Penguins' Day 2 Draft Picks Spark Excitement Among Fans

WHO:

TribLIVE.com - Pittsburgh Penguins, Wes Clark (vice president of player personnel), Markus Ruck, Liam Ruck, Tomas Galvas, Pierce Mbuyi, Parker Von Richter, Matvei Nikonovich.

WHAT:

TribLIVE.com - The Pittsburgh Penguins made five selections on Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft: two forwards, two defensemen, and a goalie.

TribLIVE.com - The Penguins selected Markus Ruck in the 2nd round (No. 39 overall), Tomas Galvas in the 3rd round (No. 54 overall), Pierce Mbuyi in the 3rd round (No. 86 overall), Parker Von Richter in the 4th round (No. 111 overall), and Matvei Nikonovich in the 5th round (No. 160 overall).

TribLIVE.com - Markus Ruck had 108 points (21 goals, 87 assists) in 68 games during the 2025-26 season.

TribLIVE.com - Tomas Galvas scored 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) in 32 games during the 2025-26 season.

TribLIVE.com - Pierce Mbuyi had 75 points (32 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games during the 2025-26 season.

TribLIVE.com - Parker Von Richter had 49 points (12 goals, 37 assists) in 66 games during the 2025-26 season.

TribLIVE.com - Matvei Nikonovich had a record of 20-14-4, a 1.96 goals-against average, and a .939 save percentage during the 2025-26 season.

WHERE:

TribLIVE.com - Markus Ruck played for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League.

TribLIVE.com - Tomas Galvas played for Bílí Tygři Liberec in the Czech Extraliga.

TribLIVE.com - Pierce Mbuyi played for Owen Sound in the Ontario Hockey League.

TribLIVE.com - Parker Von Richter played for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League.

TribLIVE.com - Matvei Nikonovich played for Ladya Togliatti in the MHL in Russia.

WHEN:

TribLIVE.com - The Penguins selected Markus Ruck on Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft.

TribLIVE.com - The Penguins selected Liam Ruck with their first-round pick (No. 22 overall) the night before Markus Ruck was selected.

WHY:

TribLIVE.com - Wes Clark described the selection of Markus Ruck as a strategic decision, noting the unique situation of drafting both Ruck brothers.

TribLIVE.com - Clark stated that Galvas was "too good to pass up" after slipping through two drafts.

HOW:

TribLIVE.com - The Penguins traded a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Nashville Predators to acquire the 160th selection for Matvei Nikonovich.

TribLIVE.com - The Penguins used pick No. 170 in the sixth round and a fourth-round selection in 2027 to acquire Parker Von Richter at No. 111 overall.

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a significant impact on Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft by selecting five players, including Markus Ruck in the second round and Tomas Galvas in the third round, among others. Wes Clark, the vice president of player personnel, highlighted the strategic choice of drafting both Ruck brothers and noted that Galvas was "too good to pass up" after being overlooked in previous drafts. Additionally, the Penguins traded a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Nashville Predators to secure Matvei Nikonovich, who had an impressive record of 20 wins, 14 losses, and 4 overtime losses, along with a goals-against average of 1.96 during the last season.