Penguins Trade for 160th Pick, Select Belarusian Goaltender Matvei Nikonovich

In a surprising move late in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by general manager Kyle Dubas, made a last-minute acquisition to enhance their draft class. Just when it seemed their selections were finished, the Penguins traded for the 160th overall pick from the Carolina Hurricanes, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick in return. With this newly acquired pick, the Penguins chose Belarusian goaltender Matvei Nikonovich.

Nikonovich had an impressive season in the MHL, Russia’s junior league, where he posted a 20-14-4 record complemented by a remarkable .939 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average across 38 games. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 187 pounds, he is recognized for his strong tracking ability and power, traits that caught the eye of the Penguins’ scouting team.

This year’s draft saw an unusually high number of goaltenders selected, with Nikonovich being one of 31 netminders chosen. The Penguins clearly saw him as a valuable pick in the later rounds, echoing their previous success in finding talent in similar situations. Notably, top prospect Sergei Murashov, another Russian goaltender, was selected in the fourth round (118th overall) in 2022 and had a comparable path and statistics in the MHL.

With the addition of Nikonovich, the Penguins rounded out their 2026 draft class, which also includes twin brothers Liam (22nd overall) and Markus Ruck (39th overall), defenseman Tomas Galvas (54th overall), left winger Pierce Mbuyi (86th overall), and defenseman Parker Von Richter (111th overall). This diverse group signifies the Penguins’ commitment to building a strong roster for the future.

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