The Pittsburgh Penguins, like every other franchise across the league, kept their fingers crossed during Monday night’s 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Pittsburgh entered the lottery with a 5% chance at the No. 1 overall pick, which were the ninth-strongest odds behind the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Seattle Kraken, Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks. The Penguins were among those eligible to move up to the first overall slot, but luck wasn’t on their side once the ping pong balls were selected.
The Penguins landed the No. 11 overall pick. Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas was the team’s lottery representative and watched as the New York Islanders — who had the 10th-best odds with a 3.5% chance at No. 1 — won the draft lottery. It was a tough pill to swallow for the franchise, as they dropped two spots in the order.
Pittsburgh missed postseason contention for the third straight year after going 34-36-12 in the regular season. That immediately turned team interest toward the draft lottery as Penguins fans hoped the organization would land a favorable selection that would allow them to net a prospect for the future. Instead, Pittsburgh will pick outside of the top 10 for the 13th straight time to accompany the nine other total selections the team owns.
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The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 27.
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Featured image via Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images