A fresh NHL draft ranking probes every slot (1-224) since 1967, blending talent, hardware, and legacy to name one essential pick per slot. Wayne Simmonds lands at No. 61 as the ultimate late-second-round steal for the Los Angeles Kings, a sign that impactful pros can emerge well after the top picks. The piece threads through a who’s-who of legends—Lemieux, Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, Jagr, Lidstrom and more—highlighting era-adjusted value and the lasting fantasy implications of every draft slot.

Rutger McGroarty tops Pensburgh’s 2025 Top 25 Under 25 as the Penguins’ No. 1 prospect. The 21-year-old forward, acquired from Winnipeg in 2024, flashed leadership and a strong two-way game after a 39-point AHL season and a late-season NHL surge that included his first goal against St. Louis.

He projects as a power-forward capable of anchoring Pittsburgh’s top six with net-front presence and secondary scoring, especially if Dan Muse’s development-focused approach accelerates his NHL transition. With Crosby still guiding the way, McGroarty represents a cornerstone in a patient rebuild for the franchise.

Sergei Ovechkin, six years old, stole the spotlight at the Ovi Cup gala in Moscow, blasting four goals in a charity all-star game that mixed current NHL stars with Russian greats. His pace and nose for the net were evident as he struck twice in the opening frame against Igor Shesterkin, helping Team Ovechkin roll to an 11-7 win over Pavel Datsyuk’s squad. The scene was as much a family moment as a showcase for upcoming talents, with Kirill Kaprizov feeding Sergei and Matvei Michkov contributing a multi-goal performance for the Ovi side.

Alex Ovechkin watched from the bench, praising Sergei’s progress and hinting that the brothers’ hockey journeys will be supported in the spirit of a holiday for kids. The event drew a who’s who of veterans and rising stars, including Malkin’s hat trick for Team Datsyuk, plus appearances by Fetisov, Kamensky, Sergachev, Orlov, Marchenko, and Zamula. The Ovi Cup remains a fertile proving ground for Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan’s young talent, with Sergei and Ilya shaping a family legacy that will be watched closely by fantasy enthusiasts eyeing the sport’s next-generation athletes.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are facing a challenging future, with implications for superstar Sidney Crosby. As the franchise prepares for its fourth consecutive season without playoff hockey, the focus shifts to how the management's decisions in recent years have failed to build around their captain. Analyst Jason Bukala emphasizes the missed opportunities, citing an overreliance on older players instead of youth. With Crosby still delivering elite performance, the questions arise about his patience and loyalty to the Penguins as the team looks unlikely to contend soon.

Despite Crosby's loyalty to fellow veteran Evgeni Malkin, Bukala suggests that Crosby might eventually seek to win elsewhere. Malkin, entering the last year of his contract at age 39, is also uncertain about his future. The dynamic between these two legends could influence Crosby's decision to stay or chase a championship with another team.