The 2025 NHL draft gets underway this Friday, June 27, with teams looking to add to their rosters and find that player or players that will help them get to the next Stanley Cup. Florida, of course, repeated as Stanley Cup champion, beating the Edmonton Oilers again, four games to two.

ScoresandStats NHL experts are already at it preparing for the 2026 season. You can find everything from game previews to picks and predictions for the next Stanley Cup on the ScoresandStats blog. After winning this year’s Stanley Cup, the Panthers will not have a first round pick in this year’s draft. Florida’s pick will go to Calgary as a result of the 2022 trade that brought Matthew Tkachuk to Florida.

We will continue to bring you the best in hockey content throughout the offseason. That begins with this post on the 2025 NHL Draft. As the new 2025-26 season gets closer, we will provide detailed NHL betting content, including picks and predictions for the Stanley Cup winner, conference championship winners, division winners, and more.

When Is The NHL Draft?

The 2025 NHL Draft will take place on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28. The draft will take place at Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

What Time Is The NHL Draft?

The 2025 NHL Draft will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, June 27. Only the first round of the draft will take place on Friday. On Saturday, the NHL Draft continues with Rounds 2 through 7, beginning at 12 p.m. ET.

What Channel Is The NHL Draft On?

You can watch the First Round of the 2025 NHL Draft on ESPN. It will also be streamed live by ESPN+. Sportsnet and TVA Sports, both Canadian networks, will also carry Round 1 of the draft on Friday night.

On Saturday, you can watch Rounds 2-7 on the NHL Network. ESPN+ will continue to live stream the draft and Canadians can again watch on Sportsnet or on SN1.

How Many Rounds Is The NHL Draft?

The NHL Draft consists of seven rounds. Round 1 is completed the first day of the draft and the remaining six rounds are finished on the second day.

All rounds consist of 32 picks, one per team though some picks have been traded. Also, the Ottawa Senators could forfeit a pick this year. They were penalized by the NHL related to a trade they had made previously. The Senators must forfeit a draft pick in 2025 or in 2026.

NHL Draft Odds

The following NHL Draft odds are courtesy of the best sports betting sites.

NHL Draft Betting

When betting any draft, don’t just wing it. Have a plan and execute the plan. Part of that plan should include tailing the best handicappers in the business here at ScoresandStats. Our experts offer all sorts of picks, including free picks and premium service plays. Make sure you check the blog for updated information related to the NHL draft.

Also, follow other experts on Twitter and Instagram. Sports beat writers often have access to information that others don’t. Follow their accounts and make sure you set your notifications to “on” so you receive the latest information.

Look ahead and anticipate. Keep an eye on the NHL odds for the draft and try and determine how things will play out. If Player A goes No. 1, does that automatically lead to Player B going at No. 2? If Team 1 takes a defenseman, will Team 2 then opt for the best available player even if he’s a forward?

Also, don’t be afraid to bet chalk – big chalk. You will find in any sport’s draft that a favorite can sometimes be a favorite of well over -1000. In the last NFL draft, for example, Miami QB Cam Ward ended up a favorite of -20,000. Most times it doesn’t make much sense to make these types of wagers, but betting a -900 favorite in a draft is something bettors don’t have to automatically avoid.

Finally, as always, manage your bankroll. Do your research and plan your NHL draft bets. Stay within the means of your bankroll and never bet more than what you can afford to lose.

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NHL Draft Predictions

Check out our NHL Picks for the following NHL Draft bets:

1st Overall Pick

• Michael Misa (+400)
• James Hagens (+800)
• Anton Frondell (+1400)
• Porter Martone (+2200)
• Caleb Desnoyers (+3000)

Misa was long thought to be the first pick, but many are now turning their attention to a young defenseman who is playing in the OHL – Matthew Schaefer. Schaffer is only 17 years old, but he’s 6-2 and about 180 pounds. His greatest asset is his skating ability and an acumen for the game rarely seen in a player of this age.

Misa is an elite two-way center who is explosive and can put the puck in the net. He’s a future Conn Smythe winner; he’s that good. When the Islanders won the draft lottery, Misa going No. 1 changed as the Islanders made it clear that Schaefer was their top target.

Bet: Matthew Schaeffer (NA)

1st Overall Pick Position

• Defense (-900)
• Forward (+440)
• Goaltender (+8000)

With the Islanders winning the draft lottery, the first pick position changed from forward to defense. New York has built itself on its strong defense and Schaefer will add a rare talent who can score as well. He could be another Cale Makar for New York.

Bet: Defense (-900)

2nd Overall Pick

• Michael Misa (-400)
• Matthew Schaefer (+250)
• James Hagens (+500)
• Anton Frondell (+800)
• Porter Marton (+2000)
• Caleb Desnoyers (+2500)
• Brady Martin (+8000)
• Roger McQueen (+10000)

With Schaefer going with the top pick, it only makes sense that Misa will go No. 2. The Sharks hold the second pick and they could use an elite two-way scorer at center. San Jose needs scoring to become more competitive in the Western Conference. They were dead last in goals scored this season.

Misa led all Canadian Hockey League players with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games.

Bet: Michael Misa (-400)

2nd Overall Pick Position

• Forward (-900)
• Defense (+440)
• Goaltender (+8000)

With Schaefer going No. 1, it’s clear that Misa is the Sharks’ pick. If he’s not, then it’s likely C James Hagens or C Anton Frondell. That means selection No. 2 is going to be a forward. It’s juiced heavily, but this is one of those occasions where it might not be all that bad to lay chalk.

Bet: Forward (-900)

3rd Overall Pick

• Anton Frondell (-165)
• Caleb Desnoyers (+250)
• Porter Matone (+400)
• Michael Misa (+650)
• James Hagens (+800)
• Brady Martin (+1200)
• Viktor Eklund (+4000)

The Blackhawks have the third pick and they would love nothing more than to have someone they can pair with Connor Bedard. The answer to their problems could be Frondell, who is the -165 favorite to go third in the draft.

This draft is deep in forwards, but Chicago loves how Frondell plays like a tank. He’s 6-1 and weighs close to 200 pounds, but he is extremely athletic. Along with Bedard, Frondell would be the exact building block the Blackhawks need to get back to being a perennial NHL playoffs contender.

Bet: Anton Frondell (-165)

4th Overall Pick

• Caleb Desnoyers (+150)
• Brady Martin (+165)
• Anton Frondell (+250)
• Porter Matone (+450)
• James Hagens (+800)
• Roger McQueen (+3000)
• Micheal Misa (+3000)

There is always the possibility that Utah trades this pick. However, even if they do, it appears that Desnoyers is the next player off the board. He was the MVP of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last year after scoring 30 points in 19 games. He also won the league’s Mike Bossy Trophy as the best NHL prospect.

Whether it’s Utah or another franchise, look for Desnoyers to go at No. 4.

Bet: Caleb Desnoyers (+150)

Caleb Desnoyers Draft Spot

• Over 4.5 (+100)
• Under 4.5 (-140)

As mentioned above, Desnoyers is the third-best at the forward position which makes him the candidate to go fourth, regardless of who holds the No. 4 pick. He’s not likely to move up at all as Schaefer appears to be a lock at No. 1, making Misa No. 2. If he did move up, it’s only to No. 3 which just cashes this bet a little earlier.

Bet: Under 4.5 (-140)

Brady Martin Draft Spot

• Over 6.5 (+150)
• Under 6.5 (-200)

Unfortunately for Martin, there are a number of talented forwards in this draft. A number of NHL teams need forwards, so Martin could slip in this draft. At 6-0 and 178 pounds, Martin is a little on the light side. Yes, he’ll fill out as he gets older, but teams may shy away as a result.

Martin likely doesn’t hear his name called until No. 10 or 11. Anaheim has the 10th overall pick and Pittsburgh checks in at No. 11. Both could use an elite scoring forward and Martin will be the guy on the board that fits the bill.

Bet: Over 6.5 (+150)

NHL Draft Order

The following is the 2025 NHL Draft order for the first round: