With three first round picks and six in the top two rounds, the Penguins saw the 2019 draft as an opportunity to build a foundation for their rebuilding effort, to go along with key youngsters like Mitch Marner, Jeremy Roy, Brandon Carlo and Brendan Perlini.

During the 2019 draft, we learned for sure who was going to take the mantle as the face of the new-look Penguins, saw a nice boost to the defensive pipeline and some depth forward prospects with intriguing skillsets as the Penguins' farm system got a much-needed boost. Let's review the ten new prospects added to the team:

1st round, 2nd overall - C Jack Hughes

When the Penguins traded Cody Hodgson to Ottawa to start this rebuild, the 2nd overall pick was the piece they coveted most, and when the San Jose Sharks took Kaapo Kakko with the 1st overall pick, it left Jack Hughes as the future of the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise. Hughes has the makings of a superstar, a brilliant skater and playmaker who will be effective at the other parts of the game. The only knock on Hughes is a lack of size and physical presence, but he will be an elite first liner for the Penguins to build around going forward and is expected to make his NHL debut this season.

1st round, 10th overall - D Moritz Seider

The Penguins had preliminary talks in trying to move up from 10, but ultimately decided they liked enough players in that range to stay put and see who was left. Though they apparently coveted Dylan Cozens, they were also looking to add a defense prospect, and Seider was #2 on the Pens list of defense prospects in the draft. Seider is an all-around defenseman with capable offense, very good defense and an edge to his game. Seider is likely to step into the AHL right away as one of the two allowed AHL underagers and may

be NHL-ready by the time the season is over.

1st round, 18th overall - D Matthew Robertson

Another shot in the arm for the Pens' defense pipeline, Robertson is limited offensively but terrific defensively. The Penguins traded defenseman Jacob Trouba and took on the salary of Brent Seabrook to move up in the draft and nab the 18th pick, with heavy interest in landing Robertson. He is probably a few years away from being NHL ready, but the Penguins view him as a future top-4 defenseman and PK specialist, and potentially the best defensive defenseman in this year's draft.

2nd round, 34th overall - RW Brett Leason

Leason plays a bit of a power game, a third or fourth-line forward with a bit of extra ability to shoot the puck and to participate in the physical side of the game. Leason accelerated up the draft boards this year after an impressive junior season - the 20-year-old had been passed over twice before - which means that he's a little further along in his development and also that he's already old enough to play in the AHL. The Penguins saw that as a bit of a bonus with their two AHL underage slots likely to be dedicated to Seider and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Leason is a guy that should be ready for NHL duty within a season or two and the Penguins hope he will develop into a reliable third liner.

2nd round, 46th overall - LW Patrik Puistola

At this point in the draft, Puistola was one of the very few players left with high-end offensive skill. He has a terrific shot and is a good passer and stickhandler, something that will potentially allow himself to carve out an NHL career. On the other hand, Puistola does have defensive limitations that may hold him back. If he can produce and be insulated with linemates that cover for his limitations, he may be a useful NHLer and PP specialist.

2nd round, 60th overall - RW Vladislav Firstov

Firstov is an unknown, a player that needs a bit more time before we see what he really is, but if all goes right in his development he could be a player similar to Puistola but with less crippling defensive limitations.

3rd round, 63rd overall - D Kaeden Korczak

Korczak is a bit of a riskier pick, one with limited upside currently but the work ethic and drive to exceed those expectations. A physical and defense-first player, the Penguins are hoping that Korczak can take a step forward and develop into a capable third-pairing, penalty killing defenseman one day.

3rd round, 89th overall - G Mads Sogaard

A goaltender with decent potential and average consistency, the 19-year-old is the only goalie prospect in the Penguins system. He has the ability to be a solid backup or low-end starter if he develops as expected although he likely isn't the long-term answer at the position.

4th round, 93rd overall - C Xavier Simoneau

Simoneau is a small but physical player with a bit of offensive upside, especially as a playmaker. He plays enough of a well-rounded game to have some low-end NHL potential if he can maintain that level of physicality, but in all likelihood, Simoneau's career will be that of a good AHLer.

5th round, 138th overall - D Jeremie Bucheler

A hard hitting player with no offensive upside to speak of, Bucheler is unlikely to develop into much more than an AHL defenseman, though his defensive game may open up a spot for him as a depth defenseman at some point.