After a surprising miss of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs just one year after claiming the Presidents’ Trophy and falling two wins short of a Finals berth the New York Rangers now turn their focus to the NHL Draft Lottery, taking place Monday night.
Despite the odds being slim, there’s still a chance the Blueshirts land a top pick. They hold a 3.0% chance of securing the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, a 3.2% chance at No. 2, a 0.1% shot at No. 3, a 79.9% likelihood of staying at No. 11, a 13.4% chance to drop to No. 12, and a 0.5% shot of falling to No. 13, per Tankathon.
While the numbers aren’t in their favor, Rangers fans can find hope in recent history. In 2020, the team had only a 12.5% chance at landing the top pick — and still won the lottery, selecting Alexis Lafrenière first overall. Since then, Lafrenière has posted 193 points (92 goals, 101 assists) in his five NHL seasons, missing just four games since the 2021-22 campaign.
The Rangers have made headlines recently beyond just their draft position. This season marked their first full 82-game campaign without a playoff appearance since 2018–19. In response, head coach Peter Laviolette was dismissed and replaced by former Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, who previously served as a Rangers assistant.
This year’s NHL Draft Lottery will be held at the NHL Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. Unlike 2024, when Macklin Celebrini was the clear No. 1 pick, the 2025 draft class has several players in contention for the top spot.
Potential Top Picks in the 2025 NHL Draft:
- Matthew Schaefer (D, Erie Otters): A 6’2″, 183-pound left-shot defenseman, Schaefer is a smooth skater with high-end offensive instincts and elite defensive tools. He’s projected to log big minutes in all situations and could be a strong future partner for Adam Fox.
- James Hagens (C, Boston College): A dynamic playmaker with elite vision and hockey IQ, Hagens tallied 11 goals and 26 assists this season. With franchise-level potential, he could join college teammate Gabe Perreault in New York if selected.
- Michael Misa (C, Saginaw Spirit): Ranked No. 2 by EliteProspects.com, Misa has been on the radar since earning exceptional status in 2022. Standing 6’1″ and weighing 184 pounds, he just had the most productive OHL season since Patrick Kane and John Tavares. His mature approach to pressure and high-end scoring ability make him a top candidate.
The lottery may not be heavily in the Rangers’ favor, but with game-changing prospects in the mix and a history of defying the odds, there’s still plenty at stake for New York.
