Overview
- This weekend the Penguins used the 22nd overall pick on Liam Ruck and selected his twin Markus at 39, finishing the class with six picks that also included Tomas Galvas, Pierce Mbuyi, Parker Von Richter and Matvei Nikonovich.
- The Ruck twins will return to the WHL for the 2026–27 season and then matriculate to the University of North Dakota for 2027–28, creating a multi-year development plan before college or pro pro opportunities.
- Analyst reaction was mixed with The Athletic’s Corey Pronman giving the class a C+ because of the twins’ size and pace and projecting one to two NHL players, while Scott Wheeler praised the combined value and highlighted Galvas as AHL-ready.
- Tomas Galvas stands out as a mobile, offensive defenseman who could play top-four minutes in the AHL soon, Pierce Mbuyi offers mid-round upside as a goal-scoring forward, Parker Von Richter projects as a defensive specialist and Nikonovich adds goaltending depth.
- The draft continues GM Kyle Dubas’s recent strategy of targeting skilled, smaller players who need time to develop, and the twins’ excitement and a congratulatory call from Sidney Crosby underscore the personal impact of being drafted together.