Towering Defenseman Emerging as Penguins' Top Draft Target

The 2025 NHL Draft is an opportunity for the Pittsburgh Penguins to add another potential star to a prospect group that is lacking plenty beyond Rutger McGroarty, who they acquired via trade last off-season.

Currently, the Penguins have the No. 11 overall draft pick (and may get No. 12 too if the New York Rangers transfer that selection to them), and while this isn't a draft loaded with superstars, there are gems to be found throughout.

One player that is seemingly drawing major attention for the Penguins is Barrie Colts defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, a 6-foot-2 defenseman out of Ontario that has great physical tools and the skills to match.

The 18-year old is not only physical, but he's a gifted goal scorer as well, posting a team high 26 in 2024/25 to bring his career tally in the OHL to 37 in 2.5 seasons played with the Colts.

While most would hope the Penguins could land one of the top forwards in the draft, the likelihood of them being available at 11 is low, so Aitcheson will likely fall to their range, and with a major leap in production to 59 points in 64 games this past season, he could fill a role this team desperately needs.

That role is a two-way star on the back end, as the team have lacked that for a number of years with their over reliance on veterans, and with very few defensive prospects that could be stars in the NHL, Aitcheson may just be the pick.

Ultimately, we may not know how the draft will pan out until closer to the date when trades begin to pan out, but unless the top names in the draft fall to the Penguins, Aitcheson would be a brilliant pick for the team.