Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2021 Top 25 Under 25: Where Are They Now?

Reflecting on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospect pool from 2021, it’s clear that the organization faced significant challenges in developing young talent. During a period focused on maximizing their championship window, the team only made one first-round pick from 2016 to 2021. This commitment to short-term success came at the cost of future assets, resulting in a prospect ranking of 29th from The Athletic in both February 2021 and February 2022. Fast forward a few years, and the results largely aligned with expectations, as only three players from that pool are currently in the NHL with minimal impact.

Starting with the list, Santeri Airola, ranked 25th, showcased his potential as a puck mover during development camps but never signed in North America. At 25, he had a standout season with SaiPa Lappeenranta in Finland, producing 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 57 games. Jan Drozg, in 24th, remained in the Penguins’ organization until 2022, primarily as an AHL player, before spending four years in the KHL. He transitioned to the Austrian league for the 2025-26 season, marking a notable shift in his career. Will Reilly, at 23, also spent time in the AHL, winning the ECHL Kelly Cup with Florida in 2024 before heading to the KHL in Shanghai.

Clayton Phillips, ranked 22nd, struggled to find his footing after being a third-round pick in 2017. He played just one game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2022 before stints with two ECHL teams. Chase Yoder, who drew comparisons to Brandon Tanev, was not signed by the Penguins after finishing his collegiate career in 2025. He began his pro journey in the ECHL, tallying 27 points in 39 games. Kirill Tankov, at 20, remains a Penguins prospect but faces uncertainty after a neck injury derailed his development. He has since secured a full-time spot in the KHL, recording 13 points in 42 games.

Raivis Ansons, ranked 19th, struggled to secure a full-time role in the AHL, ultimately signing an AHL contract with Wilkes for the 2025-26 season. He has played a limited role as a depth player in the current playoff run. Lukas Svejkovsky, the 18th pick, found success in the WHL but has yet to replicate that in the AHL, managing only 19 points over two seasons before moving to Finland. Judd Caulfield, at 17, was traded to Anaheim and has spent his entire pro career in the AHL, achieving career-highs in goals (17) and points (38) last season.

Jonathan Gruden, ranked 16th, had a brief stint with the NHL Penguins in 2023-24 but has since seen a decline in his role and production. He was traded to New Jersey and has spent time in their AHL system. Kasper Bjorkqvist, the 15th-ranked player, battled injuries and returned to Finland after leaving the Penguins organization. Jordy Bellerive, at 14, faced similar struggles, dealing with an off-ice injury that hindered his return to form. He played in the AHL before heading to the Swedish lower league and then signing with a Slovakian team.

Cam Lee, ranked 13th, has spent the last four seasons in the KHL after departing from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Drew O’Connor, at 12, emerged as a rare success story, scoring 17 goals for NHL Vancouver last season and securing a $5 million contract. Joel Blomqvist, ranked 11th, has been a consistent presence in the AHL but faces competition from a younger prospect, which may impact his future.

Isaac Belliveau, at 10, was traded to Buffalo after two seasons with the Penguins, but his AHL impact has been limited. Calle Clang, ranked 9th, has progressed to become AHL San Diego’s most-used goalie but has struggled statistically. Filip Lindberg, at 8, returned to Finland after playing in the AHL and has held backup roles across multiple teams. Nathan Legare, ranked 7th, has transitioned into a more physical role, playing primarily in the AHL with the New Jersey Devils.

Tristan Broz, at 6, has become a clutch player in the AHL but has only seen limited NHL action due to injuries. Valtteri Puustinen, at 5, had a brief stint in the NHL with Pittsburgh before being traded to Colorado, where he remains active in the AHL playoffs. Filip Hallander, ranked 4th, has had an erratic journey, including a blood clot issue that interrupted his season. Samuel Poulin, at 3, moved to Edmonton as part of a trade and is now a Group VI unrestricted free agent.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph, ranked 2nd, has had a tumultuous career, shifting teams multiple times and most recently playing for Vancouver. Finally, John Marino, at the top spot, was traded to New Jersey in 2022 and has since found his footing with the Mammoth, setting a new career high in points last season. His ongoing contract with Pittsburgh, signed back in January 2021, adds an intriguing layer to his journey as he navigates the evolving landscape of the league.

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