Two-pack of 2025 NHL Draft prospects

The 2024 hockey season has started and is in full swing, so you know what that means? The 2025 NHL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NHL teams.

Here is a pair of draft eligible players who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NHL draft.

Center- Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton (QMJHL)

• 6-foot-2 173 lbs
• 2024 stats: 24 games- 15 goals 22 assists 37 points

Caleb Desnoyers was born in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, and is Canadian junior ice hockey player for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. Desnoyers came onto the scene playing for the Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League at 15 years old. During his first season with the team he recorded 23 goals and 30 assists in 42 games and ranked second in the league with his 53 points. 

Desnoyers was drafted first overall by the Moncton Wildcats in the 2023 QMJHL Draft and during the 2023-2024 season, he recorded 20 goals and 36 assists in 60 regular season games. Among rookies, he ranked third in points, power-play assists (18) and face-off efficiency (53.9%%). Following the season he was named to the Rookie All-Star Team and was selected to compete in the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge.

In International play, Denoyers won three gold medals in nine months. He represented Canada White at the 2023 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and recorded three goals and two assists in five games to win a gold medal. Later that year he represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships where he recorded one goal and four assists in five games, winning his second gold medal. He also represented Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup tallying one goal and four assists in five games to win his third gold medal.

His brother Elliot is a prospect for the Philadelphia Flyers.

What to like about Caleb Desnoyers

What makes Caleb Desnoyers an interesting first round prospect is his ability to play a solid game in both ends of the ice at his age. He is defensively sound and does not take shifts off, allowing coaches to play him in all situations including on the power play and shorthanded. He is strong in the face-off circle and sets plays with his vision. 

Desnoyers is a strong puck handler and moves the puck seamlessly through the three zones. He makes no look passes tape-to tape, and possessed a strong wrist shot. He understands spacing and does not need a lot of room to get off a shot because of his quick release. 

Reason for concern

Desnoyers' biggest weakness is his size and strength. He is 6-foot-2 and only 173-pounds, which is not uncommon for a 17 year old. He does have the frame to add weight and muscle but currently lacks the physicality that the NHL will want to see, especially in the defensive zone. For most of his career, Desnoyers has gotten by using his height and puck handling skills and tends to play at a slower pace. He will need to improve his overall pace of playmaking at the next level. Desnoyers is a good skater, but his edge work is about average when compared to NHL players. 

Player Comparison

Phillip Danault

Draft Nation thinks that Caleb Desnoyers can be Phillip Danault with more scoring ability. Since Danault improved his play strengthr, he's been a more consistent scorer. 

Desnoyers will become a C1 or C2 that can play in all situations. Best case scenario is that he will develop into a first line center who gives a team 70+ points a season. 

Draft Projection

Top-10 pick

Left Wing- Malcolm Spence, Erie (OHL)

• 6-foot-2 201 lbs
• 2024 stats: 26 games- 15 goals 19 assists 34 points

Malcolm Spence was born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and played youth hockey at the AAA level for the Mississauga Senators. During the 2021-2022 season he recorded 29 goals and 27 assists in 28 games. Following the season he was named the Greater Toronto Hockey League Player of the Year. 

Spence was drafted second overall by the Erie Otters in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft, after fellow 2025 NHL Draft prospect Michael Misa. During his rookie season in 2022-2023, the left winger recorded 16 goals and 26 assists in 64 games. He improved during his second season in Erie, scoring 19 goals and 43 assists in 66 games and was selected to compete in the 2024 CHL/USA Prospects Challenge.

Spence played well in International play over his young career and in 2023 he represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording four goals and three assists in five games to help win a gold medal. He was selected to represent Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships and served as alternate captain, totaling three goals and four assists in seven games to win another gold medal.

What to like about Malcolm Spence

Malcolm Spence is that "special" prospect who has the elite combination of size, speed and hockey IQ. At six-foot-two and over 200-pounds he has the physicality to win board battles and is a handful in front of the net to move. When skating, the winger can get to top speed instantly and gains separation when he takes off. Spence is the ultimate competitor who never takes a shift off and is always looking to make his mark in both ends. He is defensively sound and is rarely out of position and uses his quick burst to put pressure on the points. Spence is not afraid of letting a shot go from any angle and has accuracy from the dots. 

Reason for concern

On the downside, Spence has issues with puck handling and moving the puck from zone to zone. On occasion, he will put his head down when skating and loses vision of the entire ice. He is a shoot first forward who misses out on some easy passes and can be a cycle killer. Although Spence is one of the best "north-south" skating prospects, he is not strong with his lateral agility and loses some creativity due to this. 

Player Comparison

Evander Kane

Spence's compete level and skating reminded Draft Nation of a young Evander Kane. Kane has had some big NHL seasons as a power forward, and if Spence can improve his playmaking ability and overall puck control, the ceiling is unlimited.

Draft Projection

Top-15 pick