{"id":154421,"date":"2025-09-19T13:19:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T13:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/154421\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T13:19:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T13:19:08","slug":"young-pittsburgh-penguins-have-chance-at-nhl-roster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/154421\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Pittsburgh Penguins Have Chance at NHL Roster"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Penguins aren\u2019t expected to contend for the Stanley Cup Playoffs throughout the 2025-26 season as they continue to work through a rebuild. According to Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas,<\/a> this new season means new opportunities for the team\u2019s young players.<\/p>\n

On the opening day of Penguins training camp, Dubas noted that age won\u2019t play a factor in who makes the roster. Prospects will have all the same opportunities as veterans on the training camp roster.<\/p>\n

Dubas: if young players show they deserve it, they\u2019ll make the NHL roster, regardless of how it might affect vets.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dave Molinari (@MolinariPGH) September 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf young players show they deserve it, they\u2019ll make the NHL roster,\u201d Dubas said about his prospects. \u201cRegardless of how it might affect vets.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Penguins have one of the most underrated prospect pools in the NHL featuring key names<\/a> like Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty and Owen Pickering. McGroarty is dealing with an injury and will be out indefinitely, but Koivunen and Pickering have legitimate chances to make the Penguins roster out of camp.<\/p>\n

The road might be a bit tougher for younger prospects like Harrison Brunicke and goalie Sergei Murashov, but Dubas won\u2019t be afraid to utilize his prospects if they seems ready for the NHL.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019re notably looking for is our younger guys that have earned opportunities and chances, can they run with it?\u201d Dubas said. \u201cAs the lineups get better and the games get harder, can they continue to maintain their level.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Owen<\/p>\n

Dec 3, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Owen Pickering (38) reacts after scoring his first career NHL goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images \/ Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Dubas noted that the veteran players on the Penguins roster are aware that the prospects will be battling for NHL roles. With both veterans and prospects battling for NHL positioning, the Penguins are surely going to have an entertaining training camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they continue to push all the way, and it\u2019s very clear that they should be on the team, then they\u2019ll make the team,\u201d Dubas said. \u201cWe\u2019ll deal with whatever the ripple effects are on some of the more veteran guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Big names like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are surely safe, but just about anyone else should have their head on a swivel. The Penguins want to build a contending team as quick as possible with their prospects expecting to be the centerpieces.<\/p>\n

The Penguins are entering a new era as the careers of Crosby, Malkin and Letang near a conclusion<\/a> and Dan Muse steps behind the bench as a first time NHL head coach. Dubas has been building the Penguins in his image and should soon see a turnaround in success on the ice.<\/p>\n

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!<\/a><\/p>\n