With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft fast approaching, the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Poho and GM Kyle Dubas, have set themselves up advantageously. They hold 30 picks across the next three drafts, including 11 picks in 2025, which has allowed them to push conditional first-round picks from the New York Rangers to 2026. This abundance of picks presents numerous chances for the Penguins to acquire impactful players. Among their 11 picks in 2025, six fall within the first three rounds.
After the draft lottery on May 5, the Penguins ultimately secured the 11th overall pick, slipping two spots from their initial ninth place. We’ve compiled a list of potential draft prospects who may be available around that selection spot. Recently highlighted prospects include center Jake O’Brien, forward Victor Ecklund, defenseman Kashaun Hitchson, center Brady Martin, center Roger McQueen, and right wing Justin Carbonno. The next prospect to consider is right defenseman Logan Hensler.
Logan Hensler, born October 14, 2006, is an 18-year-old right-handed defenseman currently playing for the University of Wisconsin in the NCAA. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 196 pounds, Hensler may not show flashy offensive numbers—he recorded two goals and 12 points over 32 rookie-season games—but he’s a consistent, smart, and reliable defender known for his strong skating, agility, and stick skills. While his offensive output is modest, his defensive game and ability to manage puck control, gap control, and defensive zone threats have already marked him as a promising shutdown defenseman at the NHL level.
Hensler has represented Team USA alongside Cole Hutson at the World Junior Championship, contributing to the team’s gold medal with strong performances. Though not as highly touted as some prospects like Matthew Schaefer or Kashaun Euchson, Hensler offers value with his defensive reliability and mobility. There is room for improvement in physicality and attacking zone awareness, but his consistent defensive presence makes him a “safe” yet valuable choice. If available at 11th overall, the Penguins must weigh the risk versus reward between this solid option and potentially higher-risk talents.
Fan Take: This draft news is crucial for hockey fans because it highlights the Penguins’ strategic positioning to replenish their roster with depth and quality talent. Choosing a dependable defender like Logan Hensler could solidify Pittsburgh’s blue line, shaping the team’s future defensive core and potentially influencing the league’s defensive standards.
