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New Development as Penguins Brace for Rangers' Pivotal Pick Decision
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
One of the major decisions for Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft hinges on what the New York Rangers, who now have coach Mike Sullivan, decide to do.
One of the trades made by the Pittsburgh Penguins was sending both Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Vinny Desharnais, Danton Heinen and Melvin Fernstrom.
Additionally, the Penguins received a conditional 1st round draft pick from the New York Rangers.
However, the Rangers have the right to retain the pick and it could potentially throw a wrench into the plans of the Penguins depending on what they decide to do.
The condition on the pick is that it was top-13 protected. If it fell within the top-13 picks in the order of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, it would stay with the Rangers.
Additional information on the subject comes from Josh Yohe of The Athletic, who writes that nobody within the Penguins organization has even the faintest idea of what is up the sleeve of Rangers GM Chris Drury.
The Rangers have the right to retain that pick. Doing so would mean the Penguins would instead receive the Rangers' first-round pick in the loaded 2026 NHL Draft.
No one I've spoken to in the Penguins organization has even an inkling of what the Rangers will do. The Penguins essentially have two different plans, depending on what New York president and GM Chris Drury decides. Drury has until 48 hours before the June 27 draft to let the Penguins know.
The Penguins' draft strategy obviously will change depending on New York's decision.
No one I've spoken to in the Penguins organization has even an inkling of what the Rangers will do. The Penguins essentially have two different plans, depending on what New York president and GM Chris Drury decides. Drury has until 48 hours before the June 27 draft to let the Penguins know.
The Penguins' draft strategy obviously will change depending on New York's decision.
Dubas will have his work cut out for him not only in this particular regard, but in hiring Pittsburgh's next coach after the termination of Mike Sullivan.
| POLL | ||
MAI 16 | 120 ANSWERS New Development as Penguins Brace for Rangers' Pivotal Pick Decision How comfortable are you with Kyle Dubas as the Penguins' GM? | ||
| Very comfortable | 41 | 34.2 % |
| Not comfortable at all | 79 | 65.8 % |
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