Sep 22, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Daniel Sprong (R) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mid-Round Draft Picks
The Pens are a team that have a reputation of mortgaging the future for the present. They’re built to win now and normally show the willingness to trade whatever assets it takes to grab the pieces they feel will take them to the next level.
With recent trades, the Pittsburgh Penguins are currently without a first round pick for next summer’s draft. But, they have a few extra picks beginning in round two thanks to picks that were returned to them in exchanges and former employees such as John Hynes and Dan Bylsma getting hired elsewhere, as the two of them both fetched the Penguins a third round pick.
Normally, picks in those rounds will not see full-time NHL roles for at least four or five years, if at all. By then, Pittsburgh’s core will be approaching their mid-30’s. I definitely understand the concern about Pittsburgh’s organization depth and their lack of solid prospects. In fact, I just wrote about why they needed to bring veterans in this summer. But, that issue isn’t necessarily due to a lack of draft picks but rather a lack of successful draft picks.
Don’t be surprised to see the Pens swinging deals that include draft picks in the coming months in order to fill roster holes. It’ll require a player or two as well for cap reasons but Pittsburgh’s extra mid-round picks will be valuable to rebuilding teams with assets that can help the Pens now.
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