The 2025 NHL Draft is finally upon us. And the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] have chosen. With the 11th overall pick, the Penguins selected center Benjamin Kindel from the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. The 5-foot-10, 176-pound center registered 35 goals and 99 points in 65 games last season for the Hitmen. He finished seventh overall in WHL scoring, and while his production is a plus, he is also known for his creativity, tenacity, and ability to win one-on-one battles. Kindel was also Penguins' forward prospect Tanner Howe's linemate for Calgary. There weren't too many draft boards that had Kindel being selected in the top-20, let alone the top-15. Evidently, GM and POHO Kyle Dubas - as well as Wes Clarke - clearly saw something in Kindel they liked. Pittsburgh Penguins 2025 11th overall draft selection Benjamin Kindel. (Credit: Michael Augello - The Hockey News) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7c04b7ce-4d24-401b-acb3-28c19e78b6e4.jpeg] Pittsburgh Penguins 2025 11th overall draft selection Benjamin Kindel. (Credit: Michael Augello - The Hockey News) In addition, the read on this draft that center depth would be prioritized is certainly coming to fruition. Only three defensemen have been drafted in the top-15, and of the remaining forwards, only two - RW Porter Martone and LW Carter Bear - are not centers. Still, with Victor Eklund available at 11, this one is a bit of a head-scratcher. The Penguins also ended up trading back the 12th overall pick given to them by the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] this season to the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] in exchange for the 22nd and 31st overall picks. It's safe to say that our predictions did not come to pass [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-predictions-pittsburgh-penguins-edition]. 2025 NHL Draft Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins Edition [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/cc60a565-6374-4d6d-a658-2d23cf3878c6.webp] 2025 NHL Draft Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins Edition The day is finally here. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-predictions-pittsburgh-penguins-edition] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more! Feature image credit: Michael Augello-The Hockey News
