Blues, Penguins exchange 2025, 2026 draft picks

The St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins made a unique trade Tuesday morning, as the Blues acquired the Penguins’ 2026 second-round pick and their 2025 third-round pick in exchange for their 2025 second-round pick and 2026 fifth-round pick.

According to Daily Faceoff hockey insider Frank Seravalli, the trade gives the Blues the required picks needed in case they successfully sign Edmonton Oilers’ restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway.

On Monday, the Blues announced they signed Broberg to a two-year, $4.580,917 offer sheet and Holloway to a two-year, $2,290,457 offer sheet.

The compensation due for Holloway is a third-round pick and for Broberg, a second-round pick.

The Blues went 43-33-6 with 92 points in 2023-24, fifth in the Central Division and six points shy of a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Forward Robert Thomas led the team in scoring with 86 points (26 goals and 60 assists), while forward Jordan Kyrou led the team in goals with 31.

Meanwhile, the Penguins finished last season with a 38-32-12 record and 88 points, fifth in the Metropolitan Division and three points shy of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Captain Sidney Crosby led the team in every offensive category, scoring 42 goals and 52 assists for 94 points. It was the 13th time in Crosby’s career that he broke the 80-point mark.