RD Logan Hensler - USNTDP, USHL (2025 Draft)

[DigitalBoldy]

-@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

Agree with most of this. I don't like the term "clean first pass" for the exit like it was a great play. Might be fundamental difference in the word "clean" betwen you and me. When I think of the way I or my buddies use the term "that was cleannn", it means something akin to "that was really cool" or "really precise in a moment of pressure." He passed the puck to a forward on the wall that wasn't moving or covered lol. The right play? Yes. But nothing cool or precise or special about it. Please disregard this paragraph if by "clean" you just mean that the pass was uninterrupted haha

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.

Passed behind a player negating what should have been a solid fast break. Deserved some blame on the play that led to his penalty. Doesn't play the penalty kill for some reason (well, there is but we are working up to that). Tighter gaps preferred. Turnover that should have been a quality scoring chance, even with Hensler getting back to cover one guy, that ND blew by not finding the trailing player.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think we’re over analyzing stuff here, fellas.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

I think we’re over analyzing stuff here, fellas.

A tad lol. But I think this is a case where nuanced discussion was required. He's going to get drafted in the first round and the fans of the team that drafts him can come here and basically find out more about Hensler than anywhere else.

 

[Grinner]

Geezs! Putting Tolstoy to shame

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Nothing overanalyzed at all. Keep it up. Much better discourse in here than the crap that permeates other threads.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

2:15 ~ Nifty pass at the point on Wisconsin's first goal.

3:14 ~ Horrendous turnover that leads to a goal against.

7:14 ~ Fantastic lead pass to Pietela for the breakaway goal.

9:24 ~ One timer goal from the top of the umbrella.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Hensler's shift that ended with 13:58 left in the 1st period is a perfect example of what I mean by poor defensive awareness and hockey IQ. Tries to be too cute in his own zone; leads to a turnover right out front of the Wisconsin net and a high quality chance for Ohio State. Then he makes a really dumb decision to challenge up in the neutral zone, gets blown by, and Ohio State gets another quality shot on net.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Another day, another poor hockey IQ decision...

Puck starts in the offensive zone with Ohio State rimming the puck up the boards:

Becomes a board battle near that spot (blue = puck, red = Hensler):

Puck goes up the boards where the OSU player will clearly get to it first (Hensler going for the puck):

OSU player easily tips it by Hensler for a 2-on-1:

Thankfully, the OSU player bobbled the cross pass and did not get a shot on net.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

No idea where to rank Hensler, if he should be closer to 10 or 20. Sure, Wisconsin was pretty crappy outside of Finley, Morrissey, & a couple others, but Hensler was up and down for a lot of the season.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Does anyone know why Bob might have him over Mrtka? Hensler seems to have a pretty big bust factor for a #11 pick, although maybe the high ceiling makes up for it? Or maybe he doesn't even have the high bust factor that I perceive?

 

[Nabrules]

Does anyone know why Bob might have him over Mrtka? Hensler seems to have a pretty big bust factor for a #11 pick, although maybe the high ceiling makes up for it? Or maybe he doesn't even have the high bust factor that I perceive?

Those rankings were all the way in early January. A lot had changed since then. I suspect Mrtka will be in the 7-11 range his next rankings and Hensler closer to 20.

 

[rocketdan9]

Watching available clips of 6'2 Hensler. On the surface/a few clips, he looks like Schaefer/Jackson Smith - the way he can rush/stick handle through multiple defenders. His skating looks real good.

Good gap control/stick check on defense.

I don't know the full scope of his strengths and weakness. Outside of only OK looking stats - 1st year NCAA.

Why is he ranked lowish compared to say Mrtka or Smith?

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

Does anyone know why Bob might have him over Mrtka? Hensler seems to have a pretty big bust factor for a #11 pick, although maybe the high ceiling makes up for it? Or maybe he doesn't even have the high bust factor that I perceive?

Bob would have him ranked there because his list is a compilation of several scouts' rankings. This means that roughly 10 NHL scouts give him a list and he does an average of where they place each player. He's explained this. It's not exactly an average, but he's said these scouts' rankings he gets are the backbone of his list.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

Watching available clips of 6'2 Hensler. On the surface/a few clips, he looks like Schaefer/Jackson Smith - the way he can rush/stick handle through multiple defenders. His skating looks real good.

Good gap control/stick check on defense.

I don't know the full scope of his strengths and weakness. Outside of only OK looking stats - 1st year NCAA.

Why is he ranked lowish compared to say Mrtka or Smith?

I think part of the reason might be that he's played against older competition in his draft year and he's had to adjust. I didn't see Wisconsin this year, but if he wasn't getting top minutes or power play time, on top of having to get used to a higher level of play, that would depress his production and make anyone taking him have to project more when assessing his offensive skill.

 

[Montecristo]

Is hensler a “safe” pick? All of his highlight videos i see a guy who looks like a 2nd or 3rd pair dman. Probably never a norris contender. But definitely a full time long term nhler. Is that an accurate idea of what he is?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Is hensler a “safe” pick? All of his highlight videos i see a guy who looks like a 2nd or 3rd pair dman. Probably never a norris contender. But definitely a full time long term nhler. Is that an accurate idea of what he is?

I think so. No outstanding traits but his combo of good size/skating and average handling/hockey sense with being a RHD means I have a hard time seeing him not play in the NHL some day. If he hits, he’s probably a solid complementary #4. If he doesn’t, he’s still probably a usable #7 who has the size and handedness to play higher in lineups than his ability alone merits.

 

[BleedBlue14]

Is hensler a “safe” pick? All of his highlight videos i see a guy who looks like a 2nd or 3rd pair dman. Probably never a norris contender. But definitely a full time long term nhler. Is that an accurate idea of what he is?

That’s a really good outcome for any non top 10 pick, especially in a perceived pretty weak class.

 

[Michael Farkas]

Is hensler a “safe” pick? All of his highlight videos i see a guy who looks like a 2nd or 3rd pair dman. Probably never a norris contender. But definitely a full time long term nhler. Is that an accurate idea of what he is?

I don't think you can have this level of hockey sense and be considered "safe". He has other "safe" (awful term) qualities...he competes, he can skate, he has size and athleticism. But he needs a lot of work (more so than most DY players) and he hasn't meaningfully improved technically from his D-1 year for my tastes. He's going to go way before I'd feel comfortable taking him.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Is hensler a “safe” pick? All of his highlight videos i see a guy who looks like a 2nd or 3rd pair dman. Probably never a norris contender. But definitely a full time long term nhler. Is that an accurate idea of what he is?

No he’s just RHD in a shallow year for them so he will go where he goes to fill a need in a prospect pool.

 

[jtechkid68]

He’s a second round pick in almost every past draft . Outside Schaefer this is deemed a very weak dmen and i agree . I would take Mrtka , smith , reid , def over him . He will probably go 20-30 th

 

[Castle8130]

Reminds me of Adam Jiricek in last years draft. Smooth skating puck moving defenseman with a nice frame and lower hockey IQ. Offensive potential is overrated, but his defensive potential is overlooked. I can see him developing into more of a two-way player if he simplifies his game.