2025 NHL Draft

[Victor]

Other than Schaefer going #1 and Misa #2, it really depends what list you're looking at.

Another Sportsnet ranking released one week before the one you mentioned goes for the top 8 with Desnoyers #3, Hagens #4, Frondel #5, Martone #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sp ... h-edition/

Craig Button's list has Martone #3, Frondell #4, McQueen #5, Hagens #6 and Desnoyers #7. Cameron Schmidt is #8 (highest I\ve seen him elsewhere is #22) and Eklund #9: https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-mic ... -1.2276438

Daily Faceoff updated their list after the deadline and it has Hagens #3, Martone #4, Frondell #5, Desnoyers #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025- ... ne-edition

McKeen's March ranking still has Hagens #3 and Martone #4. Jackson Smith is #5 there, then Desnoyers #6, Eklund #7 and Frondell #8. McQueen is #9: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ ... sue-class/

FCHockey has Hagens #2 and Misa #3. For the remainder of the top 8, their list has Martone #4, Desnoyers #5, Eklund #6, Frondell #7 and McQueen #8: https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/fchockey ... nhl-draft/

Elite Prospects has this nice page with most rankings affiliated to them there: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center

A team can always surprise everyone and pick a player earlier than expected, like Anaheim did with Sennecke last draft picking him 3rd overall. Most lists had him going top 10, if I recall correctly.

[Daniel]

If Pens pick 8 and 12.. McQueen and Aitcheson wouldn't be a bad shout.

Desnoyers would be gone by then. I'm expecting he gets selected top5

Hopefully one of Desnoyers or Frondell is available at #7

Doubtful. This is one national source, but it leads credence to what I've been hearing about players dropping and rising ahead of the draft. Sportsnet ranking of the top 15 (completed the last week of March) was as follows:

1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Frondell
4. Hagens
5. Desnoyers
6. Martone
7. McQueen
8. Eklund
9. Bear
10. Mrtka
11. O'Brien
12. Martin
13. Smith
14. Hensler
15. Kindel

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sc ... nhl-draft/

If the Penguins lose vs Washington, they will end up at least in 7th place. Buffalo ends the season vs Philadelphia so whoever wins that game will jump ahead of the Penguins. if Seattle wins their final game, they jump ahead of the Penguins.

Penguins lose, Seattle wins, Philadelphia and Buffalo go 1-1, the Penguins will draft 5th.

Flyer win vs Columbus knocks them out of the playoffs, so that might be motivation.

[Daniel]

Other than Schaefer going #1 and Misa #2, it really depends what list you're looking at.

Another Sportsnet ranking released one week before the one you mentioned goes for the top 8 with Desnoyers #3, Hagens #4, Frondel #5, Martone #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sp ... h-edition/

Craig Button's list has Martone #3, Frondell #4, McQueen #5, Hagens #6 and Desnoyers #7. Cameron Schmidt is #8 (highest I\ve seen him elsewhere is #22) and Eklund #9: https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-mic ... -1.2276438

Daily Faceoff updated their list after the deadline and it has Hagens #3, Martone #4, Frondell #5, Desnoyers #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025- ... ne-edition

McKeen's March ranking still has Hagens #3 and Martone #4. Jackson Smith is #5 there, then Desnoyers #6, Eklund #7 and Frondell #8. McQueen is #9: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ ... sue-class/

FCHockey has Hagens #2 and Misa #3. For the remainder of the top 8, their list has Martone #4, Desnoyers #5, Eklund #6, Frondell #7 and McQueen #8: https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/fchockey ... nhl-draft/

Elite Prospects has this nice page with most rankings affiliated to them there: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center

A team can always surprise everyone and pick a player earlier than expected, like Anaheim did with Sennecke last draft picking him 3rd overall. Most lists had him going top 10, if I recall correctly.

This feels like the 2006 draft with a bunch of forwards pretty interchangeable in terms of draft order and 1 legit defensemen. The playoffs, interviews, combine, etc. will change that list 100 times in the next few months.

[FLPensFan]

Other than Schaefer going #1 and Misa #2, it really depends what list you're looking at.

Another Sportsnet ranking released one week before the one you mentioned goes for the top 8 with Desnoyers #3, Hagens #4, Frondel #5, Martone #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sp ... h-edition/

Craig Button's list has Martone #3, Frondell #4, McQueen #5, Hagens #6 and Desnoyers #7. Cameron Schmidt is #8 (highest I\ve seen him elsewhere is #22) and Eklund #9: https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-mic ... -1.2276438

Daily Faceoff updated their list after the deadline and it has Hagens #3, Martone #4, Frondell #5, Desnoyers #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025- ... ne-edition

McKeen's March ranking still has Hagens #3 and Martone #4. Jackson Smith is #5 there, then Desnoyers #6, Eklund #7 and Frondell #8. McQueen is #9: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ ... sue-class/

FCHockey has Hagens #2 and Misa #3. For the remainder of the top 8, their list has Martone #4, Desnoyers #5, Eklund #6, Frondell #7 and McQueen #8: https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/fchockey ... nhl-draft/

Elite Prospects has this nice page with most rankings affiliated to them there: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center

A team can always surprise everyone and pick a player earlier than expected, like Anaheim did with Sennecke last draft picking him 3rd overall. Most lists had him going top 10, if I recall correctly.

This feels like the 2006 draft with a bunch of forwards pretty interchangeable in terms of draft order and 1 legit defensemen. The playoffs, interviews, combine, etc. will change that list 100 times in the next few months.

Yeah, if the Penguins finish 7th instead of 5th, I'm really hoping that someone goes out of range...like a team really wants a defenseman and reaches slightly for Jackson Smith, or, the Flyers do Flyers thing and go completely off board.

I see zero hope of getting Schaefer or Misa, and that's fine. I've really focused in on Frondell or Desnoyers. If we drafted 5th, and Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, and Desnoyers were the first 4 taken, I'm not sure who I would even want to use the pick on. Probably Hagens and hope people were wrong or he just had an off year this year.

[Victor]

Other than Schaefer going #1 and Misa #2, it really depends what list you're looking at.

Another Sportsnet ranking released one week before the one you mentioned goes for the top 8 with Desnoyers #3, Hagens #4, Frondel #5, Martone #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sp ... h-edition/

Craig Button's list has Martone #3, Frondell #4, McQueen #5, Hagens #6 and Desnoyers #7. Cameron Schmidt is #8 (highest I\ve seen him elsewhere is #22) and Eklund #9: https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-mic ... -1.2276438

Daily Faceoff updated their list after the deadline and it has Hagens #3, Martone #4, Frondell #5, Desnoyers #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025- ... ne-edition

McKeen's March ranking still has Hagens #3 and Martone #4. Jackson Smith is #5 there, then Desnoyers #6, Eklund #7 and Frondell #8. McQueen is #9: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ ... sue-class/

FCHockey has Hagens #2 and Misa #3. For the remainder of the top 8, their list has Martone #4, Desnoyers #5, Eklund #6, Frondell #7 and McQueen #8: https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/fchockey ... nhl-draft/

Elite Prospects has this nice page with most rankings affiliated to them there: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center

A team can always surprise everyone and pick a player earlier than expected, like Anaheim did with Sennecke last draft picking him 3rd overall. Most lists had him going top 10, if I recall correctly.

This feels like the 2006 draft with a bunch of forwards pretty interchangeable in terms of draft order and 1 legit defensemen. The playoffs, interviews, combine, etc. will change that list 100 times in the next few months.

Yeah, if the Penguins finish 7th instead of 5th, I'm really hoping that someone goes out of range...like a team really wants a defenseman and reaches slightly for Jackson Smith, or, the Flyers do Flyers thing and go completely off board.

I see zero hope of getting Schaefer or Misa, and that's fine. I've really focused in on Frondell or Desnoyers. If we drafted 5th, and Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, and Desnoyers were the first 4 taken, I'm not sure who I would even want to use the pick on. Probably Hagens and hope people were wrong or he just had an off year this year.

Flyers can select Ivan Ryabkin and make us happy.

[Daniel]

Other than Schaefer going #1 and Misa #2, it really depends what list you're looking at.

Another Sportsnet ranking released one week before the one you mentioned goes for the top 8 with Desnoyers #3, Hagens #4, Frondel #5, Martone #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sp ... h-edition/

Craig Button's list has Martone #3, Frondell #4, McQueen #5, Hagens #6 and Desnoyers #7. Cameron Schmidt is #8 (highest I\ve seen him elsewhere is #22) and Eklund #9: https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-mic ... -1.2276438

Daily Faceoff updated their list after the deadline and it has Hagens #3, Martone #4, Frondell #5, Desnoyers #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025- ... ne-edition

McKeen's March ranking still has Hagens #3 and Martone #4. Jackson Smith is #5 there, then Desnoyers #6, Eklund #7 and Frondell #8. McQueen is #9: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ ... sue-class/

FCHockey has Hagens #2 and Misa #3. For the remainder of the top 8, their list has Martone #4, Desnoyers #5, Eklund #6, Frondell #7 and McQueen #8: https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/fchockey ... nhl-draft/

Elite Prospects has this nice page with most rankings affiliated to them there: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center

A team can always surprise everyone and pick a player earlier than expected, like Anaheim did with Sennecke last draft picking him 3rd overall. Most lists had him going top 10, if I recall correctly.

This feels like the 2006 draft with a bunch of forwards pretty interchangeable in terms of draft order and 1 legit defensemen. The playoffs, interviews, combine, etc. will change that list 100 times in the next few months.

Yeah, if the Penguins finish 7th instead of 5th, I'm really hoping that someone goes out of range...like a team really wants a defenseman and reaches slightly for Jackson Smith, or, the Flyers do Flyers thing and go completely off board.

I see zero hope of getting Schaefer or Misa, and that's fine. I've really focused in on Frondell or Desnoyers. If we drafted 5th, and Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, and Desnoyers were the first 4 taken, I'm not sure who I would even want to use the pick on. Probably Hagens and hope people were wrong or he just had an off year this year.

I have a feeling Hagens will go before Frondell and Desnoyer just because of reputation. Teams get weird when a player has been ranked as long as Hagens has.

Someone like O'Brien and especially Radim Mrtka could rise also. Huge RH defenseman with skill might entice someone.

[dark_forces]

Other than Schaefer going #1 and Misa #2, it really depends what list you're looking at.

Another Sportsnet ranking released one week before the one you mentioned goes for the top 8 with Desnoyers #3, Hagens #4, Frondel #5, Martone #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sp ... h-edition/

Craig Button's list has Martone #3, Frondell #4, McQueen #5, Hagens #6 and Desnoyers #7. Cameron Schmidt is #8 (highest I\ve seen him elsewhere is #22) and Eklund #9: https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-mic ... -1.2276438

Daily Faceoff updated their list after the deadline and it has Hagens #3, Martone #4, Frondell #5, Desnoyers #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025- ... ne-edition

McKeen's March ranking still has Hagens #3 and Martone #4. Jackson Smith is #5 there, then Desnoyers #6, Eklund #7 and Frondell #8. McQueen is #9: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ ... sue-class/

FCHockey has Hagens #2 and Misa #3. For the remainder of the top 8, their list has Martone #4, Desnoyers #5, Eklund #6, Frondell #7 and McQueen #8: https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/fchockey ... nhl-draft/

Elite Prospects has this nice page with most rankings affiliated to them there: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center

A team can always surprise everyone and pick a player earlier than expected, like Anaheim did with Sennecke last draft picking him 3rd overall. Most lists had him going top 10, if I recall correctly.

This feels like the 2006 draft with a bunch of forwards pretty interchangeable in terms of draft order and 1 legit defensemen. The playoffs, interviews, combine, etc. will change that list 100 times in the next few months.

Yeah, if the Penguins finish 7th instead of 5th, I'm really hoping that someone goes out of range...like a team really wants a defenseman and reaches slightly for Jackson Smith, or, the Flyers do Flyers thing and go completely off board.

I see zero hope of getting Schaefer or Misa, and that's fine. I've really focused in on Frondell or Desnoyers. If we drafted 5th, and Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, and Desnoyers were the first 4 taken, I'm not sure who I would even want to use the pick on. Probably Hagens and hope people were wrong or he just had an off year this year.

I have a feeling Hagens will go before Frondell and Desnoyer just because of reputation. Teams get weird when a player has been ranked as long as Hagens has.

Someone like O'Brien and especially Radim Mrtka could rise also. Huge RH defenseman with skill might entice someone.

Based on where it appears we'll select, I'd be ecstatic with Frondell or Desnoyers, but would also be happy with Eklund or O'Brien.

[Daniel]

Other than Schaefer going #1 and Misa #2, it really depends what list you're looking at.

Another Sportsnet ranking released one week before the one you mentioned goes for the top 8 with Desnoyers #3, Hagens #4, Frondel #5, Martone #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sp ... h-edition/

Craig Button's list has Martone #3, Frondell #4, McQueen #5, Hagens #6 and Desnoyers #7. Cameron Schmidt is #8 (highest I\ve seen him elsewhere is #22) and Eklund #9: https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-mic ... -1.2276438

Daily Faceoff updated their list after the deadline and it has Hagens #3, Martone #4, Frondell #5, Desnoyers #6, McQueen #7 and Eklund #8: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025- ... ne-edition

McKeen's March ranking still has Hagens #3 and Martone #4. Jackson Smith is #5 there, then Desnoyers #6, Eklund #7 and Frondell #8. McQueen is #9: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ ... sue-class/

FCHockey has Hagens #2 and Misa #3. For the remainder of the top 8, their list has Martone #4, Desnoyers #5, Eklund #6, Frondell #7 and McQueen #8: https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/fchockey ... nhl-draft/

Elite Prospects has this nice page with most rankings affiliated to them there: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center

A team can always surprise everyone and pick a player earlier than expected, like Anaheim did with Sennecke last draft picking him 3rd overall. Most lists had him going top 10, if I recall correctly.

This feels like the 2006 draft with a bunch of forwards pretty interchangeable in terms of draft order and 1 legit defensemen. The playoffs, interviews, combine, etc. will change that list 100 times in the next few months.

Yeah, if the Penguins finish 7th instead of 5th, I'm really hoping that someone goes out of range...like a team really wants a defenseman and reaches slightly for Jackson Smith, or, the Flyers do Flyers thing and go completely off board.

I see zero hope of getting Schaefer or Misa, and that's fine. I've really focused in on Frondell or Desnoyers. If we drafted 5th, and Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, and Desnoyers were the first 4 taken, I'm not sure who I would even want to use the pick on. Probably Hagens and hope people were wrong or he just had an off year this year.

I have a feeling Hagens will go before Frondell and Desnoyer just because of reputation. Teams get weird when a player has been ranked as long as Hagens has.

Someone like O'Brien and especially Radim Mrtka could rise also. Huge RH defenseman with skill might entice someone.

Based on where it appears we'll select, I'd be ecstatic with Frondell or Desnoyers, but would also be happy with Eklund or O'Brien.

As much as I want them to get a top 2 line center, Radim Mrtka is intriguing. He reads to be the next Victor Hedman but likely without the goal scoring ability (though he is young). 6’6 RH defensemen with good mobility don’t grow on trees.

Frondell and Desnoyers are my top 2 picks but depending on where O’Brien and McQueen project, I might be good with Radim Mrtka. Also depends on what the Rangers do as well. Radim Mrtka And O’Brien would be a very good day. Desnoyers and Radim Mrtka would be even better of course.

[Pens4Life]

Desnoyers at #6 and Mrtka at #11 would be great draft day. Mrtka of course with NYR pick, but I think they might keep that pick.

I would be pleased even with Eklund or Jackson at #8.

We shall see soon enough how standings resolve in the end.

[Puck-Lurker]

The last time we had two first round picks we took Maatta and Pouliot. Wouldn't say we nailed it on those two.
I hope Dubas and Co have better luck.

Määttä was a perfectly serviceable first rounder. Pouliot was a big whiff though.

[ahawk9]

Maatta has a had a decent career. He was brilliant until he was injured, and he never seemed to get all the way back to that level. That said, he was solid. Compared to Pouliot's career, he's Bobby Orr. Shows how much of a crapshoot it is. I was talking to a CBJ fan friend of mine today and he mentioned that Doug MacLean took Gilbert Brule with the 6th overall pick in 2005, passing on Anze Kopitar. Brule finished with 95 points in 299 NHL games. Kopitar... HoF for sure.

Interestingly, the No. 3 overall pick after Crosby and Bobby Ryan? Jack "MF" Johnson!

[Puck-Lurker]

Maatta has a had a decent career. He was brilliant until he was injured, and he never seemed to get all the way back to that level. That said, he was solid. Compared to Pouliot's career, he's Bobby Orr. Shows how much of a crapshoot it is. I was talking to a CBJ fan friend of mine today and he mentioned that Doug MacLean took Gilbert Brule with the 6th overall pick in 2005, passing on Anze Kopitar. Brule finished with 95 points in 299 NHL games. Kopitar... HoF for sure.

Interestingly, the No. 3 overall pick after Crosby and Bobby Ryan? Jack "MF" Johnson!

JMFJ was one of the five draft picks I listed somewhere, without names. I think they were Johnson (1st, #3), Pouliot (1st, #8) Jarry (2nd) Guentzel and Rust (both 3rd).

There are no guarantees. Gotta squeeze what NHL games you can out of your picks. Penguins have been bad at it for quite a stretch. Getting one, maybe two players each year for the team.

Most of our talent is imported.

I do like our 2024 draft. Brunicke and Howe were nice selections. Pietila had a bit of buzz earlier this year. Väisänen is somewhere in the system, as is Harding. Swanson I have no idea, he's somewhere in the NCAA?

[Victor]

Maatta has a had a decent career. He was brilliant until he was injured, and he never seemed to get all the way back to that level. That said, he was solid. Compared to Pouliot's career, he's Bobby Orr. Shows how much of a crapshoot it is. I was talking to a CBJ fan friend of mine today and he mentioned that Doug MacLean took Gilbert Brule with the 6th overall pick in 2005, passing on Anze Kopitar. Brule finished with 95 points in 299 NHL games. Kopitar... HoF for sure.

Interestingly, the No. 3 overall pick after Crosby and Bobby Ryan? Jack "MF" Johnson!

JMFJ was one of the five draft picks I listed somewhere, without names. I think they were Johnson (1st, #3), Pouliot (1st, #8) Jarry (2nd) Guentzel and Rust (both 3rd).

There are no guarantees. Gotta squeeze what NHL games you can out of your picks. Penguins have been bad at it for quite a stretch. Getting one, maybe two players each year for the team.

Most of our talent is imported.

I do like our 2024 draft. Brunicke and Howe were nice selections. Pietila had a bit of buzz earlier this year. Väisänen is somewhere in the system, as is Harding. Swanson I have no idea, he's somewhere in the NCAA?

I was sure your #3 pick was Alex Galchenyuk

Mac Swanson played for University of North Dakota this season, 2 goals, 18 points. He played the previous two seasons in the USHL.

He's listed as 5'7 in Elite Prospects and 5'8 in HockeyDB. He would need Johnny Gaudreau skills to make to the NHL.

[Puck-Lurker]

Maatta has a had a decent career. He was brilliant until he was injured, and he never seemed to get all the way back to that level. That said, he was solid. Compared to Pouliot's career, he's Bobby Orr. Shows how much of a crapshoot it is. I was talking to a CBJ fan friend of mine today and he mentioned that Doug MacLean took Gilbert Brule with the 6th overall pick in 2005, passing on Anze Kopitar. Brule finished with 95 points in 299 NHL games. Kopitar... HoF for sure.

Interestingly, the No. 3 overall pick after Crosby and Bobby Ryan? Jack "MF" Johnson!

JMFJ was one of the five draft picks I listed somewhere, without names. I think they were Johnson (1st, #3), Pouliot (1st, #8) Jarry (2nd) Guentzel and Rust (both 3rd).

There are no guarantees. Gotta squeeze what NHL games you can out of your picks. Penguins have been bad at it for quite a stretch. Getting one, maybe two players each year for the team.

Most of our talent is imported.

I do like our 2024 draft. Brunicke and Howe were nice selections. Pietila had a bit of buzz earlier this year. Väisänen is somewhere in the system, as is Harding. Swanson I have no idea, he's somewhere in the NCAA?

I was sure your #3 pick was Alex Galchenyuk

Mac Swanson played for University of North Dakota this season, 2 goals, 18 points. He played the previous two seasons in the USHL.

He's listed as 5'7 in Elite Prospects and 5'8 in HockeyDB. He would need Johnny Gaudreau skills to make to the NHL.

Galchenyuk would've been a good shout, too.

Yeah, I guess it would be unreasonable to expect anything from Swanson other than ECHL.

Also, RIP Johnny.

[Cow_Master66]

Maatta has a had a decent career. He was brilliant until he was injured, and he never seemed to get all the way back to that level. That said, he was solid. Compared to Pouliot's career, he's Bobby Orr. Shows how much of a crapshoot it is. I was talking to a CBJ fan friend of mine today and he mentioned that Doug MacLean took Gilbert Brule with the 6th overall pick in 2005, passing on Anze Kopitar. Brule finished with 95 points in 299 NHL games. Kopitar... HoF for sure.

Interestingly, the No. 3 overall pick after Crosby and Bobby Ryan? Jack "MF" Johnson!

This is why you don't trade your picks just because some say the draft is "6 players deep".....This happens every single year, and this team is going nowhere to begin with, so they need as many swings as they can get for the next few seasons.

[100565]

Over the last three drafts (2022, 2023, and 2024) about 672 players were selected.  To date, 31 of those players have played more than 20 games in the NHL (4.6%). 9 out of 12 top 4 picks have GP>20 (75%).  

10 out of picks 1-5 have GP >20 (66.7%).
5 out of picks 6-10 have GP>20 (33.3%).
5 out of picks 11-15 have GP>20 (33.3%).
3 out of picks 16-20 have GP>20 (20%).
1 out of picks 21-25 have GP>20 (6.7%).
1 out of picks 26-32 have GP>20 (4.8%).

4 second round picks have GP>20 (4.2%).
1 third round picks have GP>20 (1%).
1 fourth round picks have GP>20 (1%).
1 fifth round picks have GP>20 (1%).
0% of sixth and seventh round picks have GP>20


Out of the 31 players who were drafted in 2022, 2023, or 2024 and played more than 20 games in the NHL:
1 of the 31 were drafted in 2024.
6 of the 31 were drafted in 2023.
24 of the 31 were drafted in 2022.

It is likely the Pens pick(s) will not play much the next three years. I don't think our pick will become a high level (1C, 1D, true 1W) player.

Maybe not this offseason, but I don't think KD waits three years for a 2C to develop. I think the first round pick or draftee is trade bait.

Certainly, the draftee could develop more than expected, quicker than average. Ya never know. I'm expecting a trade within 1.5 years.

[Cow_Master66]

Over the last three drafts (2022, 2023, and 2024) about 672 players were selected.  To date, 31 of those players have played more than 20 games in the NHL (4.6%). 9 out of 12 top 4 picks have GP>20 (75%).  

10 out of picks 1-5 have GP >20 (66.7%).
5 out of picks 6-10 have GP>20 (33.3%).
5 out of picks 11-15 have GP>20 (33.3%).
3 out of picks 16-20 have GP>20 (20%).
1 out of picks 21-25 have GP>20 (6.7%).
1 out of picks 26-32 have GP>20 (4.8%).

4 second round picks have GP>20 (4.2%).
1 third round picks have GP>20 (1%).
1 fourth round picks have GP>20 (1%).
1 fifth round picks have GP>20 (1%).
0% of sixth and seventh round picks have GP>20


Out of the 31 players who were drafted in 2022, 2023, or 2024 and played more than 20 games in the NHL:
1 of the 31 were drafted in 2024.
6 of the 31 were drafted in 2023.
24 of the 31 were drafted in 2022.

It is likely the Pens pick(s) will not play much the next three years. I don't think our pick will become a high level (1C, 1D, true 1W) player.

Maybe not this offseason, but I don't think KD waits three years for a 2C to develop. I think the first round pick or draftee is trade bait.

Certainly, the draftee could develop more than expected, quicker than average. Ya never know. I'm expecting a trade within 1.5 years.

3-4 years to develop is a good timeline. Pens brass shouldn't give 2 ****s about rushing anyone. Anyone that's not just emotional that the Crosby clock is ticking can see that this team isn't going to be competitive the next 2-3 seasons unless KD pulls off multiple miracle moves.

[100565]

Over the last three drafts (2022, 2023, and 2024) about 672 players were selected.  To date, 31 of those players have played more than 20 games in the NHL (4.6%). 9 out of 12 top 4 picks have GP>20 (75%).  

10 out of picks 1-5 have GP >20 (66.7%).
5 out of picks 6-10 have GP>20 (33.3%).
5 out of picks 11-15 have GP>20 (33.3%).
3 out of picks 16-20 have GP>20 (20%).
1 out of picks 21-25 have GP>20 (6.7%).
1 out of picks 26-32 have GP>20 (4.8%).

4 second round picks have GP>20 (4.2%).
1 third round picks have GP>20 (1%).
1 fourth round picks have GP>20 (1%).
1 fifth round picks have GP>20 (1%).
0% of sixth and seventh round picks have GP>20


Out of the 31 players who were drafted in 2022, 2023, or 2024 and played more than 20 games in the NHL:
1 of the 31 were drafted in 2024.
6 of the 31 were drafted in 2023.
24 of the 31 were drafted in 2022.

It is likely the Pens pick(s) will not play much the next three years. I don't think our pick will become a high level (1C, 1D, true 1W) player.

Maybe not this offseason, but I don't think KD waits three years for a 2C to develop. I think the first round pick or draftee is trade bait.

Certainly, the draftee could develop more than expected, quicker than average. Ya never know. I'm expecting a trade within 1.5 years.

3-4 years to develop is a good timeline. Pens brass shouldn't give 2 ****s about rushing anyone. Anyone that's not just emotional that the Crosby clock is ticking can see that this team isn't going to be competitive the next 2-3 seasons unless KD pulls off multiple miracle moves.

I agree with you, but I don't think KD agrees with us. I think he will be patient for one more year, but I don't think he waits 3-4 years.

[Cow_Master66]

I don't think he will be patient at all; not even for a year. I fully expect this team to (at least partially) mortgage additional years in the future this offseason.

[Puck-Lurker]

I don't think he will be patient at all; not even for a year. I fully expect this team to (at least partially) mortgage additional years in the future this offseason.

Dubas does anything of the kind and my evaluation bar drops to F-

If this team's playoff chances in the next 2 years were a horse, it would be shot!

[FLPensFan]

The Athletic updated their draft ranking tiers today, ranking their top 32. They've expanded the 3rd tier a bit
-Tier1 - NHL All-Star
-Tier2 - Bubble All-Star and top of the lineup player
-Tier3 - Top of the lineup player
-Tier4 - Bubble top of lineup; middle of the lineup player
-Tier5 - Middle of the lineup player

Schaefer is the only player in Tier1
They have Misa, Desnoyers, Hagens, and Martone in Tier2
For Tier3, they have Frondell, O'Brien, Eklund, McQueen, Aitcheson, Smith
For Tier4, they have Nesbit, Mrtka, Bear, Carbonneau, Ravensbergen, Reid, Prokhorov, Lakovic
For Tier5 Martin, Spence, Reschny, Cootes, Gastron, Zonnon, Hensler, Brzustewicz, West, Potter, Boumedienne, Fiddler, Kindel

They aren't as high on Mrtka, Martin, and Kindel as I have seen other sites. Aitcheson and Smith being in that 3rd tier may help us. My target is still Desnoyers or Frondell, but I'm warming up to O'Brien as well.

[Daniel]

The Athletic updated their draft ranking tiers today, ranking their top 32. They've expanded the 3rd tier a bit
-Tier1 - NHL All-Star
-Tier2 - Bubble All-Star and top of the lineup player
-Tier3 - Top of the lineup player
-Tier4 - Bubble top of lineup; middle of the lineup player
-Tier5 - Middle of the lineup player

Schaefer is the only player in Tier1
They have Misa, Desnoyers, Hagens, and Martone in Tier2
For Tier3, they have Frondell, O'Brien, Eklund, McQueen, Aitcheson, Smith
For Tier4, they have Nesbit, Mrtka, Bear, Carbonneau, Ravensbergen, Reid, Prokhorov, Lakovic
For Tier5 Martin, Spence, Reschny, Cootes, Gastron, Zonnon, Hensler, Brzustewicz, West, Potter, Boumedienne, Fiddler, Kindel

They aren't as high on Mrtka, Martin, and Kindel as I have seen other sites. Aitcheson and Smith being in that 3rd tier may help us. My target is still Desnoyers or Frondell, but I'm warming up to O'Brien as well.

If that list is accurate, the Penguins should be able to get a top of the lineup player at the very least. Since we didn't see a 1st round C in the group, having the chance to get Desnoyers, Frondell, O'Brien, McQueen is pretty good.

If the Penguins get the Rangers pick, having O'Brien and Aitcheson as the worse case scenario will be a pretty nice 1st round. Maybe Eklund over Aitcheson, but I'd rather C/D over a winger. Just think those are biggest organizational needs. Though Center is the biggest need and if they can get Frondell/Desnoyer and O'Brien/McQueen how great would that be towards getting the next Crosby/Malkin/Staal?

[Puck-Lurker]

Paths to #7:

- Penguins OTL + Sabres W
- Penguins L (regulation) + Sabres W
- Penguins L (regulation) + Sabres OTL

Ducks result doesn't matter for getting sixth.

[100565]

Paths to #6:

- Penguins OTL + Sabres W
- Penguins L (regulation) + Sabres W
- Penguins L (regulation) + Sabres OTL

Ducks result doesn't matter for getting sixth.

No path to 6. sharks, blackhawks, preds, bruins, kraken, and flyers all are guaranteed to be worse than the Pens. flyers could tie in points, but they get 6 for RWs.

[Puck-Lurker]

The Athletic updated their draft ranking tiers today, ranking their top 32. They've expanded the 3rd tier a bit
-Tier1 - NHL All-Star
-Tier2 - Bubble All-Star and top of the lineup player
-Tier3 - Top of the lineup player
-Tier4 - Bubble top of lineup; middle of the lineup player
-Tier5 - Middle of the lineup player

Schaefer is the only player in Tier1
They have Misa, Desnoyers, Hagens, and Martone in Tier2
For Tier3, they have Frondell, O'Brien, Eklund, McQueen, Aitcheson, Smith
For Tier4, they have Nesbit, Mrtka, Bear, Carbonneau, Ravensbergen, Reid, Prokhorov, Lakovic
For Tier5 Martin, Spence, Reschny, Cootes, Gastron, Zonnon, Hensler, Brzustewicz, West, Potter, Boumedienne, Fiddler, Kindel

They aren't as high on Mrtka, Martin, and Kindel as I have seen other sites. Aitcheson and Smith being in that 3rd tier may help us. My target is still Desnoyers or Frondell, but I'm warming up to O'Brien as well.

If that list is accurate, the Penguins should be able to get a top of the lineup player at the very least. Since we didn't see a 1st round C in the group, having the chance to get Desnoyers, Frondell, O'Brien, McQueen is pretty good.

If the Penguins get the Rangers pick, having O'Brien and Aitcheson as the worse case scenario will be a pretty nice 1st round. Maybe Eklund over Aitcheson, but I'd rather C/D over a winger. Just think those are biggest organizational needs. Though Center is the biggest need and if they can get Frondell/Desnoyer and O'Brien/McQueen how great would that be towards getting the next Crosby/Malkin/Staal?

I think that's a decent list reflecting where the stand right now.

In some kind of best-case scenario, excluding the Schaefer sweepstakes and assuming NYR gives up their pick, I'd have drafted Desnoyers with #7 and Aitcheson at #11.

I don't think Desnoyers will be available when we select, which is probably #8. Given scouting and interest, I imagine it'll be Frondell. Not sure Aitcheson is available by the time we get to pick with NYR's pick (assuming we have it), but I'd go with him, unless Smith is still available.