Ben Kindel Just Locked In His NHL Spot - Harrison Brunicke Could Face an Unexpected Option

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse confirmed Thursday that 18-year-old center Ben Kindel will stay in the NHL beyond his 10th game, officially activating the first year of his entry-level contract.

But another teenage rookie, 19-year-old defenseman Harrison Brunicke, faces a more uncertain path.

Brunicke, the Penguins' top defensive prospect, earned a roster spot out of training camp and has held his own early, recording one goal and an even plus-minus through seven games.

His skating and offensive instincts have wowed coaches, but recent outings have revealed growing pains, including a couple of costly miscues in Monday's 6-3 win over St. Louis when he tried to force plays offensively.

Those aren't out-of-the-ordinary mistakes for a young blueliner, but the Penguins must now decide what is best for Brunicke's long-term development.

They can send him back to the WHL's Kamloops Blazers, for whom he scored 30 points in 41 games last season. Or they can keep him in the NHL and take the learning curve.

There's also a third, less traditional option: a short AHL conditioning stint. If Brunicke is scratched for five consecutive NHL games, he can be loaned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for up to 14 days or five games, like the Kraken did with Shane Wright and the Kings did with Brandt Clarke.

Brunicke wrapped up his season strongly in the AHL last year, even logging playoff minutes and chipping in two points in two games.

With league rules preventing a full-season AHL assignment, a short-term loan could be a valuable experience for Brunicke without hindering his development entirely.

The decision the Penguins make over the next few days could be what determines how soon their top defensive prospect is ready for the NHL.