Emerging Prospect on Penguins' Radar as 2025 NHL Draft Draws Closer

The 2025 NHL Draft presents a fantastic opportunity for the Pittsburgh Penguins to potentially land themselves a young star of the future, with the team holding the No. 11 pick, while also potentially getting the No. 12 pick, depending on what happens with the New York Rangers and a recent trade.

While picking 11, the Penguins are going to have plenty of options, with Kashawn Aitcheson emerging as the favourite for them at that spot, but that doesn't mean others won't fall to them, as Saskatchewan native Roger McQueen has now emerged as a genuine candidate.

Although he played in just 17 games in 2024/25 for the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings, when he was fully healthy, McQueen put up 21 goals and 51 points in 53 games played, and with good size at 6-foot-5, he's one of the most intriguing players in the 2025 NHL Draft.

While players at 6-foot-5 and above can sometimes lack skill and soft hands, but that isn't the issue with McQueen, as it's more likely than not that the injury issues will be the thing that sees him slide in the draft.

The Pittsburgh Penguins certainly have a need to fill on their blue line, which is why many will trend towards drafting Aitcheson with the No. 11 pick, but if McQueen falls given all of the tools at his disposal, it could be a major mistake for the Penguins to pass on McQueen.

The drafting of McQueen will be completely dependant on who else is available at the No. 11 pick, and while he's only had high level production and health in one WHL season, McQueen's ceiling is just as high as anyone in the draft outside of the top five, so don't be surprised to hear the rumblings about McQueen as the draft gets closer.