The excitement of the NHL Draft Lottery 2025 offseason has officially begun as the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery concluded Tuesday night. With millions of fans watching online and teams holding their breath, the order for the first 16 picks of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft was finalized. The San Jose Sharks, who finished the regular season with the worst record in the league, finally caught a break and won the lottery, securing the first overall pick.
This year’s draft lottery was full of high anticipation, driven by a standout class of future NHL stars and numerous rebuilding teams hoping to fast-track their progress. With franchise-altering talent on the board and unpredictable lottery odds in play, the stakes were higher than ever.
How Does the NHL Draft Lottery Work?
The NHL Draft Lottery is designed to prevent deliberate “tanking” while still rewarding struggling teams with a shot at elite prospects. It involves the 16 teams that failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Each of these teams is assigned a set of odds based on their final regular season standings—the lower the standing, the better the odds.
In the 2025 format, only the first two picks were decided by the lottery. This system prevents chaos while still allowing underperforming teams a chance at the top talent. Importantly, teams can only move up a maximum of 10 spots, meaning only the bottom 11 teams were eligible to win the first overall pick. After the top two picks are drawn, the rest of the draft order follows the reverse order of the standings.
It’s a mix of chance and fairness, ensuring that the most struggling franchises have a legitimate opportunity to rebuild while discouraging manipulation of results late in the season.
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NHL Draft Lottery 2025 Result
Below is the finalized draft lottery order for the top 16 selections:
| Draft Position | Team |
|---|---|
| 1st Overall | San Jose Sharks |
| 2nd Overall | Ottawa Senators |
| 3rd Overall | Chicago Blackhawks |
| 4th Overall | Anaheim Ducks |
| 5th Overall | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| 6th Overall | Calgary Flames |
| 7th Overall | Montreal Canadiens |
| 8th Overall | Philadelphia Flyers |
| 9th Overall | Seattle Kraken |
| 10th Overall | Buffalo Sabres |
| 11th Overall | Detroit Red Wings |
| 12th Overall | New Jersey Devils |
| 13th Overall | St. Louis Blues |
| 14th Overall | Minnesota Wild |
| 15th Overall | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 16th Overall | Washington Capitals |
Who Won The NHL Draft Lottery 2025
The San Jose Sharks were the big winners of the night. Coming off a disappointing season, the franchise desperately needed a boost, and winning the first overall pick could be the turning point. With their win, they now control the top selection in what’s widely considered to be a deep and talented draft class.
The Ottawa Senators also had a fortunate bounce, jumping into the second overall slot after originally having the third-best odds. Chicago, Anaheim, and Columbus round out the top five—each with urgent needs and different strategies heading into the draft.
Top NHL Draft Prospects For 2025
This year’s draft pool is widely considered one of the deepest in recent memory. With multiple high-ceiling forwards, sturdy defensemen, and even a few standout goaltenders, teams across the board will be closely evaluating their options.
Here are five of the most talked-about names:
Michael Halvorsen (C, Sweden): A creative, intelligent playmaker who combines elite puck skills with natural leadership. Halvorsen led Sweden’s junior team in scoring and is widely projected to be the first overall pick.
Tyler McQuaid (D, USA): A two-way defenseman with size, skating, and a cannon of a shot. McQuaid is seen as a future top-pairing blue-liner and power play quarterback.
Nikita Voronov (RW, Russia): Known for his blistering speed and sniper’s touch, Voronov has the swagger and skill to become an NHL fan favorite. Some compare him to a young Artemi Panarin.
Marek Dvorsky Jr. (C, Slovakia): A coach’s dream, Dvorsky Jr. is responsible in all zones and plays a mature, NHL-ready game. Scouts rave about his hockey IQ and ability to elevate teammates.
Liam Fournier (G, Canada): It’s rare to see a goalie climb into top-five conversations, but Fournier has done just that. Agile, calm under pressure, and technically sharp, he could be the first goalie taken in the top 10 in several years.
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2025 NHL Mock Draft – Projected Top 5 Picks
Now that the NHL Draft Lottery 2025 order is locked, speculation begins. Here’s a look at how the top five picks might play out:
- San Jose Sharks – Michael Halvorsen (C): The Sharks need a true No. 1 center, and Halvorsen fits the mold perfectly.
- Ottawa Senators – Tyler McQuaid (D): Ottawa adds a cornerstone defenseman to solidify their blue line for years to come.
- Chicago Blackhawks – Nikita Voronov (RW): A dynamic winger to pair with their young core and ignite the offense.
- Anaheim Ducks – Marek Dvorsky Jr.(C): A smart pick to add strength and stability down the middle.
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Liam Fournier (G): Goaltending has been a long-standing issue in Columbus. This could be their solution.
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When is The NHL Draft Lottery 2025
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is scheduled to take place in late June 2025 though the exact dates and venue have not yet been officially confirmed by the NHL as of now.
Typically, the NHL Draft occurs over two days:
- Round 1 is held on a Friday evening.
- Rounds 2–7 take place the following day, usually on Saturday.
In recent years, the draft has been held around the third or fourth weekend of June, so you can expect the 2025 draft to fall between June 20–28.
