With the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft just over a month away in Buffalo, there are some question marks in terms of where and what the Penguins will be doing in the first round.
Kyle Dubas and the Penguins will have pick number 22 in the first round, with the Flyers leapfrogging the Penguins to pick 21.
With Kyle vowing in his season ending presser to get this Penguins organization back to a full blown contender, the first round pick has some value to it especially in one of the most stacked first rounds we have seen since the Connor Bedard draft.
There are many possibilities of what Dubas may do with the pick and could end up surprising some people.
Dubas trades/packages the first round pick for an impact now young player
A case that would make sense if Dubas is serious about turning this team into a full on contending organization is to trade out of the first round for an already established NHL player who he can pry away from another team. Dangling that first round pick with the likes of a bunch of other teams who are also doing so could catch a bite and a dance partner that could see the Penguins packaging pick 22.
Penguins trade up and move into the top 10 to acquire a legit player
This would be a very gutsy move from Kyle Dubas but would be a nice change is trading up to move into the top 10 and get another young stud to add into the youth movement. There are some very noticeable players that would be available to select from.
There one player who the Penguins should trade up and draft if they moved up and that would involve a lot of due diligence on draft day.
Viggo Björck (F) - Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
Viggo is one of the best forwards outside of Gavin McKenna and Ivan Stenberg that will be available in the top 10 of this years draft. He is a game changer of a player that can be an immediate impact player on any franchise, that can come into your lineup and make a huge difference. He is a cerebral tactician that is a dangler, play-maker and mobile forward that does everything right and still can use improvement in his game. He's already at pro level play in the top professional league in Europe in the SHL and is playing with grown men. He can easily become another Benjamin Kindel. He won the WJC in January with Sweden and is currently still playing at an international level with Sweden against Sidney Crosby.
Here are players that will or could be available at pick 22 for the Penguins
JP Hurlbert (F) - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Hurlbert is coming off an impressive year with a just under 100 point season (97) with Kamloops and notched a stat-line of 42G, 55A, 97P in only 68 games played this season. Hurlbert also had some time this year to play with Penguins prospect Harrison Brunicke and has some familiarity between the two. He also is a recipient of the WHL's Rookie of the Year honour and played with the USNTDP. He is committed to the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 season.
Liam Ruck (F) - Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
The Ruck brothers had invaded the CHL by storm and into this year NHL draft with a high reputation and endless amounts of talent and potential. Liam is coming off an amazing draft year in Medicine Hat and is the highest ranked of the brothers in the draft. He is coming off an 104 point year in just 68 games played (45G-59A). Ruck is a dual threat forward who thrives in the transition game and can be a massive difference maker when the puck is on his stick. He is a player who will make you pay if you make a mistake.
Xavier Villeneuve (D) - Blaineville Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Villeneuve, teammate of Penguins Prospect Bill Zonnon is a highly touted defenseman that is a very interesting player in the first round. He is a mobile and puck moving offensive defenseman that has a lot of potential in the NHL. He plays an aggressive game but it pays off in certain areas of his game that work well. He only paid 37 games this year in the regular season but was a point per game player notching 38 points, (6G-32A). He scored some clutch goals in the Armada's playoff run that was snuffed short. He also has earned an CHL Rookie team honour and won a U18 WJC Gold Medal with Team Canada.
Wyatt Cullen (F) - USDP (NTDP)
Hockey runs in the Cullen family's blood and Wyatt, the son of Penguins legend Matt Cullen is now first round bound, can you remember when we saw Wyatt as a little lad with glasses during back to back Stanley Cup Celebrations in 2016 and 2017? Time flies. Cullen looks like a top five pick at times yet is still ranked near the Penguins and shows flashes of brilliance and at the recent U18 tournament, for Team USA and showed why he belongs in the first round. His speed, hands and shooting ability is so noticeable and can be a star when he chooses to be.
Ilia Morozov (F) - Miami University Redhawks (NCAA)
Morozov is an interesting player that transitioned from the USHL to the NCAA after just one season. The Moskva native from Russia is a big man at 6'3 that can move so well for a big frame and has good handles with the puck, picks players on the physical aspect of his game and plays a massively detail game that requires a lot of awareness and high hockey IQ that can make or break a player. Ilia will need more work more than likely but has some value in terms of being ranked right about at 22 or 23.
Maddox Dagenais (F) - Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Maddox Dagenais is a great mix of power, prowess and fine puck skills. He can find and put himself in the best spots all over the ice, especially in the offensive zone where can have the puck on and off his stick in an instant. There is more to his game that needs work and could take a year or two before he makes the NHL jump but is a project that could come with high-reward if selected in the first round. He was a point per game player this year with the Remparts, notching 62P in 62GP (30G-32A). Maddox has the tools to be a top 15 player in the draft but his production is something to question as a team will end up taking the flyer on him and take that chance.
Egor Shilov (Yegor) (F) - Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
Another Egor?? Egor Shilov is one of the more outstanding rookie prospects that is draft eligible from the QMJHL. Shilov is a true center and played extremely good in his draft year on a not-so-great Victoriaville Tigres team. He shows some great flashes of skill in his game. He fluidly catches pucks and taps them straight into his hip and allows his body to do the work. Shilov was awarded QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year and notched a statline of 82P in 63GP (32G - 50A). He is also now committed to Boston University (BU) for the 2026-27 season.
Mathis Preston (F) - Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Preston’s individual skill is undeniable. He’s an instinctive puck handler, timing a wide selection of defensive and offensive plays that can at certain points blow your socks off. His hands is one strong attribute he has that defines his play-style. Preston remains highly sought out as one of the most dynamic talents in the draft class. He dangles through defences and makes teams pay the price. He started the 25-26 season with the Spokane Chiefs before being traded to the Vancouver Giants who were not a strong team in the WHL this season. Preston solidified a 46GP draft season with 44 points (18G - 26A) combined with both Spokane and Vancouver. He has won Gold with Team Canada at the U17 WHC in 2024-25 season.
Near the Penguins selection is obvious that it's more forward dominant and there is a wide selection of players that suit the Penguins system and needs in terms of the future of the franchise. Kyle Dubas and Wes Clark have done wonders in terms of scouting and drafting since coming to Pittsburgh and will have there hands full once again this year for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft.
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