Executive and Scout Poll: The 2025 Class is defined by its variance and that excites many

As the 2024–25 scouting season winds down and draft boards begin to take their final shape, the debate surrounding the top of the class remains anything but settled. 

To get a clearer picture, Elite Prospects reached out to 10 executives and scouts from across the NHL for their thoughts on five key questions:

• If the draft were today, who would they take first overall?
• Who stands out as the top forward in the class?
• Which top prospect faces the steepest climb to reaching their ceiling?
• How does this draft compare to its recent predecessors as far as strength and depth?
• Did anyone dramatically alter their stock over the final stretch of the season?

Similar to our first poll from January, the answers offer insight, surprise, and plenty of disparity.