The 2026 NHL Draft is fast approaching, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up to make their selections. While mock drafts and pre-draft rankings are inherently flawed, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the potential future of the team. In this article, I'll delve into the 'Wisdom of the Crowd' list, which combines the insights of eight major outlets and scouting rags to offer a unique perspective on potential draft targets. But first, let's explore the intriguing case of Wyatt Cullen, a rising star who might be out of reach for the Penguins.
Wyatt Cullen: A Rising Star, Perhaps Out of Reach
Wyatt Cullen, the son of former Penguin Matt Cullen, has been making waves in the hockey world. His ranking has shot up to an average of 18.9, and he's a fast riser in the draft rankings. However, the Penguins might face a challenge in securing his services. Cullen's performance at the NHL scouting combine could further elevate his draft stock, and with first-round picks eligible to play in the AHL next season, the competition for his services will be fierce. Personally, I find Cullen's story fascinating, especially given his family connection to the Penguins. It raises the question: will the Penguins be able to secure his services, or will he slip through their fingers?
The 'Wisdom of the Crowd' List: A Unique Perspective
To create the 'Wisdom of the Crowd' list, we combined the rankings of eight major outlets and scouting rags. This approach provides a unique perspective on potential draft targets, offering a blend of insights from various experts. The list includes players ranked 18th through 25th, with a few honorable mentions. Each player on the list brings something different to the table, and the Penguins' scouting team has likely gotten an in-depth look at many of them.
Xavier Villeneuve: A Mobile, Offensive Defenseman
Xavier Villeneuve, a left-handed defenseman from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, is a mobile, offensive defenseman with a point-per-game average in each of the last two seasons. However, his size (5-foot-11, 162 pounds) could be a concern. The Penguins' scouts have likely gotten an in-depth look at Villeneuve due to his teammateship with 2025 first-round pick Bill Zonnon. In my opinion, Villeneuve's mobility and offensive capabilities make him an intriguing prospect, but his size could be a question mark.
Oliver Suvanto: A Two-Way Center with Defensive Acumen
Oliver Suvanto, a 6-foot-3, 207-pound center from Tappara Tampere, played in Finland's pro league this season with 11 points in 48 games. Scouts love his defensive acumen and project him into a middle-six, two-way center. Suvanto's size and defensive capabilities make him an attractive prospect, and his early September 18th birthday adds to his appeal. From my perspective, Suvanto's potential as a two-way center with defensive skills makes him a strong candidate for the Penguins.
Elton Hermansson: A Winger with Slick Mitts
Elton Hermansson, a 6-foot-1, 181-pound winger from MoDo Hockey Ornskoldsvik, graduated from his Swedish junior team and played in Sweden's top division. The book on Hermansson is that he has slick mitts and perhaps some of the best hands in the draft. The Penguins' organization was in Stockholm for the Global Series Games last November, so they might have gotten an in-depth look at him. Hermansson's hands and offensive capabilities make him an intriguing prospect, and his size adds to his appeal. In my opinion, Hermansson's hands and offensive skills make him a strong candidate for the Penguins.
Nikita Klepov: A Dynamic, Electric Winger
Nikita Klepov, a 6-foot, 180-pound lefty playing the right side, made the jump from the USHL to the OHL this season. He put up a monster season with Saginaw, notching 97 points with 37 goals in just 67 games. Klepov's dynamic and electric playstyle, combined with his wicked one-timer, make him an intriguing prospect. From my perspective, Klepov's offensive capabilities and playstyle make him a strong candidate for the Penguins.
Alexander Command: A Responsible Middle-Six Center
Alexander Command, a 6-foot-1, 183-pound center from Orebro, is a solid two-way center with real offensive upside. After 30 games with the Orebro junior team, Orebro recalled Command for six games with the Swedish High League team. Command's compete level and hockey IQ, combined with his good faceoff skills, make him an intriguing prospect. In my opinion, Command's responsible playstyle and offensive capabilities make him a strong candidate for the Penguins.
Liam Ruck: A Skilled Forward with a Big Shot
Liam Ruck, an 18-year-old winger from the Medicine Hat Tigers, had a huge year in the WHL, scoring 45 goals in 68 games and totaling 104 points. He's 6-foot-1, 177 pounds and will turn 19 in February. Ruck's size and offensive capabilities make him an intriguing prospect, and his play in the WHL adds to his appeal. From my perspective, Ruck's size and offensive skills make him a strong candidate for the Penguins.
Oscar Hemming: A Big, Skilled Forward with a Heavy Shot
Oscar Hemming, a 6-foot-4, 193-pound forward from Finland, battled international rules to play in North America. He has size and boasts a heavy shot, making him a project pick in the mold of Will Horcoff. Hemming's size and offensive capabilities make him an intriguing prospect, and his play in North America adds to his appeal. In my opinion, Hemming's size and offensive skills make him a strong candidate for the Penguins.
Maddox Dagenais: A Big, Left-Handed Center with Speed and Energy
Maddox Dagenais, a 6-foot-4, 196-pound left-handed center from Quebec Ramparts, took a big step forward in his second junior season, producing 30 goals and 62 points in 60 games. Dagenais' blend of size, speed, and relentless energy makes him an intriguing prospect. From my perspective, Dagenais' size and offensive capabilities make him a strong candidate for the Penguins.
Honorable Mentions: Tommy Bleyl and Yegor Shilov
Tommy Bleyl, an elite skating right-handed defenseman, and Yegor Shilov, a playmaking center who can shoot, are also worth mentioning. Bleyl had 81 points in 63 games and made the US U18 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup team, while Shilov had 82 points with 32 goals in 63 games. Both players are intriguing prospects with unique skillsets.
Conclusion: A Thoughtful Takeaway
The 2026 NHL Draft is an exciting prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the 'Wisdom of the Crowd' list offers a unique perspective on potential draft targets. From Wyatt Cullen's rising star status to the intriguing prospects on the 'Wisdom of the Crowd' list, the Penguins have a wealth of options to choose from. As the draft approaches, the team will need to make careful considerations based on their needs and the players' potential. In my opinion, the Penguins have a strong group of prospects to choose from, and the draft will be an exciting prospect for hockey fans everywhere.
