TSN Analyst Craig Button’s current draft rankings, published yesterday, are contained in the first attachment. For comparison purposes, the second attachment contains his January rankings.
Aside from OHL D-man Matthew Schaefer continuing to hold the top spot, this version has seen significant player movement both upwards and downwards. Moving up from 5 to number 2 overall is OHL Saginaw forward Michael Misa, no doubt propelled by his remarkable 134-point season. Also rising were forwards Jake O’Brien of OHL Brantford (to 10 from 24) and Cole Reschy of WHL Victoria (to 8 from 19). Finally, two players who have ascended steadily this season, including on this list, are forwards Phillipe Veilleux of QMJHL Val d’Or (to 45 from 63) and Kristian Epperson of Saginaw OHL (to 49 from outside the top 64). Veilleux is third in the QMJHL with 40 goals, while Epperson has made his way from a “C” rated prospect (4th or 5th rounder) to start the season as a potential mid-second rounder as a result of his 80 point season (27G 53A).
Conversely, dropping to number 6 – and falling out of the top 5 for the first time in any ranking I have reviewed – is Boston College forward James Hagens (although he still is number 2 in the NHL’s mid-term rankings). I also note the slippages of USHL Youngstown forward Adam Benak to 46 from 39 despite a very productive rookie season (54 points in 53 games), as well as D-man Charlie Trethewey of USHL NTDP (to 48 from 31) and forward Ben Kevan of USHL Des Moines (to 56 from 42). Trethewey and Kevan are rated the 37th and 44th North American skaters, respectively, in the NHL’s mid-term rankings.
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-matthew-schaefer-ascends-to-no-1-for-2025-nhl-draft-1.2235722