Over the course of NHL training camps, there are few more exciting things than watching which rookies break into the league out of camp. That\u2019s especially true for players coming straight from the NHL Draft, who are often making the massive leap from junior leagues directly to competition on the world\u2019s biggest stage at 18-years-old. As the end of this year\u2019s camps approaches, it appears the 2025 class could offer up multiple stars capable of making that jump, and even sticking around for the full year.<\/p>\n
The strongest bids for an NHL role sit, aptly, with the top two picks. Matthew Schaefer<\/strong><\/a> has seemed destined for an NHL role since he was drafted. He exudes confidence in both personality and performance, and has looked sharp from his first preseason game despite not playing a game since December 2024. Schaefer\u2019s top-to-bottom playmaking and slick stickhandling has stayed effective against pro competition. Even with the growing pains of going from OHL injury to NHL minutes, it seems the Islanders would be foolish to not see what their star prospect can show when the season kicks off.<\/p>\n Michael Misa<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s camp hasn\u2019t burst in the same way as Schaefer\u2019s \u2013 but his bright moments have surely looked as dominant. He has continued to show an impressive level of speed, deception, and highlight-reel goal-scoring. That could be enough to earn a spot on an already young and inexperienced Sharks roster \u2013 though Misa still looks a few steps back from NHL tempo and physicality. There could be merit to letting him work through those challenges next to other young, top-picks Macklin Celebrini<\/a><\/strong>, Will Smith<\/a><\/strong>, and William Eklund<\/a><\/strong>. All three have found ways to make their offense work in the NHL, despite facing the same barrier that Misa is faced with now.<\/p>\n Fifth-overall pick Brady Martin<\/strong><\/a> could have the strongest chance for an NHL role behind the draft\u2019s stars. He has fit right into an offense of heavy, smooth-moving forwards with the Nashville Predators \u2013 and even skated alongside Ryan O\u2019Reilly<\/a><\/strong> and Filip Forsberg<\/a><\/strong> late in camp. That\u2019s a strong spot to be with final cuts approaching, helped along by Martin being one of only three 2025 draftees with multiple preseason points. He has two in three games.<\/p>\n The other multi-point scorers are former Seattle Thunderbirds teammates Radim Mrtka<\/strong><\/a> (1 G, 1 A, 4 GP) and Braeden Cootes<\/strong><\/a> (2 G, 3 GP). Mrtka has flashed as a versatile puck-mover for the Buffalo Sabres. He looks like he\u2019ll fit right in with the Sabres\u2019 downhill style, but has also looked a bit too shaky in his moments away from the puck. He seems headed for a return to Seattle \u2013 while Cootes is making the Vancouver Canucks\u2019 decision tough. He\u2019s proven capable of holding his own against pros, with the smarts and the strength to keep making plays in the dangerous areas of the ice. He could be the jolt of effective depth that Vancouver\u2019s been searching for, though that could be a lot to ask the 18-year-old centerman.<\/p>\n Benjamin Kindel<\/strong><\/a> has also been a standout, showing he has the skill to play above his size with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It\u2019s his ability to work around his experienced linemates that has helped Kindel shine. His snappy speed and smart paths around the offensive end have worked on a high-skilled Penguins offense, though Kindel has only one goal in five preseason appearances. Like many rookies, he faces an uphill battle in adjusting to NHL physicality, which could result in one more year in the WHL proving the best bet.<\/p>\n Each of the six draftees \u2013 all former CHL players \u2013 have done well to prove their case to stick in the NHL. At the least, it seems all five could be headed for a nine-game trial period before returning to their junior clubs. But with final cuts yet to come, it remains to be seen who will break camp with their new team.<\/p>\n Who do you think will make the NHL, and who needs another year of honing?<\/p>\n