2025 NHL Draft

[Daniel]

If the top 4 centers are gone (Frondell, Hagens, Desnoyers, McQueen) do you trade down a bit and take Jake O’Brien at about 15th or do you take him in the top 10? Or take a winger or defensemen?

[FLPensFan]

If the top 4 centers are gone (Frondell, Hagens, Desnoyers, McQueen) do you trade down a bit and take Jake O’Brien at about 15th or do you take him in the top 10? Or take a winger or defensemen?

I'd take O'Brien wherever we are at. Wouldn't be that far of a stretch, and wouldn't risk another team moving up if O'Brien was their guy. Interestingly, was reading some Tweets from Jesse and he said he's put McQueen somewhere in the 13-15th overall range. I can see it. McQueen has been back playing for Brandon for about a month, and he's been just ok. Not sure if he's still recovering, or this is just who he is. 3 games into the WHL playoffs, he has 1 goal and that is his only point. Brandon loses tonight and they are done.

Jesse is also very, very high on Eklund, hoping that he falls to the Penguins at their draft spot.

[Michael74]

If the top 4 centers are gone (Frondell, Hagens, Desnoyers, McQueen) do you trade down a bit and take Jake O’Brien at about 15th or do you take him in the top 10? Or take a winger or defensemen?

O'Brien will likely go in the top 10. You absolutely take him if Desnoyers or Eklund are gone. Don't want McQueen, hell no!

[Daniel]

If the top 4 centers are gone (Frondell, Hagens, Desnoyers, McQueen) do you trade down a bit and take Jake O’Brien at about 15th or do you take him in the top 10? Or take a winger or defensemen?

I'd take O'Brien wherever we are at. Wouldn't be that far of a stretch, and wouldn't risk another team moving up if O'Brien was their guy. Interestingly, was reading some Tweets from Jesse and he said he's put McQueen somewhere in the 13-15th overall range. I can see it. McQueen has been back playing for Brandon for about a month, and he's been just ok. Not sure if he's still recovering, or this is just who he is. 3 games into the WHL playoffs, he has 1 goal and that is his only point. Brandon loses tonight and they are done.

Jesse is also very, very high on Eklund, hoping that he falls to the Penguins at their draft spot.

Eklund looks to be a very good prospect, but I think they need centers and if they can get a 1st or 2nd line center, I'd go there over Eklund. That being said, I'm not sure what the centers look like for next year, or even 2nd round this year. I know hockey is usually best available, but unless Eklund is heads and shoulders above the best center, I think you go center this year. The Penguins ought to get an NHL ready, or almost NHL ready, prospect with their first pick so I think they should go position of better need then best available the rest of the draft.

[Daniel]

If the top 4 centers are gone (Frondell, Hagens, Desnoyers, McQueen) do you trade down a bit and take Jake O’Brien at about 15th or do you take him in the top 10? Or take a winger or defensemen?

O'Brien will likely go in the top 10. You absolutely take him if Desnoyers or Eklund are gone. Don't want McQueen, hell no!

The mock I had showed him going 15th I think so that generated the discussion. Lot will change between now and then and haven't read too much about him so far. Quick search and he reads like a pretty nice prospect.

https://neutralzone.com/nhl-scouting-re ... ke-obrien/

[pens_CT]

If the top 4 centers are gone (Frondell, Hagens, Desnoyers, McQueen) do you trade down a bit and take Jake O’Brien at about 15th or do you take him in the top 10? Or take a winger or defensemen?

O'Brien will likely go in the top 10. You absolutely take him if Desnoyers or Eklund are gone. Don't want McQueen, hell no!

The mock I had showed him going 15th I think so that generated the discussion. Lot will change between now and then and haven't read too much about him so far. Quick search and he reads like a pretty nice prospect.

https://neutralzone.com/nhl-scouting-re ... ke-obrien/

The only negative thing I could say about O'Brien is that he seems to be a pass first, shoot second kind of guy. He's also doesn't turn 18 until mid-June so it could be him just deferring to other older players on the team. He might develop that scorers mentality as he gets older. He also needs to get stronger which is nothing surprising for someone his age. I do agree with everything else being equal they need to get a top 6 center out of this draft as a top priority.

[Michael74]

If the top 4 centers are gone (Frondell, Hagens, Desnoyers, McQueen) do you trade down a bit and take Jake O’Brien at about 15th or do you take him in the top 10? Or take a winger or defensemen?

O'Brien will likely go in the top 10. You absolutely take him if Desnoyers or Eklund are gone. Don't want McQueen, hell no!

The mock I had showed him going 15th I think so that generated the discussion. Lot will change between now and then and haven't read too much about him so far. Quick search and he reads like a pretty nice prospect.

https://neutralzone.com/nhl-scouting-re ... ke-obrien/

We just keep winning meaningless games. That's the problem. If we keep winmning no potential core pieces will be available. Some nice complimentary pieces, sure. However, if you wanna get the best prospect we've had in the last 20 or so years we have to pick in the top 7-8. We're tetering there. And I don't want McQueen with his injury. His offensive game isn't overwhelming either. The other obvious top guys will be gone but If we can get Desnoyers (unlikely he'd be there) but fantastic! Eklund great! O'Brien very good! If we slip below that we're largely screwed.

[stonewizard51]

My guess KD will draft the best available player when it's time for the Pens to do so, regardless of who's available.

[FLPensFan]

Roger McQueen not playing tonight in Brandon's potential elimination game vs Lethbridge. Reportedly back and hip stiffness. Sounds like he only played half of the last game and left without returning.

His draft stock is plummeting. I've also seen him listed as LW. That's the hard thing about drafting centers....I think about 50% of them won't project to be centers at the NHL, and it usually takes some development time for teams to figure that out.

BPA may be best at this point. Hoping we can drop a bit to be in range for Frondell or Desnoyers, otherwise may have to settle for an Eklund, Mrtka, Aitcheson, Lakovic, O'Brien type instead.

[Michael74]

Roger McQueen not playing tonight in Brandon's potential elimination game vs Lethbridge. Reportedly back and hip stiffness. Sounds like he only played half of the last game and left without returning.

His draft stock is plummeting. I've also seen him listed as LW. That's the hard thing about drafting centers....I think about 50% of them won't project to be centers at the NHL, and it usually takes some development time for teams to figure that out.

BPA may be best at this point. Hoping we can drop a bit to be in range for Frondell or Desnoyers, otherwise may have to settle for an Eklund, Mrtka, Aitcheson, Lakovic, O'Brien type instead.

O'Brien out of that group is the best assuming Desnoyers and Eklund are gone. I sure hope we at least get O'Brien. He's also one of the youngest players in the Draft. Depending what happens with the Rangers pick get Martin in the mid teens if he's there. Him or Lakovic. Martin plays for SOO so...

[Daniel]

My guess KD will draft the best available player when it's time for the Pens to do so, regardless of who's available.

Normally I'd agree with that, especially since the Penguins have so many needs and the path to the NHL is generally 2-3 years minimum. I think with a top 10 pick, or a player that could go quickly to the NHL, I think a top 6 center needs to be the priority if the players are close in talent.

[stonewizard51]

I agree with what you're saying. My understanding, because I don't really follow Junior Hockey that closely, is this years draft class isn't that good, maybe I'm wrong, I usually am. That being said, if the Pens don't have a good draft position, the cream will, most likely, be gone. That's why I said KD would probably take the best player available when it's time for their pick.

[ahawk9]

One thing with an alleged "bad" draft year is that these are 18-year-old kids, so you never know who might be a late bloomer. It's great to get a Crosby or McDavid, or even a Bedard, who comes ready to compete at the NHL level but some of these guys might really blossom with a year or two of experience, bulk, maturity. They still could end up with Robert Dome, part 2, or they could pull a guy at #8 or 9 who matures later and beomes a star. The NHL is like baseball in that way where draft picks rarely can make the jump to the big club right away. NFL and NBA guys come ready to go.

And... there's always the Kevin Stevens lucky break. He was a 6th round pick in 1983 by LA traded to the Pens for Anders Håkansson. He played 4 full seasons with Boston College, 1 as part of the USA Olympic team, and one season in Muskegon. He didn't become a regular until 1988 and didn't become the dominant power forward he was until 1990-91. Those don't happen often but when they do, it's nice.

[lemieuxReturns]

I don't like the idea of trading up. These drafts are such a crapshoot, especially for the Penguins (historically). The more chances at the dartboard the better. Just keep what we have, and hope we get lucky.

[Puck-Lurker]

About this notion that "this year isn't a deep draft, next year is much better" and "this is a weaker draft than <insert next year>"

It's a persistent bit of propaganda that gets regurgitated every single year for quite a while now.

Draft what you can with what you have. Don't exchange 2 lottery tickets for 1 theoretically better as judged by hockey media right now.

[Victor]

One thing with an alleged "bad" draft year is that these are 18-year-old kids, so you never know who might be a late bloomer. It's great to get a Crosby or McDavid, or even a Bedard, who comes ready to compete at the NHL level but some of these guys might really blossom with a year or two of experience, bulk, maturity. They still could end up with Robert Dome, part 2, or they could pull a guy at #8 or 9 who matures later and beomes a star. The NHL is like baseball in that way where draft picks rarely can make the jump to the big club right away. NFL and NBA guys come ready to go.

And... there's always the Kevin Stevens lucky break. He was a 6th round pick in 1983 by LA traded to the Pens for Anders Håkansson. He played 4 full seasons with Boston College, 1 as part of the USA Olympic team, and one season in Muskegon. He didn't become a regular until 1988 and didn't become the dominant power forward he was until 1990-91. Those don't happen often but when they do, it's nice.

That's the thing with prospects. For most cases you never really know what you\re getting.

The 2012 draft considered one of the weakest recent ones. The top 4 are all out of the NHL for a few years now. Nail Yakupov, Ryan Murray, Alex Galchenyuk and Griffin Reinhart went 1-2-3-4 that year. Pittsburgh select Derrick Pouliot with the #8 pick and Olli Määttä #22. Blueger and Sundqvist were also taken in 2012.

There still were productive players there:

#11 Filip Forsberg
#16 Tom Wilson
#17 Tomas Hertl
#18 Teuvo Teravainen

#5 Morgan Rielly
#6 Hampus Lindholm
#23 Mike Matheson
#28 Brady Skjei
#74 Esa Lindell
#78 Shayne Gostisbehere
#120 Jaccob Slavin

It might have been weak overall, but it was a very solid year for goaltenders. Two of the most dominant goalies since, Vasilevskiy and Hellebuyck, are from that draft class. Matt Murray is also there.

#19 Andrei Vasilevskiy
#62 Joonas Korpisalo
#83 Matt Murray
#87 Frederik Andersen
#130 Connor Hellebuyck
#163 Linus Ullmark

[Puck-Lurker]

Sid is a great player, Geno as well. I just question their wisdom and judgement in wanting to keep Sullivan around.

Rutherford, Hextall, Dubas.

Not Crosby, Malkin.

Blame where it belongs.

[Antonio]

I think that if you think Crosby et al have had zero impact on Sullivan staying, you are in serious denial.

[largegarlic]

About this notion that "this year isn't a deep draft, next year is much better" and "this is a weaker draft than <insert next year>"

It's a persistent bit of propaganda that gets regurgitated every single year for quite a while now.

Draft what you can with what you have. Don't exchange 2 lottery tickets for 1 theoretically better as judged by hockey media right now.

Yeah, I feel the same way. These are obviously young guys we're talking about with lots of volatility in their projected trajectories. It's fine to put some weight on the claim that next year is better, but I don't think anyone should take that as gospel and let that determine their actions too much.

[ahawk9]

Totally forgot about Yakupov. What a whiff!

[Puck-Lurker]

I think that if you think Crosby et al have had zero impact on Sullivan staying, you are in serious denial.

Did not say or imply zero impact.

I said that blame belongs to the GM, when talking about whether a coach does or does not get fired. Its not like any of them will, or need to, ask permission to fire the HC. The GM, Dubas as is, would very likely ask an opinion or two on how its going from guys like Sid.

But the first to be told Sullivan is getting fired, is Sullivan.

Then your GM, any reasonable one, will go to the core franchise player(s) and inform them, explain the reasoning. And Sid is not one to be loud about it, one way or another. He knows how the hockey business works.

Suppose if any player tries to push Sully out, or worse, advocate for him being here forever.. it's still up to the GM to make the best decisions possible, regardless. He gets the credits if it turns out we'll, the blame if it doesn't. Your job, your responsibility.

Sully staying heavily in the minus column for me with Dubas.

Mostly attributing him staying to Sidney Crosby I don't think is plausible. This is Dubas. And Hextall. And to a much lesser degree Rutherford

[Puck-Lurker]

Totally forgot about Yakupov. What a whiff!

I think Nail Yakupov tops all the 'worst draft picks' lists you'll find.

[Michael74]

Sid is a great player, Geno as well. I just question their wisdom and judgement in wanting to keep Sullivan around.

Rutherford, Hextall, Dubas.

Not Crosby, Malkin.

Blame where it belongs.

Oh I am, it's SQUARELY on the core. If they didn't want him around he wouldn't be here. You just don't want to hold the core responsible for anything.

Not even a modicum of objectivity whatsoever.

[Michael74]

I think that if you think Crosby et al have had zero impact on Sullivan staying, you are in serious denial.

Did not say or imply zero impact.

Mostly attributing him staying to Sidney Crosby I don't think is plausible. This is Dubas. And Hextall. And to a much lesser degree Rutherford

Sure you did. And it's because you don't wanna cast a shadow against one of your favorite players. It's that simple. You're grasping at straws if you don't think the core has a big say on the matter. Either that or you're incredibly naive.

[Puck-Lurker]

I think that if you think Crosby et al have had zero impact on Sullivan staying, you are in serious denial.

Did not say or imply zero impact.

Mostly attributing him staying to Sidney Crosby I don't think is plausible. This is Dubas. And Hextall. And to a much lesser degree Rutherford

Sure you did. And it's because you don't wanna cast a shadow against one of your favorite players. It's that simple. You're grasping at straws if you don't think the core has a big say on the matter. Either that or you're incredibly naive.

Sigh... I swear trolls are getting more obvious with time. Or reading comprehension. You don't like nuance, fine. Don't bother me with it.