Prospect Info: 2025 Draft: We are #1….1

[SEALBound]

Unless there's a guy that falls, I think we are firmly looking at a McGroarty/Koivunen/Pickering level guy. Good complimentary player but not your core guy. And that's fine. That has more to do with the quality of the draft vs where we are picking.

If you can add two of Kindel, Reschny, Carbanneau, etc, then great. We have two good LWs for the top 6, adding two RWs would be fine. If someone like Martin or Eklund or JOB fall to us, gravy.

I'm starting to accept the position and quality of player we are getting. 2026 is what we need to focus on. Send out Rakell and EK for 2026 1sts and let's get some solid guys there.

 

[wheelz87]

Would be kinda cool to draft 11 and 12 if that’s how it plays out. Opens up some doors like using one, trading one. Hoping the Rags keep the pick though.

 

[Gurglesons]

There is no one in this draft worth trading up for. You're going to get the same level of player at 11 that you'll get at 7.

Also, teams no longer make draft day trades to move up within the Top 10. It hasn't been done since 2008. Any Top 10 picks that have changed hands have all been part of a deal involving a contracted player, just like the Pens picked up the #8 pick in 2012 in the Staal trade.

The value isn't there and the GMs know it.

The cope is strong.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Good thing we went on an absolutely meaningless heater after we were mathematically eliminated.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

The cope is strong.

Yeah, no.

I just don't see a significant talent gap between Frondell, Eklund, McQueen, Martin, Mrtka, Smith, Aitcheson, etc. I have preferences, of course. We all do. But just because Martin's high floor and intangibles intrigue me doesn't mean Smith or Aitcheson would be bad additions if that's who is available at #11.

There may be tiers separating players, but that separation isn't wide, at least not in the Top 20 or so.

It's not worth it to move up in this draft when you can use those same assets to acquire a talented player who might be a year or two closer. The talent gap just isn't notable enough to do that.

 

[Gurglesons]

Yeah, no.

I just don't see a significant talent gap between Frondell, Eklund, McQueen, Martin, Mrtka, Smith, Aitcheson, etc. I have preferences, of course. We all do. But just because Martin's high floor and intangibles intrigue me doesn't mean Smith or Aitcheson would be bad additions if that's who is available at #11.

There may be tiers separating players, but that separation isn't wide, at least not in the Top 20 or so.

It's not worth it to move up in this draft when you can use those same assets to acquire a talented player who might be a year or two closer. The talent gap just isn't notable enough to do that.

We are likely not able to draft any of the players you listed outside of Aitcheson or Smith and this draft is a disaster for defensemen.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Good thing we went on an absolutely meaningless heater after we were mathematically eliminated.

Worst part is we actually weren’t mathematically eliminated for much of it. So every game Getzoff was like “the pens stay alive!!!!”

 

[Empoleon8771]

Eh personally I feel significantly less good about the prospects after the Mrtka/Martin/Eklund tier than I do about that tier. I don’t really care who they get as long as it’s one of those “tier 3” guys, but once you get into “tier 4” I start feeling pretty disappointed with using a #11 pick on that.

I’d really like Bear if he didn’t have that Achilles injury, but he has a lacerated Achilles. I don’t like either Smith or Aitcheson very much, Smith because he seems like a low IQ defenseman and Aitcheson because he has pretty underwhelming puck skills. All of the other forwards like Kidel, Reschny, Lakovic and such feel like reaches at #11, I’d want to trade down if I’m taking one of them.

I’m really happy with the draft if Eklund or someone else on that level falls to them, but I’m going to be pretty disappointed if all of those guys are gone by #11.

 

[Victor Z]

We are likely not able to draft any of the players you listed outside of Aitcheson or Smith and this draft is a disaster for defensemen.

If the Pens are stuck drafting either of those schlubs, especially Aitcheson (Kee-yawn-dray Miller 2.0, LOL), we will eventually end up pining for the days when Pittsburgh was drafting superior defensemen in round 1 -- like Derrick Poulliot or Joe Morrow.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If the Pens are stuck drafting either of those schlubs, especially Aitcheson (Kee-yawn-dray Miller 2.0, LOL), we will eventually end up pining for the days when Pittsburgh was drafting superior defensemen in round 1 -- like Derrick Poulliot or Joe Morrow.

I don't see how Aitcheson and Miller are at all comparable outside of being black.

Miller and Smith are more comparable stylistically.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Tbf— Smith could hit in a big way. I would say he has top pair tools. Problem is I think he really relies on them.

Just major Ceci, JJ, KAM shades with him. he reminds a lot of Broberg too. He’s a wildcard to me. Kind of like a deluxe LHD Brunicke? I can see a team taking him top 10 or he falls to like 15.

He’s kinda like O’Brien or McQueen just for different reasons. Really low floor. Really high ceiling. I love a raw toolsy defender. But I don’t love high event chaotic defenders. Idk. He’s a fine gamble to me now that we’re at 11th. I’d imagine whatever team takes him has a very clear development plan for him, because that is what he needs. He’s more athlete than hockey player.

 

[PensFutures]

Penn State throwing NIL money at some of the big names. Would be awesome if a couple of those guys would be playing that close

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Penn State throwing NIL money at some of the big names. Would be awesome if a couple of those guys would be playing that close

I think it was Whitney that said he heard PSU was in the mix for McKenna on Spittin Chiclets

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think it was Whitney that said he heard PSU was in the mix for McKenna on Spittin Chiclets

I know there was a report earlier in the season that Michigan was really trying to lure McKenna and Martone, and Boston U was chasing Misa.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I know there was a report earlier in the season that Michigan was really trying to lure McKenna and Martone, and Boston U was chasing Misa.

Yeah I saw that too. Hoping it’s wrong and McKenna hits happy valley.

I’m very curious about Misa now that his older brother committed.

 

[PensFutures]

I think it was Whitney that said he heard PSU was in the mix for McKenna on Spittin Chiclets

Jesse just said they offered Martone 250k

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Jesse just said they offered Martone 250k

Hell yeah. I missed that. Don’t doubt our ability to fundraise brotha. Pegula just tip of the iceberg.

Basically bought our way into D1. You need insane pockets to do that these days with Title IX.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Speaking of Jesse:



I know it has been discussed here and I feel like I have read that Chicago really likes Frondell as well, but I don't know if I'm just making that up.

Jesse also mentioned that Aitcheson is his preferred option at #11, which I understand but the concerns about the puck skills scare me.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Called it (it hasn’t happened yet)

 

[Ryder71]

I haven't had much time to dive into the U18 stuff. Where was he playing? He's listed as F, C, and LW/C. Versatile but I'd preference the center slot.

I agree, center should absolutely be prioritized PROVIDED there isn't a decided talent gap at another position. In fact I'd strongly prioritize forward to defense. We simply don't have enough skilled forwards in our prospect pool.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I kinda love that NCAA hockey is trying to be the de facto destination for top prospects. Junior's kinda starting to suck shit more and more over the years.

 

[Gurglesons]

McKenna going to PSU after their first frozen four finish would be so huge for that school.

My home town and despite the scandal and Pegulas being involved I still like the hockey team.

 

[wej20]

Wild to see guys going from Major Junior to NCAA, really shakes things up.

 

[SEALBound]

Wild to see guys going from Major Junior to NCAA, really shakes things up.

I think it's going to be huge for high end prospect development. The prospect of starting in the CHL at 15/16 and dominating until 18/19 then going to the NCAA because you've outgrown the OHL but aren't old enough for the AHL...that's gonna be big. The NCAA product is going to get significantly better too.

Whit talked about this being bad for US born players though which I can see but if the Canadian kids from the CHL go to the NCAA, it opens up slots in the CHL so maybe just shuffling around.

 

[Ugene Magic]

McKenna going to PSU after their first frozen four finish would be so huge for that school.

My home town and despite the scandal and Pegulas being involved I still like the hockey team.

McKenna at State College would be like McDavid being in Erie.