The Penguins used their last of three third-round picks on Saturday to add their first left-handed defenseman of this year's draft class in Brady Peddle, selected 91st overall from the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks.
Peddle, 18, is already 6 foot 3 and 203 pounds, which is one of the things that attracted the Penguins to him. Vice president of player personnel Wes Clark praised him as "another big, left-shot D that provides a ton of defensive utility."
The Elite Prospects Draft Guide wrote that "opponents know when Peddle is on the ice. Crushing open-ice hits, net-front maulings, overpowering crunches into the wall – if there’s a way to win a battle and inflict pain, he’ll find it. He complements the physicality with aggressive step-ups, quick rotations, and frequent communication."
Peddle contributed some offense last season, scoring three goals (including two game-winners) and seven assists in 62 games. His plus-12 plus/minus tied for fifth among Waterloo skaters and tied for sixth across all USHL rookies.
In the postseason, Peddle elevated his production, scoring a goal and nine assists in 15 games.
Peddle is committed to Michigan State University, but not until 2026-27. He'll go back to Waterloo for one more year in the meantime.
Where does Peddle project as a potential NHL defenseman? The EP Draft Guide wrote that Peddle "should be a straightforward projection to a bottom-pair shutdown role," but noted that "there’s a chance that he develops his puck skills and becomes more of a versatile minute-eating defenseman, too."
The Penguins have some good, high-end potential top-pairing defensemen in the system like Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke. They don't have as many high-end options whose role is to "inflict pain." If Peddle pans out, there's value in having him to fill out a blue line.
THE ASYLUM
Peddle a physical, 'crushing' defenseman
The Penguins used their last of three third-round picks on Saturday to add their first left-handed defenseman of this year's draft class in Brady Peddle, selected 91st overall from the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks.
Peddle, 18, is already 6 foot 3 and 203 pounds, which is one of the things that attracted the Penguins to him. Vice president of player personnel Wes Clark praised him as "another big, left-shot D that provides a ton of defensive utility."
The Elite Prospects Draft Guide wrote that "opponents know when Peddle is on the ice. Crushing open-ice hits, net-front maulings, overpowering crunches into the wall – if there’s a way to win a battle and inflict pain, he’ll find it. He complements the physicality with aggressive step-ups, quick rotations, and frequent communication."
Peddle contributed some offense last season, scoring three goals (including two game-winners) and seven assists in 62 games. His plus-12 plus/minus tied for fifth among Waterloo skaters and tied for sixth across all USHL rookies.
In the postseason, Peddle elevated his production, scoring a goal and nine assists in 15 games.
Peddle is committed to Michigan State University, but not until 2026-27. He'll go back to Waterloo for one more year in the meantime.
Where does Peddle project as a potential NHL defenseman? The EP Draft Guide wrote that Peddle "should be a straightforward projection to a bottom-pair shutdown role," but noted that "there’s a chance that he develops his puck skills and becomes more of a versatile minute-eating defenseman, too."
The Penguins have some good, high-end potential top-pairing defensemen in the system like Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke. They don't have as many high-end options whose role is to "inflict pain." If Peddle pans out, there's value in having him to fill out a blue line.
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