Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

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Welcome back, today I will be wrapping up my three-part breakdown of the 2025 NHL Draft first round. This final piece covers picks 23 to 32, with a look at how each selection fits the team's structure and where things veered from expectation. Part 2 is linked here if you missed it. Let's get into it.

Pick No. 23 – Ottawa Senators

Logan Hensler – D

The Senators used their first-round pick to bolster the right side of their blue line, selecting Hensler. While his draft year did not grab headlines, Hensler's physical tools and steady upward track made him a strong fit for Ottawa's system. Skating is his foundation and he reads the ice well, jumps into plays when the opportunity is there even if the offensive results were hit-or-miss this season. Most scouts project him as a stabilizing two-way defenseman rather than a high-end point generator, with 35 to 45 points being a fair long-term range.

His frame is already built for the pro level, and as his confidence grows, the rest of his game should follow. With Jake Sanderson and Carter Yakemchuk set on the left side, Ottawa targeted a right-shot blueliner who can move the puck and hold up in transition. They passed on help at wing but opted for a playoff-style defender with long-term upside.

#6 IS HEADED TO THE 613 🤩

Logan Hensler goes No. 23 to the @Senators!#NHLDraft | #Sens pic.twitter.com/nsdDN8CFlD

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) June 28, 2025

Pick No. 24 – Pittsburgh Penguins

Will Horcoff – F

The Penguins traded up in the draft to take center Horcoff out of the University of Michigan, son of former NHL forward and current Red Wings executive Shawn Horcoff. After a quiet start with the USNTDP, he joined Michigan midseason and quickly found his footing, producing well as the youngest player in college hockey. It has been debated that his skating still needs work, the first few strides lack burst but it is nothing that cannot be worked on. With added strength and speed over the next few NCAA seasons, Horcoff profiles as a strong middle-six center.

This pick fits a clear organizational need for Pittsburgh, giving them size, defensive structure, and a bit of scoring upside down the middle. There is still plenty of development ahead, but the blend of tools, frame, and how quickly he adjusted to NCAA play makes this a swing for a team looking to build a stronger second tier it so desperately needs beneath its aging core.

WELCOME TO PITTSBURGH, WILL HORCOFF! 🐧 pic.twitter.com/yaRunpTobz

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 28, 2025

Pick No. 25 – Chicago Blackhawks

Vaclav Nestrasil – RW

The Blackhawks used the 25th pick to add size and long-term upside to their forward group, selecting Nestrasil out of Muskegon. One of the USHL's biggest risers in the second half, Nestrasil finished with 42 points in 61 regular-season games and nearly hit a point per game in the playoffs, playing a key role in Muskegon's Clark Cup win. Despite his massive frame, he skates well once he gets going through the neutral zone.

He has committed to UMass next season, which gives him that time he needs to round out his game before making a serious NHL push. If his offensive game continues to progress as it has, he could become a solid play-driving power forward who can slot into a top-six role. If the ceiling is lower, his defensive presence, and physical edge still give him a clear path to the middle six. Chicago stayed true to its plan in adding size, skating, and skill, Nestrasil checks all three boxes.

#Blackhawks select Vaclav Nestrasil 25th. I ranked him 222nd.

Nestrasil's numbers are dragged down excessively by his scoring literally 0 points in the USHL in his D-1. His 42 points in 61 USHL games this year is still low for 1st round, but perhaps not as bad as model suggests. pic.twitter.com/g8rsrCfidQ

— Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey) June 28, 2025

Pick No. 26 – Nashville Predators

Ryker Lee – RW

The Predators took a big swing on skill with the selection of Lee out of Madison, one of the most electric offensive talents in the USHL this season. He closed out the year with 31 goals and 37 assists over 58 games, firmly placing himself among the league's top forwards. The offensive upside is not in question as Lee is dangerous with the puck and can create in tight spaces or off the rush. What stood out this year was his growth away from the puck becoming more engaged on the forecheck and showed a stronger commitment to defensive play, traits that round out his profile.

Lee needs to improve his quickness and overall pace, which would open up a path to a creative middle-six role, with top-six potential in reach. Nashville has found success with a similar winger in Luke Evangelista and now making another calculated bet on offensive skill Lee brings a level of playmaking that has been missing from the system. With the right development curve, this pick could pay off in a big way.

ryker lee mixtape pic.twitter.com/F5SJCqkyv7

— Preds Prospects (@OnTheFuturePBR) June 28, 2025

Pick No. 27 – Washington Capitals

Lynden Lakovic – LW

Washington took the route of adding in a mix of size, speed, and scoring touch with Lakovic out of Moose Jaw. On a rebuilding Moose Jaw squad, Lakovic stood out as a consistent threat, finishing with 32 goals and 66 points in 58 games despite limited help around him. He has the kind of frame NHL teams look for, and backs it up with a solid shot that should carry over well to the pro game.

There are mixed reviews on his compete level as he tends to hover on the perimeter and has yet to fully embrace the physical game his frame is built for. That said, he protects the puck well, has strong hands in tight, and if he starts driving the middle more often, there is top-six upside as a dual-threat winger. The Capitals can afford to be patient. With players like Tom Wilson there to help him along the way, Washington offers a strong development ground for Lakovic to round out his game. There is 25-goal potential here that fills a clear organizational need and solid value late in the first.

Good value by Washington (who have been killing it lately at the draft) to get Lynden Lakovic at pick 27.

He's got a crazy shot! pic.twitter.com/T8A27XTvnR

— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) June 28, 2025

Pick No. 28 – Winnipeg Jets

Sascha Boumedinne

Winnipeg added a promising piece to its blue line with the selection of left-shot defenseman Boumedienne out of Boston University. As the youngest player in college hockey this season, there was an expected adjustment period, but his game progressed quickly. By season's end, Boumedienne was playing top-four minutes on a strong BU team and stood out internationally as one of Sweden's top defenders at the U18 World Championship.

He does not translate as a high-end play driver; however, he can move the puck well in transition and carries a heavy shot from the point. His game still needs polish in the offensive zone, but the tools are there. The Jets needed to strengthen their defensive pipeline, and Boumedienne fits that perfectly. His skating, defensive reads, and ability to move pucks cleanly under pressure project him as a strong second-pairing defender with room to grow. He will likely need a few more years in the NCAA to round out his game, and if things break right, he could become a reliable defender that kills plays, pushes pace, and see's ice time on second power-play unit.

Sascha Boumedienne: BU 🛫 Winnipeg

The Jets take the BU d-man with the 28th pick in the draft

(🎥: @_msfilms) pic.twitter.com/n2JbALbOB4

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 28, 2025

Pick No. 29 – Chicago Blackhawks

Mason West – C

This was one of the more fascinating picks in the draft. West is unlike any other prospect in this class, a 6-foot-6 dual-sport athlete with elite mobility and raw but intriguing offensive upside. A standout quarterback with legitimate Division I football offers, West chose to fully commit to hockey and Chicago traded up to take the swing.

For a player his size, West moves extremely well. If the goal was to add more size to the forward pipeline, the Blackhawks nailed it. That said, West is still very much a project. Chicago knows that but sees that the raw tools and is projecting that he should translate naturally to the ice. Chicago's deep prospect pool gives them the flexibility to be patient with West. He will play out his senior year of high school football this fall and then shift over to the USHL. If everything comes together, there is a path to a middle-six power forward who can bring a unique element to Chicago's top nine. It is a swing for long-term impact, and the Blackhawks are in a position to take it.

Elliotte Friedman on Mason West

"I love the gamble. The Hawks have a billion picks over the last few years. Why not take the swing?

CHI had a pick 3-4 picks after they took him.. All he would say is that they had intelligence that if they waited, they wouldn't have got him." pic.twitter.com/5S9qTfYN0X

— Ovi (@OviClapBomb) June 29, 2025

Pick No. 30 – San Jose Sharks

Joshua Ravensbergen – G

Ravensbergen entered the draft widely viewed as the top goaltending prospect in the class. He was not the first backstop off the board, but the Sharks landed a strong long-term piece in goal. His .901 SV% reflects both his skill and the volume of shots he faced behind a shaky Prince George team. Rebound control and glove positioning are already ahead of the curve, and while his five-hole coverage still needs work, that is a fixable issue with pro-level development.

Most expected San Jose to go after a defenseman after taking Michael Misa at second overall, but Ravensbergen gives them a clear succession plan in the crease alongside Yaroslav Askarov. There is real potential for those two to form a future tandem. We all know goaltenders take time, and the Sharks were smart to take a patient, high-upside swing here. If his development stays steady, Ravensbergen has the tools to become a solid 1B option.

Joshua Ravensbergen NHL comp ➡️ Thatcher Demko#NHLDraft https://t.co/mHIjoCWd75 pic.twitter.com/sPpwR6KJs3

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 28, 2025

Pick No. 31 – Los Angeles Kings

Henry Brzustewicz – D

The Kings continued to build out their group of puck-moving, right-shot defensemen with the selection of Brzustewicz, a smart addition alongside Brandt Clarke, especially after moving Jordan Spence to Ottawa. While size remains a question on the right side, Los Angeles is stacking up intelligent, mobile defenders who can transition the puck with control.

Brzustewicz's foundation is built on skating, puck movement, and defensive awareness; but he is also able to attack space more confidently, jumping into plays off the rush and threading passes through tight seams. He will likely see a larger role coming into London next season, including power-play duties and tougher matchups. The timeline is probably two to three years in a second- or third-pairing role, but Brzustewicz addresses a clear need for the Kings as they begin preparing for life after Drew Doughty.

The home crowd goes wild as the @LAKings select #MemorialCup champion Henry Brzustewicz of the @LondonKnights 31st overall in the 2025 #NHLDraft!

🎥: https://t.co/YLXgmMFPfJ pic.twitter.com/EwG4SiM1iA

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) June 28, 2025

Pick No. 32 – Calgary Flames

Cullen Potter – C

Potter took an unconventional route, leaving the U.S. NTDP after his U17 season and accelerating his path by jumping straight into the NCAA with Arizona State. That decision paid off, as one of the youngest players in college hockey, he showed growth across all areas of his game. He might be the fastest straight-line skater in the draft, his acceleration is explosive, and he can cut through defenders with ease in transition.

The Flames followed up the Cole Reschny pick at 18 by doubling down on speed and skill, prioritizing tools and production over size. While Potter projects more as a middle-six winger than a true play-driving center, the blend of speed, shooting ability, and a steadily improving two-way game gives him real NHL upside. Even if the offensive ceiling does not fully hit, his floor as a high-motor, bottom-six forward still brings value. He has the potential to grow into a second-line scoring winger, with two to three more years of development and could become a key part of Calgary's next wave.

WELCOME TO CALGARY CULLEN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MWLH8QuMas

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 28, 2025

Thanks for reading and see you next week! Follow me on X  @Punters_hockey for more content and fantasy hockey analysis.