The Pittsburgh Penguins are among the many teams who can progress their youth movement in a meaningful way this week, as the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday and Saturday represents the year’s most significant chance to add young talent to an organization. The Penguins sit at No. 22 in the first-round draft order, but according to Josh Yohe of The Athletic, it would not be a surprise if the team elects to trade up.
Regardless of where they pick, one name that has “drawn the Penguins’ attention” is WHL blueliner Ryan Lin, right-shot defenseman. Lin is generally ranked in the early-to-mid teens in the public-facing draft rankings, but could end up slipping to the Penguins’ No. 22 on account of his size. (Lin stands just 5’11, 178 pounds)
More notes ahead of the NHL Draft later this week:
- If the Penguins do end up vaulting up the draft order, one name they could be targeting is Swedish center Viggo Bjorck. According to Yohe, the Penguins “like [Bjorck] a great deal.” Bjorck was also connected to the New York Rangers, who pick No. 5 overall, in a report we covered last week. Although Bjorck lacks the prototypical size teams look for down the middle, he has risen to the top end of draft boards as a result of his skill level, competitiveness, and fearless style.
- The Winnipeg Jets’ top decision-makers “would be thrilled” if WHL defenseman Daxon Rudolph is available when the team is set to pick at No. 8 overall during the draft this week, reports Murat Ates of The Athletic. The 6’3″, 208-pound defenseman is consistently ranked among the draft’s top-10 prospects by most public-facing scouts. He was among the WHL’s most dominant blueliners this past season, scoring 78 points in 68 regular-season games and 27 points in 19 playoff contests. Beyond Rudolph, Ates writes, the Jets are also targeting defensemen Alberts Smits and Keaton Verhoeff.
