It’s draft night, here’s what you need to know
The long awaited first night of the 2025 NHL Draft is finally here!
The 4-1-1 on what to know:
What: 2025 NHL Draft
When: Round 1 today starting at 7:00 PM ET (Rounds 2-7 start tomorrow at 12:00 ET)
Where to watch: On ESPN tonight, streaming on ESPN+ and Hulu
Where the draft is: Los Angeles, but it’s decentralized this year so the Pens’ brain trust remains in Pittsburgh
Draft Order (via Tankathon):
What will the Penguins do: Well, wouldn’t we like to find out! The Pens could sit tight and add two prospects tonight. But it appears they have been active in trade talks and considering all sorts of moves, including potentially dealing pick(s) for young NHL players.
Several 1st round picks in play, especially with clubs with more than one. Pitt will move 11/12 for the right young player. Mtl would move 16/17. Habs need a top 6 F. Philly wants to keep 6, but will trade 22/31. Nashville has 5/23/26 and is still evaluating all options.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2025
Who could be the picks?
It’s not too late to familiarize yourself with the key names involved for the top of the draft, via our earlier profiles
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
No. 15: Logan Hensler
No. 16: Lynden Lakovic
What’s the best guess?
Anything could happen when the trades start rolling in, but the best guesses for the Pens would be:
Scenario 1: Sit tight in current ordering; probably draft two of Aitcheson/Smith/Eklund/Bear (or maybe an off-the-radar pick like the OHL’s Josh Nesbitt or WHL’s Cole Reschny).
Scenario 2: Trade up a few spots, and presumably target either Porter Martone or James Hagens
Scenario 3: Trade a pick for a young NHL talent
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It’s anyone’s guess what could happen when the picks start coming in and teams under the clock feel the heat to get what they want, which makes for the fun of the occasion. We’ll have a mock draft here a little later in the day and open up a new post at draft time if anyone is hanging around and wants to discuss the draft.