NHL Draft Rumors: Penguins Aggressively Trying To Move Up In Draft; Eyeing 3 Names
Penguins Going All-In to Move Up for Martone, Hagens, McQueen
According to The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, Pittsburgh is making serious efforts to trade up, aiming for a shot at top talents like Porter Martone, James Hagens, and Roger McQueen. GM Kyle Dubas has reportedly engaged in talks with teams like the Chicago Blackhawks about acquiring a top-three pick, showing clear intent to make a splash and land elite help for a franchise entering its post-Crosby era.
Porter Martone boasts all of the intangibles to be an impact player at the next level, turning heads in his #NHLDraft year with a 37-goal, 98-point season as captain of the @OHLSteelheads 🎥 pic.twitter.com/HdFgk4TRya
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) June 23, 2025
Dubas Targets Big Talent to Reshape Prospect Pool
Martone, a 6-foot-3 winger with size and offensive grit, is viewed as a potential top-five pick, meaning the Penguins would need to leap into that range.
Hagens, once projected as the No. 1 pick, has slipped slightly on draft boards, but Pittsburgh remains high on his speed and hockey sense.
Roger McQueen Mixtape:
— Daniel Gee (@DanielGScouting) June 25, 2025
A fluid 6-foot-5 centre, McQueen is one of the biggest wildcards leading up to the draft. His ideas on-puck are high-end, & he possesses the tool blend to create advantages. He missed most of the year due to injury, but is now 100%.#2025NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/KFalVa6hVk
McQueen, a towering 6-foot-6 center, also has their attention, and could be within reach if they stay in the 8–12 range. With back-to-back picks at No. 11 and No. 12 (the latter acquired from the New York Rangers), the Penguins are well-positioned to either strike a deal or snag a pair of premier prospects if they stand pat.
Get to know top 2025 #NHLDraft prospect, James Hagens pic.twitter.com/kakYP7aeAr
— NHL (@NHL) June 25, 2025
Karlsson Trade Looms as Potential Draft Capital Play
Meanwhile, the team is exploring a potential Erik Karlsson trade as a way to gain cap flexibility, or even more draft assets. Karlsson, who carries a $10M cap hit through 2026-27 and a $5M bonus due July 1, would likely require salary retention to move.
