Penguins GM Kyle Dubas Reveals Plan After Getting 12th Overall Pick From the New York Rangers
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas spoke to the media and revealed that despite getting the 12th overall pick from the Rangers, their draft strategy won't change.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are officially set to possess two first-round picks at the 2025 NHL Draft.
The New York Rangers finalized sending the No. 12 overall choice, via Vancouver, to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, completing the deal involving Marcus Pettersson as well as JT Miller from last season.
This is the first time in franchise history the Penguins possess back-to-back first-round picks, with the 11th having already been locked down via the draft lottery.
It's a turning point for GM Kyle Dubas, representing a dramatic step toward the rebuilding plans he has in store and a much-needed opportunity to replenish an emptied prospect pool.
Fans immediately began to speculate about how Pittsburgh will use the extra pick, whether selecting a blue-chip player or using it in a potential trade.
Dubas and his staff are making it seem as if they will keep both picks
But at least, Dubas and team personnel said, the extra selection won't dramatically change their approach.
Player personnel director Wes Clark told team reporter Michelle Crechiolo last month that the Penguins had been preparing for both scenarios: having one or two picks.
"It doesn't change anything. We collected all of the necessary information we need to get our list in order, and whoever the next man up is, we select."
- Wes Clark
- Wes Clark
Dubas reaffirmed that during the NHL Scouting Combine, with the close proximity of the picks (11 and 12), it would not alter their strategy significantly.
"If it were in a wildly different spot, we would just be putting more time into it. But we're studying for the exact same range, and we'll either pick one player or two."
- Kyle Dubas
- Kyle Dubas
Penguins beat writer Taylor Haase also spoke with Dubas, who conceded that the front office had considered whether this year's pick was more valuable than the pick next year, given 2026 would be a better draft.
Ultimately, the Rangers acted a full day prior to the deadline expiring, but the Penguins never showed any signs of being fazed by the indecision.
"From our perspective, it really doesn't make any difference," Dubas said. "We're picking No. 11, so if we have No. 11 and No. 12, the preparation isn't any different at all. I think more than that, the way that we project it out at this current stage, if the Rangers play to expectation next year and they're picking in the late 20s, we kind of see the 12th pick this year and that later pick next year probably being about equal in value, perhaps, just because of the projected strength of the different classes. So, whatever the Rangers would like to do is fine by us. It's no sweat either way, and once they decide, everyone will know."
Now, with the selections finalized, all eyes are on Friday night, when Dubas and his staff will seek to make a big step toward reshaping the future of hockey in Pittsburgh.
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