I don’t keep up with the drafts and stuff cuz I’m kinda new to this whole hockey thing (I’m an og f1 and ⚽️ girl) but are our picks good?? From what I understand they won’t be playing this upcoming season as they’re still super young and still playing for their current teams??
That’s where the confusion comes in cuz wasn’t Sid just a kid as well(hahaha niche reference there) when he was drafted and he started playing immediately, and besides Sid cuz he’s practically superhuman in regards to hockey so we can’t really compare him to the average player, wasn’t kindy the age of some of our 2026 drafts and he also started playing immediately and continued throughout the entire season and into playoffs
Is it that they’d give them a chance for the first couple of games to see how they do and judge based on that?? Or are they solely for the purpose of building a future team later on??
Thank you if you do choose to explain this 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
Also with all the trades and stuff happening, can we genuinely compete for another cup whilst Sid’s still there or is it that he’s just playing the role of a mentor now to develop the future of franchise? Like could we actually stand a chance in the next like 2 seasons or so???
Hi Anon,
It is a little confusing but I will try to explain. 😩
Most draft picks aside from the top 4-5 either go back to their previous club or to the AHL to continue developing (physically, mentally, and to hone in on their skills etc) Maybe think of it a little bit like F2?
The draft is basically for building the future team. Unless of course you have early picks in the draft then that team will get first access to the highest rated guys (like the Pens + Sid, Avs + Nate and Sharks + Celebrini) those guys will make an immediate impact on your team.
You are right it is likely that none of our 2026 picks will not be playing with the Pens next season. However, it is very likely that a few of our young guys/previous draft picks will make the team! It’s looking like Sergei Murashov will be in goal and many think Harrison Burnicke will make the team out of camp this year. (And potentially Rutger and Avery Hayes) If they don't make the team - they play for our AHL team and usually get called up during the season when we have injuries etc.
Some draft picks can make the team out of training camp- Like Kindy! Some people within the media thought he would be sent back to the WHL at the beginning of the season, not because he wasn’t good enough but they were worried that the NHL schedule would be too grueling for him in his first year. But he completed his 9 game “tryout” and after his 10th game the first year of his entry level contract kicked in and he stayed with Pens the whole season. Since he was drafted out of the CHL - he would have had to go back to his junior team and would not have been able to return to the NHL until his junior season was over.
The Ruck twins were also drafted out of the CHL so they are unable to play in the minors until they complete 4 years in Juniors, or turn 20 OR make the Pens roster out of training camp and follow the same route as Kindy. Currently they will be playing with the Medicine Hat Tigers season and committed to play college hockey at the university of North Dakota the following year. Unless of course they make the team out of training camp and complete the 9 game “tryout”. I don’t think they are projected to do that. BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.
Realistically, in order to make a deep run in the playoffs we will likely need a few impact players and some d-men (specifically right handed defenders if possible 😩) but I would never count out a team with Sidney Crosby & Geno Malkin on it! Sid plays to win!
Hope that helped!
Here is my pic of baby Kindy at the home opener last season🥹🥹🥹
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