The Penguins completed the 2026 Entry Draft on Saturday by selecting five more players in rounds 2-5, including two second-rounders. Here’s a quick summary of the picks.
| Player/Pos | Round | Pick No. |
| Markus Ruck (C) | 2nd | 39 |
| Tomas Galvas (LD) | 2nd | 54 |
| Pierce Mbuyi (LW) | 3rd | 86 |
| Parker Von Richter (RD) | 4th | 111 |
| Matvei Nikonovich (G) | 5th | 160 |
In the case of the latter two, Kyle Dubas traded up to draft them, so he and sidekick Wes Clark must’ve especially liked what they saw.
The first thing that strikes me about the draftees, including first-rounder Liam Ruck, is a lack of size and bulk among our top four picks. In years past that might’ve bothered me. However, Dubas & Clark did go big-game hunting in the 2025 draft, bagging a few monsters like Will Horcoff, Peyton Kettles and Brady Peddle, so perhaps it’s a case of redressing the balance.
It’s my belief you can afford to sprinkle in some smaller guys as long as you also have the requisite beef.
Anyway, without further preamble, here are very brief thumbnails of our second-day picks. Keep in mind I’m not a draftnik, and don’t spend gobs of time watching games and studying video the way PP colleagues Caleb DiNatale and Other Rick do. So take what I’m about to share with the proverbial grain of salt.
Statistics, including height and weight, are courtesy of HockeyDB.
MARKUS RUCK (Center)
Age 18: Shoots Left: Size 6’0” 167: Medicine Hat (WHL)
‘25-26 Stats: 68 games, 21 goals, 87 assists, 108 points, 28 PIM, +45
Pros: Like twin brother, Liam, Markus combines smarts and skill with a high motor. An outstanding playmaker and setup man who led the WHL in assists and points. Cons: Skating, shot and a lack of size. Future: Along with Liam, committed to University of North Dakota for ’27-28 season.
TOMAS GALVAS (Left Defense)
Age 20: Shoots Left: Size 5’10” 168: Liberec Bili Tygri HC (Czech)
‘25-26 Stats: 32 games, 8 goals, 16 assists, 24 points, 10 PIM, +16
Pros: Outstanding skater with top-end speed and agility. Excellent at generating offense from the blue line. Cons: Lack of size and strength, high-risk style, defensive engagement, particularly in dirty areas. Future: Signed by Liberec through ’27-28 season.
PIERCE MBUYI (Left Wing)
Age 18: Shoots Left: Size 5’10” 163: Owen Sound (OHL)
‘25-26 Stats: 68 games, 32 goals, 43 assists, 75 points, 85 PIM, +2
Pros: Tenacious, high-motor, two-way winger with a scoring touch. Aggressive forechecker. Huge heart. Cons: Small stature leads to being outmuscled in tight quarters. Lack of blazing straight-line speed. Future: Committed to Penn State for ’27-28 season.
PARKER VON RICHTER (Right Defense)
Age 20: Shoots Right: Size 6’1” 195: Brampton-Barie (OHL)
‘25-26 Stats: 66 games, 12 goals, 37 assists, 49 points, 41 PIM, +25
Pros: Physical presence who’ll hit and drop the gloves, and quite capably. Solid defensively. Offense steadily improved through four seasons of junior. Cons: Skating and breakout passes. Future: Committed to University of New Hampshire for ’26-27 season.
MATVEI NIKONOVICH (Goalie)
Age 18: Catches Left: Size 6’1” 149: Tolyatti Ladia (Rus-MHL)
‘25-26 Stats: 38 games, 73 goals allowed, 2 shutouts, 1.96 GAA, .939 SV%
Pros: Strong skater. Extremely quick and athletic. Good instincts and positioning. Cons: Needs to mature physically. Future: Will likely continue to develop in the MHL/KHL.
SUMMARY
As with all drafts, we’re not likely to know how this one will pan out for several seasons. Especially true in this case, given that all of the draftees are committed to continuing their development outside of the Pens’ organization for the immediate future.
In other words, don’t expect help right away, a la Ben Kindel.
On a purely personal level, I liked last season’s draft better. At least on the surface, the players we selected just seemed more complete and well-rounded. Again, time will tell.
In the meantime? I’ll trust the judgment of Dubas & Clark and hope for the best.
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One thing that glaringly stands out when I look at Galvas and von Richter is their age - 20. Thirty-two teams (that means Penguins included) passed on these players more than once. Yet this year Dubas felt compelled to draft them rather than talk to them and offer them a tryout. Hmm,,,,, very interesting drat strategy, use picks on players nobody else wanted.
The only new player added to the org that I find interesting is Nikonovich. The best Goalie in the draft, a Goalie that I coveted, who was still on the draft board when the team had an opportunity, but Dubas was bent on a circus attraction for the box-office rather than helping the team on-ice. I doubt that Nikonovish will ever be as good as Trejbal but he does look good on paper, but I will wait until I see game footage before saying more.
Sorry Rick, unlike you, I do not trust Dubas and Clark, they certainly are not Lois and Clark and since at every turn, these last three off-seasons, our favorite flightless fowl drifted more and more towards being a clone of the Dubas Leafs, our brain trust isn't even Lewis and Clark. I have no faith in them making good decisions.