{"id":225974,"date":"2025-10-15T07:20:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T07:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/225974\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T07:20:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T07:20:07","slug":"rebuild-outlook-young-players-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/225974\/","title":{"rendered":"Rebuild Outlook; Young Players Status"},"content":{"rendered":"

The process. The Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> rebuild is unique to those they are competing with as general manager Kyle Dubas<\/a> attempts to build atop the existing, but aging foundation. <\/p>\n

When exactly the rebuild reaches its conclusion is probably a question answered only when there is a parade or results close enough to bring about that hope. <\/p>\n

As readers submitted questions via X, the underlying theme is indeed the rebuild, the process, and the outlook, even as the details are in question. <\/p>\n

From Southern California, the Penguins have a few days of sunshine and an off day on Wednesday. Hopefully they will venture into nice places around Los Angeles than I tried for a Monday dinner. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Even I chickened out after I walked in. A $6 dinner is nice, but sometimes the results are not worth it. <\/p>\n

Penguins Q&A<\/p>\n

As the penguins progress in this rebuild on the fly the goal posts are going to be ever changing. Where do you see the immediate goal to be in the shortand long term. How has that changed over the past few months with the success of Kindel and bright outlook on this years picks.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Awompa1 (@ac22484) October 13, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

That\u2019s an amazing question. <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think the goalposts have moved, but the perception of progress has changed significantly. Actually, the rebuild has progressed significantly, as well. <\/p>\n

Who saw Ben Kindel<\/a> becoming a legitimate NHL center this season? Further, Kindel is showing that he will have the chops to be a good second-line center.<\/p>\n

Harrison Brunicke<\/a> is showing that he will be a good NHL defenseman, though exactly which role he will fill is undetermined. Will he be an Alex Goligoski type, who provides offense from a second or third pairing and power play, or will he become a top-pair D-man? <\/p>\n

I project Brunicke to be a good second-pairing offensive threat. <\/p>\n

The immediate outlook and the long-term outlook remain the same, though the pair of rookies\u2019 emergence may adjust the timetable\u2013encouraging Dubas to be more aggressive in acquiring young players, but certainly not veterans. <\/p>\n

They have stacked some pieces in a hurry, but perhaps not many high-end pieces yet. <\/p>\n

The Penguins will need a top center and a few more high-end defensemen of the defending and offensive kind. In this process, the rebuild will have ended before anyone realizes it. <\/p>\n

Anything new on the sale and do you think that affects roster decisions now and in the future?<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Driz (@ryandperfect101) October 14, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

I have heard the progress has slowed. This week is a BIG week for the sale. That it has taken this long only furthers my suspicions that the city leaders who made quite a bit of noise by talking to strategic media outlets, including Pittsburgh Hockey Now, made some noise that couldn\u2019t be ignored. <\/p>\n

What happens when Rutger is healthy? What do you think the ideal D pairs are? I would like to see Clifton or Dumba on their off wing instead of Jones.<\/p>\n

\u2014 David Thomas (@Davidmthomas89) October 13, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

Well\u2026color me surprised that Ville Koivunen<\/a> was sent down to avoid placing Philip Tomasino on waivers. <\/p>\n

Rutger McGroarty is not a fourth liner, but his return date is uncertain, so something could change. Notably, Filip Hallander will have a chance to win an NHL job. <\/p>\n

Should Hallander fail to capture a regular spot in the next couple of weeks, he is in danger of being put on waivers, just as is Tomasino. <\/p>\n

The same question could be asked about Kevin Hayes, who skated Monday at practice. Hayes could bump Tomasino, who gets bumped by McGroarty. And someone will have to eventually get bumped for recalling Koivunen, too. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s only been 3 games , but based on those has your outlook for the season changed ?<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lisa (@bppenfan) October 14, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

I think the season is about to begin. A win on opening night showed the team had some moxy. A win over the Islanders showed the team had some talent. <\/p>\n

But those were wins over teams playing their first game of the season. Take a look at the difference between Game 1 and Game 3. <\/p>\n

Teams will ramp up. Justin Brazeau won\u2019t score two goals per game. Ben Kindel won\u2019t score 80 points, and Evgeni Malkin won\u2019t pop 100 points. <\/p>\n

My outlook hasn\u2019t changed. I still view them as a back of the lottery team, not a front of the lottery squad. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: ben kindel<\/a> harrison brunicke<\/a> Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> <\/p>\n

Categorized: Penguins Analysis<\/a><\/p>\n

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