Brzustewicz of London (OHL).
Brzustewicz moved up to this spot with his play in the 2025 OHL playoffs and two appearances in the Memorial Cup. Steady unflappable defender who never panics, is almost rarely caught out of position, and play a clean hard hitting physical game.
It is rare that I use a coach’s name to explain why I like a prospect, but London is coached by former NHLer Dale Hunter. I have known Hunter’s coaching MO for over 20 years and no other coach in the juniors is fixated on defense the way Hunter is.
Brzustewicz would not be his top defender if he was not defensively sound. Could use some work on his offensive side but I would not have a problem using him on the power play.
