5 NHL Draft Picks that Just Make Sense for the Penguins
The 2025 NHL draft lottery has come and gone, and to the Pittsburgh Penguins' surprise, the team fell from the ninth overall pick to the eleventh pick, thanks to the New York Islanders and the Utah Mammoth surpassing them. Luckily for Pittsburgh, they may have two shots to pick within the top twelve selections thanks to the Marcus Pettersson trade, where they acquired the New York Rangers’ first-round pick in either 2025 or 2026. The Rangers will more than likely hold on to this selection and bank on a better performance next season, but with superstar Gavin McKenna being eligible next season, this may give the Pens two picks in this year's first round. Let’s look at some possibilities for General Manager Kyle Dubas and his staff.
Center Brady Martin - Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
After a rookie season with Soo posting just over a half point per game mark, Martin exploded offensively this season in his first draft-eligible season. The forward just turned 18 years old this March and possesses a lot of traits that many GMs across the league have been drooling over, pushing his stock to the top 15 of this year's class. Martin finished second on the Greyhounds in both goals (33) and points (72). The 6’0 tall center is projected to stick at the position at the next level due to his high hockey IQ, which also makes him a force in the physicality game. Martin has been a relentless checker in all three zones, making him one of the feared on the ice. Scouts are impressed with his intensity and his never-ending energy meter, which has now even put him in mock drafts as high as sixth overall. If Martin is available at 11, this seems like the home run selection for the Penguins, but with his stock only rising, it is all wishful thinking that he falls this far.
Defenseman Jackson Smith - Tri-City (WHL)
A consensus top five defenseman in this year's class, Smith stands as one of the tallest in this class at 6’3 and also as one of the most skilled. The Tri-City star defenseman finished 9th in points among defenseman this season with 54, and has cemented his name in the top 15 prospects of this year's class. Smith got a head start in his WHL career, getting in a handful of games as a 16-year-old, which made his rookie year in 2023-24 one of the most eye-opening across junior hockey, posting 29 points. Scouts have been concerned with his defensive game, but with his long reach and good skating, many are optimistic that there is growth in the young defenseman's game. Smith averaged just over 22 minutes of ice time a night and was effective in both special teams units. With the looming retirement of Kris Letang and the inevitable trade of Erik Karlsson, going defense in round one would not be too surprising from this Penguins front office.
Winger Victor Eklund - Djugårdens (Hockey-Allsvenskan)
That last name looks familiar, doesn’t it? That’s because Victor is the younger brother of San Jose star forward William Eklund. The 5’11 speed-driven winger comes in as the second-ranked European skater in the class, only behind his teammate Anton Frondell. What scouts have loved about the youngest Eklund is that he is just everywhere. Like Martin, he is effective in all three zones, and he is a player who just pops out with his playstyle. Eklund produced one of the highest scoring seasons by a draft-eligible player this season in the Allsvenskan, netting 19 goals and 31 points. Scouts see some concern in his skating, but the relentless motor on this player keeps him as one of the top wingers in the draft. This is a player that could make the jump to North America next season, but more than likely won’t happen till 2026-27. If you are Pittsburgh, and he is still available, this is a player that may just help keep that window slightly more open in the Crosby era, if that is the path Dubas continues on.
Center Roger McQueen - Brandon (WHL)
Not many players get the chance to play in four seasons before being eligible for the NHL draft: enter Roger McQueen. The biggest what-if with this player is a back injury that sidelined him for the vast majority of the 2024-25 campaign. Though he did play in 17 contests this season, with an even 10 goals and 10 assists. McQueen stands 6’5 and is not afraid to throw that size around, which makes him a hot commodity in today’s game. Adding to that, for a big guy, his skating is better than people expected; it is not NHL-ready, but enough for where the potential is there. Many scouts see him as the last true big-name center in the class, along with Michael Misa, James Hagens, Jake O’Brien, Caleb Desnoyers, and the already mentioned Anton Frondell and Brady Martin. Scouts are also in love with his vision and the hands he provides for a big player, making him a true power forward. McQueen seems to be one of the favorites among mock draft outlets to Pittsburgh. The question is, will the Penguins trust the risk following his injury?
Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson - Barrie (OHL)
One of the biggest risers in this year's class, Aitcheson has climbed the rankings to now being in the top 15 conversation. Kashawn had a chance to play three seasons in the OHL before being draft-eligible and skyrocketed from a 39-point performance last season to a 59-point season this year, 7th among OHL defenseman. The 6’2 blueliner is not afraid to showcase his size and has the potential to be a true two-way player at the next level. Aitcheson eclipsed 126 penalty minutes last season but decreased that to 88 in 2024-25. A common theme throughout this article is that scouts are impressed by size and physicality, which fits the bill here again. Aitcheson should be available at 11 for Dubas’s staff to fit a need the Penguins organization desperately needs to fill.
-Cadeyn McCrory/ Olde City Sports Network
Martin photo via Scott Wheeler, New York Times
McQueen photo via Jonathan Kozub, Getty Images
Kayshawn photo via Dan Hickling, Hickling Images
Smith photo via Tri-City Americans
Eklund photo via Michael Miller, ISI Photos