NHL Draft Odds & Predictions: 2025 NHL Draft Best First-Round Bets

There's no pushback tied to who will be selected first overall during Friday's 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft, taking place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, ESPN).

By now, Matthew Schaefer has prepared himself for the New York Islanders taking him first. But who else will be chosen in the top five? And where should you invest your hard-earned money? 

Our NHL draft odds and predictions analyze some appealing options while offering high-value picks via our best sports betting sites.

🔢 2025 NHL draft odds

Schaefer is a shoo-in to be selected first overall, and there are no odds available at our best sports betting apps.

Odds are posted for the second overall pick, but Michael Misa is the -800 favorite at DraftKings to hear the San Jose Sharks call his name. Those odds carry an 88.89% implied probability he'll join Macklin Celebrini in San Jose. 

Picks No. 3 through No. 5 is when it gets interesting: 

3rd overall betting favorites (Blackhawks)

Odds via DraftKings

• Anton Frondell, -140 ($10 to win $7.14)
• Caleb Desnoyers, +300 ($10 to win $30)
• Porter Martone, +550 ($10 to win $55)
• Michael Misa, +800 ($10 to win $80)
• James Hagens, +1200 ($10 to win $120)
• Brady Martin, +1200 ($10 to win $120)
• Jake O'Brien, +1600 ($10 to win $160)

4th overall betting favorites (Mammoth)

• Brady Martin, +170 ($10 to win $17)
• Caleb Desnoyers, +200 ($10 to win $20)
• Anton Frondell, +300 ($10 to win $30)
• Porter Martone, +500 ($10 to win $50)
• James Hagens, +800 ($10 to win $80)
• Jake O'Brien, +1600 ($10 to win $160)

5th overall betting favorites (Predators)

• James Hagens, +200 ($10 to win $20)
• Caleb Desnoyers, +250 ($10 to win $25)
• Brady Martin, +400 ($10 to win $40)
• Porter Martone, +450 ($10 to win $45)
• Anton Frondell, +700 ($10 to win $70)
• Roger McQueen, +1000 ($10 to win $100)

🤔 NHL draft predictions, best first-round bets

🏆 Player to get selected third overall: Anton Frondell ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Best odds: -130 via bet365

Most prospect experts are pegging the Chicago Blackhawks to take Frondell at No. 3. That makes a lot of sense considering the Swede's larger frame and more powerful style of play compared to most other potential first-round centers.

He would fit in well as the team's No. 2 center behind Connor Bedard.

"I would call Frondell a military tank," said Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen, the NHL Central Scouting director for Europe.

He's tailor-fit for Chicago, and a winning $10 bet at bet365 would yield a $7.69 profit. Those odds are marginally better than FanDuel and DraftKings at -140. 

🏆 Player to get drafted in the top 5: Brady Martin ⭐⭐⭐

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Best odds: -115 via DraftKings

Many teams are in desperate need of a first- or second-line center, and Brady Martin fits the bill. While Roger McQueen is a higher-rated prospect, a back injury that prevented him from playing most of last season could deter some clubs with a top-five pick.

I like the Predators to select Martin at No. 5, as they'll prefer a center over a right-winger like Porter Martone. DraftKings offers -115 for the pick, which carries a 53.49% implied probability. 

🏆 Caleb Desnoyers draft position: Under 4.5 

Best odds: -130 via DraftKings

Desnoyers is another high-profile center who scored 84 points across 56 games last season with the Moncton Wildcats despite missing eight games due to a wrist injury.

He's ranked No. 7 among North American skaters and is already being compared to elite two-way centers Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron. 

"He's one of those players that will always be one of the most reliable on the ice," Jean-Francois Damphousse of NHL Central Scouting. "He plays on the power play, penalty kill, wins face-offs, and is really reliable in every facet of the game. He has a good mind for the game, will create offense without cheating defensively, and is always on the right side of the puck."

He's also left-handed, another bonus for potential suitors.

FanDuel is offering Desnoyers at -430 to be selected in the top five, highlighting the outrageously good value in this -130 pick.

💵 Best hockey betting sites

Want to bet on the 2025 NHL Draft? Here are the best NHL betting sites and best sportsbook promos for the two-day event:

• FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
• DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
• Hard Rock Bet Promo Code

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