Superstar forward Gavin McKenna, the highest-rated recruit in NCAA history, shook up the college hockey world with his commitment to Penn State on July 8.
While I made original line predictions in early June after Jackson Smith’s pledge, McKenna’s commitment shakes up those projections for the 2025 season, and when broken down, the new predictions show the immense depth the Nittany Lions have for next year.
With that being said, here are my line projections for next season.
Projected Lines:
First line: Gavin McKenna – Reese Laubach – Aiden Fink
Reasoning:
With the addition of McKenna in July, the superstar forward immediately slots into the first line. He’s an elite playmaker with immense creativity that will significantly boost Aiden Fink and Reese Laubach’s stock.
While Laubach is not the most talented center on the team following the offseason acquisitions for Guy Gadowsky, he still centered Fink during a season which saw Fink finish as a top-10 Hobey Baker finalist and the leading scorer in the Big Ten.
Laubach’s strong work along the boards also helps with puck battles and holding extended o-zone time, something the opposition doesn’t want against Fink or McKenna.
Second line: Matt DiMarsico – Charlie Cerrato – JJ Wiebusch
Reasoning:
The 2024-25 campaign saw a first line of Fink, Laubach and Danny Dzhaniyev dominate the opposition. It also saw this second line put Penn State on its back and carry it to a Frozen Four berth.
The trio led the team in postseason scoring by a wide margin and meshed well, leaving no reason for Gadowsky to split them up.
This line sends the puck toward the net often and forechecks well, but is also stout defensively. All three skaters totaled a net rating of 12 or higher over the course of last year.
Third line: Shea Van Olm – Luke Misa – Andrew Kuzma
Reasoning:
A third line of Shea Van Olm, Luke Misa and Andrew Kuzma will bring the intensity. It consists of two big forwards in Van Olm and Kuzma who are physical and a quick, agile center in Misa who thrives in transition — it’s a match made in heaven.
Gadowsky also confirmed Tuesday that Kuzma is ready to go for 2025 after undergoing heart surgery last season and missing the entire 2024 campaign, which means a spot among the four offensive lines should be his to lose after scoring 52 points in the USHL in the 2023-24 season.
Fourth line: Lev Katzin – Keaton Peters – Dane Dowiak
Reasoning:
A fourth line that consists of an elite playmaker in Lev Katzin, strong faceoff center in Keaton Peters and gritty, do-it-all forward in Dane Dowiak could cause problems for opponents. It shapes up as one of the best fourth lines in college hockey and it might be an identity line with three high-energy players.
Projected Defense Pairings:
First pairing: Jackson Smith – Nolan Collins
Reasoning:
Jackson Smith was drafted 14th overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets in this year’s NHL draft due to his high ceiling. He’s a 200-foot, versatile defenseman who turns defense into offense in a split second. Pair that with a big-bodied blue liner in Nolan Collins who is stout defensively and it’ll be hard to score on the Nittany Lions.
Second pairing: Cade Christenson* – Mac Gadowsky
Reasoning:
Tuesday afternoon, Guy Gadowsky made it public news that Cade Christenson is unlikely to be ready at the start of the 2025 campaign.
Regardless, whenever Christenson is healthy, he is a stout defensive presence next to Mac Gadowsky, who brings elite offensive prowess to Penn State’s blue line after finishing as a top-10 Hobey Baker finalist for Army last season.
Third pairing: Carter Schade – Casey Aman
Reasoning:
Carter Schade and Casey Aman paired together last season and were an instant match. Both players recorded numerous career highs and are set for a strong 2025 season. Schade is still recovering from a lower-body injury, but he’s expected to be ready in October.
Projected Goaltenders:
Starting netminder: Kevin Reidler
Backup netminder: Josh Fleming
Third-string netminder: John Seifarth
Reasoning:
Guy Gadowsky confirmed Tuesday that he will be rolling with only three goaltenders this season. That leaves netminder Noah Grannan as the odd-man out. Kevin Reidler was brought in to replace Arsenii Sergeev as the starting goaltender, while Josh Fleming and John Seifarth will battle for the second and third-string positions.
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