Devils' 2025 Mock Draft

My selections for each pick for the Devils in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

Jun 26, 2025

In the past five or so weeks, I have written, in great detail, about 22 players I think the New Jersey Devils should target with their seven day-two draft picks. From the second round to the sixth round, there is talent to be had at all spots in this year’s draft, even if the consensus is that it’s a relatively weak one.

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The first round of the draft happens tomorrow, with the Devils’ selections going down on Saturday.

Without further ado, let’s get into my mock draft for the Devils:

50. Cameron Schmidt (LW)

At 50th overall, you will not find a player with more skill than Schmidt. In fact, even within the top 10 of this draft, I think there are but a few players with more dynamism and skill within their game.

So, why is he available at 50th overall? It’s simple: he’s tiny.

At 5’7.25 and 161 pounds, Schmidt is one of the smaller players in the draft.

Public scouting outlets have consistently ranked the minuscule forward in the late-first round, but Rachel Doerrie reported in an article for ESPN that perception within the NHL is that he’s going to be a late-second draft pick at the earliest, simply by proxy of his size.

I’m extremely confident in saying that Schmidt is the best skater in the entire draft. He has the highest top speed, the best explosiveness, and the agility you’d expect out of a player with his frame. He can break the game open with his legs alone.

I would also argue that Schmidt has one of the best shots in the draft class. His wrister is blistering and deceptive. His one-timer is compact, untelegraphed, and heavy. His backhand is quick and powerful. He can score at any distance and from any angle.

That isn’t to say that his playmaking isn’t up to snuff, though, as he does possess some ability there, too. He keeps defenses on their toes because of his dual-threat nature. Defensively, Schmidt is surprisingly responsible, being hyper-aggressive. It’s impossible for him to overcommit when his recovery ability is so strong.

Beyond all that, Schmidt is a dawg. He uses physicality in his game on a constant basis — proactive contact, aggressive forechecking, power moves, you name it. He’s one of the more tenacious players in the class.

If he’s available at 50 and the Devils pass over him, I would be extraordinarily disappointed with Tom Fitzgerald and the rest of the scouting team. He has top-six, first power-play unit forward written all over him.

You can read my full scouting report, with plenty of film, on Schmidt here.

Honorable Mentions (Ranked):

Alexander Zharovsky (RW) — I don’t think Zharovsky falls this far; he’s likely to end up in the earlier stages of the second round (mid-40s, methinks). Still, if he’s available and Schmidt is off the board, he would be an excellent get. The 6’1, 165-pound winger has unbelievable skill with the puck on his stick, being able to dangle everything and everyone at full speed. He’s no stranger to besting opponents in 1-on-1, 1-on-2, and even 1-on-3 scenarios en route to generating a high-danger chance for himself or teammates. Zharovsky needs to work on his shot from distance, but his in-tight mechanics, playmaking chops, skating ability, and, of course, hands make him a first-round talent based on skill alone. Read my full scouting report here.
Adam Benák (C) — Another 5’7 forward who will likely be available with this pick simply by virtue of his size is Benák, who has legitimate game-breaking ability. His facilitation game is arguably the best in class, being able to execute high-danger, high-difficulty passes on a regular basis. He is incredibly fast, explosive, and agile, and uses that to his advantage both along the perimeter of the ice and when cutting into the middle for a higher-danger opportunity. His shot is excellent if not underutilized, and he possesses one of the best work ethics and motors in the draft class. He also just so happens to own the all-time record for points in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup — and it isn’t even close. Read my full scouting report here.

63. Theo Stockselius (C/LW)

The Devils need to bolster their organizational center depth, and while I’m usually not a proponent of drafting for need, Stockselius presents as a best-of-both-worlds option at 63rd overall.

The 6’3, 186-pound centerman already has NHL-level size and a well-rounded game that projects well to a future third-line role.

From a skating standpoint, the only area of his game Stockselius truly needs to improve is his agility and edgework — he would benefit more than most by working with Jesper Bratt’s skating coach, Daniel Broberg. Stockselius is a clinical finisher, though he does need to up the ante in terms of shot volume — he’s too shy and wants to make the most dangerous play too often, even if it results in a turnover.

The reason for that tendency to shy away from shooting the puck is that Stockselius is a top-notch playmaker. His vision is strong, and he uses his body to facilitate play for his teammates better than most NHLers. More than that, his IQ is equally present when operating off-puck, where he is consistently well-positioned and anticipates the flow of play exorbitantly well.

These off-puck habits are present in Stockselius’s defensive game, too, where he shines and has the potential to be a true two-way player at the NHL level. His positioning is strong, his stickwork is strong, he is disciplined, and he pounces on loose pucks well. He certainly needs to work on taking faceoffs, though.

With skating improvements and more confidence in physical engagement, Stockselius profiles as a solid third-line center down the line.

You can read my full Stockselius scouting report, with a ton of film, here.

Honorable Mentions (Ranked):

LJ Mooney (RW) — Yet another 5’7 forward makes an appearance on my list, dropping to this spot in the draft solely because of his size. Mooney is a dynamic skater, relying more heavily on that than any other facet of his game to get the job done. Still, his shot is strong, and he is a creative playmaker with excellent off-puck instincts. More than anything else, though, he is an absolute workhorse and shockingly physical given his frame. Mooney’s tenacity is unmatched and he is incredibly strong and pesky, laying big, open-ice hits on players with 50 pounds and 6” on him. It’s incredibly fun to watch. Read my full scouting report here.
Tomáš Pobežal (C) — While still on the small end of things, Pobežal is the biggest of the mini-bunch at 5’10, 179 pounds. The hardworking center has a ways to go in terms of playmaking abilities, but his shot is solid from in-tight, he generates good speed and explosiveness despite his clunky mechanics, he has solid puckhandling ability, and he is defensively mature. His motor is his calling card, though, and his never-say-die attitude on the ice rubs off on his teammates. Read my full scouting report here.

90. Philippe Veilleux (LW/RW)

To me, the Devils’ clear goal from an organizational standpoint needs to be to add more pure talent into their pipeline. Steer clear of adding potential glue guys, overvaluing positional need, and blindly coveting size more than skill — the team has plenty of players who fit that bill and not enough who make waves through talent alone.

Enter Veilleux, one of the most dynamic and creative playmakers in the draft, who will be available around this pick by virtue of his frame (5’9, 165) and skating.

As I mentioned above, Veilleux is an exceptional distributor, consistently finding high-danger looks with ease, even in high-difficulty situations. He cares not if he is stapled along the boards by a bigger, more physical presence — he’s going to find a way to get the puck into a high-danger area of the ice for his teammate regardless. What Veilleux is able to do from the outside of the ice is remarkable.

He also elevated his game from a goal-scoring standpoint, something that stood out as a weakness in his game just one season ago. Now, Veilleux looks like a true threat, even from distance, with his shot, as indicated by his 40 goals in 64 QMJHL games.

He will need to work on his skating, with a need to become more explosive and outright speedy. Some have argued against Veilleux by saying he doesn’t absorb contact very well, but I honestly didn’t see much to be concerned about there in my viewings. If developed properly, and if he takes strides (pun intended) in his skating, I believe he has middle-six upside.

Here is my full scouting report on Veilleux.

Honorable Mention:

Maxim Agafonov (RHD) — The first defenseman on my list, Agafonov has a no-nonsense style of hockey that GM Tom Fitzgerald probably finds quite appealing. Agafonov already has NHL size, at 6’2, 198 pounds, and certainly uses it to play physical, defensive hockey. He’s no stranger to laying big, open-ice hits, suffocating his opponents along the boards, and bullying forwards in front of his own net. The best part is that there’s a lot more to his game than that — he is a relatively strong skater, and uses that to transport the puck out of his own zone with great success. In the neutral zone, he is smart enough to either jump into the rush or pass the puck over to an open target to ensure a zone entry. Defense will always be his calling card, and for good reason, but there’s a puck-mover in the rough here. Read my full scouting report here.

99. Aidan Lane (RW)

Lane, a beneficiary of the revamped NCAA rules, spent time in both a prep school league and, occasionally, the OHL in 2024-25, where he immediately settled into a top-six role and produced at a point-per-game pace with a limited sample size.

At 99th overall, he’d be my guy.

The name of Lane’s game is his strength. He is always a threat for a power move, even if his skating ability is generally lackluster. Along the boards, he is extremely efficient at winning pucks, forechecking effectively, protecting possession, and playmaking through coverage. He has NHL-level size, at 6’1, 193 pounds, and uses it to his full advantage in the offensive zone.

Lane is a huge supporter of the “Throw things on net and good things will happen” mentality, both when he’s facilitating and when he’s crashing the net himself.

Defensively, he is responsible, keeping his body between the puck carrier and his own net at all times and supporting breakouts through his active stickwork. If he improves on his skating — which he desperately needs to — there’s a strong fourth-line forward to be had here, I think.

Here is my full Lane scouting report.

Honorable Mentions (Ranked):

Drew Schock (LHD) — Schock, a 5’11, smoooooooth-skating defenseman, should be available at this point in the draft, and if the Devils are looking to add a blueliner here, I wouldn’t be upset with the selection in the slightest. The USNTDP’s most important defenseman, Schock is a transition monster on both ends of the spectrum. He needs to iron out his play while under pressure, but the skating is obviously projectable, and his offensive IQ is a bit underrated for what I’ve seen in public reports. Read my full scouting report here.
Max Westergård (LW/RW) — 17-year-old Westergård jumped onto the scene when he became the sixth U18 player in SHL history to record three points in a single playoffs. He lacks some individual playdriving ability and is certainly better off in a complementary role, but he does possess some dual-threat capabilities in the offensive zone. Moreover, his defensive game is already mature, particularly for a teenager playing in a men’s league, and he is a relatively strong skater. Read my full scouting report here.

114. Viggo Nordlund (LW)

I know, I know — you’re probably tired of reading about undersized forwards at this point. Hear me out, though, because Nordlund is another one of those potential game-breaking players, though he has more boom-or-bust potential than anyone on this list.

At 5’9, 167 pounds, Nordlund scored a ridiculous 22 points in nine playoff games in the J20 last season before losing a bit of his mojo and logging 49 points in 40 games this season. Still, the production is particularly strong for a player projected to go around this spot.

Nordlund has game-breaking ability with his legs and hands, being one of the stronger skaters in the group in terms of all-around ability. His puckhandling is electric, and he can take on multiple defenders while still gaining the interior of the ice with those two facets of his game alone.

His game is best served in a complementary role; when tasked with driving a line on his own, Nordlund tends to overdo things and take on too much, leading to a good amount of offensive-zone turnovers. When playing alongside a player(s) who can hang with his vision and skill level, though, he elevates everyone on the ice. He’s ludicrously creative with the puck, finding high-level passing plays that viewers and players alike had no idea were even possible on a somewhat regular basis. He is no stranger to feathering saucer passes through heavy traffic directly into high-danger areas of the ice, doling out perfect no-look passes while even in the most aggressive coverage, and having a sort of clairvoyance with plays that few in the draft class possess. It’s magical to watch when he’s given the right deployment.

The concerns lie obviously in his size, as well as in his defensive play (though he has ironed out many of the kinks there that previously existed) and lack of playdriving ability. Nordlund’s skill and creativity, though, make him one of the more exciting players in the draft and a complete boom-or-bust, top-six or non-NHL prospect.

You can read my full scouting report on Nordlund here.

Honorable Mention:

Bruno Idžan (LW) — 114th overall quickly became one of my favorite spots for the Devils, as there is legitimate, untapped potential to be had in the mid-late fourth round. An overage entry into the draft, Idžan moved to the USHL this season, where he flourished with the London Stars. The 6’1, 195-pound winger must work on his skating ability if he wants to make it to the big leagues, but his shot is incredible and he plays with a physical edge, two things that I think make him an appealing target for the Devils in particular. Read my full scouting report here.

161. Maddox Labre (LHD)

I had Labre as a target with the 114th overall pick, but there’s been some noise that he might go completely undrafted. This, to me, would be a tragic mistake, and one the Devils should pounce on at 161st overall.

Despite his pedestrian production — 19 points in 61 QMJHL games — Labre possesses some of the best two-way ability of any defenseman in the last four rounds of the draft. The only reason he’s flown this far under the radar is because of his lackluster point totals.

In transition, Labre is a complete workhorse. He is a strong skater and has a strong enough IQ to understand when to take it into the zone himself and when to opt for a teammate instead. He is active in jumping into the play, and excels at finding high-danger opportunities when he is activated down the zone.

Defensively, Labre is adherent to doing the little things right, playing in a conceptually similar playstyle to Simon Nemec. In that, I mean that Labre relies on deception more than anything else to get the puck out of the defensive zone — bank passes, head fakes, body fakes, and crafty edgework are commonplace whenever he has possession and is trying to get the puck out. When he is playing off-puck, he positions himself exceptionally well, sports an active stick, and, when defending against a rush opportunity, uses his skating to close gaps extremely quickly and apply pressure.

I would have Labre in the top-100 of my personal board, so if he’s available at this spot — which sounds likely — I want the Devils to pounce.

You can read my full Labre scouting report here.

Honorable Mention:

Matouš Kucharčík (C) — The lanky, 6’3, 155-pound center would be a smart bet for the Devils at this spot, as it’s likely that the tools that prevent him from going any higher in this draft will iron themselves out as he fills his frame over time. Skating is a weak point for Kucharčík, but more power will come with thicker legs. Beyond that, he possesses a well-balanced playstyle, though he generally lacks creativity and a high level of skill. Still, his off-puck play and defensive maturity lead me to believe that there is a potential fourth-line center down the line. Read my full scouting report here.

178. Maleek McGowan (LHD)

With their last pick of the draft, the Devils should strongly consider double-overager McGowan.

I’m a sucker for defensemen who can move, and McGowan is no exception. His deep-set stance and stride ensure that he generates great power with each individual step, and he uses that in conjunction with his unparalleled confidence to be a machine in transition. He loves having the puck on his stick on zone exits and through the neutral zone.

Beyond that, I’m particularly impressed with his defensive game. He

The concerns lie not in his tools in a vacuum, but in the context of him being several years older than his competition. I’m a believer that his tools are what they are and would be exciting regardless of who he’s playing against, but some believe that McGowan looks better than he is by virtue of the age gap. At 178th overall, though, trust the tools.

You can read my full scouting report on McGowan here.

Summary

50. Cameron Schmidt (LW) — 5’7.25, 161 pounds | WHL | 40G, 38A, 78TP in 61 Games
63. Theo Stockselius (C/LW) — 6’3, 186 pounds | J20 Nationell | 22G, 29A, 51TP in 40 Games
90. Philippe Veilleux (LW/RW) — 5’9, 165 pounds | QMJHL | 40G, 47A, 87TP in 64 Games
99. Aidan Lane (RW) — 6’1, 193 pounds | OHL | 7G, 6A, 13TP in 13 Games
114. Viggo Nordlund (LW) — 5’9, 167 pounds | J20 Nationell | 24G, 25A, 49TP in 40 Games
161. Maddox Labre (LHD) — 6’2, 179 pounds | QMJHL | 3G, 16A, 19TP in 61 Games
178. Maleek McGowan (LHD) — 6’0, 190 pounds | OHL | 7G, 23A, 30TP in 56 Games

As you can see by my personal ideal mock draft, I prefer talent over size and positional need. If I were to guess, I would assume, based on historical drafting patterns with Tom Fitzgerald, that the Devils are likely to overcompensate for their lack of center depth and will prioritize players with size over smaller, more skilled/talented players. I suppose we’ll see on Saturday, though!