The NHL season has concluded with the Florida Panthers clinching their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Following their victory over the Edmonton Oilers, attention now turns to the future. The road to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final officially starts on Friday night with the opening round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
This year`s draft will be held in Los Angeles on Friday and Saturday. Over seven rounds, teams will make their selections, and fans can catch every pick across ESPN`s television networks and digital streaming services.
Holding the first overall selection this year are the New York Islanders, who secured the top pick in the draft lottery back in May.
When and Where to Watch the 2025 NHL Draft
The first round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft kicks off on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, broadcast on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+. Coverage of rounds 2 through 7 continues on Saturday, starting at 11:00 AM ET, available on ESPN+ and Disney+.
How to Access the Broadcast
All draft selections will be accessible via ESPN`s dedicated NHL streaming platform and television coverage.
Top Prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft
According to ESPN`s latest rankings, the top prospects expected to be selected early include:
- Matthew Schaefer, Defenseman, Erie Otters (OHL)
- Michael Misa, Forward, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
- James Hagens, Forward, Boston College (NCAA)
- Porter Martone, Forward, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
- Caleb Desnoyers, Forward, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Learn More About the Prospects
For in-depth profiles, tune into the two-part series `Welcome to the NHL: Meet the Prospects`. The first episode airs Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN2 and offers exclusive behind-the-scenes access to several leading draft candidates.
Access More Draft Coverage
Additional draft content, including the latest news, expert analysis, and team offseason plans, is available on ESPN`s NHL section.
