Back to the Pittsburgh Penguins Newsfeed

NHL Draft: Examining possible US National Team options for the Penguins’ first pick

As the NHL draft day grows near, rankings from places like Daily Faceoff, Sportsnet and The Athletic are starting to trickle out as the prospect gurus rank and list their top eligible players for the annual draft. An area that stood out in this year, as is becoming a trend in hockey, is the talent being produced by the United States National Development Team.

The NDTP has about seven prospects with good odds of going in the first round. Some, like West Mifflin’s Logan Cooley, will be gone long before the Penguins take their turn to pick at number 21 (assuming the suddenly trade-active at the draft Ron Hextall stays at No.