The Pittsburgh Penguins have done an excellent job restocking what was once a very thin system. Headlined by strong forward talents like Rutger McGroarty, the Ruck twins and Benjamin Kindel, the Penguins have acquired some genuine pro prospects. It’s a very respectable pipeline that will provide much-needed youth and compete as Pittsburgh eventually turns away from its old core of players.

2025 ranking: 19

2026 NHL Draft grade: C+

Player Ranking1. Rutger McGroarty, RW

March 30, 2004 | 6-foot-1 | 204 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 14 in 2022
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: McGroarty was excellent in the AHL as an important part of a strong Wilkes-Barre team. McGroarty has good offensive skills, but his game isn’t the flashiest. Rather, he accomplishes a lot through his great compete level and intelligence. He’s a tenacious competitor on pucks and around the net. He makes a lot of intelligent plays with the puck and always seems to be around the play despite his mediocre foot speed. He has the sense to run a power play, finish from range and make perimeter plays, but will make his living in the high-percentage areas. He has a tough skating stride, and it may take him a while to get up to the NHL pace, but he has the makings of a potential middle-six winger that coaches will love.

2. Ben Kindel, C

April 19, 2007 | 5-foot-11 | 180 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 11 in 2025
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Kindel was one of the surprises of the season, making the Penguins out of camp and being their 3C right away. He’s small but checks every other box you want. He’s a very good skater with the first few steps and top speed to play at the higher levels. He’s a skilled, creative offensive player who sees the ice very well and has a good shot too. He creates well on the move and has a direct style of offense. I wouldn’t describe him as the typical small, dynamic offensive player; rather, I see a versatile, complete player other than his size. If he stays in the middle, I think he’s more of a long-term third-liner, but he could be a top-six winger.

3. Harrison Brunicke, D

May 8, 2006 | 6-foot-3 | 196 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 44 in 2024
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Brunicke was solid between the WHL and AHL last season. His World Juniors was just OK, but he showed how well his game translates against men. Brunicke is a toolsy defenseman, skates well and has a strong offensive skill level. On his best shift, with the way he can rush up ice and activate off the blue line, he looks like a long-time NHL defenseman. Brunicke can make a good first pass, but he certainly isn’t a dynamic player by any means offensively. He isn’t hard to play against, but he makes stops due to his length and feet and retrieves pucks well. He has a good chance to be a top-four defenseman.

4. Liam Ruck, RW

Feb. 21, 2008 | 6-foot-0 | 177 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 22 in 2026
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Ruck is a dangerous scoring winger. He’s a very slick and intelligent player who creates a lot with the puck. His pure athletic tools don’t jump out: he’s not that big, and he’s a below-average skater. He does work hard, though, and gets to the hard areas to generate offense, earning his coach’s trust consistently. Ruck has a path to the league due to his great stick and brain.

5. Will Horcoff, C

Jan. 23, 2007 | 6-foot-5 | 203 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 24 in 2025
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Poor
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Horcoff was quite good for Michigan, scoring 25 goals and being a big part of a top college team. He’s a very skilled big man who can make small-man-type plays in tight areas. He sees the ice at a high level and has a creative offensive mind. The issues in his game at the top level will all come down to pace. I’ve seen slower 6-foot-5 guys, but his first few steps are going to be a struggle in the NHL. While he’s big and can win battles, the physical effort in his game can be inconsistent too. He projects as a middle-six winger.

6. Bill Zonnon, RW

Oct. 3, 2006 | 6-foot-2 | 185 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 22 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Zonnon checks a lot of boxes. He’s a big, fast center with a skating stride that will easily translate to the NHL. He has good stick skills and can create offense on the move. He’s been a big scorer in the QMJHL, but I wouldn’t call him an overly instinctive offensive type. He can make some plays and has a decent shot, too, but it looks like more secondary skill at the top level. He works well enough off the puck and could have two-way value as a pro. He could be a bottom-six center.

7. Peyton Kettles, D

Sept. 1, 2007 | 6-foot-6 | 195 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 39 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Kettles missed almost the entire season due to a shoulder injury. When healthy, Kettles is a big right-shot defenseman who can move at an NHL level. He will be able to close on checks and retrieve pucks at the top level due to his mobility. His value is mostly on the defensive side, but he has some offense, too. I’ve seen him find lanes in the offensive zone and make tough plays, although I don’t think he’s a natural skill type. As a big man, I’d like to see him use his frame more to push guys around, even if he gives a decent effort. He’s a bit vanilla as a player, but good enough overall that he could be a third-pair defenseman.

8. Mikhail Ilyin, RW

Feb. 15, 2005 | 6-foot-0 | 181 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 142 in 2023
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Ilyin had a strong year in the KHL and then helped Wilkes-Barre in its AHL playoff run. He’s a winger with a very high skill level. Ilyin is able to make a lot of difficult plays with the puck and do so with pace. He’s creative as a passer and can generate plenty of chances off the flank. Ilyin’s compete is fine, not a selling point, and he’s not physical, but he works hard enough to project to play games.

9. Tomáš Galvas, D

Feb. 11, 2006 | 5-foot-10 | 168 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 54 in 2026
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Galvas was a top player at the World Juniors and was solid for a teenager in the top Czech league. He’s a highly skilled and intelligent defenseman who makes a lot of difficult plays with the puck, displaying poise and confidence from the offensive blue line. He competes and moves well, although neither is a top-tier element you want in a 5-10 defenseman. To make it, his offense is going to need to be excellent as a pro, and I’m on the fence about whether he can reach that level, hence why he’s been undrafted twice before this year.

10. Jake Livanavage, D

May 6, 2004 | 5-foot-11 | 190 pounds

Drafted: Undrafted free agent
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Livanavage has been one of the better defensemen in college the last few years. He’s a highly mobile and intelligent player who can make skilled plays frequently and do so with pace. He’s quite small for an NHL defenseman, which is why he was undrafted, but he works hard and has been a solid college stopper.

11. Owen Pickering, D

Jan. 27, 2004 | 6-foot-5 | 206 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 21 in 2022
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Pickering skates very well for a big man. He can transition pucks at a high level and is very steady defensively due to his feet, reach and a solid compete level. The question on his game is with the puck. He has OK hands and can make some difficult plays with the puck, although that aspect of his game is inconsistent and he can struggle under pressure. He defends well in the AHL, but he’s not overly hard to play against despite his size. He has the traits to be an NHL defenseman, but whether the consistency in his game gets there remains to be seen.

12. Chase Pietila, D

March 3, 2004 | 6-foot-2 | 186 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 111 in 2024
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Pietila isn’t flashy by any means, but he’s a hard-working defenseman with size who kills a lot of plays and is reliable at even strength. He can break pucks out with his feet and first pass and has enough touch to be a useful depth piece.

13. Markus Ruck, C

Feb. 21, 2008 | 6-foot-0 | 167 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 39 in 2026
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Below NHL average

Analysis: Ruck, the twin brother of fellow Penguin Liam Ruck, was excellent in the WHL last season as the league’s top scorer. He’s a super skilled and intelligent player who makes a lot of difficult plays. He’s great inside the offensive zone and on the power play. He’s not quite as natural a scorer as his brother, though, and his skating will be a notable issue at the next level, especially as a barely 6-foot forward.

14. Kale Dach, C

Feb. 15, 2007 | 5-foot-10 | 165 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 201 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Dach was quite good in the WHL last season as a top forward in his conference. He’s a speedy and skilled center who can drive play at the junior level with his pace and playmaking. He sees the ice quite well and makes difficult plays often. Dach is small, but he competes and is a diligent two-way center. Is he dynamic enough for his size? That’s what he will need to prove.

15. Pierce Mbuyi, LW

April 17, 2008 | 5-foot-10 | 163 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 86 in 2026
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Mbuyi has been a dangerous scorer in his two years in the OHL. He has the speed and skill for the NHL. He’s a creative winger who can play with pace and makes difficult plays frequently. He isn’t big or physical and can be pushed to the outside, but he can win battles along the walls and create in traffic. Mbuyi also has a good shot from range. He’s not the most dynamic small winger, but he has a chance to make it.

16. Gabriel D’Aigle, G

Nov. 21, 2006 | 6-foot-4 | 211 pounds | Catches left

Drafted: No. 84 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average

Analysis: D’Aigle moves very well and can make all the difficult, athletic saves of a top-tier NHL goalie. At his best, he can steal games. Those games are sparse, though. His reads can be quite inconsistent, and there’s often too much chaos, on top of too many low-percentage shots beating him. He has the tools to make it, but has a lot of development work ahead of him.

17. Sergei Murashov, G

April 1, 2004 | 6-foot-0 | 167 pounds | Catches right

Drafted: No. 118 in 2022
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average

Analysis: Murashov had a great season as a top goalie in the AHL. He’s a very agile and intelligent goalie who makes a ton of high-difficulty saves and does so without a lot of chaos in his game. Murashov’s only real issue is that he doesn’t cover a ton of net, which could hamper him, but to date he’s shown he can excel in the pros.

Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2026, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.

Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.

Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.