2025 NHL Draft: Late-round gems ready to shake up the game
NHL (via Getty Images)
Each
NHL
Draft unearths hidden gems in the later rounds who surprise and become vital contributors. Even with analytics diminishing the chances of gems, the past indicates that players taken beyond the third round still have a chance to turn into impact performers.
Indeed, less than 1.5 % of those selections turn into true NHL-impact players.
NHL teams may discover talent in deep draft rounds
Every NHL team looks for value in players late in the draft, those who get overlooked because of their size, skating or limited exposure but have what it takes to go to the next level. Whether it's blazing speed, punishing physicality, or high-end hockey sense, these are the traits that help late-round picks beat the odds. In a draft where upside and potential come with risk, these prospects offer compelling reasons for teams to take a swing after the third round.
Here are some fascinating late-round prospects in the 2025 crop—players who have that exceptional 'skill' and can develop into building blocks in the future.
Final 2025 NHL Mock Draft
Cameron Schmidt, right wing (
Vancouver Giants
, WHL): Cameron Schmidt's size may deter early selection, yet his elite speed and goal-scoring touch resemble a potential Alex DeBrincat-style scorer. With 40 goals in 61 games, he excels on the rush, in one-timers, and around the net. If he adds a bit of height and strength, Schmidt could rival traditional goal-getters—exactly the type of talent that can pay off late in the draft.
Jacob Rombach, defense (Lincoln Stars, USHL): Rombach possesses shutdown ability with his size, gap control, and passing savvy. Not a puck-moving sensation, but his ability to gain pucks back and shut down plays makes him a future No. 4/5 defenseman—a steady asset for any NHL organization looking for depth on the blue line.
David Bedkowski, defense (Oshawa Generals, OHL): A throwback enforcer, David Bedkowski excels in physical punishment and shutting down zone entries. He might not become an elite-pair defenseman, but as a bottom-pair enforcer who plays the body and kills plays, he can be a prized playoff asset, like recent physical icons in the league.
Aidan Lane, right wing (Brampton Steelheads, OHL/NCAA): Aidan Lane was impressive late in the OHL with a point-per-game run. A physical, engine-driven winger, he mixes strength and maturing offense. Expected to keep developing at Harvard, he possesses the skills to be a power-wing bottom-six forward with finishing skills and tenacity.
Also read:
Brad Marchand's Instagram stories turn Panthers' Stanley Cup party into NHL shoutout fest
Through the 2025 Draft, these players will emerge as sources of attention for a valid reason: when the timing of breakthrough meets unpolished talent, stars are made in the late rounds.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Brad Marchand goes viral again, with the wild Dairy Queen stunt after Stanley Cup
Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers lifts the cup in the locker room (Credit: Getty Images) It's the summer of Brad Marchand, and he's making sure the party doesn't stop. After a wild night of celebration with the Florida Panthers following their second straight Stanley Cup victory, Marchand showed up at a Dairy Queen in Sunrise, Florida, Friday morning. He wasn't just there for dessert, he was there to promote his own Blizzard flavor, 'Chocolate Chirp Cookie Dough'. Brad Marchand's florida trade continues to pay off Marchand's Dairy Queen appearance also gave him the opportunity to talk about the move that made it all possible, his late-season trade from the Boston Bruins to the Florida Panthers. The shift stunned hockey fans at the time, but now looks like a masterstroke for both Marchand and Florida. Not only did the deal give Marchand a real shot at another title, it also unleashed a new, lighter side of the gritty winger. His off-ice appearances have become increasingly entertaining, but they also show a man finally playing with freedom and joy. During Friday's appearance, Marchand fielded several questions about the trade and hinted he would like to extend his time in Florida. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing an eight-year contract signed with Boston in 2016. Panthers GM Bill Zito was asked if Marchand would return next season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He joked that he bought a Dairy Queen, a response that may not be far from the truth given the growing bond between player and city. Stanley Cup win, new ice cream and more buzz to come Brad Marchand's 'Chocolate Chirp Cookie Dough' Blizzard isn't just a clever name. It's a sign of how much his profile has skyrocketed since joining the Panthers. Whether it's lifting the Cup, trolling rival teams, or launching ice cream collaborations, Marchand has fully embraced the spotlight. Read more: NHL trade news: Ottawa Senators start offseason smartly with Fabian Zetterlund contract extension seen as 'tidy bit of work' by Steve Staios The NHL offseason is already heating up, and with Marchand at the center of attention, this summer promises even more viral moments. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Joe Burrow rocks Eminem haircut during Bengals slump sparks hair curse debate online
Joe Burrow rocks Eminem haircut during Bengals slump sparks hair curse debate online (Image via Getty) Fans of the NFL are familiar with Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, for his big throws, cool demeanor, and game-changing plays. But there is one other topic worth discussing—his hair. Yes, since entering the NFL in 2020, Joe Burrow has certainly changed the game as well as his hairstyle a number of times. And some of them? Totally unexpected. From classic cuts to bleached looks, Joe Burrow has given fans something new almost every year. But what were the wildest ones? Let's go back and look at every hairstyle Joe Burrow has rocked with the Cincinnati Bengals—some may surprise you. Joe Burrow's hair transformations since 2020 from classic cut to bleach blonde Joe Burrow was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as the No. 1 overall pick in April 2020 and had a fresh classic haircut. This is the same haircut he sported while winning a national title at LSU in January 2020. After this clean look, fans were able to see Joe Burrow until the end of the 2021 season, including Joe Burrow opting for this classic look in Super Bowl LVI (February 2022) in Los Angeles. Then came a small change—Joe Burrow kept the same cut but grew it out a bit. By the 2023 offseason, fans noticed longer, shaggier hair. That summer, Burrow posted an Instagram Story wearing a headband and called himself 'The Dark Knight', comparing himself to Batman. But the wildest change came in July 2024, just before training camp. Joe Burrow showed up with a fully bleached buzz cut. He looked like rapper Eminem, and people couldn't stop talking about it. Joe Burrow said, 'Me and B.J. [Hill] decided to do it together, so here we are.' Joe Burrow's 2024 frosted tips haircut had fans talking after a bad start By September 2024, when the regular season began, Joe Burrow had moved on from the Eminem look. He showed up with frosted tips, giving major 90s boy band vibes. But after the Cincinnati Bengals lost their first three games, fans blamed the hair. On X (Twitter), one user joked, 'Joe needs to cut those tips—bad luck.' Soon after, he went back to his normal look. So now fans are left wondering—what will Joe Burrow try next? Also Read: Joe Burrow Looks Like An 80s Movie Villain In Viral Long-Hair Photo And Fans Are Obsessed Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why drafting Josh Allen too early in Fantasy Football 2025 could hurt overall value
Josh Allen's fantasy value demands a closer look (Image via: Getty Images) The 2025 NFL season is approaching fast, and fantasy football drafts are already underway. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is fresh off an MVP season and continues to be a hot name on draft boards. But while Allen's real-world talent is unquestioned, fantasy experts caution managers not to reach for him too early this year. Josh Allen is an elite QB but is he a must-draft in Round 2? There's no denying Josh Allen's value on the field. He's a dual-threat quarterback with elite arm strength, red-zone efficiency, and the ability to turn broken plays into big gains. In real football, he's a dream. But in fantasy football, numbers tell a different story and experts say it's time to hit the brakes. According to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, there's reason to pause before making Allen an early fantasy selection. Despite Allen's MVP campaign, he didn't even reach 4,000 passing yards in 2024—the first time since 2019. His fantasy value was salvaged by over 500 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, allowing him to finish fourth among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring. Currently, Allen is being drafted in the middle of Round 2 in many 2025 fantasy drafts. That's a critical zone typically dominated by elite running backs or wide receivers—positions that lack the depth found at quarterback. Using such high draft capital on a quarterback, even one as dynamic as Allen, often means missing out on game-changing talent at more scarce positions. Fantasy football success hinges on value and depth. While Allen is capable of putting up monster weeks, quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, or a fully healthy Joe Burrow offer similar upside at a significantly lower draft cost. Waiting for one of those options allows for a stronger overall roster and minimizes risk if a player underperforms or misses time. Also Read: Brittany Mahomes drops fiery reaction to Patrick Mahomes' offseason move with KC Current The fantasy football landscape continues to evolve, but one rule stays constant—championships are won with smart decisions, not flashy names. Josh Allen remains one of the NFL's most thrilling and consistent quarterbacks, but the fantasy game requires careful calculation. Drafting him too early could result in an unbalanced roster and missed chances at long-term success. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
