NHL draft Day 2 takeaways: Penguins keep Ruck twins together, trades and more

The Pittsburgh Penguins kept the 2026 NHL Draft's twins together.

The Penguins drafted Liam Ruck in the first round with the 22nd overall pick on Friday, June 26. That made their second-round choice easy on Saturday. They selected his twin brother Markus with the 39th overall pick.

"That would make sense if that's the way the board falls," general manager Kyle Dubas said Friday.

Liam said the longest span the brothers have been apart is four days.

"We're obviously pretty close brothers," he said. "We go through everything together. I hope his name is called soon because he deserves it."

It happened less than 24 hours later.

"To be picked by the same team is crazy," Markus said Saturday. "It's super special. We're so thankful to the organization for doing that. We just can't wait to get started."

Liam and Markus play for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League and will return there next season. Markus had 108 points to Liam's 104 as they filled the gap when eventual Toronto Maple Leafs No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna left for Penn State.

Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report said Markus has an "outstanding passing touch and playmaking skills. Excellent vision." He said Liam "wants the puck on his stick in pressure situations and thrived as the 'go-to' guy."

"Liam and I work hand-in-hand with each other, and it's a great fit," Markus said.

Both have committed to North Dakota for 2027. Liam said there's more work to do now that he's drafted.

"I want to be more explosive with my skating," Liam said. "I think that's going to come with strength. I need to get stronger and heavier."

Markus' goals, naturally, are similar.

"Eat lots, put on the right weight and I think that will help with my skating, getting the extra power behind my pushes," he said.

Hurricanes acquire John Carlson's rights in trade with Ducks

The Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes moved the 192nd overall pick, along with minor league defenseman Kyle Masters, to the Anaheim Ducks for the rights to defenseman John Carlson.

That means they can negotiate exclusively with Carlson, 36, before he hits free agency on July 1. He is the top player on USA TODAY's free agent list.

Carlson, traded last season, had 60 points between the Washington Capitals, where he led the franchise in career points by a defenseman, and Anaheim.

Sharks hit new heights with draft pick

The Sharks drafted Alexander Karmanov with the 201st pick. At 7-foot-1, he's the tallest player selected in an NHL draft. The defenseman played for the North Bay Battalion, recording two assists in 20 games.

Flames draft Jarome Iginla's son

The Calgary Flames selected Joe Iginla in the third round with the 65th overall pick. His father began his Hall of Fame career in Calgary. The Flames had missed out on Jarome's older son, Tij, who was drafted sixth overall by the Utah Mammoth in 2024, three picks before Calgary had its first selection.

Blues acquire Brandon Carlo from Maple Leafs

The Blues give up two third-round picks for the defensive defenseman. It was their second acquisition of the draft after acquiring Mason McTavish on the first day.

Former Leafs GM Brad Treliving gave up Fraser Minten, a conditional first-round pick (expected to be in 2028) and a fourth-rounder to land Carlo in March 2025.

In another trade, the Predators acquired 6-foor-7 Adam Edstrom from the Rangers for Massimo Rizzo and a fifth-round pick.

Who was picked last in the NHL draft?

The Montreal Canadiens selected Tyler Deakos with the 224th overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-1, 174 forward had 32 points in 29 games with two teams, finishing his season with Waterloo of the United States Hockey League.