Mock Draft Has Penguins Addressing Center Need With 6-3 Ilia Morozov

A new NHL mock draft projection suggests the Pittsburgh Penguins could use their first-round selection to add a young center with size and upward momentum, not a quick fix. The idea, as outlined in the latest version of the mock, is built around a simple premise: Pittsburgh made the playoffs, but the roster remains in transition, and the Penguins’ draft decisions will carry more importance than they would on a stable, contending timeline.

In that projection, a 6-foot-3 center named Ilia Morozov is the target at the Penguins’ spot later this month. Morozov’s profile in the mock is rooted in development rather than proven pro production. The Hockey News framed the pick as a potential “top-six later down the road” type of move, reflecting how teams often bet on centers who can grow into roles that require both finishing and playmaking.

Morozov’s most recent college season, in the reporting behind the mock, is part of the reason the fit is being discussed. Over 36 games with Miami University, the center posted eight goals, 12 assists, and 20 points. The same account also points to earlier production in the USHL, when Morozov recorded 11 goals and 22 points in 59 games for the Tri-City Storm during 2024-25.

A second theme in the mock discussion is that Pittsburgh’s group of centers is aging, which raises the odds the Penguins prioritize adding a long-term answer at the position. In practical terms, NHL roster building often looks ahead two to four years for middle-pair stability and top-line depth, even when a team is still competing in the present. The draft, then, becomes less about replacing one specific player and more about preserving flexibility.

It is also worth emphasizing what this is, and what it is not. A mock draft is an informed projection, not an announcement, and teams rarely commit to a single pathway until draft weekend. The Penguins could move in the draft, prioritize a different need based on interviews and workouts, or simply take the best player available at their pick. Still, the consistent reason a center like Morozov is being connected to Pittsburgh is that the Penguins need future NHL offense through the middle, and height can be an advantage for puck protection and reaching range.

If the Penguins were to draft Morozov, the next question would be how quickly they expect him to contribute and where he ends up on the depth chart. College players often develop through a full maturation cycle, but the transition pace varies. Pittsburgh’s coaching staff would also have to decide whether to accelerate Morozov’s exposure through the organization or keep him in the right competition level to refine decision-making at NHL speed.

For fans, the watch items are straightforward as draft week approaches. First, track whether the Penguins’ internal board actually places Morozov among their top options at the pick. Second, monitor the broader center market in the first round, because the availability of comparable players can reshape what “best” looks like for Pittsburgh. Finally, pay attention to what the Penguins say they want from the draft class, because even when the headline match is about a position, the real test is whether the player’s tools fit the team’s evolving style.

As Pittsburgh continues its retooling, this mock draft stands as a reminder of how teams translate needs into draft targets. Morozov’s reported production and steady improvement have made him an attractive name for scouts and writers, particularly for clubs seeking a bigger, developing center. Whether he is ultimately in a Penguins sweater will come down to the board at the time of selection, but the logic behind the projection is clear: Pittsburgh’s first-round choice has to help shape its next center group, not just its next roster.”