Penguins Have Variety of Options with First Round Pick
The Pittsburgh Penguins can do more than just pick in the first round of the draft if they utilize their pick correctly.
In the 17 years since taking Sidney Crosby first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins have rarely utilized their first round pick for a young prospect.
More often than not, the Penguins have traded their first round selections to acquire proven NHL talent and help the team win in that moment.
For a time, that proved to be the right move as the team reached the postseason 16 consecutive seasons and won three Stanley Cups in that time.
2023 marked the first time since 2006 that the Penguins were absent from the NHL playoffs.
Not only did the Penguins miss out on the playoffs, but they also still possess their first round pick for the 2023 Draft.
Ron Hextall said he had no plans of shipping out his first rounder before the trade deadline, and that may have played a role in his firing.
Fenway Sports Group is currently searching for the Penguins’ next front office staff and they will have a number of decisions to make right away.
One of the main focuses will be what to do with the first round pick because the options are seemingly unlimited.
Draft a Prospect
The Penguins can maintain the pick and select in their highest position since taking Derrick Pouliot eighth overall in 2012.
Right now, the Penguins sit 14th in line at the upcoming draft, but if the lottery balls drop their way, they can pick as high as fourth.
Those odds are slim, but if the Penguins wind up with the fourth overall pick, that opens up even more opportunities for change.
Trade the Pick for NHL Talent
Regardless of where in opening round the Penguins land, the draft pick could easily be utilized to acquire more NHL-ready talent right away.
The 2023 Draft is set to be fairly deep and most of the projected first rounders could reach the NHL in short order.
Anywhere within the top 20 should fetch a nice return on the trade market.
There will be plenty of talented players looking for new homes this offseason, and a good chunk of them will cost a first round pick.
It would be a smart play for the Penguins to trade their first round pick for someone proven and ready for a change of scenery.
Trade the Pick to Clear Cap Space
A huge issue plaguing the Penguins is their position with the salary cap; Ron Hextall butchered the Penguins cap situation and it’s up to the next crew to clean up the mess.
One way to start the transition could be to strap the first round pick to a bad contract and send it somewhere else.
Mikael Granlund comes to mind right away with his $5 million cap hit for the next two seasons.
The Penguins likely wouldn’t catch a huge return, but sometimes the banked space against the cap is enough to make even more plays in roster construction.
Whoever takes over in the front office will have their work cut out for them; the first round pick that is under their control can relieve a lot of the pressure in more ways than one.
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