Pittsburgh Penguins: Reviewing the Last 15 First-Round Draft Picks

On Thursday October 27, 2011, the NHL announced that the 2012 Entry Draft would be hosted by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Consol Energy Center is the NHL's newest arena, and will certainly be an accommodating venue for the event.

Pittsburgh last hosted the event in 1997 at the Mellon Arena (then called Civic Arena).

That was the year San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton was selected first overall.

You probably do not remember the Penguins' first pick.

Here is a look at the first selection by the Penguins in each of the past 15 drafts, starting with the last draft in Pittsburgh.

1997: Robert Dome, 17th Overall

Once the likes of Thornton, Roberto Luongo, Marian Hossa were gone, the Penguins picked Robert Dome.

Dome is now 32 years old and has played in 53 NHL games. He has not played professional hockey since the conclusion of the 2009-2010 season, according to EliteProspects.com.

1998: Milan Kraft, 23rd Overall

After cross-state rival Philadelphia selected Simon Gagne 22nd overall in the 1998 NHL entry draft, the Penguins picked Milan Kraft.

Kraft played four seasons in Pittsburgh from 2000 to 2004, recording a 40-point season in 2003-04.

When the lockout stopped NHL action, Kraft began playing in the Czech Extraliga. Aside from one season in the Russian Superleague (rebranded in 2008 to become the KHL), Kraft spent the rest of his career with the Czech Extraliga, last playing in the 2008-09 season.

1999: Konstantin Koltsov, 18th Overall

Another name that is unlikely to be remembered in the storylines of NHL history was the Penguins' first round pick in 1999.

After bust Patrick Stefan went first overall to the Atlanta Thrashers, the Vancouver Canucks selected Daniel and Henrik Sedin with the second and third picks. The relatively weak draft also included Tim Connolly, Taylor Pyatt and Barrett Jackman going before the Penguins picked Konstantin Koltsov.

Martin Havlat was selected 26th overall.

Koltsov played 144 games in the NHL, all with Pittsburgh. After scoring just 38 points in those games, Konstantin went to what is now the KHL.

The 30-year-old still plays for Salavat Yulaev Ufa in that league.

2000: Brooks Orpik, 18th Overall

This was the draft in which Mike Millbury continued his destruction of the New York Islanders by drafting Rick DiPietro first overall and trading away Roberto Luongo.

Dany Heatley and Marian Gaborik were the next two selections.

The Penguins' pick of this draft is still with the team today. Defenseman Brooks Orpik has played more than 500 NHL games, all with Pittsburgh.

He played for the United States in the 2010 Olympics as part of a silver medal team.

One last note: Vezina-nominated goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov was selected 44th overall in this draft. Forty-three picks after DiPietro.

2001: Colby Armstrong, 21st Overall

Now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colby Armstrong was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Armstrong's rookie season in 2005-06 was an impressive one; he scored 40 points in just 47 games. However, his career high since then is also 40 points. It took him a full 82 games to match it in 2008-09.

Armstrong's time with Pittsburgh was cut short when he was included as part of the trade that brought Marian Hossa to the Penguins in 2008.

2002: Ryan Whitney, 5th Overall

The former Boston University standout went before notables such as Alexander Semin, Cam Ward and Duncan Keith.

Ryan Whitney played three seasons with the Penguins before being traded in 2009, months before Pittsburgh won the Stanley Cup. Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi of the Anaheim Ducks were the return on the trade.

Whitney played with Orpik during the 2010 Olympics. He is now a member of the Edmonton Oilers.

2003: Marc-Andre Fleury, 1st Overall

The Pittsburgh Penguins had ownership of the third overall selection, but the pick was traded to the Florida Panthers, along with the 55th pick and Mikael Samuelsson for the first overall pick and the 73rd pick.

Pittsburgh selected their current starting goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury.

Florida ended up selecting Nathan Horton with the third pick, now a Stanley Cup Champion with the Boston Bruins.

Pittsburgh selected Dan Carcillo with the 73rd pick.

2004: Evgeni Malkin, 2nd Overall

After finishing with an NHL-worst 58 points in the 2003-04 season, the Penguins selected second overall. The first pick went to the Washington Capitals, whose selection became a rival of Pittsburgh and helped spark the rivalry showcased at last season's Winter Classic.

His name was Alex Ovechkin.

Though Pittsburgh lost out on the player regarded as the best hockey prospect in the world, what they got second was no loss.

Evgeni Malkin has scored 418 points in 352 NHL games. In the 2008-09 season, Malkin won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP, a Stanley Cup, the Art Ross trophy as scoring leader and was a runner-up for the Hart Trophy.

Ovechkin-Malkin may be the greatest 1-2 combination the NHL draft has ever seen.

2005: Sidney Crosby, 1st Overall

For the second time in three seasons, Pittsburgh would be selecting first overall.

Since there was no season to base the draft order on, the NHL conducted a lottery to select the order. It was known as the Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes due to the likelihood of the highly-touted prospect going first overall.

When Pittsburgh won the lottery, it saved the franchise.

Without Sidney Crosby, it is difficult to believe the team would have as much success as they have recently.

Thankfully for die-hards, the young superstar put fans in the seats, creating an intense following that helped keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

Since entering the NHL, Crosby has averaged more points-per-game than any other player. He is the winner of a Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Rocket Richard Trophy.

His career highlights include a handful of hat tricks and important goals such as the overtime winner in the 2010 Olympic Gold Medal game or the shootout winner in the 2008 NHL Winter Classic.

He is the face of hockey in Pittsburgh. Crosby has yet to play a game this season due to symptoms associated with a concussion he suffered last season.

2006: Jordan Staal, 2nd Overall

For the fourth time in as many seasons, Pittsburgh would have one of the top two draft picks.

In 2006, they selected Jordan Staal after Erik Johnson went first overall to the St. Louis Blues.

Staal totals 198 points in 369 NHL games and was a finalist for the Frank Selke Trophy in 2010, given to the league's best defensive forward.

2007: Angelo Esposito, 20th Overall

Angelo Esposito was once regarded as a potential top pick in the draft, but slipped to the later half of the opening round.

Esposito has not played in the NHL since being drafted.

He was part of the Armstrong trade that brought Hossa to Pittsburgh.

He is not related to hockey greats Phil or Tony.

2008: Nathan Moon, 120th Overall

Along with Armstrong and Esposito, the Penguins sent their first round pick to Atlanta in the Hossa trade. Their second round pick was traded to Toronto in a deal that brought Hal Gill to Pittsburgh. The Rangers had ownership of their third round pick, so Pittsburgh's first selection was not until Round 4.

The team took Nathan Moon, who now plays for the Worcester Sharks of the AHL.

2009: Simon Despres, 30th Overall

After winning the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals, the Penguins would have the last pick in the first round.

Simon Despres spent the two seasons following the draft with the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs, totaling 88 points as a defenseman.

He now plays for the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

2010: Beau Bennett, 20th Overall

Beau Bennett is playing his second season with the University of Denver Pioneers.

He has six points in four games.

2011: Joe Morrow, 23rd Overall

The Penguins' most recent selection was defenseman Joe Morrow of the WHL's Portland Winterhawks.

Morrow is still with the Winterhawks. He has 11 points in 10 games this season.