It's the Tomas Galvas show in Detroit as the Penguins 2026 second round pick at 54th overall is showing why he could possibly be an invite to the main roster training camp.
After going through two eligible drafts not selected, Kyle Dubas took the chance other teams didn't and knew exactly what they were getting with the Czech defender. Teams were worried about Galvas and his size and height. NHL clubs are mainly looking for defenders on the more taller and beefier side to insulate the physical aspect of being a good hockey team.
Galvas currently is projecting at 5'10" and 168 lbs. In terms of the height and weight the more common height teams look to draft at in terms of defenseman is six foot and above.
This past season where Galvas already has been playing professional hockey in Czechia in the top men's league which is the Czech Extraliga with his team Bílí Tygři Liberec. He also was a point per game player with the Czech's WJC team in 2026 where he fell short of a gold medal with nine points in seven games. He also represented the Czech's at the World Championship.
What has stood out so far in this 2026 Prospects Challenge so far when it comes to Galvas, is how he is the best player on the ice every time he takes another shift. His skating is silky smooth and has some hands as he went end to end on a PPG he scored and did it himself with a beautiful backhand finish in Pittsburgh's second win of the tournament against the Red Wings Prospects.
You're gonna want to watch this Tomas Galvas goal. We promise. pic.twitter.com/WHaWb1r6ZO
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 14, 2026
With the Penguins left side of the defense taking a big hit with off-season departures of Ryan Shea and Parker Wotherspoon, leaves the door open for competition at training camp for the last spot. Trevor Van Riemsdyk and Samuel Girard already have taken up two spots on the left side and leaves the third spot open to the likes of Declan Carlile, Ilya Solovyov, Owen Pickering, Jake Livanavage and possibly Tommy Galvas.
Galvas very easily could steal a roster spot if he can keep up this consistency and shows that the NHL is where he belongs. Galvas could also become this year's Ben Kindel but on the defensive side if he were to make the team, the 20 year old defenseman could spark more youth into this team which is a bit on the older side.
Galvas will one final chance to showcase himself as the Penguins take on the Dallas Stars Prospects team on September 15.
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