Frustrated in his efforts to trade up in the first round of the 2026 Entry Draft, Penguins POHO/GM Kyle Dubas held onto the 22nd pick and selected 18-year-old Medicine Hat right wing Liam Ruck. Just as PP draft expert Caleb DiNatale predicted in an article posted back on May 13.
More on Caleb’s excellent prognostication in a bit.
Skating on a line with twin brother, Markus, Liam exploded for 45 goals and 104 points in 2025-26, the second highest point total in the WHL behind his sibling. He bagged another eight goals and 12 points in 14 playoff games.
In terms of particulars, he’s a right-hand shot, stands 6’0” and tips the scales at 177 pounds. Liam very much seems to fit the mold of a Dubas/Wes Clark special. Although not a dynamic skater, he competes hard, possesses a strong motor and a hockey IQ that compensates for his lack of wheels. Liam uses that intelligence to get to the right places on the ice. He possesses a good shot and quick release and isn’t the least bit shy about lettin’ ‘er rip.
In his own words, “I think I’m a smart, 200-foot-player, competitive guy and has good stick details that’s pretty good in the scoring areas.”
For a more detailed analysis, here’s a link to Caleb’s pre-draft article. Be sure to read it if you haven’t already.
Oh, and Dubas has already hinted at selecting Markus, the WHL scoring leader with 108 points, with our next pick, which Caleb also predicted. Which would make my colleague two-for-two. A marvelous bit of forecasting, considering the volatility of most drafts.
However, don’t expect Liam to provide help in the near future. He and Markus have committed to playing for the University of North Dakota in ‘27-28.
The Price is Wrong
While other clubs pulled off significant trades on draft day, Dubas elected to stand pat rather than pay the exorbitant if not downright insane prices that were being extracted.
Two players who fit Dubas’ profile to a tee, 23-year-old center Mason McTavish and 24-year-old scoring winger J.J. Peterka, were acquired by the Blues and Bruins, respectively. Each for two first-round picks.
The Rangers ponied up even more to Vegas for 37-goal-scorer Pavel Dorofeyev—two firsts and a third.
Ouch.
I give Dubas full credit for practicing prudence and not allowing himself to be sucked into the frenzy. Especially if, as he seemed to indicate, the asking prices included the likes of rising stars Ben Kindel and Egor Chinakhov. Instead, Dubas is electing to stick with a patient, “brick-by-boring-brick style” of team building that has worked remarkably well thus far.
As for free agency? Again, Dubas plans to exercise restraint and good judgment.
“We could be aggressive as we want on July 1, but if you look at what’s available, it could be an aggressive mistake,” he explained. “I try to learn from the past (hinting at the Ryan Graves and Tristan Jarry signings). And we’ll try to stay clear of that.”
Draft boards has the twins as late first rounders. Unsure why the hate. They won’t turn pro for probably 3 years, plenty of time to add muscle.
I liked the 6′ RHD pick.
There are very few guaranteed hits in drafting. People didn’t like Kindle last year! Or saw brunicke coming on as he did
The biggest challenge I see is upgrading Novak, and the left side of the defense. Hopefully a summer trade will help out.
We live in a world where spectacle and feel good stories are what everyone wants to see. Twins fit both categories. It is easy to be talked into liking the Rucks rather than looking at them objectively. Culture makes us want to see Sendins rather than Ferraros
Not only is there pressure to want to see feel good stories that cloud even so called experts eyes, experts really a wrong a whole lot of times. The Experts told the Pens to take Pickering was a good pick. Hmm. Just because the draft boards say something doesn’t make it right. As I wrote, I watched Liam play games, not watched his highlight films. What I saw was a kid who fanned regularly on shots and passes who did go to the dirty areas but got shooed away like a fly, nd had back checkers frequently take the puck off his stick. This isn’t what somebody told me but something that I witnessed when I watched him play a full game and not some Agents propaganda portfolio.
The scouts said that Pickering had a great first pass, all based off a highlight reel that showed the same pass from multiple angles, giving the impression that Pickering was the second coming of Paul Coffey – look how that pick turned out.
The teams greatest need was for LHD and Dubas ignored it again. There were better players on the board and Dubas passed on them.
It is only June, there is lots of time for dreams
5′-10″ , 160 lbs LW, wow Dubas blows it again – BIG FAT F
A 5′-10″, 168lb Defenseman – welcome back to Smurf hockey – Dubas would have been better of trading these picks away. He has done nothing to improve the team this draft.
F for the 2nd round as well
Hey all,
The Pens, indeed, selected Markus Ruck, Liam’s twin, with the 39th pick. You might be tempted to say Dubas was “stuck in a ruck” with these picks…lol. (Sorry, poor attempt at humor.)
More to come…
Rick
Sorry Rick, but when I watched game films of Liam Ruck, as I wrote a little later, he fanned on about 25% of his passes and shots. He does look up when he goes to move the puck but doesn’t seem to be able to feel the puck on his blade, At this point in he career, that is bad. He did try to go to the dirty areas as Caleb wrote but he gets tossed around like a rag doll. I know that Caleb wanted this but it is horrible. Can you say Peter and Chris Ferraro, that is what will/are getting with Liam and Marcus Ruck,
F and the first round. there were many better players and Dubas passed!!!!
Sorry F for the first round. That was a bad, bad pick. about as bad as Pickering.
If you take him with a 3rd round pick as a project maybe, but definitely not a first rounder.
Hey Other Rick,
Interesting assessment. Let’s hope the Rucks pan out better than the Ferraros did…
Rick