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

[Tasty Biscuits]

In terms of potential available players at 11 or 12 (or both), Carbonneau and Reid are what I'd consider swings. High ceilings, high bust potential.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Teams over think it. It should really be as easy as obtaining and retaining talent.

Yeah, that’s really it. The hard part is only getting talent that’s good enough to build around, and most teams pick the wrong players to do so.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I also think a large problem is development curve. It would be simple if you know how good a kid is right away like the NFL.

Outside of the top 3-5… unless you’re insanely lucky with a Wyatt Johnston type pick… Not like you know what you have until d+5 to d+7. Your prospect may play as a regular earlier but you probably don’t know what a player will be at their peak/prime. And you win cups with guys playing at their peak.

 

[eXile3]

I also think a large problem is development curve. It would be simple if you know how good a kid is right away like the NFL.

Outside of the top 3-5… unless you’re insanely lucky with a Wyatt Johnston type pick… Not like you know what you have until d+5 to d+7. Your prospect may play as a regular earlier but you probably don’t know what a player will be at their peak/prime. And you win cups with guys playing at their peak.

Well there are a lot of misses with the NFL as well but yeah it helps when the player is already physically mature at 21-22 years old.

Add in the most of them have played at an incredibly high level where some of the college teams are full of NFL level talent already.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Is there any chance Lakovic could be a center? I think EP only lists him as a Wing (either side).

 

[DemidovSZN]

Montreal reporter had an interview with Mrtka and he told him he went to dinner with the pens.

 

[Lust for Life]

Based on the scouting report in the EP Draft Guide, miss with with Mrtka. Shades of Marcus Pettersson, "pace some nights", "isn't a particularly punishing player"...

I'm sure he'll be a fine player but who wants to draft a Marcus Pettersson in the first round

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Based on the scouting report in the EP Draft Guide, miss with with Mrtka. Shades of Marcus Pettersson, "pace some nights", "isn't a particularly punishing player"...

I'm sure he'll be a fine player but who wants to draft a Marcus Pettersson in the first round

Useful, but not the type of player we should be targeting in the first round.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Useful, but not the type of player we should be targeting in the first round.

In this draft, with this pick, maybe that's an acceptable outcome. A 6'6" Pettersson with some meat on his bones is a pretty solid top 4 defenseman.

But that's why drafting 11th in a shallow draft kinda sucks.

#f***jarry

 

[SEALBound]

If all centers are gone, Mrtka isn't the worst option. I'd rather Eklund but I'd understand Mrkta at least.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I’d be totally good with Mrtka at #11, don’t see any reason to be upset with that pick. His upside is a Slavin type of #2 defenseman, that would be a great piece to add to the prospect pool. I’m pretty doubtful he lasts until #11 though, I think he’s goes in the top-10.

 

[Andy99]

I’d be totally good with Mrtka at #11, don’t see any reason to be upset with that pick. His upside is a Slavin type of #2 defenseman, that would be a great piece to add to the prospect pool. I’m pretty doubtful he lasts until #11 though, I think he’s goes in the top-10.

Hopefully someone selects him in the top 10 so we don’t have to make that decision.. I personally don’t think he’s worth the #11 pick

 

[Jared Grayden]

Montreal reporter had an interview with Mrtka and he told him he went to dinner with the pens.

I don't have an issue with Mrtka at #11. But I seriously doubt he will last that long. Huge mobile RHD are always valued, especially in a draft with such weak defenseman prospects.

 

[eXile3]

Mrtka strikes me as a safe but unspectacular pick. Good chance at finding a spot on a NHL squad but probably not going to be a first pairing guy. Which I’ll fine with.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think Mrtka’s upside is basically Vancouver Chris Tanev but if you made him 6’6. I think you can argue if that’s a #2 or #3, but it’s an elite DFD that’s a perfect partner for an OFD.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Yeah, I would (begrudgingly) take Mrtka. As long as they do their homework on these players, it's fine.

If any team wants to give up a 2026 first to move up, I would do that too. But our center situation needs to be addressed sooner or later.

My hope is that No. 71's replacement (possibly even as soon as 2026-27) is in the organization at some point this summer. Otherwise, we need to think about extending the greatest second-line center in NHL history.

 

[Andy99]

Yeah, I would (begrudgingly) take Mrtka. As long as they do their homework on these players, it's fine.

If any team wants to give up a 2026 first to move up, I would do that too. But our center situation needs to be addressed sooner or later.

My hope is that No. 71's replacement (possibly even as soon as 2026-27) is in the organization at some point this summer. Otherwise, we need to think about extending the greatest second-line center in NHL history.

I’m hoping it’s Broz. I like the kid and hope he succeeds as a top 6 NHL player…

 

[Jag68Sid87]

The other thing about these prospect dinners is that often times they are merely smokescreens.

For example, say Dubas is really interested in the NYR unprotected 2026 first. You throw it out there that Mrtka has the Penguins' interest.

NYR may have more interest in keeping 12 based on that info. Stuff like that.

 

[Ulf5]

The other thing about these prospect dinners is that often times they are merely smokescreens.

For example, say Dubas is really interested in the NYR unprotected 2026 first. You throw it out there that Mrtka has the Penguins' interest.

NYR may have more interest in keeping 12 based on that info. Stuff like that.

Not to mention they probably had dinner with most of the top 10-15 players I'd imagine. Or at least ones they'd expect to be available at their pick anyways. So probably not Schaefer amongst a few.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Not to mention they probably had dinner with most of the top 10-15 players I'd imagine. Or at least ones they'd expect to be available at their pick anyways. So probably not Schaefer amongst a few.

Yeah I just read they also had dinner with Brady Martin. Which is exciting.

 

[chethejet]

A couple issues that still need to happen. Rangers pick and potential draft day deals. If pick is there, at least Dubas has options.

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

Not sure if anyone else posted this, but this is from TH on DK's site;

From the combine: OHL forward Jake O’Brien said meeting with the Penguins was one of his more memorable moments from the week, because he was a Penguins fan growing up.

 

[Jared Grayden]

Not to mention they probably had dinner with most of the top 10-15 players I'd imagine. Or at least ones they'd expect to be available at their pick anyways. So probably not Schaefer amongst a few.

They have interviews with at least that many. Pretty sure there's only five nights where the staff can have a "dinner date" with a prospect. But maybe they do what I used to try doing and stacking multiple dinner dates. Usually one would flake anyway.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I really hope O’Brien lasts until 11, with McQueen seemingly healthy I think it’s more possible but I’m still not optimistic.

 

[cygnus47]

Yeah, I would (begrudgingly) take Mrtka. As long as they do their homework on these players, it's fine.

If any team wants to give up a 2026 first to move up, I would do that too. But our center situation needs to be addressed sooner or later.

My hope is that No. 71's replacement (possibly even as soon as 2026-27) is in the organization at some point this summer. Otherwise, we need to think about extending the greatest second-line center in NHL history.

Our centre situation is needing to replace 2 all timers. We’re gonna need multiple top 3 picks for that, we’re not making progress on that hole this draft.