Snapshots: Penguins, Mason West, World Juniors
As the Pittsburgh Penguins’ former ownership group continues to explore the possibility of buying back into the team, the Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey broke down the potential pros and cons of the move. Fenway Sports Group has said that they’re only interested in selling a small portion of the Penguins, which appears to be something that interests Mario Lemieux and his former leadership group. However, Mackey wonders if there a path to where FSG would consider a full sale. There is precedent for FSG principal owner John Henry selling a team just a few years after purchasing it. As Mackey notes, in 1999, FSG purchased the MLB’s Marlins for $150MM, only to sell them three years later for $158.5MM. With the Penguins largely struggling since FSG’s purchase of the franchise, and the team now fully engaged in a rebuild, now could be the right time make a business decision. Even if Lemieux and his partners were to return as minority owners, Mackey emphasizes how meaningful that would be for the city.
Elsewhere around hockey:
- The Team Canada National Junior Team has announced its roster for the National Junior Summer Showcase, per a team release. The 44-player roster features 22 first-round picks and eight second-rounders. Some of the names added to the roster include New York Islanders’ 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer, San Jose Sharks’ 2025 second-overall pick Michael Misa, and Cayden Lindstrom, selected fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2024. Of note, eight first-round selections were listed as players who were invited, but unable to attend, including 2025 draft picks Caleb Desnoyers, Roger McQueen, and Carter Bear. The tournament is set to take place from July 27 to August 2 and serves as a precursor to the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
- Chicago Blackhawks 2025 first-round pick Mason West is committed to his future in hockey, but that hasn’t stopped college football programs from reaching out to the 17-year-old, reports The Athletic’s Scott Powers. The 6’6″, 218-pound forward also starred as a high school quarterback in his native Minnesota. While NCAA football programs have continued to contact West after being drafted 29th overall by the Blackhawks, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to hockey, per his high school football coach, Jason Potts. Potts said West has continued to receive interest, noting, “Recruiting is out of hand… But again, Mason’s just focused on his goals and what he wants to do. And he’s really good at blocking distractions out and then just enjoying the experience.”
Chicago Blackhawks Acquire 29th Overall Pick, Select Mason West
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Carolina Hurricanes have traded the 29th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft to the Chicago Blackhawks for the 34th and 62nd overall picks, plus a fifth-round pick in 2027. With their third first-round pick of the evening, the Blackhawks have selected Mason West from the USHL’s Fargo Force.
West, who will be joining the NCAA’s Michigan State University Spartans in the fall of 2026-27, is an intriguing prospect for a few reasons. He’s a towering forward, considering his talent, standing at 6’6″, 218lbs. Although he finished the year with USHL Fargo, he spent much of the year with Edina High School in Minnesota, scoring 27 goals and 49 points in 31 games.
Once he transitioned to Fargo toward the end of the year, he scored one goal and nine points in 10 games. The most fascinating part about West is that he’s never been a full-time hockey player. Throughout his time with Edina, West doubled as a premier high school quarterback and could receive D1 scholarships if his senior season this autumn goes well.
Because of his non-zero chance of cracking an NFL roster someday, West was projected to fall into the second round, anywhere between the 45th and 55th overall picks. The Blackhawks see potential in West and believe he will continue his professional hockey career.