An unexpected breakout is reshaping the Pittsburgh Penguins' forward depth

King Jemison's report Monday made the point loud and clear: Broz is playing himself into a longer NHL look even as Rutger McGroarty heads back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

That's not a small detail in a crowded forward group.

The McGroarty news means the middle six just shifted again, but Broz kept his spot in conversations with Muse and the staff.

It's one thing to get a few shifts; it's another to keep them when the roster moves don't help your case.

As a fan, what's fascinating is how he's earning it without an obvious highlight reel.

Broz is showing the kind of all-ice play that matters: quick support on exits, clean board battles, and a stick that can turn neutral chances into zone time.

Scouts have been noting his «hockey sense,» and that's exactly the skill that keeps you around at this level.

The numbers don't lie either.

Broz has quietly bumped his AHL totals this season to eye-catching levels - a point pace that would stand out on a younger forward - and both Pensburgh and TheAHL.com have him near the top of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's scoring charts.

More importantly, his chances created per game are trending upward, which is exactly what Muse wants from depth forwards.

This isn't «spark» hockey for a night.

This is consistency that makes a coach ask, who do we roll tonight?

Tristan's willingness to play both ends hard has turned heads, and that's critical when the NHL group needs trustworthy options.

Rutger McGroarty's return to the AHL underscores something subtle: Pittsburgh isn't punting on prospects, they're balancing development and results.

With McGroarty getting steady minutes in WBS, Broz can stay ready without the pressure to «just score.»

The next milestone for Broz is obvious - keep producing with purpose, not just flair.

That's how you turn a few NHL shifts into a real role.

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