2025 NHL Draft

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Gunnerfan
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Gunnerfan »

Puck-Lurker wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:43 am
FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:09 am
DelPen wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 6:55 am
If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.
I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.
Word was last year, that the 2025 draft was better and deeper.

They repeat that as a chorus year in year out
Agree to disagree here. I specifically remember watching the draft last year, and to a man, they all referenced 2026 as the better draft and that 2025 was considered weaker. That has been known and reported for over 18 months.
Daniel
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Daniel »

FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:52 am
Daniel wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:45 am
FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:09 am
DelPen wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 6:55 am
If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.
I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.
If they can get 2 top 4 defensemen or 2 middle six fowards/centers or 1 of each, I'd be thrilled. I still think Radim Mrtka & Kashawn Aitcheson would be perfect, though we both know as it gets closer we will get more information on strengths and weaknesses.
I still think Rangers keep the pick and ship 2026 to us. If you expect to be a playoff team, you don't pass up a #12 overall pick because you might be worse next year. If they are worse next year, Drury and Sullivan are in trouble.

As for what to get, same message for me for a year now....top 6 centers, top pairing d-man. If there is a good center still available at #9, I'd see if I could work something out with Buffalo for a trade. Going from 9th to 11th would roughly cost us our 11th overall, a 3rd in this year's draft, and a 3rd in next year's draft. If O'Brien, Frondell, or Martin are sitting there at #9, I'd try to trade up. I wouldn't trade up for McQueen with his injury risk.

Imagine pulling off a bigger trade where we moved up with Buffalo and picked up RFA Bowen Byram from them. That would be sweet, but wouldn't be cheap.
I don't think they'll be worse next year, I think the 2026 pick will be a valuable asset to be traded at the deadline.

Heck, I'm sure Sullivan will try to get Rust so why not get their 2026 1st too. :D
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by DelPen »

KG wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 9:40 am
Last night was definitely confusing. Had no idea what the balls meant and I don't think it was explained very well. I also get that the league doesn't want to promote tanking, but I don't think that a team should be able to go from 11 to 1. Jumping 10 spots is a little much.
This has been the way it’s run for a while now, just rare to see two teams that high up win both draws.

I guess I took for granted already knowing that they drew 4 balls and then matched against random numbers each team has to see who won. As teams don’t have any of the numbers drawn in their pool they were eliminated.

The alternative is do both draws behind closed doors and then reveal from worst pick to best and as soon as you see Utah and NYI not where they were you get to sit through to see where they both ended up. That’s boring, last night was much better as far as having some excitement especially knowing what balls to hop for at the end. My only complaint was not treating the 2nd draw the same way.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Cow_Master66 »

Kashawn Aitcheson highlights get me aroused.
Badamski9
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Badamski9 »

FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:52 am
Daniel wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:45 am
FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:09 am
DelPen wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 6:55 am
If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.
I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.
If they can get 2 top 4 defensemen or 2 middle six fowards/centers or 1 of each, I'd be thrilled. I still think Radim Mrtka & Kashawn Aitcheson would be perfect, though we both know as it gets closer we will get more information on strengths and weaknesses.
I still think Rangers keep the pick and ship 2026 to us. If you expect to be a playoff team, you don't pass up a #12 overall pick because you might be worse next year. If they are worse next year, Drury and Sullivan are in trouble.

As for what to get, same message for me for a year now....top 6 centers, top pairing d-man. If there is a good center still available at #9, I'd see if I could work something out with Buffalo for a trade. Going from 9th to 11th would roughly cost us our 11th overall, a 3rd in this year's draft, and a 3rd in next year's draft. If O'Brien, Frondell, or Martin are sitting there at #9, I'd try to trade up. I wouldn't trade up for McQueen with his injury risk.

Imagine pulling off a bigger trade where we moved up with Buffalo and picked up RFA Bowen Byram from them. That would be sweet, but wouldn't be cheap.
I put this in the coaching thread, but it probably has more relevance here.

Not sure why some people on here think the Rangers are going to be better next year. They have an aging roster of scrubs, a severely overpaid goalie, now a coach that only knows one way to play, and they don’t have the players to play his system either. They will be a lottery pick team next year.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by FLPensFan »

Badamski9 wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 11:56 pm
FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:52 am
Daniel wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:45 am
FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:09 am
DelPen wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 6:55 am
If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.
I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.
If they can get 2 top 4 defensemen or 2 middle six fowards/centers or 1 of each, I'd be thrilled. I still think Radim Mrtka & Kashawn Aitcheson would be perfect, though we both know as it gets closer we will get more information on strengths and weaknesses.
I still think Rangers keep the pick and ship 2026 to us. If you expect to be a playoff team, you don't pass up a #12 overall pick because you might be worse next year. If they are worse next year, Drury and Sullivan are in trouble.

As for what to get, same message for me for a year now....top 6 centers, top pairing d-man. If there is a good center still available at #9, I'd see if I could work something out with Buffalo for a trade. Going from 9th to 11th would roughly cost us our 11th overall, a 3rd in this year's draft, and a 3rd in next year's draft. If O'Brien, Frondell, or Martin are sitting there at #9, I'd try to trade up. I wouldn't trade up for McQueen with his injury risk.

Imagine pulling off a bigger trade where we moved up with Buffalo and picked up RFA Bowen Byram from them. That would be sweet, but wouldn't be cheap.
I put this in the coaching thread, but it probably has more relevance here.

Not sure why some people on here think the Rangers are going to be better next year. They have an aging roster of scrubs, a severely overpaid goalie, now a coach that only knows one way to play, and they don’t have the players to play his system either. They will be a lottery pick team next year.
They have one of the best goalies in the league (I agree a bit overpaid), they have Fox, Miller, and Schneider as relatively young d-men, and their "older" players are still on the right side of 35. I think at worst they should be a wild card team or going down to the last days of the season to make the playoffs. I don't think they are a strong contender, but they also shouldn't be in the Penguins, Flyers, and Sabres class either.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by BigMcK »

In another thread, FLP, has assembled a scenario where the Penguins make a decision to keep or trade a possible pick from the Rags.

Are there rules (Penguins are on the clock) that stipulate how many minutes a team has to report their intentions for the pick? If they do not, what happens to the pick? The clock expires, a team didn't meet the deadline. Does the team-up go on the clock, and the team that fouled then draft behind?

#12 fails to meet the deadline. #13 moves up. #12 then goes back on the clock before #14?

So many components are in play for a first round pick.

I am of the mindset to trade the pick for a young NHL player that meets the two year replacement for Malkin. Then spend the ask for a replacement for Crosby in free agency.

Pittsburgh seems to be a city that former players wish to reside.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Puck-Lurker »

BigMcK wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 3:08 am
In another thread, FLP, has assembled a scenario where the Penguins make a decision to keep or trade a possible pick from the Rags.

Are there rules (Penguins are on the clock) that stipulate how many minutes a team has to report their intentions for the pick? If they do not, what happens to the pick? The clock expires, a team didn't meet the deadline. Does the team-up go on the clock, and the team that fouled then draft behind?

#12 fails to meet the deadline. #13 moves up. #12 then goes back on the clock before #14?

So many components are in play for a first round pick.

I am of the mindset to trade the pick for a young NHL player that meets the two year replacement for Malkin. Then spend the ask for a replacement for Crosby in free agency.

Pittsburgh seems to be a city that former players wish to reside.
Teams should have 3 minutes to pick normally. I believe they also get a bunch of 5 minute time-outs, presumably for a quick regrouping chat or to make a trade.

If the clock runs out, you move back a pick. So if you have #12, the next team picks #12 and you pick #13.

I'm not sure if Penguins have 11 and 12 this year, they can take extra time because they're the next team on the clock.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by largegarlic »

FLPensFan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 1:07 am
They have one of the best goalies in the league (I agree a bit overpaid), they have Fox, Miller, and Schneider as relatively young d-men, and their "older" players are still on the right side of 35. I think at worst they should be a wild card team or going down to the last days of the season to make the playoffs. I don't think they are a strong contender, but they also shouldn't be in the Penguins, Flyers, and Sabres class either.
Yeah, that's how I see it too. It'd be nice if they crashed and burned next season, but if I had to bet on their finish, I'd say lower-seed playoff team. Panarin and Miller are still point-per-game guys. Fox is still maybe a top-ten d-man in the league, and Shesterkin, even though he had a down year, is maybe a top-five goalie in the league. And then guys like Trocheck, Lafreniere, K. Miller, etc., are pretty solid complementary guys. They'll have some cap space as is and could have a lot more if Drury can find a way to dump Kreider and/or Zibanejad.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Pruezy11881 »

We'll see how it all goes. Sully will teach Fox the finer points of playing defense and neuter him and Shesterkin's numbers will fall in Sully's system due to the onslaught of odd man rushes.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by ahawk9 »

I was in Barrie late in the 2023-24 season and by total fluke met Jay Heinbuck, who had been head of scouting under Shero. He was at the game scouting two centers - Cole Beaudoin (taken by Utah in the 1st round last year) and Riley Patterson (4th round to Vancouver). He was a really good guy to talk to, and he mentioned Aitcheson as someone to keep an eye on. It was Barrie's last game of the season, and Aitcheson had 3 assists and was 2nd star of the game. Neither of the centers he was scouting stood out in that game but it's a miniscule part of the whole. Great atmosphere, though.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Puck-Lurker »

ahawk9 wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 11:58 am
I was in Barrie late in the 2023-24 season and by total fluke met Jay Heinbuck, who had been head of scouting under Shero. He was at the game scouting two centers - Cole Beaudoin (taken by Utah in the 1st round last year) and Riley Patterson (4th round to Vancouver). He was a really good guy to talk to, and he mentioned Aitcheson as someone to keep an eye on. It was Barrie's last game of the season, and Aitcheson had 3 assists and was 2nd star of the game. Neither of the centers he was scouting stood out in that game but it's a miniscule part of the whole. Great atmosphere, though.
Yeah I'd been looking at Aitcheson too. Stood out as a good defensive option, where we have rather dire need. I remember reading he picks up too many penalties.. but Sullivan is gone.

Let others picks all the fools gold centers.. and Schaefer. If we can pick up Aitcheson and whatever forward drops, I will be happy.

Still assuming we get the NY pick. I don't know why.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by FLPensFan »

Here's a quick summary of Mock Drafts that were released after the draft lottery, and who these drafts have the Penguins taking:

The Athletic has a mock draft created on Monday after the lottery. They have the Penguins taking Jackson Smith at #11. They had both Eklund and Aitcheson going AFTER the Penguins selection...and I'd take either before I took Smith.

Tankathon has us picking Radim Mrtka at #11, but has both Brady Martin and Aitcheson going after our pick. I'd take Martin before either of those defensemen.

USA Today only did top 10, but they had Mrtka at #10, which meant Martin or Aitcheson would be available for us at 11.

FLOHockey had us taking Eklund at 11, but also had Aitcheson taking AFTER our pick.

Daily Faceoff has us taking Aitcheson at 11. They have McQueen going at #15 and Mrtka at 12.

TSN's Craig Button has us taking McQueen at 11. He has Aitcheson at 12 and Eklund at 13.

Bleacher Nation has us taking Martin at 11. Aitcheson and Eklund are taken after our pick.

Sportsnet has us taking Martin at 11. Aitcheson and Eklund both taken after our pick.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by lemieuxReturns »

FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:52 am
Daniel wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:45 am
FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 10:09 am
DelPen wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 6:55 am
If the Rags give us the pick this year, is there any team out there that has enough top end prospects that are looking for more depth that would swap the 11 and 12 picks for something in the top 5?

We are in dire need of a top 6 center ASAP but definitely need one for 26/27 with Malkin most likely retiring so if we could move up to get that guy I’d rather do that than take a maybe top 6 wing and a 2nd pair defenseman at 11 & 12.
I don't know that there is any center in this draft that is going to be able to step in and play next year. I broke this down earlier, probably in this thread but, here's a quicker version:

--In the last 3 years drafts (2022-2024) only 49 players have played NHL games.
--Of those 49, only 16 have played 50 or more games.
--Of those 16, only 10 have played 70 or more games.
--Of those 10, none of them are from the 2024 draft.
--Of those 10, only 2 are outside the top 10 overall.
--6 players from the 2023 draft have played 49 or more NHL games. Only 1, Zach Benson, was selected outside the top 10.

I can't recall what the overall thought was on last year's draft class heading in, but I seem to think it was considered better than this year's as well. But outside Celebrini, only 1 player has played 4 NHL games.

It's just not feasible to expect a player drafted this year to step in and be NHL ready by next season...unless the team is rushing the player, and that doesn't fit the Dubas way.

This really ups the ante on Dubas being able to pull off some form of trade or offer sheet for a 2C ASAP.
If they can get 2 top 4 defensemen or 2 middle six fowards/centers or 1 of each, I'd be thrilled. I still think Radim Mrtka & Kashawn Aitcheson would be perfect, though we both know as it gets closer we will get more information on strengths and weaknesses.
I still think Rangers keep the pick and ship 2026 to us. If you expect to be a playoff team, you don't pass up a #12 overall pick because you might be worse next year. If they are worse next year, Drury and Sullivan are in trouble.

As for what to get, same message for me for a year now....top 6 centers, top pairing d-man. If there is a good center still available at #9, I'd see if I could work something out with Buffalo for a trade. Going from 9th to 11th would roughly cost us our 11th overall, a 3rd in this year's draft, and a 3rd in next year's draft. If O'Brien, Frondell, or Martin are sitting there at #9, I'd try to trade up. I wouldn't trade up for McQueen with his injury risk.

Imagine pulling off a bigger trade where we moved up with Buffalo and picked up RFA Bowen Byram from them. That would be sweet, but wouldn't be cheap.
With the pens track record, I would rather have more darts.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Daniel »

Puck-Lurker wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 12:07 pm
ahawk9 wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 11:58 am
I was in Barrie late in the 2023-24 season and by total fluke met Jay Heinbuck, who had been head of scouting under Shero. He was at the game scouting two centers - Cole Beaudoin (taken by Utah in the 1st round last year) and Riley Patterson (4th round to Vancouver). He was a really good guy to talk to, and he mentioned Aitcheson as someone to keep an eye on. It was Barrie's last game of the season, and Aitcheson had 3 assists and was 2nd star of the game. Neither of the centers he was scouting stood out in that game but it's a miniscule part of the whole. Great atmosphere, though.
Yeah I'd been looking at Aitcheson too. Stood out as a good defensive option, where we have rather dire need. I remember reading he picks up too many penalties.. but Sullivan is gone.

Let others picks all the fools gold centers.. and Schaefer. If we can pick up Aitcheson and whatever forward drops, I will be happy.

Still assuming we get the NY pick. I don't know why.
From what I read, he seems to get penalties for the same reason Orpik did. Too aggressive with the hitting. Those tend to work themselves out with experience.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Daniel »

FLPensFan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 12:28 pm
Here's a quick summary of Mock Drafts that were released after the draft lottery, and who these drafts have the Penguins taking:

The Athletic has a mock draft created on Monday after the lottery. They have the Penguins taking Jackson Smith at #11. They had both Eklund and Aitcheson going AFTER the Penguins selection...and I'd take either before I took Smith.

Tankathon has us picking Radim Mrtka at #11, but has both Brady Martin and Aitcheson going after our pick. I'd take Martin before either of those defensemen.

USA Today only did top 10, but they had Mrtka at #10, which meant Martin or Aitcheson would be available for us at 11.

FLOHockey had us taking Eklund at 11, but also had Aitcheson taking AFTER our pick.

Daily Faceoff has us taking Aitcheson at 11. They have McQueen going at #15 and Mrtka at 12.

TSN's Craig Button has us taking McQueen at 11. He has Aitcheson at 12 and Eklund at 13.

Bleacher Nation has us taking Martin at 11. Aitcheson and Eklund are taken after our pick.

Sportsnet has us taking Martin at 11. Aitcheson and Eklund both taken after our pick.
Martin seems to be a 3C and not a very big one at that. After O’Brien, Desnoyers, Frondell, there really isn’t a C the Penguins should take (unless McQueen shows something but with his size if he does, he’s gone by 11). I’m perfectly fine with Aitcheson and Mrtka.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by FLPensFan »

Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 12:46 pm
FLPensFan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 12:28 pm
Here's a quick summary of Mock Drafts that were released after the draft lottery, and who these drafts have the Penguins taking:

The Athletic has a mock draft created on Monday after the lottery. They have the Penguins taking Jackson Smith at #11. They had both Eklund and Aitcheson going AFTER the Penguins selection...and I'd take either before I took Smith.

Tankathon has us picking Radim Mrtka at #11, but has both Brady Martin and Aitcheson going after our pick. I'd take Martin before either of those defensemen.

USA Today only did top 10, but they had Mrtka at #10, which meant Martin or Aitcheson would be available for us at 11.

FLOHockey had us taking Eklund at 11, but also had Aitcheson taking AFTER our pick.

Daily Faceoff has us taking Aitcheson at 11. They have McQueen going at #15 and Mrtka at 12.

TSN's Craig Button has us taking McQueen at 11. He has Aitcheson at 12 and Eklund at 13.

Bleacher Nation has us taking Martin at 11. Aitcheson and Eklund are taken after our pick.

Sportsnet has us taking Martin at 11. Aitcheson and Eklund both taken after our pick.
Martin seems to be a 3C and not a very big one at that. After O’Brien, Desnoyers, Frondell, there really isn’t a C the Penguins should take (unless McQueen shows something but with his size if he does, he’s gone by 11). I’m perfectly fine with Aitcheson and Mrtka.
Martin is drawing a lot of rave reviews for his hitting and his work ethic. He may not be big, but he's a physical player that goes into the dirty areas. He knocked a player out in playoffs or a recent tournament. He may not have the offensive upside to be a 2C, but I like his physical play and he is good defensively. Maybe a stretch would be a less productive Sam Bennett type of player.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Daniel »

FLPensFan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 1:26 pm
Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 12:46 pm
FLPensFan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 12:28 pm
Here's a quick summary of Mock Drafts that were released after the draft lottery, and who these drafts have the Penguins taking:

The Athletic has a mock draft created on Monday after the lottery. They have the Penguins taking Jackson Smith at #11. They had both Eklund and Aitcheson going AFTER the Penguins selection...and I'd take either before I took Smith.

Tankathon has us picking Radim Mrtka at #11, but has both Brady Martin and Aitcheson going after our pick. I'd take Martin before either of those defensemen.

USA Today only did top 10, but they had Mrtka at #10, which meant Martin or Aitcheson would be available for us at 11.

FLOHockey had us taking Eklund at 11, but also had Aitcheson taking AFTER our pick.

Daily Faceoff has us taking Aitcheson at 11. They have McQueen going at #15 and Mrtka at 12.

TSN's Craig Button has us taking McQueen at 11. He has Aitcheson at 12 and Eklund at 13.

Bleacher Nation has us taking Martin at 11. Aitcheson and Eklund are taken after our pick.

Sportsnet has us taking Martin at 11. Aitcheson and Eklund both taken after our pick.
Martin seems to be a 3C and not a very big one at that. After O’Brien, Desnoyers, Frondell, there really isn’t a C the Penguins should take (unless McQueen shows something but with his size if he does, he’s gone by 11). I’m perfectly fine with Aitcheson and Mrtka.
Martin is drawing a lot of rave reviews for his hitting and his work ethic. He may not be big, but he's a physical player that goes into the dirty areas. He knocked a player out in playoffs or a recent tournament. He may not have the offensive upside to be a 2C, but I like his physical play and he is good defensively. Maybe a stretch would be a less productive Sam Bennett type of player.
Like the player, just think 11-12 is too high at this point and time. If they took Aitcheson and traded back from the 12th, sure.

I know all this is projection and Martin could change a lot of minds in the combine and interviews so certainly open minded about it. He does fill a huge need for this franchise though.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Gunnerfan »

Man, give me Kashawn Aitcheson all day, every day
Daniel
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Daniel »

Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 1:51 pm
Man, give me Kashawn Aitcheson all day, every day
At 5-8, I'd say no and rather one of the top centers, but at 11-12, heck yeah. I still love this as the next gen defensive corp

Pickering - 21
Brunicke - 19
Aitcheson - 18
Mrtka - 18

3-4 they'll be quite a quartet
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Gunnerfan »

Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:02 pm
Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 1:51 pm
Man, give me Kashawn Aitcheson all day, every day
At 5-8, I'd say no and rather one of the top centers, but at 11-12, heck yeah. I still love this as the next gen defensive corp

Pickering - 21
Brunicke - 19
Aitcheson - 18
Mrtka - 18

3-4 they'll be quite a quartet
What are you talking about? He's 6'1", 200 pounds at 18 years old.
Daniel
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Daniel »

Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:56 pm
Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:02 pm
Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 1:51 pm
Man, give me Kashawn Aitcheson all day, every day
At 5-8, I'd say no and rather one of the top centers, but at 11-12, heck yeah. I still love this as the next gen defensive corp

Pickering - 21
Brunicke - 19
Aitcheson - 18
Mrtka - 18

3-4 they'll be quite a quartet
What are you talking about? He's 6'1", 200 pounds at 18 years old.
Picks 5-8 because the Penguins top need is a top 2 line center. I think picks 5-8 is too high for him but one of 11 or 12 would be perfect.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Gunnerfan »

Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 3:07 pm
Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:56 pm
Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:02 pm
Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 1:51 pm
Man, give me Kashawn Aitcheson all day, every day
At 5-8, I'd say no and rather one of the top centers, but at 11-12, heck yeah. I still love this as the next gen defensive corp

Pickering - 21
Brunicke - 19
Aitcheson - 18
Mrtka - 18

3-4 they'll be quite a quartet
What are you talking about? He's 6'1", 200 pounds at 18 years old.
Picks 5-8 because the Penguins top need is a top 2 line center. I think picks 5-8 is too high for him but one of 11 or 12 would be perfect.
Lol, Fair enough. I read that entirely the wrong way.
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by FLPensFan »

Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 3:33 pm
Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 3:07 pm
Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:56 pm
Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:02 pm
Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 1:51 pm
Man, give me Kashawn Aitcheson all day, every day
At 5-8, I'd say no and rather one of the top centers, but at 11-12, heck yeah. I still love this as the next gen defensive corp

Pickering - 21
Brunicke - 19
Aitcheson - 18
Mrtka - 18

3-4 they'll be quite a quartet
What are you talking about? He's 6'1", 200 pounds at 18 years old.
Picks 5-8 because the Penguins top need is a top 2 line center. I think picks 5-8 is too high for him but one of 11 or 12 would be perfect.
Lol, Fair enough. I read that entirely the wrong way.
It wasn't just you. I read it that way at first, too. I was like "He's not that small, is he?" LOL
Daniel
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Re: 2025 NHL Draft

Post by Daniel »

FLPensFan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 5:22 pm
Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 3:33 pm
Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 3:07 pm
Gunnerfan wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:56 pm
Daniel wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 2:02 pm


At 5-8, I'd say no and rather one of the top centers, but at 11-12, heck yeah. I still love this as the next gen defensive corp

Pickering - 21
Brunicke - 19
Aitcheson - 18
Mrtka - 18

3-4 they'll be quite a quartet
What are you talking about? He's 6'1", 200 pounds at 18 years old.
Picks 5-8 because the Penguins top need is a top 2 line center. I think picks 5-8 is too high for him but one of 11 or 12 would be perfect.
Lol, Fair enough. I read that entirely the wrong way.
It wasn't just you. I read it that way at first, too. I was like "He's not that small, is he?" LOL
Seriously At 5-8 not at 5'8 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: