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.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

So nice to see Hensler playing his game. This guy can really play. His style is so different at Wisconsin. He plays a very simple game in college. But, he has awesome potential with his skillset.

 

[jtechkid]

So nice to see Hensler playing his game. This guy can really play. His style is so different at Wisconsin. He plays a very simple game in college. But, he has awesome potential with his skillset.

This other false hope - hes not great but his game” translates to nhl game “ whatever that means .lol - i see bust all over him .

 

[MichaelFarrell]

This other false hope - hes not great but his game” translates to nhl game “ whatever that means .lol - i see bust all over him .

I think you’re completely wrong. Hensler is playing second pair as a draft eligible (in the WJC) for a reason. He’s a really good defender with excellent mobility and he has great positional awareness. He plays a mature game and, especially against competition his age, really does look like a pro.

I don’t know what you see in his game that would indicate him being a bust. He seems like a guy who could easily find his way into an NHL’s top 4.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Where has this version of him been hiding? Granted yes it’s Germany but this looks more like the projected top 10 pick than I’ve seen before

 

[jtechkid]

I think you’re completely wrong. Hensler is playing second pair as a draft eligible (in the WJC) for a reason. He’s a really good defender with excellent mobility and he has great positional awareness. He plays a mature game and, especially against competition his age, really does look like a pro.

I don’t know what you see in his game that would indicate him being a bust. He seems like a guy who could easily find his way into an NHL’s top 4.

I see him as 5-6 th dmen in nhl - i dont see skill set - offense -iq to justify top 10-12 pick or playing top 4 dmen at all . i think he’s solid player but should be 18-25 rangw in the draft . I think your starting see Smith move ahead of him .

 

[Rabid Ranger]

It's not out of the question for players, especially d-men to blossom outside the confines of their junior or college team. Hensler has all of the skills.

 

[jtechkid]

I dont think its a great draft - its top heavy, maybe top 6-8 then i think lot of projects especially at defense.

 

[Steve Kournianos]

Hensler has been good since the WJSS. He’s been on Wisconsin’s steadiest pairing and would have more points if Dexheimer wasn’t the older PPQB. I check in on him periodically, about every few games but he was really good against Michigan two weeks ago. He does it all and so far has earned being chosen over Emery. I know for a fact that neither he nor Schaefer had a legit bad game in any one of the many I’ve watched since late July.

He has no weaknesses. He’s a plus skater, plus size, plus hands, plus passer, plus 1-on-1 defender, plus shooter. Strong kid and smothering. He basically created a goal today while going off for a change because he used an accurate bank pass before leaving the ice. He was constantly covering gaps from Hutson. A dependable partner if need be but he will be the Badgers’ true No. 1 next season.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I sometimes think that people over exaggerate his faults because they expect more out of him than what he brings to a game.

Hensler is not some Charlie McAvoy that is a no-doubt 1D with elite potential to win a Norris or whatever. He's a solid defensemen in all zones and situations and there's no big flaw to him. He's this draft's Reinbacher. He'll go roughly 6-10. He'll likely be a 2 or 3 in the NHL. Maybe an outside chance you get a 1 or 4 for the extremes.

I think there's this hope he had a natural aggressiveness and rover streak or excessively mean and physical streak, but he's a lot more safer and quiet and makes the efficient play instead of going out of his way to get himself attention. Maybe you think he should be more than that, but not everyone is that. I remember there were similar questions about Simon Edvinsson his draft year. There were questions about his hockey sense. Why did he seem tentative and not always apply himself? Not everyone is an alpha to take the game by the scruff of the neck. And that can come with negatives, as players like Parekh and Levshunov show from the 2024 draft (good players, but there are some flaws). As he gets older, he'll probably learn to pick his spots more often if he can do these things people think against NHL'ers. For now, he plays safer and more efficient and is reliable. It's gotten him pretty far. No reason he needs to start going out of his way to play a different game that may just be a misunderstanding of what he is.

 

[Patty Ice]

This other false hope - hes not great but his game” translates to nhl game “ whatever that means .lol - i see bust all over him .

Funny that you question his statement and then proceeded to make one of your own while providing absolutely no insight.

 

[BKarchitect]

Yeah I can see the attractiveness from yesterday’s game. I think the wheel is going to turn on him back to being a nice get for somebody in the top 15-20 by the time the draft rolls around. When he’s highlighted in a place where most can see him play in lieu of just stat surfing, the package is attractive.

I really don’t see what’s “not projectable” about him. He seems very, very comfortably projectable as a potential top four guy down the road. Maybe that upside we hoped for at age 16 just never materializes but as PB said, what you are left with is a pretty darn good prospect. We probably need to reframe his projection from “raw tools, huge upside lottery pick” to “smooth, stable and athletic 1st round lock”. In that sense, he’s still very likeable IMO.

 

[Steve Kournianos]

I jinxed him. Having a rough game against Latvia. Just turned it over for a 2-on-0 break.