It wasn’t all that long ago that the Penguins’ farm system was virtually bankrupt of young talent. An unfortunate consequence of winning three Stanley Cups, qualifying for the postseason 16 years in a row and picking from comparatively low draft slots. Not to mention trading away an astounding eight first-round picks and nine second-round picks over that span.
Small wonder the Pens’ prospect pipeline was ranked 30th out of 32 teams, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Boston, according to a recent article by Corey Pronman of The Athletic.
But hold the phone.