Frontrunner for Penguins' 11th Overall Pick Emerges: Sidney Crosby's Next Superstar Winger?

The Penguins are linked to three forwards who could be the team's potential draft pick in the 2025 draft, Center Roger McQueen of the Brandon Wheat Kings, Right Winger Porter Martone of the OHL Brampton Steelheads, and Right Winger Victor Eklund of Swedish second-tier club Djurgårdens.

Pittsburgh, who will be drafting in their highest spot since having the eight overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, is looking to forge a new identity as the future of the team in the next few years will undergo a radical change with the futures of longtime core pieces Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, & Kris Letang soon to longer be with the Penguins, leading to an emphasis on new blood needed.

The aging top talent of the Penguins is one that is solely beginning it's end, and now the outlook of the Penguins is being prepared for a shift, one that will bring forth for a period potential hardship with what will likely have to be a rebuilding phase without their franchise stars, but one that should come with high reward if all goes right.

With the 11th overall pick, the Pittsburgh Penguins should have a strong amount of available options for the choosing, including some key names that can alleviate and guide the team through what in the next few years be a tumultuous period, and later be contributors to a brand new contender.

Martone, ranked sixth by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters, had 37 goals, 61 assists, & 98 points in 57 games for Brampton in the Ontario Hockey League, as well as nine points in six OHL playoff games.

Martone, 6'3, played for Canada internationally in both the World Juniors and the IIHF World Championship. Scouts view Martone as a likely top-10 pick who may be gone by Pittsburgh's pick.

McQueen, ranked eight for NA skaters by Central Scouting, was limited to just 17 games for Brandon this season due to a chronic back injury. The 6'5 center had 10 goals in 20 points in the WHL this season.

Eklund, ranked second by NHL Central Scouting among International Skaters, had 19 goals and 31 points in 42 games for Swedish second division Djurgårdens, playing pro hockey alongside fellow 2025 top prospect Anton Frondell, the top ranked International prospect.

Eklund tied Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson for most goals in a season by a draft eligible in the HockeyAllsvenskan with 19, third in points behind Pettersson and San Jose Sharks forward Alex Wennberg. Eklund also played a part in Djurgårdens promotion to the top flight SHL.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are keeping tight-lipped, but they have suggested a potential preference for a forward, although likely the focus will be on getting the best player available in what will be a rebuilding phase shortly.

HockeyUnplugged understands that Victor Eklund is not just liked by Kyle Dubas, but has admiration from multiple Penguins scouts as a top prospect.

Defense does not appear out of the question as Cam Robinson of EliteProspects reported that the team took defensemen Radim Mrtka & Kashawn Aitcheson to dinner, along with McQueen & Soo Greyhounds center Brady Martin.

Martin, a high-effort physical center, will surely appeal to the Greyhounds alum Dubas, along with his level of intensity and defensive capabilities.

Although unknown, the Penguins could have their eye on another defenseman in Jackson Smith, who recently committed nearby to play college Hockey with Penn State.

The Penguins may play spoiler to their divisional rivals, the New York Rangers, at 12th as HockeyUnplugged is told that the Rangers appear more geared as of this moment towards drafting a defenseman in the draft, although Pittsburgh could manage to beat them out.

Despite views on Dubas as a player who prefers skill over size, the interest in McQueen, Martone, & Mrtka suggests Pittsburgh may be examining adding more size in their prospect pool, although a smaller player such as Victor Eklund at 5'11 and 170lbs is a popular prospect in their inner circle.

The Penguins have plenty of choices to build their roster to gear up not only for the post-Crosby era, but to bring in winning talents who can help push the team into a competitor once again in the coming years.