Prospect Info: 2025 Draft discussion

[Sideline]

I'd probably do that.

I'd rather have Hagens / Misa + 2 additional 1sts than Schaefer given our prospect pool.

To me it depends entirely where those other firsts are. I see Schaefer as a Cale Makar type and Hagens as a Jack Hughes type.

So would I trade Makar for Hughes, 20th overall and 28th overall? Not a chance.

Makar for Hughes, 7th and 12th overall? That's very tempting.

 

[Gurglesons]

To me it depends entirely where those other firsts are. I see Schaefer as a Cale Makar type and Hagens as a Jack Hughes type.

So would I trade Makar for Hughes, 20th overall and 28th overall? Not a chance.

Makar for Hughes, 7th and 12th overall? That's very tempting.

If you think Schaefer is going to be a generational defenseman you are drunk.

Not sure he'll be even a top 5 D.

 

[lokomotiv15]

Thanks, who does Schaefer compare to style wise in the NHL?

Completely agree with @CheckingLineCenter on Miro Heiskanen being the closest NHL comp. Comparing them as prospects, Schaefer is 2" taller, heavier and similar in skill-set to Heiskanen in his draft year.

A bit of a Heiskanen on steroids is what I think you get if Schaefer develops and hits close to his ceiling. His game is a touch more physical than Heiskanen, but very similar in puck distribution, offensive instincts, skating and skill-chaining. I think Schaefer has a little more ankle snapper in him as a powerplay QB, but not quite to the degree of a Makar.

 

[Empoleon8771]

The Penguins top-4 in the long run would look absolutely incredible if they could pull off Schaefer in the draft and trade Rakell for Clarke. Schaefer, Clarke, Brunicke and Pickering has the makeup of a great top-4 D group if they can pan out.

 

[Gurglesons]

Completely agree with @CheckingLineCenter on Miro Heiskanen being the closest NHL comp. Comparing them as prospects, Schaefer is 2" taller, heavier and similar in skill-set to Heiskanen in his draft year.

A bit of a Heiskanen on steroids is what I think you get if Schaefer develops and hits close to his ceiling. His game is a touch more physical than Heiskanen, but very similar in puck distribution, offensive instincts, skating and skill-chaining. I think Schaefer has a little more ankle snapper in him as a powerplay QB, but not quite to the degree of a Makar.

Heiskanen on steroids lol.

So the best defenseman in the league?

I feel like you guys are getting way, way to caught up with Schaefer.

He's a great player, but his absolute peak is like you said probably a Heiskanen.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Reading is hard apparently

 

[lokomotiv15]

RE O’Brien: @lokomotiv15 do you worry about his pace/skating as a skinny weakish guy? Who do you like between him and Martin?

comp is not perfect but Miro Heiskanen IMO

Yeah, I've always had an internal bias against players who are in that 6'ish foot range with light builds that get the "need to work on their strength" label being touted as mid-1st rounders. Not that they never pan out, or not that they might not become great players and I rather hear that then "needs to work on skating", but if they're going to have that knock, they'd better have SOMETHING exceptional about them. I dont see anything "exceptional" about O'Brien.

I don't know that his playmaking or offensive instincts are high-end enough to warrant anything higher than a pick in the mid-late teens, but there are some things that I do like about his game enough that I wouldn't be disappointed with the pick.

I've only seen Martin play twice in person, and for a guy who's listed (I believe?) very similar in height and weight to O'Brien, he plays the game physically on a whole different level. He's kind of what I hope Tanner Howe will look like in a game every time I watch Calgary. He's just a bit bigger, a bit more skilled and has a little more creativity than Howe has ever seemed to in the games I've watched. He looks like a more natural goal scorer than Howe (and O'Brien as well), but also someone I'd be more comfortable getting in the mid-late teens. He's great away from the puck, super responsible defensively, hounds guys on the backcheck and is a line-driver on a very middling Soo team.

I'd probably take Martin based on the eye test, and also have reservations about just what kind of numbers O'Brien would have if you removed a 70+ goal scorer (and 50 goal pacer last year) from his line, if we're looking at stat sheets.

If were picking around 15 with that 2nd 1st rounder, I'm really hoping Lakovic falls onto our laps.

Heiskanen on steroids lol.

So the best defenseman in the league?

I feel like you guys are getting way, way to caught up with Schaefer.

He's a great player, but his absolute peak is like you said probably a Heiskanen.

Haha, I should clarify that I don't mean his entire game on steroids. Just literally physically Heiskanen on steroids; a bit taller and thicker and heavier.

 

[Gurglesons]

Haha, I should clarify that I don't mean his entire game on steroids. Just literally physically Heiskanen on steroids; a bit taller and thicker and heavier.

Makes sense. I haven't watched a ton of Schaefer footage, but at the WJC he was an absolute wrecking ball.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah the phrase "on steroids" tends to mean "better version", but yeah I understand the context here is a larger Heiskanen.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Schaefer is def more souped up than Heiskanen at the same age.

Doesnt mean he will be better.. but he could be for sure. There is a reason he is going 1OA, prob best D prospect I’ve seen since Dahlin.

 

[lokomotiv15]

Yeah the phrase "on steroids" tends to mean "better version", but yeah I understand the context here is a larger Heiskanen.

Yeah, probably not the best use of the term. I'm french so asking for a little slack here, haha.

 

[Gurglesons]

Yeah the phrase "on steroids" tends to mean "better version", but yeah I understand the context here is a larger Heiskanen.

I also think Heiskanen is the most complete defenseman in the league so.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Joseph has some promise as a 6'4 center putting up decent numbers vs some kids that are 3 years older than he is, but unless something cataclysmic happens to DuPont's development the next two years, I can't see a world where he isn't a runaway 1st overall in 2027. Guy is a package the NHL hasn't really seen before. He already skates every bit as well as Makar did in his draft year, but with a 5'11", 180 lbs frame at the start of this season as a 15 year old. On top of that, he has the shooting mechanics of a player like Connor Bedard, distributes the puck on the PP like Makar, is a very good defender in his own end and already has great physicality and snarl in his game, playing some kids 5 years older than him. He could be something generational, and if he can get to 6'1, 205+ and keep progressing, look out.

If anyone wants to look at a few of his shift by shift games, or just game packages, I'd recommend it. The guy dances on his skates out there.

O'Brien would be decent if we get that 2nd 1st from New York this yeas and he hangs around that 15-spot. I think if he was a bit more of a threat with his shot/deferred a bit less he could squeak up a bit higher, but when you have a Lardis on your line, he might not have quite the confidence to hold over dish. Be curious to see what his numbers look like not playing with a 70+ goal scorer. Lardis is a shooter/scorer like Draisaitl in the way that it doesn't matter where he gets the puck, how the puck is rolling or bouncing, that he will get it off with pace, consistency and in a good spot. That bodes well for anyone setting him up and is propping some of those playmaker numbers up for his teammates, for sure.

Thanks for this! I in no way was suggesting DuPont was NOT the top prospect for 2027. I was suggesting the consolation prize that year could be interesting. C'est tout.

 

[chethejet]

Pens need centers and RW next 2 drafts. they drafted 4 RD players last draft. Signed 2 thus far. But with Geno done after next year and Sid in 2, I like Broz, but a top line center in this draft and hopefully the next is where the rebuild has to begin building the base of forward group. Yes I like Obrien if there if the Pens have the Rangers pick at 14.

 

[Zero Pucks]

hopping on Nashville’s bandwagon for the rest of the season. A quick glance at the standings and what’s left for everyone, and it’s looking like we have a decent shot at finishing 3rd worst if the Preds can go on a short little run of 4-5 games.

Getting 3OA would be great. Getting 4OA might drive me crazy wondering if Martone will go top 3 so could we get Hagens or Misa. I can live with getting Frondell, Smith or O'Brien at 5-7.

 

[cygnus47]

Pens need centers and RW next 2 drafts. they drafted 4 RD players last draft. Signed 2 thus far. But with Geno done after next year and Sid in 2, I like Broz, but a top line center in this draft and hopefully the next is where the rebuild has to begin building the base of forward group. Yes I like Obrien if there if the Pens have the Rangers pick at 14.

We need every position except goaltending. We're 5 years away from even starting to be relevant again. We have time to deal with the mix of players, we should definitely be in 100% BPA mode.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

We need every position except goaltending. We're 5 years away from even starting to be relevant again. We have time to deal with the mix of players, we should definitely be in 100% BPA mode.

yep. wouldn’t even preclude ourselves from taking a goalie either

 

[Sideline]

yep. wouldn’t even preclude ourselves from taking a goalie either

Agreed. The Penguins aren't in a spot where they have to worry about roster spots and developmental ice time. That could be a concern in 3ish years if they keep adding picks, but for now you tell the scouts best player available with top 6, top 4, or starter upside. No safe picks and no drafting for position.

 

[The Old Master]

We need every position except goaltending. We're 5 years away from even starting to be relevant again. We have time to deal with the mix of players, we should definitely be in 100% BPA mode.

that's true, but there are positions that are harder to get than others. so those need to be a priority. so, if and i repeat if there isn't much deference between players you need to pick accordingly.