Pittsburgh Penguins’ Exciting Prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft

The 2026 NHL Draft has finally arrived, and excitement is palpable as the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to make their selections. While the team holds only five picks this year compared to last year’s 13, the buzz surrounding potential trades and targets has fans on the edge of their seats. Rumors are swirling that the Penguins are eyeing Dallas Stars superstar left wing Jason Robertson, and there’s talk of them looking to move up from their 22nd overall selection to snag Swedish center Viggo Bjorck.

As it stands, the Penguins’ draft board is set with the following picks: Round 1, Pick 22; Round 2, Pick 39 (acquired from the Winnipeg Jets); Round 2, Pick 54; Round 3, Pick 86; and Round 6, Pick 170 (acquired from the Nashville Predators). With the draft set to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET, the anticipation builds, especially as the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare to make the first selection, likely choosing consensus first overall pick Gavin McKenna.

The Penguins possess tradeable assets like Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson, which could help them secure a higher pick. However, there are also talented players likely available within their current range. The question remains: Will they trade up for a premium prospect, stand pat, or even trade down to accumulate more picks in the 30s and 40s? A deal with a team like the Calgary Flames, who have multiple picks in that range, could be a possibility.

In terms of predictions for their selections, THN co-editor Hunter Hodies and I have made our choices based on the latest mock drafts. With the 22nd overall pick, I foresee the Penguins selecting left winger J.P. Hurlbert from the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers. Hurlbert’s familiarity with Penguins’ prospect Harrison Brunicke, who played for Kamloops last season, could play a role in this decision. He brings a strong hockey IQ, an underrated forechecking ability, and a knack for finding the back of the net—qualities that align well with previous selections made by Kyle Dubas and Wes Clark.

Looking ahead, if the Penguins manage to select at 15, I believe they might consider forward Adam Novotny, a hybrid power forward who fits the team’s mold. However, I anticipate a move up in the draft—not necessarily into the top-10 but perhaps closer to the top-five for Bjorck. This strategy would need to be balanced against the cost of acquiring a high pick.

Ryan Lin from the WHL’s Vancouver Giants could be a sleeper pick if he falls in the draft. As discussed on our Pucks N’at Podcast with Jesse Marshall, Lin is a mature two-way defenseman who could significantly enhance the Penguins’ blue line prospect pool. If the St. Louis Blues, who have picks 15 and 16, are open to negotiation, the Penguins might consider trading up by offering one of their second-round picks as a sweetener.

Lin’s impressive skill set and potential for growth make him a player worth pursuing if he remains available. The Penguins are in a unique position to bolster their roster, and the decisions made during this draft could shape the team’s future.

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