The Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season for the first time in the last two years. Sidney CrosbyThe team is coming to an end with the career of Crosby, a team legend, and the oldest roster in the league. Evgeni Malkinand Kris Letang. Even if you add Eric Karlsson It just wasn't enough to get Pittsburgh back to the postseason. The team is mired in a quagmire with very little cap space and even less roster space. With no big free agent additions in sight, Pittsburgh will likely have to turn to its recent strong draft picks for some new pieces.
Braden Yeager heads that group, and the Penguins have already announced that Yeager will get a chance to break into the NHL lineup next season. The opportunity seems perfectly timely, as Yeager is coming off a strong season with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors. Yeager, who served as team captain, had 35 goals and 95 points in 57 games this season, plus 27 more points in 20 playoff games. He took pride of place as Moose Jaw's top-line centreman and lead playmaker, excelling at playing at top speed, a style that thrived on a team that featured a host of NHL prospects. Jaguar Farkas, Denton Mateichukand Matthew SavoieJagr's tempo and poise have been enough to fend off a lot of physical onslaughts this year, and while there's clearly still a weight barrier between him and the NHL, his ability to distribute the puck is clearly at the pro level.
Jagr isn't the only promising star who could make the pros. He's the WHL's top defenseman. Owen Pickering Pickering is also primed for a big year. He signed an entry-level contract at the end of the 2022-23 season but opted to return to the WHL's Swift Current Broncos this season.
It was the right choice. Pickering has a career-high 46 points in 59 games this season, one more than last year's total, and captained the team for the second straight year. The big, fast defender appeared in eight AHL games last season but failed to record his first professional points. That will be his immediate goal going into the 2024-25 season, but his size, good athleticism even while stick-handling the puck, and early exposure to pro hockey may give him the tools he needs to adapt quickly to the next level. Pickering will no doubt face a long road to the NHL lineup behind Pittsburgh's reinforced left wing. Matt Grzelik and Sebastian AhoBut injuries and a slow start could be the catalyst for Pittsburgh to realize the potential of one of its top defensemen.
wing Tristan Broz and Ville Koivunenas a centerman Vasily Ponomarevrounding out Pittsburgh's list of talented young players. Each player performed well last season in the NCAA, Liiga and AHL, respectively. All three boast excellent individual talents: Broz's drive with the puck, Koivunen's shooting, and Ponomarev's grit, but they have struggled to consistently utilize their talents. Ponomarev is the closest thing to fitting into an NHL lineup, scoring two points in two NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes last year, plus 30 points in 45 AHL games. It's clear he knew how to use his hard-nosed drive to his advantage, and that will go a long way to improving his chances in the NHL. Koivunen has a similar physical edge. He doesn't seek contact like Ponomarev does, but he's good at playing in a crowd. Meanwhile, playing physically will be the biggest adjustment for Broz.
The Penguins have had just three first-round draft picks since 2015 and are feeling the effects now. Fortunately, two of their top picks are looking to kick off their professional careers with a bang next season. Favorable trades and late draft success have landed them strong supporting roles in Yeager and Pickering. While each prospect looks to take a significant step into the NHL lineup in Pittsburgh training camp, the Penguins are praying their youthful energy is enough to lead them back to the postseason before Crosby retires.
