The 2025 NHL Draft is less than a week away, and after the New York Islanders moved from 10th to 1st in the draft lottery, the team has an opportunity to give themselves a massive boost. After all, they finished the regular season with as many wins as they had regulation losses. One player could help turn some of those unlucky overtime finishes into wins and propel the Islanders back into the postseason.
But who are they going to take? Is there a bona fide top prospect in this year’s draft similar to what we saw last year with Macklin Celebrini? Is this year’s top prospect Matthew Schaefer enough to bring the Islanders back to relevancy? Artificial intelligence certainly thinks so.
USA TODAY Sports asked four AI programs ‒ Microsoft Copilot AI, Meta AI, Google Gemini AI, ChatGPT AI ‒ to produce simulations of every pick during the 2025 NHL Draft’s first round. Here are the results, and whether it’s a player like Brady Martin consistently climbing into the top-ten or the San Jose Sharks choosing Swedish center Anton Frondell at No. 2, there are plenty of surprises the computers like.
NHL draft 2025: AI predictions for every first round pick
1. New York Islanders
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie Otters
- Google Gemini AI: Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie Otters
- Meta AI: Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie Otters
- ChatGPT AI: Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie Otters
2. San Jose Sharks
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgården
- Google Gemini AI: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit
- Meta AI: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit
- ChatGPT AI: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit
3. Chicago Blackhawks
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit
- Google Gemini AI: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgården
- Meta AI: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats
- ChatGPT AI: James Hagens, C, Boston College
4. Utah Mammoth
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats
- Google Gemini AI: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats
- Meta AI: James Hagens, C, Boston College
- ChatGPT AI: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads
5. Nashville Predators
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads
- Google Gemini AI: James Hagens, C, Boston College
- Meta AI: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgården
- ChatGPT AI: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgården
6. Philadelphia Flyers
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs
- Google Gemini AI: Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds
- Meta AI: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs
- ChatGPT AI: Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats
7. Boston Bruins
- Copilot AI: James Hagens, C, Boston College
- Google Gemini AI: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads
- Meta AI: Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds
- ChatGPT AI: Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgården
8. Seattle Kraken
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds
- Google Gemini AI: Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle Thunderbirds
- Meta AI: Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Barrie Colts
- ChatGPT AI: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
9. Buffalo Sabres
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle Thunderbirds
- Google Gemini AI: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs
- Meta AI: Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle Thunderbirds
- ChatGPT AI: Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City Americans
10. Anaheim Ducks
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
- Google Gemini AI: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
- Meta AI: Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
- ChatGPT AI: Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle Thunderbirds
11. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors
- Google Gemini AI: Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Barrie Colts
- Meta AI: Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgården
- ChatGPT AI: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs
12. New York Rangers
- Copilot AI: Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Barrie Colts
- Google Gemini AI: Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips
- Meta AI: Mason West, C, Edina High
- ChatGPT AI: Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips
13. Detroit Red Wings
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgården
- Google Gemini AI: Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City Americans
- Meta AI: Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City Americans
- ChatGPT AI: Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City Americans
- Google Gemini AI: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors
- Meta AI: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors
- ChatGPT AI: Logan Hensler, RHD, Wisconsin
15. Vancouver Canucks
- Copilot AI: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds
- Google Gemini AI: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires
- Meta AI: Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips
- ChatGPT AI: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand
16. Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Cameron Reid, LHD, Kitchener Rangers
- Google Gemini AI: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand
- Meta AI: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand
- ChatGPT AI: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors
17. Montreal Canadiens
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips
- Google Gemini AI: Sascha Boumedienne, LHD, Boston University
- Meta AI: Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters
- ChatGPT AI: Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Barrie Colts
18. Calgary Flames (via New Jersey)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals
- Google Gemini AI: Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, London Knights
- Meta AI: Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen
- ChatGPT AI: Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters
19. St. Louis Blues
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Logan Hensler, RHD, Wisconsin
- Google Gemini AI: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds
- Meta AI: Logan Hensler, RHD, Wisconsin
- ChatGPT AI: Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Minnesota Wild)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand
- Google Gemini AI: Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen
- Meta AI: Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals
- ChatGPT AI: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires
21. Ottawa Senators
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires
- Google Gemini AI: Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State
- Meta AI: Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires
- ChatGPT AI: Cameron Reid, LHD, Kitchener Rangers
22. Philadelphia Flyers (via Colorado)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg
- Google Gemini AI: Cameron Reid, LHD, Kitchener Rangers
- Meta AI: Blake Fiddler, RHD, Edmonton Oil Kings
- ChatGPT AI: Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals
23. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Sascha Boumedienne, LHD, Boston University
- Google Gemini AI: William Horcoff, C, Michigan
- Meta AI: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds
- ChatGPT AI: Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds
24. Los Angeles Kings
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Haoxi “Simon” Wang, LHD, Oshawa Generals
- Google Gemini AI: Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals
- Meta AI: Sascha Boumedienne, LHD, Boston University
- ChatGPT AI: Blake Fiddler, RHD, Edmonton Oil Kings
25. Chicago Blackhawks (via Toronto)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters
- Google Gemini AI: Blake Fiddler, RHD, Edmonton Oil Kings
- Meta AI: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks
- ChatGPT AI: Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State
26. Nashville Predators (via San Jose from Vegas)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Mason West, C, Edina High
- Google Gemini AI: Mason West, C, Edina High
- Meta AI: Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State
- ChatGPT AI: Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver Giants
27. Washington Capitals
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Cullen Potter, C, Arizona State
- Google Gemini AI: Ryker Lee, RW, Madison Capitals
- Meta AI: Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State
- ChatGPT AI: Bill Zonnon, RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
28. Winnipeg Jets
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, London Knights
- Google Gemini AI: William Moore, C, USA U-18
- Meta AI: Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, London Knights
- ChatGPT AI: William Moore, C, USA U-18
29. Carolina Hurricanes
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Benjamin Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen
- Google Gemini AI: Jack Murtagh, LW, USA U-18
- Meta AI: Carter Finley, RW, Lake Superior State University
- ChatGPT AI: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars
30. San Jose Sharks (via Dallas)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Max Psenicka, RHD, Portland Winterhawks
- Google Gemini AI: Bill Zonnon, RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
- Meta AI: Bill Zonnon, RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
- ChatGPT AI: Jack Murtagh, LW, USA U-18
31. Philadelphia Flyers (via Edmonton)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: William Horcoff, C, Michigan
- Google Gemini AI: Cole McKinney, C, USA U-18
- Meta AI: Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars
- ChatGPT AI: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks
32. Calgary Flames (via Florida)
- Microsoft Copilot AI: Shane Vansaghi, C, Michigan State
- Google Gemini AI: Shane Vansaghi, C, Michigan State
- Meta AI: Cameron Reid, LHD, Kitchener Rangers
- ChatGPT AI: Jacob Rombach, LHD, Lincoln Stars
When is the NHL Draft 2025?
The 2025 NHL Draft is set for 7 p.m. ET on Friday, June 27. Day 1 of the draft will air on ESPN. Rounds 2-7 will be the following day at 12 p.m. ET on NHL Network. The entire draft will be coming at you from L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Stream the 2025 NHL Draft with Fubo
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AI predictions for the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft