Assessing the Penguins’ Top Young Prospects as the Season Winds Down

The 2025-26 hockey season is nearing its conclusion, and with many leagues deep into their playoffs, it’s time to revisit the Penguins’ Top 25 Under 25 list. Since our last update in February, the development of these young talents has been noteworthy, and here’s how they’ve fared as the season wraps up.

Starting with Tier 7, we find players like Quinn Beauchense, Travis Hayes, and Brady Peddle. All three were on amateur tryouts with Wilkes-Barre this spring but were released from those contracts recently. Although they didn’t get the chance to play in the AHL, their time with the professional team offered invaluable experience in understanding how a pro hockey team operates. In contrast, Cruz Lucius has chosen to go the free agent route, opting to explore opportunities with other NHL teams rather than continuing with the Penguins.

Moving to Tier 6, which includes players ranked 15 to 21, Avery Hayes and Tristan Broz have established themselves as key contributors for Wilkes-Barre, helping the team secure victories with their solid play. Emil Pieniniemi is currently engaged in the ECHL playoffs with Wheeling, while Finn Harding has had a solid rookie season despite being rotated in and out of the AHL playoff lineup. Tanner Howe, returning from a significant knee injury, has shown flashes of promise, making him an intriguing prospect for potential mid-season NHL call-ups if he continues on this trajectory.

In Tier 5, players ranked 12 to 14 demonstrate potential but require patience. Melvin Fernström has not seen game action during the AHL playoffs, while Peyton Kettles has been sidelined with an injury. However, Mikhail Ilyin stands out in this tier, having recorded more points in the playoffs (3 in 4 games) than he did during the regular season (2 in 5 games). His adaptation to North American hockey appears to be progressing well, making him a player to watch.

Tier 4 has become a haven for young goaltenders, with Arturs Silovs and Sergei Murashov leading the charge. Silovs showcased his ability to perform under pressure during the NHL playoffs, even while nursing a knee injury. Meanwhile, Murashov has been impressive in the AHL playoffs, boasting a 3-1 record with a 1.99 GAA and .937 save percentage, indicating a bright future ahead.

Tier 3 features players ranked 7 to 8, and while it has been a somewhat disappointing tier, Joel Blomqvist remains a reliable AHL goalie, even if he has not had the chance to showcase his skills this postseason. Owen Pickering, however, made headlines with a game-winning goal in the series against Hershey, contributing significantly to the AHL playoff lineup.

In Tier 2, recent first-round picks like Ben Kindel and Will Horcoff are still developing. Kindel had a commendable NHL season, and although Horcoff confirmed his return to the University of Michigan for the next season, his growth continues to be promising. The spotlight in this tier is on Bill Zonnon, who has quickly transitioned to Wilkes-Barre after his QMJHL season ended, and he is set to make his AHL debut soon, a significant milestone for the young player.

Finally, Tier 1 showcases the cream of the crop—Harrison Brunicke, Ville Koivunen, and Rutger McGroarty. While this trio may not have had the season they envisioned, they have emerged as top performers for Wilkes-Barre, with Brunicke playing a key role on defense, McGroarty contributing with clutch overtime goals, and Koivunen maintaining a productive pace in the playoffs with four points in four games. Their performances not only benefit Wilkes-Barre in the short term but also bode well for the Penguins’ future.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.