Highights & Analysis: Slick Jake O’Brien Could Fall to Penguins at No. 11
Over the last few days, draftniks have jostled the 2025 NHL Draft rankings as outlets put out their final rankings. Some of the late risers have slipped, and one big name has risen back toward the top five. The results of the shuffling could benefit the Pittsburgh Penguins as Jake O’Brien might fall to them with the 11th overall pick.
According to Craig Button of TSN, the recent clean bill of health that Roger McQueen received and the subsidence of fears that he could carry issues into the future vaulted him to fifth overall. With recent chatter and teams displaying interest in certain projects, others have fallen, including O’Brien.
O’Brien from the Brantford Bulldogs (whose uniforms are black and gold) is one of the more interesting prospects in the draft. His slick hands and vision make him a potentially productive center at the NHL level. Unlike many prospects, O’Brien also has defensive awareness; the same hockey IQ that helps him create offensive makes him proficient in the D-zone, too.
It’s a poorly kept secret that the Penguins like O’Brien. They spent time getting to know him at the recent NHL Scouting Combine, but were one of 19 teams to speak with O’Brien. The Utah Mammoth with the fourth overall pick and the Philadelphia Flyers with the sixth overall selection took O’Brien to dinner during the Combine, but the Penguins did not.
Of course, a dinner date during the Combine is not the tell that some want to make it out to be.
However, the 6-foot-2, 172-pound pivot is not a great skater. In fact, his stride is clunky and needs work. He also needs to fill out to be more impactful in the dirty areas of the ice. He’s not shy, but lacks the strength necessary in professional hockey.
National Hockey Now contributor Matt Meagher put together the video breakdown of O’Brien, from his speed, vision, and playmaking ability. This is the fourth in the video series of the potential Penguins picks. You can view draft coverage and prospect videos on PHN’s Prospects page.
Categorized:Penguins Penguins Prospects Video
I’d pass on him. If I was in control I’m trading up to get Porter Martone he seems to have that it factor!
And what assets would Utah or anybody else in the top 5 want from Pittsburgh? And don’t say Rakell and pick 11 for a top 5 pick, no sane GM is accepting that trade.
Realistically, it doesn’t make sense for the Pens to move up without losing valuable assets that they desperately need.
Hi, I’m Kyle Dubas and I have such a deal for you!!
I’ll trade you two delusions and an illusion for your top 10
draft choice.
Don’t see the Penguins making this guy their #1 pick….
Looked like I was watching Sid and Mario back in the day. The kid got skill but 6es he needs to bulk up in the NHL he would just be knocked down on his keester
O’Brian and Ekland would be hard to pass at 11 and 12. Sounds like NYR will use their 2026 1st with an offer sheet.
That’s a nice call, Dean. I’ve watched the reports on that–but I never put two and two together to realize if they float a big offer to Peterka they must give the Penguins their 2025 first.
Jake O’B would be an awesome first pick!
Good stuff, Dan. I came across an interesting take from the Hockey Prospecting Draft tool, which evaluates players using various factors and adjusts based on current NHL trends. Take it for what it’s worth, but the model has Frondell as the top NHL likelihood at 99%, followed by O’Brien at 82%—while McQueen surprisingly came in at just 49%. In terms of star potential, Frondell again leads at 89%, O’Brien is 5th at 52%, and McQueen at 15%. One sleeper I could definitely see the Pens targeting is Reschny—77% NHL likelihood and 40% star upside. How accurate is this stuff? Who… Read more »
Beyond number 2, who follows in the next 13 changes every day. One day Frondell is up, then O’Brien and then McQueen. Makes you wonder if Hagans will drop
You have to love his vision/hands/playmaking, but until he bulks up or the Pens decide to acquire the grit to put a damper on opponent shenanigans (or somebody who’ll get more icetime than Boko), O’Brien is too easy a target on this team.
This guys stays in juniors this season most likely, just because of his age and physical size. He’s got a solid skillset though, and can definitely have an impact at the NHL level.
From everything I’m reading, this is a relatively weak draft class.
You should read them less and PHN more.