The 2026 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone, and the Pittsburgh Penguins have certainly made their mark. With a couple of strategic trades, the Pens maneuvered to bolster their draft stock, snagging a fourth-round pick at 111th overall by trading away a sixth-round pick (170th overall) this year and a future fourth-round pick from Winnipeg in next year's draft. They also secured a fifth-round pick (160th overall) by sending Nashville a future fifth-round pick in 2028.
The Penguins' draft haul is headlined by the selection of the Ruck brothers with their first two picks. Liam Ruck, their first-round choice, was already in the spotlight, and now his twin brother Markus joins him to set the tone for Pittsburgh's draft strategy. The success of these picks will likely define how the Penguins' 2026 draft class is judged in the years ahead.
Adding to their roster, the Penguins selected Tomas Galvas, a player that fits the mold of a Kyle Dubas favorite. The 20-year-old Czech, who went undrafted in his first two years of eligibility, has seen his stock rise after a strong 2025-26 season.
Galvas isn't the biggest player on the ice, but his skating and puck-moving abilities make him a valuable asset. His age suggests he could make an impact at the minor league level sooner rather than later.
This pick adds a different dimension to a blueline that saw an infusion of size in the 2025 draft.
In the third round, Pittsburgh picked Pierce Mbuyi, a Penn State commit known for his skill and offensive prowess. Mbuyi, who stands at 5'11" and weighs 160 pounds, was named the OHL’s Rookie of the Year after tallying 32 goals and 75 points in 68 games. While he’ll need to bulk up, Mbuyi represents the type of skilled, undersized player Dubas has favored in mid-rounds before.
The Penguins' fourth-round pick, Parker Von Richter, is a standout selection. The team traded up to secure the 6’1”, 205-pound defenseman, who, like Galvas, is a 20-year-old overage player. Known for his physical play and ability to transition quickly from defense to offense, Von Richter is poised to make an impact in the organization sooner rather than later.
Finally, with their last pick, the Penguins selected Belarusian goalie Matvei Nikonovich in the fifth round, again trading to secure the position. Nikonovich posted impressive stats with a .939 save percentage and a 1.96 GAA in 38 games for Lada Togliatti’s MHL team. As he approaches his 18th birthday, Nikonovich is expected to continue his development in the KHL system, making him a long-term project with significant potential.
In summary, the Penguins' draft was marked by bold choices and strategic trades. The Ruck twins are the centerpiece of this draft, with their development crucial to the class's ultimate success.
Complemented by the addition of two overage defenders and a promising young goalie, Pittsburgh's draft strategy reflects a mix of immediate impact and future potential. As with any draft, only time will tell how these selections pan out, but the Penguins have certainly laid an intriguing foundation.
In Other News...
Penguins Finalized Development Camp Roster Comes With A Few Concerns
The Penguins are set to open development camp Monday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, and the roster offers the usual mix of fresh faces and a few early reminders that July is still more about evaluating than celebrating. Five of the teams six 2026 draft picks are expected to take part, along with a sizable group of undrafted free agents, and the practices and Friday tournament will be open to the public as the organization gets a first real look at its newest prospects.
There is, however, a small wrinkle attached to the list. Three forwards, Will Horcoff, Mac Swanson and Melvin Fernstrom, are marked injured but will still be around camp, which keeps them in the mix even if they are limited on the ice. The only draft-class prospect not expected to attend adds another layer of curiosity to a camp that already feels worth watching, especially with so many young players looking to make an impression in front of Penguins evaluators. [Read more 🡒]
Kyle Dubas May Have Quietly Won Two Important Penguins Deals
Kyle Dubas did not land a splashy summer headline with Blake Lizotte or Connor Dewar, but the Penguins general manager may have quietly done something just as useful during the regular season. Both forwards were extended on short-term money that keeps the cap commitment manageable, and in a league where bottom-six depth can get pricey in a hurry, that matters. The deals also give Pittsburgh a little more certainty around two players who have fit well enough to earn trust without forcing the club into long, expensive commitments.
The broader appeal for the Penguins is what those contracts avoid. Around the NHL, comparable role players have been getting longer terms and higher price tags, which can clog up flexibility fast if the fit is merely solid instead of essential. Lizotte and Dewar may not move the needle on their own when it comes to Pittsburghs bigger picture, but they do give the team a cleaner financial path and a chance to keep building without overpaying for familiar depth. [Read more 🡒]
Jason Robertson Trade Saga Just Took A Much More Serious Turn
Jason Robertsons future has become one of the leagues more interesting summer watch items, and Pittsburgh has stayed in the conversation for a reason. The restricted free agent turned down an offer from Seattle and reportedly showed no interest in St. Louis, which only adds to the sense that his next move will be more complicated than a simple fit-and-sign scenario. For the Penguins, the appeal is obvious: they have the cap flexibility to make a serious run at him if the opportunity opens up.
The harder part is getting Dallas to the point where a deal makes sense for them, and that is where the process has slowed. Pittsburgh is being viewed as a club looking to do something meaningful, but interest alone does not close the gap on a player of Robertsons stature. The Penguins may still be in the mix, though the bigger question now is whether they can put together the kind of trade package that would keep the Stars engaged. [Read more 🡒]