The 2025 NHL Draft is being viewed as a pivotal moment for the Pittsburgh Penguins, signaling a definitive shift towards a rebuild. Under the guidance of General Manager Kyle Dubas, the Penguins are aiming to infuse their roster with young talent and build a foundation for future success.

Draft Day Decisions

The Penguins entered the first round of the draft with the 11th and 12th overall selections. They selected forward Benjamin Kindel from the Calgary Hitmen with the 11th pick. While Kindel is considered a skilled player with exceptional vision and playmaking abilities, some analysts viewed him as a surprising choice at No. 11, with other highly touted prospects still available. Kindel, who is 18 years old, has spent the last two seasons with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He has tallied 159 points, including 99 points in 65 regular-season games during the 2024-25 season.

In a move that underscored the Penguins' new direction, Dubas traded the 12th overall pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for the 22nd and 31st picks. The Penguins then traded the 31st and 59th overall picks to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for the 24th overall pick. With the 22nd pick acquired from Philadelphia, the Penguins selected forward Bill Zonnon from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). To round out their first round, the Penguins selected forward Will Horcoff with the 24th pick acquired from Los Angeles.

Embracing a New Philosophy

The Penguins' draft strategy marks a significant departure from their approach in recent years. Since 2014, the team has made very few first-round selections, often trading them to acquire veteran players for immediate contention. This strategy led to Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017, but it also depleted the team's prospect pool. By acquiring three first-round picks in the 2025 draft, the Penguins are signaling a commitment to building through the draft and developing young talent.

Dubas emphasized the importance of balancing the acquisition of draft picks with the need to develop those picks into quality players. He acknowledged the perception that the Penguins' prospect pool needs improvement and stressed the organization's focus on returning to contention as quickly as possible.

Navigating the Rebuild

The Penguins' rebuild is unique because it is occurring while star players Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are still with the team. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The new coach, Dan Muse, will be tasked with developing the next wave of Penguins players while maximizing the remaining potential of the team's veteran core.

While a complete teardown and tanking strategy is one option for rebuilding, Dubas appears to be taking a different approach. He has alluded to the uncertainty of relying solely on top draft picks and the importance of building depth throughout the roster. The Penguins' recent trades and draft selections suggest a focus on acquiring multiple assets and developing a well-rounded team.

The 2025 NHL Draft represents a crucial step in the Pittsburgh Penguins' journey toward building a new era of success. By prioritizing youth, accumulating draft picks, and focusing on player development, the Penguins are demonstrating a clear commitment to a rebuild. While the road back to contention may be long, the Penguins are hoping that their new approach will ultimately lead to a brighter future.