Seems like the type of player who will continuously fall. Maybe even out of the first round itself.
RD Logan Hensler - USNTDP, USHL (2025 Draft)
- Thread starter GermanSpitfire
- Start date
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Stramel went to Wisconsin in his draft year, it went bad, and he still went first round. I don't see much way of Hensler getting beyond 20, and I also highly would doubt beyond 15. But definitely not a riser this year, and probably a slight faller. There aren't that many great defensemen this year, so that'll likely help him and that he has a good prior reputation with a desirable skillset for NHL teams.
Seems like it was going to be all about projection with Hensler anyways. He was still 17 when his season started, it’s not like this was going to be a swift and easy transition…there are only 3 2025 draft defenders playing college this year and frankly that’s more than usual. And it’s not like Boumedienne or Rheaume-Mullen are putting up numbers either.
I mean, I’m not arguing against the idea that Wiscy was a bad choice if you want to improve your draft stock - but it’s not like he was going to walk into any blueline room for any of the top D1 programs and be some point-producing #1 PP guy.
Stock up or down, he’s definitely a stock down guy compared to a guy like Jackson Smith. And it’s very, very clear he’s nowhere near the likes of past top 5 pick, underage NCAA blueliners like Werenski or Hanifin.
But out of the top 20 or first round entirely, 8 games into his freshman season with his traits and this draft looking very soft (especially on defenders) after about 7 or 8 guys? No way….we aren’t at that point.
I mean, I’m not arguing against the idea that Wiscy was a bad choice if you want to improve your draft stock - but it’s not like he was going to walk into any blueline room for any of the top D1 programs and be some point-producing #1 PP guy.
Stock up or down, he’s definitely a stock down guy compared to a guy like Jackson Smith. And it’s very, very clear he’s nowhere near the likes of past top 5 pick, underage NCAA blueliners like Werenski or Hanifin.
But out of the top 20 or first round entirely, 8 games into his freshman season with his traits and this draft looking very soft (especially on defenders) after about 7 or 8 guys? No way….we aren’t at that point.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Slight pushback on that, I think there are smart options that these players can choose to help their draft stock.
I know all these kids want to go to Michigan, Minnesota, BU, BC, and those types of schools, and most of them can get a roster spot at 17 or 18 at those schools, but unless they are like a Hagens or Celebrini or Fantilli they won't be able to walk in and be an immediate star.
But you look at a player like Cullen Potter. ASU is treating him as their most prized recruit ever. He's on their first line and I believe also first PP. He has undoubtedly been helped so far when it comes to his draft stock by the decision to go to ASU.
And Potter is another of these players that switched his commitment, so I think there is something to be said about being able to make your decision early of where you'd ideally want to go (that was MSU for Potter), and then adjusting late on when you have a better picture of what will be the best fit right then and there for your development the upcoming season or two. Hensler could've easily had his agent send out an email last Spring to all college hockey programs that he's open to the highest bidder (meaning most ice time and PP time).
