Penguins Officially Lose First-Round Draft Pick
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PITTSBURGH – As was greatly expected, the Pittsburgh Penguins did not win the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery and will subsequently lose their first-round pick. The Penguins finished their season in position to select 14th at the 2024 NHL Draft, but they will not have that pick. Pick 14 now belongs to the San Jose Sharks who acquired a first-round pick from the Penguins last summer.
When the Penguins Erik Karlsson to their lineup, they sent a first round pick to the Sharks, but they top-10 protected that selection. Had the Penguins finished with a top-10 draft pick or won the lottery to move into better position, they would have retained their 2024 first rounder. The first round pick heading to the Sharks would have been moved to the 2025 NHL Draft.
Heading into the draft lottery, the Penguins only had a 1.5% chance of winning the lottery. Had they won, they would have moved as high as the fourth overall pick and had the choice to keep that pick or still send it to San Jose.
With the lottery balls not falling their way, the Penguins automatically lose their first round pick at this year’s draft. They will retain possession of their 2025 first rounder.
Not all hope is lost, however as the Penguins can still nab a pick on the first day of the 2024 Draft. If the Carolina Hurricanes reach the Stanley Cup Final, a conditional second round pick from the Jake Guentzel trade will elevate to a first.
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