Pittsburgh Penguins’ Top Young Prospects: Honorable Mentions for 2026

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ organization is brimming with young talent, boasting an impressive reserve list that includes 21 unsigned drafted players and 22 others under contract for the upcoming pro season. This surge in prospects has made the task of ranking the top 25 players under 25 a more complex endeavor than ever before. Once a challenge to find even 25 names to consider, the Penguins now have over 40 viable candidates, prompting us to acknowledge five honorable mentions on the cusp of making this year’s list. These players, with promising potential, could very well earn a spot next year, contingent on their performance in the upcoming season.

Earlier this week, we began our Top 25 Under 25 series, focusing on players who have aged out, were traded, or left the organization. For clarity, players drafted in 2019, such as Elmer Soderblom, who recently turned 25, and Nick Robertson, who will celebrate his birthday this September, are ineligible for this year’s ranking. However, 2020 draftees like Hendrix Lapierre and Joel Blomqvist, who are still under 25, qualify for consideration.

This series, a staple in SBN Hockey blogs for over a decade, serves as a snapshot of the current value and importance of young players within the organization. While it doesn’t predict who will become the best pro in the future, it provides a clear view of how these players stack up against one another today. Balancing the potential of a fresh-faced 18-year-old draftee against a 24-year-old on the brink of NHL impact is no easy task, and the subjective nature of this ranking only adds to the challenge.

To further refine our analysis, we consider the hypothetical trade value of these players. If another team sought to finalize a deal, which prospect or young player would the Penguins be more inclined to retain? This judgment can significantly influence the rankings, though it’s not an absolute rule, as certain player profiles, like puck-moving defensemen, may carry more trade value than others.

As we delve deeper into this process, we will reveal more about the informal tiers of prospects that structure our rankings. This year, we have players poised to contribute at the NHL level, followed by tiers of highly drafted players with upside and mid-age prospects seeking to prove themselves. Further down the list, we will also highlight longshots showing promise.

For now, let’s take a look at the players who didn’t make this year’s top 25, akin to the ‘others receiving votes’ section of the AP poll. Remarkably, any of these honorable mentions could have ranked as high as 12th just last year, given the weakened state of the prospect pool then. The influx of talent has certainly improved the situation, making these players worth watching as they continue to develop.

Beauchesne, a fifth-round pick in 2025, stood out during this month’s development camp. Penguins director of player development Tom Kostopolous noted, “I don’t know if another prospect in our organization grew as much as he did during the season last year. It was great to see. You could see him mature as a leader, as an individual, and really take ownership of his career and his development.” Although Beauchesne’s uneven start to his OHL year and the influx of new talent have bumped him from this year’s list, he still has ample time to develop. After his OHL season, he made his pro debut for one game in Wilkes and will continue his growth at Boston College this fall.

Calvert, 22, earned an NHL entry-level contract this July, a reward for his hard work and versatility. After going undrafted, he became the second-highest scorer on a championship team in the WHL, and his breakout season in the AHL saw him score 38 points in 70 games. Known for his reliable play and strong work ethic, Calvert has proven to be a dependable player that coaches can trust in crucial situations.

Gabriel D’Aigle, a third-round pick from 2025, remains a bit of an enigma. Playing on a struggling QMJHL team, assessing his potential has been challenging. However, Kostopolous expressed excitement about his future, saying, “He’s a competitor. He wants to stop pucks.” D’Aigle, who is still very young for a pro goalie, gained valuable experience last season, and his transition to professional play will be one to watch.

Lastly, Dach, a seventh-round pick in 2025, is another prospect on the rise. After leading the Calgary Hitmen in goals and points last season, he is set to begin his NCAA career at Penn State. His trajectory mirrors that of his older brother, and while he has a long road ahead, the Penguins are optimistic about his potential.

Travis Hayes, a 2025 fourth-round pick and younger brother of Penguin Avery Hayes, shares similar characteristics with his sibling but is carving his own path. Kostopolous praised Travis, saying, “He gives you everything he has every shift. He’s been working on his shot and his puck skills.” As he heads back to the OHL with aspirations of joining the professional ranks in the future, the Penguins remain hopeful about his development.

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