The Battle For First Overall: NHL Scout & Executive Poll

OTTAWA, Ontario – Teams selecting first have been blessed with an easy decision in recent years at the NHL Draft. 

Macklin Celebrini was a layup in 2024. Connor Bedard even more so the year prior. 

And it extends even further than that.

Over the last 10 years, there have been maybe three seasons where it was up for debate. 2022 and 2017 for certain, and some people might consider 2021 a toss-up with Owen Power taking the pole position. 

But 2025 has a true battle for No. 1.

James Hagens entered the season as the favourite. That status was driven by historic, record-breaking performances at the under-17 and under-18 World Championships, to go along with staggering club play production with the US National Team Development Program. The 5-foot-10 centre entered into the NCAA with a new challenge b