Penguins Mocked To Select 97-Point Winger In NHL Draft

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse

Penguins Mocked To Select 97-Point Winger In NHL Draft originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Penguins surprised many by making the playoffs, but were eliminated in six games by the Philadelphia Flyers.

With the Penguins making the playoffs, Pittsburgh will have the 22nd overall pick, which will allow general manager Kyle Dubas to try to add another high-end prospect to the system.

Ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, analyst Scott Wheeler of The Athletic mocked Pittsburgh to select left winger J.P. Hurlbert out of Kamloops in the WHL.

“The Penguins feel like the floor for Lin to me (he’s their type),” Wheeler wrote. “Down the middle, guys like Command and Hextall would fit their profile, too. But with Lin and Command both gone, I wonder about Hurlbert, the Kamloops Blazers’ 97-point man and a Michigan commit who will play with Will Horcoff next year. He’s got the smarts that group has prioritized as well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take Klepov, either.”

Hurlbert is from Texas who played in the WHL this past season before going to Michigan. The skilled winger had a stellar rookie year as he recorded 42 goals and 55 assists for 97 points, showcasing his offensive skills and being a top-six forward.