Top NHL Scouts Reveal Possible Selections at 11th Overall for the Penguins
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With the NHL Draft Lottery behind us, many experts are starting to make their predictions for the first round, and the Pittsburgh Penguins have a lot of options.
The Pittsburgh Penguins had a 5% chance of winning the lottery for the first overall pick at the 2025 draft, but luck didn't turn their way. They ended up at the 11th rank, while the New York Islanders, who finished the season with two more points than the Penguins, got the first pick.
This scenario is frustrating for many Penguins fans, but let's look at the bright side: many talented players will still be available at the 11th pick.
Let's take a look at some of the predictions made by experts about who the Penguins will select at the draft.
Many Interesting Options For The Penguins At The 11th Pick
Experts from Sportsnet, NHL.com, and The Athletic shared their opinions on the Penguins' pick. Three names came up: Jackson Smith and Brady Martin.
NHL.com:
Kimelman - Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)
"As the Penguins look to transition to younger, more athletic players up and down the lineup, Smith could be the right player for them in this spot. The left-shot defenseman has NHL-ready size (6-3, 195), skates well enough to be a one-man breakout, and can make a smart first pass out of the zone. Smith, who turns 18 on May 13, had 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games this season."
Morreale - Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
"The right-handed shot (6-0, 178) complements a power-forward style with a great work ethic and intelligence in the offensive zone. Martin relishes play in the trenches and is the type of player who will make an impact in clutch situations. The 18-year-old had 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists), eight power-play goals, and three short-handed goals in 57 games."
The Athletic:
Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City (WHL)
"Kyle Dubas recently acknowledged that the left side of his team's blue line is a mess. Thus, Jackson strikes me as a perfect pick for the Penguins in this spot. He projects as a top-four defenseman who will produce plenty of offense and perhaps be a legitimate power-play quarterback. At 6-foot-3, he's also a big and fairly physical player who can impact a game in numerous ways."
Sportsnet:
Brady Martin, C, 6-feet, 178 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
"The Sault Ste. Marie ties are still strong for Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, and Martin is coming off a brilliant U18 gold-medal performance. His average size also fits the profile of what Dubas and Co. have done previously."
Kimelman - Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)
"As the Penguins look to transition to younger, more athletic players up and down the lineup, Smith could be the right player for them in this spot. The left-shot defenseman has NHL-ready size (6-3, 195), skates well enough to be a one-man breakout, and can make a smart first pass out of the zone. Smith, who turns 18 on May 13, had 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games this season."
Morreale - Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
"The right-handed shot (6-0, 178) complements a power-forward style with a great work ethic and intelligence in the offensive zone. Martin relishes play in the trenches and is the type of player who will make an impact in clutch situations. The 18-year-old had 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists), eight power-play goals, and three short-handed goals in 57 games."
The Athletic:
Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City (WHL)
"Kyle Dubas recently acknowledged that the left side of his team's blue line is a mess. Thus, Jackson strikes me as a perfect pick for the Penguins in this spot. He projects as a top-four defenseman who will produce plenty of offense and perhaps be a legitimate power-play quarterback. At 6-foot-3, he's also a big and fairly physical player who can impact a game in numerous ways."
Sportsnet:
Brady Martin, C, 6-feet, 178 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
"The Sault Ste. Marie ties are still strong for Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, and Martin is coming off a brilliant U18 gold-medal performance. His average size also fits the profile of what Dubas and Co. have done previously."
Considering that the Penguins have 10 picks in the 2025 draft, it wouldn't be surprising to see Kyle Dubas try to make a trade to get a better spot in the first round.
| POLL | ||
MAI 7 | 135 ANSWERS Top NHL Scouts Reveal Possible Selections at 11th Overall for the Penguins Who do you think the Pittsburgh Penguins will draft with the 11th overall pick? | ||
| Jackson Smith | 20 | 14.8 % |
| Brady Martin | 20 | 14.8 % |
| Victor Eklund | 57 | 42.2 % |
| Other | 38 | 28.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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