Kyle Dubas has a long history with Conor Timmins and it took a new twist when the Penguins opted to trade the defender to Buffalo. Pittsburgh added ECHL/AHL level defender Isaac Belliveau and acquired the 39th overall pick and defenseman Connor Clifton from the Sabres.
With that pick, the Pens took a player somewhat like Timmins - a big right shot defenseman in Peyton Kettles out of the WHL.
Kettles is somewhat reminsicent of the Pens’ second round pick last year Harrison Brunicke. Both are tall d-men from the WHL and boosted their stock with good performances at the U-18 Worlds in the spring before their respective draft years.