After taking two forwards with their first two picks, the Penguins selected defenseman Tomas Galvas with the 54th overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft. The overage 20-year old has spent the last four years in the Czech league.
Galvas has clearly proven he can impact games offensively against men, which is a major positive and separates him from typical junior-only producers. His offensive toolkit is high-end as he generates 1.03 scoring chances per game with a strong 15% conversion rate,
moves pucks at an elite level (92% pass completion, 2.3 pre-shot passes/game), and consistently drives transition with his skating, vision and hard flat passes, which aligns with prior Neutral Zone reports highlighting his agility, deception, and ability to create space under pressure. He plays with confidence and poise, and his ability to activate offensively and distribute through layers makes him a legitimate power play driver. However, the concerns remain consistent and are amplified by NHL standards: at 5’10’, 173 pounds, he is undersized relative to NHL players, and while his skating allows him to defend with positioning, his 50% puck battle win rate and low physical engagement (0.33 hits/game) show clear limitations in handling heavier, interior play at higher levels. His tendency to over-activate offensively and get caught up ice continues to show up in his game, and while his offensive instincts are a strength, they can come at the expense of defensive structure as he enjoys playing a high-risk game. Additionally, his defensive zone play remains average, relying more on skating recovery than physical stops in the corner or net-front control. That said, his production at the pro level, combined with elite puck movement and offensive IQ, gives him a legitimate NHL pathway.
Galvas is a late bloomer. The 20-year-old, two-way defenceman is coming into his own and played some of his best hockey at the World Junior and Men’s World Championship this season.
Galvas was a top player at the World Juniors and was solid for a teenager in the top Czech league. He’s a highly skilled and intelligent defenseman. He makes a lot of difficult plays with the puck, displaying poise and confidence from the offensive blue line. He competes and moves well, although neither are top tier elements you want in a 5-foot-11 defenseman. To make it, his offense is going to need to be excellent as a pro, and I’m on the fence about whether he can reach that level, hence why he’s been undrafted twice before this season.
Galvas was ranked among the draft class as one of the top skaters and offensive minded defensemen.
