RD Logan Hensler - USNTDP, USHL (2025 Draft)

[DigitalBoldy]

Just an FYI, Big-10+ has a “condensed game” option that runs about 20-25 mins long and shows pretty much all shots on goal but definitely all high-danger chances and goals scored. I just spent the morning watching the games I missed, and you’re opinion that Hensler is a “detriment” on defense and responsible for “a ton” of mistakes was gross over-exaggeration and in some games not even factually correct.

I get you’re a STH, but I don’t agree with your assessment at all. As in, completely disagree with pretty much everything. Has he had bad shifts? Of course. But my takeaway is that he was no better or worse than any of his teammates.

Also, it’s pretty clear I’m not comparing Hughes or Werenski with Hensler beyond the simple fact that all were highly-rated defenders in their respective draft years.

I haven’t watched last night’s game but I’ll give a full shift-by-shift report on what I saw later today. I saw they got blown out so it’s more likely that everyone sucked, more or less.

You say that like it's a badge of honor. The other defensemen are not projected 1st round picks or former top draft picks. Most are long shots to be impact players in the AHL. Laatsch was/is the most defensively sound player on the team. Probably why they stuck Hensler next to him to start the year...

How do you explain this disparity:

Kehrer has virtually the same offensive impact and isn't bleeding goals against.

Anyways... It's clear, no matter what I say, that you've made up your mind. Good day.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

You say that like it's a badge of honor. The other defensemen are not projected 1st round picks or former top draft picks. Most are long shots to be impact players in the AHL. Laatsch was/is the most defensively sound player on the team. Probably why they stuck Hensler next to him to start the year...

How do you explain this disparity:
View attachment 981540

Kehrer has virtually the same offensive impact and isn't bleeding goals against.

Anyways... It's clear, no matter what I say, that you've made up your mind. Good day.

I mean, if you’re using +\- as a barometer, then share how many of his minuses were his fault. At least that’s what I’d do. My review of the second-half goals against with Hensler on the ice easily absolved him (not counting last night, which I’m about to watch). Kehrer’s good below the dots but he’s nowhere near as effective with the puck. I liked when they were paired together (the opener against PSU IIRC). Then they pair Hensler with Knox who for now is clearly overmatched at this level.

Also, Hensler as a righty has been playing the left side a lot, and with Dexheimer no less. There was a game against Penn State where the Dexheimer-Palodichuk pairing was horrible and Hastings had to put Hensler there, presumably to clean things up.

Anyway, the burden of proof that he’s terrible defensively is on his detractors in this thread. I have pages and pages and pages (and pages) of notes covering Hensler dating back to last year and never once did he seem like a liability in his own end except for the WJC, and even then it was more risk aversion (eating pucks, rushed passes, etc) than trying to do too much or being selfish.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

You say that like it's a badge of honor. The other defensemen are not projected 1st round picks or former top draft picks. Most are long shots to be impact players in the AHL. Laatsch was/is the most defensively sound player on the team. Probably why they stuck Hensler next to him to start the year...

How do you explain this disparity:
View attachment 981540

Kehrer has virtually the same offensive impact and isn't bleeding goals against.

Anyways... It's clear, no matter what I say, that you've made up your mind. Good day.

Are you comparing a 5th year, NCAA senior at age 22 with an 18-year old NCAA freshman? That is a huge missing context here.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Anyway, the burden of proof that he’s terrible defensively is on his detractors in this thread.

I mean, you clearly just ignore it. Wander over to Wisconsin thread in the USCHO college hockey forums and see what posters (other than me) are saying.

Are you comparing a 5th year, NCAA senior at age 22 with an 18-year old NCAA freshman? That is a huge missing context here.

Kehrer is not going to play at the next level. Dude is a 3rd pairing dman on a good NCAA team. You’d think a projected 1st round pick would outperform a guy like that, regardless of age. I guess some of you just have way lower standards for how a 1st round pick should perform.

 

[jtechkid]

I mean, you clearly just ignore it. Wander over to Wisconsin thread in the USCHO college hockey forums and see what posters (other than me) are saying.

Kehrer is not going to play at the next level. Dude is a 3rd pairing dman on a good NCAA team. You’d think a projected 1st round pick would outperform a guy like that, regardless of age. I guess some of you just have way lower standards for how a 1st round pick should perform.

Outside Schaefer it’s really weak dmen group that’s why people reaching at straws for Hensler but no way he has pedigree as top 10 pick in the draft . Hes only in conversation because hes righty in a really weak dmen class . I would take Smith and Reid ahead of him .

 

[Bonin21]

Kehrer is not going to play at the next level. Dude is a 3rd pairing dman on a good NCAA team. You’d think a projected 1st round pick would outperform a guy like that, regardless of age. I guess some of you just have way lower standards for how a 1st round pick should perform.

You massively understate the impact of being a freshly 18 year old defenseman in big time college hockey compared to a soon to be 23 year old in his fifth season.

If you don't want this kid we'll take him. He's a first rounder.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

You massively understate the impact of being a freshly 18 year old defenseman in big time college hockey compared to a soon to be 23 year old in his fifth season.

If you don't want this kid we'll take him. He's a first rounder.

For real. Sounds like the typical disgruntled fan needing a scapegoat for a disappointing season. The Badgers are a hard-working team with zero finish and Hastings needs his dmen active to compensate. All of them pinch aggressively and step up in the NZ, which often lead to chances against. There were a bunch of games Wisconsin could have sealed had they finished close-in chances but they just don’t have the personnel to do it. There’s no way actual NHL scouts are disappointed in Hensler’s season. He’s playing nearly 20 mins a night and generating more offense after a cautious start, and that’s without being on PP1.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Outside Schaefer it’s really weak dmen group that’s why people reaching at straws for Hensler but no way he has pedigree as top 10 pick in the draft . Hes only in conversation because hes righty in a really weak dmen class . I would take Smith and Reid ahead of him .

Smith is big and exciting but basically a fourth forward who constantly leaves his partner out to dry. There is risk there defensively. Teams loaded at forward who prioritize positional defense should have Hensler in their top 10. Reinbacher, Simashev, and Willander all went higher than they should have simply because the teams made defense the priority. Teams will be comfortable taking Hensler in the 10-15 range for obvious reasons — size, mobility, because he’s versatile and reliable in his own end. Highly doubtful he slips lower than the teens.

 

[NikF]

Smith has excellent 4 way mobility with 6'3 reach. I think he is not going to be an offensive defensman at the NHL level. He has a good chance, if he will be smart, to make himself into a two-way mobile D who excels at blocking entries, retrievals, moving puck out and holding OBL. With his lateral ability and stick he could be a significant piece in defensive transition. Points might never hit more than 30-40 but he could have a long career of two-way minute-eating. If he will be smart and accept that as his game instead of thinking he's Cale Makar, he will be fine.

Hensler feels more like a Derek Forbort, a long-time #5-#6 with no remarkable qualities. The size is there, he is mobile enough, he can make some easy passes and handles, he will compete but that's about it. Don't see a top 4 quality in the NHL. I would take Smith, Mrtka, Aitcheson above him without much worry.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

You massively understate the impact of being a freshly 18 year old defenseman in big time college hockey compared to a soon to be 23 year old in his fifth season.

If you don't want this kid we'll take him. He's a first rounder.

He’s a 20-30 pick in the 1st round. He’s not this perfect player that @AlternateSideParking seems to think he is. He shouldn’t be a top 15 pick. If someone picks him there they will be disappointed. Compare him to Zeev Buium, whom went 12th last draft. Massive difference in the level of player.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

He’s a 20-30 pick in the 1st round. He’s not this perfect player that @AlternateSideParking seems to think he is. He shouldn’t be a top 15 pick. If someone picks him there they will be disappointed. Compare him to Zeev Buium, whom went 12th last draft. Massive difference in the level of player.

You just moved the goal post from not a first round talent to "he's a 20-30 pick in the 1st round." Proof in the quote below.

Kehrer is not going to play at the next level. Dude is a 3rd pairing dman on a good NCAA team. You’d think a projected 1st round pick would outperform a guy like that, regardless of age. I guess some of you just have way lower standards for how a 1st round pick should perform.

You missed the context of the experience as well as physical development between 22 year old, 5th year senior and an 18-year old freshman. Teams aren't drafting on who the players are today. They're drafting on who they can be in the future. The 18-year old has already surpassed the 22-year old Kehrer's offensive production in all of Kehrer's five seasons in college. And the sad part is that Hensler's offense isn't his forte.

Now, you're missing the context that each draft quality is different between the draft years. The quality of players in the first round of the 2024 draft is stronger than the 2025 first round talent. The 2025 projected #1 on many mock drafts is LD Shaefer and he wouldn't be in the same atmosphere as the 2024 #1 pick in Celebrini. Using your logic, whoever picks #1 in the 2025 draft should be disappointed. Well, they should be disappointed, but are you not going to pick Shaefer or whoever you want at #1 because they are not on the same talent level as Celebrini? This is where cognitive dissonance should set in.

Due to the weaker quality of talent in this draft, as other have already previously mentioned, Hensler's stock remains around the lower half of the top-15. Hensler's size, speed, right-handedness, and quality of competition keeps his chances of being in the top-15 alive. At least, that is where many mocks and rankings have Hensler currently at this time.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

You just moved the goal post from not a first round talent to "he's a 20-30 pick in the 1st round." Proof in the quote below.



You missed the context of the experience as well as physical development between 22 year old, 5th year senior and an 18-year old freshman. Teams aren't drafting on who the players are today. They're drafting on who they can be in the future. The 18-year old has already surpassed the 22-year old Kehrer's offensive production in all of Kehrer's five seasons in college. And the sad part is that Hensler's offense isn't his forte.

Now, you're missing the context that each draft quality is different between the draft years. The quality of players in the first round of the 2024 draft is stronger than the 2025 first round talent. The 2025 projected #1 on many mock drafts is LD Shaefer and he wouldn't be in the same atmosphere as the 2024 #1 pick in Celebrini. Using your logic, whoever picks #1 in the 2025 draft should be disappointed. Well, they should be disappointed, but are you not going to pick Shaefer or whoever you want at #1 because they are not on the same talent level as Celebrini? This is where cognitive dissonance should set in.

Due to the weaker quality of talent in this draft, as other have already previously mentioned, Hensler's stock remains around the lower half of the top-15. Hensler's size, speed, right-handedness, and quality of competition keeps his chances of being in the top-15 alive. At least, that is where many mocks and rankings have Hensler currently at this time.

I’m not missing that the drafts have different quality or moving the goal posts calling Hensler a 20-30 pick in this draft. Put two and two together. If this was any other year Hensler wouldn’t be a projected 1st round pick. Think of how NFL teams operate. They give 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc round grades on each prospect. They do NOT have 32 1st round graded prospects for every draft. Do you have a 1st round grade on Hensler? I don’t, but I understand he will be a 1st round pick in this shitty draft

Dude, Kehrer is a mediocre college player. Most 1st round draft picks should be substantially better than him almost immediately. This isn’t hard.

 

[Jargon]

If the Sharks come away with Hensler and Schaefer at the draft I’d be thrilled. Hensler would pair well with either him or Dickinson for a very mobile, big defense.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

And the sad part is that Hensler's offense isn't his forte.

Neither is his defense but go off.

 

[jtechkid]

He’s a 20-30 pick in the 1st round. He’s not this perfect player that @AlternateSideParking seems to think he is. He shouldn’t be a top 15 pick. If someone picks him there they will be disappointed. Compare him to Zeev Buium, whom went 12th last draft. Massive difference in the level of player.

great post - i think he has been slipping in every mock draft i’ve seen to 17-30 in the pick . I see him 19 - 28 in the draft which is fine . It was a quiet board until it wasn’t lol

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Here’s a shift-by-shift of Hensler’s last game. I’ll do it in increments:

vs Notre Dame (2/23/25)

#24 Kehrer-#4 Dexheimer (righty-righty)

-@0:23 — paired with #14 Palodichuk and makes clean outlet pass from inside his own end but #13 turned it over in the NZ — then had to engage in a wall battle and made a second breakout pass for an exit and change —

-@2:00 — Hustles off bench to man right point but has to vacate to assist Palodichuk in one-on-one. Fishes puck free in front of net and escapes behind net to rim up the wall. Puck squirts back behind the net, where Hensler hustles to collect and took hard hit behind net to deliver clean breakout pass

-@4:04 — Play starts in offensive end but Irish eventually countered 3-on-3, which Hensler challenged with stick on puck at the line to help force an offside (finished his check after the whistle but refs stepped in)

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Still Period 1

-@4:50 1-0 Notre Dame on set play against Knox-Phelan pair — Niko Jovanovic slapper right off cross-corner dump-in from Axel Kumlin — first goal of the season —

-@5:18 — Joins play in offensive zone but puck is chipped out. Palodichuk hands it off to Hensler on the backskate and fires a diagonal pass from inside his blue line to center wall where #28 Adam Pietila sweeps it in. Notre Dame then ices it.

-@5:40 - Off the draw, Notre Dame clears it off the near boards and Palodichuk takes the wrong route to the puck that allows Cole Knuble to explode down the middle for a partial break-in that forces Hensler into a hooking penalty. Hensler was a step behind Knuble who had the initial burst in what was a bang-bang play.

-Badgers kill it off and clear. Hensler heads to the defensive zone to support then exits for the change.

-@8:41 - Badgers back to PK as Weston Knox steps up and drills someone at ND blue line for interference call (Hensler doesn’t kill penalties). PP negated by Notre Dame TMM - so 4-on-4 for 34 seconds

-@10:07 - Offensive-zone draw for Palodichuk-Kehrer - then UW to the PP with Dexheimer — Hensler jumps on at 11:20 and has to defend a 1-on-1 after Finley dzone turnover. Hensler forces Janicke wide with stick on puck, then switches quickly to cover Knuble behind net and force turnover and exit. Puck is cleared and Hensler collects puck for bullet pass to streaking Fitzgerald before changing

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Final shifts of P1

-@13:25 — Hensler joins play in offensive zone with Palodichuk but has to retreat to defend Notre Dame exit, which results in a weak dump-in for a change while Palodichuk collects and hands off to Hensler for a hard rim-redirect for Tasse that Notre Dame collects in their own end. Puck is cleared out to center, where Palodichuk bats it into the middle for a turnover, trapping Hensler into a 2-on-1 that Jovanovic whistled wide. Hensler then rubs his man off the puck to allow Palodichuk to exit. Palodichuk not doing Hensler any favors this period.

-@15:30 - Hensler joins play in offensive zone and fans on shot attempt at point, leading to Notre Dame 2-on-1 that he is able to recover into a 2-on-2 and covers the man in front. No scoring chance developed before puck was cleared. Then took a heavy hit behind net to move puck to Horbach for speedy exit and entry.

-@17:38 - Off a defensive-zone draw, Hensler pounces toward near corner to rub out Danny Nelson and jar puck loose for Palodichuk to collect and hit Finley at the half-wall for an exit. Hensler rotates off the offensive-zone cycle and takes puck directly to cage on his off-wing for a chance. Puck was eventually cleared down where Hensler delayed behind his net to fake out the forechecker and deliver clean first pass for exit

-ND to power-play as Scholl gets called for roughing in offensive zone. Janicke scores on ensuing PP as Kehrer blew coverage for an open one-timer. Backbreaker with 5.6 seconds left in P1.

Solid period for Hensler. Only mistake was because of a fanned shot and even then he recovered in good order and no scoring chance developed.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Period 2 with Notre Dame up 2-0 with shots 10-10

—Dexheimer/Kehrer allow near 2-on-0 break-in during opening shift. Kehrer recovers to break it up, but they allow HD chance off enduing draw.

-@1:20 — Badgers try to swap out four on the long change and it nearly costs them. Hensler covers ground quickly and takes smart route toward the far corner to finish his check. Maintained tight coverage throughout.

—@2:43 — Off defensive-zone draw, Hensler collects and exits before dumping it in, but puck doesn’t get deep. Notre Dame lobs it into middle where Hensler tried to glove it down, but it slides instead to Palodichuk for a clear. Puck goes out of play for a neutral-zone faceoff. Badgers win the draw and are able to enter to establish cycle before drawing a penalty. So Wisconsin to the PP.

-@4:01 — Hensler at left point for PP2 offensive-zone draw and delays toward middle before whipping a nice look-off pass to Tyson Dyck, whose pass back to Hensler is tipped out of the zone. Hensler collects on the backskate and hits Dyck on the tape at center ice, but entry thwarted at Notre Dame line for clear. Hensler collects behind his net and skates out for a drop pass, then helps work puck around for PP possession. Low-pct shot choice by Finley forces a Hensler keep-in, then puck is cleared to center. Hensler gracefully covers up on the backskate and delays with his head up to facilitate a change.

 

[thrillhous]

You’re both right, maybe? I agree all signs point to him being drafted quite high as it seems people are low on this draft (unjustifiably IMO) and he’s a RHD but also a very high probability that in the end he will be a very bland and underwhelming 4-6 D. Not the worst pick in the range he gets picked but not close to the best. Some GMs want the safe guy and some will want to roll the dice on potentially getting something considerably better.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Into midway point of P2

-@6:05 - 4-on-4 draw in the Wisconsin end after Notre Dame’s Blake Biondi put a puck into the Wisconsin net after the whistle and Horbach roughed him up in response. Off the draw, Hensler and Palodichuk got lucky when they both left the low slot open for a second. Hensler then exits and enters with speed but kept to the outside. He drops it off to Dyck at the near half-wall but possession killed by crease violation.

-@7:28 - Still a 4-on-4 and Finley just hit the point. Short rest for Hensler as he joins an offensive-zone cycle, but it’s turned over by #18 Owen Lindmark. Notre Dame counters and Hensler covers Henry Nelson just inside Badger blue line, but a streaking Knuble slips behind Palodichuk down the middle and takes a dime saucer feed from Nelson to go forehand-backhand for a 3-0 lead. Melenbacher blew coverage for no reason, but Palodichuk was late to react to Knuble’s speed. Hensler challenged Nelson and was just about to poke it away but Nelson dished it in one motion. Sweet play.

-@9:36 - Off consecutive offensive-zone draws, puck is cleared to center where Palodichuk turns it over for a Notre Dame counter. Hensler holds the line and forces a turnover before banking it up the wall to Gavin Morrissey for exit and entry. Finley almost connects with a man in the low slot, but it goes back to Notre Dame for a counter. Puck is dumped into the far corner, but Hensler wins a 50/50 and confidently slides the puck to a supporting Finley for an exit and change.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Now entering later stages of P2


-@12:06 - Hensler back on the ice after Wisconsin had to kill off an Owen Lindmark boarding penalty. Shift begins in the offensive zone but Irish counter with a 3-on-3. Hensler smartly backs off his line and cheats toward middle since his winger had the puck carrier down the left wing. Hensler then releases into a board battle behind his net, but Fitzgerald held his man so Notre Dame back to the PP. High-IQ defense by Hensler, because if he vacates to defend the puck he leaves the middle open. Timing of his release to the wall was perfect. Easily Wisconsin’s most reliable defender through 30 minutes.

-@13:23 - Palodichuk on the PK had set up Horbach for a chance that drew a penalty, so yet another 4-on-4. Hensler jumps on with Kehrer and smartly delays and peels away from forecheck pressure and reloads for an exit and entry by himself. He hands it off to Kukkonen at the Irish line and the Badgers start their possession. Leads to best chances of the period thus far — both for Kukkonen. Hensler got it started from the defensive end.

-@14:30 - Back to 5v5 and Hensler’s on the left side opposite Kehrer. Puck enters Wisconsin zone but Hensler has forward support to allow them to swarm Biondi and knock him off the puck for clear and possession change thanks to Fitzgerald’s hustle. Puck is batted back into the Badger end where Hensler hustles back to provide overwatch for Phelan in a 1-on-1 situation before going off on a change.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Last three shifts of P2. I’ll finish P3 tomorrow, but as of now, he’s undoubtedly been one of Wisconsin’s best players in a game where a bunch of guys were ineffective and reliable.

-@16:19 — Hensler jumps on and collects a bouncing puck in the neutral zone before retreating into his own end under forecheck pressure for another accurate breakout pass that allows Horbach to exit and enter. Kehrer went to the net and would score off a rebound in front to make it 3-1. No assist for Hensler but he helped make it happen.

-@16:44 - Off the center-ice draw, Notre Dame’s Michael Mastrodomenico darts down the wing past Hensler for sharp-angle chance from the bottom of the right circle that powers through Wisconsin goalie Thomas Scarfone lays in the crease before popping out to Danny Nelson in the slot for a putback to make it 4-1. Hensler clearly misjudged Mastrodomenico’s speed at the line and forced Kehrer to release to cut off the lane to the net. Shouldn’t have committed that much.

-@18:20 - Hensler joins Dexheimer and retrieves luck in own end for an accurate turnaround breakout pass to his partner for the exit. Puck went out of play and now he’s back with Palodichuk. Off the draw, Hensler has to retreat with his back to the play and fires a hard no-look hook pass to Kukkonen for a speed rush and entry down the right wing. Puck eventually enters back into Wisconsin end where Hensler defends the low slot before executing the first of two exits via his skating. The first was stuffed at the offensive blue line; the second a clean entry despite being at the end of his shift.

 

[HuGort]

Hi, Wisconsin season ticket holder here. Here are my thoughts on Hensler:

Hensler’s skill set and size are quality traits towards an NHL projection. Hockey IQ leaves a lot to be desired. There are a ton of chances against/goals against this year that can be traced back to a decision he made in the offensive zone and neutral zone. He will often try to make the hero play instead of using his teammates as well.

Playing 18 minutes a night in D1 NCAA is better than 23 minutes a night in the CHL.

That is kind of scary because he is going to get exposed a lot more at NHL level