Penguins Draft Order Set; Denied First-Round Pick

The New York Rangers rallied from a two-goal third period deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 at PNC Arena Thursday. Chris Kreider had a third-period hat trick, and the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Final, in the process denying the Pittsburgh Penguins a first-round pick.

New York beat Carolina 5-3.

The Penguins’ draft order is now set. By virtue of the Jake Guentzel trade, the Penguins would have received Carolina’s first-round pick if the Hurricanes advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. They would also have received a fifth-rounder if the Hurricanes won the Cup. Both are now void.

Instead of the 31st or 32nd overall selection, the Penguins will receive the Philadelphia Flyers’ second-round pick, to which Carolina owns the rights.

That pick will be 44th overall, meaning the Penguins will have two second-round selections, 44th and 46th overall. At the time of the trade, the Flyers’ pick was expected to be in the 50s; however, their late-season collapse placed them behind the Penguins in the standings.

Thanks for losing, Philadelphia.

The Penguins also received NHL winger Michael Bunting and prospects Ville Koivunen, Vasili Ponomarev, and Cruz Lucious. The team has draft picks in the fourth (110th), the sixth (174th), and two in the seventh round. One of the picks in the seventh round belongs to the Rangers, and could be the final pick of the draft if the Rangers win the Stanley Cup.