The trades are already starting to pile up ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, and the Penguins are likely to get in on the action before their back-to-back first round picks arrive this evening.
Fate handed Pittsburgh the Rangers' first round pick this season, and while it's an opportunity to continue to bolster the farm system, it's perhaps a greater opportunity to snag real NHL talent to supplement the already solid core the Penguins have.
Trades Around the League
We've already seen a few dominos fall with some meaningful names. JJ Peterka was a name we at Pens Labyrinth have been monitoring since the beginning of last season, and he was shipped off to Utah for next to nothing.
Right now, it's a massive buyer's market. Whoever gets the bigger piece in these trade deals is the one that seemingly wins them upon first glance.
Some Penguins fans have been wanting Kyle Dubas to get rid of Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson to get prospects or draft picks. Prospects really aren't being shipped around right now, though, and draft pick hauls are very underwhelming.
If the Penguins traded actual NHL talent, the market suggests that they wouldn't get back an exceptional return. Which is exactly why the Penguins can't be so frugal in holding onto both of their 1st round picks tonight.
Potential Returns for the 12th Pick
I won't necessarily give you names of players, but think about the caliber of player the Penguins can get for the Rangers' 12th overall pick. Again, we have the 11th pick as well, so this isn't the Penguins throwing away a first rounder like they have in the past.
This is called asset management. The quality of draft capital drops off mightily in this draft after about the 8th pick or so, which make it continually frustrating that the Penguins got the worst possible draw in the Draft Lottery.
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
The Penguins have copious amounts of draft capital this draft, and there's no reason they need to use all of it. For one of those first round picks, the Penguins can get an experienced NHLer with actual productivity.
The Wild traded Frederick Gaudreau to the Krakan for a 4th round pick. That's a veteran journeyman with tenure whose numbers aren't great, but again, it's only a 4th round pick.
If the Penguins want to compete in Sidney Crosby's window (which should be the goal), then finding NHL assets before tonight's pick should be a goal of Kyle Dubas.
Additionally, if those mid-round picks can be used to acquire filler talent, then they should not be hoarded either. Don't overpay, but realize that the market favors the buyer right now.
Tonight's NHL Draft begins at 7pm.