Corey Pronman evaluates the Penguins' picks at the 2024 NHL Draft.
www.nytimes.com
Scott Wheeler reviews how all 32 teams did at the 2024 NHL Draft, with thoughts on almost every pick.
www.nytimes.com
The Penguins didn’t pick until No. 44, and Harrison Brunicke felt like a Kyle Dubas pick. He’s a smart kid and a heady two-way player who developed well this season after playing more of a depth role on the Memorial Cup hosts a year ago. He’s a good athlete with good size, and I expect him to become one of their better, more well-rounded defensemen in the WHL over the next two seasons.
I liked the selection of Tanner Howe two picks later. Howe is a great kid and a fiery competitor with above-average skill. Some wondered about him as a late-birthday, average-sized winger with fine skating, but I think his competitiveness will take him as far as his game will go, and I could see him becoming an up-and-down-the-lineup type.
Chase Pietila has a lot of work to do if he wants to play pro but has some redeeming qualities and was taken outside of the top 100, so whatever.
I thought the Penguins’ best picks of the draft were their sixth-rounder and the first of their two seventh-rounders.
Joona Vaisanen was my No. 5-ranked overager and one of the best defensemen in the USHL this season. He’s an incredibly smart player who Dubuque’s staff raves about. And Mac Swanson is one of the class’ most talented and intelligent offensive players; he’s just tiny. I won’t be surprised if he becomes a point-per-game player in college and gets signed after his junior or senior year.