The Pittsburgh Penguins included a 2nd round pick in 2020 via the Matt Murray trade from the Ottawa Senators. The Sens sent out the 52nd total choice to Pittsburgh and the Pens used it to pick goalie Joel Blomqvist. He was the third goalie taken up until now in the draft.
From Stanley Cup of Chowder:
Theres also the opportunity this pick might be used as future trade ammunition to assist try and prop open the window to win. Previous 2nd round picks by Pittsburgh like Calen Addison, Fillip Hallander and Fillip Gustavsson have actually been traded away as impressive young potential customers to assist restore NHL skill.
Blomqvist concerns us from the juggernaut Kärpät system, where hes gradually climbed up the ranks and revealed that he can be depended upon for both his group and the national group when hes been called for it, and its paid dividends for his prize closet; an all-star nomination, named the finest goalie in his league in 2019, and a silver medal at the U17 Worlds in 2018.
Blomqvists hallmark ability is his pure athleticism. He walks around the crease with fast reflexes and attacks the puck with the kind of agility you d hope for in the modern-day period goaltender, and even if hes not specifically big, he sure plays like it, and helping that is simply a strong understanding of goaltending method and play acknowledgment that allows him to close down plays the minute the puck strikes him and gobble up rebound opportunities. And all of that has actually made him a problem to beat and attempt at the junior level.
And heres him robbing the 10th general pick Cole Perfetti with a very great save.
Blomqvist has likewise begun playing for Karpat of the Finnish league and playing pretty well.
On one hand, the Pens cant truly fail here. Their young prospect swimming pool does not actually have a lot of very first or 2nd round choices in it, pretty much just forward Samuel Poulin and defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph (at first prepared by Arizona). The Pens can use any and all help they can get.
