Penguins draft two WHL players and trade for Kevin Hayes

After a quiet day one of the NHL draft for the Penguins due to trading their first rounder in the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes last year, the Penguins select two Canadians and trade for Kevin Hayes.

The Pens selected 18 year old defenseman, Harrison Brunicke with the 44th pick. Brunicke played 49 games for the Kamloops Blazers, scoring 10 goals, 11 assists, and 21 points. He is a righty and is listed as 6-3, 196 pounds.

Two picks later, the Pens took forward, Tanner Howe from the Regina Pats. Howe is also 18 years old, he played in 68 games, scoring 28 goals, 49 assists, and 77 points. He is a lefty and is 5-10, 184 pounds. Howe played with Chicago's Connor Bedard and then became the captain of the squad when Bedard was drafted.

Pittsburgh then made a trade for 32 year old forward, Kevin Hayes from the St. Louis Blues. He played in 79 games, scored 13 goals, had 16 assists, and 29 points.

The Pens acquire Hayes and a 2025 2nd round pick from the Blues for future considerations. He is signed through the 2025-2026 campaign with an AAV of $7,142,857. The Flyers are retaining 50% of his salary from a previous trade.

The Penguins have four more picks Saturday. Their next pick comes in round 4.