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

[Big Friggin Dummy]

For the record, I'd rather the draft end up being what Emp's been suggesting. 11+12 for 8+Tampa's 2026 1st, then move Rakell and Rust for 2026 1st rounders in separate deals later in the off season.

 

[PensFutures]

If it's Rust being involved, I feel like it's closer to Rust, #11 and #12 for #3. Which at that point, I'd rather just not trade up all the way to #3.

Rust, Larsson 11, 12 for 3 and Boisvert?

 

[Jared Grayden]

Rust, Larsson 11, 12 for 3 and Boisvert?

I really don't think Adams is stupid enough to think his team should be valuing geezers like Rust or Rakell. I know they want to improve, but they can do that without bringing in geezers.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Well Johnston is reporting the Rangers are sending over the 12OA pick. So let the games officially begin.

 

[T1K]

I really don't think Adams is stupid enough to think his team should be valuing geezers like Rust or Rakell. I know they want to improve, but they can do that without bringing in geezers.

I could see it honestly. They whiff on Peterka and get a suitable winger for Bedard.

Seems like Dubas loves Martone. I really don’t hate trading up for him if there’s a vision.

 

[Coastal Kev]

Penguins get to keep Rangers PICK this year.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Damn. I mean, it was the expected outcome (at least for me) but damn.

 

[deakka]

Kinda hoped they wouldnt send it. 100% one pick is Aitcheson now = scratch off.
So better we got it next year to actually draft someone good, even if it was a late 1st

 

[Gurglesons]

Least shocking news of all time.

 

[Andy99]

I mean people need to listen to me.,,foregone conclusion that we’d get this pick this year unless the Rags were using it for some great trade lol

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

Kinda hoped they wouldnt send it. 100% one pick is Aitcheson now = scratch off.
So better we got it next year to actually draft someone good, even if it was a late 1st

So you are ready to write off the 12th overall pick this year but declaring whoever is sitting there at probably 20+ next year as good?

These picks are basically lottery tickets. The lower they are the lower your chances.

Best to get one into your system a year earlier and find out if you have a winner or not. Only way this isn’t a win for the Penguins is if the Rangers implode and it somehow ends up being a very high pick.

 

[Allie Kitsune]

So you are ready to write off the 12th overall pick this year but declaring whoever is sitting there at probably 20+ next year as good?

These picks are basically lottery tickets. The lower they are the lower your chances.

Best to get one into your system a year earlier and find out if you have a winner or not. Only way this isn’t a win for the Penguins is if the Rangers implode and it somehow ends up being a very high pick.

Well, the implication is that if they're sending us this year's pick, they think they're going to be worse next year.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think it's less about the Rangers thinking they'll be bad, and more about being able to use the 1st for an offer sheet.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Ideally, we can move Rust for an unprotected first in 2026. Unlikely but not impossible. Perhaps if the deal is expanded.

The problem is the most aggressive teams have already traded their 2026 firsts. Except maybe Rutherford, Allvin and co.?

 

[Jacob]

Let's go.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

I think it's less about the Rangers thinking they'll be bad, and more about being able to use the 1st for an offer sheet.

I was beating the same drum. Their 2026 1st was a more valuable asset to them this offseason + upcoming season. Oh well.

 

[Guins71]

Would have been great to have the 6th pick this year and the 12th but winning meaningless games vs Veg, St. Louis, Ottawa, and Washington was more important

 

[Jacob]

I think it's less about the Rangers thinking they'll be bad, and more about being able to use the 1st for an offer sheet.

Agreed.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

Well, the implication is that if they're sending us this year's pick, they think they're going to be worse next year.

Or they recognize that this is a shallow draft, and they recognize the 2026 pick is a more valuable asset.

 

[Jacob]

Getting McQueen and Aitcheson is going to be very funny for about a day or two, if nothing else.

 

[SomeDude]

Or they recognize that this is a shallow draft, and they recognize the 2026 pick is a more valuable asset.

Yep. It could land them Bryan Rust for instance.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Yep. It could land them Bryan Rust for instance.

 

[Lust for Life]

Now I'd definitely use one of the picks to trade down (or up if you can get Martone or someone equally exciting).

 

[Lust for Life]

So you are ready to write off the 12th overall pick this year but declaring whoever is sitting there at probably 20+ next year as good?

He's just overly negative regarding Aitcheson.

 

[deakka]

So you are ready to write off the 12th overall pick this year but declaring whoever is sitting there at probably 20+ next year as good?

These picks are basically lottery tickets. The lower they are the lower your chances.

Best to get one into your system a year earlier and find out if you have a winner or not. Only way this isn’t a win for the Penguins is if the Rangers implode and it somehow ends up being a very high pick.

Aitcheson will never be a good pick. You can bump this in 5 years and i promise i will have been right. So, yeah, if hes the pick it will amount to nothing.

Its insane to draft players like that in the 1st, let alone top 15. Half the damn higlights of him is fighting, which is almost extinct and wouldnt surprise me if its gone all togheter in a few years.
A fighter than can hit junior players hard? WOOOOOW, need to grab him in the upper half of the 1st round.