Heading into the 2024-25 season, Hensler was regarded as a top prospect in his class – even more so heading into the season prior. He had over 0.5 PPG in the USHL and NTDP in both his D-2 and D-1 seasons – a rare rate for defensemen at that age. If Hensler had taken the steps expected of him, he almost certainly would have been drafted much higher than 23rd overall.

Selected 23rd overall, Logan Hensler is now a member of the Ottawa Senators.

The mobile defender from Wisconsin has bounced up and down on our draft board. Hensler’s tools are undeniable—a right-handed defenseman with a good frame and excellent skating ability—and they’ve kept him firmly in our first round all season long. While we would have liked to see more from him, especially as an offensive creator, his game improved as the season went on, and we’re pretty confident there’s an NHLer there. His development and how he utilizes his tools will ultimately decide whether he plays as a mobile second-pairing defender or settles into more of a supporting role on the third pairing.

There was a lot of handwringing about Hensler’s lack of production to start the year. Even though he hasn’t changed into an offensive force, thanks in part to a steady performance at the WJC, we’re still high on his upside.

Smooth and Steady: Why Logan Hensler is One of the Safest Bets in the 2025 NHL Draft

Smart. Smooth. NHL Ready. Logan Hensler is Built for the Modern Game

By TheProspectDon

At just 18 years old, Logan Hensler has carved out a key role on a veteran-heavy Wisconsin Badgers blueline. The freshman defenseman has become a mainstay in the top four, logging heavy minutes and playing in all situations — a testament to both his composure and maturity well beyond his age.

But what makes Hensler such a compelling prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft isn’t just what shows up on the stat sheet. It’s the blend of elite skating, high-end hockey IQ, and a natural calmness under pressure that separates him from the pack.

“My skating for sure. I am very gifted with that and blessed with it, you really can’t measure with a stat,” Hensler told me when asked what part of his game stands out the most beyond analytics.

At 6’2” and nearly 200 pounds, Hensler has the frame of a shutdown defenseman and the mobility of a puck mover. His stride is effortless. He covers ground quickly and efficiently, rarely needing to scramble. Whether it’s closing a gap, recovering in transition, or pushing the puck up ice, his feet are often what tilt the ice in his team’s favor.

“Smooth skating defenseman that can move the puck very well, push the pace north, and has smooth breakouts…” — that’s how Hensler imagines scouts would describe him. And he’s not wrong.

The Mind Behind the Game

While his physical tools jump off the screen, Hensler’s brain might be his most valuable asset. He’s methodical in how he studies the game — not just in practice, but away from the rink.

“I’m big on film,” he said. “I just like watching it and digesting it, kinda learning from it… that’s a big thing I’ve picked up — learning from it instead of taking it to heart.”

He applies that mindset especially when evaluating the parts of his game he wants to round out.

“The defensive piece — using my frame and skating to close those plays and not let that person beat me back to the net… those little things.”

It’s clear Hensler doesn’t just want to be a dynamic player — he wants to be a complete one. When asked who he models his game after, he didn’t hesitate:

“I think the main one is [Jake] Sanderson. The two-way game, how simple he is with the puck. He’s not too flashy. He gets the job done night in and night out. He’s reliable — it’s special to watch him.”

That comparison tracks. Like Sanderson, Hensler doesn’t chase highlight plays. Instead, he thrives in the details — clean breakouts, efficient transitions, strong positioning, and a reliable stick in the defensive zone.

“Not forcing too many plays, having a really good stick and positioning overall can benefit my game and really make me grow as a player,” he added.

What’s Next?

Logan Hensler’s floor is exceptionally high, he is the kind of player NHL teams win with — dependable, coachable, and deceptively dynamic.

He still has room to grow offensively, but the foundation is already there. With continued development at Wisconsin, and possibly a few U.S. National Team nods on the way, Hensler is positioning himself as a top 15 selection in this year’s draft — and one of the most NHL-ready defensemen available.

“Building those connections and those special bonds, winning games together — that’s my favorite part about hockey,” Hensler said.

It’s that mix of humility, team-first attitude, and pro-ready habits that make Logan Hensler a name to remember come June.

DRAFTPRO – 2024 IIHF U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW – USA

#16 Logan Hensler, D, USNTDP U18, R, 6’2”, 197, DOB 10.14.2006

Hensler is a big defender who has decent mobility too. He put up almost a point a game in the tournament and was an effective player for pushing the puck up the ice for team USA. He was a physical presence at times. He is a quality passer who was able to find the seams and put the puck on a platter and made it easy to receive. He is a good defensive defenseman who has decent strength to help box players out at the net front. The tournament helped his draft status for next year as he demonstrated his ability to handle top end players.

DRAFTPRO – 2024 ALL AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME REVIEW

#16 D Logan Hensler, USA White (USNTDP), 6’2” 197, R. 14-10-2006

Hensler is another name to familiarize yourself with because the hockey world will get used to hearing his name a lot next season, alongside teammate James Hagens, as a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. Hensler is an outstanding skater through his ability to use his edgework to spin off opponents escaping pressure. Hensler displayed his ability to escape pressure by using his feet as well as his passing ability. Hensler did not record a point in the game however, his skating and IQ showed he has the tools to be a #1 type of defenceman at the NHL level. He can quarterback a powerplay through his strong lateral crossover ability and poise with the puck, he does not settle, he waits for shot lanes to open up before releasing a shot. Hensler is committed to the University of Wisconsin next season. The Badgers are receiving arguably the top defenseman in the 2025 NHL Draft.

What makes this 6-3, right-shot defenseman special – beyond the size and handedness teams crave – is his skating. Even for a typically mobile defenseman, one with a smaller frame, Hensler is a very agile, very strong skater – and he is not small. This trait, combined with offensive and defensive IQ, makes Hensler a constant obstacle for attackers. He is aggressive, pressuring and outpacing forwards pushing the neutral zone. His defense-first game and four-way mobility often manufacture turnovers and put him in ideal positions to distribute from the D-zone, creating offense. The offense would see a stark improvement if Hensler could identify and attack shooting lanes more. His shot has power, but he often struggles to find open lanes, leading to frequent blocks.

While his awareness and defensive engagement are elite, Hensler often relies too heavily on his stick. An added layer of physicality would give opposing forwards one more thing to think about before making their play. The tools are high-end; the missing pieces – using the body, lane recognition – are teachable. Next year, Hensler should improve on his 12 points through 32 NCAA games, and that will dictate his trajectory as either a middle-pairing two-way defenseman or a top-pairing rover.

Final Rankings – Logan Hensler has been a hard one to figure out. With his great skating and NHL-level tools, it’s fairly easy to project him to play in the NHL at some capacity. Based on the flashes of offensive upside, we believe that with continued development, he could grow into a puck-moving second-pair defenseman.—

Hensler’s greatest strength is his rush defense, which is easily among the best in the class. He’s proactive in breaking up plays in both the neutral zone and when pinching. Hensler has a very timely defensive stick and closes gaps in a smooth, controlled fashion.

Standing at a lanky 6-2, what defensive areas Hensler does need to shore up can largely be accomplished by growing into his frame and building that strength. As Hensler is such a strong defensive base to build on, we feel confident projecting him as a top four defender.