A 6-pack of questions about the Penguins' draft approach with NHL.com's Adam Kimelman

The 2025 NHL Draft begins Friday night. NHL.com draft expert Adam Kimelman joined the “Breakfast With Benz” podcast this week to talk about what the Pittsburgh Penguins might do with their back-to-back picks at No. 11 and No. 12 (via the New York Rangers).

1. There’s some belief that the Penguins have reached out to the Blackhawks about trading up for Chicago’s No. 3 pick. Could the Blackhawks really do that?

“Chicago’s drafting a lot of young players. I believe they ended the season with eight guys 23 or younger on their roster,” Kimelman said. “At a certain point, you can only add so many young guys before you need to help yourself in the present. Could they move that No. 3 pick for some present-day help? I think it’s absolutely conceivable that they do.”

2. We all know, Kyle Dubas loves anyone associated with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. If the Soo’s Brady Martin is available at No. 11, is he the guy Dubas takes?

“I think Brady Martin could go a smidge earlier than 11. There’s about seven or eight guys that could go in that five-to-10 range. He’s definitely one of them because of the way he played to end the season at the World Under-18s — just sort of showcased his full skill set there. The physicality and the work ethic he brings. He plays that power-forward style without necessarily having that power-forward build. So there’s a chance he could go even earlier than 11.”

Flying under the #NHLBruins radar is Brady Martin

6’0”
174 Pound
Right Shot Center

2024-2025:

57 GP
33 Goals
39 Assists
72 Points

Excels in physicality, strength & intimidation. Can put the puck in the back of the net & has creative instincts.

VC: Prospect Shifts - YT pic.twitter.com/b4ui92YZCD

— Michael Sullivan (@_MikeSullivan) May 16, 2025

Martin is 6-foot, 174 pounds. He put up 33 goals and 74 points in 57 games this season. Kimelman currently has him mocked at No. 9 to Buffalo. In his previous mock, he placed him with Pittsburgh at No. 11.

3. A lot of people think that incoming Penn State recruit Jackson Smith would be a good choice at No. 11 or No. 12. Is he worth a pick that high?

“Absolutely,” Kimelman said. “He projects to be a top-four defenseman.”

In his final mock draft, Kimelman has Smith going to the Penguins with their second pick in the first round (No. 12 from the Rangers). Kimelman’s colleague at NHL.com, Mike G. Morreale, has Smith going to the Pens at No. 11.

“You get a (6-foot-3) defenseman who, by the time he’s NHL ready, will be over 200 pounds, who skates, who’s physical, who’s strong. I don’t know if he’s going to be your No. 1 power-play guy. He very well could be.”

Kimelman expects Smith to blossom in college.

“I think going to Penn State is going to be a really good opportunity for him. I’m a big fan of the college hockey lifestyle. You’re only playing Friday, Saturday or Sunday. So you’ve got Monday through Thursday to go to the gym. Work on your skills. Work on your body. I think it’s a great stepping stone between junior hockey and the pro ranks,” Kimelman said.

All three of Jackson Smith's goals this season have been game winners! #2025NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/QXjmBz8t0u

— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) March 1, 2025

In 66 games with the Tri-City Americans (WHL) this year, Smith posted 11 goals and 43 assists.

4. Should the Penguins trade one of their two first-round picks or hold onto both?

“It would have to be the right guy in the right contractual situation to move one — or both — of those picks,” Kimelman said. “I think more swings are better. If you’ve got two picks in this first round, unless you’re moving up to get a guy you really, really like, I think you’re pretty good sitting right where you are.”

Kimelman’s final mock draft has the Pens taking Radim Mrtka, a Czech defenseman from the Seattle Thunderbirds.

There's a reason @NHL scouts are enamoured with @SeattleTbirds d-man Radim Mrtka for the 2025 #NHLDraft! ???????? #U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/yHpUcjNwJQ

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) April 24, 2025

“Mrtka stands out as the second-best defenseman in this year’s draft class as a giant-sized (6-6, 218), right-shot, puck-moving defenseman who is an outstanding skater just starting to grow into his frame,” Kimelman wrote. “When Mrtka fills out physically, he projects to be a No. 1 defenseman who can quarterback a power play and use his length to be a dominant defensive player.”

Mrtka wrapped up 2024-25 in Seattle with three goals and 32 points in 43 games.

5. If the Pens hold both picks, how good is the quality of the draft in the 11-12 range?

“People want to look at it and say, ‘There’s no (Connor) McDavid. There’s no (Auston) Matthews. There’s no (Nathan) MacKinnon-level-player in this year’s draft.’ That’s true,” Kimelman said. “But what there is are a lot of guys who can be foundational pieces for when you become a playoff contender. There are a lot of guys who are going to be All-Star caliber players — a lot of guys who are going to be really big pieces of playoff teams at forward and defense. When you’re a team where the Penguins are, with a very thin group of prospects, I think having 11 and 12 would be an ideal place to start.”

6. Would the Penguins have been better served getting the Rangers’ pick next year and perhaps having a second crack at getting into the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes?

“My theory is, the bigger the net, the more fish you can catch,” Kimelman said. “If you want to look at 11 and 12, that would be great. I think there’s a lot of really nice players in this draft.”

The Penguins could’ve had New York’s pick next year, instead of No. 12 this season, had the Rangers wanted to give up next year’s pick instead. But, just in case their first season under Mike Sullivan goes unexpectedly down the tubes, they want to make sure they still have a ball in the lottery to get McKenna. The 17-year-old at Medicine Hat is perceived as a generational talent and a lock to be the No. 1 pick in 2026.

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS, GAVIN MCKENNA@tigershockey | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture | @victoryplustv pic.twitter.com/0lSE73oFIC

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) April 14, 2025

“That’s a pretty big gamble — putting all of your chips onto one plate,” Kimelman said. “The Rangers (saying) you can have it this year; I don’t think there’s anything wrong with two picks this year up in the first round. It allows you to do a lot.”

Listen: You can hear our full conversation with NHL.com Draft expert Adam Kimelman here