Prospect Info: Draft 2025 - Everyone is trading up, but no one seems to be trading down edition

[Empoleon8771]

I obviously have been very supportive of drafting Eklund, but I think there are legitimate question marks about his size and upside that shouldn’t be overlooked. I think he’s currently the 4th or 5th best player in this draft, but guys like Frondell and O’Brien project to end up better players than him.

I think Eklund is a guy who could become NHL ready really fast but not get that much better than where he starts at in the NHL. That is very similar to what Beauvillier did, Beauvillier made the NHL as a 19 year old as a scoring middle-6 winger and basically stayed the same exact player until he started declining at like 26. Eklund does project to be better than that, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Eklund became a 50 point 2nd liner at like age 20 or 21 but didn’t get any better than that.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I would like Eklund at that slot but yeah I mean... there are legit questions beyond just his size and skating. He doesn't really seem to have any top tier parts to his skillset that I can detect. Shot, vision, passing, etc. All just kind middle of the road.

That's just kinda this draft in general, though aside from a very small handful of top tier guys.

 

[Jared Grayden]

I would like Eklund at that slot but yeah I mean... there are legit questions beyond just his size and skating. He doesn't really seem to have any top tier parts to his skillset that I can detect. Shot, vision, passing, etc. All just kind middle of the road.

That's just kinda this draft in general, though aside from a very small handful of top tier guys.

I've never seen any negatives about Eklund's skating. I haven't seen his blue line times, but I know his transition tracking metrics are very good too which leads me to believe he's probably going to be better than average at least mobility-wise in the NHL. I can certainly understand the other concerns about upside though.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I've never seen any negatives about Eklund's skating. I haven't seen his blue line times, but I know his transition tracking metrics are very good too which leads me to believe he's probably going to be better than average at least mobility-wise in the NHL. I can certainly understand the other concerns about upside though.

I might be thinking of someone else. I swear I read that he's kind of a so-so skater for a little guy.

But nah I'm thinking of someone else. Watching highlights right now... skating more than fine.

EDIT: lol I think I'm conflating this conversation with the trade talk re: Rossi... pardon my stupid brain

 

[Jacob]

I obviously have been very supportive of drafting Eklund, but I think there are legitimate question marks about his size and upside that shouldn’t be overlooked. I think he’s currently the 4th or 5th best player in this draft, but guys like Frondell and O’Brien project to end up better players than him.

I think Eklund is a guy who could become NHL ready really fast but not get that much better than where he starts at in the NHL. That is very similar to what Beauvillier did, Beauvillier made the NHL as a 19 year old as a scoring middle-6 winger and basically stayed the same exact player until he started declining at like 26. Eklund does project to be better than that, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Eklund became a 50 point 2nd liner at like age 20 or 21 but didn’t get any better than that.

I’m looking at his brother, who seems quite similar, and I’m seeing a guy that’s a top 6er but not really like.. one to get too excited about.

 

[TojoP]

The fact that Eklund seems to be defensively responsible in addition to being one of the top skill guys in the draft makes him feel like a relatively safe pick to me. Upside I'm not sure I'm not sure, but should find a top 6 role, especially as a righty.

Just from my limited time on the board, it seems like not a lot of people have 11 guys they feel are worthy of the pick.

 

[Jared Grayden]

I might be thinking of someone else. I swear I read that he's kind of a so-so skater for a little guy.

But nah I'm thinking of someone else. Watching highlights right now... skating more than fine.

You might have read that, because like I said, skating assessments are wildly inconsistent. But I've never seen it on him and I know for a fact his neutral zone tracking metrics are very good which is a useful proxy to skating in many cases. Especially for a smaller player that definitely isn't going to be able to rely on strength alone.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I’m looking at his brother, who seems quite similar, and I’m seeing a guy that’s a top 6er but not really like.. one to get too excited about.

Yeah and William is the better brother from what I’ve read.

I think Eklund is more of a safer but lower upside pick, which is not usually what you get when you’re drafting undersized guys. I think he’s a pretty good bet to become a 40-50 point middle-6 winger, but I’m not sure I see much there that makes me think it’s likely he ends up way more than that. Basically another Beauvillier or Kapanen type of player, just ideally one that doesn’t fall off in their mid 20s.

I think a deluxe version of Kapanen is a pretty reasonable projection for Eklund and one that would be fine to take at #11. It’s just not a guy that will alter this team’s path most likely.

 

[Ryder71]

I guess that's one way of making sure the Penguins don't draft them.

 

[Ryder71]

I will not be happy if we pass on Eklund. If the centers are all gone, he has to be the pick IMO.

Agreed! No defensemen with our 1st pick!

 

[Don'tcry4mejanhrdina]

Isn't Eklund known for his relentless style of play? If so, sign me up. Sometimes players can be greater than the sum of their parts. Look at Hornqvist as a prime example. Horrible skater, poor vision, even his shot was nothing special. Yet he just wouldn't be stopped.

 

[Ryder71]

Aitcheson is the biggest no go for me. Don't like any D but rather have Mrtka or Smith than Aitcheson. But draft C/F seems like a no brainer imo

100% correct.

 

[Dominance]

Plain and simple we MUST hit on our 1st rounders each of the next three to four drafts. Can't have any duds like Pouliot! We should undoubtedly be picking high enough where we're almost guaranteed a good player at that draft position. MAKE EM COUNT you fat pigs!

With respect to this year, you need to chill out. This is just provably false and will almost certainly lead to disappointment.

Looking back at 2010-2019, at the 20 picks taken at 11 and 12, there are only 7 “good players” (Boldy, Dobson, Vilardi, Necas, Fiala, Forsberg, Fowler) and 9 (Soderstrom, Wahlstrom, Brown, Guryanov, Perlini, Morin, Grigorenko, Siemens, Murphy) outright busts.

And this draft is weaker than usual.

 

[Jacob]

Would those iffy on Aitcheson at 11 be more open to it if he committed to a decent NCAA program next year? No wrong answer here just curious. Might increase his appeal for me.

 

[Ryder71]

With respect to this year, you need to chill out. This is just provably false and will almost certainly lead to disappointment.

Looking back at 2010-2019, at the 20 picks taken at 11 and 12, there are only 7 “good players” (Boldy, Dobson, Vilardi, Necas, Fiala, Forsberg, Fowler) and 9 (Soderstrom, Wahlstrom, Brown, Guryanov, Perlini, Morin, Grigorenko, Siemens, Murphy) outright busts.

And this draft is weaker than usual.

With respect, there are things I know about these prospects that you likely do not. Also, there's enough talent even at 11th OA where by we can get a quality player/prospect.

And while there's no world beater in this draft exactly, there's many high quality top six skilled forwards that will end up being mainstays in the NHL. AT 11th there'll be such a player available. Whether we pick such a player we'll find out next friday. And who knows, maybe we'll even move up 2-4 spots.

 

[Ryder71]

Would those iffy on Aitcheson at 11 be more open to it if he committed to a decent NCAA program next year? No wrong answer here just curious. Might increase his appeal for me.

Atcheson shouldn't be considered at 11th OA, nor should Smith, McQueen, Lakovic or Mrtka. None of them would be a good pick at 11th or 12 OA, hard pass!

 

[Mr. T]

Aitcheson seems fine at 11. He's great at finishing his checks, shutting down skilled guys, clearing the crease and he seems to enjoy upsetting the other team. Basically all things the Pens are missing.

 

[Ryder71]

We need skill in the top six. So whichever forward (preferably a center) but at a minimum a forward, whichever has the most skill, good character and intangibles should be our pick. There should be at least 4-6 guys at 11 that would be in the mix there.

 

[Andy99]

Would those iffy on Aitcheson at 11 be more open to it if he committed to a decent NCAA program next year? No wrong answer here just curious. Might increase his appeal for me.

Not really…my issue with him is his hockey IQ/decision making…that’s a nonstarter for me in round one bc that’s really hard to develop if not there early….skating and hockey smarts and love of hockey/desire to be great…those are #1 and #2 is skill…best combination of those left in round one is who the Pens or any team should select

 

[Factorial]

With respect, there are things I know about these prospects that you likely do not. Also, there's enough talent even at 11th OA where by we can get a quality player/prospect.

And while there's no world beater in this draft exactly, there's many high quality top six skilled forwards that will end up being mainstays in the NHL. AT 11th there'll be such a player available. Whether we pick such a player we'll find out next friday. And who knows, maybe we'll even move up 2-4 spots.

We have an insider here folks.

 

[Ryder71]

We have an insider here folks.

There's several here actually, to varying degrees.

 

[TojoP]

Would those iffy on Aitcheson at 11 be more open to it if he committed to a decent NCAA program next year? No wrong answer here just curious. Might increase his appeal for me.

Not for me. Either for hits or offense, he's just far too much of a freelancer for what he offers. Especially since he doesn't look to be a top offensive defenseman in the NHL. Maybe later in the first round, but I can't talk myself into 11 over other players, and I would consider Mrtka or Smith so I'm not anti-defwnseman

 

[Gurglesons]

We have an insider here folks.

He also used to work for the Penguins.

 

[Ryder71]

He also used to work for the Penguins.

Absolutely!

 

[Turin]

Atcheson shouldn't be considered at 11th OA, nor should Smith, McQueen, Lakovic or Mrtka. None of them would be a good pick at 11th or 12 OA, hard pass!

All of those players are ranked in that range, so just accept it.