--- title: "Penguins Day 2 haul: 5 prospects, Clark’s scouting logic laid bare" description: "Pittsburgh added two forwards, two defensemen, and a goalie in the middle rounds. Wes Clark explains why each fits the Penguins’ long-term plan." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/a-breakdown-of-the-penguins-5-selections-from-day-2-of-nhl-1bfed499 published: 2026-06-29T17:03:52.65+00:00 updated: 2026-06-29T17:03:52.65+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Penguins Day 2 haul: 5 prospects, Clark’s scouting logic laid bare > Pittsburgh added two forwards, two defensemen, and a goalie in the middle rounds. Wes Clark explains why each fits the Penguins’ long-term plan. The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t wait for Day 3 to restock their prospect cupboard, drafting five players on Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft. The selections spanned two forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender, all targeted by VP of Player Personnel Wes Clark and the scouting staff. The forwards came first. Pittsburgh took center Carter Hayes with the 118th overall pick, a 6-foot-2 pivot with a 2025-26 QMJHL season of 28 goals and 61 points in 58 games. Clark cited Hayes’ compete level and two-way profile as reasons he fits Pittsburgh’s system. Later, winger Elias Petrov landed at 142nd overall, a 5-foot-11 speedster who posted 34 goals and 73 points in 60 games for the USHL’s Tri-City Storm. Clark highlighted Petrov’s offensive instincts and penalty-kill contributions. Defensemen followed. The Penguins selected right-shot blueliner Noah Jensen at 167th overall after he tallied 38 points in 64 games for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. Clark noted Jensen’s puck-moving ability and projected top-four upside. Then came left-shot defenseman Ryan O’Connor at 192nd overall, a 6-foot-3 shutdown type who logged 22 points in 62 games for the OHL’s Guelph Storm. Clark emphasized O’Connor’s physicality and projected shutdown role. In net, Pittsburgh added goaltender Liam Carter at 217th overall, a 6-foot-4 netminder who posted a .918 save percentage in 42 games for the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints. Clark called Carter a “high-upside project” with measurable athleticism and positional refinement still in progress. Clark framed the haul as a deliberate mix of upside and readiness, stressing that each prospect addresses organizational needs without forcing an immediate roster crunch. “We’re not chasing names,” Clark said. “We’re chasing fits that can grow with our core and help us compete down the road.” The selections reflect a broader organizational trend under head coach Mike Sullivan and GM Kyle Dubas: prioritizing system-driven development over flashy Day 1 names. Pittsburgh’s 2026 draft class now totals seven players, with five coming in the middle rounds—a strategy that mirrors the Maple Leafs’ approach under Dubas, where late-round gems like Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg became NHL contributors. The Penguins are betting that Clark’s scouting network can unearth similar value. Development pipelines matter more than ever in the salary-cap era. Pittsburgh’s aging core—led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang—needs reinforcements that can step in without demanding immediate NHL paydays. Jensen and O’Connor, both projected as top-four defensemen, could slot into the lineup within three years, while Hayes and Petrov provide offensive depth behind established stars like Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust. Carter, meanwhile, represents the ultimate long-term play: a goalie who might not see NHL ice until 2028 or later, but could be a franchise cornerstone if his development curves upward. Each pick plugs a specific hole in the roster blueprint. Hayes offers a two‑way center to relieve Crosby’s minutes and protect the top line, while Petrov’s speed and penalty‑kill savvy give Sullivan a versatile winger for special‑teams depth. Jensen’s puck‑moving skill set is designed to complement Letang’s offensive defense, and O’Connor’s size and shutdown instincts provide a right‑hand option for protecting the net. Carter adds a tall, athletic netminder who could eventually challenge the current tandem of Tristan Jarry and backup options, ensuring the Penguins are not left scrambling when the next contract cycle hits. The strategy also reflects a calculated risk‑reward balance in a cap‑tight market. By focusing on mid‑round talent, Pittsburgh avoids the premium contracts that accompany first‑round stars, instead banking on Clark’s network to uncover undervalued players—an approach echoed by Boston and Toronto, who have turned similar picks into reliable contributors. In an era where cap flexibility determines playoff viability, these five prospects represent both a hedge against future salary inflation and a pipeline of potential impact players. What’s next: The Penguins will evaluate these prospects at development camp in July, with a subset likely to join the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins for the 2026‑27 AHL season. Clark hinted that at least two of the five could push for NHL time within two years, depending on development curves and roster openings. ## Why this matters Championship windows hinge on Day 2 steals. Pittsburgh’s five additions show how the front office balances cap constraints with an aging core by targeting high-upside players who can develop in the minors. Clark’s breakdown reveals a philosophy that prioritizes system fit over pedigree, ensuring each prospect can contribute without immediate pressure. For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, these selections are low‑risk investments in the future. The emphasis on two‑way forwards and shutdown defensemen aligns with Sullivan’s system, while the goaltender pick underscores a long‑term bet on a position that has haunted Pittsburgh in recent postseasons. ## Frequently asked ### Who were the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Day 2 draft picks in 2025? The Penguins selected two forwards (Carter Hayes, Elias Petrov), two defensemen (Noah Jensen, Ryan O’Connor), and a goaltender (Liam Carter) on Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft. ### Where did Carter Hayes play before being drafted? Hayes spent the 2025‑26 season with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads, recording 28 goals and 61 points in 58 games. ### What did Wes Clark say about Elias Petrov’s strengths? Clark highlighted Petrov’s offensive instincts and penalty‑kill contributions, noting his speed and hockey sense as key assets. ### Which round were Noah Jensen and Ryan O’Connor selected in? Jensen was taken in the sixth round (167th overall), while O’Connor went in the seventh round (192nd overall). ### What is Liam Carter’s projected timeline to the NHL? Clark described Carter as a “high‑upside project” who could develop in the AHL before pushing for NHL time, with a possible two‑year timeline. ### When will the Penguins evaluate these prospects next? The team plans to evaluate the prospects at development camp in July, with some likely to join Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton for the 2026‑27 AHL season. ## Sources & Citations - [A breakdown of the Penguins’ 5 selections from Day 2 of NHL Draft - TribLIVE.com](https://triblive.com/sports/a-breakdown-of-the-penguins-5-selections-from-day-2-of-nhl-draft/) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-27) --- Cite: Penguins Day 2 haul: 5 prospects, Clark’s scouting logic laid bare. Sportopod, 2026-06-29. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/a-breakdown-of-the-penguins-5-selections-from-day-2-of-nhl-1bfed499