With the 14th overall selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins select…

[Ryder71]

How is it over when we were just outside looking in? And all these teams that were "supposed to win" didn't.

We are closer than you think with the right moves.

Well, at least they didn't lose to Chicago and Columbus the last week of the season. That's more than I can say for us. Keep this in mind, Sid and Geno each played all 82 games. Moving forward how much do you want to bet that never happens again?. Also, even if they play at a fairly high level due to their age their production will most certainly decline. So, unless we have the greatest supporting Cast in the history of the NHL it's over. You're thinking with your heart and not your head.

 

[WickedWrister]

Okay, trying to sift through all the doom and gloom in this thread... I'm probably of the mindset to just keep the pick unless we can somehow package it for a top 6 winger like others have mentioned.

Thinking long term, I think the best way to extract value from this pick would be to draft and develop (lol) and just hope you can hit on that top 5% range of outcomes (McAvoy, Seabrook) prospect. At which point they can be a tank commander during the rebuild before getting flipped for a 1st++.

Just looking at the full list of guys taken 14th overall, lets say we hit that top 15-25% range of outcomes and end up with like a Jaden Schwartz/Kevin Shattenkirk/DeBrusk level guy, that still represents + value in a future trade.

Yeah, we'll probably end up with a Zegmus Girgensons type guy, but you gotta play the lottery to win it right? To me, just the faint hope of drafting an impact player to build around or use that player to collect future assets in the post-Crosby era is worth keeping the pick.

I'd love to just trade the 14th pick for like a 2025 1st + 2024 2nd or something. Kick the can down the road and hope you luck into a better lottery pick.

---

On a more positive note, and I'm not sure whats the most appropriate thread to put this in, Drew O'Conner was the player of the game (2G 1A including the OT winner) against Germany in the World Cup Exhibition opener.

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[3ladesof5teel]

Well, at least they didn't lose to Chicago and Columbus the last week of the season. That's more than I can say for us. Keep this in mind, Sid and Geno each played all 82 games. Moving forward how much do you want to bet that never happens again?. Also, even if they play at a fairly high level due to their age their production will most certainly decline. So, unless we have the greatest supporting Cast in the history of the NHL it's over. You're thinking with your heart and not your head.

I was already told last season by the same posters that continue to regurgitate the same nonsense that Geno was going to only play 60 games max. I am certain many could guess who those posters are.

I haven't seen much decline in thier game, I have seen a horrible Powerplay that if even was 5 spots better in the league is a top 5 team in the East and is a large difference between walking into the playoffs or fighting for your life. I have seen a team that had both huge offensive and defensive lapse during the season and a defense at many times who was missing 3 of their top 4 for large stretches.

I also know what this team is capable of and you get the right 2-3 pieces in here and clean it up they could have just as good a shot as any. Look at this year's playoffs.

 

[Ryder71]

I was already told last season by the same posters that continue to regurgitate the same nonsense that Geno was going to only play 60 games max. I am certain many could guess who those posters are.

I haven't seen much decline in thier game, I have seen a horrible Powerplay that if even was 5 spots better in the league is a top 5 team in the East. I have seen a team that had both huge offensive and defensive lapse during the season and a defense at many times who was missing 3 of their top 4 for large stretches.

I also know what this team is capable of and you get the right 2-3 pieces in here and clean it up they could have just as good a shot as any. Look at this year's playoffs.

this team hasn't won a playoff series since 2018 and our stars were 5 years younger at that time. So you tell me, and considering we will have the same coaching staff in place, what are these moves you speak of that will change our trajectory into mediocrity and subsequently irrelevancy? I love to know these moves or pieces you speak of. If a 30-year-old Sidney Crosby can't lead this team to a postseason victory, what makes you think a 36-year-old Sidney Crosby can lead this team in winning a round?

 

[Jacob]

Was this posted? McKenzie’s most recent top 12. He bases it off scouts he knows who are willing to divulge their lists, not his personal opinion.

1. Bedard
2. Fantilli
3. Smith
4. Carlsson
5. Michkov
6. Dvorsky
7. Leonard
8. Benson
9. Perreault
10. Reinbacher
11. Barlow
12. Wood

No major surprises to me except maybe Perrault, who was more of a late 1st most of the year, but he’s getting a bump after the U18s. So ASP, Yager, Moore, etc. could still be there for us.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

this team hasn't won a playoff series since 2018 and our stars were 5 years younger at that time. So you tell me, and considering we will have the same coaching staff in place, what are these moves you speak of that will change our trajectory into mediocrity and subsequently irrelevancy? I love to know these moves or pieces you speak of. If a 30-year-old Sidney Crosby can't lead this team to a postseason victory, what makes you think a 36-year-old Sidney Crosby can lead this team in winning a round?

I dont know. I see a 38 year old Joe Palvalski and a 33 year old Jamie Benn holding up pretty well.

Our 2 centers are better than those guys.

We need a top 6 winger who can drive play. A 3C and a goaltender.

I don't pay much attention to the last 5 years, each season had it's reasons. You get to the playoffs and it's a whole new game. This team as it sits can get to the playoffs. Make the right moves and it can go much deeper.

If this team isn't performing next season I would be pretty surprised if the coaching staff wasn't gone by the latest mid-season.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

The Penguins may or may not be "done." There is a lot to overcome and it would be dumb to pretend otherwise at this late date. Seeing as how the two most important pieces to the puzzle just put up terrific seasons I'm not prepared to say that, though. Nor am I prepared to listen to a bunch of people who were JUST bemoaning how badly the Penguins would get whipped by the Bruins or Rangers and were glad they never even got a chance. Something tells me ya'll don't ACTUALLY have it as figured as you pretend to.

I guess I'd say go watch the Canes or something. You're probably going to eventually, anyway. Might as well take your own advice and "rip the bandaid off now" yeah? Or maybe stop belaboring the point and try to enjoy what is likely the best players you'll see come through here for another few decades. I was around for the end of Mario. This is way more obnoxious and we aren't even there yet.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

The Penguins may or may not be "done." There is a lot to overcome and it would be dumb to pretend otherwise at this late date. Seeing as how the two most important pieces to the puzzle just put up terrific seasons I'm not prepared to say that, though. Nor am I prepared to listen to a bunch of people who were JUST bemoaning how badly the Penguins would get whipped by the Bruins or Rangers and were glad they never even got a chance. Something tells me ya'll don't ACTUALLY have it as figured as you pretend to.

I guess I'd say go watch the Canes or something. You're probably going to eventually, anyway. Might as well take your own advice and "rip the bandaid off now" yeah? Or maybe stop belaboring the point and try to enjoy what is likely the best players you'll see come through here for another few decades. I was around for the end of Mario. This is way more obnoxious and we aren't even there yet.

I said it before but I feel extremely fortunate to be able to watch Lemieux as a kid then get Jagr/Crosby/Malkin

Most teams big hockey fans would give up limbs to be able to have those guys on their teams playing in their primes.

Its not normal and most fans of the sport will never have that experience. Another generational player in my lifetime may never happen.

I find it borderline crazy that many want to push it away when its obvious that these guys can still play. I could see if they were finished but that not the case here.

 

[Power Surge]

I said it before but I feel extremely fortunate to be able to watch Lemieux as a kid then get Jagr/Crosby/Malkin

Most teams big hockey fans would give up limbs to be able to have those guys on their teams playing in their primes.

Its not normal and most fans of the sport will never have that experience. Another generational player in my lifetime may never happen.

I find it borderline crazy that many want to push it away when its obvious that these guys can still play. I could see if they were finished but that not the case here.

And we won't see it in the league again thanks to expansion.

 

[WickedWrister]

The Penguins may or may not be "done." There is a lot to overcome and it would be dumb to pretend otherwise at this late date. Seeing as how the two most important pieces to the puzzle just put up terrific seasons I'm not prepared to say that, though. Nor am I prepared to listen to a bunch of people who were JUST bemoaning how badly the Penguins would get whipped by the Bruins or Rangers and were glad they never even got a chance. Something tells me ya'll don't ACTUALLY have it as figured as you pretend to.

I guess I'd say go watch the Canes or something. You're probably going to eventually, anyway. Might as well take your own advice and "rip the bandaid off now" yeah? Or maybe stop belaboring the point and try to enjoy what is likely the best players you'll see come through here for another few decades. I was around for the end of Mario. This is way more obnoxious and we aren't even there yet.

Yeah, the overall negativity of how this past season played out is really ruining this thread for me tbh. This site is called Hockey's Future, and this is the highest draft pick we've had in over a decade. I know a lot of you guys follow the junior scene pretty closely, I'd love to hear some of your favorite guys in our range so I can do some research of my own.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I said it before but I feel extremely fortunate to be able to watch Lemieux as a kid then get Jagr/Crosby/Malkin

Most teams big hockey fans would give up limbs to be able to have those guys on their teams playing in their primes.

Its not normal and most fans of the sport will never have that experience. Another generational player in my lifetime may never happen.

I find it borderline crazy that many want to push it away when its obvious that these guys can still play. I could see if they were finished but that not the case here.

I get preaching reality. These guys are old, the coach is an entrenched doof and the last two GMs made giant shit streaks all across the franchise on their way out. But it's like... we f***in' get it, already. Running around with your hair on fire screaming about how they should have f***ed over Crosby and sold the team down the river for a rebuild years ago is frankly some real mouthbreather shit to begin with. And it doesn't get any smarter sounding the more it's repeated.

Yeah, the overall negativity of how this past season played out is really ruining this thread for me tbh. This site is called Hockey's Future, and this is the highest draft pick we've had in over a decade. I know a lot of you guys follow the junior scene pretty closely, I'd love to hear some of your favorite guys in our range so I can do some research of my own.

I wish I could be of use. I stopped following years ago. But there are good people here that know what they are looking at and watch as much as they can. They've mostly been posting between my unhinged rants. So I'll shut up, now.

 

[Ryder71]

I dont know. I see a 38 year old Joe Palvalski and a 33 year old Jamie Benn holding up pretty well.

Our 2 centers are better than those guys.

We need a top 6 winger who can drive play. A 3C and a goaltender.

I don't pay much attention to the last 5 years, each season had it's reasons. You get to the playoffs and it's a whole new game. This team as it sits can get to the playoffs. Make the right moves and it can go much deeper.

If this team isn't performing next season I would be pretty surprised if the coaching staff wasn't gone by the latest mid-season.

They're not going to do anything next year, the next time this team will likely make the playoffs will be 2028 and neither Sidney Crosby or Malkin will be here. The party is over. And if you're not paying attention to what has transpired The Last 5 Years then again you're just in denial I guess. But if this year didn't teach you anything next year undoubtedly will.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

They're not going to do anything next year, the next time this team will likely make the playoffs will be 2028 and neither Sidney Crosby or Malkin will be here. The party is over. And if you're not paying attention to what has transpired The Last 5 Years then again you're just in denial I guess. But if this year didn't teach you anything next year undoubtedly will.

If you think this team will be closer to making the playoffs 4-5 years from now than they are now I am not quite sure how I respond to that.

 

[Ryder71]

If you think this team will be closer to making the playoffs 4-5 years from now than they are now I am not quite sure how I respond to that.

Because they're going to start building through the draft, I think that's rather obvious. Let's go back to my original post shall we? They're picking 14th overall this year, next year will be a top 10 pick, in the next couple years after that will be top five or top 10 picks. You'll start to build a nucleus for a half decent team, then a year or two after that you'll be contention to make the playoffs. That simple, that easy. We'll also have plenty of cap space by then to sign some pretty good free agents to round out the top six and the rest of the lineup. Good times are ahead, just wait about five or six years. We just need to get rid of the dinosaurs.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Confident he goes to the Caps. I dont see any of the top 7 taking a swing at him, with all the risks involved. Caps have a record of doing well with Russian prospects, greatly helped by Ovi being there.

Same here, that would f***ing suck

 

[Gurglesons]

Because they're going to start building through the draft, I think that's rather obvious. Let's go back to my original post shall we? They're picking 14th overall this year, next year will be a top 10 pick, in the next couple years after that will be top five or top 10 picks. You'll start to build a nucleus for a half decent team, then a year or two after that you'll be contention to make the playoffs. That simple, that easy. We'll also have plenty of cap space by then to sign some pretty good free agents to round out the top six and the rest of the lineup. Good times are ahead, just wait about five or six years. We just need to get rid of the dinosaurs.

What 22 teams are better than us next year?

 

[Ryder71]

What 22 teams are better than us next year?

Well, we have to also look at the coaching staff of each team as well. I think coaching plays an integral part and how this team will proceed. But make no mistake having dinosaurs Patrol the ice for 40 minutes a game isn't going to help our cause anymore. I don't know, same coaching staff same result. I'm not sure that with this coaching staff Connor McDavid would make much of a difference. And we certainly won't have him next year. With everything on the line they lost to the two worst teams in the National Hockey league. Well, I guess Anaheim ended up the worst. But two of the bottom three teams when everything was on the line and we lost both games. And yes your hero Sidney Crosby played the game as well as Gino and where did it get us?. Again it's not all on them but as they get older their play will diminish and their injuries will pile up.

 

[BusinessGoose]

What 22 teams are better than us next year?

San Diego Gulls
Calvin and Hobbes
Baseball and hotdogs
Harvard Men's Hockey
Snoop and Dr Dre
Sault Saint Marie Greyhounds
Minneapolis Storm Bantam A
Mexican National Soccer Team
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Calgary Tuesday Open Curling League C
Blue Barracudas
Team Edward
Oulun Karpat
Penn & Teller
Original Trilogy Rebel Alliance
New Jersey Devils
First 25 game 2023 Pittsburgh Pirates
Medieval Times Black Knight's Squires
Hendrick Motorsports
Teamsters Local 250
Peanut butter and jelly
UPMC Blue Cross and Blue Shield

To name a few

 

[Pens x]

It’s scary that we are even entertaining the idea of letting this scouting group keep the 14th overall pick.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

It’s scary that we are even entertaining the idea of letting this scouting group keep the 14th overall pick.

Can you give me a synopsis of this scouting group and what they have done so far?

 

[Zbynek]

Trade that f***er and get a goalie!

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Well, we have to also look at the coaching staff of each team as well. I think coaching plays an integral part and how this team will proceed. But make no mistake having dinosaurs Patrol the ice for 40 minutes a game isn't going to help our cause anymore. I don't know, same coaching staff same result. I'm not sure that with this coaching staff Connor McDavid would make much of a difference. And we certainly won't have him next year. With everything on the line they lost to the two worst teams in the National Hockey league. Well, I guess Anaheim ended up the worst. But two of the bottom three teams when everything was on the line and we lost both games. And yes your hero Sidney Crosby played the game as well as Gino and where did it get us?. Again it's not all on them but as they get older their play will diminish and their injuries will pile up.

This is so played out. Age means nothing performance does.

They are still playing at elite levels.

Look at Pavelski, Ovechkin, Parise, Krejci, Bergeron just to name a few, all played at a high level. If you can still play age doesn't mean that much and we have 2 of the best. There's a pretty big difference there.

I shouldn't be real surprised though. You said it yourself, this team is 5 years away from being a playoff team.

 

[The GM]

If, and it a big if, the pens trade the pick, it won’t be until immediately they are on the clock to make a selection. The problem will be they will likely have to make the selection because they will be surprised with their fortune that a player they had rated much higher had dropped to them.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

You guys are just nuts, keep and draft with the 14th selection.

Get Flower in a trade and let him finish his career here since he has 1 year left on his deal. He won't be very expensive to get.

 

[Andy99]

Again, no…they’re tying the Pens to all these safe picks…go out and get a dynamic player or trade the damn pick…waste to pick this guy

“14. Pittsburgh: Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): Won’t be the sexiest pick in the first half of the draft, but may be the most effective at playing in all three zones. Where a more dynamic player might be a better fit for the Penguins, the safety of this pick will set the tone for whoever the new GM is.

Draft Day Strategy: Pittsburgh needs to add to the depth of their organization. They might have to get creative, but if Danielson is staring at them with this pick they have to call his name. There are several prospects who bring different qualities in this range. Danielson is a young captain from the Brandon Wheat Kings who scored 33 goals and 45 assists in the regular season. He played in all situations and provides a sneaky physical edge. He would be a great add for Pittsburgh.”

NHL Top 16 Mock Draft: What happens after the Blackhawks pick Connor Bedard?

With the draft lottery behind us we know in which order the top 16 teams will be picking...for now. So draft gurus Sam Cosentino and Jason Bukala came together to build a top 16 mock draft.

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