Penguins get third pick in draft
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will have the No. 3 pick in the NHL entry draft in June, the lowest possible choice following their worst season in 18 years. The Penguins, who finished next-to-last in the overall NHL standings, went into Monday’s draft lottery with an 18.8 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick. They were assured of drafting no lower than third.
Instead, the Florida Panthers will choose first and the Carolina Hurricanes will draft second. Carolina had the NHL’s worst record.
The Penguins haven’t drafted as high as third since 1985, when they took Craig Simpson with the second pick.
Last season, they selected Boston University defenseman Ryan Whitney fifth overall.
Pittsburgh will have the second selection in each subsequent round in the June 21-22 draft in Nashville.