With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them.
Since the Penguins have a total of 30 picks over the next three drafts, including 11 this year - which could reduce to 10 if the conditional first-round pick from the New York Rangers defers to 2026 - there will be plenty of opportunity for the Penguins to add impact players. Of their 11 picks in 2025, six of them are in the first three rounds.
After the results of the draft lottery on May 5, the Penguins will officially select 11th overall, dropping down two spots from where they originally were at ninth. As such, we have compiled a list of potential draft prospects that should fall around the Penguins' selection.
We recently profiled center Jake O'Brien, forward Victor Eklund, defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, center Brady Martin, center Roger McQueen, right wing Justin Carbonneau, and defenseman Logan Hensler. Next up? Right defenseman Radim Mrtka.
Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Logan HenslerWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them.
Radim Mrtka
DOB: June 9, 2007 (Age 17)
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 207 pounds
Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
If you're the Penguins, and you're looking for size on the backend in the 2025 NHL Draft, look no further than Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Radim Mrtka.
When people think "size," they don't necessarily equate that with good skating or a ton of mobility, but Mrtka is both a good skater for his size and a mobile blueliner. He registered three goals and 35 points in 43 games to go along with a plus-10 rating for the Thunderbirds in 2024-25.
Mrtka represented Czechia at the 2025 World Junior Championship and put up a goal and four points in five games, and he also appeared in 10 games for HC Oceláři Třinec in Czechia and recorded an assist.
Once projected in the top-10 on nearly every draft board, he now projects in the 10-15 range in most mock drafts. This isn't necessarily a knock on Mrtka, as other defenders such as Aitcheson and Jackson Smith have simply seen their stock rise over the past year.
Radim Mrtka with a great individual effort. #U18MensWorlds#2025NHLDraftpic.twitter.com/GRobqzapEc
— Czech Prospects (@CZprospects) April 24, 2025
Still, Mrtka has elite two-way potential to his game, and he's already a solid defender. He has good hockey sense, is responsible with the puck in the defensive zone, has a good stick, and uses his size to establish positioning at the net front.
His mobility and hockey sense - combined with some playmaking ability - make him a potential threat on the offensive side of the puck. He doesn't have an overpowering shot, could benefit from being more assertive in the offensive zone, and could become a bit more engaged physically, but the tool set is there for him to develop his game further.
If he can hone his existing skillset to strengthen and solidify his game on the offensive side of the puck - as well as add some weight to his already-towering frame - Mrtka certainly has top-pair potential at the NHL level. Even if he doesn't develop as much in an offensive role, he should be a pretty solid option as a shutdown defenseman.
There is not much risk in selecting a unique player like Mrtka at 11th overall, but - like many others in this draft slot - it highly depends on who else is available. If guys like Eklund, O'Brien, Aitcheson, and Martin are already gone, he may be the next-best thing.
Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Kashawn AitchesonWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them.
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