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

[DearDiary]

Explain to me in NHL 25 potential terms.

Tier 1 = Franchise low / Elite medium
Tier 2 = Elite medium/low
Tier 3 = Top 6+4 high/medium
Tier 4 = Top 6+4 medium/low

Pens will be drafting a Top 6+4 medium

 

[The Old Master]

Tier 1 = Franchise low / Elite medium
Tier 2 = Elite medium/low
Tier 3 = Top 6+4 high/medium
Tier 4 = Top 6+4 medium/low

Pens will be drafting a Top 6+4 medium

check your math. we are at the bottom of tier 3 as per wheeler.
Tier 1 is 1 and 2, tier 2 is 3-6, tier 3 is 7-12 and tier 4 is 13-20. 21 and after turns into tier 5 for Wheeler.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Pronman dropped another 1st round projection and I'm like 95% sure it's the same exact projection he posted last time

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

 

[Andy99]

Pronman dropped another 1st round projection and I'm like 95% sure it's the same exact projection he posted last time

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

If the top 10 goes as he predicts, I hope we take Eklund over the rest of those guys…

 

[Malkinstheman]

Feels like he's gonna go top-10, which might allow someone to drop to the Pens

 

[Empoleon8771]

I know McQueen is going to say anything to help his draft stock, but seeing that does make me much more interested in him. I think we all know the consequences of a misdiagnosis of an injury, look at what Crosby dealt with due to the Penguins doctors missing the fractured vertebrae in his neck. If McQueen's issues were because his injury wasn't addressed and he doesn't have long-term back issues, I'm substantially more interested in him.

That said, that also means he's very likely going before their pick. Hope that means O'Brien lasts until 11.

 

[MrBurghundy]

I'm just not interested in McQueen at all. I'm no scout obviously, but watching what I can and hearing people break his game down...

Yeah no thanks.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

The back injury was a deal breaker but his skating issues are still pretty damning from everything I've seen and read. People want to hope he's gonna be the next Tage but they're ignoring the fact that Tage can skate really well.

 

[eXile3]

I know I’m the contrarian and like McQueen. I think his skating issues have been overblown.

That said there really aren’t any names I hate. As long as we’re not reaching several picks from consensus rankings I’m good.

 

[The Old Master]

Pronman dropped another 1st round projection and I'm like 95% sure it's the same exact projection he posted last time

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

yeah, from some of the latest mocks we need to move up badly or just trade back a little. (or drafting a d-man)

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

Feels like he's gonna go top-10, which might allow someone to drop to the Pens

Sounds like he’s perfect for the Sabres medical staff.

 

[Jared Grayden]

I know I’m the contrarian and like McQueen. I think his skating issues have been overblown.

That said there really aren’t any names I hate. As long as we’re not reaching several picks from consensus rankings I’m good.

I don't like McQueen in the top half of the 1st as I think he's a much safer floor pick with a much more limited upside than what is being widely perceived.
His skating is not my issue. I like his lateral agility. His blue line times are only around average though. I do like his wrister, but even before hearing Marshall/St. Laurent I noticed his one timer was very ineffective so the "good shooter" opinions appear to be complete projection to me. His handling is by far his best offensive trait. Playmaking is only ordinary. His overall IQ is just average. His physicality is good as he really uses his size well, but he has so many weaknesses that require projection to fill in the gaps for being a justifiable top 10 pick to me. And his sample is tiny so it's not hard to watch every minute played this year.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

My thing with McQueen is like, does anybody give a f*** about the dude if he's six inches shorter?

I get that you can't teach size but with all his question marks (back, skating) is the skill really that exceptional? I don't think so, but I'm just some f***in' stunad on a message board.

 

[chethejet]

His back if cleared to be 100%, he is a player I take since he can be a top 6 center with his size and skill. Maybe his skating is not as good as it needs to be, but the offset of size and skill merits taking that risk. How many 6-5 215 pound 18 year old right handed centers are out there. The caveat is also if the Pens have the Rangers pick, I take that risk with a Martin, EKland, O'Brien if there as well. If they select McQueen and say Bear, not the worst draft.

 

[JackFr]

EliteProspects draft guide just dropped.

I'm not going to just copy and paste stuff because, well, they're my employer and frankly the guide is well worth just buying, but some tidbits on guys of interest.

Brady Martin: They have him at 12 with the highest physicality rating in the draft. Below-average skating but above-average everywhere else. Best power forward and hardest hitter, Sam Bennett comp.

Carter Bear: At 8, most intense competitor with very highly rating passing. Compared to Jarvis and Hagel. Ranked 1st for best motor.

Victor Eklund: At 9, also compared to Jarvis as well as Konecny. Skating, passing, and hockey sense his best attributes. Forechecking, transition game, and motor praised.

Roger McQueen: At 5, ranking very high in passing, stickhandling, and hockey sense. 3rd-highest ceiling, 2nd-best power forward.

 

[Empoleon8771]

It's interesting that they flipped Bear and Eklund, Eklund was ranked above him in their April update so I wonder if Bear's injury being less bad caused those two to flip.

Either way, I think it's becoming pretty clear that unless they go way off the board or someone unexpectedly falls, they're going to have a lot of similarly talented guys available at #11.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I'm still hoping the Rangers keep the pick but if they send it over, I'd be ecstatic if this team walked out of the 1st round with two of Martin, Eklund, O'Brien, Bear, and Aitcheson.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I also have the draft guide. Though the email alert I signed up for never was sent to me. Way to go EP...

 

[Empoleon8771]

Tbh if the Penguins didn't desperately need defensemen in their system, I don't think I'd really be considering Aitcheson or Smith at #11. I think the forwards that will be available around #11 seem to be much better than the defensemen that will be available around #11. I think Mrtka is more on the level of Eklund, O'Brien and Martin while Aitcheson and Smith feel a bit of a step below.

In terms of guys who might actually be available at #11, my board would be:

1. O'Brien
2. Eklund
3. Martin
4. Mrtka
5. McQueen
6. Smith
7. Bear
8. Aitcheson

Basically pick the highest rated guy from this list that is still available at #11.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

not a McQueen hater nor lover

But I don’t see the passing ability being high end. Not his game in my eyes (but my eyes are worth squat lol)

 

[Randy Butternubs]

McQueen = Shades of... Evgeni Malkin

"A power centre with highlight-reel handling skill, a sniper’s release, playmaking ability, and defensive impact, but repeated injuries make him the draft’s biggest risk."

Has the same skating rating as Martone.

 

[Ugene Magic]

If the names of the centers are all gone and it's down to Eklund and Bear, I'm taking Bear.

If they get the NYR's pick and if Martin does fall to #12, those are the 2 I take. Bear & Martin.

 

[Jared Grayden]

not a McQueen hater nor lover

But I don’t see the passing ability being high end. Not his game in my eyes (but my eyes are worth squat lol)

My question would be, "if his playmaking is so high end, then why doesn't he have more assists and stronger underlying passing metrics?" It's almost as if his height is a magic cover all for any question marks in his game.
Everybody, even the people who dedicate thousands of hours a year to scouting, will be massively wrong many times every draft.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If McQueen pans out, I think it will be a Staal type of 2C. Has a bit of a goal scoring touch, but you're mainly getting a great defensive center out of him.

 

[The Old Master]

My question would be, "if his playmaking is so high end, then why doesn't he have more assists and stronger underlying passing metrics?" It's almost as if his height is a magic cover all for any question marks in his game.
Everybody, even the people who dedicate thousands of hours a year to scouting, will be massively wrong many times every draft.

people are projecting him not looking at what he is. imo. he is going to fill out and get even stronger and that would improve all the areas of his game.