Penguins Eye Offensive Defenseman Ryan Lin in Latest Mock Draft

The Pittsburgh Penguins, despite their playoff appearance this year, are firmly focused on building for the future. With the upcoming NHL Entry Draft on the horizon, the Penguins are looking to make a significant impact with their first-round pick.

In a recent mock draft for The Athletic, Corey Pronman projected that the Penguins will select defenseman Ryan Lin with the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Lin, a 5-foot-11 offensive defenseman, has been turning heads at the junior level, and if he remains available when the Penguins are on the clock, he could become a valuable addition to their prospect pool.

This season with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Lin showcased his offensive talent, recording 14 goals and 43 assists for a total of 57 points in 53 games. This follows an impressive previous season where he netted five goals and accumulated 53 points over 60 games. Such statistics underscore Lin’s promising offensive upside, making him an intriguing option for the Penguins.

As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on whether Lin will indeed be the Penguins’ choice in the first round. With a need for another right-shot defenseman, Lin stands out as one of the most notable prospects available, and his selection could bolster Pittsburgh’s defensive lineup significantly.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.