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.