Bill Zonnon was taken at No. 22 before the Penguins moved up to select Will Horcoff, their third 18-year-old forward of the first round, at No. 24 by trading picks No. 31 and 59 to the Los Angeles Kings.

The Penguins enter the 2025 draft looking for an infusion of young talent for first-year coach Dan Muse. The 42-year-old Muse comes from the New York Rangers, who hired former longtime Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan this offseason. Pittsburgh last made the playoffs in 2022 and has not won a playoff series since 2018.

The Nashville Predators traded up in the 2025 NHL Draft on June 27 with their second first-round selection, getting Cameron Reid at No. 21.