NHL Draft
Penguins Draft X-Factor: Roger McQueen Scouting & Highlight Reel
As the 2025 NHL Draft approaches, there is buzz about center Brady Martin who plays a scrappy, truculent game from the middle with good skating. Center Jake O’Brien has raced upward in the NHL Draft rankings, and a couple of other centers remain likely in the picks No. 7-15 range. Perhaps the biggest wildcard is the biggest center, Roger McQueen.
The 6-foot-6 center had to prove to teams that his back injury is healed. Fortunately, doctors discovered the injury was a small fracture, and he was able to heal fully without worry of lingering repercussions extending well into the future.
He is 100% healthy.
McQueen missed most of this season with the injury that was initially misdiagnosed, so there isn’t as much of a highlight reel for the center. However, McQueen’s body of work last season and his limited action this season only confirmed to detailed observers that he has legitimate top-six potential.
Because of his potential and somewhat thin resume, the Penguins took McQueen to dinner during the NHL Scouting Combine.
Because of his height and style, he draws plenty of comparisons to Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, though McQueen tossed another name into the mix at last weekend’s NHL Scouting Combine: Ryan Getzlaf.
McQueen likes the finesse game, but you’ll see he can move well, which allows him to take the edge on defensemen, especially in one-on-one battles. NHN’s Matt Meagher breaks down McQueen’s game, including the one drawback–that he sometimes glides instead of skating (which can be corrected).
You’ll also notice absolutely silky mitts.
As teams snap up centers in the first round, McQueen could go near the top five, or last to the Penguins at 11. Because he missed most of this season, eventually he scored 10 goals with 10 assists in 17 games, many teams had question marks near his name on their draft board. So, we don’t have a firm idea of where he will be picked in the round. If he’s picked earlier, he kicks another center down the list toward the Penguins, or if the others are selected, he becomes a potential heir apparent to Evgeni Malkin as the second-line center.
Fantastic video. Add some core work to further protect his “100% healthy” back, some Jagr leg workouts, some beef on his frame, and some time working with Sid and it gets you thinking that he could develop into a serious NHL power forward.
So far, you got me on both of these draft pick hype videos. McQueen seems like a real prospect! 🤞🏻
I’d assume these videos are being watched by the 10 GMs who pick ahead of us which means that if there are 8 more of these videos coming that the Penguins will have the 11th most talented and skillful player available. What a break! 🤣
I think, ”IF” Roger McQueen is still left on the board by the time Pittsburgh will make their pick he’s clearly, in my opinion, worth taking a gamble on.
I think, ”IF” Roger McQueen is still left on the board by the time Pittsburgh will make their pick, he’s certainly, in my opinion, worth taking a huge gamble on. In the video, he reminds me a little bit of #66. Just small, eye test similarities. Like the breakaway goal, when he use his reach, deaking the goalie. Maybe it’s just his size and the soft hands, but I can also recall Mario gliding a lot too, slowing the game down, buying the opponents some tasty hot dogs, before executing. Of course, I’m not saying McQueen is, or will be,… Read more »
Not my 1st choice for C, but if they are still at 11 and he is still there, you pretty much have to take a gamble on him. I don’t trust the back issue that is allegedly not an issue anymore. Typically not many folks move on from a back issue over time, they just don’t.
I really hope he’s ok health-wise, and that the 10 teams ahead of the Penguins are still too scared to pick him. I think the Penguins need to look for maximum upside, not guys who are safe picks but project as middle 6 players. If the risk pans out, you get some top 6 talent to speed up the rebuild. If the risk doesn’t pan out, you’ll have to wait for Crosby to retire to really rebuild, but that’s going to happen anyway if you play it safe and get lesser talents.