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Rutger McGroarty, Pittsburgh Penguins (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Penguins Need Their Prospects to Start Stepping Up

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Sylvie McCarthy | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 8:25 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Penguins were supposed to be in a state of transition this season, but they have exceeded expectations and sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division. With 26 games remaining, there is a very good chance they make the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Initially, players like Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen and Avery Hayes were expected to see a lot of NHL action while the Penguins were rebuilding. However, the Penguins’ unexpected success, coupled with the fact that the prospects are not NHL-ready, has paused the team’s rookie movement for now.

Penguins Have a Lot of Talent Waiting in the Wings

General manager Kyle Dubas has to wait for his youth movement, which is a good thing. In fact, the Penguins have 12 rookies on the team this season, but Ben Kindel and Arturs Silovs are the only two who contribute regularly. The rest are eagerly waiting for their chance to prove themselves.

Hayes was outstanding during training camp and through the preseason. He has good speed, a good release, and he plays a strong 200-foot game. Earlier this month, the American Hockey League (AHL) named him Player of the Week. On Feb. 4, he scored the go-ahead goal to help the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins take a 4-1 victory over the Hershey Bears. He has played in 33 games with Wilkes-Barre this season, with 16 goals and ten assists.

On Feb. 5, Hayes joined Pittsburgh for a game against the Buffalo Sabres. He scored two goals in his NHL debut and helped the team win 5-2. He showed off his speed and release, especially on his second goal after getting an expert pass from Anthony Mantha. At 23 years old, he has a high hockey IQ, knows he has the edge in speed and is not afraid to take risks. He is also very good at finding open spaces and getting to scoring areas.

The Penguins were also optimistic about McGroarty heading into this season. He hasn’t been overly impressive, but he’s been solid in 20 games, with two goals and three assists. However, he has been developing nicely in Wilkes-Barre. Through 11 games with the Scranton Penguins, he has four goals and ten assists this season. At 21 years old, his game is still developing, but he has shown his potential.

Koivunen also showed a lot of promise heading into this season, but he is not quite ready for the NHL. His skating could use some work, and he struggled with injuries during his time in Pittsburgh. Through 27 games with the Penguins, he had two goals and three assists. He has also been developing nicely down in Wilkes-Barre and will probably be a weapon for the team very soon.

Penguins Need Their Young Talent to Start Stepping Up

Dubas has made it his mission to bring young players into the organization, and he’s done a good job of it. Kindel, 18, the Penguins’ 11th overall pick in last year’s draft, has been having a breakout rookie season with the big club. In 53 games, he has 14 goals and 27 points. Expect him to be part of Pittsburgh’s top six for the long term.

The Penguins have found more success this season than most expected. Their forward group is deep when healthy, which means the team’s prospects have not seen much ice time this season. The next phase of Dubas’s plan involves some rookies becoming NHL regulars. The talent is there in Wilkes-Barre, and hopefully, that will translate into long-term NHL success in the near future, if not this season.