
NHL Draft Class
139 episodes — Page 1 of 3
Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting; Midterm Rankings
NHL Central Scouting released its midseason rankings and the man in charge, Central Scouting director Dan Marr, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss all the details, from Gavin McKenna at No. 1, to three defensemen in the top six, and a look at the top player on the International skater list. We also talk about some news from the World Juniors, Tynan Lawrence's move to Boston University, and where the 2026 NHL Draft will be held.
Steven Ellis, DailyFaceoff.com; World Junior Championship preview
The 2026 World Junior Championship is a holiday season staple, and the focus of the hockey world. NHL Draft Class previews the tournament and some of the top 2026 NHL Draft talent that will be playing in it with Steven Ellis from DailyFaceoff.com. Steven shares his opinions on who could win the tournament, what Gavin McKenna needs to show and what other 2026 draft prospects he'll be keeping a close eye on.
Alessandro Di Iorio & Beckham Edwards of Sarnia; CHL USA Prospects Challenge
NHL Draft Class is on-site in Calgary for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and got to sit down with some of the future NHL stars, including Sarnia teammates Alessandro Di Iorio and Beckham Edwards. They talked about their seasons, what they like about each other as teammates, and see who could do better in a little trivia contest. Plus there's some discussion about the projected No. 1 pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, and his season so far.
Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting; Preliminary players to watch list
NHL Draft Class returns for season No. 8, with NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to cover Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list. Marr discusses Penn State forward Gavin McKenna's wizardly skills, and has praise for several top prospects, among them Windsor forward Ethan Belchetz, Vancouver defenseman Ryan Lin, and North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff.
Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet; 2025 draft wrap-up, 2026 draft look-ahead
It's time to put a wrap on the 2025 NHL Draft, with Sam Cosentino of NHL Network and Sportsnet joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss which teams stood out, surprise selections and much more. They also preview the top players to watch for the 2026 NHL Draft, with forward Gavin McKenna and defenseman Keaton Verhoeff among the biggest names.
First Round Recap: Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa & Anton Frondell join
The first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft is in the books, and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale cover all aspects. They spoke with Matthew Schaefer moments after he was chosen by the New York Islanders with the No. 1 pick, as well as the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, Michael Misa of the San Jose Sharks and Anton Frondell of the Chicago Blackhawks. Adam and Mike also discuss their surprise selections, some of the most interesting teams and much more.
Pat Cullen, NHL Central Scouting; Top USHL & high school prospects
Pat Cullen of NHL Central Scouting joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top prospects from the United States Hockey League and U.S. high schools for the 2025 NHL Draft. Pat shares his opinions on several top prospects, including Madison linemates Ryker Lee and Mason Moe, Muskegon forward Ivan Ryabkin, and Edina High School forward Mason West, who could be "kind of the unicorn of the whole draft class."
Porter Martone, Brampton Steelheads captain; Nick Smith, NHL Central Scouting
NHL Draft Class is back from the NHL Scouting Combine and focused on the best of the Ontario Hockey League, starting with Brampton forward Porter Martone, who discusses his season, being a captain and his favorite backyard goalie, Jeff. Co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale also talk to Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting to get his opinions on some of the top 2025 NHL Draft prospects from the OHL, including Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Jake O'Brien and more. There's also some mock draft talk.
NHL Scouting Combine Part II: Michael Misa and James Hagens
NHL Draft Class is back for another episode from the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. This time two of the top centers join the podcast, with Michael Misa of Saginaw and James Hagens of Boston College both saying how they feel they're ready to jump right into an NHL lineup next season. Misa also touches on the possibility of playing with his brother at Penn State, while Hagens discusses his hometown New York Islanders winning the NHL Draft Lottery, plus much more.
NHL Scouting Combine Part I: Matthew Schaefer and Roger McQueen
NHL Draft Class is in Buffalo for the NHL Scouting Combine and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale kicked off the week by speaking with two of the top prospects for the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft, Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Brandon center Roger McQueen. Both players discussed their injury-riddled seasons, revealed how much of the combine fitness testing they will be taking part in, what they plan to tell the NHL teams they're meeting with, plus much more.
David Gregory, NHL Central Scouting; NHL Scouting Combine Preview
The NHL Scouting Combine is one of the tentpole events on the way to the NHL Draft, and to talk about the 2025 Combine, NHL Central Scouting associate director David Gregory joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. Gregory discusses why Buffalo is the perfect site for one of the most important events of the draft season, and covers some of the top draft prospects, including Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Brandon center Roger McQueen and many more.
John Williams, NHL Central Scouting; Top WHL prospects
With the 2025 NHL Draft just one month away, NHL Central Scouting senior western scout John Williams joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top Western Hockey League prospects, including Seattle defenseman Radim Mrtka, Brandon center Roger McQueen, and Everett forward Carter Bear.
J-P Vuorinen, NHL European Scouting; Top International prospects
J-P Vuorinen, director of NHL European Scouting, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top International prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft, with special focus on the top two players, Djurgarden teammates Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund. There's also some talk about the upcoming NHL Scouting Combine, and an update on the order of selection for the first 28 picks in the first round of the draft.
J-F Damphousse, NHL Central Scouting; QMJHL top prospects
It's time to discuss the best 2025 NHL Draft prospects in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, with NHL Central Scouting's J-F Damphousse joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. We get J-F's expert analysis on several top players, including Moncton forward Caleb Desnoyers, and the former NHL stars that Desnoyers reminds him of.
Jason Bukala, Sportsnet scouting analyst; NHL Draft Lottery mock draft
We're talking about the NHL Draft Lottery with Sportsnet draft expert Jason Bukala. What does he think the New York Islanders will do with the No. 1 pick? What about the San Jose Sharks at No. 2? And where do Porter Martone, James Hagens, Roger McQueen and more fit into the 2025 NHL Draft puzzle. Plus co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale discuss their post-lottery mock draft.
S7: Al Jensen, NHL Central Scouting; Top Draft Goalies
NHL Central Scouting's goalie guru, Al Jensen, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top goalies for the 2025 NHL Draft, including Joshua Ravensbergen of Prince George, Jack Ivankovic of Brampton, 2025 World Juniors hero Linards Feldbergs and more. There's also some news about the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery drawing.
S7: Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting; Final Rankings
NHL Central Scouting revealed its final rankings and Central Scouting director Dan Marr joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss them. Dan takes us inside the final meetings to tell us how Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer ended up at No. 1 among North American skaters, plus shares his opinion on Brampton forward Porter Martone, Barrie defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, Brandon forward Roger McQueen and more.
S7: Greg Brown, Boston College Head Coach; Mock Draft 1.0
It's time for the first mock draft of the 2025 NHL Draft season and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale discuss who they think goes No. 1, which top-end center will be chosen first, where Roger McQueen lands and much more. They are also joined by Boston College head coach Greg Brown, who makes a case for why his player, forward James Hagens, should be the first player selected.
Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting; midterm rankings
NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss Central Scouting's midterm rankings of the top North American and International skaters and goalies. Dan takes us in the meeting room to cover why Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer is No. 1 on the list of North American skaters, gives an update on Brandon forward Roger McQueen, covers why Djurgarden forward Victor Eklund is No. 1 among International skaters and shares the scouting report on several other top 2025 NHL Draft prospects.
Scott Harris, former Director of amateur scouting operations; World Juniors recap
Scott Harris, former director of amateur scouting operations, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss all the news coming out of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Harris shares his opinion on how some of the top NHL Draft-eligible players performed, including U.S. forward James Hagens, and forward Porter Martone and defenseman Matthew Schaefer for Canada, and how their play could affect their standing for the 2025 NHL Draft. They also discuss tournament surprises and the upcoming NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings.
S7: Chris Peters, FloHockey draft expert; World Juniors preview
Merry World Juniors, everyone! NHL Draft Class co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale are joined by FloHockey draft expert Chris Peters to get you ready for everything you need to know for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Among the topics covered are the potential impact of top 2025 NHL Draft prospects James Hagens for the United States and Porter Martone and Matthew Schaefer for Canada, if Schaefer can stake his claim to being the No. 1 pick of the draft, and of course, tournament predictions.
S7: CHL USA Top Prospects Challenge: Porter Martone & Michael Misa
NHL Draft Class co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale are back for Part 2 from the inaugural CHL USA Top Prospects Challenge in London and Oshawa, featuring some of the top players for the 2025 NHL Draft. Joining the show are two of the projected top-four picks, Brampton forward Porter Martone and Saginaw forward Michael Misa. They discuss their seasons, how they get away from the game, and each makes his case for why he should be the No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft. Co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale also share their thoughts on the World Junior selection camp rosters for Canada and the U.S.
S7: CHL USA Top Prospects Challenge: Matthew Schaefer & Malcolm Spence
NHL Draft Class co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale are live at the inaugural CHL USA Top Prospects Challenge in London, Ontario with some of the top players for the 2025 NHL Draft. Joining the show are Erie teammates Matthew Schaefer and Malcolm Spence, who discuss several topics, ranging from their play on the ice to their dancing and singing abilities. It's a great chat with two of the top prospects for the 2025 draft.
S7: Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting; preliminary players to watch list
NHL Draft Class kicks off its seventh season with Central Scouting director Dan Marr joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list. Dan shares his scouting reports on A-rated forwards James Hagens of Boston College, Porter Martone of Brampton, Michael Misa of Saginaw and more, plus gives you a surprising B-rated player to watch, one he compared to Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.
S6: Craig Button, TSN director of scouting; 2024 NHL Draft look-back, 2025 look-ahead
It's time to put a bow on the 2024 NHL Draft, and TSN director of scouting Craig Button is the perfect guest to wrap up all that happened at Sphere in Las Vegas, from the biggest moments to the surprises, and the experience of having the draft in one of the most unique buildings on the planet. Craig also gives his early prediction on who the top three players in the 2025 NHL Draft could be, and shares his opinion on potentially the next generational NHL player.
S6: First Round Recap: Macklin Celebrini, Beckett Sennecke, Cayden Lindstrom & Tij Iginla
Adam and Mike recap the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft and discuss their favorite moments, biggest surprises and best stories of a memorable night in Las Vegas. They are joined by Macklin Celebrini, Beckett Sennecke, Cayden Lindstrom and Tij Iginla . The guys wrap the episode talking about the facts and figures of the first round and what teams stood out to them with the selections made.
S6: Sam Cosentino, NHL Network & Sportsnet; NHL Draft preview
The 2024 NHL Draft has finally arrived, and Sam Cosentino of NHL Network and Sportsnet joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to set up the big show at Sphere in Las Vegas. Cosentino gives his opinion on Macklin Celebrini's NHL future, what he would do if he was the Chicago Blackhawks making the No. 2 pick, if he would take Tij Iginla if he was making the choice for the Calgary Flames and much more.
S6: Janne Vuorinen, NHL Central Scouting; Top International prospects
Janne Vuorinen, chief European scout for NHL Central Scouting, joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top International prospects for the 2024 draft, including Nizhny Novgorod defenseman Anton Silayev and SKA St. Petersburg forward Ivan Demidov, each of whom could be selected in the top five. There's also talk about Vaxjo defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius, who could be the only Sweden-born player selected in the first round, and two Norway-born players who could go before him, Mora forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Valerenga defenseman Stian Solberg.
S6: Nick Smith, NHL Central Scouting; Top OHL prospects
Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Ontario Hockey League, among them Saginaw defenseman Zayne Parekh, Oshawa forward Beckett Sennecke, and defenseman Sam Dickinson and forward Sam O'Reilly of London.
S6: NHL Scouting Combine - PART II: Cayden Lindstrom, Zeev Buium & Cole Eiserman
Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale sit down with top prospects Cayden Lindstrom (2:10), Zeev Buium (13:22) and Cole Eiserman (25:37). The guys get to know each prospect and discuss what makes each player special and highly rated prospects headed into this year's NHL Draft. Plus, find out where they project each guy goes as they reiterate their mock drafts.
S6: NHL Scouting Combine - PART I: Macklin Celebrini & Chris Morehouse
NHL Draft Class is at the 2024 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. Macklin Celebrini, expected to be the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, joined the show (4:55) to discuss his season, how his meetings with the San Jose Sharks have gone and what will go into his decision to turn pro or return to college for another season. Co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale also are joined by Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse (21:36), who talked about Celebrini, options with the No. 14 pick in the first round, how they are approaching the draft as a whole and more.
S6: David Gregory, NHL Central Scouting & Jason Bukala, Sportsnet; NHL Scouting Combine preview
NHL Draft Class previews the upcoming NHL Scouting Combine with David Gregory of NHL Central Scouting, who shares his behind-the-scenes insight in how the Combine has grown, and his opinion on several top prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft. Sportsnet draft expert Jason Bukala also is on the show to talk Combine, a potential Memorial Cup bump for a couple top draft prospects, a possible landing spot for U.S. NTDP forward Cole Eiserman and much more.
S6: John Williams, NHL Central Scouting; WHL top prospects
John Williams of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Western Hockey League, among them Medicine Hat forward Cayden Lindstrom, and what Hockey Hall of Fame member Lindstrom reminds him of. Williams also touches on forwards Berkly Catton of Spokane and Tij Iginla of Kelowna, Calgary defenseman Carter Yakemchuk and more. Plus the hosts touch on the order of selection being set for the first 28 picks of the first round of the draft.
S6: Pat Cullen, NHL Central Scouting; Top USHL/NTDP prospects
Pat Cullen of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the United States Hockey League and USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, among them NTDP forward Cole Eiserman and defenseman Cole Hutson, Muskegon forwards Sasha Boisvert and Matvei Gridin, plus Pat's memories of watching projected No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini during his USHL time.
S6: Mock Draft 1.0; NHL Draft Lottery
With the San Jose Sharks winning the NHL Draft Lottery and the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft, NHL Draft Class hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale go over their first mock draft, for the 16 teams in the lottery. They discuss the impact Macklin Celebrini is expected to have in San Jose, what the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks could do with the No. 2 and No. 3 pick respectively, and how the rest of the top half of the first round of the draft could shake out.
S6: J-F Damphousse, NHL Central Scouting; Top QMJHL prospects
J-F Damphousse of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, among them Chicoutimi right wing Maxim Masse, Rimouski defenseman Spencer Gill and Saint John left wing Eriks Mateiko. Adam and Mike also discuss the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery, to be held May 7.
S6: Al Jensen, NHL Central Scouting: Top goalie prospects
Al Jensen, the goalie guru of NHL Central Scouting, joins the podcast to discuss the top goalies available, including Mikhail Yegorov of Omaha of the USHL and what pushed him up to No. 1 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American goalies, Carter George from Owen Sound of the OHL, Lukas Matecha of Tri-City in the WHL and many more.
S6: Dan Marr, VP, NHL Central Scouting; Final Rankings
VP of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss Central Scouting's final rankings of the top North American and International skaters and goalies for the 2024 draft. Among the topics are how long it took to determine Macklin Celebrini would be No. 1, how Central parsed the top available defensemen, why Anton Silayev ended up at No. 1 on the International skater list and so much more.
S6: Jason Bukala, Sportsnet scouting analyst; NHL.com's Top 32
Sportsnet scouting analyst Jason Bukala joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft. Bukala shares his NHL comparisons for consensus No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini, discusses why he has forward Ivan Demidov of SKA St. Petersburg's junior team No. 2 on his top 40 ranking, what NHL player NTDP star forward Cole Eiserman reminds him of, and much more. There's also some discussion around the NHL.com Top 32 ranking, including why Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov is No. 2.
S6: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets forward; CHL Top Prospects Game
NHL Draft Class is on the road in Moncton, New Brunswick for the CHL Top Prospects Game. Hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale talked to Tij Iginla, the No. 11 prospect on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings and son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, about his season, crafting his own identity out of the spotlight of his father and the other sport he considered playing.
S6: Dan Marr, VP, NHL Central Scouting; Midterm Rankings
NHL Central Scouting vice president Dan Marr joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss Central Scouting's midterm rankings of the top North American and International skaters. Dan goes in-depth on the NHL readiness of the No, 1 player, Boston University freshman forward Macklin Celebrini, the placement of NTDP star forward Cole Eiserman, and the top defensemen available, topped by Artyom Levshunov of Michigan State. Adam and Mike also discuss the USA Hockey All-American Game played Monday, which included Eiserman and top 2025 draft prospect James Hagens.
S6: Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff; 2024 World Junior Championship preview
Steven Ellis, associate editor and prospect analyst for Daily Faceoff, joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale for an in-depth preview of the 2024 World Junior Championship, with a special focus on top 2024 NHL Draft prospects Macklin Celebrini of Canada, Zeev Buium of the United States, Konsta Helenius of Finland and more. There's also some talk about The Sphere in Las Vegas, the expected host of the 2024 draft.
S6: Player to Watch List; Top prospect Artyom Levshunov joins
NHL.com's Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale kick off the sixth season of NHL Draft Class by discussing the release of NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list, including Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini and USA Hockey National Team Development Program forward Cole Eiserman. They're also joined by one of the top defenseman prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft, Artyom Levshunov of Michigan State University.
S5: Craig Button, TSN scouting director; Draft recap & analysis
Craig Button, TSN scouting director, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to close the books on the 2023 NHL Draft, with his thoughts on the future potential of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson, among others. Button also gives a preview of some of the top prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft
S5: First Round Recap: Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson & Adam Fantilli
Adam and Mike recap the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft and discuss their favorite moments, biggest surprises and best stories of a memorable night in Nashville. They are joined by Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli. The guys wrap the episode talking about the facts and figures of the first round and what teams stood out to them with the selections made.
S5: Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet and NHL Network; 2023 NHL Draft Preview
Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet and NHL Network joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to preview the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, including what the Anaheim Ducks could do at No. 2, where Russia-born forward Matvei Michkov could go, how many defensemen are selected within the top 20 picks and much more.
S5: John Williams, NHL Central Scouting; WHL draft prospect analysis
Connor Bedard is one of many top prospects from the Western Hockey League available for the 2023 NHL Draft, and John Williams from NHL Central Scouting joins NHL Draft Class to provide his expert opinion on several of them. In addition to Bedard, he covers Kelowna forward Andrew Cristall, Vancouver forward Samuel Honzek, Tri-City defenseman Lukas Dragicevic and many more.
S5: Janne Vuorinen, NHL Central Scouting & Leo Carlsson; European draft prospect analysis
Leo Carlsson, arguably the top draft prospect from Europe, joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale (22:55) to discuss his season, whether he's a center or a wing at the next level and how he's overcome some personal adversity to shine on and off the ice. Also on the show is Janne Vuorinen (1:57) of Central Scouting to provide insight on some of the top International players available for the draft.
S5: NHL Scouting Combine - PART II: Adam Fantilli & Will Smith
Adam Fantilli, who could be the No. 2 pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, sat down with co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale for a wide-ranging discussion, including whether he plans to return to Michigan for a second season or jump right into the NHL. The hosts also spent time with William Smith, a likely top-five pick in the draft, to talk about his record-setting World Under-18 Championship and expectations heading into next season at Boston College.
S5: NHL Scouting Combine - PART I: Connor Bedard & Mike Doneghey
Connor Bedard, the expected No. 1 pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, sat down with co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale at the NHL Scouting Combine to discuss his season, his expectations for the combine and how much he's starting to learn about the city of Chicago (1:41). The hosts also spent time with Blackhawks director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey (15:38) to talk about their approach to the No. 1 pick as well as No. 19 in the first round, how Chicago approaches the combine and much more.