The Latest Pens’ draft buzz

The Pittsburgh Penguins have seven selections, including the 20th-overall pick in the first round, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, to be held Friday, June 25 (Round 1) and Saturday, June 26 (Rounds 2-7) at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

Round 1 will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday and will be nationally televised by VERSUS. The NHL Network will carry Rounds 2-7 on Saturday, with coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

Along with their first-round pick, the Penguins have picks in the third (80th overall), fourth (110th), fifth (140th), two sixth (152nd and 170th) and seventh round (200th).

*Team sources tell me dynamic Russian prospect Kirill Kabanov is not on the Penguins radar in the first radar. In fact, I haven’t been able to find an evaluator who believes Kabanov is on any teams radar in the first round.

*Five scouts I’ve spoken too in the past 48 hours were all in agreement that Sudbury’s John McFarland will not go in the top-19 picks. Once considered a top-5 pick, McFarland is now likely to go in the 20-30 range.

The Penguins met with McFarland during the combine.

*Multiple team sources reiterated to me today that the Penguins mindset remains to go with the best player available. It’s a philosophy Ray Shero has brought from Nashville to Pittsburgh.

I’m told that the Penguins prefer to add an impact forward, most notably a potential high scoring winger but they’re not going to reach for a “forward” with the No. 20 selection.

*A Pens official denied the notion the Penguins won’t take a european player in the first round. I hear the Penguins are high on…..

Russian winger Vladimir Tarasenko.

*I’m told the Penguins have right winger Emerson Etem, (Medicine Hat, WHL) rated as a top-10 player. Some scouts I was in contact with believe he could fall to the 18-20 range. He’s a player to keep an eye on.

Emerson had 37 goals and 65 points last season.

*The Penguins have few assets (no 2nd round pick) to move up in the draft. However, they would love to get back into the 2nd round.