The day is finally here.
On Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET, the 2025 NHL Entry Draft will begin. Team general managers, draft prospects, and fans alike have been preparing for and awaiting this day for a long while, and there is already a ton of buzz around this, potentially, being a very interesting draft.
And one of the teams generating the most buzz? Kyle Dubas's Pittsburgh Penguins.
After the decision by the New York Rangers to give Pittsburgh their 12th overall pick in this year's draft – which officially completed the J.T. Miller and Marcus Pettersson trades – the Penguins are slated to select back-to-back at 11th and 12th overall. The team has never selected back-to-back before, and they'll have the opportunity to add two impact players who could play a big part in their future.
But, it might not go down the way you think.
There are several reports that the Penguins are willing to either trade up in the draft or pony up one of those picks for the "right young player," as per Darren Dreger. Whatever way they decide to go, they'll be getting two good young players – but, obviously, the door is open for them to draft a game-changer, should they decide to move up.
So, with that said, here are two draft scenarios for the Penguins – and who I think they'll select in these scenarios.
Penguins stand pat at 11 and 12
It should be emphasized that, despite all the buzz around the Penguins, they very well could play it safe and do exactly this. So, what would happen if the Penguins stay put?
Truthfully, the odds are that the Penguins are going to get a pair of difference-making players regardless. Names are bound to fall, and we believe one will.
Given the alleged focus on centers in this draft class, it's entirely possible that the Penguins could snag Swedish left wing Victor Eklund, who is – arguably – one of the most skilled players in the draft. Eklund registered 19 goals and 31 points in HockeyAllsvenskan last season, and he played alongside top-five draft hopeful Anton Frondell.
Drawing comparisons to NHL forwards such as Jesper Bratt and Travis Konecny, the relentless forward would be a very solid choice for the Penguins at 11 – and, seemingly, a very realistic one.
As for the 12th overall spot? There's a good chance that spot belongs to defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, who the Penguins have had conversations with.
The hard-hitting left defender – contrary to popular belief – isn't just known for his meanness, physicality, and shutdown ability. He is also known for his booming shot, ability to aid the transition game, and steady offensive production, as he finished seventh overall in OHL scoring among defensemen with 26 goals and 59 points in 64 games.
If the Penguins draft back-to-back at 11 and 12 – again – they'll be getting two good players. And they could also be getting a potential high-end forward and a top-four defenseman, which are both things they desperately need in their system.
Penguins trade up, draft third overall
It is, perhaps, unwise to read too much into speculation around draft day. Teams purposefully leak things, and misleading narratives are told left and right, to try to throw other teams off in hopes of a given team being able to land who they want.
But, as Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects said, this year seems to feel a bit different.
Y'all wouldn't believe the stuff that's floating around out there right now.
If even a fraction of it happens, we're shaping up for a very fun Friday.
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) June 26, 2025
As mentioned before, there is a lot of talk about the Penguins potentially moving up in the draft in order to be able to select an elite talent. Having the Rangers' first-round pick gives them quite a bit more flexibility to do so.
And it's something I believe is going to happen.
It has also been reported that the Chicago Blackhawks – who are currently slated to draft third overall – are trying to take a step this year and are open to dealing their third overall pick for some NHL help. They are also one of the teams rumored to be interested in Penguins' veteran winger Rickard Rakell, who had a career season with 35 goals and 70 points in 2024-25.
If you do the math, it's not all that difficult to see a package from the Penguins involving Rakell and their 11th overall pick to Chicago for their top-three pick.
It's possible that more would have to be involved to get a deal across the finish line, but – given that the Penguins would still have that 12th overall selection and that they're in the midst of a rebuild – a move like this certainly makes sense. And it will be one of the biggest storylines to watch out for on Friday.
If the Penguins do bump up to third overall, I think their guy is Frondell. Frondell has steadily climbed the draft board after his season with Djurgardens IF – alongside Eklund – that saw him put up 11 goals and 25 points in 29 games.
He was putting up such numbers after a slow start and as a 17-year-old in HockeyAllsvenskan, and this was just one season after registering 18 goals and 39 points in 29 games as part of J20 Nationell in 2023-24 – again, dominating despite his young age.
It will be interesting to see whether or not the Penguins do move up – and, if they do, how far they are interested in moving up. Dubas is known to be enamored with right wing Porter Martone as well, so it's possible that Pittsburgh could look to even just move up a handful of spots in order to land him.
Regardless, things should be interesting. And I do think they will try to move up.
Final first-round predictions
Here are my final predictions for the first-round draft order on Friday:
1. D Matthew Schaefer – New York Islanders
2. C Michael Misa – San Jose Sharks
3. C Anton Frondell – Pittsburgh Penguins (traded by Chicago Blackhawks on draft day)
4. C James Hagens – Utah Hockey Club
5. RW Porter Martone – Nashville Predators
6. C Caleb DeSnoyers – Philadelphia Flyers
7. C Brady Martin – Boston Bruins
8. D Radim Mrtka – Seattle Kraken
9. C Jake O'Brien – Buffalo Sabres
10. C Roger McQueen – Anaheim Ducks
11. LW Victor Eklund – Chicago Blackhawks (traded by Pittsburgh Penguins on draft day)
12. D Kashawn Aitcheson – Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers)
13. C Justin Carbonneau – Detroit Red Wings
14. D Jackson Smith – Columbus Blue Jackets
15. LW Carter Bear – Vancouver Canucks
16. C Cole Reschny – Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary)
17. D Logan Hensler – Montreal Canadiens
18. C Braeden Cootes – Calgary Flames (from New Jersey)
19. LW Lynden Lakovic – St. Louis Blues
20. RW Malcolm Spence – Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota)
21. C Jack Nesbitt – Ottawa Senators
22. D Blake Fiddler – Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado)
23. C Ivan Ryabkin – Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay)
24. C Cullen Potter – Los Angeles Kings
25. RW Alexander Zharovsky – Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto)
26. G Joshua Ravensbergen – Nashville Predators (from Vegas via San Jose)
27. C Eric Nilson – Washington Capitals
28. D Sascha Boumedienne – Winnipeg Jets
29. RW Daniil Prokhorov – Carolina Hurricanes
30. D Cameron Reid – San Jose Sharks (from Dallas)
31. C Cole McKinney – Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton)
32. RW Ryker Lee – Calgary Flames (from Florida)
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Feature image credit: Michael Augello-The Hockey News
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