RD Logan Hensler - USNTDP, USHL (2025 Draft)

[Nabrules]

We all said Wisconsin was a bad choice. He thought it would be different for him than all the others. I hope he’s enjoying his time off the ice because on the ice his draft position will likely pay for the choice he made.

Seems like the type of player who will continuously fall. Maybe even out of the first round itself.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Seems like the type of player who will continuously fall. Maybe even out of the first round itself.

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.

 

[BKarchitect]

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.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

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.

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).

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Here is my assessment of Hensler so far:

I’ve had the chance to see Hensler play in person several times. Most recently, I attended PSU vs Wisconsin last weekend. Hensler plays on the right side next to Daniel Laatsch. He does play in all situations for the most part but is not usually not the first defensemen deployed in all situations. Currently, Hensler has 0 goals and 4 assists in 11 games for his 4-8 Wisconsin Badgers.

Logan Hensler plays a game that you could certainly see translating to professional hockey. He plays a fairly conservative game, has a good frame, and is able to transition the puck up the ice fairly well. Hensler generally makes good decisions with the puck. He does not make very many plays where I question his thought process. He doesn’t possess a booming slap-shot from the point, or if he does he rarely shows it, he’s much more of a puck distributor. He doesn’t really get beat defensively and has a good foundation of strong positional defense. He plays like a modern mobile defenseman.

From last year to now, I’ve expected a bit more from him in terms of development. Hensler is not young for the draft class but truthfully, especially compared to some collegiate athletes, he looks a bit under-developed. I don’t really have one main issue with Hensler’s game. Honestly, watching him at times in the NCAA is a bit frustrating. You want to see more from him. You want to see more physicality, you want to see him play a bit faster, you want to see him be a bit stronger, and you want to see him take more initiative. He has the potential. He shows some flashes of what he could be, but resorts mostly to a safe and unimpressive game. He doesn’t play like a player who believes he is capable of being a big factor in a game. I really want to see more intensity.

I like Logan Hensler and I think he has way more potential than what he’s shown so far this year. However, it’s not as if he’s creating a ton of chances and just not getting points. He deserves his current stat line based on his play. He’s capable of creating offense, but he is not making himself a factor offensively. His potential is uncertain to me. I think he’ll play in the NHL. But, I’m not sure if he is a 3-4 or a 5-6. Despite that, I do think he’ll be the 2nd or 3rd defenseman taken in the draft.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Here is my assessment of Hensler so far:

I’ve had the chance to see Hensler play in person several times. Most recently, I attended PSU vs Wisconsin last weekend. Hensler plays on the right side next to Daniel Laatsch. He does play in all situations for the most part but is not usually not the first defensemen deployed in all situations. Currently, Hensler has 0 goals and 4 assists in 11 games for his 4-8 Wisconsin Badgers.

Logan Hensler plays a game that you could certainly see translating to professional hockey. He plays a fairly conservative game, has a good frame, and is able to transition the puck up the ice fairly well. Hensler generally makes good decisions with the puck. He does not make very many plays where I question his thought process. He doesn’t possess a booming slap-shot from the point, or if he does he rarely shows it, he’s much more of a puck distributor. He doesn’t really get beat defensively and has a good foundation of strong positional defense. He plays like a modern mobile defenseman.

From last year to now, I’ve expected a bit more from him in terms of development. Hensler is not young for the draft class but truthfully, especially compared to some collegiate athletes, he looks a bit under-developed. I don’t really have one main issue with Hensler’s game. Honestly, watching him at times in the NCAA is a bit frustrating. You want to see more from him. You want to see more physicality, you want to see him play a bit faster, you want to see him be a bit stronger, and you want to see him take more initiative. He has the potential. He shows some flashes of what he could be, but resorts mostly to a safe and unimpressive game. He doesn’t play like a player who believes he is capable of being a big factor in a game. I really want to see more intensity.

I like Logan Hensler and I think he has way more potential than what he’s shown so far this year. However, it’s not as if he’s creating a ton of chances and just not getting points. He deserves his current stat line based on his play. He’s capable of creating offense, but he is not making himself a factor offensively. His potential is uncertain to me. I think he’ll play in the NHL. But, I’m not sure if he is a 3-4 or a 5-6. Despite that, I do think he’ll be the 2nd or 3rd defenseman taken in the draft.

This is spot on. That's what I've thought about him also. I've been reading recently from some people that Hensler is struggling defensively. I don't see that. I see a safe and tentative player that you sometimes think should have higher potential and may have that because he has the tools that you mention, but he plays very safe and doesn't take as many risks as you think he should. It's possible that will be unlocked over the upcoming years. I see him as a pretty safe player to be an NHL defenseman, but whether he can be more than an okay defenseman is something he will have to answer. I think it could've been answered in the last two seasons and he hasn't done it. If he did, he probably would've been a threat to go top 5.