Profiling a defender with a lot to offer as a dependable option
Welcome back to our feature on draft profiles for projected top picks in the upcoming 2025 NHL draft. Catch up with the previous ones here:
No 1: Matthew Schaefer
No 2: Michael Misa
No. 3: Porter Martone
No. 4: Anton Frondell
No. 5: James Hagens
No. 6: Caleb Desnoyers
No. 7: Jake O’Brien
No. 8: Roger McQueen
No. 9: Victor Eklund
No. 10: Jackson Smith
No. 11: Radim Mrtka
No. 12: Brady Martin
No. 13: Carter Bear
No. 14: Kashawn Aitcheson
For the rankings, we have turned to the venerable Bob McKenzie from TSN for his listing of players. McKenzie’s list is typically in-tune with the NHL, because his rankings are an average that comes from surveying 10 active NHL scouts. As such, the list is set as follows for players we will look to profile in the coming weeks to spread some awareness and knowledge for Pittsburgh NHL fans to get to know some of the top prospects.
No. 15: Logan Hensler, 6’2” 192 pounds, RHD, Wisconsin (NCAA)
By finishing up at 15th, the McKenzie scouts that form this consensus opinion of being pretty high on Logan Hensler stands out. From several years of monitoring this list and have anecdotal memories, this usually tends to be a good signal that Hensler is going to have an impressive pro career. Here’s the other rankings from Elite Prospects’ compilation of several places. Hensler isn’t hugely ranked, maybe in part because it’s just not that sexy to suggest drafting a dependable defenseman terribly high in the first round of the draft, even though those players can bring a lot of value.
Hensler is a 6’2” right handed defenseman, which is enough right there to draw a lot of interest. From beyond the basics, he’s more of an open canvas for scouts to project a lot onto. He skates well but doesn’t always force the issue by stepping up and trying to stand out. He can move the puck up the ice but isn’t considered elite there. His offensive abilities are nice but it’s fair to say not a focal point. Hensler’s positioning, gap control, stick are very good but he’s not physical and doesn’t play with a super-high compete level. In short, he’s pretty good at about everything but not going to be a power play weapon in the NHL. With time, work and development he could become a very solid and dependable player.
Hensler is sometimes compared to American defenseman Brock Faber and Charlie MacAvoy, and hey, that’s good company to aspire to join one day as complete defenders at the top of their games as all-around players. To me, I see more of a right shot and bigger version Trevor Daley (and I mean the Dallas days from 2006-12ish when he was pretty darn good, effective and could fit into varying different roles and structures as the team’s needs evolved but not exactly THE guy). Is Hensler gonna be the Cale Makar or Evan Bouchard type to take over a game? No. But can he contribute and potentially be a solid piece helping a team win? Sure.
Hensler might not have wowed teams enough to be considered a lock for the top of the draft, but if he keeps on playing solid and developing all over the ice he could be a really nice piece for NHL clubs down the line. The base with his frame, skating and all the tools are there. As you’ll see a common theme in scouting reports below, it’s almost like Hensler is missing that little extra spark or confidence to play in a more assertive manner and branch out a little more consistently beyond defaulting towards playing a simple, basic type of style most of the time.
There’s nothing wrong with being dependable and reliable but in this day and age defensemen can’t just coast by on that alone at the top of a lineup, teams are looking for that extra wow factor. Hensler hasn’t shown that yet, which will make it interesting to see if the NHL scouts who clearly like him (per this McKenzie ranking) can convince their general manager that something of a safe, vanilla pick is worth drafting somewhat high.
They said it
Hensler didn’t have a huge draft season, but he was still a top-four defenseman for Wisconsin and held his own at the World Juniors for Team USA. He’s a 6-foot-2, mobile right-shot with strong offensive skills and playmaking ability. At his best, his offensive touch can stand out, and I’ve seen him break games open. That player has shown up inconsistently, though, over the years. His defending is OK. His length and feet will allow him to make stops and retrieve effectively in the NHL, but he’s not a super-hard-to-play-against type. Hensler doesn’t stand out at any one thing, but he does enough well that he should be a solid NHL defenseman.
He was also OK in a third-pairing role at the World Juniors, where he clearly tried to simplify and play more mistake-free. I thought he was better than the numbers indicated at Wisconsin, especially given his age and the context of his team, but there are some who aren’t sure what his identity/role will be in the NHL and I’ve also had a tough time with his projection at times.
Hensler’s clearly a talented player and good prospect but he’s not a no-doubter offensive defenseman or a lockdown defensive D type. He’s a smooth, mobile, balanced skater. He can use his feet to attack and create lanes. He’s a good athlete. He keeps his head and eyes up. He’s skilled with the puck. He’s got a decent stick and defensive instincts. He reads the play well on both sides when he’s dialed in (there are times when it can feel like he’s just out there for a skate, though). There are also times when it seems like he doesn’t know his identity as a player. I’ve really just wanted to see him take charge more on blue lines both at the NTDP and Wisconsin that could have really used a horse. Even as one of the younger players on all of his teams with both USA Hockey and the Badgers, he’s got the talent to be more impactful than he has been (and he has been good for both). It can feel like he’s unsure of himself at times out there and his game can miss that grab-it mentality.
EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide
Hensler is a highly mobile, right-shot defender who plays a relatively safe game. Gap control, angling, surfing across laterally to close space – he pushes attackers outside until there’s no space left. If the aggression fails, his explosiveness and impressive stop-start ability add adaptability to recover off the turnover. In tandem with his aggressive step-up game, he uses a disruptive stick and physical elements like stick lifts, clamps, and perimeter seal
Hensler was once projected to be a potential top-five pick for 2025, but others started to catch up. Some of it has been out of his hands – a few other defenders have helped make the race a bit more exciting. In other cases, scouts just want to see more. He’s a 6-foot-2, mobile blueliner who has good reach and can rough guys up, and he’s solid in his own zone. You won’t confuse him for a puck-rushing offensive defenseman, though. I think there’s a good chance he becomes a second-pairing defenseman who plays a safe defensive game, but I’d like to see him take more chances with the puck.
Started to figure things out in the second half of the NCAA season, where playing defence as a freshman is a tall order. Hensler gets around the ice smoothly and efficiently and he passes it like a pro. He engages defensively and can be a threat supporting the rush as well.
NHL Projection: Middle pairing two-way defenceman. Skill set to be deployed in all situations.
Hensler is an interesting prospect for me. He’s a highly coveted right-shot defenceman with a combination of size and skating ability that projects well for the NHL. He was used in all situations at Wisconsin this season and provided secondary offense (2G-10A in 32 games). Hensler defends with purpose and shows a willingness to front shooters and get in lanes to block shots.
I feel like he’s scraping the surface of his overall ability. There’s a real chance he might end up only providing depth offence at the pro level, but his quickness combined with his size and work ethic project Hensler as a shutdown defender at worst.
I see an NHL player in Hensler, but I’m not sure exactly what he’ll do there. He’s mobile, there’s some skill there, and he’s got some good defensive fundamentals, especially on defensive cycles and on the physical side. His metrics across the board are… fine? He’s a smart, safe passer who has had some eyebrow-raising moments in the offensive zone to create chances, he doesn’t pepper the net with shots to get cheap production, and his defensive transition metrics are solid. As a safe, shutdown guy down your lineup, there’s a future there, but you see moments of something more… I just don’t know what the end result is. He’s gotten better as the year has worn on looking more comfortable at NCAA pace, connecting on more passes and gaining some offensive zone confidence. Wisconsin remains a perplexing team/program so I’m not sure how much that factors into what is holding Hensler back, but I felt his World Junior performance was pretty ho-hum, and I’m always a little bit wary of “good at lots of stuff but great at nothing” profiles projecting to high-end NHL roles. He’s got the size, physical edge, skating ability and simple execution on the puck to find some kind of job
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As far as Penguin fit goes, you would think based on their draft position that Hensler wouldn’t fall into their focus. Pittsburgh can aspire (and maybe trade up for) someone like Radim Mrtka, or possibly select Jackson Smith or Kashawn Aitcheson where they sit right now, if they’re hell bent on adding a defender with their first round pick. Perhaps they think Hensler is under-valued and has something extra to tap into for the future, but on draft day it would be a reach at No. 11 to take this player in that spot.